OPENING WEEKEND!

it is finally here, the weekend that is more important then Christmas,  New Years and all those other celebrated Holidays.. this weekend is Bass opener!

Many of us have waiting long months for this day to come, cleaning and organizing our gear, practicing our casting in the hallways and backyards. Spending money on new equipment knowing that one day we will get to use it.. this is that weekend.

I dont know about you, but I will be spending 2 glorious 10+ hour days on the water this weekend and hoping to take home some great opening weekend memories as well as some cash for my efforts.  Rain or shine I will be chasing the green and bronze all weekend long, testing out some of the new equipment i stock piled over the winter and spring.

so if this blog is quiet for a few days you will know why.. but then again why are in inside anyways.. it is opening weekend!

Police Officer Shot - a Husband, a Father & a Friend

This is a fishing blog.. and I promised myself that I would keep it a fishing blog.  But yesterday and incident occurred that rocked my families world and I had to share it

My brother in law is a Police officer in Peterborough, Ontario, he has been on the force for 7 years, he loves his job, and I can honestly say he was born to be a Police officer.  While on duty yesterday he was shot three times during a raid on drug house in a small Ontario town. He was airlifted to a major hospital in Toronto where his condition was upgraded from "critical" to "guarded". My sister was rushed to side with a Police escort and she was able to be there to support him while he endured what must have been a very painful and very scary ordeal.

I spend the afternoon waiting by the phone.. Im proud to say I have many friends that serve on various Police forces and they were kind enough to provide me with updates as the day went on. The mood lightened as I got word that he would be ok.. he was sitting up, joking and trying to laugh (hard to laugh with 3 shattered ribs).

Late last night I received final word from my family on his injuries. He has been left with some bullet fragments in his shoulder, some possible nerve damage to his hand, and three shattered ribs (as mentioned above).. but he will be ok.. and to a family man with 2 young children and a foster child.. is there anything more important then that?

The next time you pass a cop on the street or are handed a ticket, but sure to take a moment to thank them for what they do. Not many of us are willing to put our lives on the line on a daily basis.  These guys (and gals) never know what is around the next corner but still go to work every day for us.

Out of respect for Keith and my sister I will not include the photo of him on the stretcher that the press is using, they dont need to be reminded of that image.. instead I wanted to include something to show who keith is.. a police officer, a husband and a father and a friend

get well soon

The Erie Darter - not your average poor boys bait

I was recently invited on a trip to chase down some legendary smallmouth bass on the world famous Lake Erie. The trip itself was cancelled due to a work schedule conflict, but something good still came from as I found the “Erie Darter” by Poor Boys Baits. 

When the trip was first booked I did the obvious thing, jumped on the net asked some questions and did some searches. One bait pop up a lot and that’s the Erie Darter and the Darter jr. Both of these are not a traditional bait for me to fish, but I though what the hell and decided to place an order and give them a try.

These two baits are obviously family members with only 1inch separating the two in size. The Standard Erie darter comes in at 4” and the Jr. At 3”. (if you want to step it up a notch, be sure to check out the Dixie Darter coming in at a whopping 4 ¾ inches)Other than the size, they are identical from their ribbed bodies to the flat mini paddle tail. 

 Poor Boys wants to blow your mind, and when you get to their site you will be mesmerized by the 42 color options available for the darters.. In these 42 colors you still have your 2 size options and two bag qty’s...an 8 count or a 25count.  For the most part the color options stick towards the natural part of the scale. Lots of variation of pumpkin and watermelon colors. I personally like the smoke options as well as a few of the watermelon colors, they are killer smallmouth colors and produce well in the lakes in my region

The one thing that is not so great about the poor boys website is that the colors are not shown on the order screen. (I should say that not all colors are visible in the order screen) You will have to jump back and forth between he “color chart” screen and the order screen when placing your order... Your best to make your color choices first then go to the order screen.

 How to Fish them...

The Darters are highly versatile baits, and can be fished in many ways and  It fits into almost every anglers  style or technique.  If you a finesse a guy, you can break out the drop shot, the Darter Jr. Is the perfect bait for a drop shot rig, the body and tail give it a nice action when fluttered on the line.  The body of the bait is thick enough that it will hold up to multiple bites and still sti properly when twitched or paused.

 If you prefer  to flip, pitch or skip a bait, the darters body is perfectly built to fit into the tightest cover. It can be Texas rigged with out without a bullet weight, and fits perfectly onto a 3/0 EWG. (I like to throw the darter on a thin wire EWG Gammakatsu hook). The Darter skips well and will allow you to get your bait deep under the docks and pull out any monsters lurking back there.
 For the Tube or grub fisherman the darter can be rigged using your standard grub jig head and hopped , swam or dragged like a tube or grub. The tail and ribbed body give off great motion in the water, and give the darter it’s “darting” or swimming motion. The thin profile allows you to pull it thew cover with minimal snags. Like with the any finesse option lighter line is required if you want to feel what this bait is doing, I like to throw it on 10lb braid, but 6-8 mono would also do the trick

For the power fisherman, you can fish these babies on a flipping jig, just rip or bite off an inch or so, and slide the darter onto your lucky jig, the bait hugs tight to your jig and gives is a fairly slender profile. And a good flapping or waving motion on the fall, again the slight ribbing will also provide water movement.

