tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589550701845416842024-02-20T23:29:44.868-05:00Fish Tails by Drew CampA Teenager's Tales of Kayak FishingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-77488187872251852812016-04-24T17:48:00.001-04:002016-04-24T17:48:18.946-04:00Go Heavy in the Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This spring has been a weird one. A few days of promising warm weather during
the week, is met by cold heavy winds during the weekend. Some bass have started to spawn, but most are
waiting for the right time. The past few
weekends I have been looking both deep and shallow, and I finally found
them… deep in heavy cover. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last weekend set up like every other, temps in the 6os and
70s during the week, followed by low 50s on Saturday. Since I figured the bite would be tough, I went to one of my high confidence lakes.. It is fairly shallow with a lot of
cover. I began using crankbaits and
senkos, looking for fish on open flats but I couldn’t find any. I then went to a huge laydown and pitched my
jig into it. Before it hit the bottom I felt
a hard THUMP and immediately set the hook.
My rod doubled over and the water inside the laydown exploded. I had a BIG bass on. I carefully worked the fish out of the
cover, using my rod to do the work. Once I got the fish in open water, the
fight was routine. I lipped the bass and
brought her in. She was 23.5” long and
weighed around 7lbs.</div>
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I got back to fishing and started to key in on brush piles
and lay downs. Almost everyone had a
fish on it. I caught several good fish
all on the jig. The last laydown I hit,
was another big tree with mutliple layers of cover. I
pitched up into it and after a few short hops the line was slack. I knew that this meant a big one picked it
up. I set the hook really hard and
started to crank down on the fish. A 5
pounder came flying out of the laydown.
I brought her in and she was 22in.</div>
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The most important part of flipping heavy cover is the set
up. You don’t want to use light tackle
when wrestling with these big fish. I
was using a 7’ 10” heavy action flipping rod from Ardent. I paired it with an Ardent Apex Tournament
reel. You want to make sure you have a
reliable reel that won’t lock up on you when you apply that much pressure. Finally I used 20lbs fluorocarbon line, so
that I can pull those big fish out and not have to worry about breaking off in
the process.</div>
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I also picked up my 6<sup>th</sup> fresh water species trophy. I was pitching a wacky rigged
senko under bushes when a giant sunfish grabbed it and ran out of the
bush. It measured out at 11” and I released her back to the lake. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-7066535773302396422016-04-03T11:59:00.000-04:002016-04-03T13:54:11.576-04:00It's been a while... <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well it has been a long time between posts so I’ve got
some catching up to do:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6.5 lbs early spring bass</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On
the Fishing Front:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The winter Bass bite hasn’t been as epic as last year,
but we have still had some great days.
Between my Dad and I we managed five VA citation large mouths. The fish were caught on a mix of jerk baits,
jigs and crank baits. Appomattox River
Company (ARC) sponsored a best three fish Bass tournament in February and we managed
to place first and second. In addition
to the bass I managed three citation yellow perch, a citation pickerel, a bunch
of crappie and a few catfish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bkIk0WsEujny5G0-kjA0ewTPKl_6wnI6yo3Ytb7vLuuiell69NbfDLPoXxUXbmOpRs5EEuUB_LcNU7blvlsTDWFTytfoBod-VDUITBhop-2D5Boeq1FmgorQKRHU_iM_4BC-9n143EY/s1600/bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bkIk0WsEujny5G0-kjA0ewTPKl_6wnI6yo3Ytb7vLuuiell69NbfDLPoXxUXbmOpRs5EEuUB_LcNU7blvlsTDWFTytfoBod-VDUITBhop-2D5Boeq1FmgorQKRHU_iM_4BC-9n143EY/s320/bass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21in Winter bass </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TSpyVPGnNJhhL9su9qEKhjn2XgniQJAzi_uYW80m8cD3LHkh27MaGuruw9I13UjGZmBcYog9n6ZmNgATh4q94fba2hEkOZx8oQaWo84IQLvwz0pxKc7RtNABA-kx9HgJmN8ZFT3D8pQ/s1600/bass+crankbait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TSpyVPGnNJhhL9su9qEKhjn2XgniQJAzi_uYW80m8cD3LHkh27MaGuruw9I13UjGZmBcYog9n6ZmNgATh4q94fba2hEkOZx8oQaWo84IQLvwz0pxKc7RtNABA-kx9HgJmN8ZFT3D8pQ/s320/bass+crankbait.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crankbait bite has been hot in the last few weeks </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfq_pZeGQrwl9vw1N3ntN2wHh6hmH46yfSN6pmk8LroTgpj9DFDoKBw9lL4eAs6_oroOmBM5wF_8VPBCxVuz4WgE3GnHsg8KDD6GntffivDnCB9cXgzxJf2TLMCg5yGL2hn5Gn61-OxM/s1600/fat+bass+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfq_pZeGQrwl9vw1N3ntN2wHh6hmH46yfSN6pmk8LroTgpj9DFDoKBw9lL4eAs6_oroOmBM5wF_8VPBCxVuz4WgE3GnHsg8KDD6GntffivDnCB9cXgzxJf2TLMCg5yGL2hn5Gn61-OxM/s320/fat+bass+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fattest bass of the year and 22in long </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f8ktFqYqeadtZZZrT5Aqgb42QhbrnOLw1GfLqHhX6TcgqkHPFxltq28mx8K8IL395Rmb1FiEow_Vy6VRoFEhke3rEdPfyiRsC6H1cGIOLOD0ha4HFrd9RfICpaK_0XuyCIauT8Yfc0E/s1600/pickerel+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f8ktFqYqeadtZZZrT5Aqgb42QhbrnOLw1GfLqHhX6TcgqkHPFxltq28mx8K8IL395Rmb1FiEow_Vy6VRoFEhke3rEdPfyiRsC6H1cGIOLOD0ha4HFrd9RfICpaK_0XuyCIauT8Yfc0E/s320/pickerel+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24in trophy pickerel </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP053IDw40f6udrRwim5_ZZFS8V5MUbSQY2XEGkwevoDiSJqO1hmllDCbcfpifoCeyNF7ZxVHRSWTKOmnfsKItBZIT-BU3PR4U099tcTMCu5j-_hEgLXRYNud2-xw6RGbVQKKzKDi3VzU/s1600/big+perch+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP053IDw40f6udrRwim5_ZZFS8V5MUbSQY2XEGkwevoDiSJqO1hmllDCbcfpifoCeyNF7ZxVHRSWTKOmnfsKItBZIT-BU3PR4U099tcTMCu5j-_hEgLXRYNud2-xw6RGbVQKKzKDi3VzU/s320/big+perch+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big perch caught on bass lures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruc-q21vXdyGVjYM5hF9WHL08DVqTJTzMfBV2t3TVel-c2lNmu46SP7Wpru1ZpjF1_BiEiNNfop8U5h-lVBEKyx7C7VPXnPefovVSAfbDb_bPyQJSEy0Xk-YSReLKqhFwh_IrFvMllI0/s1600/crappie+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruc-q21vXdyGVjYM5hF9WHL08DVqTJTzMfBV2t3TVel-c2lNmu46SP7Wpru1ZpjF1_BiEiNNfop8U5h-lVBEKyx7C7VPXnPefovVSAfbDb_bPyQJSEy0Xk-YSReLKqhFwh_IrFvMllI0/s320/crappie+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did some bank fishing and found some nice crappie </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOUkk779enqLSnW06Nf9_gWjHZnuNB8SR2AylzBzWURrQjU3_05x1MB1m-SCfDzxacz-FWvpI0l3ERDKx9DW5IJFtN8Af8Y7cYpsh_UoYHR3j9j4eSCKKZ_p48xv1Rj8x_zaXoMHrUD0/s1600/catfish+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOUkk779enqLSnW06Nf9_gWjHZnuNB8SR2AylzBzWURrQjU3_05x1MB1m-SCfDzxacz-FWvpI0l3ERDKx9DW5IJFtN8Af8Y7cYpsh_UoYHR3j9j4eSCKKZ_p48xv1Rj8x_zaXoMHrUD0/s320/catfish+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the local creeks, the catfish have been biting real well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6DI7cGkz2oVKa5m45K-bYQdQiRsqfxRau0DdlqO-9k69_s8cpcVwEFaVf1OWAUfag3Q2FXxBQs0CKImpGzAO8pWw8oTZ9vU4lVUPK1IBYjYrvxTlbHAhXM4Ji5jv6UsD-yH2AnW0M4U/s1600/chip+bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6DI7cGkz2oVKa5m45K-bYQdQiRsqfxRau0DdlqO-9k69_s8cpcVwEFaVf1OWAUfag3Q2FXxBQs0CKImpGzAO8pWw8oTZ9vU4lVUPK1IBYjYrvxTlbHAhXM4Ji5jv6UsD-yH2AnW0M4U/s320/chip+bass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad caught several nice bass including this 22in trophy </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I gave a pre and post spawn bass presentation at ARC
and will be giving another presentation this Thursday for the Virginia Beach Anglers
Club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
other news:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Senior year has been real busy, but going really
well. I was fortunate enough to get
accepted to several colleges and after a lot of thought I have committed to
Christopher Newport University. It is a
great school and I plan on majoring in business and marketing with hopes of
working in the kayaking and fishing industry after graduation. They also have an excellent Bass team. Next weekend I will be fishing with the team
as they get ready for a tournament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImWjK-rOnLQfHuJjwsMSB2UC34dJl1BUtJ2RdtXz_Xv0d-6ag4k2hoW3p0I-mRGxpTJ-3A20wWY9jKFDISJCofj12x3sx05ao0r_3zYBWWVXCIPFzaegK0xM8bhbfGcfnIqdz0ZZyqD0/s1600/cnu+bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImWjK-rOnLQfHuJjwsMSB2UC34dJl1BUtJ2RdtXz_Xv0d-6ag4k2hoW3p0I-mRGxpTJ-3A20wWY9jKFDISJCofj12x3sx05ao0r_3zYBWWVXCIPFzaegK0xM8bhbfGcfnIqdz0ZZyqD0/s320/cnu+bass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of the reasons I have been so busy is soccer. This year I was selected as one of the team
captains and we are off to a great start going 3-0 with two shut outs. GO PACKERS!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue4tT0h2lfrw02XRWxMBaRhD4T3S57L3e8tBuvXJcqRaiht-cSFqjwKUM74bfG7UIDN5G7yR48jceoNiNgJyQ5LBzRsC4gp5aS6ujST-f4TesT9c17C0ByaZJhnyuSaGAeW32vf2mTik/s1600/soccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue4tT0h2lfrw02XRWxMBaRhD4T3S57L3e8tBuvXJcqRaiht-cSFqjwKUM74bfG7UIDN5G7yR48jceoNiNgJyQ5LBzRsC4gp5aS6ujST-f4TesT9c17C0ByaZJhnyuSaGAeW32vf2mTik/s320/soccer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well that catches everyone up on what has been going
on with me. The bass are heading for the
beds which makes for some exciting and frustrating sight fishing and soon the
saltwater bite will pick up. I am looking
forward to my first red drum of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-71297923619768640662015-12-06T15:28:00.000-05:002015-12-06T15:29:23.059-05:00Early Winter Carp on the Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2tnPxamCqIHsMWyuIXMpLSAAGN1cJneaP6EYqQzxEnq11Y1QTkPY1MQTOfIh6B7_9s-PubB1Y_8qVJM0Po3UOG20pkMNTlSRRAFxi2nGqV5RqSLqNG7kHCMphK9_vXoFLRjdM45XMa8/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2tnPxamCqIHsMWyuIXMpLSAAGN1cJneaP6EYqQzxEnq11Y1QTkPY1MQTOfIh6B7_9s-PubB1Y_8qVJM0Po3UOG20pkMNTlSRRAFxi2nGqV5RqSLqNG7kHCMphK9_vXoFLRjdM45XMa8/s320/DSC_0594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for targets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjDlskJoihHcc5AREHQmXvCTD-pmEm9QX2igrC_TbKHZpjXMTX6FfnzTKBrzRLGZL1to4_nXILjAxlbp12EKmn8KEaJkUSZtjNfV864AIYsP-8MpIplxYCKA1jb5sBjeGsOUhByVPH1U/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjDlskJoihHcc5AREHQmXvCTD-pmEm9QX2igrC_TbKHZpjXMTX6FfnzTKBrzRLGZL1to4_nXILjAxlbp12EKmn8KEaJkUSZtjNfV864AIYsP-8MpIplxYCKA1jb5sBjeGsOUhByVPH1U/s320/DSC_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While it doesn't look like much, there are about 100 carp under the ripples.</td></tr>
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The conditions were perfect, the lake was smooth as glass
and I easily saw my prey at 75 yards. I
quietly paddled into range and grabbed my 6wt.
Two false casts to gauge my distance and I laid my fly right on
target. It sat there for two seconds and
then vanished as it got sucked under, a hard strip set and Carp On!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT4fJXpwU5YioE8GeClU9S7GgdIiQ1vitS4UgbDaKRHDQiqZGrOfUh2o-uzvNjLrU5ExR443QdJ2zYgSQ5qHf-BalJ2ZDikWKx0MvhnvTJGxvIWOeqdHMg0BmsNT14UJ0g3dGSsT1vBs/s1600/image1+%2528003%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT4fJXpwU5YioE8GeClU9S7GgdIiQ1vitS4UgbDaKRHDQiqZGrOfUh2o-uzvNjLrU5ExR443QdJ2zYgSQ5qHf-BalJ2ZDikWKx0MvhnvTJGxvIWOeqdHMg0BmsNT14UJ0g3dGSsT1vBs/s320/image1+%2528003%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While most folks are chasing stripers this time of year, I
take every chance I get to throw flies at carp.
On this day the carp were cooperative and I landed several fish in the
20-25 in range, with most of the fish hitting my 4wt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJr1YT-Ude04zjuQhJNpVwcn6srUU802D2qhbqJX-bxIUZ30Smpmk_EBZby5C3Y8m0zM_Y7uE7ZQfjqh-Pc8V-nFsSTaGGrDwcBkUt0kU_x60XRWwk4bE8JCjC1W4niSBQIu4yj7nLzQ/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJr1YT-Ude04zjuQhJNpVwcn6srUU802D2qhbqJX-bxIUZ30Smpmk_EBZby5C3Y8m0zM_Y7uE7ZQfjqh-Pc8V-nFsSTaGGrDwcBkUt0kU_x60XRWwk4bE8JCjC1W4niSBQIu4yj7nLzQ/s320/DSC_0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one fell for a small dry fly</td></tr>
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Why do I like carp fishing?
Carp are great fighters and a real challenge to get on the fly. This is all about sight fishing; I do not
waste a cast unless I have a good visual on a specific fish or a small school. To see the fish from a distance you need calm
conditions and you have to be able to stand.
I love my Coosa HD for this type of fishing since it is super stable and
quiet. Carp spook easily, any noise or
even a shadow will send them quickly out of range. I prefer to place my yak up wind and silently
drift into range, if I can keep my shadow behind me even better. False casts can also spook the school, so
make as few as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_oi8Cjs4ZEdRijMJ2i-mnXCJoFTtLIy64cTf8jwG_xnOhGkSiKohR84SZkKB8M4zxClIZI6xDuqXZ1fQs2IcKLPU4DF_guJNzTEzRi_7nihBKz8ULmdWBacUDa5Qx9GdijfRIXry-4/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_oi8Cjs4ZEdRijMJ2i-mnXCJoFTtLIy64cTf8jwG_xnOhGkSiKohR84SZkKB8M4zxClIZI6xDuqXZ1fQs2IcKLPU4DF_guJNzTEzRi_7nihBKz8ULmdWBacUDa5Qx9GdijfRIXry-4/s320/DSC_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Carp sucking in a dry fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlLj7j2z58A6U_WVmSHHPievbUVxzhRg7uOdwgMiW3VsvUb5C8R6qY5vTqRYbRgijKJRcV_g7JfJLddjVDRx6LAxSszo3xJ0LrRpxC84uEcxPSXLgzEfNhwRxNz-TX4Whru9NKI0WY5g/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlLj7j2z58A6U_WVmSHHPievbUVxzhRg7uOdwgMiW3VsvUb5C8R6qY5vTqRYbRgijKJRcV_g7JfJLddjVDRx6LAxSszo3xJ0LrRpxC84uEcxPSXLgzEfNhwRxNz-TX4Whru9NKI0WY5g/s320/DSC_0547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once you are hooked up, hang on. Carp will test your gear and skills, quickly dumping your reel into the backing.
I have never had a carp run for structure, but if you are over soft
bottom, they will burrow down into the mud.
If this happens you will snap your tippet if you try to yank them out,
just keep steady pressure on them and they will eventually swim out. Another trick you can do is to tickle the
fish with your stake out pole. Just follow
your line and poke the mud, but be ready they will fly out like they are being
launched from a cannon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So if you want to catch some big fish on the fly, go target
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-55054898938038695492015-08-30T18:49:00.001-04:002015-09-05T17:37:10.588-04:00Summer Mixed Bag<div class="MsoNormal">
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Dog days of summer have settled in and summer fishing has
taken off. Both saltwater and freshwater
fisheries have been producing consistently and I have taken advantage of
both. With a good weather forecast, my Dad I loaded
up the Kraken and Cuda 14 and headed to explore some
new water looking for redfish. We paddled close to 10 miles and found some good
water. I was throwing a topwater over a
grass flat when it was crushed by a big fish.
The fish made a long run and I could tell that it was a good
redfish. It dragged my all over the flat
and I enjoyed the ride. Once I finally
landed the fish, I could tell it was nice.
It measured out to 35” and it was really healthy. The fish was released and I went back to
fishing. Not long after my dad hooks
upon a big fish, but after a short fight it broke off. I had a few more blow ups, but the action had
slowed down. We started working our way
back to the ramp when my Dad saw a nice red cruising the flat. He pitched a wake bait in front of the red,
and his bait was inhaled. He fought and
landed the fish, and it measured out to 34”.
We called it a day, and paddled back to the ramp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I took the Kraken out to one of the bigger lakes in the area
on Sunday. My target was gar and catfish.
I caught my bait and set up on a drop-off into a deep hole looking for a
catfish. I caught one 22in fish, but the
action wasn’t what I was looking for. I
was moving to another drop-off when I found a large school of gar working a
bait ball. I could see them on my fish finder
and I watched them roll on the surface.
Set out baits and the bite was on.
In a few minutes I had a 37in gar in the kayak, and shortly after
releasing it I had another 34” on the line.
I fished 3 rods at a time and I had several double and even triple
headers. I caught a total of 23 gar and
7 of them were over 40” and large enough for Virginia Trophy Citations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I went to another lake a few days later trying to repeat my
success. I caught several gar, with a few
double headers thrown in. I was retying
one of my rigs when my live-bait rod was nearly ripped out of my rod
holder. I set the hook and could tell
that this was a bigger fish. After a
good fight I landed my biggest gar to date. The fish measured out to 47” and
after some pictures, was released unharmed.
After that fish I switched to catfish and landed one decent one. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4fPJRdGcATggM1kiWrWLb4hDNsoopVEsdQnL1dIjV7jV3u6Mzk2rpXMpZxf4kVsnQnV1xHQszL0v4O6nUicqSk9RtgNICqx0-nvEbOQ7Bb6SYELeZFcPtYnhBBtEWoMqDe_3UQnPdic/s1600/G0335133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4fPJRdGcATggM1kiWrWLb4hDNsoopVEsdQnL1dIjV7jV3u6Mzk2rpXMpZxf4kVsnQnV1xHQszL0v4O6nUicqSk9RtgNICqx0-nvEbOQ7Bb6SYELeZFcPtYnhBBtEWoMqDe_3UQnPdic/s320/G0335133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing a 47" Gar</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-54344238681124816312015-08-15T20:54:00.000-04:002015-08-15T20:54:56.419-04:00Back to the Saltwater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, I have spent most of my time freshwater fishing,
and it has been awesome. I have had some
great days, but I could feel the saltwater calling me back. The saltwater scene
has been hit or miss here in VA but down in NC the bite has been consistent. I
was super excited for my yearly vacation to the Wrightsville Beach area of
NC. I had seen promising reports from my
Werner Paddles teammate Will Ragulsky weeks in advanced, so I loaded up the
Kraken, Cuda 14 and the SUPerFISHal and went on down. </div>
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We always time our vacation so my Dad and I can fish in the
annual TJM Kayak and SUP Charity Tournament.
