Shimano® Syncopate® Spinning Reel

Shimano Syncopate Spinning Reel packs power, precision and performance in 1 AFFORDABLE PRICE! Well thought-out features with you in mind! Oversized Power Roller II line roller reduces twist from casting and retrieving and is enhanced with a tapered area on the support to help your line get onto the roller quicker. Meanwhile, DynaBlance technology eliminates wobble during the retrieve by counter balancing the rotor to enhance sensitivity and smoothness. That's only part of the story though... ... here's the rest: QuickFire II gives you easy and fast one-handed casting; Die-cast aluminum spool; graphite frame, sideplate and rotor; Flat T-type handle; 4 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth reeling; Pick Model. Order Now! Model No.: SC1000FE, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 24, Wt. (ozs.): 9, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 2/270, 4/140, 6/110, Max Drag (lbs.): 7, Gear Ratio: 5.2:1; Model No.: SC2500FE, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 26, Wt. (ozs.): 9 1/2, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 6/170, 8/120, 10/100, Max Drag (lbs.): 7, Gear Ratio: 5.2:1; Model No.: SC4000FE, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 31, Wt. (ozs.): 12, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 8/240, 10/200, 12/160, Max Drag (lbs.): 13, Gear Ratio: 5.2:1; Shimano Syncopate Spinning Reel

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life,
there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."

- Doug Larson

With a last name like Fischer you'd think I'd know a thing or two about fish and particularly how to land one into your frying pan.But I don't.Never have.Even before giving up the fish-bones-in-yer-teeth diet for a vegetarian one eight years ago, I didn'tpossess much skill in the art of angling.Not for lack of effort, mind you.Oh, I was quite avid about the sport for some time.Avid but despairingly inept.In strictly statistical terms I was lousy.I imagine now that it took me, at best, 200 casts of my line for every fish that I caught(if you can call those little sunfish that look like decorative soap bars fish at all).That works out to a whopping0.5% productivity of catching anything beyond the usual glump of weeds, discarded fishing line, sludge-filled sneakers, or whatever else made up the less than idyllic underworld of Hamilton's Cootes "Paradise" at the western most tip of Lake Ontario.And that's just looking at casting productivity.When I stop to think of my efficiency in terms of time, my success rate at the art of catching my dinner was infinitesimal - say 0.001% of my time.

Yet, as I recall those days, I remember going fishing at any chance I could get.Why?What would possibly possess a guy to meditate over mere possibility from the crack of dawn until dusk most summer evenings?It certainly couldn't have been any great aspiration to become the next Bob Izumi on Saturday afternoon television.I clearly had no future in the sport.It couldn't have been the satisfaction of cooking up my catch - the quantity of which was enough to provide an appetizer at best ("catch of the day on a cracker anyone?")It wasn't even some familial need to perpetuate the long line of fishers in our family - as far as I know, most of us Fischer's were actually agricultural farmers.So why did I "fish" like there was no tomorrow?I guess because, pure and simple, it was a lot of fun!Pure pleasure.Simple pleasure.

There was the deep joy of anticipation, the repose, the whiling away of lazy hours, the solitude, the cheese sandwiches warming in my backpack under a 12 o'clock sun.There was the retreat from life's concerns to contemplate the things I really valued in my life - like freedom, like meaning, like a connection to the greater whole of which I am a mere small fry.There was in "fishing" a time and space for me to slowly acquiesce to the benevolent goodness of this river of life.Fishing, in the final analysis, helped me to say "yes" to my own life.Come to think of it, with my general ineptitude in angling, these other things must have been the real "catch" for me.

Now, as a vegetarian, I don't fish anymore.But maybe I should.I probably wouldn't catch anything anyway.Maybe I should just toss my line into the water with one of my father's lug-nuts on the end the way I used to practice my casting skills in my parents garden, fishing for two foot cucumbers (maybe that's where my vegetarianism started!).With my line snagged under some submerged log, I could reconnect with the seminal joy of those teenaged fishing excursions - my great foil for spiritual awakening.I wonder if I still have that old Shimano fly-casting rod?Maybe I'll dig it out this weekend and instead of packing my tackle box full of hooks and lures and fluorescent gummy worms, I'll fill it with some nice cucumber sandwiches, a soy shake and a copy of Vegetarian Times .How's that for a new angle on the old art? And now if you'll excuse me, I'd rather be fishing - wink, wink.See you on the water.

Peter H. Fischer is a speechwriter living in Vancouver, British Columbia. He can be reached through his website at http://www.fischerspeeches.com

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

Fiji Inshore / Reef Pattern (The I dont care spread)

The Fiji islands enjoy a whole variety of sport fish species from reef dwelling coral trout to oceanic blue marlin. Whilst we usually target particular species aboard our game fishing vessels here at Matava in Fiji, Bite Me and Offensive Tackle, we sometimes take resort guests out simply to catch dinner and have fun doing so.

It's general fishing (Otherwise known as I dont care what I catch just as long as its big and tasty) so we aim to cover all our bases and catch a variety of different species.

We run 15kg (30lb) Shimano TLD25 outfits on Excalibur roller tip rods with a 9ft double connected to a short leader. All minnows are rigged on a short single strand wire trace. The sample spread below should give you an idea of how we fish the inner lagoons and fringing reefs for anything and everything found there.

Sample I dont care spread from our inshore sport fishing boat Offensive Tackle

SHORT CORNER

Target Mackerel, Grouper, Red Bass

1. Halco Sorcerer Silver (mullet)
2. Halco Laser Pro 190 Crazy Deep Silver (mullet)

LONG CORNER

Target Mackerel, Barracuda, Long Tom

1. Lurestreet Raptor Green / Gold or Red / White

SHORT RIGGER

Target Tuna, all Trevally

1. Wellsys Micro Bullet Red black / Pink

LONG RIGGER

Target Tuna, all Trevally

1. Pakula Uzi Orange.
2. Abu Toby Spoon or other metal slug- Silver Target - Queenfish

SHOTGUN

Target Mackerel, Tuna, all Trevally

1. Halco Laser Pro 160 minnow Redhead
2. Pakula Phantom Blue Silver / Green Gold (Evil) Target Sailfish.
3. Halco Roosta Popper Redhead Target Large Great Barracuda & GTs

Species Variety:

Mackerel

• Narrow Barred (Spanish) Mackerel
• Shark Mackerel
• Double lined Mackerel

Tuna

• Yellowfin Tuna
• Skipjack Tuna
• Mackerel Tuna (Kawakawa)
• Bigeye Tuna
• Albacore

Trevally

• Giant Trevally
• Bluefin Trevally
• Bigeye Trevally
• Brassy Trevally
• Golden Trevally

Barracuda

• Great Barracuda
• Chevron Barracuda
• Bigeye Barracuda

Grouper

• Coral Trout
• Lyretail Grouper
• Peacock Grouper
• Rock Cod

Where we get our Inshore lures :

Wellsys Tackle

Palmfishing & Outdoors : Fishing Tackle Warehouse, Palm Fishing, Fishing News, Feeds, Community, Forums

Adrian was born on the island of Cyprus and graduated to his first rod & reel at the age of five. Having fished around the world from the Arabian Gulf to the North sea and English Channel, he finally settled for the tropical waters of the South Pacific around the island of Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Director of Matava Resort Gamefishing, he skippers 'Bite Me', the resort's 31ft DeepVee Gamefishing vessel and thoroughly enjoys exploring the light and heavy tackle fishing around the island and Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. An IGFA Certified Captain, he advocates tag & release and is a keen supporter of the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.

Adrian Watt
IGFA Captain
info@matava.com
http://www.Matava.com
http://www.GamefishingFiji.com
http://www.GameFishingFiji.blogspot.com

shimano fishing

Shimano Tiagra 80 W Big Game Fishing Reel Cover New

Keeping your tackle safe and secure is very important to fisherman. This gear was designed to help you prevent any unnecessary loss of tackle during a day on the water. Protect your reels with Shiamno's new neoprene reel covers. All sides made of neoprene to help absorb the bumps and scratches. Design allows for reel covers to be mounted while the reel is on or off the rod. All sides made out of 5mm neoprene # Gold logo and stitches over shiny black fabric match the color of Tiagra reels and Tallus rods.# All reel covers fit perfectly to specific size of Tiagra reels.

In modern carp fishing the ability to cast further is a definite advantage in the anglers armoury. The fact is, that despite what their estimated casting range is, most anglers will struggle to better 100 yards by any great margin.

Not all waters allow boats or bait boats, so being able to cast is a real plus, and can make the difference between catching and not catching. I remember all too well blanking on a lake in France because the fish were at 150 yards and I couldn't reach them. The Dutch guy in the next peg was casting there easily. Needless to say he bagged up... much to my frustration.

We can't all afford to go out and buy top of the range gear, which is what you 'll need to compete with the top casters.. that and loads of tuition and a modicum of talent. For us mere mortals a few hints and tips can get us up to the 140-150 yards range. I've done it measured, so as an average caster I can tell you it works. These tips were picked up from Mark Hutchinson and Mehdi Daho, but if you really want to get into the big league. I suggest you take lessons with someone like Mark.

Ok so here are 10 tips that will help you cast further with your regular carp gear.

1. Use a Large Spool Big Pit 'Type' Reel: These don't have to cost a fortune, the Shimano AERLEX costs as little as fifty quid. Okuma make excellent value big spool reels too.

The top flight reels like the Ultegra's from Shimano and Tournaments from Daiwa will set you back a few bob, but are excellent tools. The advantage of the wide spool on a big pit is that the diameter doesn't drop as quickly as you cast, thus less friction builds up on the spool lip, increasing your distance.

