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

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!

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

Shimano Tiagra 16 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.

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 License Holder - w/Lanyard

Water-proof & Comes with a Lanyard with Shimano Logo

Chain Pickerel,(Esox Niger), are a formidable gamefish, that are actively pursued by some, and despised by others!

Chain Pickerel can be found throughout the Northeast, and down to Florida. In some areas, these are prized as trophies that deserve the same respect as a big largemouth bass, in other areas, such as in Florida, many anglers consider them nothing more than a nuisance.

Many inexperienced anglers mistake this fish for a Northern pike, but there are distinct differences in these two species. The Chain Pickerel is distinguished by it's chain like pattern along it's body. The Chain Pickerel doesn't reach the same proportions as its counterpart, the Northern Pike. Most Chain Pickerel are considered large when they reach 3-4 pounds. A true "TROPHY," is anything above the 4 pound mark. The state record for Chain Pickerel in most states is between 6 and 8 pounds. Each year, in the spring, fall, and winter, large specimens are caught that are in the 4-5 pound range on average, but very few giants over 6 pounds are caught at any time of the year. The Chain Pickerel actually hit the best in the winter and early spring, and start their spawning process as water temperatures climb into the 40's. Unlike most other species, they don't make beds, and they deposit their eggs on strands of vegetation, sometimes mixed with sticks, and other structure. They don't defend their young either, they deposit the eggs and move on, devouring their own young soon after they hatch.

LOCATIONS AND TACTICS:

Chain Pickerel hit well in the winter months, and even through the ice. They usually cruise the same areas as other gamefish such as largemouth bass, crappies, yellow perch, and other panfish.

Pickerel will savagely attack schools of baitfish, or individuals, whatever is the easiest prey at the time. I have caught Chain Pickerel with Catfish lodged in their mouths that were too large to swallow, and they still were attacking other baits. I have even found Chain Pickerel laying dead or dying, on the surface with huge bluegills stuck in their mouths, yet at other times, only want a small bait on or near the bottom.

The best locations for Chain Pickerel in the winter is along points, with drop-offs near deeper water, and areas that contain some underwater cover and vegetation nearby. They will be shallow at times, even in very cold water, but are always near the baitfish, and deeper water escape routes. They can be found by deep water brushpiles also, due to the fact that these same areas hold other types of prey, and panfish, thus the pickerel aren't far away.

Contrary to popular belief, Chain Pickerel can be caught in the dark, but this is more of a rare occurrence than a standard rule of thumb. In the early spring, many of the pickerel will be in water near the shoreline, and emerging grasses, and other vegetation, gorging on baitfish, and preparing to spawn. They can be in water as shallow as a few inches, to a couple of feet. The easiest way to catch chain pickerel is on live bait. They like medium to large shiners, and big minnows. This has always been a standard fare for pickerel. There are other methods though that will take real "Trophies," and not so many of the more common 2-3 pounders.

The best way to catch larger chain pickerel is to use a small jig such as a shad dart, in yellow/red, or yellow/white combinations, in a 1/64 ounce size, up to about an 1/8 ounce. These are really small baits, and a lot of finesse is required to catch chains on these lures. The other bait that works well is a 1/16 to 1/4 ounce brown or brown/black hair jig. Both these jigs should be used first without any other bait, such as minnows attached to them.

You first need to find the areas that will hold the pickerel; drop-offs, near points, humps, vegetation, and other cover. You should rig this jig on 4-6 pound test line. This is what makes the lure have the correct action and depth that trigger some of the bigger fish. It is the same principle as smallmouth fisherman use on Pickwick. They use 6 pound test line, not because the fish can see it, but because it allows the lure to maintain the proper fall, depth, and action, that catch the larger fish.

I like to rig two rods, with a shad dart on one, and a hair jig on the other. I start by letting out about a hundred feet of line, and slowly trolling these baits in wide, 360 degree circles over the chosen areas. You will pick up leaves and grass if you're doing it right, if you don't. slow down. The majority of strikes will feel like nothing more than grass or leaves on the lure, but most of time it's a big Chain Pickerel!

I can't overemphasize the importance of watching the line! If the line moves, or does ANYTHING, that it hasn't been doing, then set the hook. You can't set the hook the same way you do with a bass. It takes a slower short snap in the wrist, while reeling the line up tight, and applying just the right amount of pressure. The drag setting is critical, since you are using such light line, and light equipment.

Most of the time, I take the anti-reverse off, and backreel. They will make some long runs and head to the deeper water on the bottom, and try to wrap you up in the trolling motor, and break you off under the boat as they get close. The only way to get good at landing them, is to catch them. Practice is the only way to get a feel for landing them on this light equipment. If you don't get any takers after working 2 or 3 of your best areas, then add a small minnow to the back of the lures, but go to a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce, in brown/orange or lime green.