I have fished in this event four times and it is always a blast. There are 4 divisions (redfish, flounder,
speckled trout, and slam) and the longest fish for each division wins. Hook, Line, and Paddle puts on the tournament
every year and do a very good job. This
tournament is a lot of fun and there are a lot of great anglers that fish
it. Check them out at <a href="http://www.hooklineandpaddle.com/">http://www.hooklineandpaddle.com/</a></div>
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I only had one day to pre-fish, but I was confident in my
spot. Tournament day came around and I
was incredibly excited. At 6AM I launched and within 10 minutes I
was at my first spot. I throw out a
popping cork rig and after a few pops the cork was gone. The calm water was stirred by a big school of
red drum. My fish pulled the Kraken
around I could tell that this was a GOOD redfish. I worked the fish to the kayak and
leg swinged it in. I was stoked. The redfish filled my footwell and when I
laid it on my hawg trough, the tail reached just past 30”. On my first cast I had a big redfish, and the
rest of the day I had a huge smile on my face.
I couldn’t find a flounder or a speckled trout to complete the slam, but
I was hoping my redfish would place.
After a few hours of anticipation the results were read. My 30.25” redfish had tied with another
fisherman, but I won the tie-breaker. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The rest of the week, my Dad and I went back to the same
area and everyday we caught 10-15 redfish between 20-28”. We would use lipless
crankbaits and topwaters to find the schools of redfish each morning, and catch
them on an assortment of lures. I even
took the SUPerFISHal out and landed a few on it. The final day of vacation was a little
slow. We had caught a few smaller fish,
but couldn’t find a good school. I was
throwing an Egret Baits Vuu Doo Shrimp when it was nailed by a big fish. I could tell this was a better fish, because
it took off for deeper water and pulled a lot of drag. I brought the fish into the kayak and it was
even bigger than the one I caught on tournament day. This redfish was 32” and very healthy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLtILfhigETEs6FtSzs3g3is9-70auo0OHm5bvfW-2A13S0MlSI5tudYWqEjiMCQGMXVUgDDggRncegl0F0FoovU4ac8WKV5cFM_8HaoRcLgKAjVuzdmFKk_IZ_zcLkD0H_MPeWu8jRY/s1600/GOPR1927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLtILfhigETEs6FtSzs3g3is9-70auo0OHm5bvfW-2A13S0MlSI5tudYWqEjiMCQGMXVUgDDggRncegl0F0FoovU4ac8WKV5cFM_8HaoRcLgKAjVuzdmFKk_IZ_zcLkD0H_MPeWu8jRY/s320/GOPR1927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyCeMwJ6WLJWShzwOJ35v4tBj2D-qiL1kK6LIdrKmvKV_0fCKBA_73It7bNECs8UyAX0LD60jSxHgoF4Xi4bTFFddmogLcEGBWJWQjGzaFb_Q65LODaFWJr0KX7OkPnyXl76TKfwVnaY/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyCeMwJ6WLJWShzwOJ35v4tBj2D-qiL1kK6LIdrKmvKV_0fCKBA_73It7bNECs8UyAX0LD60jSxHgoF4Xi4bTFFddmogLcEGBWJWQjGzaFb_Q65LODaFWJr0KX7OkPnyXl76TKfwVnaY/s320/DSC_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SUPerFISHal is a sweet platform for the flats,<br />especially when paired with the Orion 25.</td></tr>
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Throughout the week I used two rod/reel setups. The first one was an Ardent Apex Grand paired
with an Ardent Denny Brauer Crainkbait series rod. I used this for my larger topwater, popping-
cork, and crankbaits. <b> </b>I also used an Ardent Wire 2000 paired
with an Ardent Edge rod. Even though
this is a small reel, the drag is super smooth and it is what I used to catch
my 32” red. I highly recommend both of
these combos if you are in the market for a new rod/reel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kN1Ep3IgMYH58qxhEKbLFSsmSvWPHOQGwHMHw_CjS0C6ON8zqPVtn6eK4WpEH-puPXU5O5nfgT7wvfFaFhTTbQZ7hBIwCx1unY3H6horNJNjTUdxTYF7FYcyd7hSwEm97oEnyygprgY/s1600/ardent+closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kN1Ep3IgMYH58qxhEKbLFSsmSvWPHOQGwHMHw_CjS0C6ON8zqPVtn6eK4WpEH-puPXU5O5nfgT7wvfFaFhTTbQZ7hBIwCx1unY3H6horNJNjTUdxTYF7FYcyd7hSwEm97oEnyygprgY/s320/ardent+closeup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32" Red on my Ardent set-up.</td></tr>
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When I got back from vacation I prepared for the Catchin' For Kids Club Challenge Tournament. (Catchin' for kids is a great charity, for more info go to <a href="http://www.catchinforkids.org/">http://www.catchinforkids.org/</a> ) This
tournament allows the seven local fishing clubs to compete for bragging rights. TKAA is the only kayak club, however, and the
rest of the clubs are in powerboats. It is
normally a challenge to beat the boats, but this year was especially challenging. The weather forecast was 25-30knt winds out
of the Northeast. Even with bad
conditions our kayak club beat the boat clubs for the second time in three years. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBANwUsrFLf0GHJPD9AjaPog_LlijPrdmMaD-FOorA_ZUumwpenbfHo4S17JgqDhDxD8_9Hp6ayW35MLnGJCLEl-_t_-iB_AIkKrsHemgVkHjglHXdT-v-LG_cUocDnh0e3sDaDKb6VA/s1600/11828684_10205627152932968_7997431133095493222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBANwUsrFLf0GHJPD9AjaPog_LlijPrdmMaD-FOorA_ZUumwpenbfHo4S17JgqDhDxD8_9Hp6ayW35MLnGJCLEl-_t_-iB_AIkKrsHemgVkHjglHXdT-v-LG_cUocDnh0e3sDaDKb6VA/s320/11828684_10205627152932968_7997431133095493222_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TKAA's Winning Team</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-16374279445615952522015-06-27T11:52:00.000-04:002015-06-27T11:52:50.957-04:00Summertime Gar <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDNoRfwN7PM0Tzb_pTmLd4-BYqpMZy9JFHiBP8XE8oQCUCmb1kX-EZUgTa-Z7ljGSyxyiTJzoF7Cz-TODRxkDDo9Eq5FCp6pNEIHneuggHmnm1rXEj6GoFIaWS6K_PQU3Y-vrueKUta0/s1600/G0054106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDNoRfwN7PM0Tzb_pTmLd4-BYqpMZy9JFHiBP8XE8oQCUCmb1kX-EZUgTa-Z7ljGSyxyiTJzoF7Cz-TODRxkDDo9Eq5FCp6pNEIHneuggHmnm1rXEj6GoFIaWS6K_PQU3Y-vrueKUta0/s320/G0054106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">42" Trophy Gar </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Summer has arrived and now that I’m out of school, I
have been able to fish a lot. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The last
couple of months I have been thinking about fishing for gar, and now that I had
time I loaded up my Kraken and went gar fishing.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCQIEttMEuzuka-jZ6cZOebgYhgR0CQu8ZRreCNyzgnb62RUCg_9yojCwmqggnLI2_PzauUP_zuS5eCSdHDfruEFpYCLT3hmdgcnBfKwR6g3BP1OTbT3x21IzavU4F_88zFgqu89MQ0c/s1600/garcloseup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCQIEttMEuzuka-jZ6cZOebgYhgR0CQu8ZRreCNyzgnb62RUCg_9yojCwmqggnLI2_PzauUP_zuS5eCSdHDfruEFpYCLT3hmdgcnBfKwR6g3BP1OTbT3x21IzavU4F_88zFgqu89MQ0c/s320/garcloseup2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I saw several gar while fishing for bass last year, so I had
a good idea of where to go. I got my livebait,
loaded up my Kraken, and went down to the lake.
It didn’t take very long for me to find the fish. I paddled into a large cove and found fish
rolling on the surface and gulping air, just like tarpon. On the first day of fishing, I landed two gar
with one of them measuring out to 40 inches, enough for a Virginia trophy fish citation. After the first trip I went back out several
times, catching them with livebait and sight-fishing for them on
bass tackle. My Dad joined me one trip,
and caught a 41in gar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJd-CNNzp_JcO3FDYJXCrse5yEYSq6etSPdu6y5zXAJSxBdw3nhM8HL2HjI0bc2OGO0EMaD9Cw0J-oaGazF3idJAwZd-Wei0P9AV4nXPRv698M03iiaPhjHqgfRYkSazBr6Oq0pAXlWQ/s1600/G0033490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJd-CNNzp_JcO3FDYJXCrse5yEYSq6etSPdu6y5zXAJSxBdw3nhM8HL2HjI0bc2OGO0EMaD9Cw0J-oaGazF3idJAwZd-Wei0P9AV4nXPRv698M03iiaPhjHqgfRYkSazBr6Oq0pAXlWQ/s320/G0033490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Gar at 40"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUeyS-ExTqOcN06_CDpUtUVJM77okJ7BusAGE3wmbavYhwBBN8qj7UaRlVBRDpiVnltL4-g7MdUo04xMQnzz-laolaty_Es4a4RSqwZwLdLNglL23-9qABSOP1ggOIj4OdwTBd0OaJkw/s1600/DSC_0276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUeyS-ExTqOcN06_CDpUtUVJM77okJ7BusAGE3wmbavYhwBBN8qj7UaRlVBRDpiVnltL4-g7MdUo04xMQnzz-laolaty_Es4a4RSqwZwLdLNglL23-9qABSOP1ggOIj4OdwTBd0OaJkw/s320/DSC_0276.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad's 41" gar </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-VgtVq6HF9j2_mKuSLjByTiysTcAHsn0dEuyZ5uJbh7jCrcg2nyOhQvGg_HE-MS0gJf2150xQ7Yin6qw1VMjXeim6_PrTmcsfY_JKov5arb1lw5DYEe14Jted4guggETGQAPdTBm2u4/s1600/G0023862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-VgtVq6HF9j2_mKuSLjByTiysTcAHsn0dEuyZ5uJbh7jCrcg2nyOhQvGg_HE-MS0gJf2150xQ7Yin6qw1VMjXeim6_PrTmcsfY_JKov5arb1lw5DYEe14Jted4guggETGQAPdTBm2u4/s320/G0023862.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">41" on a jerkbait </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqOeqGO6UDMQdn6ZKv7OAFsWXOvq1Lkz1DMQmZhTF1Xz7E4t23HvNFx5MdFpFOuTz3mf2tOG2217lZX0AAo72wdlsVRzpjo2Nvm0lCc2Qi33pQ3qjFWlfOG_hbsHBbC8A0OWG398qR3k/s1600/DSC_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqOeqGO6UDMQdn6ZKv7OAFsWXOvq1Lkz1DMQmZhTF1Xz7E4t23HvNFx5MdFpFOuTz3mf2tOG2217lZX0AAo72wdlsVRzpjo2Nvm0lCc2Qi33pQ3qjFWlfOG_hbsHBbC8A0OWG398qR3k/s320/DSC_0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">My last trip was by far my best one. I set out for a new location with bigger
livebait, hoping to catch a really big one.
I was in a large creek off the main lake and gar were rolling all around
me. I put out my biggest bait and when it went down I set the hook. I could tell that this was a better class of fish, it made long runs and stayed deep. When I finally got the fish boat-side, I saw
that it was a BIG gar. I grabbed the
fish and pulled it in the kayak. It took
up the whole foot-well because it was so long and I was stoked. I beached the kayak and measured the fish out
to 45 inches. I took a few pictures,
removed the hooks, and released the big fish back to the lake. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfTZ5wfvWLLkhiMV7zw0tc6mt-ufoRexELUdDqZp4akE0IIXOaCZISFF0ztwAWjXo1QRG__zAEzj6e238lsH0TKiRvonP-lMNSWpiTelhPvFaIoMgu56txCMtIoppfFHhqNbp4_xDORQ/s1600/G0044053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfTZ5wfvWLLkhiMV7zw0tc6mt-ufoRexELUdDqZp4akE0IIXOaCZISFF0ztwAWjXo1QRG__zAEzj6e238lsH0TKiRvonP-lMNSWpiTelhPvFaIoMgu56txCMtIoppfFHhqNbp4_xDORQ/s320/G0044053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">45" BIG Gar </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">I caught three more fish in the creek, and two of them were
over 40 inches, the other was in the upper 30 inch range. So far this year I have caught eleven gar with five citations.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1YZ5uu6x7mFCDrjSpcD3hvBDqmtzGfw-MPYv5qkUmU_d_QtfK6UQMKpkbtTRJFwNlkkkwTF1kwB05a1tBBG_Jb8tTAubVeQv0Qo-2plzO6iVWUbi4NvfwChmHdVYTneCSFiAkpsSMW8/s1600/G0054122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1YZ5uu6x7mFCDrjSpcD3hvBDqmtzGfw-MPYv5qkUmU_d_QtfK6UQMKpkbtTRJFwNlkkkwTF1kwB05a1tBBG_Jb8tTAubVeQv0Qo-2plzO6iVWUbi4NvfwChmHdVYTneCSFiAkpsSMW8/s320/G0054122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">42" citation Gar</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gar haven’t been the only fish I have caught lately. I caught a lot of bass up to 21.5 inches
on deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina-rigs, and jigs out on deep water
ledges. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2zSAy2cFFGYCG-Tu027UJvyQz57BKcnzmkjrzvGhlM-pJZKhqnLqB09tAUiFDg3Ws9qX_4dXRAj7PtAYaYHUARiYHW-kaN137xOZ-XZjwq6ycd9xKAgtIaDS9caxKFkPFHyMswGxorM/s1600/G0063770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2zSAy2cFFGYCG-Tu027UJvyQz57BKcnzmkjrzvGhlM-pJZKhqnLqB09tAUiFDg3Ws9qX_4dXRAj7PtAYaYHUARiYHW-kaN137xOZ-XZjwq6ycd9xKAgtIaDS9caxKFkPFHyMswGxorM/s320/G0063770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21.5" Bass on a crankbait </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWIrinu5UUQ1nGpyXFbMNlhSWhTrPyqIM_WSOpoLc7C427oWV1ebDYr0CPumfSLC0_poHh-Le1KeAV3xssnvOiRul9G-I7bJIRUn33kAyWVQkOjeBbzJGDokMcxqu71KAb42cCvv6m2M/s1600/G0013633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWIrinu5UUQ1nGpyXFbMNlhSWhTrPyqIM_WSOpoLc7C427oWV1ebDYr0CPumfSLC0_poHh-Le1KeAV3xssnvOiRul9G-I7bJIRUn33kAyWVQkOjeBbzJGDokMcxqu71KAb42cCvv6m2M/s320/G0013633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDJqX-60FswQEeTUVl-1BHn6eJuu5W_mNR2tHrfCUd7Qu-nMzrU4zWO5niMk4S7_xMU6bPJ4OjxA5HAH-9BQFoXuHkq27B108rT0zW_vZK_hW3lo20tN3OEwEmoBxEUdIAQEXqSASluQ/s1600/G0033678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDJqX-60FswQEeTUVl-1BHn6eJuu5W_mNR2tHrfCUd7Qu-nMzrU4zWO5niMk4S7_xMU6bPJ4OjxA5HAH-9BQFoXuHkq27B108rT0zW_vZK_hW3lo20tN3OEwEmoBxEUdIAQEXqSASluQ/s320/G0033678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have also caught several big sunfish up to 10.5 inches</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Summer time is an awesome time to get out and catch
fish. Just remember to stay hydrated in
the heat and stay safe out on the water. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-43058318455731035032015-05-17T16:33:00.001-04:002015-05-17T16:33:47.311-04:00A Few Hours to Kill...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxU4BDsKcN7YvmMMf165GNaRDPKvz884GyRcIoSjhRU0Kwhans3HaAdb8rW7GG-62m6X2WZIWtCAMU7hgGic0wZpX2IahER3G_60M-sCzuR8lEB18O0roZ4mntP8v5msYo2gasP42hKA/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxU4BDsKcN7YvmMMf165GNaRDPKvz884GyRcIoSjhRU0Kwhans3HaAdb8rW7GG-62m6X2WZIWtCAMU7hgGic0wZpX2IahER3G_60M-sCzuR8lEB18O0roZ4mntP8v5msYo2gasP42hKA/s320/DSC_0169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooked up on the SUP</td></tr>
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School, soccer, work, and finals have kept me really busy the last couple of weeks, and I haven't been able to get out on the water in a while. This Saturday I had a few hours before Prom, so I loaded up the SUPerFISHal and went bass fishing. A few weeks ago my Orion 25qt cooler came in the mail. This cooler is the real deal, from construction, size, and over all sweet look. It is the perfect size for the SUP and with YakAttack tracks built onto it, it was easy to rig up. I filled it with a few tackle boxes and bags of PTL plastics and launched the SUP in a local lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_IvnS18TCXhASV_R6wLtWxcBK3O-HIz_54-biavEiTukx0YKBm8YLhEN76jZwWNpbpyGCaP_uFBcUhffkQaLGcG0NSknQ98HQFaXw7-dN0Xy_ovqTTgTnCoe97Vr2KcU0ZIJI1CtcrI/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_IvnS18TCXhASV_R6wLtWxcBK3O-HIz_54-biavEiTukx0YKBm8YLhEN76jZwWNpbpyGCaP_uFBcUhffkQaLGcG0NSknQ98HQFaXw7-dN0Xy_ovqTTgTnCoe97Vr2KcU0ZIJI1CtcrI/s320/DSC_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orion is a perfect standing platform for a SUP or small skiff</td></tr>
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I started throwing a popper first thing, and after the first cast I already boated a 17in largemouth. I worked down the bank alternating between a frog, squarebill, and popper. Each bait produced bass, with more of the hits coming off the crankbait. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHBcl7Pt1qcUDrn-m9I-jC74tMCXu4fpglZeUEBIBoQ8bQwujj3AdSf7Tijj8AqaN1QTJI9Y6yy23v9rx6DrrKo2tjs8pwWvt0I-fu92Twkb_PardJYxBdfu7Qcvhwoh3QR4q0Wwd7ms/s1600/G0023246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHBcl7Pt1qcUDrn-m9I-jC74tMCXu4fpglZeUEBIBoQ8bQwujj3AdSf7Tijj8AqaN1QTJI9Y6yy23v9rx6DrrKo2tjs8pwWvt0I-fu92Twkb_PardJYxBdfu7Qcvhwoh3QR4q0Wwd7ms/s320/G0023246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First fish of the day</td></tr>
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Once the sun came up, I left the bank and started fishing offshore structure. This time of year, many of the post-spawn females move towards the deep summertime holes, and stage on shallow ledges. I tied on a PTL stonedragger football jig and went to work picking apart these shallow ledges. The first one I found quickly produced several decent bass. I caught plenty of 16-17in bass with a few larger ones in the 19in range. I caught most of my bass on the jig, but also caught a few on a Carolina-rig and deep-diving crankbait. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn6VNaM6y_7gQuolvYMIFeWLES_-biVZ7fPTrK4j2x4sHqVI25WUzFrKUhEFlFTmfCIVRqig1dMKgDxXUyYjPyVR8x-dvEANS6biLq01YYe8iew-wHSIBbrI0CYmovtWE32ZVUazs_L4/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn6VNaM6y_7gQuolvYMIFeWLES_-biVZ7fPTrK4j2x4sHqVI25WUzFrKUhEFlFTmfCIVRqig1dMKgDxXUyYjPyVR8x-dvEANS6biLq01YYe8iew-wHSIBbrI0CYmovtWE32ZVUazs_L4/s320/DSC_0189.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ardent Apex Grand is the perfect reel for ledge fishing </td></tr>
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The biggest bass of the day, a hefty 19in largemouth, had a small turtle in his throat. The color of my jig matched the turtle exactly and the fish had inhaled both,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFczVQzoIL_0rrlzO9Lq1CJ0Z_l-RpVdAZfmdzOniZ4TFMd1pZRGqYI5m3mfY4e0fMFPkHGjvUAWjMFHP1wJdt010fCZhmsODlEE1OLNPmYYYFaae3ARlVPbGE232qrShwPW9VwExsSY/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFczVQzoIL_0rrlzO9Lq1CJ0Z_l-RpVdAZfmdzOniZ4TFMd1pZRGqYI5m3mfY4e0fMFPkHGjvUAWjMFHP1wJdt010fCZhmsODlEE1OLNPmYYYFaae3ARlVPbGE232qrShwPW9VwExsSY/s320/DSC_0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Turtle inhaled by a Bass</td></tr>