2. Fill Spool to the Rim: Make sure you fill your spool right up to the rim. Modern fixed spool reels used in carp fishing have pretty good line lay, compared to the awful things like Mitchell 300's and Cardinals. To make the most of the casting capacity of your reel fill it right flush to the lip. Don't overfill as you'll get bird's nests, but go as full as you can. Bear in mind that the line will bed down a bit.

3. Fill Your Spool with 10lb Monofilament Line: It stands to reason the finer the line you use the further you'll cast. You can't go mad in carp fishing as the fish are big and fight hard. In most open water 10lb mono is more than adequate. I use Daiwa Sensor 10lb for my long range stuff, but many of the quality monos on the market will do. Some anglers drop line strength even more...it's a trade off really between abrasion resistance and casting needs. A finer diameter line will naturally need far less chaffing to break it than heavy, thicker nylon. A few drops of Kryston Greased Lightening will also make the nylon flow off the reel better.

4. Use a Braided Leader: To get maximum distance with 10lb main line you'll need a shock leader. Here I'd recommend a 50lb braid for a leader material. Braid has no stretch so all your power is put into the blank and not into the stretch of a nylon leader. It will add distance to your casts.

5. Use A Helicopter Rig: The best casting rig is the 'Helicopter' rig. Set up right is is also the only rig that will leave the fish free of the line in the case of a crack off. Now these rigs DO have to be done right. The wrong set up and you have a death rig, as the fish trail line and the lead. There are several companies making either ready to use rigs or selling the various end rig items you need to make a safe set-up. Please pay careful attention to this! The poor set up of the helicopter rigs has seen it banned on my waters, which is stupid, as done correctly it should be the safest rig out there.

It lets the lead fly first and the bait follows, giving you a more aerodynamic set up and therefore more distance. Combine this with a short nylon stiff or combi-hooklink and it will go far...

6. Use a Zip Lead: A lead of the Zip type will cast further than any lead out there. Aerodynamic, these leads really come into their own when used with a bait. In most circumstances you may net see a huge difference between dumpy pear leads and zips, that is until you attach your boilie. The zip gives your rig far more stability and lets you get several yards extra distance on your cast. These leads fly straight and true and will be more accurate too.

7. Use a Small Bait: Inertia is one of the main problems you come across when looking to gain those precious extra yards. It stands to reason a large 22mm boilie not only adds weight to the rig, but also adds wind resistance and makes the set up less stable in the air and less aerodynamic. If you drop your bait size down to 14mm or smaller, it won't prevent a carp from finding and eating your offering, but it will certainly help cancel out some of the negative effects of the large bait.

8. Use a Fingerstall: This is primarily a safety issue. Braided leaders are like cheese wire, and will cut your finger down to the bone easily if you don't wear a fingerstall. These need to be leather Reuben Heatons offers a very good one. To my mind the fear of hurting myself and certainly the pain of slicing my finger would prevent me from really leaning into a cast without one. The use of a fingerstall, the safety issue aside, gives me all the confidence to go for the big one and not worry about injury. As I said above, you need strong fine braided shock leader with no stretch to transfer the energy of the lead compressing the blank on the cast. To use braid you MUST protect your casting finger.

9. Make Sure Your Rod Handle is the Right Length: Now here is a point I bet most people don't think about when they buy a rod to cast long range with. The length of the handle. So you can transfer the maximum of your bodyweight into the cast, you need to be able to tuck the handle under your armpit as you follow through. If the handle is too long, you'll need to push it to one side at the end of the cast. You'll almost certainly be losing yourself a few metres like this. You don't need full custom built rods, but you should get a rod builder or a good tackle shop to tailor your rod for your arm length.

10. Cast Off the Deck: You can gain precious yards by laying your lead on the floor and casting off the deck. You'll transfer all the force of the cast almost immediately as you lift the weight, compressing the blank and unleashing the full power of the rod. A couple of points to bear in mind, you might want to uprate your leader strength to 100lb or so, as the casts of this type are brutal to say the least. You also might want to lay the lead and the rig on an unhooking mat of some such thing to avoid catching the rig on the ground or vegetation as you cast. I'd probably protect the hook point with PVA also to avoid it pricking the material.

This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few tips and guide lines I've picked up to help you put extra yards on a cast. Don't be afraid of breaking a rod, although its always a possibility, modern carbon fibre is a hugely strong material and in normal fishing the risks are not too great. A fishing rod is a tool so use it to its full...

by Gareth Watkins :
For more Carp Fishing News, Posts, Tips and Articles Check out my own Angling Lines Blog at : http://www.anglinglines.com/blog

shimano fishing

got snook? Kids T Shirt 2T thru Youth XL

Great looking 100% cotton shirt. Please refer to our sizing chart for measurements.This design also available as a men's or women's tee shirt, and a men's hoodie and sweat shirt in our other amazon.com listings.

Specialized reels, to me, are gold out on the water. And what is a specialized reel you ask? Well, a reel with special added tools such as flipping switches fit the category. These reels specialize in flipping, of course, with the added bonus of good quick reeling with high ratios. Line capacity is also a special item because when fishing the Carolina rig or in deep water, for example, the more line the better.

When skipping docks line capacity reels are not important as far as I am concerned. What should be special in this case is the speed of the reel and type. Spinning is best with a 6.0:1 gear ratio because free spooling ease can be had and slack line can be kept at a minimum. These characteristics are what make this type of reel special for skipping.

Certain features are incorporated into reels for a reason. Fast trigger spinning reels like the Spirex from Shimano is a good special tool to have when working crank baits or stick baits. Reel it home, then just simply press the trigger and cast again and again. All one has to do is reel back enough and 'presto', always in the same position. Now try setting the hook on a Bass while dragging a tube with this type of reel and you will have that ever present line of travel to the trigger position. And that could mean the loss of a good fish. It is still, however, a specialized reel, in my opinion.

I know, believe me, specialized reels require special budgets, especially when they are many and the dollars are few. There are many reels that will do many tasks, special or not, and when choosing a reel, keeping things in perspective is key. What will we be doing with this reel? Do we need a high gear ratio or large line capacity reel? Or, better yet, do we specialize in one rig only? Hey, don't knock it! Many tournament anglers I know use jigs and trailers exclusively, and carry two or three of the same specialized combo with the only difference being jig colors. It works for them, so it might work for you too. But for me, well, I am partial to all my specialty combos. I like to be ready for any special circumstance where Bass can be had. I love a good challenge where variety and versatility is constantly utilized!

Now how about specialized rods or combos, fishing line, baits, rigs, the list is endless. But keep in mind that each and every little special item incorporated into fishing products is there for good reason; and that is to put fish in the live well using the best resources and technology available! And that, my Bass angler friends, is a fact!

Visit Nic DiGravio at http://www.probassfishing.ca

shimano fishing

Got Snook ? Women's tee Shirt in 6 Colors Small thru XL

Pick from the petite form-fitting babydoll style or standard regular fit womens style. Please refer to our sizing chart for measurements.This design also available as a men's tee shirt, and a men's hoodie and sweat shirt in our other amazon.com listings.

Deck the halls with lots of reels! Now that's my idea of a reel Christmas; you bet! Now, which one should I choose, a bait caster or a spinning reel, or both?

For starters, let's consider Shimano brands for now. The Core is a sweet little bait casting reel that is a dream to use. Light weight and strong are its best traits and it will do just fine in every fishing scenario you can throw at it. It's an excellent reel and worth every single penny!

If spinning is your cup of tea, then Shimanos Saros is just the ticket. It will fit any Bass angler's budget and is also a smooth enjoyable spinning reel to use. They come in different sizes for whatever the fishing circumstances. I particularly enjoy using the 1000. It's a good all around size for me. I know the Saros would put a smile on any Bass anglers face come Christmas no matter how many they already have. You can never have enough of a good product!

Quantum has good affordability in their Kinetic spinning reels. For under a hundred dollars this reel is perfect. The Kinetic is a strong solid spinning reel with a dependable drag to pull any hawg out of heavy cover. Yet it is light enough to fit the bill when it comes to finesse fishing or shaky rigging, for example. I have put many Smallmouth Bass in the boat with the Quantum Kinetic and it has not let me down. It is a durable reel that will get the job done!

Another good reel that should fit the Christmas budget is the Six Rivers bait casting reel from Browning. It features good smooth 6.4:1 ratio reeling which is excellent for finessed baits. It can cast effortlessly and has the back bone and speed all in one to help aid us in getting that Bass in the live well.

Speaking of live well, if Santa's listening, I would love my live well full of Bass every outing next season and also another Core, Saros, Kinetic, Six Rivers reel please! Oh, don't forget a Diawa Steez trigger rod to go with every one of my 'newer' reels. "Did I say please?"

Visit Nic DiGravio at http://www.probassfishing.ca

shimano fishing

got snook? Men's tee Shirt in 12 colors Small thru 6XL

All avid anglers will find the need for the perfect sport fishing boat a difficult to pass up idea and so we are here to help you narrow down this search for you by guiding you through the deal of where to find it and what factors to consider.

Do not hurry over making the final decision as you should invest time into the hunt for the ideal sports fishing boat into which, you will also be sinking in good money; thus, look closely at the different categories of fishing boats, the facilities that come aboard it and the various sleek and practical designs for your needs. There are a few basic types of sport fishing boats in the market and depending on the kind of fish you are aiming to catch, you can decide on the vessel that will best meet your sailor?s needs for those particular waters!