So as you an see other then top water fishing or cranking it back to the boat, this little guy can pretty much be fished any way you choose.

The Low Down :Darters range in price from about $4.99 to approximately $12. They are available from Poor Boys baits on-line at http://www.poorboysbaits.com/catalog.cfm/darters or can be purchased from select retailers such as http://www.landbigfish.com/, obviously the other retailers will not have the selection that you can get when you order direct from Poor Boys, but they do offer easier to navigate websites.

All in all the Erie Darter and Darter Jr. Are great products, they are versatile, and can be used when targeting both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Give one a shot; I don’t think you will be disappointed 

There's a Buzz in the Air

Buzz Baits, the loudest, easiest and yet most annoying way to fish top water.   

Maybe it is just me, but the clacking and squeaking blades combined with the constant need to burn a bait back tot the boat gets to me, I don’t fish a buzz bait often enough and I’m missing out on some good fish and some exciting blow-ups.   

Buzz Baits have been around for years and have changes little (depending on who you ask). They are a simple bait, kinda the top water version of a spinner bait.  

Buzz Baits can be broken into a few categories as I see it..   

 -       Single Blade
 -       Single Blade (with clatter)
 -       Double Blade
 -       Long Shank

All four options have many things in common and a few things that set them apart. The Single blade is just that a bait with a single prop, blade or head. The Prop usually consists of 2 wings made of aluminum to give them that god-awful squeak. Buzz Bait are know to gurgle their way across the water and disturb more water then the average top water bait. 

If you want a little more noise a single blade with a clatter will up the ante by adding a clatter that works similar to the old baseball cards in your spokes trick. As the prop spins the clatter makes contact with the prop/blade and emits a clacking noise.

  For those who want to step it up even further, the double blade buzz baits give the bait more lift (less arm strain) and emit twice the squeaking and twice the water disturbance as a single blade.  

The long shank buzzbait is not as common in my area, and I personally don’t throw one. The long shank gives a fish more time to decide if he wants to pound your bait. The shank can be anywhere from 3inches long to 12inches long. When retrieving a long shank bait the body of the bait passed the through the strike zone after the blade has already passed, and works as it’s own follow-up bait.

Pros:

Buzz baits are an easy bait to work, you toss it out there and reel it back in,  there is not much technique required and most people can work one with ease. It is almost 100% weedless as the prop works similar to your boat prop and will cut or toss aside any light weed in the area.  As with any top water bait the best thing about it is the strike,  the blow-ups are fierce and after witnessing one, you will quickly be hooked on this style of fishing.  

Cons:  

A steady and fairly constant retrieve is needed to keep  buzz baits afloat.  This can be tiring if done for long periods of time and can cause arm strain. By sliding up to the double buzz, it will have more lift and allow you to slow your retrieve speed.  This will add weight to the bait and you should match your gear accordingly.  

Tips:
There are a huge number of companies that product quality Buzz Baits, and there are many options available. Look for one in your price range and give it a try.  I personal like to use Booyah Buzz Baits as well as Terminator Buzz Baits, both a re a quality product and hold up well to abuse by hungry largemouth’s

When choosing a bait Look for ones that weigh  in around 3/8 or 1/2oz  and have a flat head similar to a swim jig.  I use three colors when it comes to Buzz Baits.. White, Black and Chartreuse, funny enough those are the exact three colors I choose when spinner bait fishing, so if you are having a hard time choosing a bait, look at your favorite spinner bait color and look for something similar in a Buzz bait. As mentioned above both these baits are similar and can be throw on similar rod and reel combinations. A longer rod at the 7ft mark with a good backbone will allow you to set the hook at a good distance, a fast tip will ensure the bait is not ripped out of the fishes mouth

Buzz Baits are reaction baits, you should know fairly quickly if the buzzbait bite is on. If you don’t get any strikes or blow-ups early, it is time to move on to a new bait. I’m notorious for starting early with a buzz bait but cutting it off quick in exchange for another top water lure or a spinner bait. Similar to Spinner baits, short strikes are common I  use trailer hooks on most my buzz baits to help my hook-up ratios.

When it comes to weather conditions I throw a buzz bait in the morning or evening on calm days (pretty standard top water advice). You can throw Buzz Baits when there is chop on the water, but in my experience the chop negates the motion and sound that draws a fish to the buzz bait. The key to success with these baits is that annoying squeaking sound and the water disturbance.  