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It was awesome to get back out on the water, and even better to find hungry bass! I called it a day at 11:30 and was ready for Prom by 3:30. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-59040773861257980602015-04-06T21:21:00.000-04:002015-04-06T21:21:20.864-04:00Spring Time Trophy Pickerel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH8tso4b4Aq7bNwxa_YehjmOuGtFCT2efZz0eztVuO6WZY6gcMhsJhXLccJUdxTwk8HArtefsQlSu8SjOPVL9Eanx2z4j4oGQvt9YKCUsjfo1kfa_fJWuViUyMZNc22XDpIsi3rQObY8/s1600/G0043128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH8tso4b4Aq7bNwxa_YehjmOuGtFCT2efZz0eztVuO6WZY6gcMhsJhXLccJUdxTwk8HArtefsQlSu8SjOPVL9Eanx2z4j4oGQvt9YKCUsjfo1kfa_fJWuViUyMZNc22XDpIsi3rQObY8/s1600/G0043128.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23.5" aggressive pickerel</td></tr>
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School is out for spring break and that means I have even more time to do some bass fishing. The weather for my first day on break lined up for a perfect spring day, so I loaded up the Cuda 14, and went to the Suffolk Lakes. I wanted to try some new spots, so I geared up for a long paddle and left at sunrise. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqwUKdovx1jwwTDIOIVMAR_AOSCw6g0QZUF6udd5hpEbMiK4hnY9pBQbOHEI5_MMa5ezCZLgWU2FUtEWUeezBKaXldJUlsj53LKMrkg_GbMar2OiIg179-WDQlRmZZknJnnsUzL2FG_4/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqwUKdovx1jwwTDIOIVMAR_AOSCw6g0QZUF6udd5hpEbMiK4hnY9pBQbOHEI5_MMa5ezCZLgWU2FUtEWUeezBKaXldJUlsj53LKMrkg_GbMar2OiIg179-WDQlRmZZknJnnsUzL2FG_4/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" height="320" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love my new Kokatat Gortex Full-Zip Jacket</td></tr>
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I got to my first spot, and after only a few cast, my chatterbait was inhaled by a solid fish. I wasn't sure what it was at first, but after a glimpse of a missile-like body I could tell it was a giant pickerel. I carefully brought the fish to the boat, and landed the beast. This was the biggest pickerel I have ever seen. The fish measured out to 24.75in and and was really fat. I snapped some pictures and went back to fishing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKNSJqDpIvcr4i49UHjjDYoCDEx-ugJjY5N8SHap_K02pAD2RH5jZWS04LmaROIKRDNBcZUGR5IVDBlVZLYrgAYz6zFyV19tVih87eGlu8YutVKP9-4VlfP4pl3Qr6VGCiADpurg5d8/s1600/G0013032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxKNSJqDpIvcr4i49UHjjDYoCDEx-ugJjY5N8SHap_K02pAD2RH5jZWS04LmaROIKRDNBcZUGR5IVDBlVZLYrgAYz6zFyV19tVih87eGlu8YutVKP9-4VlfP4pl3Qr6VGCiADpurg5d8/s1600/G0013032.JPG" height="275" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24.75" Citation Pickerel</td></tr>
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I kept with my plan and hit all of the spots I had found in previous research, and all of them produced fish. I caught several more big pickerel with the smallest being 23in. Most of the bass I caught were small males, but I picked up a few thick pre-spawn females. My biggest bass of the day, came on a 6in hard-plastic swimbait slow-rolled over a secondary point. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81V8MgAgERYBX9AYd5_fUMuTa-LDDdhZZlbnZVE63PT_COomXHYy6HdA96v0hyphenhyphenU8WlnVyi_0QJOk-1_7XWuEMCQG7I-nKu0y20Vfq-KNFUm8fMMvotD5VSaprIto4McKBiSGwlHL_I5U/s1600/G0023084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81V8MgAgERYBX9AYd5_fUMuTa-LDDdhZZlbnZVE63PT_COomXHYy6HdA96v0hyphenhyphenU8WlnVyi_0QJOk-1_7XWuEMCQG7I-nKu0y20Vfq-KNFUm8fMMvotD5VSaprIto4McKBiSGwlHL_I5U/s1600/G0023084.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunky Bass on a square-bill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPnyOOxp0Rwa8oaZW8xYxNgs6PTsvWMCrShzsQxFmKCNokjzHggmI6dYK0Eyj84dkKgCud1sE2xH3YJLSJCBzyk40uUHnjcMaDoW9a3jVdvX0AFWSJHxl1Fslv6aUonJANIpVvRIdmtc/s1600/G0033102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPnyOOxp0Rwa8oaZW8xYxNgs6PTsvWMCrShzsQxFmKCNokjzHggmI6dYK0Eyj84dkKgCud1sE2xH3YJLSJCBzyk40uUHnjcMaDoW9a3jVdvX0AFWSJHxl1Fslv6aUonJANIpVvRIdmtc/s1600/G0033102.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another good Pre-spawn largemouth </td></tr>
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Near the end of the day, I had one more flat the fish. I pitched a lipless crankbait up near a stump and started burning it back. I saw a flash and my rod was nearly jerked out of my hand. I saw another massive pickerel break the surface, and it had inhaled my bait. I carefully fought the fish, and landed it. This fish was a little smaller than the first pickerel, but still a giant. This one was 24.5in and was really fat. I took some pics, and released the beast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28jcFDcFP-AWOpblRphet7L_9NuzP6F4PZ3vHeezme9_Zw4oE7ODgfgO3MndapK3X_vYEs73aULn9wXLboq43bSeXeAAixc329xw6QOvqI97TmupD8PWn8IRPzD7BRyhIXq6eL_xmwcQ/s1600/G0053195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28jcFDcFP-AWOpblRphet7L_9NuzP6F4PZ3vHeezme9_Zw4oE7ODgfgO3MndapK3X_vYEs73aULn9wXLboq43bSeXeAAixc329xw6QOvqI97TmupD8PWn8IRPzD7BRyhIXq6eL_xmwcQ/s1600/G0053195.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last fish of the day, 24.5in pickerel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was an awesome day on the water, and almost everything I threw produced fish. The baits that seem to work the best were square-bill crankbaits, chatterbaits, and swimbaits. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-87865484658446308882015-03-15T20:55:00.003-04:002015-03-15T20:55:52.192-04:00Adjusting to Changing Conditions...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2qs8f3Em6YWvrJgq3fV1PHJd-TFZrI4bLIN8_Rxft4w6QwlnpH0TCZF92NFc0IR-hSWFjuIt1hdjym6M7A9hvoEXxOjXj9g0wADioaZu78D2gCWWMpEPmVr9QzjozpE6kuChEsM8vWs/s1600/Drew+bass+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2qs8f3Em6YWvrJgq3fV1PHJd-TFZrI4bLIN8_Rxft4w6QwlnpH0TCZF92NFc0IR-hSWFjuIt1hdjym6M7A9hvoEXxOjXj9g0wADioaZu78D2gCWWMpEPmVr9QzjozpE6kuChEsM8vWs/s1600/Drew+bass+1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by: Rob Choi </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Some days you hit it…</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weekly temps were in the 60’s and with longer days I was
looking forward to getting back on the water.
With a big front predicted to hit the area I was pretty sure Saturday
could be epic. I wasn’t the only one
with that idea, my Werner and Kokatat team mate Rob Choi contacted me on Friday
wondering if I wanted to join him for some bass fishing. Rob is an awesome fisherman and it is always
a good time when you are out on the water with him. We made plans to meet on Saturday morning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday came and it brought rain and wind but, it also brought
warm temperatures in the 60’s. I met Rob
and we made our way to the lake. Shortly
after I launched I was taking a few test cast with a square-bill crankbait when
I hooked up with my first fish. I landed
the small 15” bass and told Rob, “It’s going to be a good day”. Within 15 minutes I had four bass in the yak,
three hit a jig near some structure. All
of these fish were in less than five feet of water, but for some reason that didn’t
register with me. I proceeded to hit all
of my deep spots with no luck and the day slowed down. I went back to the shallow pattern looking
for some action and caught a nice bass on a jig. I switched back to my square bill, and picked
up another small bass. Rob also caught a
few bass on his jig. We kept picking
away at a few fish here and there, but the action wasn’t hot.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8VALJ5qunBd_KP1fLLKVWLuPRtFKDEsU-BPdLZ3Arbo5t3FhWVjBikaJcYCjf-5cCCCqccYpIxGnio9mahL3mwWFUu5BLAVnzskGapQOfVOVVydC54_6uciEG8LMzUPMPNd7jTBsr-I/s1600/Kokatat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8VALJ5qunBd_KP1fLLKVWLuPRtFKDEsU-BPdLZ3Arbo5t3FhWVjBikaJcYCjf-5cCCCqccYpIxGnio9mahL3mwWFUu5BLAVnzskGapQOfVOVVydC54_6uciEG8LMzUPMPNd7jTBsr-I/s1600/Kokatat.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kokatat kept Rob and I dry all day. <br />Photo by: Rob Choi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Rob decided to duck up into a small cove, and I
stayed in the main lake picking at a few bass that were moving up on to
flats. A few minutes after Rob left he
sent me a picture of a nice 19” bass. I
paddled over to check out what was going on when he told me he caught six bass
in six casts. While he was telling me
about the action, I watched him set the hook in number seven. I quickly pitched my square-bill into the
fray and it was instantly nailed. Rob
pitched back in and also hooked up. My
bass was a good 20” fish and Rob’s fish was another nice largemouth. We took a few pics and tried a few more
casts, but the blitz was over so we moved further into the cove. A cast later, BAM hooked up again. They hit everything we threw; square-bills,
swimbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics.
After about half an hour the bite stopped and we moved on, but now we
were on a pattern; shallow water. We hit
every shallow flat and picked bass off each.
One spot in particular looked really good; it was a small channel that
cut into a flat. It was 7 feet deep and
the perfect place for bass to stage. The
first cast produced a decent bass, then another, then another. Rob was also hooking up. We had stumbled up onto another school of
hungry fish. One after the other we
caught bass. Most of the fish were
between 14” and 16” and were a ton of fun on my crankbait. The bite was slowing down, when my crankbait
was nailed by a good fish. A tail walking
bucketmouth broke the surface of the water.
This fish was much nicer than the others in the school. I landed the fish and measured out to 21.”
This seemed like the perfect time to call it a day. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zeSPlkU0UJNi-SFiMoEVjdqoFglnaWi38es5aVj1SURs7FQv8_gLG0SMn3F5wuVkSp6j6O7psDiUzl2B-FVW9lgqr9d1QKSyOTHnz3vOtrX1RWiTjvrcV3SoZbroEY8pi45q3o5YRRs/s1600/Werner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zeSPlkU0UJNi-SFiMoEVjdqoFglnaWi38es5aVj1SURs7FQv8_gLG0SMn3F5wuVkSp6j6O7psDiUzl2B-FVW9lgqr9d1QKSyOTHnz3vOtrX1RWiTjvrcV3SoZbroEY8pi45q3o5YRRs/s1600/Werner.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21" Pre-Spawn PIG<br />Photo by: Rob Choi<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Pre-spawn can be hit or miss, but when you do hit it's awesome.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Some days you don’t…</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day I was greeted with tough post-front
conditions. My Dad joined me with hopes
of repeating my success from the day before.
A stiff west wind made the fishing tough. We saw plenty of bass, but getting them to
bite was tough. I picked up a few on
jerkbaits, crankbaits, and jigs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCIABCbF6CsYo2U1cOd-dM_tUv61ms-AehnM8VnXoLHN9njdg_cttZL52xDZs7lpqrhO-91dFRhJYknYWs8LonT-XG_dMeKPVfMDAfnb54UDIGYJleQVxZc29AFtbihrFL7K0FP4U8eE/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCIABCbF6CsYo2U1cOd-dM_tUv61ms-AehnM8VnXoLHN9njdg_cttZL52xDZs7lpqrhO-91dFRhJYknYWs8LonT-XG_dMeKPVfMDAfnb54UDIGYJleQVxZc29AFtbihrFL7K0FP4U8eE/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went
back up into the small creek that produced so many fish the day before. I saw plenty of fish, but they were incredibly
skittish, and not hungry. While I was
playing with a small bass attempting to convince him that the jig I was using
was a crawfish, I saw my arch nemesis, the bowfin. Ever since I saw my first one several years
ago I’ve wanted to catch one. I have
lost bowfin in every way imaginable, from pulled hooks, to broken lines. I pitched my jig on 6lbs test line in front
of the prehistoric beast just like I have so many times before. The fish ate my jig and the fight was
on. Bowfin don’t fight like other fish,
they do a death role like a crocodile and jump like a bass. After a sweet fight I landed this awesome fish. It measured out to 25.5”and had some sweet
colors. Most people consider bowfin to
be a junk fish, but I disagree. They
fight hard and will test your skill, unfortunately some anglers kill bowfin
thinking that they are snakeheads. There
are plenty of identification guides on line to help you tell the difference. I released the fish and went back to bass
fishing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3zOuyUEqDDWzEDmEEvouGHW9r-z2EvgIfxXfVaI8nO8iQwJhot1MI2GJ8-E_-R4DG-oELFAaijxfxU0ElAyqiU2YELs3oNKZT_iwYo2MVCHaun-eo2EQrP-McW5nqDmc8dvY7y2kqFE/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3zOuyUEqDDWzEDmEEvouGHW9r-z2EvgIfxXfVaI8nO8iQwJhot1MI2GJ8-E_-R4DG-oELFAaijxfxU0ElAyqiU2YELs3oNKZT_iwYo2MVCHaun-eo2EQrP-McW5nqDmc8dvY7y2kqFE/s1600/DSC_0184.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We kept picking at a few more
bass on crankbaits and jigs. We never found a consistent pattern, but the
fish we did catch had moved back to deeper water near structure. The wind
continued to make fishing difficult so we called it a day. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring’s changing conditions offer great fishing opportunities,
but you need to adjust to the changes.
Just because something worked on one day is no guarantee that is will
work the next day </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-49314114516013390792015-03-08T21:03:00.000-04:002015-03-08T21:03:09.911-04:00Jerkbaits for Early Spring Largemouths <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiVTQLx_RcndaBR5vce7J9S38dNB49VCjEBmz1634g1wy7p8bmHrZXClBj6ZTV4RaqLFf4jqWbenfNio0D5AuY4Tqxx_Eyjt6SdqliemXhxtgZrLPmhmVO98Wmc-nXRiIQiegLbKOn0A/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiVTQLx_RcndaBR5vce7J9S38dNB49VCjEBmz1634g1wy7p8bmHrZXClBj6ZTV4RaqLFf4jqWbenfNio0D5AuY4Tqxx_Eyjt6SdqliemXhxtgZrLPmhmVO98Wmc-nXRiIQiegLbKOn0A/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Spring is here! or at least for the time being it is and when spring comes around, its time to dust off the jerkbaits and start fishing for early pre-spawn bass. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21A4BNM9uAu_ukba4ylChRsL7jN_NSZLS_qDYQ60LA_V0h2klXaPMd9IpUcUK-G3d-kKAnDtTFAM5VCruebuSyXunJOExmZr1J1bEw2EU9MIqGx8foDJ424ODacAqm_-9ZXmd89edwNc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21A4BNM9uAu_ukba4ylChRsL7jN_NSZLS_qDYQ60LA_V0h2klXaPMd9IpUcUK-G3d-kKAnDtTFAM5VCruebuSyXunJOExmZr1J1bEw2EU9MIqGx8foDJ424ODacAqm_-9ZXmd89edwNc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickerel never pass up a jerkbait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The lakes here in tidewater Virginia have been frozen over for the last few weeks and this weekend was the first time I was able to get back onto the water. The forecast was looking awesome, with high temps reaching 60 degrees. I was stoked to get back on the water. When I arrived at the lake I initially thought the bass were going to still be in a winter mode and only hit jigs fished deep, but after a couple hours of nothing, it was time for a change. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgifIcgkyr8e2r7zuniePvXzhx_kRW4Msv5sOXA-KO8bsIZpOpC9mguCYHIUYPCIhKSKvbbvRS4vEE9Bpb0kcVhi47SramEl10PWjg6T0vFEexfl4-RDXwFDZQVnH9SHg4bFockLEBres/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgifIcgkyr8e2r7zuniePvXzhx_kRW4Msv5sOXA-KO8bsIZpOpC9mguCYHIUYPCIhKSKvbbvRS4vEE9Bpb0kcVhi47SramEl10PWjg6T0vFEexfl4-RDXwFDZQVnH9SHg4bFockLEBres/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My Dad was fishing a 45 degree bank with a Rapala Husky Jerk when he got a good hit . It was a nice 18" bass and I knew it was time to change tactics. I quickly switched over to a new Rapala Shadow Rap Deep in an olive green color. I targeted the same type of banks and picked up a few good bass as well. My Dad tried the new Shadow Rap Shallow with even better results. As the sun warmed the banks we kept picking at bass and we had a few pickerel mixed in. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jerkbait fishing is a great way to catch big bass. The tackle is simple, I like using my Ardent Apex Grand on a Med/Light rod with 12lbs florocarbon for bigger jerkbaits, and a light spinning outfit for the smaller jerkbaits. When fishing a jerkbait, the water temperature will help you decide how fast to fish it. When I started fishing this morning the water temp was around 40 degrees, so I was working the bait really slow. By the end of the day, however, the water temps rose up to near 46 degrees and my retrieve was much faster. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY-V0NjnxVuIlYHNhP-06hhgKrGKwEV-wxaxheRlUHIZUtsFQBgzxd2BECkYdLwlgUfO8MnfCWOncOTkC0sN1rPQIpZzgiHapn71LMER3CIMyF6L8pWv1xLEnWQQnZuC-fSc_EDk6m-8/s1600/GOPR0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY-V0NjnxVuIlYHNhP-06hhgKrGKwEV-wxaxheRlUHIZUtsFQBgzxd2BECkYdLwlgUfO8MnfCWOncOTkC0sN1rPQIpZzgiHapn71LMER3CIMyF6L8pWv1xLEnWQQnZuC-fSc_EDk6m-8/s1600/GOPR0098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Smithwick Suspending Rogue is a great bait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-13357018697806839332015-02-28T16:06:00.000-05:002015-02-28T22:01:07.652-05:00Product Review: Ardent Apex Grand <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmJf7KRgEoIV4C7EfPpfEtxw_ZqsZ-OonnFePG5K5FVHSOJJ7gKsjjCNAXYGyyNHDNYmTqpJWY5phfxw4_tu2ttYiLx7u7JlNbuIjhCytZWCg3cmY4jCJlcnF_1LMe27uw-i6RcdzLw/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDmJf7KRgEoIV4C7EfPpfEtxw_ZqsZ-OonnFePG5K5FVHSOJJ7gKsjjCNAXYGyyNHDNYmTqpJWY5phfxw4_tu2ttYiLx7u7JlNbuIjhCytZWCg3cmY4jCJlcnF_1LMe27uw-i6RcdzLw/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ardent Apex Grand </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the last couple of weeks I have been using an awesome
reel from Ardent. This is the real deal
when it comes to casting and smooth action.