Some popular categories of Sport Fishing Boats include:-

1. Boats for Freshwater Fishing
2. Boats for Offshore saltwater fishing
3. Boats for Inshore saltwater fishing
4. Bass Fishing boats
5. and Float tubes

From the above mentioned category of sport fishing boats, the most practical and versatile range of boats are the Freshwater kinds; these can be used in all kinds of fresh waterways and help you avoid the cost and manageability of owning a large boat. Typically made of Aluminum or fiberglass, these boats weigh less and are easy to operate for shorter fishing trips while the offshore saltwater sport fishing boat is heavier, with stronger motor force backing it. This variety has many models, including an electric and a convertible one; the inshore saltwater vessel, on the other hand, is great for fishing Bonefish, Snook, redfish, Tarpin and others and consist of one outboard motor with a an option for a deck.

Coming to the category of Bass fishing boats: these are best suited for more experienced anglers and reserved for contests as such, riding low on waterways and moving with a speed that requires experts to cast lines that win them tournaments with a timely catch! These come with dual platforms to make quick work of casting a line! Float tubes are simple floating devices with space for a fisherman?s seating and that allows for partial submersion into the waters, so the angler can steer around a limited area easily and also have access to an air chamber.

What amenities to look out for in Best Sport Fishing Boats

While there are many types of sport fishing boats, from basic to budget to luxury models that can be designed according to buyer specifications, the wide range of boating accessories (fishing chairs, deck stackable gear, easy store motors and Digi- depth finders etc.) increase the value of the particular model! Other features in best sport fishing boats may include latest music playing and swimming platforms, stowage areas under seats and the floor, built-in insulated coolers and covered patios and decks on the boat!

Top of the Line Sport Fishing Boat Makers you can depend on for quality products include big names like L.L. Bean, Attwood, Bennett Marine, Pelican, Luhr Jensen, Redington, Centurion, Quantum, Ed Curmings, Shimano, Tohatsu, Berkley, C.E. Smith, T-H Marine, Sevylor and Berkley.

Also check out the customer service options these leading manufacturers offer on range of boat designs and convenience of delivery.

Abhishek is an avid Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fishing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 116 Pages Ebook, "Fishing Mastery!" from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/772/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

One the most frustrating things I need to do is figure out what to get my dad and brother for Christmas. They are so hard to buy for not only for Christmas but also for their birthdays. My dad is getting up there in years and has just about everything you can think of and my brother is fairly successful and seems to have everything a guy would want. So I started a little search to see what was out there for me to get for them.

I started thinking maybe a nice new watch like a Citizen Eco-Drive Men's Watch. That sounded pretty good, not to high priced, not some cheap seen on TV thingy and it is an Eco-Drive. I found some great online sites for watches and saw some exciting outdoorsman type watches for the brother.

Then I got to thinking that since they both could fish all day long and are always searching for the right tackle and fishing gear maybe a new fishing rod and reel. Once again a little search for Bass fishing equipment on the internet turned up numerous sites to look through. And since I enjoy fishing with the men I pretty much knew what kinds of gear they like the best.

Well to make a long story short I figured out what top get my dad and brother for Christmas. I got my dad the Citizen Eco-Drive Men's Watch and my brother a fantastic Shimano Bait casting rod and reel combo. Of course they may both fight over the other's present but that is their problem. Dad will be able to use his right away but the brother will need to wait until the snow melts to use his-or is that him practicing in the back yard? Now what do I get my husband is the next question.

Becky has found a great site for Christmas gift giving. http://menswatches4u.com for a great selection of men's watches of all makes and models.

shimano fishing

SYMETRE SY4000FI Shimano Fishing Reel

The Split shot rig is a finesse version of a fish finding rig along the lines of but not quite the Carolina Rig. Too many anglers dismiss this method as being too slow or a small fish method. The truth is that it is a deadly finesse method that can cover water as efficiently and as quickly as the Carolina rig. The split shot method also is a great way to catch limits of keeper sized bass. What tournament angler could dispute the success of that? Split shotting is a fairly shallow water finesse technique that works best in depths under 20 feet. It can be worked deeper but the sensitivity decreases as the depth increases. For anglers who arent confident in their worm fishing abilities, the split shot rig is actually nothing like traditional worm fishing.

This method is a cast and crank method that can be more easily compared to crank bait fishing than to worm fishing. The tiny 4inch curly tailed worms are in constant motion on the bottom so it might be even more effective than cranking because the bait stays in the strike zone longer. However simple this may sound, you can increase the effectiveness of the technique by seining the bottom. By this I mean using different casting angles and boat positioning to essentially saturate a grid or area. This way you can potentially present the bait to every fish within a determined area.

Not Just Another Carolina rig

The Split Shot may resemble a Carolina rig but it is different. To tie the rig you must eliminate the bullet sinker. Instead, you just crimp a piece of shot, two or three feet above the Texas rigged bait. I most often distance the shot about 18 to 24 inches above the bait. It is important to use only round shot without the tabs. The tabs will always catch on the weeds and foul the rig. Use size 2 or 4 shot. Make sure you dont fray the line when you crimp the shot down on it. I prefer softer shot to prevent damaging the line. Water Gremlin, makers of weights and sinkers for fishing has introduced its Bull Shot. This is a bullet weight or conical shaped weight with a new twist. Like its famous squeezable split shot weights that crimp on to the line, Bull Shot weights have the same premise. Here you can place your bullet weight above the hook in any desired length. Just squeeze it on and it will stay in place. Gone are the days of multi knot rigs. It is a quick and easy way to rig up your soft plastics. This may be the best alternative if avoiding weeds and snags are your concern. The pointed shape comes through snags with ease and takes this rig to a new dimension.

This is a true finesse rig. Using this rig requires an angler to scale down his/her tackle. A four-inch bait is about the largest an angler should use. Employ a size 1/0 or size 1 Aberdeen style hook. Rig the bait on the seam. This along with the Aberdeen hook is a straight shank style and creates a keel to prevent the bait from rolling thus eliminating line twist. That is the key to the natural swimming motion of this bait. Fine diameter line and light spinning gear are necessary for this technique. I use a 6 or 6-6 foot ML spinning rod and 6lb test for this technique.

Employ the split shot rig when fishing in depths shallower than 20 feet. Any deeper and youll lose contact with the bait. The split shot retrieve is slow and steady. Maximum bottom contact is essential. You simply have to keep the weight in contact with the bottom. This technique is perfect for locating concentrations of bass. Especially when coordinated to cover a specific area from multiple angles. Because the bait is always in motion, wind won't hamper its success. Wind can put a serious damper on regular worm fishing such as a Texas rig. The split shot rig is less affected by wind because you are constantly moving it.

Split shotting is deadly when fishing used water. If I'm fishing behind another boat, chances are that I am throwing a split shot rig to the water that has already been covered by that boat. The split shot method excels in heavily fished waters. That is the beauty of this method. One area in which this method excels is locating fish around uninteresting areas. Most anglers will beat visible cover or structure they see on their LCDs to death. While you can catch fish in these places on split shot rigs, the rig may be better suited for use in boring areas without heavy cover. These boring areas are usually passed over by other anglers and they likely dont receive any exploration because those anglers cant see anything attractive to hold bass.

One particular day I was on an 85 acre pond that was hosting a bass tournament by a local B.A.S.S. chapter. The water was crowded with 15 or so boats and all of the water was used up. Immediately I rigged a split shot worm and I proceeded to catch a limit of decent bass. From what I heard, the participants didnt fair as well. This proved to me how valuable an option this rig is. It took fish in water that was used by skilled anglers. This rig is a good choice when trying to locate fish on an unfamiliar lake. It is often the first tactic I'll try on new waters. When a cold front is passing through the split shot may be the only bait that gets consistent attention from bass.

Anglers must learn to recognize the strike on a split shot rig. It differs from the telltale tap-tap of the Texas rig. The split shot bite tends to feel like a mushy sensation or the feeling of added pressure on the line. Bass do tend to hold onto the bait a bit longer than traditionally rigged worms. The lack of a sliding weight for a bass to feel in its mouth likely is the reason. This set up is just more natural. As with many of the techniques in this book, it might be best to learn what the rig feels like being retrieved unimpeded. Because you will be bumping of bottom with it, you may be in for a tough time recognizing strikes. Just remember that hook sets are free and if you feel anything out of the ordinary, swing on it. One caution with this rig, because you are using light line, try to sweep set the rod sharply to one side of your body. I utilize a set similar to the Slider sweep. You do not want to pop your line by setting too hard with the tiny line. Bass seem to hold on to the bait because of the weightless feeling coupled with the small amount of slack line between the split shot and the bait.

Hand poured worms along with standard grubs, reapers and lizards work well on a split shot rig. One of the best worms for this is the Curly Tail worm from Robo Worm. This is made specifically for the Shot techniques. This is a tiny 4 inch worm that features some wicked hand poured colors. It has a curly tail that is rigged tail down to offset any line twist by being inline with the keel that the Aberdeen hook creates. The worms are scented and salted and bass simply do not drop once they once them up. Ive been using some of the new Cyberflexx baits that really float high off the bottom on this rig. They are very effective and this is a good way to seine the water. The floating bait opens up another dimension to the split shot rig. Now you can cover water above the bottom. This is helpful when fish are suspending a few feet off the bottom.