Troll them the same way in these areas again, while casting another rod to search the areas, and impart more action to the bait to try to develop a pattern that they want that day. Pickerel are ferocious one day, and finicky the next. They are unpredictable sometimes, so don't give up. On a good day, I have caught 5-7 Chain Pickerel that were all over 4 pounds, and usually 2 or 3 over 5 pounds. I have caught others in some Delaware and New Jersey Lakes, that exceeded 6 pounds. I caught a Chain Pickerel in 2000, that won the Delaware State Sportfishing Tournament for the year, that was 6 pounds, 14 ounces, just a few ounces short of the state record!

EQUIPMENT:

You need 3 or 4 spinning rods for these tactics, in the 5 and 5 1/2 foot range, ultra-light to light action, with a good degree of sensitivity. I like G.Loomis rods, but there are other good light action rods you can use for this as well. They should be paired with a good reel, such as a Shimano or Daiwa, with a great drag, set lightly. But as I mentioned before, backreeling, with the anti-reverse off, is really the best way. I use Stren line in 4-6 pound test for this, as it gives the lures the proper action, and depth. Recently though, I have experimented with some superlines with good results.

BEST LOCATIONS:

Here in the Northeast, (Delaware, New Jersey, and New York), in particular, some of the places that hold the largest chain pickerel are Horsey's Pond, in Lower Delaware, Killens Pond in Dover, and the Nanticoke River, (Broad Creek), in Seaford.

In New York I like Lake Champlain, and in New Jersey, Farrington, Union, Assunpink, and Hopetcong, are among some of the better lakes, although there are many more that produce big chains as well. Employ some of these tactics this winter and in the spring on some of these lakes and I think you will be surprised at the results. You won't catch as many pickerel using some of these methods, but they will be BIG!

Steve vonBrandt sponsored by Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, TTI-Blakemore, Okuma, and Ambush Lures. 1998 BBWC, NAFC Hall Of Fame angler. Reeltimeanglers at http://www.reeltimeanglers.com

shimano fishing

Shimano Freshwater Saltwater Fishing Hat Stone M/L New

The smallest necessities are sometimes the most critical for a day of fishing. These products can make a day on the water more comfortable and help you increase your fishing success. # Construction 100% Polyester. Features# Six panel medium profile cap.# Curved sandwich bill# A-Flex head band fits comfortably to your head size.# Padded sweatband for comfort.# Shimano logo embroidered on both front and back.

The state of Maryland has a river called the Sassafras located in Georgetown, and connects with several other rivers, the Northeast, the Bohemia, and then to the Chesapeake bay. From Wilmington, Delaware, take I-95 south, until you see the Route 1 exit, by the Christina mall,(exit4), follow Route 1 south over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal bridge, and exit at the bottom of the bridge before the toll gate. Follow route 13 south to Boyd's Corner, and turn right on route 301 south, follow the road 3 miles to the intersection of 301 and 71, Summit Bridge Road, and turn left at the light. Follow 301 south, towards the Bay Bridge. Follow this all the way to exit 290, Chestertown-Galena exit. Turn right on 290, and follow it about 4 miles into the town of Galena. Make a right at the light onto 213 north, by the Citgo gas station. Go about 2 miles down the road, and cross the drawbridge in Georgetown, at the Georgetown Yacht Basin marina. As soon as you cross the drawbridge, make your first left at George Street. Follow George Street past the Marina towards the Granary Restaurant. The launching ramp is open to the public and accommodates about 10-12 vehicles with trailers. It is on the left hand side of Sassafras Street, right before the restaurant. The ramp is good, but shallow at low tide.

Another launching ramp is available, but requires a Maryland launch ramp permit, and it is hard to obtain. Most anglers use the public ramp. There are several marinas with gas located on the river, with a towboat service if you should ever need it. There are no-wake restrictions in the marinas, and a six mile per hour speed limit on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, which are clearly marked in the channel.

ESTABLISHING A PATTERN

Duffy Creek is a good place to start first. It is by the restaurant, and you should quickly work the docks and wood with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits for any active fish. If this doesn't produce, then go back over the same area with a black and blue jig and a 4 or 5 "Senko, and cast as close to the moored boats and docks as possible, making a quiet entry with the bait. Flipping and pitching are good techniques to know here. Work them well, but don't waste too much time here if they don't produce. Try to present the baits at several different angles before moving on.

The next move is up the river about a mile to Hall Creek. Work the wood even in the very shallow areas at all angles with a white/chartreuse 3/8 ounce "Terminator" spinnerbait or a "Rat-L-Trap". Several six pound bass were caught here on these lures. Check your line frequently for abrasions and nicks, as the cover will fray it easily. If these areas don't produce, move up to McGill Creek, and work the pads in there with a 1/2 ounce "Tournament Frog" in Black or Brown. First work them slowly, and if you don't get ant strikes, work them quickly through the pads pausing only once on the way back to the boat. Many times this draws some reaction strikes when they don't hit it worked slowly.