Here are my initial thoughts on the reel, how I rigged it up, and what I
think of it after use. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Product Specs:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ardent Apex Grand</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">7.3:1 Gear Ratio</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Helical Aircraft Aluminum Gear</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dual Breaking System</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">12+1 High-Precision Ball Bearings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5.9 Ounces</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Strike System</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ô</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
Drag System</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Power Carbon Fiber Handle</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_dUqXeDY0t7ikDKx0GOgtKeFZXPv11OAPqCx8A0HZDYCTuoktMrvZzd-CcIsEU6wOjv2FLQmEidfyR83POfPm80K7dopuukULhyO2iI0AXJ9hec2LLgRc9f42fSGxKEpingVvBxeZMY/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_dUqXeDY0t7ikDKx0GOgtKeFZXPv11OAPqCx8A0HZDYCTuoktMrvZzd-CcIsEU6wOjv2FLQmEidfyR83POfPm80K7dopuukULhyO2iI0AXJ9hec2LLgRc9f42fSGxKEpingVvBxeZMY/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy Adjust Dual Breaking System</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Initial Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I opened the box and held the Ardent Apex Grand my
first thought was that it was LIGHT. Weighing
in at 5.9oz. it is the lightest low profile bait caster that I have used. The next thing that stood out was the large
carbon fiber handle. This handle has
huge cranking abilities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJa4bTxLTC-tkjwGfxfmvBv_jVcfNKr9tsCaRS_pDlzvt_nJ90nEAfA4sKBYYbXkUzbYPpq_y7363Kazxm9kQk6vmK88bxM0zgQ0rVyi5CU32Hk6oxi4Bil6zocLN96CCJbHDgqbfOTA/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJa4bTxLTC-tkjwGfxfmvBv_jVcfNKr9tsCaRS_pDlzvt_nJ90nEAfA4sKBYYbXkUzbYPpq_y7363Kazxm9kQk6vmK88bxM0zgQ0rVyi5CU32Hk6oxi4Bil6zocLN96CCJbHDgqbfOTA/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Spool holds plenty of floro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Rigging the Ardent:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since it is the winter time, I knew I would need a good
crankbait/jerkbait reel. I spooled the
reel with 12lbs fluorocarbon and put it on my St. Croix 7' Medium/ Heavy crankbait rod. The fast 7.3:1 gear ratio is perfect for
jerkbait fishing and as long as I cranked slowly it was good for my crankbaits.
I was pumped to get this reel out on the water.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQ1cxk12K_35L-OmLDnNLX-VAG1GrqEaWGGw5cRAYBWGXWtjXePAkt2uLcGiwwtBr63UPReHY2CUt03_fK5KrV1XrqE_afOUKxLieKx_jSGpHpnYOMW9eFsLl6uzi7ppxpgcTSQapm1g/s1600/Drew+bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQ1cxk12K_35L-OmLDnNLX-VAG1GrqEaWGGw5cRAYBWGXWtjXePAkt2uLcGiwwtBr63UPReHY2CUt03_fK5KrV1XrqE_afOUKxLieKx_jSGpHpnYOMW9eFsLl6uzi7ppxpgcTSQapm1g/s1600/Drew+bass.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By: Rob Choi </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Using the Ardent:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first trip with this reel was to a small local reservoir
for bass and pickerel. I had my Ardent
rigged with a Spro Little John crankbait in a Spring Craw color. I took a few practice cast at the ramp to
adjust the breaking system. The brake
system is super easy to adjust, and after only a few casts it was ready to
go. The fishing was slow that day, and I
fired off a ton of cast with this reel.
I never heard a single noise, and never got tired from holding it. I caught a few fish with it, including a
chunky bass. The drag was super smooth
when I was fighting the fish. On my next
few trips I was primarily fishing jerk baits.
The quick gear ratio was perfect for picking up the slack line after
each jerk. I caught a few pickerel and small bass on
the jerkbaits, and once again never had an issue. </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrA9OufIjskg48-47c-Lya-dEYC39c2bpimeEnZskQrhFjEfbM13XtcvsqtzgMIHfhautisf6gyfFtheT4jH0Rvb9jbGg4G7s0fkyF6ys_iCGfFCEwU0l4mXjCqWl7if7vyMYXdDfnSU/s1600/GOPR2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrA9OufIjskg48-47c-Lya-dEYC39c2bpimeEnZskQrhFjEfbM13XtcvsqtzgMIHfhautisf6gyfFtheT4jH0Rvb9jbGg4G7s0fkyF6ys_iCGfFCEwU0l4mXjCqWl7if7vyMYXdDfnSU/s1600/GOPR2519.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What I Like: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After using this reel several times and catching some good
fish I can tell you that this reel really impressed me. The thing that stood out the most was how
smooth it is. It is definately the
smoothest reel in my arsenal. I can cast
crankbaits and jerkbaits a mile with this and even under sub-freezing
conditions, there were no issues. The
smooth drag also impressed me. Many crankbaits
have very light-wire hooks that pull easily, so having a smooth drag is very
important. Unfortunately, due to our
winter weather I was unable to test the Ardent Apex Grand in the salt. All indications are that it will make a great
redfish and speckled trout reel for topwater and jig fishing. I do not know how well it will hold up in the
salt but I plan on putting it to the test. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-81771655712496688782015-02-15T16:50:00.000-05:002015-02-22T15:19:44.233-05:00Product Review: Kokatat Bahia Tour PFD<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A lot of folks will pick
up a new piece of gear, use it once or twice and then write a review.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These are helpful, but I wonder how some of
these products hold up over time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">About
a year ago, a Kokatat Bahia Tour PFD arrived in the mail and I immediately put
it to good use, so now let me tell you about this quality product, including
how it has survived a year on the water.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
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o:title="IMGP1674"/>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ6lSvgXgPE_rCt52F1wvM4S2egaYAiJ4XRNcjHjbc6Y6ie55G6dPVu3si_APF2PWHGEawLK2jWtJJaQdt5gDrFle6_3E-1uGHsVE65skEAYzoAYcFZvjcUis_2rj2VAlCVwk1RKHo1w/s1600/IMGP1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ6lSvgXgPE_rCt52F1wvM4S2egaYAiJ4XRNcjHjbc6Y6ie55G6dPVu3si_APF2PWHGEawLK2jWtJJaQdt5gDrFle6_3E-1uGHsVE65skEAYzoAYcFZvjcUis_2rj2VAlCVwk1RKHo1w/s1600/IMGP1674.JPG" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Brand
new</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
first thing I noticed with the Bahia Tour is that it had a lot of storage with
three pockets. Each pocket has a D-ring for
tethering your stuff and there is a nice anchor point on the front left. Reflecting material on the front and on the
back shoulders is a nice safety feature. I chose the Mango color; in general I like
bright colors for all of my safety gear.
If I get in trouble I want to be easy to see and easy to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When
I first tried the jacket on it took a few minutes to get it adjusted to the
right fit, with 8 adjustment points, it is easy to get just the right fit. The front zipper is heavy duty and easy to
use and the jacket is very comfortable. The
high back fits perfect with the seat in my Jackson kayaks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tricking
the Bahia Tour Out<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
Bahia Tour is ready to go right off the rack, but I always add a few pieces of safety
gear to my jackets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW8ECeiwrD2FORBHCcQpRpITMSLRfLaMpI6u1YfpxscNXZ_udy7qDTouOa3cGPJwpoIPb_FmHtRnxRSxVpaa718QDvLpB54-UnP3Yw_HAfIU52J2wYrjVzShKuQc4BgW1U_DS2HCKKas/s1600/IMGP1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW8ECeiwrD2FORBHCcQpRpITMSLRfLaMpI6u1YfpxscNXZ_udy7qDTouOa3cGPJwpoIPb_FmHtRnxRSxVpaa718QDvLpB54-UnP3Yw_HAfIU52J2wYrjVzShKuQc4BgW1U_DS2HCKKas/s1600/IMGP1676.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Additional
safety gear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
always have a radio and smart phone with me on the water. My
Cobra HH350 VHF fits in the long pocket on the right side and I use a small Velcro
strap to attach it to the D-ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1031"
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My iphone lives in a life proof case in the left
pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZC1xFC_2fmnPCDLnljfVO5IFn7UUiZRtVxXdlGPpJPeLjftdYd0oJ96Uxf1Su4386lTKopZ1c45E9rF7klLH4UXggMnuiDaEsE1shyphenhyphenqIxPVHIBwFB4js1Eis9ekao1b3YuJ4LZhkkrA/s1600/IMGP1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZC1xFC_2fmnPCDLnljfVO5IFn7UUiZRtVxXdlGPpJPeLjftdYd0oJ96Uxf1Su4386lTKopZ1c45E9rF7klLH4UXggMnuiDaEsE1shyphenhyphenqIxPVHIBwFB4js1Eis9ekao1b3YuJ4LZhkkrA/s1600/IMGP1678.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3sWkCxMUdtTAtVqcbEZNgFKvE1xaCIieu5ypSVFTXsGjzpcXjfkInfJsu18M7Ps8moaRnKDOXrHqUoJgWvVMGKeCeAQ8Tq4smQDHkQ1drMmfZbSwbcBAIojsypZgvIlI-b86rLgGqUo/s1600/IMGP1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3sWkCxMUdtTAtVqcbEZNgFKvE1xaCIieu5ypSVFTXsGjzpcXjfkInfJsu18M7Ps8moaRnKDOXrHqUoJgWvVMGKeCeAQ8Tq4smQDHkQ1drMmfZbSwbcBAIojsypZgvIlI-b86rLgGqUo/s1600/IMGP1677.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP1xH9SAEhoD3DenfwudyrLxgka965tqvPIy6HClkMbddHVOkV7Ddkncr4vFXfKBTVzkSHObEXvacvsytQMeyosFk2wq26ka-XICxgbi5MQdh4DuiFv0E_0dwvXEpn3Gl89sSYEVMjP8/s1600/IMGP1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP1xH9SAEhoD3DenfwudyrLxgka965tqvPIy6HClkMbddHVOkV7Ddkncr4vFXfKBTVzkSHObEXvacvsytQMeyosFk2wq26ka-XICxgbi5MQdh4DuiFv0E_0dwvXEpn3Gl89sSYEVMjP8/s1600/IMGP1679.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1029"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="IMGP1679.JPG" style='width:181.5pt;height:135.75pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
do a lot of night fishing for striped bass and speckled trout, so I like to add
an emergency light to my PFD’s. In this
case I used an ACR light I picked up at a local boating store. The light runs on two AA batteries and was
easy to attach with two Velcro straps. (If you add a light to your PFD, make
sure you can reach it when you are wearing the jacket.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUi0iHYMWvcNeUTSPOJQ258nk3pROji6Jcvs4zntx_AVE9Auq8GihPRqVuzW6kHUab8xEYfeLT8y0FsOZb31Aa0oCn7p1xa1E8Iy92T1ebalja5_xpwGnlehJodpxtVOHTVD6U2ApGwI/s1600/IMGP1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUi0iHYMWvcNeUTSPOJQ258nk3pROji6Jcvs4zntx_AVE9Auq8GihPRqVuzW6kHUab8xEYfeLT8y0FsOZb31Aa0oCn7p1xa1E8Iy92T1ebalja5_xpwGnlehJodpxtVOHTVD6U2ApGwI/s1600/IMGP1682.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">An emergency cutter in the left pocket and a whistle on the zipper with an s-clip and I am ready to hit the water.</span></div>
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o:title="IMGP1684"/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW0RhY2Xi1OzKdM4e3ULdwbVWfonaiE8jN0MWErEOXCf9e9B6_EKscr3ESOyStoEe9wV0XI87oj50oiRU1jfta3VLEp6goPlr_VAdqRjqbMfnW2kCBEV8TsFFpovYLb_8NvO4DKWPHms/s1600/IMGP1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW0RhY2Xi1OzKdM4e3ULdwbVWfonaiE8jN0MWErEOXCf9e9B6_EKscr3ESOyStoEe9wV0XI87oj50oiRU1jfta3VLEp6goPlr_VAdqRjqbMfnW2kCBEV8TsFFpovYLb_8NvO4DKWPHms/s1600/IMGP1684.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
Year Later<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Well
after a year of hard use in fresh and salt water, I can report that the Bahia Tour
has held up great. Every zipper is still
as smooth as the day it arrived and all the straps and buckles are still as
good as new. It is a little dirtier and
it smells like fish, which is a good thing for a kayak fisherman. I have made a few changes over the last few
months. First, I changed phones and an
iphone 5 in a life proof case doesn’t fit well in the front pocket. I’ve moved my phone to an X mount from RAM
mounts on my kayak. I have also added a
Gerber River Shorty Knife to the front anchor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_i1025"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="DSC_0011.JPG" style='width:263.25pt;height:175.5pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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o:title="DSC_0011"/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-eDZ1fm5ZX7NYKCRVpGSkDWOCJSJvymgGngy0IxCke8TZNdOKORwRiCQOX0zmdaN4W4eEKiEZUzeeR4sXr0hyD7x8OYgmpe-JWCuwQnW_3UDpgMeGsWYLz7KVZ0f8ocvmIQPjOYFcE/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-eDZ1fm5ZX7NYKCRVpGSkDWOCJSJvymgGngy0IxCke8TZNdOKORwRiCQOX0zmdaN4W4eEKiEZUzeeR4sXr0hyD7x8OYgmpe-JWCuwQnW_3UDpgMeGsWYLz7KVZ0f8ocvmIQPjOYFcE/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One
Year Old</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
am super pleased with my Bahia Tour PFD, if you are looking for a quality kayak
fishing PFD that will give you years of good service, give the Kokatat Bahia
Tour a try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-66451254928262796972015-02-02T20:59:00.004-05:002015-02-02T20:59:58.198-05:00Down Sizing for COLD Bass <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NGp-ytIWD82o40eRGZe4P_n9Rywam3HhsZoUCJkV4s719ZKIF9s22Wi91Dfd72EuHjsA6p-dq6-baXqM6Ap2R7POQ9u9TH7q3JgJ_Kjqrr6KnL0TdeIkgVhvGsLvAIAjrOC_A62n9Fw/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NGp-ytIWD82o40eRGZe4P_n9Rywam3HhsZoUCJkV4s719ZKIF9s22Wi91Dfd72EuHjsA6p-dq6-baXqM6Ap2R7POQ9u9TH7q3JgJ_Kjqrr6KnL0TdeIkgVhvGsLvAIAjrOC_A62n9Fw/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" height="320" width="286" /></a></div>
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February has rolled in and it brought the cold temperatures
with it. Last Sunday I had a few hours
to kill before the Super Bowl so I loaded up the SUPerFISHal for its first trip
of the year and went down to one of my local lakes. Once I got to the lake, however, most of the
lake was frozen, with about a 1/4in of ice covering the surface. I could see a patch of open water towards the
sunny side of the lake so I went for it.
I was dressed head to toe in dry gear, with my Kokatat drytop and
lifejacket and I was dressed in layers for warmth. I also had a partner for safety, I never fish
alone in cold conditions. Once I launched
I quickly found out that the SUPerFISHal makes for a good icebreaker, smoothly
breaking through to the thawed out part of the lake. Once I was there I quickly got to work
looking for some coldwater bass and pickerel.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfowUFPo_vzuNtpkcsS8fkCEIHcwbp3INSQGHbRbBD-zAVmjmNFTrh0dZCLs3EwW5tN-4cUxWpIWg8yI_1ZEwsC6HSFm0MFP3hyphenhyphenv2mkefNSQQnjLw5QLY0xvgsM6n8JkJU7gDCt39CjA/s1600/GOPR2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfowUFPo_vzuNtpkcsS8fkCEIHcwbp3INSQGHbRbBD-zAVmjmNFTrh0dZCLs3EwW5tN-4cUxWpIWg8yI_1ZEwsC6HSFm0MFP3hyphenhyphenv2mkefNSQQnjLw5QLY0xvgsM6n8JkJU7gDCt39CjA/s1600/GOPR2515.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The water temp was COLD, never reaching over 38
degrees. I knew that the bass would not
be very active, so I stopped throwing my crankbait, and tied on a small 1/16oz.
crappie jig with a small curly tail grub.
On my first cast near an off-shore brush pile I hooked up on a good-sized
pickerel. Even with the cold weather the
fish fought fairly good pulling some drag and running under the ice several
times. I landed the fish and measured it
out to 21.5in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdxr2Fy8rz0JW_LNfpB9rLqe1ohwh9UQoHJuCs1myXYe4IxVMlYd_cnvXitBE2K6IqB2iyKePQuC7K6bFw-0mqHKRwuxU1BpajQVmV9SR3hYtbQCdfUxqYQqC9FCW5s3zkwTVDRnIL7Q/s1600/G0012488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdxr2Fy8rz0JW_LNfpB9rLqe1ohwh9UQoHJuCs1myXYe4IxVMlYd_cnvXitBE2K6IqB2iyKePQuC7K6bFw-0mqHKRwuxU1BpajQVmV9SR3hYtbQCdfUxqYQqC9FCW5s3zkwTVDRnIL7Q/s1600/G0012488.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I kept throwing the small jig on my ultra light set up and rigged
a small beetlespin on my other light spinning rig. Both lures caught fish including a few bass
up to 16in. Since the water was so cold I
had to fish both of these lures as SLOW as possible. Many times I would let the
jig sit on the bottom for over 30 seconds before moving it again. I would work the beetlespin the same way,
lifting the lure 1-2 feet off the bottom, letting it sink back down, and
pausing for a while before started again. </div>
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With the cold weather here for awhile, give the small stuff
a try. Remember if you do head out on
the water, play it safe, dress for the conditions, and fish with a buddy. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLKIFsZM8UoHx8WJGrc-kUm0WRjpBOErk7vSsTaAO_Iw50cE0fHS5pz2NA_avQZFVjB_YvFOM2MyyxIQIzRgvTcId3UMovbrnl6gwvb6DK7-glLNpKwlDAYXX_UJlFD2OT49LR5iBV6w/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLKIFsZM8UoHx8WJGrc-kUm0WRjpBOErk7vSsTaAO_Iw50cE0fHS5pz2NA_avQZFVjB_YvFOM2MyyxIQIzRgvTcId3UMovbrnl6gwvb6DK7-glLNpKwlDAYXX_UJlFD2OT49LR5iBV6w/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the two baits I threw..... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O12RCZKj1KAVz6WWwKRqFP40KYJmmKzTxrFw0JCP1nt2fT-jND6VD0S3FOOugm8wdkduErNiutnA-hcw6CL6UsSd1JVsFNHMSw0E9nfuWNvKVNEeSZ9qQGJtZpIC_kxWPG4WGRD77BM/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O12RCZKj1KAVz6WWwKRqFP40KYJmmKzTxrFw0JCP1nt2fT-jND6VD0S3FOOugm8wdkduErNiutnA-hcw6CL6UsSd1JVsFNHMSw0E9nfuWNvKVNEeSZ9qQGJtZpIC_kxWPG4WGRD77BM/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-62474049798374592972015-01-23T19:49:00.001-05:002015-01-23T19:50:55.958-05:00Cold Water = BIG Bass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjZhm6MdE_NLLIEwmP3jg5nApTVAZZWB-ir5lwKxPqTHVniIthv0bC9eTGudObYWp46OLvdwHkYowWpNt1tYJIKtgVB3_Cpm0ZL3nNmgGbSla_Rqm65fN5GdEsq734b9q11BCiL-Kf6Y/s1600/IMGP0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjZhm6MdE_NLLIEwmP3jg5nApTVAZZWB-ir5lwKxPqTHVniIthv0bC9eTGudObYWp46OLvdwHkYowWpNt1tYJIKtgVB3_Cpm0ZL3nNmgGbSla_Rqm65fN5GdEsq734b9q11BCiL-Kf6Y/s1600/IMGP0326.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Six weeks back my doctor told me that I wouldn't be able to
fish for about a month due to a back injury.