Anytime is Split Shot time

An angler should recognize the best times to use this method. I use it as a fish finding tool on unfamiliar waters. If you put an easy meal in front of any bass, it is going to tell you something every time. Obviously, if you are simply patterning fish incorrectly, the rig may not be of use to you. If you use it where they live, it will draw a reaction and usually quickly at that. I initially target, sloping primary and secondary points with the rig. From there, I move to small shallow humps, sand bars and depressions, flats and sandy bottom areas. Perhaps one of the best places to utilize the split shot rig is on bare or nothing banks. These areas visually dont look as sweet as say a submerged log jam or weed bed. For this reason, they are often overlooked and passed by most target fishing anglers. The truth of the matter is that bass will be in these areas and often it is because the bottom offers something that the target angler doesnt even know is there. The rig also works well when pulled over shallow flats, sloping points, sandy banks, boat launch ramps and sandbars. Try it in non-traditional fishing spots. Locate bass daily migration routes and try this rig. Many times when fish are spooky, traditional baits wont raise a strike, the split shot rig may be just the ticket to catching a bass with lockjaw. Target spots that other fishermen ignore; bare banks, swimming areas and shallow sandy flats are among the choicest of areas.

Gear Breakdown: Split Shot Rig

Rod: Kistler California Series 6-9 ML Drop Shot rod

Reel: Shimano Sustain 1000FB

Line: Super Silver Thread 6lb

Hook: Gamakatsu size 1 or 1/0 thin wire straight shank

Bait: Robo Worm 4 Curly tail worm

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and Craig's ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/

shimano fishing

Shimano Fishing License Holder - w/Lanyard

Water-proof & Comes with a Lanyard with Shimano Logo

The quest to build an All American Made Reel was achieved in 2006 by Ardent Outdoors of Macon, MO. You see, reels that are manufactured overseas have long been the standard in the fishing industry...Until now! I vividly remember receiving my first Ardent reel in the spring of 2006, well over 2 years ago. The reel was called the XS model and was a 10 bearing baitcasting reel with "Race Reel Technology". As I opened the box and gazed down, I was astonished and excited as the XS looked different from other reels. It appeared very sleek, fast and well appointed...like a racecar! I was pretty much fitting the stereotypical "Kid in the Candy Store" scenario by this point. Boy was I excited to try my new toy out. The Ardent XS quickly found it's place on a 7' MH Airrus casting rod and was filled with 30LB braided line and tied to a 1/2oz Rat-L-Trap lure in a matter of minutes. I adjusted the 6-pin braking system and was off to make the first cast.

As I drove towards the lake, the excitement and curiosity grew greater and greater. When I arrived at the lake, I jumped out of the truck and organized everything for the fishing trip while looking very forward to the Ardent experience I had been heard about several times. When the first cast was launched, amazement set in. The reel took my lure much farther than I ever remember casting before. At this point, I was under the "spell", smiling from cheek to cheek. The cast was smooth, effortless and no sign of any backlash was present, boy was I ecstatic! I truly could not believe what I was experiencing. I quickly reeled the lure back in and cast out again, only to find an even longer cast with the same attributes as before. To say the least, I was extremely impressed and couldn't wait to throw the lure out again. I distinctly remember there was a fellow fisherman who was only about 30 to 40 yards away from me in a cove and after he witnessed a few of my cast, he yelled..."Did you get yourself one of those new $700.00 Shimano's"? I replied, "No, I just got a new Ardent XS"! He trolled over and took a look at the reel and we talked for a bit. Several hours and many fish later, I decided this was the most "pristine" reel I had ever had the pleasure of putting my hands on. When I returned home that evening, I could not wait to get up the next morning and cast my Ardent XS once again. I got on-line that night and ordered 2 more Ardent XS reels and had them shipped "Next-Day Delivery".

The new 2007 Model XS was then introduced and had a much tougher finish on the reel and a slight color change as well. Later during that year, a new drag system was incorporated into the XS model and in my opinion; the "perfect reel" was born! Although, I thought I had the "perfect" reel in the 2006 XS model until I had the extreme pleasure of using the 2007 XS. This year however, in the 2008 line up, Ardent has came out with brand new models and is now a "Mega" player in the World Wide reel market. I would like to share a bit of information and observations that I have made regarding the 2008 Ardent reels in hopes that it will help you to make a more educated decision when choosing your next reel. Keep in mind that I have been using these reels almost daily for over 2 years now and have put them through every situation, climate and applied technique that exists. They have been through dozens of tournaments and have truly proven themselves as a worthy product in my book. Every since my first Ardent cast.... and still today, Ardent has strived to make the BEST products possible for their customers, products that are truly second to none! Ardent has made several changes to their reels over the course of a few years, in the pursuit to continue making their products better and better and of course as always, products that are proudly "Made In The USA". The following is my synopsis of the Ardent 2008, 100% American Made Reels.

ARDENT XS1000

This is the flagship reel for Ardent so to speak. This reel is a free-spool casting reel that is precision engineered for superior on the water performance. Ardent wanted to produce a long-cast reel what incorporated a very special feature..."Maximum Backlash Resistance". Well folks, they surely achieved this as I have maybe had e backlashes in over 2 years of use. My backlashes were related to accidentally catching something behind me, like a stick-up while casting out. The XS1000 has a very lightweight magnesium alloy frame that is tougher than any reel I have ever seen. There is no wobble back and forth or flex, like many baitcasters on the market today. The reel has been ergonomically designed as well, what does this mean to you as an angler? Well, you can fish with the XS1000 all day long and it will not only remain comfortable, but you will be fatigue free while using the reel, which is very important whether you are a weekend warrior or a seasoned professional.

The XS1000 boast a mighty 10 bearing system. These 10 stainless steel ABEC ball bearings produce an incredibly smooth retrieve and smooth as silk cast. The XS 1000 comes in a 6.3:1 gear ratio and features Helical gears as well. When using 12lb test line, the X1000 will hold 120yds. Ardent has incorporated its proprietary drag system called the "Strike Saver" system. You have never felt such a smooth drag set-up until you experience Ardent's trouble and worry free system. The drag system is capable of being locked down as well, just in case your specific conditions require this action. The braking system is a 6-pin centerfugal system that does a great job at keeping the spool operating smoothly to ensure those long hassle free casts, but also ensures that your cast will be backlash free. This XS 1000 is finished in a beautiful black with gold flake color scheme. Some of the hardware such as the handle, spool and tension knob are gold in color to really accentuate the beauty of this extraordinary reel. The XS 1000 reel sells for a very realistic $249.00.

ARDENT XS600

Another outstanding reel this year in the Ardent line-up is the XS600 model. This reel has all of the same features as the aforementioned XS 1000, except for it's bearing system. While the XS1000 has 10 stainless ball bearings, the XS600 has 6 stainless ball bearings. Don't let the number of bearing fool you though, this reel still delivers action packed cast and retrieves amazingly well with 6 bearings. Over the years many manufactures have achieved great casting and smooth operating reels by using only 3 or 4 bearings. Ardent wants to ensure that each and every one of their customers get the best possible reel for their hard earned dollar, this is why they have used 6 bearings in the XS 600, where the majority of manufactures would have used less. That's the great American spirit this company possesses! This reel is also black with gold flake and the hardware is chrome plated and aluminum. The XS 600 sells for a very affordable $219.99.

ARDENT C400

Ardent just recently released another addition to the "Ardent Family" called the C400 baitcast reel. While I use the XS1000 & 600 models religiously, the new C400 is truly one of the most phenomenal reels I have had the pleasure of using. Ardent's mission with the new C400 was to build a reel that was more affordable, but was durable and still had the high performance that Ardent is known for. Ardent still uses the 6.3:1 Helical gear ratio and combines what with a 120yd/12lb vented spool. Another proprietary breakthrough for Ardent Reels is it's new design, which is present in the C400 called the "Comfort Grip" frame design. This new innovation is just as it sounds, an extremely comfortable reel that delivers all day performance and provides you, the angler with a trouble free and comfortable design that ensures fatigue free fishing. The C400 has 1 roller bearing and 4 stainless steel ball bearings. When I use this reel, it really feels as though I am using a 7 or 8 bearing reel. This is due to the close tolerances and the technology that Ardent has put into its American Made products for us anglers...simply amazing.

The most impressive feature of this reel to me is castability! When I first cast the brand new C400, believe it or not, I cast all the line off the spool! I was using 30lb-braided line, which has the diameter of 8lb monofilament line. With the C400 spool holding 120 yards of 12lb test line, I defiantly had more that 120 yards due to the smaller equivalent of 8lb test line. It was somewhere in the neighborhood of 135 to 140yds of line. I was throwing a 3/4oz lipless crankbait and it kept on going and going and going! After it hit the water.....because I had ran out of line, I just stood there and laughed. I thought to myself, "Ardent has done it again"! Ardent even has an answer to this awesome problem by offering a high performance spool as an accessory. The high performance spool will give anglers of all levels an option. The spool will actually fit the XS1000, the XS600 as well as the C400 baitcast reels. The spool holds 225yds of 8lb, 200yds of 10lb and 200yds of 12lb. I guess I never thought I would have to change spools because I cast all the line off the stock spool, but then again....I had never used an Ardent C400 until now!!! This incredible action packed reel sells for a mere $169.99. The "Ardent Reel Xtra" spool sells for only $34.99.

In addition to the awesome baitcast reels and the "Reel Xtra" spool, Ardent also makes a spinning reel called the S400M, which is a 4+1 ABEC ball bearing reel that also has the "Strike Saver" drag system and a 5:1 gear ratio. The S400M has a one-piece A360 Aluminum Frame that houses a high strength worm gear drive. This reel sells for $149.99 and is a great value as well. I am currently using 2 of these reels on an Airrus Puls-R 7'2" spinning rod and an Airrus Puls-R 6'8" spinning rod. The S400M is a very versatile reel as I use it for everything from drop-shotting & shakey-worming to buzzbaits and spinnerbaits.