NIX Tattoo Convention - Work & PLay

Just to keep you all in the loop, my regular blog schedule will be slightly disrupted as me and my team are headed to the Norther Ink Xposure Tattoo convention (also know as NIX) in Toronto, On. I will be working 13 hour days from today till Sunday..

One of my sponsors and also my employer will have a booth at the show.. World famous tattoo artists coming from all around, so if you are looking for some new ink, this show is a must. These guys can bang our some serious fishing tats, I know, Im the proud owner of a few myself

check it out..http://www.tattoos.com/nix/

Fighting the Elements: Footwear

Previously we discussed the different glove options to help protect your hands when out on the water. Equally as important is keeping your feet happy, this means, warm, dry and comfortable.

We all know that standing for 8 hours in a boat can be killer on your feet, legs and back. The same goes for shoreline or dock fishermen who spend there time trekking into that secret shoreline haunt or standing on a hard wooden or cement docks.  Your feet get you where you need to go and keep you in an upright position ready to set the hook when a bites comes. 

Over the years I have found that not one single pair of shoes will be able to provide you with what you need in all situations, so I have 4 go to pairs, that allow me to stay warm, comfortable and dry when on the water. Here is a break down of what I wear and why  

CROCS

Ok, these guys have been on the market for a while now and a lot of guys swear by them. I own a pair and they do have a place when on the water, here are some pro’s and con’s   

Pros: Crocs are made of a light weight durable material that make them easy to wear. They have a great cushion and ease the pain of walking on hard surfaces for long periods of time. They have great traction and grip even in wet conditions. They take abuse well still protect you feet. Odor is also not an issue in crocs.. let your family rejoice

Cons: Although the boast great traction on the sole or the shoe, one area the traction is not so great is in the shoe. If you get the inside of a Croc wet, it is easy for your foot to slip within the croc, this can lead to rolled ankles or slips and falls.  Cros are meant to cushion feet that spend longs days on hard surfaces, I find that the cushioning is not as great when standing still for long periods of time. At the end of the day if I spent 8 hours standing in the boat I still felt the wear and tear on my legs and back

 Applications:    Boat (B-)                       Dock (A)                         Shoreline (C+) 

Running Shoes/ Sneakers 

Everyone has a favorite brand so there is no use arguing that here. Sneakers are meant for athletes and fisherman are athletes, so there is definitely a place for sneakers on the water.

Pros:  Obviously the comfort factor is high, a good quality sneaker is like walking on a cloud (same goes for skateboard shoes). Sneakers also provide additional warmth on those cold days on the water. Most sneakers have a great tread and make standing on a boat or on the shore a breeze.


Cons: Sneakers are not meant to get wet, and lets face it, there is a good chance your feet are going to get wet while on the water. Whether it is in the rain or when launching the boat, it happens, our feet get wet. Sneakers will take a long time to dry and will make for an uncomfortable day on the water.

Applications:  Boat  (B)                        Dock  (A)                        Shoreline (B-) 

Sport Sandals  

 

Like running shoes/sneakers, there are many brands of sport sandal. I wear Merrells as they are a hiking grade sandal that is very comfortable.  

Pros: I find that sports or hiking sandals are comfortable but not as comfortable as a standard shoe or Croc. They offere advanced protection while still allowing your feet to breath and stay cool on a hot summer day. Full toe protection is great when there are hooks, and toothy critters entering the boat.

Cons: Sports sandals can be heavy. This is the price you pay for the extra protection and comfort added

Applications:  Boat  (B)                      Dock  (B+)                        Shoreline (A-)

Water Shoes: Drain Maker

Standard water shoes I would not even include in my list, but the Columbia Drain maker is an advanced water shoe and is worth a mention 

Pros: the Drain maker is a water shoe, so it is meant to get wet and dry quickly. It is a full shoe and will offer more warmth then a croc or sport sandal. The drain holes in the sole of the shoe allow water to drain quickly keeping the shoe dry and lightweight. It has been designed for hiking with good traction and great comfort.

Cons: this is a newer shoe to me, bought my first pair this year. They are hard to find unless ordering on-line and have limited color options. In the testing I have done I have not concerns with comfort or durability. They don’t offer the same toe protection when hiking to a shore line spot as a sport sandal does, but will suffice in standard conditions  

 Applications:  Boat  (A)                  Dock  (B+)                     Shoreline (A-)


And before you say it, yes, all my fishing shoes are black, it's not a Johnny Cash thing, just some weird compulsion I have. They stand up better to sweat and water stains, then most other colors. 

News: Dobyns Rods Partners with the FLW!

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/press-release/152509/dobyns-rods-flw-outdoors-announce-partnership

Just want to take a moment to congratulate Gary and the rest of the Dobyns family on the above. Dobyns rods has worked hard to get where they are today, they are quality people that make a quality product.

The FLW is a class organization and Im glad to see them adding Dobyns to the ranks