This forced time off the water gave me an opportunity to organize my
tackle and prepare for the oncoming fishing season, but I wanted to get back
out there. After another visit to the
doc, I got the green light just in time for one of my favorite things…..
Wintertime Bass!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFREHRmVASIJbFky1vbHSs4RZk4OmKcVL1LnHugsAOIyQ2ikgSdXQejVgF9YI7e0TO36c5Bvl8lL3xxZxg0LUCv6iOvXji9Bz2DZEHHyyrTtpBBTVU-FAeZzj1o5Ux5ZChNyvBQk4Ncs/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFREHRmVASIJbFky1vbHSs4RZk4OmKcVL1LnHugsAOIyQ2ikgSdXQejVgF9YI7e0TO36c5Bvl8lL3xxZxg0LUCv6iOvXji9Bz2DZEHHyyrTtpBBTVU-FAeZzj1o5Ux5ZChNyvBQk4Ncs/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My weekend started on Thursday when I presented a bass
seminar at the ARC in Hampton. There was
a great turn out and I gave some insight on the tactics I use to target bass
during this tough time of year. Then on
Saturday I went out and put my winter tactics to the test against some
coldwater fish.</div>
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When I launched my Cuda 14 the fish finder read a water temp
of 38.9 degrees. I knew that these fish would be glued to the bottom, and
really sluggish. I looked for ledges in
10-15 feet of water with some brush on them.
I hit several spots before I hooked up on my first fish, a 19.5in
pickerel. On the next cast I hooked up
with a small bass. I was throwing a finesse
Carolina rig with a small straight tail worm.
After a few more cast I moved on to the next ledge. This had everything I
was looking for. It was a cut bank with
a small shelf in 10 feet with some brush.
Off the shelf it dropped out to 17 feet.
I pitched my PTL stone dragger jig with matching T-rigged jig
trailer. It didn’t take long before I was
hooked up on a nicer fish. I landed a
nice bass that measured 19 inches, my first good fish of 2015. I kept fishing down the ledge alternating
between a Carolina rig and a jig. I picked
up a few more small ones up to 15 inches.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR3sMVrZ6-DcmMvCpcqy5OMYu8IvQhu4a7iNEkbtN7a5jcOVaccZGwih6mC3zkpc3KR8ERMX6etwhm01CwBfISAizv5694D7JmnMehh83ha2lNGpPd7hq_WyNLATyu6qMB6HQsxJkY9c/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR3sMVrZ6-DcmMvCpcqy5OMYu8IvQhu4a7iNEkbtN7a5jcOVaccZGwih6mC3zkpc3KR8ERMX6etwhm01CwBfISAizv5694D7JmnMehh83ha2lNGpPd7hq_WyNLATyu6qMB6HQsxJkY9c/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next I decided to fish a small ledge that my dad found over
the summertime. My dad had already
pulled a few small bass off of it today and had some good bites. I threw my jig on to the top of the ledge in
about 13 feet. I started slowly dragging
my jig into deeper water when it was hammered.
I gave the fish a really good hook set and the fight was on. I knew right away that this was a GOOD
fish. It pulled some drag and stayed
deep. Once I worked the fish up towards
the kayak I got my first good look at the fish.
This was a STUD! I carefully kept fighting the fish waiting for it to
get tired. I finally landed the beast
and could feel the weight of it. This fish
easily weight over 8.5lbs and was probably closer to 9lbs. It measured out to 24.5 inches and was nice
and healthy. After some pictures I released
her back to the ledge and called it a day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP56kB7iRHTgtE9P0dG4m84kxOTQJZB-3JaU95sgbQ9saEZgTSHtbTCXZirTcCxOGBo-GsFoAKW00gKR8bXaXB3Pvd0cNDqVXXLGkHeDvP1tZFqun1VDalZTQAAA6bGtla44khr_feKhw/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP56kB7iRHTgtE9P0dG4m84kxOTQJZB-3JaU95sgbQ9saEZgTSHtbTCXZirTcCxOGBo-GsFoAKW00gKR8bXaXB3Pvd0cNDqVXXLGkHeDvP1tZFqun1VDalZTQAAA6bGtla44khr_feKhw/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJrlGsQcMcnmXGPN93tEbxfcWr6cF1l5uBM-HNGQzPsOMe1L4bHi14ol6gfxemmyJKE1Cij8L7QIVGQDXdrGt54zR48rhK9OosNNChkLnuYrh4qjJRro_eaQHjlalwx3TDvkCa4fjhiE/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJrlGsQcMcnmXGPN93tEbxfcWr6cF1l5uBM-HNGQzPsOMe1L4bHi14ol6gfxemmyJKE1Cij8L7QIVGQDXdrGt54zR48rhK9OosNNChkLnuYrh4qjJRro_eaQHjlalwx3TDvkCa4fjhiE/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since it was MLK weekend I had Monday off from school. I took
the opportunity to fish a different lake.
Rain the day before muddied up the water and made for some tough fishing
conditions. I caught several small bass
pitching a jig into some deeper cover. I also caught a decent 18 inch
largemouth out of a shallow laydown. I was
heading back to the ramp when I stopped at one last brush pile in about 8 feet. My dad and I already hit this spot pretty
hard, but it was too fishy to pass up. I
pitched a jig up into and started slowly crawling it through the branches. I felt a slight bump and leaned back into the
fish, but nothing moved. It felt like I had
snagged a branch. I was working my kayak
over there to un-snag my jig when the branch started moving. The fish had been wedged in the pile almost
like a Tautog. I worked the sluggish
fish towards the boat and grabbed it, and once again it was another BIG
fish. It measured to be 23.5 inches and
weighed around 7lbs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41gK68ODvA9yBXUnAfJqwziufJmunknav4eXQtHP_wiOjU-SZrnHHRgj-zh5j80qgRVpBqyzyoZwnQpLsttY25fxSC4MPRPKqSFAJcnFzFKp_W1K9MwzD7ShYHSUttXDc-sx2nkZHYsY/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41gK68ODvA9yBXUnAfJqwziufJmunknav4eXQtHP_wiOjU-SZrnHHRgj-zh5j80qgRVpBqyzyoZwnQpLsttY25fxSC4MPRPKqSFAJcnFzFKp_W1K9MwzD7ShYHSUttXDc-sx2nkZHYsY/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This time of year can be really hit or miss. If you hit it right, however, it can be an
awesome day. As long as you put in some
research and time the big bass will be there. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-31447160107980243112014-12-28T17:55:00.000-05:002014-12-28T17:55:14.215-05:00Christmas in the Caribbean <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5pID0YhUWsmszJG-_xdh2FE8uHxYNd0f6TF6FYU74v2gHH5S_1MWSDgzq_Hsz9kvIPIxoKC2XWgKW55cf2pKUHknxzkBywlETwgXOQOtxbxZR7dAZUPHrY0E-NR5V_JBf6I99MTazVw/s1600/closebone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5pID0YhUWsmszJG-_xdh2FE8uHxYNd0f6TF6FYU74v2gHH5S_1MWSDgzq_Hsz9kvIPIxoKC2XWgKW55cf2pKUHknxzkBywlETwgXOQOtxbxZR7dAZUPHrY0E-NR5V_JBf6I99MTazVw/s1600/closebone1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was little, if I was not fishing on a Saturday
morning, then I was watching my favorite fishing shows. I always enjoyed watching Spanish Fly,
Walkers Cay, and Hunt for Big Fish. A lot of the time these shows took place in
the Bahamas, flyfishing for tailing Bonefish.
I have always wanted to be standing on the front of a flats skiff, flyrod
in hand watching 5 or 6 tails slowly swimming towards me. Last week I got my chance, I finally got the opportunity
to catch a bonefish on the long rod.</div>
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While on a family cruise in the Caribbean and at one of the
port calls, my mom surprised me with a 3 hour Fly fishing excursion for
bonefish. I met Captain Tony at the dock
and within 15 minutes I was on the bow searching for bonefish. It didn’t take long for Capt. Tony to say “11
o’clock there are a few”. I made a 30ft
cast right in front of the cruising fish.
A few strips and BAM! Fish on. A blistering
run with screaming drag abruptly ended when the fish ran into the mangroves and
broke off. I quickly re-rigged and was
back out searching. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wm7Kotmf3uStB4I0C9UmieDfmZ6NPiwQulminz0q0TpXHBKeE-EDNzKJw8kzxseLy6sqbfJoJDUnMlNMJuEu4mihD7oxPlPWYAoy8dR4VRho-U56AUxIJLQ0grUn8n0tPM0xZMDe1Ws/s1600/IMGP0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wm7Kotmf3uStB4I0C9UmieDfmZ6NPiwQulminz0q0TpXHBKeE-EDNzKJw8kzxseLy6sqbfJoJDUnMlNMJuEu4mihD7oxPlPWYAoy8dR4VRho-U56AUxIJLQ0grUn8n0tPM0xZMDe1Ws/s1600/IMGP0249.JPG" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
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A few minutes later a massive school of at least 30 fish came
down the flat. I made a long cast and
almost immediately a bonefish hit my shrimp fly. This fish took off away from the mangroves
and down the flat. I was amazed by how
fast this fish could move against a strong drag. After a good fight I worked the fish to the
boat where Capt Tony grabbed the fish.
The fish was about 18in long and very healthy. After a few quick pictures and a release, it
was back to the bow looking for more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtypxlQo9bBi36b1XO9Qf5IeQTwiPyUrq2565-VKEj3vpmeV8EPOk4J4Auc6OXmGjXAtf8eaHlJ9_7XPtPzsduUaGSvN8q96rWf5mmjJkDb42x_KvZfcvS4-qexGuZuC_eXOQgNYoDE2c/s1600/IMGP0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtypxlQo9bBi36b1XO9Qf5IeQTwiPyUrq2565-VKEj3vpmeV8EPOk4J4Auc6OXmGjXAtf8eaHlJ9_7XPtPzsduUaGSvN8q96rWf5mmjJkDb42x_KvZfcvS4-qexGuZuC_eXOQgNYoDE2c/s1600/IMGP0252.JPG" height="303" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a ton of life on the flat. Blacktips, bonnetheads, and lemon sharks
prowled the flats along with massive stingrays.
Another cool sight was seeing giant triggerfish finning in only a foot
of water. While I was seeing a lot of
life, it appeared that the bones had vanished. With about 30 minutes left in the trip, Capt
Tony poled around a point and there they were.
Just like on TV, I saw one tail pop up, and then another, and
another. There was a group of about 6
NICE size bonefish tailing my way. Once
we got into range I laid out a good cast, and then everything went into slow
motion…</div>
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Strip…
Strip… Pause… Strip… Strip…</div>
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BAM!
FISH ON!</div>
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Immediately the fish dumped all of the flyline off the spool
and half of the backing. I could tell
that this fish was substantial. I worked
the fish back to the boat where it took off again, dumping all of the flyline
again. The power in these fish is
incredible. The fish made several runs over
the next few minutes, but Capt Tony did an awesome job poling us away from the
mangroves and eventually it slowed down.
I fought the fish back to the boat and Capt. Tony grabbed it. This fish was about 23in and fat. I was excited to have a day just like the shows
I used to watch. It was everything I hoped
for; seeing the tails, making the cast and feeling the power of the
bonefish. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7AauvMYwwssYcPG3rlS4kMYDJg79pps7IKviQ6fbk7zxHZFRksBoI_5OI1k9E-FskB18Bbfq0o0lBCKM5H67BmEujg2CG9K1RC64htBrWmdXoB4WXJtbYomYCesjo06Tgl4E1JZsxsM/s1600/closebone3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7AauvMYwwssYcPG3rlS4kMYDJg79pps7IKviQ6fbk7zxHZFRksBoI_5OI1k9E-FskB18Bbfq0o0lBCKM5H67BmEujg2CG9K1RC64htBrWmdXoB4WXJtbYomYCesjo06Tgl4E1JZsxsM/s1600/closebone3.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you are ever in the Bahamas and interested in catching these
awesome fish, checkout South Abaco Adventures.
Here is there website… </div>
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http://www.southabaco.com/</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-25753231028663717392014-11-09T18:41:00.001-05:002014-11-09T19:48:46.179-05:00Epic Day on the Lake<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OtiJbYaKPUOGqbZWdg9IiwCe1xhJNeLYE6lZWo3QUl1fnAbn9e1ExGvRN_MLqlDvTroI0cuXY74C0_gbPU7LZAMvkgKd44wvw2mxiYYCrvnp_JteAzgvZ0rD-7GRJu_hYtWHB9ImgBE/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OtiJbYaKPUOGqbZWdg9IiwCe1xhJNeLYE6lZWo3QUl1fnAbn9e1ExGvRN_MLqlDvTroI0cuXY74C0_gbPU7LZAMvkgKd44wvw2mxiYYCrvnp_JteAzgvZ0rD-7GRJu_hYtWHB9ImgBE/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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Fall is here and that means school, cross country and soccer
have really cut into my fishing time. I
only get a few opportunities to get on the water. This weekend I was lucky with two free days
and good weather.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8MJknR92przWw8hfm4TLAbX6wKMrS2jgyxiuM3EtDw2s-aYOpKL9brvY2cCgA4nm6H6rsqhtJCvzI_WCXSDGSfde0V-NiCRb-7EnwH4SlR8SmrtEN33PNkvdVjgPpPNikJWx7iMiZAE/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8MJknR92przWw8hfm4TLAbX6wKMrS2jgyxiuM3EtDw2s-aYOpKL9brvY2cCgA4nm6H6rsqhtJCvzI_WCXSDGSfde0V-NiCRb-7EnwH4SlR8SmrtEN33PNkvdVjgPpPNikJWx7iMiZAE/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday
my Dad and I went out for some late season speckled trout. The reports lately had been good and I was
excited to get on them. After a long
paddle out to our spot, we found gill nets all over the area we wanted to fish.
The water was extremely clear and we could see countless trout, stripers, and
redfish in the nets. Fishing was really
tough and we only caught a few schoolie stripers. The only baits that produced were PTL
Swinging Hammers and Mirrolures. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYpeWQ5y_vVDlg4eJkQpIq0w6bcKokzLKA8VdsbaK6nLxqa2tTpLhJCUWiqPSt87R368flsT65k1jnTB0CsAKs2YVlxuCJSjQ1MjtUL2pz15OVzOmsXzBDXq839XHdsx9UqLNme5ODBo/s1600/G0022164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYpeWQ5y_vVDlg4eJkQpIq0w6bcKokzLKA8VdsbaK6nLxqa2tTpLhJCUWiqPSt87R368flsT65k1jnTB0CsAKs2YVlxuCJSjQ1MjtUL2pz15OVzOmsXzBDXq839XHdsx9UqLNme5ODBo/s1600/G0022164.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a
slow day in the salt, we looked for some redemption on Sunday. We went to one of my favorite lakes looking
for bass. The conditions were perfect,
with cloud cover and little breeze. When
we got to our first spot my Dad quickly hooked up on a small bass. A little while after that he hooked up on a
much nicer fish. After a few runs he
landed a NICE bass. It measured out to
22.25in and enough for Virginia trophy citation. He released it and we got back to
fishing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggz35zo7NXuUm8JPPeMXGA39mbDVD-eAFD1-Li13Vsv8_PDhcOwiup-FqacqJCGZjXxEIUFqPmyahS3toSsOLJmUWiYfRpFQPQeUOWae58xrRXzgQQp9NB1ye8j6K2i2iYuDKwUdhi4s/s1600/DSC00434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggz35zo7NXuUm8JPPeMXGA39mbDVD-eAFD1-Li13Vsv8_PDhcOwiup-FqacqJCGZjXxEIUFqPmyahS3toSsOLJmUWiYfRpFQPQeUOWae58xrRXzgQQp9NB1ye8j6K2i2iYuDKwUdhi4s/s1600/DSC00434.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Dad
caught several more bass on live bait while I struggled for a bite. I tied on one of my favorite baits, a lipless
crankbait and threw it near a laydown. It
bounced off of a stump and I thought I snagged some timber, but a big head shake
proved my bait was inhaled by something huge.
The surface erupted with a massive splash and I instantly knew that this
was a gigantic bass. I carefully worked
it to the boat and grabbed the fish. When
I sat the fish in my lap, I was utterly speechless. I knew right away this was a new personal
best. The bass measured 25in and weighed
about 10lbs. After a bunch of pictures I
released the beast back to the lake and kept fishing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30UUc4SMnUPdtFWx4-iQKwkQqozAAYwJmCFKkJTlQwYIhYygptJzpESXuYbeGFv8maiNqr7eCxPS6YRndKnq1oN3cdCTp52M4AC8gQQW7OO0_VvCkzhrsu2vhuTBckZOA_pRA3GRH7mA/s1600/DSC00443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30UUc4SMnUPdtFWx4-iQKwkQqozAAYwJmCFKkJTlQwYIhYygptJzpESXuYbeGFv8maiNqr7eCxPS6YRndKnq1oN3cdCTp52M4AC8gQQW7OO0_VvCkzhrsu2vhuTBckZOA_pRA3GRH7mA/s1600/DSC00443.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMfgVLXPaNm4R0V2u-xRUQrXvhByGTC_HIhtHjgA9tnYvMAX0tkddZuIQIDppDRHfdhbvxl0bPjmVXMKhbrVO-cTA_DAKATanbnPcNp8YKBapOnLVMO7_YPAAyJ1XIX7HqxzTMWkL_X8/s1600/DSC00440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMfgVLXPaNm4R0V2u-xRUQrXvhByGTC_HIhtHjgA9tnYvMAX0tkddZuIQIDppDRHfdhbvxl0bPjmVXMKhbrVO-cTA_DAKATanbnPcNp8YKBapOnLVMO7_YPAAyJ1XIX7HqxzTMWkL_X8/s1600/DSC00440.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The nice
bass kept on biting with my Dad and I both catching several more bass over
18in. The bite slowed down after a few
hours and we were ready to head back in when my Dad made his last cast. He pitched a live bait into a large brushpile
looking for another big bass. His rod
doubled over and his drag started screaming.