A few more products from Ardent I must mention are the "Reel Klean" degreaser, the "Reel Butter Grease" and the "Reel Butter Oil". These are THE BEST lubricants and cleaner that are on the market today folks! Again, they are made in the USA as well. Ardent Reel Butter is ranked #1 versus the leading synthetic reel lubricants. The Reel Butter Grease & Oil are high-performance, synthetic products developed by Ardent Reels specifically for fishing reel components. They are manufactured to be used on each and every model or brand of reel on the market. Texas Oil Tech, an independent ASTM, tested the Ardent products ISO 9001 certified and ANSI-RAD QME accredited lab in Houston, TX. Ardent Reel Butter outperformed the leading lubricants in the category. Below are a few features about the cleaning and lubrication products:

Ardent Reel Butter Grease

-100% Full Synthetic Grease

-Bonds to brass, steel and plastic

-Rust Inhibitor prevents corrosion

-UV Tracer

-Patented super-smooth additive

-Retail-$5.99

Ardent Reel Butter Oil

-100% full synthetic oil

-Super low viscosity

-Compatible with all materials

-Anti-Gumming agent

-Consistent temperature performance

-Retail $5.99

Ardent Reel Kleen Degreaser

If you were to call up Jake Tippee at Ardent Reels, this is how he might describe Reel Kleen. "A chemically engineered solvent developed for the regular cleaning of fishing reels. Reel Kleen breaks up old grease and dirt and dries clean with no residue so a reel is prepared for proper lubrication. It's 100% compliant with all reel components so it provides effective cleaning capability without damaging parts. Works on all brands of reels". Retail-$3.99.

Ardent also puts the three products mentioned above into a handy and convenient kit called the "Reel Kleen" Cleaning Kit. Besides the Reel Kleen, Reel Butter Oil and Reel Butter Grease, the kit also contains tools, cleaning brush, treated cleaning cloth, swabs, a complete manual as well as a great little handy storage box to put everything in. The kit retails for $19.99.

I have used most every reel on the market today and I can honestly tell you that Ardent makes the most exceptional and "pristine" reel that is available anywhere! Reel shopping to me is almost like car shopping (except for the sales people). Tell me if I am correct, when you shop for a reel you look for one that will offer you trouble free service for a long period of time, but will not "break the bank" so to speak in the process. You also want a reel that will take on many different types of techniques and work well for each and every application. When you get the opportunity to try out an Ardent Reel, you will notice something that you do not see in all the "other reels" on the shelf. Not only is it the only one that's 100% Made In The USA, but also it will feel just like the "Porsche" of your dreams in your hands! I strongly encourage you to visit your local retailer or the Official Ardent Reels Website at www.ardentoutdoors.com or simply call them at (660)395-9200. When you do, tell them G. Wayne sent you! The Ardent warranty is like none other I have ever seen! They offer the longest warranty in the entire industry simply because every Ardent reel is hand crafted and performance tested prior to shipment. From the braking system to the spool shaft, they guarantee quality as well as craftsmanship. This smooth, high performance fishing experience is proudly and confidently backed with their 3-YEAR warranty...that folks, is incredible! Until next time, here's to Bent Rods and Screamin' Reels!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional bass tour angler, and active contributor to Fishin' Secrets with Eric Allee and Friends... http://www.fishinsecrets.com

shimano fishing

Rapala Limited 1st Edition Fishing Santa Figurine 'Tonttu Wader'

Rapala Collectible First Edition Figurine named 'Tonttu Wader'. 'Tonttu Wader' is part of the Angler Series. This figurine comes with it's own Certificate of Authenticity and in it's original box. It can stand on it's own or on the wooden holder. It stands 7 inches tall not on the wooded holder. This work is issued in a strictly limited edition of 3000 after which the master mold will be destroyed to preserve the integrity of the edition. Get them while you still can, before it's too late!

Many anglers wonder what the difference is between spinning reels. In all honesty there isn't a ton of difference, and there are many quality spinning reels available for very affordable prices. As a matter of fact, for ultra light to light action fishing (which are the sizes that offer the most "sport" to your fishing experience) it's probably not necessary to spend any more than $50 for a quality spinning reel. Some manufactures that produce quality spinning reels would include: Daiwa, Pflueger, Quantum, and Shimano. My personal favorite id Pflueger, but this is simply my personal preference.

The biggest single factor in picking out a good spinning reel is the amount of ball bearings that are in the drive mechanism (which is where the handle is turned). Generally the more ball bearings, the better. Why is this? Simply because the less ball bearings there are, the more "play" there is in the crank, and the less play there is, the better. I personally like having very little or no "play" in the handle of my spinning reel. To me, this play factor is the biggest single factor in a good spinning reel.

After this what your looking for are mainly ascetics. After all, you want your reel to look good with the rod your using, right? Not only look good but fit properly. This is usually fairly simple. If you have an ultra light action rod, buy an ultra light reel, and if you have a light action rod buy a light action spinning reel. This information can be found in small print at the base of your fishing rod, in case you didn't know.

Another consideration, that is again up to personal preference, is the location of the drag adjustment. The drag adjustment will be either on the spool or heel end of the spinning reel, and is a consideration. I prefer my drag adjustment be on the spool end, but again this is largely up to personal preference. My fishing buddy prefers his on the heel of his spinning reel.

The bottom line is that any of the manufactures mentioned in this article would be a fine choice for a good spinning reel. Problems usually arise when anglers buy from un-known manufacturers or try to be too frugal. I would personally be really wary of any spinning reel that cost less than $20. However for $25-50 you should be able to find a really good spinning reel.

Trevor Kugler
Co-founder of http://www.JRWfishing.com
Trevor has more than 20 years of fishing experience, 15 years of business experience and currently raises his 3-year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country......Montana.

Here's some great spinning reel choices - http://www.jrwfishing.com/fishing_rods_reels.html

Become A Better Angler & Get $10 for your trouble!!!!!! - http://www.jrwfishing.com/signup.html

shimano fishing

got snook? Kids T Shirt 2T thru Youth XL

Great looking 100% cotton shirt. Please refer to our sizing chart for measurements.This design also available as a men's or women's tee shirt, and a men's hoodie and sweat shirt in our other amazon.com listings.

I recently had a conversation with "wonder bread boy" about a serious dilemma he was having.

It seems that he has misplaced, lost or surrendered, to his ex, the bulk of his fishing gear.

Now, this alone is a monumental problem in itself, not the lost or misplaced part, but the trying to ask your ex for something that means absolutely nothing to her but would certainly open up a humongous can of nightcrawlers should you attempt to ask for it back...

"Hi sweet."

"Oh, it's YOU."

"How ya been?"

"Cut the chit chat wonder boy, what is it you want?"

"Well,(gulp) it seems-snookums- that when you tossed me out into the street and took legal ownership of all my bank accounts and left me with little or nothing to subsist on in this world, I, silly me, forgot to grab my fishing pole on the way out."

"You want your fishing pole back?"

"Ahh yeah."

"Sure, you can have it back, it's out in the garage."

"REALLY!"

"Yes, I have it all boxed up in that nice little shoebox, labeled @#$&*@#!!+, it's all yours."

"Oh."---"Never mind."

"By the way, my lawyer will be contacting you about increasing monthly child support, cars don't drive themselves without gas you know. Have a NICE day...."

So, as you can see, not willing to risk the ramifications, wonder bread boy was suddenly thrust into the market of having to go find some new fishing gear.

Here in lies the real problem.

WBB sidled on down to our local giant cowbird-which happens to be the Blackbird Sporting Goods store--and walked in looking to replace his spin fishing outfits. Finding replacements for the kids was easy, he just grabbed Scooby and Spiderman combo outfits and knew that the kids would settle who was qualified to be Scooby and who was qualified to be Spiderman.

Finding the right combo for himself was another story.

So, there he stood in the middle of the aisle, staring with that "deer in the headlight look", at dozens of rods and reels that he had not a clue as to which to choose from. Shimano's, Okuma's, Mitchell's, Abu Garcia's, Shakespeare's, Penn's, gear ratio's, ultralight's,micro's,Ugly Stik's,Daiwa's, two piece, three piece, sensitive tip, ultimate stiffness, Maxim's,Quantum's....WHEW!!

"I just want to catch some flippin' crappies."

Wonder Bread Boy, turned and headed for the checkstand. The boys got there rods, and WBB decided he would bait hooks and watch them fish.

All this over stimulation and multitude of choices had him reaching back far into his neanderthal tendencies, and he almost went home and tied some kite string onto a flagpole. Thinking that $70 or $80 was too much to invest, especially in "crappie futures", he figured he would fashion up a nice "fishing stick" to pursue fish and avoid the trauma of having to decide which combo was right for him.

It has gotten that way.

Fishing, like golf or skiing or just about any sport has gotten way to specialized and seems to require multiple quivers of gear for different situations. You can't use bass gear for trout.You have to have "lake fishing" set ups, "river fishing" set ups, trolling rods, casting rods.If you want want to have more fun with 9 inch fish, you have to go "light". Level winds for salmon. Fly fishing gear for "fly only" waters.You get the picture.

It's maddening as well as intimidating.

I myself, own a small satellite operation of Cabela's aka "my playroom", that will take my daughter at least two years to liquidate when I pass on to the big fishing pond in the sky. At last count I had fifteen various rods, and way too many reels and extra spools and such. Why I even found a reel I can't even remember purchasing....STILL IN THE BOX!!!!!