Just a short distance up the river from McGill Creek, on the left hand side of the river is Freeman Creek. This can be an excellent area. Be sure to work the pads in here with a Tournament Frog and a buzzbait. Many days, we pulled a 15 pound limit right out of here, without ever leaving. If the pads don't work, move directly across the creek, and flip the docks with a jig, small worm, or a "Senko". Don't overlook Turner's Creek near the beach, or the pads and grass by the point and in the back. These areas have all produced bass at times in excess of 5 pounds. Stripers are also caught in this same area. Use your depth finder to locate the water that is from 4-6 feet deep, and move along slowly, looking for the grass beds and weed edges along the drop-offs and bluffs. Many 4-5 pounders were caught by casting a spinnerbait, small worm, and a buzzbait, while staying in about 4-6 feet of water, and casting to the pockets of thinner grass.

EQUIPMENT

Some of the things you should have are a spinning rod in 6 to 6 1/2 foot, with a medium action for smaller baits, such as grubs, 4" Senkos, and French Fry worms. I like to use 8-10 pound test Stren line with a good quality reel like a Shimano or Daiwa. You should also have a Heavy-action baitcaster with 20-30 pound test for working the pads. These 5 and 6 pound river fish will really tie you up in here, and you need to be able to muscle them out. I also like to have a good 7 foot rod, such as BPS, or a Lews, or G.Loomis Cranking stick for the buzzbait.

BEST TIMES

The best times to fish is a few days before, and up to a full moon, and the first hour and a half of the incoming tide, and the last 2 hours of the outgoing tide are best. During periods of slack water, move a little off shore and work the grass flats with a small grub, and a 4" worm, dropped into the pockets.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

The Sassafras River can be exciting most of the time, but when it turns off, it really turns off! If this happens, try running back towards the marina, and head up under the drawbridge, and work all the fallen docks with a "Senko" rigged weightless, on 8-10 pound test, try wacky-rigging it if it doesn't produce any takers the conventional way. Work all the real shallow wood in here also, with a spinnerbait presented repetitiously, from many different angles.

Maps of the Sassafras River are available from "Mare's Marine" in Fredericktown, Maryland, and at sporting goods stores and marinas in the area. You can also use our MAP SERVICE right here on the site.

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

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!

A land where you can hope to snag a hundred lb sailfish using unique gear, where sports fishing charters are available for a wide range of cities located along the coastline (Miami, Pompano & Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, to name a few) and great fishing adventures an everyday story - that's the South Florida sport fishing trip for you!!

The Gold Coast in south Florida sport fishing trips area does live up to its name and provides fishermen many opportunities to reel in big Barracudas, Swordfish (known as the gladiator of the sea) and other species like the Mackerel, Kingfish and Amberjack. Of course, those looking out for different fishing holiday with customized fishing gear and tackle routine can rest their claims for fun on hoping to reel in the mighty sailfish - with a record 110 lbs of baggage it carries, it makes for a fine fishing tale!

Inventive anglers are known to play their best lures to snare a sailfish, as old hand at the fishing reel: Captain Vinnie LaSorsa of the GoodFellas Fishing Charters fame is known to do - sailfish reeled in by kite! The kite reeled in a mighty sailfish to Captain LaSorsa and crew-members who'd been luring the fish with live bait hanging from fishing kites, which had suspended hooks skimming the top of the waters; this action created rippling sound waves that attracted the big fish (tuna is also susceptible) and thus the story was told.

However, fishing for the big ones like the Sailfish and Tuna does call upon a huge amount of energy for the fisherman and a hearty breakfast is recommended before setting out to sea - for the sailfish is the hardiest saltwater fish to capture. Those who are not convinced can move on to grappling with sharks on the reel, we say!

And if you take us seriously, then it's Captain Mark the Shark, located out of Miami Beach, that you need; he knows all the varieties - be it the Hammerhead, Bull shark, or the Thresher, he's one skipper that has the reputation of holding a world record for reeling in these predators of the sea.

On the score of fishing tackle, when on a South Florida sport fishing trip, you can take the expert guidance of an experienced fisherman to differentiate between the different kinds of fishing rods, reels and baits best suited for deep sea fishing in waters known to him. These are namely, Penn Formula 2-speed reels, Black Bart Extreme Breakfast Teaser lures, saltwater fishing rods from the Shimano Tallus family and the Illand Black Hole lure. So, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing gear and fishing holes both when on a South Florida sport fishing trip that can be limited to a day-trip or a close-to-shoreline one (e.g. Fort Lauderdale has fish a couple of mile off the coastline).

Thus, we find that booking a South Florida Sport fishing trip is not only the best way to get some outdoor angling fun but more great tips can be added to the avid angler's fund of knowledge by looking up the The South Florida Sport Fishing magazine and women to have their own contest here, called the Senorita Shootout. This is organized in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and women are known to catch all species of fish - from Blackfin Tuna to kingfish and the Wahoo. All types of timelines available for charters!

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