He locked up the drag attempting to pull the big fish out of the brush. Fortunately,
he got the fish to turn its head and it swam away from the brush. We both hoped that it was another big bass
since it was fighting so hard. After a
good fight the fish rolled on the surface and to our surprise it was a big
channel catfish. My Dad landed the big
cat and we knew it was over 30in, the minimum for citation. The catfish ended up being 33in and my Dad’s
second citation of the day. He released the
cat and we called it a day. The hot
baits were lipless crankbaits in red craw color, PTL Bull Nosed Jigs, and live bait. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJWjMa5o4tL6FIw8nlrg5kINLScV-OzbxSnw9uzSAMlj70G1Zvnhkk1Nx2NuCigxGCdih7tB68DBzb6r4wgVZRIFQnjnYh7FvKZm4gqspN50U9bAI2cyl-GHthqhhOtSX4ARhLoREFuo/s1600/GOPR2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJWjMa5o4tL6FIw8nlrg5kINLScV-OzbxSnw9uzSAMlj70G1Zvnhkk1Nx2NuCigxGCdih7tB68DBzb6r4wgVZRIFQnjnYh7FvKZm4gqspN50U9bAI2cyl-GHthqhhOtSX4ARhLoREFuo/s1600/GOPR2210.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also this winter at Appomattox River Company, its Meet the Prostaff. Several of PaddleVA's prostaff will be speaking about winter time fishing here in Tidewater. I will be speaking about Wintertime bassin on January 15! For more info click here...<a href="http://www.paddleva.com/kayak-fishing-clinics-aka-meet-pro-staff/">http://www.paddleva.com/kayak-fishing-clinics-aka-meet-pro-staff/</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-85508227765333784182014-07-27T20:59:00.003-04:002014-07-27T21:50:05.287-04:00Skinny Water Redfish!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRHWgSQ9QrWLxQRHdWEU4PdJE2dwpNHINrOWvUEzalp95L4AiPUn6V-8E63RbT4nv__NTMnRhZcHR-UaFRhMPk3YGhHIICe3oHlB_lekF8mGCdyMVnxiZ3oM5MDzDwaHuogyB8f321Y8/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRHWgSQ9QrWLxQRHdWEU4PdJE2dwpNHINrOWvUEzalp95L4AiPUn6V-8E63RbT4nv__NTMnRhZcHR-UaFRhMPk3YGhHIICe3oHlB_lekF8mGCdyMVnxiZ3oM5MDzDwaHuogyB8f321Y8/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard fighting 27" Redfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sciaenops ocellatus </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">has a lot of different labels up and down the East
Coast: red drum, redfish, puppy drum and channel bass, just to list a few. I usually refer to them as pups and they are
my favorite target from early June through October in southeast Virginia and
coastal North Carolina. Red drum can get
huge with several over 50 inches caught in Virginia every spring, but pups
usually average from 20-30 inches and they are readily available and hungry.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Say Ahhhhhh"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Pups are usually cooperative and will readily take
natural and artificial baits. They can
range from structure (bridges, pilings, wrecks and rocks) in deeper water all
the way to a few inches of water on the flats.
Sight fishing the flats is my favorite way to catch these great
fish. Nothing matches the feeling of
putting your fly or lure in front of a hungry pup, watching him take it and
then peel drag as he runs across the flat.
Here are some tips for targeting pups on the flats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWjzhGUn-2GUfSiV5S8_l_GTe25W7eOEhh_fwyx99H6XA6iiTAWugj07lrRhpKs2NOgsj85ZwL792_6x2UQQBCnaSVOOQ62K81Lg2Z-IxTIKvQ6HpZxi_xwGsW1sjoRmeNlhsgakeGHE/s1600/Beastred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWjzhGUn-2GUfSiV5S8_l_GTe25W7eOEhh_fwyx99H6XA6iiTAWugj07lrRhpKs2NOgsj85ZwL792_6x2UQQBCnaSVOOQ62K81Lg2Z-IxTIKvQ6HpZxi_xwGsW1sjoRmeNlhsgakeGHE/s1600/Beastred.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This big 29" Red was in only 1 foot of water</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Conditions: The biggest thing I need to target pups is moving water. I will fish both the incoming and outgoing tides. On the outgoing tide I like to fish creek mouths and rips where pups will ambush bait. On the incoming tide, I will follow the water as it floods the grass beds and the pups head in looking for food. To sight fish you want very little wind and clean water. This doesn't happen that often, but when it does you can pick out individual fish or whole schools. When the water is too murky or choppy to see fish, I will look for pups pushing water as they chase bait. It seems on TV that most of the shows can find pups tailing, but I </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">hardly</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> ever see tails. Usually I just see the moving water or a discoloration where the fish have stirred up the bottom.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Standing in the Cuda allows me to see a big school of Reds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tackle: For pup fishing I like to keep my tackle
pretty light. I use both bait casting and
spinning tackle for pups. My favorite
bait casting rig is a Diawa Tatula on a Shimano Clarus fast action rod in 6-12
lbs. I primarily use this rig for plugs
and jigs but I will also use it with live bait, especially if I am using a
popping cork. I use my spinner to throw
soft plastics, lighter jigs and free lining live bait. My spinning rig of choice is a Shimano Saros
1000F on a Shimano Terramar with an extra fast action rated for 6-15lb
test. I use braid on all my rigs
(usually 20lb) and always use a leader.
Since I prefer to sight fish in clear water, I use flourocarbon from
15-25lb depending on the conditions.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKnnc8bFNjEry3TFvGB6LNTK8ktcMW3Kt1OEcWWQRGt3OAXz2Mtj_13Yc0vSyLiKAFsP6M7pA-hHc1V9B1FDgCCk_MkRgk7CAfwFFI9mwwYEBaYZRYmet6JVceSBO9XXVODI39e9360/s1600/IMGP2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIKnnc8bFNjEry3TFvGB6LNTK8ktcMW3Kt1OEcWWQRGt3OAXz2Mtj_13Yc0vSyLiKAFsP6M7pA-hHc1V9B1FDgCCk_MkRgk7CAfwFFI9mwwYEBaYZRYmet6JVceSBO9XXVODI39e9360/s1600/IMGP2133.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Diawa Tatula cranking down on a nice pup </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Pups are awesome on the fly and I never hit the flats
without a fly rod. If I only have room
for one I will carry my 8wt with a floating line because it is a great all
around set up. However, there is nothing
more fun than sight casting to a nice pup with my 6wt. A quick strip set and hang on!</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MoJHw8ZS40b2A6FmoaBQIUVGSrkO7KsMFIryoRthlxRzyeqEyyTPnbq4ULR134P5eqy9CpaibJ_I9V5AQgzAQb34xIzNIK3_kpkoeKah0aALJckAoQzapiZMHUrPodhiS3_MgRWv35I/s1600/DSC_0704+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MoJHw8ZS40b2A6FmoaBQIUVGSrkO7KsMFIryoRthlxRzyeqEyyTPnbq4ULR134P5eqy9CpaibJ_I9V5AQgzAQb34xIzNIK3_kpkoeKah0aALJckAoQzapiZMHUrPodhiS3_MgRWv35I/s1600/DSC_0704+(2).jpg" height="231" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Having fun flyfishing on the SUP! Photo Credit: Richie Bekolay</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Baits: Pups are opportunistic and will eat almost anything
in their environment. Shrimp, crabs and
small fish are all part of their diet and all will catch fish. My favorite live bait is a finger mullet
about 4 inches long. Free lined or on a
popping cork, it is hard for a pup to resist a mullet that has wandered away
from the school. Mullet last a long time
and you always have a shot at a big speckled trout or flounder if you have one
on your line. Everything eats
mullet! I always use circle hooks when I
use bait. The size seems to differ a lot
between hook companies, but I usually use a 2/0 or 3/0. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLYnoyobLSOPgNv5vmpYWu1J68HKndwNQeDLLUgvUz6VQ5Ke63kXuRsimxyms4pm1XW3HepTQw6QkldvUsUV1tLH7VVPm8uQBPFO7qLzBUlkI31eXz_Eai-F1CQV7dNWBexgw__Xpa2U/s1600/IMGP2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLYnoyobLSOPgNv5vmpYWu1J68HKndwNQeDLLUgvUz6VQ5Ke63kXuRsimxyms4pm1XW3HepTQw6QkldvUsUV1tLH7VVPm8uQBPFO7qLzBUlkI31eXz_Eai-F1CQV7dNWBexgw__Xpa2U/s1600/IMGP2165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Landing a pup that nailed a live mullet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> If I am throwing artificial, I will throw a mullet
imitation. Topwater lures like a Rapala
Skitterwalker or a Heddon Zara Spook will trigger explosive strikes when worked
with a “walk the dog” retrieve. Lipless Crankbaits have quickly become one of my favorite baits. I can cover a large flat really quickly, and the noise this bait makes draws fish in from distance. Another great mullet imitation is the Live
Target Wake Bait. This is my Dad’s
favorite pup lure and he consistently catches pups all season on this lure (All
of these baits are also great speck lures.).
Soft plastics like the Powerteam Lures Swinging Hammer and the JP Hammer
Shad are great sight fishing baits because you can use them with a subtle
presentation that will not spook fish in very shallow water. These baits are super versatile and can be
fish weightless, on a keel weight hook, a spinnerbait trailer, or on a jig.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6PfODuolh3G8ufacj1Kc-lm4nUfc9_HLefxzdFvx9Mscf-uPSaZlLUImJcmCyi0wamRwK8rKBYmj5gDEKO9s3aE2hw_mrSU1ujroV00CONkCwyTzlpl4Y3AuCXRc5T7ySVAczZZ2ng/s1600/IMGP2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6PfODuolh3G8ufacj1Kc-lm4nUfc9_HLefxzdFvx9Mscf-uPSaZlLUImJcmCyi0wamRwK8rKBYmj5gDEKO9s3aE2hw_mrSU1ujroV00CONkCwyTzlpl4Y3AuCXRc5T7ySVAczZZ2ng/s1600/IMGP2241.JPG" height="273" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Top to bottom: Lipless Crankbait, Skitterwalker, PTL Swinging Hammer, Wakebait, Swinging Hammer on a Spinnerbait </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> If I am using the fly rod most clouser or deceiver
patterns will work if the pups are feeding on baitfish. One of my favorite patterns for sight fishing
is a crab or shrimp pattern. These flies
can be worked slow or fast and a hungry pup will not pass one up.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk1ptRngOTHfgsboZNsiGttt_eRimfVUOXulCACxviYHhB423j_k08YsoteFiVlAx3hpxsguikvGLdBktsP0cQ3ycGhP_zn7TdlnbZFsYA6_ly3USZzFiF2PBFWiyBuipoUaFmXO__y0/s1600/IMGP2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk1ptRngOTHfgsboZNsiGttt_eRimfVUOXulCACxviYHhB423j_k08YsoteFiVlAx3hpxsguikvGLdBktsP0cQ3ycGhP_zn7TdlnbZFsYA6_ly3USZzFiF2PBFWiyBuipoUaFmXO__y0/s1600/IMGP2243.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My personal favorite crab, clousers, and deceiver patterns</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Additional tips: Sight fishing can be tough. A good pair of polarized sun glasses is a
necessity if you want to see pups below the surface. Binoculars can also help you find pups moving
water at a distance. If you can stand
in your kayak you have a huge advantage over someone sitting on their butt. The higher you can get your eyes, the further
you can see. My favorite platform for
this type of fishing is my Jackson SUPerFISHal stand up paddle board. When I am standing on my cooler on the SUP I
can see fish at a much greater distance than when I am sitting on my yak. In shallow water you have to be quiet, try to
minimize any movement that will cause noise.
I always stop away from any area I plan to fish and do all my rigging
and get everything organized before I move on to the flat. </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLfsXiTJ5epNuem5kOzUm2EZvWKNGsiz6ByGICu4tHKZFe1Regn62IRXjv_XkqljL8iXKo8OB0rw_GAofhIPo7FiwrzzPSmUZ46qrENhbuYsv4LN3enwsJq-chgv8qkBGYOXQbcE4VPw/s1600/IMGP1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLfsXiTJ5epNuem5kOzUm2EZvWKNGsiz6ByGICu4tHKZFe1Regn62IRXjv_XkqljL8iXKo8OB0rw_GAofhIPo7FiwrzzPSmUZ46qrENhbuYsv4LN3enwsJq-chgv8qkBGYOXQbcE4VPw/s1600/IMGP1691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Standing on the SUP is my favorite way to catch reds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Pups are great fish and they are prowling the flats of
Virginia and North Carolina right now.
Get out there and get in on some great fishing. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When the action is hot you can even get a double header!</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-65254449377146168502014-07-15T22:20:00.002-04:002014-07-15T22:20:43.307-04:00Quick Trips for Big Bass<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSPIWPcnW0-CG2meet2sAZgQf7oDC7jp38Z_YWcneU2qE16iZZ2wPkVb-6bGaTDDn01Ij4MPQb6s9qqicsFRwwyE1z8f0bx1QrUTnsExvZSBnchBTRltZQeuZBxIjnCGqavLGRypmp4o/s1600/IMGP2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSPIWPcnW0-CG2meet2sAZgQf7oDC7jp38Z_YWcneU2qE16iZZ2wPkVb-6bGaTDDn01Ij4MPQb6s9qqicsFRwwyE1z8f0bx1QrUTnsExvZSBnchBTRltZQeuZBxIjnCGqavLGRypmp4o/s1600/IMGP2126.JPG" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22in Citation Largemouth </td></tr>
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Summer has rolled into the Tidewater region and it is HOT. To beat the heat, a quick late afternoon trip down to the local lake can put some quality bass on your line. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IEvCN_h-9Iu0sG7KDulnvJ-WhJGwPSba63YNV_AJmxgunFB9bCDlCFHSaO2661BpcojbvB8ouBEuCoKBaBGIzwlAGwlDlwKA1cUMnCavX3YpK9ShYh_Zs3Si5e7iDQtjFvbBVphjeIA/s1600/IMG_1937%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IEvCN_h-9Iu0sG7KDulnvJ-WhJGwPSba63YNV_AJmxgunFB9bCDlCFHSaO2661BpcojbvB8ouBEuCoKBaBGIzwlAGwlDlwKA1cUMnCavX3YpK9ShYh_Zs3Si5e7iDQtjFvbBVphjeIA/s1600/IMG_1937%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A double header of nice bass caught on jigs</td></tr>
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I keep these quick trips simple, bringing only a few rods and a few tackle boxes. The rods I bring will be rigged with: a jig, a Texas rig, a popper, and a lipless crankbait. These four baits will always produce summer bass no matter where you fish. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMxrddMiNwvHCUgWSeMU345K6m8nmQXfA5sG6_hufoU0-9aItHsbR0t2KDHDv-NyFji8Iui8RBx2saE6122MZXp2Vmfge-KlmIM94ViOLYDGZBnaMFBelZ8bMC_hZ1-fqlRoC3q7XqP8/s1600/G0100841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMxrddMiNwvHCUgWSeMU345K6m8nmQXfA5sG6_hufoU0-9aItHsbR0t2KDHDv-NyFji8Iui8RBx2saE6122MZXp2Vmfge-KlmIM94ViOLYDGZBnaMFBelZ8bMC_hZ1-fqlRoC3q7XqP8/s1600/G0100841.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My jig of choice is PowerTeam Lures (PTL) new Bull Nosed Jig in either Natural, or Susky Slayer with a matching Craw D trailer. I throw this around all types of shallow cover and catch a lot of big bass on the jig. Since I'm throwing this into cover I like to use a heavier rod and 20lb test braided line. The braid adds sensitivity and allows you to feel the softer bites. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyROdyXA__dhtet0wvc1LAgq1ZWl8RMvYkLBaPaUY4mfGKvubeXk18TDtsElvDzzCqRUimDfg6NFEvApRXvabduUKc3XRmbGGnEx4IKdxx_vjSXGVAPbTCYFBgDq9W_pkeSPeW1Qy3Nqg/s1600/GOPR1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyROdyXA__dhtet0wvc1LAgq1ZWl8RMvYkLBaPaUY4mfGKvubeXk18TDtsElvDzzCqRUimDfg6NFEvApRXvabduUKc3XRmbGGnEx4IKdxx_vjSXGVAPbTCYFBgDq9W_pkeSPeW1Qy3Nqg/s1600/GOPR1217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mouth full of Jigs</td></tr>
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Everybody knows that the Texas rig is one of the most popular rigs in bass fishing. the reason why is because it catches fish, a lot of fish. My Texas rig combo consist of a PTL 1/4oz tungsten weight and a 3/0 EWG worm hook. As far as plastics go, my personal favorites are: PTL Sick Sticks, 6" Gators, 7" Tickelers, and 10" Ribbon Hinge Worms. I pitch these baits in shallow brush piles, and also hop the Ribbon Hinge worm around long main lake points. I will use a little lighter rod than my jigging rod, but will keep the 20lbs braid for the sensitivity. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ-h8ipcyX8uyYk9SuOsQCNqGNHRWYRjvVqJsdP6hBcG5Hg2dclV2gZGdHFMGh2Hkru7zP7pLQp9AxlzBweomw97VVrqk0ZOuFipM4XjFxMJ7dsaoE_577X8iy3LL7TkqOG49PpZcJjw/s1600/IMGP2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ-h8ipcyX8uyYk9SuOsQCNqGNHRWYRjvVqJsdP6hBcG5Hg2dclV2gZGdHFMGh2Hkru7zP7pLQp9AxlzBweomw97VVrqk0ZOuFipM4XjFxMJ7dsaoE_577X8iy3LL7TkqOG49PpZcJjw/s1600/IMGP2004.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working a point with a Texas Rig</td></tr>
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My favorite bait to throw during the summer is a small popper. These baits will always produce hits during the summer time. My favorite popper is Lake Fork tackle's Magic Popper. This bait walks the dog like a stick bait, and splashes like a bait fish. I throw this bait on a light spinning rod for accuracy, and I target shady over hangs, and skip it under docks. as it gets later in the day I will throw it over shallow ledges and across large flats. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcaSERqwtFY6Ahl8Ix6voBJdN_rxY4d8dyOZF2UFXOC-RcpO1JywcI7dgvFaqw0i8vQc5DRuo8PIPmTbUAG_X54SC-WbafLfM2Vm_Hp7S67B0D60VYZUeR-Ks-mvILOHiu_06qAtJITA/s1600/IMG_1987%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcaSERqwtFY6Ahl8Ix6voBJdN_rxY4d8dyOZF2UFXOC-RcpO1JywcI7dgvFaqw0i8vQc5DRuo8PIPmTbUAG_X54SC-WbafLfM2Vm_Hp7S67B0D60VYZUeR-Ks-mvILOHiu_06qAtJITA/s1600/IMG_1987%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bass caught on a popper</td></tr>
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My final rig is a lipless crankbait. This is one of the most versatile baits in my tackle box. I can burn it across large shallow flats, or hop it down a deep point, and everywhere in between. My favorite way to work this bait is throwing it over shallow submerged structure such as, brush piles, standing timber, grass, rocks, and points. The lipless crankbait I throw most often is the Strike King Red Eyed Shad. This bait gives off a lot of vibration and attracts bass from a long way away. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK0PtgRIlKS5WzEY3a65NTMe2AA-NR3N9DR3NwftC_l2z-jv8NMpgKRabFSWLEUvRe9tsolFW4pnGotpPHVFD_c2hks-tB_Pr7ZShlFnTeKjNhNQbZIKnt9zH8af0s6sQ8MAfYh7CJtI/s1600/IMG_1954%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK0PtgRIlKS5WzEY3a65NTMe2AA-NR3N9DR3NwftC_l2z-jv8NMpgKRabFSWLEUvRe9tsolFW4pnGotpPHVFD_c2hks-tB_Pr7ZShlFnTeKjNhNQbZIKnt9zH8af0s6sQ8MAfYh7CJtI/s1600/IMG_1954%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice bass couldn't pass up a Red Eyed Shad</td></tr>
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The weather may be hot, but so is the fishing. So get on the water and get in on the action.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-26710234531797974472014-07-06T13:52:00.002-04:002014-07-06T13:52:13.032-04:00Vacation Bassin'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80EN2LSuN6V-Il6PxsmrNWjeEnMd-wmrtRYI6XAxvHsabGMrO9528XqaUOrH2n3o7ze-LsEzoEDbsBT4_ubRV2WDuwdf3znWXVUj_3fM8uaIIkT3XAmVGLlYdsxaPqpkLp3wYMUSisXE/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80EN2LSuN6V-Il6PxsmrNWjeEnMd-wmrtRYI6XAxvHsabGMrO9528XqaUOrH2n3o7ze-LsEzoEDbsBT4_ubRV2WDuwdf3znWXVUj_3fM8uaIIkT3XAmVGLlYdsxaPqpkLp3wYMUSisXE/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double header on PTL Hammer Shads</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everybody knows that Florida holds bass, really big
bass. So when I found out that my family
was going to Disney World my eyes lit up knowing that there was a good
possibility for getting a new personal best bass while on vacation. Since we were going to Disney I couldn’t bring
any of my kayaks, but it turns out you don’t need one down there because bank
fishing works just fine. I packed up all
of my PowerTeam Lures soft plastics and all of my hardbaits and frogs, as well
as my heavier bass rods and saltwater reels to power big bass out of
grass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After a smooth drive down we arrived at Disney World and
checked into our hotel, I asked the front desk where I can fish. They pointed out a few small lakes that I
could fish in, and said that it is rare for people to come to Disney and ask
about fishing, which meant that these lakes do not get a lot of pressure. On the first morning my Dad and I woke up at 5
and hit the first pond. I had an assortment of poppers, skitterwalkers, and
softplastics rigged, because I wasn’t sure what to expect. On my first cast with a popper, it was
smashed by a chunky 18in bass. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwbJOdGlxeTKuybcwZpgif6kngkINiDMwdekcr6eUOIFUD30c3QIoGtiiCAgAVk7GTHVyybUNYeTrTnKDVuBshfMnpCd2jzvjsqVNEl2JIq1VDwjCLf9WHObbw4Ahj6pEVa5pq4RiD_g/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwbJOdGlxeTKuybcwZpgif6kngkINiDMwdekcr6eUOIFUD30c3QIoGtiiCAgAVk7GTHVyybUNYeTrTnKDVuBshfMnpCd2jzvjsqVNEl2JIq1VDwjCLf9WHObbw4Ahj6pEVa5pq4RiD_g/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The
action continued throughout the morning catching a lot of nice bass with
several over 18in. As the bite was
beginning to slow I started bombing a lipless crankbait out towards the middle
of the lake where some bait was busting.