My gosh, I must be like a sleepwalker who wanders into the fishing aisles and starts gathering up items, only to wake up and not have a clue as to 'how did that sturgeon fishing rod got in my garage'!!

I've never even been sturgeon fishing.

We won't even get into the six or seven tackle "tubs"--not boxes--of lures, flies,trolling rigs, vests, waders, nets, flippers,attractants, baits,and yes dehydrated nightcrawlers, that have found their way into my fishing arsenal in over 40 years of fishing.

Lord knows, that if the nightcrawler should ever go extinct, there is plenty of DNA in my fishing tub to bring 'em back into existence!!

All that being said, I am now going to try and simplify your life by giving you three simple rules to go by when choosing your fishing gear:

1) Pick your fish species of choice.

Don't try to outfit yourself with every type of fishing gear. If trout and bass are the predominant type of fishing you do, then get a good combo outfit that is adequate for both. The same goes for salmon and steelhead, if these are the fish of choice, outfit yourself with a good middle of the road combination that will allow you to fish for both. Quite honestly, if you only occasionally go fishing for a certain type of fish--hire a guide and use his gear, or if you are a do it yourself guy, borrow and share with buddies who may have multiple outfits.(Like me!!)

Don't get me wrong. Different types of fishing really can be enhanced and improved by having slightly more specialized gear and if you decide that you have plenty of expendable income... go for it. But if you don't, it is just best to decide what kind of fish you really enjoy fishing for.

2) Stay to the middle.

The old rule of thumb, that you don't want to buy the least expensive and you don't want to buy the most expensive, certainly applies to fishing gear. If you buy your fishing gear at the "dollar store" or the Salvation Army, you are probably going to get what you pay for. On the other hand, don't be sucked in by the glossy ads and goofy graphs and bar charts that show why an extra $120 dollars spent on the same $60 dollar product will have you smiling and holding a mass quantity of big fish. I have seen plenty of good fishermen using good average run of the mill gear, catching as many, or out catching dudes with high priced fancy outfits.
I have sat in sporting good stores and had salesmen tell me how "sweet" this rod or that reel is and asked me to wiggle it around, then when I picked up a cheaper rod or reel and not felt any difference they looked at me like I was from Mars.
Most brand name gear today is made pretty well, so you can just pick ---the pretty one!!

3)Don't scrimp on the fishing line.

To me, in just about any kind of fishing, this is a big key. Get the right line, and get good quality. Whether it is having the right type of fly line, or the right test of monofilament, you will catch more fish if you pay attention to the selection of your lines. Too heavy, and fish will sit there staring at your line like WBB stares at aisle 32 at the Blackbird.

Use floating line when you should sink. Or sinking line when you should float. And you will have a nice day casting and/or walking on the river or lake.

I once used a fishing line called "Vanish",that was supposed to be the greatest thing since....well....Wonder Bread, and the only thing that "vanished" was the fish I was catching. Every fish I hooked broke me off. I switched lines and started to land fish after that. So that line has now "vanished" from my tackle collection and is now occupying some space at a landfill.

...And vanishing from my tackle collection is obviously no small feat!

So, get the right line and you can almost tie it on WBB's flagpole and catch fish. (with hook and bait of course...)

There you have it, Wonder Bread Boy, you are now armed with enough information to head into your local sporting goods store and confidently make a selection, so you can fish with your kids.

Or, you can wait about 30 years and pick up a nice collection of stuff at my daughters' garage sale!

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005. If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

Bait casting reels are good reels that help in fishing. It will take some time to learn the art of bait casting reel. But a little bit of hard work would help you learn the technique fast. It is necessary to get a fine reel in order to support you when fishing. Bait casting reels can be bought of any brand. There are various branded ones available in the market. Brands like Ambassadeus, Diawai, Bass Pro Shops, and Shimano etc. it is not important that you buy a higher range reel for better functioning. A cheaper one which is of a good quality will also do.

When working with a bait casting reel it is necessary to know the way your thumb would be working on it. The thumbs control the device and are kept on the spool. It is not very difficult to get used to this. You can relax and try this out at home. Just sit down and practice it to perfect this technique.

The bait casting reel is also called as overhead reel. This is because it is built up on top of the rod. In the earlier days the bait casting reels were made of iron or brass. Sometimes even rubber that is solid and German silver was used. But nowadays such reels are made of either stainless steel or aluminum.

There is a number of bait casting reels that are available. Some are huge and are best for saltwater fishing. Fishes like sailfish, tuna, sharks; marlin can be trapped by this equipment. Normally such equipments are to be used with the right hand. But today the left hander is also using them because bait casting reels are available for left hander also. This is becoming very popular.

The bait casting reels are very good and are much better as compared to some other reels. But some people find it very difficult to utilize this equipment. A little bit of an effort is needed to get a proper hold of this equipment. Holding of the reel should be firm and in the right way. This is the basic of handling this equipment.

When using the bait casting reels ensure that your wrist is doing the work well. There are many positions and actions in order to work on this device. The better it is practiced you could perfect the art of working on it. Here make sure that a light throw would not do. If the wind is too hard then you will have to work with a reel that is lighter in nature.

Manuel Wiggins is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about bait casting reels visit Best Fishing Blog for current articles and discussions.

shimano fishing

Shimano Curado E Cu201e7 Left Hand Baitcasting Fishing Reel

The high performance Curado reel is ultra smooth, makes effortless casts, and is available in a 7.0:1 high speed, 5.0:1 power versions. The new 200 size is smaller than the previous Curado 100D but holds the same amount of line as the previous 200DHSV. Compact and lightweight with the heart and power of a large reel. The Curado 300 reel will change the way you think about low-profile baitcasting reels. Now you can expect large reel performace in a sleek, comfortable design that offers all of these benefits: * High Speed and Power * Excellent Casting Performace * Comfort and Maneuverability * High Line Capacity * Ability to Handle Large Plugs and Swimbaits

As Forrest Gump would say, you never know what youre
going to get.

Not too many things get me more excited than the prospect
of hooking and landing big fish. The mere thought of setting
the hook on a 300 pound marlin, hearing the scream of the
drag as the fish pulls off line and watching the acrobatic
leaps that follow really gets my heart pumping. Fortunately
for me, a two and a half hour flight and a 30-minute drive is
all it takes to find myself in the billfish capital of the world.
What more can a sport fisherman ask for?

Well, for starters, variety. Just like biting into a randomly
selected piece of chocolate, when you set out the trolling
lures here in Los Cabos in search of the next big one, you
just dont know what it will be. Different seasons bring
different possibilities as does different sides of the Baja
peninsula. The diversity of game fish here never ceases to
amaze me and even a slow day on the water offers the
opportunity to see some of the oceans greatest creatures.
Whales, porpoise, sea turtles and bat rays that often school
by the hundreds and perform what almost appears to be a
choreographed routine of synchronized jumps. On a spring
trip to Cabo in late march of this year, my partner Dolores
Peralta and I had another opportunity to experience the
diversity of life in these nutrient rich waters.

Jacqueline Jacquie Lee, owner of Guerita II, set us up for
two days of fishing with Captain Efren Beron Zamora and
crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza. Efren has a lifetime of
experience as an angler, guide and captain and has a love
of the ocean that rubs off on crew and passenger alike. The
Guerita II is a tournament rigged 34-foot Crystaliner
equipped with everything the avid angler could need or ask
for _ Shimano Tiagra 50 wide LRS & Penn International
reels, Shimano Black Steel IGFA rods and an outstanding
selection of lures, this wide-beamed fishing machine
boasts top-of-the-line electronics to help get you on the bite
fast.

We arrived at the docks at 6:30 in the morning, a little late for
Captain Efrens liking as he planned on running out about
30-40 miles in search of warm, blue water where he hoped
to put us on striped marlin and tuna. While waiting on our
arrival Efren had already loaded up on live bait from the
pangeros that supply the fleets and with no delay, we were
on our way. Winds this time of the year can be unpredictable
and on this day, the winds helped build a fairly large swell.
We motored our way out to sea on a bumpy but dry ride to
the fishing grounds. Once he found the water conditions that
best provided the chance for large billfish, he switched
driving positions to the tall tuna tower while Alfredo began to
set out our spread of lures. Purple and orange Zukers set
out at the fifth wake behind the boat, trolling feathers in pink
and white and Mexican flag patterns on the third wake and a
dark colored Marauder set close to the boat.

A few hours passed as we crisscrossed areas where
colder water met warmer, Efrens eyes trained on the
surface scanning for signs that fish were near circling and
diving birds, the tail of a marlin cruising for its next meal, a
pod of porpoise balling bait. None of the usual signs
appeared until Efrens eagle eyes spotted a feeder, a
marlin
actively working the ocean surface. A quick turn of the boat
and a punch of the throttle controls placed us in the perfect
position to present our spread of lures to the fish. The
marlin took notice and struck one of the lures back at the
fifth wake. The jigstrike started our adrenalin flowing and we
scrambled to the deck to ready for a battle. The marlin let
loose the lure just as Alfredo cast a live bait back to entice a
bite. After a few tense moments, the marlin took the bait, the
reel left in free spool in order to give it time to fully take the
bait. Flipping the reel into locked position followed by three
to four strong and sharp lifts of the rod tip set the hook on a
good sized striped marlin.

Dolores took her position in one of the two fighting chairs
mounted on the stern and within seconds the marlin was
giving us a show. Several vertical leaps and violent shakes
of its broad head and the fight began. The key to landing
marlin is the hook set. Everything depends on whether or
not the hook was in the right position when the hook set is
made. Many times, the marlin takes the bait only partially
and the hook never pierces the mouth fully when the set is
made. Unfortunately, this was one of those times. Shortly
after the first series of jumps was made, a second series
began and on this series the hook was thrown and the fish
was lost. Spooked by the encounter, the marlin sounded
and was soon nowhere to be found.