I was retrieving the bait back with a stop/start cadence when it was
smashed by a big fish. Shortly after
hooking it, the fish jumped and I saw that it was a monster bass. After a good
fight with several more jumps I landed the beast. I knew right away that it was the biggest
bass I had ever caught. It measured out
to 23in and weight about 8lbs. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNd8-z1ESkIS9zZXsQtvHgTA6UnH5MXRdG7ExNYMhGo_17km3IkSWeicMtVsKeDuAPum1maN7bnCvMd4LLQ9XDvFIGpRJ48SGTiUQ17eXDk1Q4qWL81mhbaOZTeRQk6SzrcdbUZHx7lA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNd8-z1ESkIS9zZXsQtvHgTA6UnH5MXRdG7ExNYMhGo_17km3IkSWeicMtVsKeDuAPum1maN7bnCvMd4LLQ9XDvFIGpRJ48SGTiUQ17eXDk1Q4qWL81mhbaOZTeRQk6SzrcdbUZHx7lA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23" 8lbs Hawg!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the week was awesome catching nice bass every
time I went out. The lakes I fished were
all different and contained all types of cover.
One lake was fairly bare only containing a few choice brush piles and
bridge pilings that would hold fish. The
hot baits in this type of lake were lipless crankbaits and PowerTeam Lures JP
Hammer Shads.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlgPygWQ526I3S03iQE1J_aEvGj3Tlqsix-Gm5nKIRAaeZfDS2Nmo0yDl9cOXSFCcLzxw7HI4JczAYtzmN-fw3Zjpu-yMAiVhWhZX5Dsnnnc4o9HteEJhhUkOrVhedOavSD37hecfFFo/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlgPygWQ526I3S03iQE1J_aEvGj3Tlqsix-Gm5nKIRAaeZfDS2Nmo0yDl9cOXSFCcLzxw7HI4JczAYtzmN-fw3Zjpu-yMAiVhWhZX5Dsnnnc4o9HteEJhhUkOrVhedOavSD37hecfFFo/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JP Hammer Shad produced several nice fish</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The rest of the lakes I
fished were very shallow and were filled with hydrilla. Swimming a JP Swinging Hammer weedless
through the grass always produced some nice fish. Also Texas Rigged Baby Bass Sick Sticks, and June Bug 6" Gators caught a lot of nice fish. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzVSeLB4vU0JDTumwq1MO-usp4NNLC-Hq68oJMJDzqbospQtVtHHvyZnQIQeC8Urflx3Ci5RKIzSJTecwkBVEXQnugscW0TwQksbSC0E_RMG2YgDFLM_BkTHfusU203aXKoc6BWFzmco/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzVSeLB4vU0JDTumwq1MO-usp4NNLC-Hq68oJMJDzqbospQtVtHHvyZnQIQeC8Urflx3Ci5RKIzSJTecwkBVEXQnugscW0TwQksbSC0E_RMG2YgDFLM_BkTHfusU203aXKoc6BWFzmco/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice Bass on a Sick Stick</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Since there was so much grass, another big
fish producer was fishing R2S Dahlburg Diving frog. These are the most realistic frogs on the
market and catch some BIG bass. I caught
several 20”+ bass on these as well as my 2<sup>nd</sup> biggest bass of the
trip at 22.5” and about 7lbs. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EaA13q8D6LjBaqHU3KiO_qNmSXvRhiM2bE9eQRp_qVGTgxV1UzAOvw_38hGQXFUcMXPC7E4E94tqfyBFd16cnMYMItkM5VQ_9AcKEnBub3O3zXfV464WVbpyfPxrBAlvifnFZu7m0os/s1600/22.5closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EaA13q8D6LjBaqHU3KiO_qNmSXvRhiM2bE9eQRp_qVGTgxV1UzAOvw_38hGQXFUcMXPC7E4E94tqfyBFd16cnMYMItkM5VQ_9AcKEnBub3O3zXfV464WVbpyfPxrBAlvifnFZu7m0os/s1600/22.5closeup2.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22.5" 7lbs Pig caught on a frog<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are planning a trip to Disney World, pack a few rods and a couple packs of PowerTeam Lures and go catch some big Florida PIGS!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-46686470939572651432014-05-26T21:40:00.001-04:002014-05-26T21:40:40.209-04:00Finally Back in the Salt...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQAyXupXoAiTqhWqmB_vAlhAv94egABCbQSHdKQwDNVd2ddP6WLNR0o6U1luMNDkqz9d4FnYNoupud5YkfvD5LmweZenRB_HTa1sJSNSuPb_OmrhyphenhyphenjLx3SU5-NXgAMsmYv2fup1QZs-c/s1600/closeupred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQAyXupXoAiTqhWqmB_vAlhAv94egABCbQSHdKQwDNVd2ddP6WLNR0o6U1luMNDkqz9d4FnYNoupud5YkfvD5LmweZenRB_HTa1sJSNSuPb_OmrhyphenhyphenjLx3SU5-NXgAMsmYv2fup1QZs-c/s1600/closeupred.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a few months of freshwater fishing, and seeing reports
of reds and specks being back in the bay, I finally loaded up the Cuda and set
out for the saltwater. During the winter
I did some research and found some new spots I wanted to try and sight fish for
reds. My Dad and I launched at 6AM and
set out. The first spot I hit was the
mouth of a large creek with a few grass flats in front of it. The tide was outgoing, so I beached the Cuda
and waded around the mouth of the creek.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4790dQfknxYZz1Jp27YjwR20maZ-StOxhnEdFDElB5Asid51l6Xgqco7z-UfcVhA93LFEiYD8ooSZtXN-bc1ewWrMQ5qel2G_MeQ0FgydaHN7sc9D2VQDyfwFQNqmGLX-uEwJg3-Iak/s1600/GOPR0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4790dQfknxYZz1Jp27YjwR20maZ-StOxhnEdFDElB5Asid51l6Xgqco7z-UfcVhA93LFEiYD8ooSZtXN-bc1ewWrMQ5qel2G_MeQ0FgydaHN7sc9D2VQDyfwFQNqmGLX-uEwJg3-Iak/s1600/GOPR0506.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I caught a few small specks and a flounder, but I couldn’t find any reds. Once the sun was high enough for sight fishing
I stood up and started stalking the grass flats looking for reds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ea8C_uaH7Lsp1z8oG2JLbrSf1hEMli1-hjEwU42_sksYcmHgn6CdPF1MkuTDL9qUfqV4qlc4DhOoCl0SWJgrqVh0pX1LoKKjIGdW6ea40u9BP2P3-GtzO0Uk-6CZ9cKT6mtlPKHNRI/s1600/IMGP2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ea8C_uaH7Lsp1z8oG2JLbrSf1hEMli1-hjEwU42_sksYcmHgn6CdPF1MkuTDL9qUfqV4qlc4DhOoCl0SWJgrqVh0pX1LoKKjIGdW6ea40u9BP2P3-GtzO0Uk-6CZ9cKT6mtlPKHNRI/s1600/IMGP2039.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t take long for me to find them. I pitched my mirrodine in front of the
biggest fish and after a few twitches in front of his face it was game on!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-YWKasM0SmU46rN0251HAG36595jUayzaqQRel62hfF1CuuwMGTmA6Nye2LHvJbA1KwrJCy7JSkQxBSr5K9HLoZTNMvXnayJunxWmVeq-bm1m0aD5hIlxQuHAWJb6_JG5_Fd8vYg8DQ/s1600/IMGP2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-YWKasM0SmU46rN0251HAG36595jUayzaqQRel62hfF1CuuwMGTmA6Nye2LHvJbA1KwrJCy7JSkQxBSr5K9HLoZTNMvXnayJunxWmVeq-bm1m0aD5hIlxQuHAWJb6_JG5_Fd8vYg8DQ/s1600/IMGP2051.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
fish made several drag screaming runs across the flat and put up a good
fight. Once I landed it and took a few
pictures it swam away in good shape. I kept
looking for reds while throwing my Mirror Lure mirrodine hoping for a bigger
speck.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLaDR1-oN5EVl2kxtaVqBwR52LuBWLOG3Hn65Adx_5v0k-HvbNns8HJusOAzli4sDJoSMWw8_w3UFM2wPWPuRtr5JDBQGaPuExtPG103_wc5QYSShU248f8jx4RDk1Ofpq4_880M1vUs/s1600/IMGP2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLaDR1-oN5EVl2kxtaVqBwR52LuBWLOG3Hn65Adx_5v0k-HvbNns8HJusOAzli4sDJoSMWw8_w3UFM2wPWPuRtr5JDBQGaPuExtPG103_wc5QYSShU248f8jx4RDk1Ofpq4_880M1vUs/s1600/IMGP2021.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I saw some bait busting on the
surface and cast in that direction. As soon as it hit the water it was nailed
by a houndfish that flew out of the water.
These fish are a nuisance because they will normally snap your line and
take your $15 lure, but they fight hard and jump like crazy. This houndfish was about 3’ long and was real
cool looking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ9HkY2RkPVfXyJoZmhZktYavMc7CzSXGq2yqHVL_Qcw7x1nMePo8HGn_BtxKDpILeWnGSsHIgDF8OZuPw80mIX9QrO9V9xTvLRLLy_sUFAPlJGPiQUEBF0BCn5mLEkc5353Seo-EfDA/s1600/GOPR0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ9HkY2RkPVfXyJoZmhZktYavMc7CzSXGq2yqHVL_Qcw7x1nMePo8HGn_BtxKDpILeWnGSsHIgDF8OZuPw80mIX9QrO9V9xTvLRLLy_sUFAPlJGPiQUEBF0BCn5mLEkc5353Seo-EfDA/s1600/GOPR0525.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the houndfish I was
back looking for reds. I found several
more either in schools or singles on the flat, all of the fish I caught were in
the 20”-25” range. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxmY9lbcXb5Bm7tZn3R-PIUGDnip6_JP31ueidP7_YHU6pRc6CasI8-gNajEC7YCCZuHFidVBkQsuQbMtWuDrbwGow4oHR04xqfMWU7tIvv_ZcFAl-nw0l9GgMK_wqG6T3GFPindOyCI/s1600/GOPR0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxmY9lbcXb5Bm7tZn3R-PIUGDnip6_JP31ueidP7_YHU6pRc6CasI8-gNajEC7YCCZuHFidVBkQsuQbMtWuDrbwGow4oHR04xqfMWU7tIvv_ZcFAl-nw0l9GgMK_wqG6T3GFPindOyCI/s1600/GOPR0537.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wind started
picking up and made sight fishing hard, so I called it a day. The fish were real skittish and several
refused baits. Normally when fish are
skittish I switch to soft plastics, but they did not work at all. The mirrodine fished slowly was the only lure
that produced for me. My Dad had success
with a Live Target mullet wake bait.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-75166177192278887522014-05-17T11:24:00.001-04:002014-05-17T11:24:32.535-04:00Getting Jiggy with It <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZf4Up07-V2UNAORtk8k0NIodMqoZD8c-lnTjx5VDhJXmclWwdpgwzJ6WVs9P06vM_myHxOtszz-q5buQq2LMKrZ2ZPj4_520dBiJIoR14_yUouB4QJhofhIvnAFk6dSai4tnTmX3Mnc/s1600/GOPR0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZf4Up07-V2UNAORtk8k0NIodMqoZD8c-lnTjx5VDhJXmclWwdpgwzJ6WVs9P06vM_myHxOtszz-q5buQq2LMKrZ2ZPj4_520dBiJIoR14_yUouB4QJhofhIvnAFk6dSai4tnTmX3Mnc/s1600/GOPR0449.JPG" height="299" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice bass that fell for a shakey head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that the spawn is over and the temperature is rising it’s
time to start jigging for post-spawn pigs.
Over the last few weeks I have been having some incredible days on the
water catching over 40 bass on some trips, mainly using slow jig presentations. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJJyW9yQ5TClv8VEaj0vmZxWu4XpYW4RLwaS7Mtm8RaDmozcEvQjenrcZZWFqI_6GvY_2Sdjdi9NIsGHbZGM4RmaUjj-HeWxQohyHsl1bTa5p_1caJuhX0Cmx3VqPKqBRJoay-MKoYHU/s1600/IMGP1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJJyW9yQ5TClv8VEaj0vmZxWu4XpYW4RLwaS7Mtm8RaDmozcEvQjenrcZZWFqI_6GvY_2Sdjdi9NIsGHbZGM4RmaUjj-HeWxQohyHsl1bTa5p_1caJuhX0Cmx3VqPKqBRJoay-MKoYHU/s1600/IMGP1995.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two styles of jigs I use are a small finesse jig and a
shakey head jig. The small finesse jig I
prefer is a Booyah Boo Jig in a 3/8oz.
This paired with a PowerTeam Lures Craw D’oeuvre trailer is deadly. In clear
water, natural colors like brown and tan work best, and in stained water, black
and blue is the way to go. For my rod I like
a 10-17lbs bait casting rod, and a Diawa Tatula bait casting reel. My line of choice is 20lbs braid, and a 15lbs
fluorocarbon leader. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmCjGr_M__9ft-rIPeWH_K3PQkZaxdZqYxOcHPoQpAJQ2gsHdYfi9fXhWQZpoaSqasLvqOPgjwe6qKvoc9cYIFXqoSUqQX2fHycFDLDZhf1oCzFJxpSUjvbUx3YiNVIJxuGDmpD4_Y4o/s1600/GOPR0460.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmCjGr_M__9ft-rIPeWH_K3PQkZaxdZqYxOcHPoQpAJQ2gsHdYfi9fXhWQZpoaSqasLvqOPgjwe6qKvoc9cYIFXqoSUqQX2fHycFDLDZhf1oCzFJxpSUjvbUx3YiNVIJxuGDmpD4_Y4o/s1600/GOPR0460.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My shakey head set-up is a light spinning rod and reel
spooled with 15lbs braid, and 10lbs fluorocarbon leader. I use a PowerTeam lures 1/8oz Pea Head, and a
7” Tickler. The most productive color is
junebug for both stained and clear water.
If that doesn't work however, the switch to a green pumpkin red flake. I fish both of these jigs in the same locations on the
lake. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUdzLF2qEZ21nxvcm-RWg1K-urlIBg4lTG-G2e1D89-inlKPhHloAAjKDSgU7Nb_w8RmZKQTuDPHkuYE9cr4BDmnrIKaTEZRIM_KAHjA9tdZDLvYUnFDFAz45L-02pPBNRhagqx40gLw/s1600/GOPR0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUdzLF2qEZ21nxvcm-RWg1K-urlIBg4lTG-G2e1D89-inlKPhHloAAjKDSgU7Nb_w8RmZKQTuDPHkuYE9cr4BDmnrIKaTEZRIM_KAHjA9tdZDLvYUnFDFAz45L-02pPBNRhagqx40gLw/s1600/GOPR0474.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
Since this is the post spawn, most
of the big females are on bars and ledges located near spawning flats. Most of these ledges are in 9-12ft of
water. I will throw my jig up on the top
of the bar and hop it down. If there is
a bend in the ledge, it will normally hold more fish. The shakey head will normally catch more
fish, but the finesse jig will produce the more quality fish. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMfVDYJcxVWOe1wV1PODAmalczO0mByOfyc6J58bVTWEJKHSsdPDt24DbSuyOL8Qq2aThscAbniZ39TBzFFoD1AHKwKfAD11H75pwT3fouH2OMnjlN74f9SRXeL5Hu9BNEK-fuJ8YmHM/s1600/GOPR0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMfVDYJcxVWOe1wV1PODAmalczO0mByOfyc6J58bVTWEJKHSsdPDt24DbSuyOL8Qq2aThscAbniZ39TBzFFoD1AHKwKfAD11H75pwT3fouH2OMnjlN74f9SRXeL5Hu9BNEK-fuJ8YmHM/s1600/GOPR0465.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20" bass caught on a jig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This jig pattern will continue to produce throughout the late spring and into the early summer, so go pick up some jigs and catch some pigs!<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-10786931516309869882014-04-20T17:09:00.001-04:002014-04-20T17:09:22.898-04:00Product Review: PowerTeam Lures Bass Attack Pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR_d9doTkrWTJj12zoKSg9uvh_5GNErr0Ili5EPt7sQlpg5XFyUE3k8v3u4yComs_I3fd6ZzG12L1XtSdEXzxRbVWhFM9R8cMiD-xlsZubkYNBMKqEEJ5RE7AfW84iLlLCo0UK7alMmE/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR_d9doTkrWTJj12zoKSg9uvh_5GNErr0Ili5EPt7sQlpg5XFyUE3k8v3u4yComs_I3fd6ZzG12L1XtSdEXzxRbVWhFM9R8cMiD-xlsZubkYNBMKqEEJ5RE7AfW84iLlLCo0UK7alMmE/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that the water is warming up and everyone is dusting off
their kayaks, it’s time to start restocking your arsenal of freshwater soft
plastics. Since there are thousands of
different shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from, deciding on what you are
going to buy can be tough. However, if
you are looking for a good quality soft plastics kit to get you started this
season look no further than the PowerTeam Lures Bass Attack Pack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I bought this kit and decided to put it to the test against
winter and prespawn bass under numerous weather conditions and on several
different lakes to see it this kit would pass the test, and let me tell you, it
did and with flying colors!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>OVERVIEW: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bass Attack Pack comes in two different color options:
lighter blues/browns and darker browns/greens/junebug colors. I chose the darker kit based on the water
color I normally fish. The kit includes each of the following: 6” Gators, 7” Ticklers, 5” Sick Sticks, 3.5”
Food Chain Tubes, and 3.5” Craw D’oeuvres.