We continued on in search of another marlin, my turn in the
chair coming next. A short while later, a starboard reel
started to scream. Nothing was visible on the surface so the
likelihood of it being a marlin was slim. From the strong pull
and speed of the fish, we thought it would be a tuna and
sure enough it was. The fight lasted only 5-10 minutes and
soon we had a twenty-pound yellowfin on deck.

The trolling continued and for several hours and we had
nothing to do but occasionally switch out lures and scan the
horizon for signs of life. Efren spotted a true prize in the form
of a swordfish. While these great eating game fish can be
found here most of the year, they prefer colder water so
spring is generally the best time of year for this sought after
species. Although the sword made a turn towards our
spread and a live bait was cast directly in front of it, this fish
was apparently well fed and no matter how appealing the
presentation, it would not take the bait or strike a lure. As
they say, thats why they call it fishing and not catching. The
balance of the day produced only suntans and relaxation.

On our second day on the Guerita II, we arrived at 5:30,
determined to beat Efren and Alfredo to the boat. Once
again, Efren had made it to the boat well before us and once
again, he had already baited up. If I didnt know better, Id
say he must have slept on the boat just to make sure we
wouldnt arrive before him! We headed out, stopping off to
check in with the port authorities to present our manifest
and fishing licenses. A recent change in fiscal policies
keeps the revenues from fishing licenses within the state
where the activity is taking place. This restructuring has
apparently heightened the diligence of officials responsible
for ensuring that everyone on a boat possesses a valid
license, even those not fishing. Makes sense that if you get
to keep the money, youre more likely to make sure everyone
is playing by the rules and buying their licenses. Those that
did not have licenses in hand were sent back to the docks to
get them or there would be no fishing that day.

This day we decided to switch to the Sea of Cortez side of
the cape and concentrate our efforts on some of the
in-shore species that Los Cabos waters offer up. One of the
benefits of a pre-dawn start is the experience of viewing
some of the most spectacular sunrises youre likely to find
anywhere in the world. The skies here light up with all the
colors of an artists canvas with the endless reflection of the
ocean surface. Everything is bathed in reds, oranges and
yellows and the sky appears to be on fire. The sight alone
makes the trip worthwhile.

The Guerita II cut through the calmer waters of the Sea of
Cortez with ease by benefit of the natural windbreak that the
East Cape coast provides. We set out a mix of CD 4
Rapalas in a sardine pattern and started to work the
underwater ledges and rock piles in search of sierra or
Spanish mackerel, dorado or tuna. We ran across pods of
porpoise working bait schools to the surface. These
working pods often hold schools of tuna just below that pick
off bait from the edges of the bait ball but today, we found
just the porpoise. Off in the distance, Captain Efren spotted
surface activity and turned the Guerita towards it.

Within minutes we were surrounded by thousands of
Humboldt squid. Denizens of the northern most portion of
the Sea of Cortez, these alien looking creatures have slowly
made their way down to the southern tip of the Baja in recent
years. With tentacles reaching up out of the water like some
kind of extra terrestrial meat eating flower, we watched in
awe as they fed on floating red crab. Just about anything we
tossed into the water was immediately engulfed by the
toothy tentacles of the squid and with constant pressure and
slow pumps and reeling, we brought them to the gaff.

Legends abound about the ferocity and strength of the
Humboldt squid and while many of these tales are true fish
stories, there is ample credible evidence of the potential
for injury and even death from these marine cephalopods.
Recently, a Discovery program featured an in-depth study of
the Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez. During times of
agitation, such as when these animals are being fished by
fleets of pangeros who make a significant share of their
income from the sale of the tasty beasts, they can and do
become very aggressive. One pangero spoke of his
encounter with the squid with fear and respect. While
working a large school, he lost his balance and fell into the
water. Within seconds, several five to six footers locked onto
him and began to pull him under, all the while biting into his
flesh with their impressive and powerful beaks. He
managed to free himself and make his way back to the
surface and into his panga, scared and exhausted. The
scars that he showed tell the tale all to well. He also told of
others that did not fair so well, never making back to the
surface.

While events like those have occurred, the squid are usually
no more than curious about visitors to their domain. It is the
frenzied activity caused by fishing these creatures that
creates the aggressive and often cannibalistic behavior.
Divers have been able to get up close and personal with
the Humboldt squid when no fishing pressure was present,
all without being attacked or harmed in any way. The
aggressive behavior and flashing of colors associated with
a feeding frenzy brought on by fishing pressure is simply not
a normal occurrence, but more a reaction to the situation at
hand. You need not fear the squid but make sure to stay
away from the business end. Tentacles with hundreds of
toothed suction cups lead to a bird-like beak with incredible
power. Ink on the other hand can reach you from
astonishing distances as my partner, Dolores, can testify.

While fighting a squid estimated at about fifty pounds, she
experienced the jet blast of a Humboldt squid firsthand. As
the squid was gaffed, Alfredo jumped off to the side leaving
Dolores directly in the path of what seemed to be gallons of
ink shooting from out of the squid. In a split second she was
covered head to toe in the slimy, dark liquid. Being the
trooper that she is, she laughed it off, wiped herself clean
and tossed her line back out to catch another one. By that
time we had been joined by over a dozen other charter
boats
and pangas and everywhere you looked, people were
battling these impressive animals. Great fun, an awesome
sight and great table fare was the end result. We left the
spot having boated 3 squid and cleaning the ink from the
deck of the boat.

Our next area of focus was just a few hundred feet from
shore working the reef structures that line the coast.
Catching eight to ten pound sierra on light tackle is an
experience I recommend highly. We picked off a few sierra
and even landed a small mako shark before we called it a
day and headed back in, all the while amazed at the beauty
of the azure blue and turquoise green waters of the Sea of
Cortez.

So if you are one to enjoy the ocean and the surprises that
such a aquatic paradise promises, fishing the waters of the
Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos is a
dream come true. Finding the right boat and crew is of the
utmost importance in ensuring a successful and
memorable charter. When it comes to making that choice,
we cant recommend Jacqueline Lees Guerita II and the
knowledge and hospitality of Captain Efren Beron Zamora
and crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza enough.

To book your trip, visit their site at
http://www.gueritasportfishing.com or call 011-52-624-143-4465
and tell them Cabos Best told you all about them.

Richard Chudy and Dolores Peralta are the co-owners of http://CabosBest.com, a travel information portal for Los Cabos, Baja Sur, Mexico. An avid and frequent Cabo traveller, Richard brings his travel experiences to the web for others interested in exploring all that Cabo has to offer.

To reach him, email caborich@cabosbest.com or call 1-818-702-0876.

Copyright 2005 CabosBest.com

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

shimano fishing

Lums Pond, located just off Rt. number 71, in Kirkwood Delaware, is a 190 acre state park, with a very shallow launching ramp, and has room for about 25-30 vehicles with trailers in the main lot by the launching ramp. There is a daily fee at sate parks, or a yearly pass can be purchased at any of the park offices.

This is a prime location for bass anglers in the spring and summer, and receives fairly heavy fishing pressure, from weekend anglers and tournament fisherman. Although it has a lot of pressure, there are still quite a few big bass in Lums, along with a decent population of Hybrid Striped Bass. If you follow these steps, you can still connect with a real trophy in Lums Pond this spring.

"Wood Cover"

There is quite a lot of wood, laydowns, and cut off stumps in Lums. Most of the wood is located on the left and right hand sides of the main lake, right after the beach and docks, about 1000 yards up from the launching ramp. The first area to try is the laydowns on the right, as you head up past the beach. This area is overlooked by a lot of anglers, but is a good location for largemouth's in the two to four pound range. This same area also holds quite a few Striped Bass hybrids that run around six pounds on average, but some in the eight and nine pound class have been caught here.

You can't go wrong by flipping a black/blue jig, with either a blue Uncle Josh Pork trailer, or a Sweet Beaver trailer. Both have worked real well flipped into the laydowns along both shores in this area. The North shore receives the most sunlight in the spring, and as a result, warms first. I like to use a seven foot, Falcon graphite rod, with a Shimano Chronarch, spooled with twenty to twenty-five pound test. Flip all the laydowns in this area, working each one of the branches moving from the outside in, right up to the shore. If this area doesn't produce right away, move across the lake to the other laydowns, and work them the same way. When you can't get a hit in this area on the jig, often, you can move off this area a little farther, and rework the same areas with a 3/8 ounce Terminator spinnerbait in Golden Shiner, with tandem blades. Make as much contact with the wood from as many different angles as possible. Keeping a buzzbait rigged for this area is a good idea, and many times, repeated casts to the same areas over and over, at different angles will provoke a reaction strike.

"Points and Drop-offs"

Although it is common knowledge that bass will stage on drop-offs and points this time of year, all drop-offs and points aren't alike. Look for drop-offs and points that are nearest to the main channel, preferably on the North shore, that contain some type of new vegetation growth under the surface. There are several areas that are eight and nine feet deep, but the average depth is four feet, with some of the shoreline much shallower. The water is very stained to muddy, so the bass will go very shallow to feed. Don't be afraid to cast right up against the shore in the very shallow water. At first glance, Lums doesn't seem to have a lot of grass, algae, or emergent weed growth, but there is a wide variety of aquatic vegetation under the surface that hold lots of baitfish, and bass!

One of the best spots to connect with some big largemouth's and hybrids is the sand point and drop-off just across from the dog training area. Work this area well with a white/chartreuse spinnerbait and long shad colored minnow baits, such as a Husky Suspend Jerk, or a Rattlin' Rogue in blue/chrome,or a Lucky Craft "Pointer".

Last year working this point, and the one directly to the north of the cove with a pier, we caught more than eight bass in the three to five pound class, with a couple of nice six pound Hybrids thrown in.

"Buzz the Flats"

Don't forget the buzzbait in the spring. When the water warms to sixty to sixty-five degrees, the buzzbait will draw tremendous topwater explosions on overcast days,and sometimes the whole day. Many times in April, we started with the buzzbait early in the morning, looking for active fish, and never switched baits all day. Some days of twenty to twenty-five fish, are not uncommon at all, with most in the three to four pound class. The best areas for the buzzbait in Lums are located on the flats that are adjacent to deep water. A good fish locator, such as a Lowrance, that is made for shallow water performance, is a great tool to have when you first start to explore Lums, as it is one of the larger Delaware Ponds.

Head straight up the lake from the launching ramp until you get to the upper end of the lake. There will be a cove with a fishing pier all the way up on the right. Work this area with repetitious casts using a double-buzz, in black, and a clacker type buzzbait, such as a Terminator Ball Buster or Charon Klacker buzz, in 1/2 ounce, with a trailer hook. Many times here you will get a lot of short strikes due to the muddy water. A trailer hook will increase your hookups greatly. Stay well off shore here, and make as many as thirty casts, from different directions, before moving on. Make sure to hesitate just a second when the bass strike, and set the hook hard. I like to use a 7 foot Lews Crankin stick, or a G.Loomis Crankin stick with seventeen to twenty pound test for this type of fishing.

"Cover Water"

When all of the above methods fail, start covering water. Sometimes the bass are still a little off shore in the early spring, and covering water quickly, until you get a strike, is a good idea. The best lures for this are 1/2 ounce chrome/blue Rattlin' Rapalas. Position the boat a little off shore, and cast out to the drop-offs and weedlines, retrieving it back with a pumping motion, raising your rod from a 9 to 12 o'clock position. Make sure the hooks are really sharp. When you locate the fish, work the area slowly with the lipless crankbaits, spider grubs, and a 4" Senko."

Follow these tips for Lums Pond this year in the spring, and you will get a quick start to a "trophy year."

Later in the afternoon, the area directly across the lake from here contains a lot of overhanging trees, and a lot of stumps. These stumps can't be seen until it's too late. So make sure you have a breakaway mount on your electric motor, and keep the outboard up out of the water. There is a no-wake policy on Delaware ponds, but you can use the outboards. The bass in these heavily pressured areas become conditioned to sounds more easily, as they can't rely so much on sight, due to the muddy water. So keep the trolling motor on low, and try to avoid any banging around in the boat. I have caught bass with the trolling motor on, but most of the bass above five pounds were caught with the trolling motor off.

Keep these things in mind this year at Lums, and you will connect with the bass you are looking for. Most people get on the water too late. Start in mid to late March, or as soon as the water temperature gets to around forty-eight to fifty degrees.

The new website for Steve vonBrandt is http://www.freewebs.com/stevevonbrandt

shimano fishing

Rapala 1st Edition Fishing Figurine Goin' Upstream

Rapala Collectible First Edition Figurine named Goin' Upstream. Goin' Upstream is part of the Trophy Series. This figurine comes with it's own Certificate of Authenticity and in it's original box. It can stand on it's own or on the wooden holder. It stands 4 inches tall not on the wooded holder. This work is issued in a strictly limited edition of 3000 after which the master mold will be destroyed to preserve the integrity of the edition. Get them while you still can, before it's too late!

Lums Pond, located just off Rt. number 71, in Kirkwood Delaware, is a 190 acre state park, with a very shallow launching ramp, and has room for about 25-30 vehicles with trailers in the main lot by the launching ramp. There is a daily fee at sate parks, or a yearly pass can be purchased at any of the park offices.

This is a prime location for bass anglers in the spring and summer, and receives fairly heavy fishing pressure, from weekend anglers and tournament fisherman. Although it has a lot of pressure, there are still quite a few big bass in Lums, along with a decent population of Hybrid Striped Bass. If you follow these steps, you can still connect with a real trophy in Lums Pond this spring.

"Wood Cover"

There is quite a lot of wood, laydowns, and cut off stumps in Lums. Most of the wood is located on the left and right hand sides of the main lake, right after the beach and docks, about 1000 yards up from the launching ramp. The first area to try is the laydowns on the right, as you head up past the beach. This area is overlooked by a lot of anglers, but is a good location for largemouth's in the two to four pound range. This same area also holds quite a few Striped Bass hybrids that run around six pounds on average, but some in the eight and nine pound class have been caught here.

You can't go wrong by flipping a black/blue jig, with either a blue Uncle Josh Pork trailer, or a Sweet Beaver trailer. Both have worked real well flipped into the laydowns along both shores in this area. The North shore receives the most sunlight in the spring, and as a result, warms first. I like to use a seven foot, Falcon graphite rod, with a Shimano Chronarch, spooled with twenty to twenty-five pound test. Flip all the laydowns in this area, working each one of the branches moving from the outside in, right up to the shore. If this area doesn't produce right away, move across the lake to the other laydowns, and work them the same way. When you can't get a hit in this area on the jig, often, you can move off this area a little farther, and rework the same areas with a 3/8 ounce Terminator spinnerbait in Golden Shiner, with tandem blades. Make as much contact with the wood from as many different angles as possible. Keeping a buzzbait rigged for this area is a good idea, and many times, repeated casts to the same areas over and over, at different angles will provoke a reaction strike.

"Points and Drop-offs"

Although it is common knowledge that bass will stage on drop-offs and points this time of year, all drop-offs and points aren't alike. Look for drop-offs and points that are nearest to the main channel, preferably on the North shore, that contain some type of new vegetation growth under the surface. There are several areas that are eight and nine feet deep, but the average depth is four feet, with some of the shoreline much shallower. The water is very stained to muddy, so the bass will go very shallow to feed. Don't be afraid to cast right up against the shore in the very shallow water. At first glance, Lums doesn't seem to have a lot of grass, algae, or emergent weed growth, but there is a wide variety of aquatic vegetation under the surface that hold lots of baitfish, and bass!

One of the best spots to connect with some big largemouth's and hybrids is the sand point and drop-off just across from the dog training area. Work this area well with a white/chartreuse spinnerbait and long shad colored minnow baits, such as a Husky Suspend Jerk, or a Rattlin' Rogue in blue/chrome,or a Lucky Craft "Pointer".

Last year working this point, and the one directly to the north of the cove with a pier, we caught more than eight bass in the three to five pound class, with a couple of nice six pound Hybrids thrown in.

"Buzz the Flats"

Don't forget the buzzbait in the spring. When the water warms to sixty to sixty-five degrees, the buzzbait will draw tremendous topwater explosions on overcast days,and sometimes the whole day. Many times in April, we started with the buzzbait early in the morning, looking for active fish, and never switched baits all day. Some days of twenty to twenty-five fish, are not uncommon at all, with most in the three to four pound class. The best areas for the buzzbait in Lums are located on the flats that are adjacent to deep water. A good fish locator, such as a Lowrance, that is made for shallow water performance, is a great tool to have when you first start to explore Lums, as it is one of the larger Delaware Ponds.

Head straight up the lake from the launching ramp until you get to the upper end of the lake. There will be a cove with a fishing pier all the way up on the right. Work this area with repetitious casts using a double-buzz, in black, and a clacker type buzzbait, such as a Terminator Ball Buster or Charon Klacker buzz, in 1/2 ounce, with a trailer hook. Many times here you will get a lot of short strikes due to the muddy water. A trailer hook will increase your hookups greatly. Stay well off shore here, and make as many as thirty casts, from different directions, before moving on. Make sure to hesitate just a second when the bass strike, and set the hook hard. I like to use a 7 foot Lews Crankin stick, or a G.Loomis Crankin stick with seventeen to twenty pound test for this type of fishing.

"Cover Water"

When all of the above methods fail, start covering water. Sometimes the bass are still a little off shore in the early spring, and covering water quickly, until you get a strike, is a good idea. The best lures for this are 1/2 ounce chrome/blue Rattlin' Rapalas. Position the boat a little off shore, and cast out to the drop-offs and weedlines, retrieving it back with a pumping motion, raising your rod from a 9 to 12 o'clock position. Make sure the hooks are really sharp. When you locate the fish, work the area slowly with the lipless crankbaits, spider grubs, and a 4" Senko."

Follow these tips for Lums Pond this year in the spring, and you will get a quick start to a "trophy year."

Later in the afternoon, the area directly across the lake from here contains a lot of overhanging trees, and a lot of stumps. These stumps can't be seen until it's too late. So make sure you have a breakaway mount on your electric motor, and keep the outboard up out of the water. There is a no-wake policy on Delaware ponds, but you can use the outboards. The bass in these heavily pressured areas become conditioned to sounds more easily, as they can't rely so much on sight, due to the muddy water. So keep the trolling motor on low, and try to avoid any banging around in the boat. I have caught bass with the trolling motor on, but most of the bass above five pounds were caught with the trolling motor off.

Keep these things in mind this year at Lums, and you will connect with the bass you are looking for. Most people get on the water too late. Start in mid to late March, or as soon as the water temperature gets to around forty-eight to fifty degrees.

The new website for Steve vonBrandt is http://www.freewebs.com/stevevonbrandt

shimano fishing