It also includes terminal tackle like: Pea Heads, Tick Shakes, FCT Tube
Heads, and 2/0 EWG Hooks. Hog Tonic
capsules are also included in the kit. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2RkjvBgFA2EgqAgztNsMsiNlGP855pynzK-Dno7OfdJXoj7Hu1XW9xRnW2Xe7CkV77RTRUTnG2uQlTY9CFaYEDOxI3Q73c4MofxvNBrFZeQxiGCHWawYldMMW7n8VKREuFYGZ58feeY/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2RkjvBgFA2EgqAgztNsMsiNlGP855pynzK-Dno7OfdJXoj7Hu1XW9xRnW2Xe7CkV77RTRUTnG2uQlTY9CFaYEDOxI3Q73c4MofxvNBrFZeQxiGCHWawYldMMW7n8VKREuFYGZ58feeY/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6” Gator<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Gator is a lizard style soft plastic. These baits can be killer during the spring
time while the bass are spawning. A
lizard looks like a salamander which is a natural predator and bass won’t
hesitate to attack one near a bed. I
have had success pitching a Gator on to a bed, but my most successful method
has been a Carolina rigged gator. For
those who don’t know what a Carolina rig is, it is normally a ½-1oz. egg sinker
that is above a swivel. On the other end of a swivel is 2-4feet of 10lbs
fluorocarbon leader. Slowly dragging a
Carolina rig with a gator near a spawning flat will drive the big females
crazy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQenQ_RvtuLaZO6xYSloQ748vb7Eie33oVY9Oi45Hirge7Oswi1DbCb3a87unw3hm7q9Dy8oM7NB0EKpakVOzdZ7Bi1Z5HQJTnDHxkDSD7yxHkI-yUMdVzIaJ_BVjkm0SjtLnGPN0gRgY/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQenQ_RvtuLaZO6xYSloQ748vb7Eie33oVY9Oi45Hirge7Oswi1DbCb3a87unw3hm7q9Dy8oM7NB0EKpakVOzdZ7Bi1Z5HQJTnDHxkDSD7yxHkI-yUMdVzIaJ_BVjkm0SjtLnGPN0gRgY/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18" Bass on the Gator </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7” Tickler<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The 7” Tickler is the perfect worm for shakey head
fishing. This bait rigged on one of the
Tick Shake heads is hard to beat when the fishing gets tough. On days after a wicked cold front has moved
through, this may be the only bait that catches fish. I like working this bait over long main lake
and secondary points, as well as on ledges.
The key to using this bait effectively on slow days is to work the bait
extra slow. Most of the time I won’t
even move the bait once it hits the bottom, I will only shake it. Even the most finicky bass will be tempted to
eat this worm and don’t let the size fool you; I have caught bass from 10in to
20in on this bait.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3-bEIcoa96EJ2U8FkNBiWO9GRBHjpn7Dm8g9_aL4-i4b2qNU1DcSZGWDSI8-EoX1V1WDXx7-yYy3njgTLH2Gum-4rfbfWm-vbxSOtQO3EBTvUtm-UCLRp92oWkV7vymx12PgxCPRSwo/s1600/GOPR0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3-bEIcoa96EJ2U8FkNBiWO9GRBHjpn7Dm8g9_aL4-i4b2qNU1DcSZGWDSI8-EoX1V1WDXx7-yYy3njgTLH2Gum-4rfbfWm-vbxSOtQO3EBTvUtm-UCLRp92oWkV7vymx12PgxCPRSwo/s1600/GOPR0270.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early prespawn bass couldn't resist a 7" Tickler </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5” Sick Stick<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This bait is by far my favorite out of the kit. The 5” Sick
Stick is a soft stick bait style plastic that will catch bass any time of year
under any conditions. I have fished it
in so many different ways and have caught fish every way I have tried. If I had to pick one way to fish this though
it would be weightless on one of the EWG hooks that comes with the kit. This
rig will catch bass of all sizes, all year.
The retrieve is simple; just throw it out and let the bait sink, then
use a jerk, jerk, pause cadence to bring it back in. Vary the length of the pauses, depending on
the water temperature. The colder the
water the longer I pause.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB64yuHaiIKM4Hx8Ei-hRgrj_mOedDhWujI3PLi43lh_nUaZfyycElvolOedyZtmQlnsTqu7no7jXcsQK67YK2U03zfpQZnZNTPbHD_0GpbMVJrogJ1mV3UWAWvMHUKaZecl_UovD1Mk/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB64yuHaiIKM4Hx8Ei-hRgrj_mOedDhWujI3PLi43lh_nUaZfyycElvolOedyZtmQlnsTqu7no7jXcsQK67YK2U03zfpQZnZNTPbHD_0GpbMVJrogJ1mV3UWAWvMHUKaZecl_UovD1Mk/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many bass caught on a Sick Stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>3.5” Food Chain Tubes<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Food Chain Tube is an excellent bait for bedding bass in
the lakes around Tidewater VA. I will
rig the Tube with the FCT Tube heads that are included in the kit. I use this bait when sight fishing for Largemouth’s
guarding beds. I will pitch the tube
directly on top of the bed and let it sit there until it gets the fish’s
attention. Once the fish locks on to it
hop it a few times. This should drive
the fish crazy and make it eat the bait. With the hook being exposed, it helps
with hook ups too.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfsOmLqi1340lGfG6-MdeXegT2a9r-G3PrzJkmxlu-CwW-n8FEsgiZK0CMCVaTZnV2tDWG3q-fRAz8cjSel0g7aAO_PurPP-O92EyXP8Epl5c4G2UOgNiatQ6tNVomEjKiIhxpMsSnRM/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfsOmLqi1340lGfG6-MdeXegT2a9r-G3PrzJkmxlu-CwW-n8FEsgiZK0CMCVaTZnV2tDWG3q-fRAz8cjSel0g7aAO_PurPP-O92EyXP8Epl5c4G2UOgNiatQ6tNVomEjKiIhxpMsSnRM/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Spawning Bass can't pass up a Tube!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>3.5” Craw D’oeuvres</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Craw D’oeuvres are the most versatile bait in the
kit. You can Texas rig them, Carolina Rig
them, jig it, use it on a shakey head, or use it as a jig trailer. I have caught fish using each of these
methods, but using this bait rigged on a Tick Shake has produced the most
fish. During the late winter, and early
spring, this produced some of my larger bass fish. Slowly hopping this bait along the bottom
mimicking a crawfish produced the most
action. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0SScVNDYnFbzVnzON0vFIfsbFf2qKdwWzfkx4WKad4gY1EG5Il3WEqXjKW3KDgKjqM3D6oBDRiYTCdeiqBZGBoGxJV170IJ_SzBrK-3G2DZNU7D4AB3TFYciWj85N9vaWe7kJVAuwDQ/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0SScVNDYnFbzVnzON0vFIfsbFf2qKdwWzfkx4WKad4gY1EG5Il3WEqXjKW3KDgKjqM3D6oBDRiYTCdeiqBZGBoGxJV170IJ_SzBrK-3G2DZNU7D4AB3TFYciWj85N9vaWe7kJVAuwDQ/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Winter time Pig on a Craw D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Add Ons:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though the Bass Attack Pack is ready to fish now, I
have added a few pieces of terminal tackle to fully equip it. Some of these things are: Bobber stoppers for
Texas rigging, some bigger worm hooks, and a few bullet head weights in
assorted sizes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The PowerTeam Lures Bass Attack Pack is an awesome kit that
is good for beginner and experienced fisherman alike. You can pick up a kit at Appomattox River Company
and on their website. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lvLicDhOBsTtqYiuHMW4UAu0NGC1KPU3OPM1DOaKwQQnl_fiA8JR0xRuB1nZrtQr6NL06r8CWTJexMOG07T_1N1V3bIZm97UDMLnU_j6bqeJP5pL3djHonMPPHWuJxizoLD10yQYtyg/s1600/IMG_1434%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lvLicDhOBsTtqYiuHMW4UAu0NGC1KPU3OPM1DOaKwQQnl_fiA8JR0xRuB1nZrtQr6NL06r8CWTJexMOG07T_1N1V3bIZm97UDMLnU_j6bqeJP5pL3djHonMPPHWuJxizoLD10yQYtyg/s1600/IMG_1434%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spring is here and its time to go out and catch yourself a HAWG!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-37177062760003972662014-04-06T21:06:00.001-04:002014-04-06T21:06:38.906-04:00Cranking and pitching into Spring <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYoEcArNhKwwVu7H4ILQIDrTbRoZrBlwt9LGuubwLkEMYrMIsDWXRFAdmXgqxvPO7hTi9PzxRer85AXcUtbW-xNapbgEMVUKb0H2TC9qtnRloH0VkYHMqctskb0T45x_osK34Znfd5MI/s1600/GOPR0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYoEcArNhKwwVu7H4ILQIDrTbRoZrBlwt9LGuubwLkEMYrMIsDWXRFAdmXgqxvPO7hTi9PzxRer85AXcUtbW-xNapbgEMVUKb0H2TC9qtnRloH0VkYHMqctskb0T45x_osK34Znfd5MI/s1600/GOPR0380.JPG" height="320" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Size crankbait fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The winter curse has finally lifted here in Southeast
Virginia and the water is warming up! After a week of warm spring temperatures I
was excited to get out on one of my favorite lakes for some prespawn
largemouths. I rigged my Cuda 14 up and
hit the water. I planned on throwing
swimbaits and crankbaits around stumps and submerged brushpiles. The first hour was slow with only a few hits,
but I went up a large creek off the main lake and found the fish. My first fish nailed a swimbait that I bounced
off a stump. I kept running my swimbait
and crankbait near stumps and picking up small fish. </span></div>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z0ifnvDgTTqPP-7XzyS5SUwNU0-oonwFAEDeWKNI6qRa02-Z-Lm9XIQvRgMFMscKDnFuPwpFfQHNn_IQnvo8boKF8SyXLmxu1pcokQw3K6qol20b_wRKWLoxPIEwAcU9-hRkLEs_DSs/s1600/GOPR0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z0ifnvDgTTqPP-7XzyS5SUwNU0-oonwFAEDeWKNI6qRa02-Z-Lm9XIQvRgMFMscKDnFuPwpFfQHNn_IQnvo8boKF8SyXLmxu1pcokQw3K6qol20b_wRKWLoxPIEwAcU9-hRkLEs_DSs/s1600/GOPR0370.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fish crushed a swimbait near a stump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The bite was never heavy, but it also never stopped. I caught most of my fish on the crankbait,
with a few of my larger fish on the swimbait.
I also picked up a few pickerel on my crankbait as well. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Xi7eEOXwu0WQFdmhuPEydLGHutagHn5svTi6_s4RDQ0-d-QBE0KpFKf4cAVVmam0VokItdKsxa8mJWAbZJ3h4ZZHoLataLLQUoB8sWVdvLNzL8nVxoo33lSsVAhCU_oOP6MGqH2KCU/s1600/GOPR1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Xi7eEOXwu0WQFdmhuPEydLGHutagHn5svTi6_s4RDQ0-d-QBE0KpFKf4cAVVmam0VokItdKsxa8mJWAbZJ3h4ZZHoLataLLQUoB8sWVdvLNzL8nVxoo33lSsVAhCU_oOP6MGqH2KCU/s1600/GOPR1061.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooked Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaE70WTs3NyJ3VTGJy-if3QswCt-tcb-oma7vE8ha_O2BPP5AvxS9BRVhHWH7wPO9ZRB5h3tE_luLE4yvUiaJQNyZ60wkAls9iOUj3QVhoehuScvSnaQ14A6x-Y1x3eda24g6g4KbPdQ/s1600/GOPR0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaE70WTs3NyJ3VTGJy-if3QswCt-tcb-oma7vE8ha_O2BPP5AvxS9BRVhHWH7wPO9ZRB5h3tE_luLE4yvUiaJQNyZ60wkAls9iOUj3QVhoehuScvSnaQ14A6x-Y1x3eda24g6g4KbPdQ/s1600/GOPR0382.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day I went back out to the same lake. The temperature had dropped about 10 degrees
and there was a stiff north wind. The rising
barometric pressure made the crankbait bite tough, so I switched to pitching
heavy cover. I caught 5 fish on laydowns and submerged trees in around 6 feet
of water.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUBhFHuMmVd5XAhPm12d_b6_RCOIm00lm4RHOCn6uDMZ8hKTMXZFTlk2KHVR5cEvccozz_Du1RMBzA_XIZxbPrEeBWopYsj_4B5W5dP9nzzld6CElK7pH2MnoCzkETbAaJkxsI0GrWk4/s1600/GOPR0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUBhFHuMmVd5XAhPm12d_b6_RCOIm00lm4RHOCn6uDMZ8hKTMXZFTlk2KHVR5cEvccozz_Du1RMBzA_XIZxbPrEeBWopYsj_4B5W5dP9nzzld6CElK7pH2MnoCzkETbAaJkxsI0GrWk4/s1600/GOPR0394.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This takes a lot of time and patients on days like today. I would
work one laydown for about 10-15min to find fish. I also had to experiment with
several colors and baits until I found the right combination. A PowerTeam Lures 3.5” Craw D’oeuvre in green
pumpkin red flake was the hot bait. I
would cover the bait with PowerTeam Lures Hog Tonic to give the bait that extra
edge on the fish. These fish were in the
tightest, thickest part of the cover, and took a stiff rod to get them
out. I even pulled a pickerel out of a
huge laydown. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-D4MXTQaKOkN-aq2UcWdlVm3VnjQFcrmzyhx95EamNyVAh8eqAP7j8HkUi_SqOJodvOR7lh9Y0gEMu4IPGMZbxVcKuiWDE8hseafnUhO6rIUnyG9zNk4Io_KorN-qdg427PGCQttizo/s1600/GOPR0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-D4MXTQaKOkN-aq2UcWdlVm3VnjQFcrmzyhx95EamNyVAh8eqAP7j8HkUi_SqOJodvOR7lh9Y0gEMu4IPGMZbxVcKuiWDE8hseafnUhO6rIUnyG9zNk4Io_KorN-qdg427PGCQttizo/s1600/GOPR0389.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Spring is here, and it’s time to get out and catch some big
pigs! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-75184244409290364572014-03-17T16:53:00.000-04:002014-03-17T16:58:20.599-04:00Windy Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBpC28FIokECI7Wfq4LsgGfhjO2SP2AtVUisNRpBYxvrTKb8g4beSek4B5F5niJPzftUV5ASSBe-s8TqU50TuhileCuyz7_jyV7akvLJbwjVZJp5hpFVLiIBXgbxvzxnlti6ovGo4QSE/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBpC28FIokECI7Wfq4LsgGfhjO2SP2AtVUisNRpBYxvrTKb8g4beSek4B5F5niJPzftUV5ASSBe-s8TqU50TuhileCuyz7_jyV7akvLJbwjVZJp5hpFVLiIBXgbxvzxnlti6ovGo4QSE/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The forecast for this weekend looked nice with the exception
of one thing, the wind. The forecast
called for winds of at least 15kts with stronger gusts and I knew I wouldn’t be
able to fish the larger lakes I have been fishing. Plan B was to downsize to a small pond
protected by wind. I rigged up the SUPerFISHal
for some bass fishing. Since it is a
small pond I was pretty sure the fish would be in a few specific locations. One of these spots was a large laydown
tree. I ran a crankbait through the
outside limbs and it was smashed by a nice 19.5in bass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhmUcNfHf7Wx5DEm8U8cxq7lViTdnPeV_TKA5SXgA89xQfcd1M67SNBg77S5cFKgbHilUsvSfycFXx_BCsgqjnT7caL28q4iaqknWVsklefivi3cKuY4pbhgkr53lX7fHkK1-GWqCa80/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhmUcNfHf7Wx5DEm8U8cxq7lViTdnPeV_TKA5SXgA89xQfcd1M67SNBg77S5cFKgbHilUsvSfycFXx_BCsgqjnT7caL28q4iaqknWVsklefivi3cKuY4pbhgkr53lX7fHkK1-GWqCa80/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After I released it I
pitched a jig with a PowerTeam Lures Craw D’oeuvre trailer. I hopped my jig once and then it was picked
up by a 18in bass. I kept pitching my
jig and working my crankbait by some more cover and picked up a few more nice
largemouths up to 20in. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WG5T6h9o4Nnbe9p8fX_Qr_pa7iucBw6veDuld5_mvCrs9n0EvKtIGHWUcyzAkEq3QDWqbbGxa30BmLXWGwTgGWMk9EcMT8ehx7L5H9e0lqEeozEZCPQiHl0ajI2LXwRLC2ZAN8CO9v8/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WG5T6h9o4Nnbe9p8fX_Qr_pa7iucBw6veDuld5_mvCrs9n0EvKtIGHWUcyzAkEq3QDWqbbGxa30BmLXWGwTgGWMk9EcMT8ehx7L5H9e0lqEeozEZCPQiHl0ajI2LXwRLC2ZAN8CO9v8/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Dad was using
a jerkbait and live bait and also picked up a few bass. As the day went on we each caught our fair
share of bass and pickerel and were going to call it a day. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKV0aFnkSal7LYUTnXHXIrIm9d38yjs4DswvdeVZ_kMkSUweV2EiFu4gk6HJenRBhhnUsCOiRyyrbh-Sudp0f2fpELUo8z9RLr5e7f2nXJrLtebPPJfA76Mmt5QDuRk5xJgoXQTf-wQI/s1600/IMG_1198.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKV0aFnkSal7LYUTnXHXIrIm9d38yjs4DswvdeVZ_kMkSUweV2EiFu4gk6HJenRBhhnUsCOiRyyrbh-Sudp0f2fpELUo8z9RLr5e7f2nXJrLtebPPJfA76Mmt5QDuRk5xJgoXQTf-wQI/s1600/IMG_1198.PNG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Dad pitched his last live bait near some
cover and it was almost immediately nailed by a good fish. After a short fight he landed a big
pickerel. He placed it on the board and
it measured 24.75in, a Virginia Trophy Citation. After snapping a few pictures, we watched it
swim off and we called it a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day was forecasted to be a little colder with steady
winds out of the north. I loaded up my
Cuda 14 and targeted catfish. This time
of year catfish invade the marshes and creeks of the lower James River, and it
makes for easy and fun fishing. I timed
the tides so wouldn’t have to paddle against them and I paddled into a large
creek and set up my baits. After only
15minutes, I already had several small cats in the boat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWdGzxCnZrHEg9pAuGL_U3cOGBGuTiCgJmBee92F4jl5BySuVG8ESsjoTS0e3U1BXHUXV6VucxLuRo5VK4NJcs4BxaavuEBzN5Wt5nQQWPFwfk7Ymfr5GeFjQsmuf7LmlIyOq9rz6ark/s1600/GOPR0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWdGzxCnZrHEg9pAuGL_U3cOGBGuTiCgJmBee92F4jl5BySuVG8ESsjoTS0e3U1BXHUXV6VucxLuRo5VK4NJcs4BxaavuEBzN5Wt5nQQWPFwfk7Ymfr5GeFjQsmuf7LmlIyOq9rz6ark/s1600/GOPR0945.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswGdeMGP6p0-ilaei7OAShMpBwoPqmoVi2OdaKULyxcVb4i3taH9kaiyWZF91SJf6OfF0llTvvcuErC9n-jrpn1RhZstyeTj1xb02O1BotZKCDIoN14eL6TUawAHcPLedlXuP_rZ_T5M/s1600/GOPR0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswGdeMGP6p0-ilaei7OAShMpBwoPqmoVi2OdaKULyxcVb4i3taH9kaiyWZF91SJf6OfF0llTvvcuErC9n-jrpn1RhZstyeTj1xb02O1BotZKCDIoN14eL6TUawAHcPLedlXuP_rZ_T5M/s1600/GOPR0902.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The bite continued most of the day. The action was so hot, at times I had double and
even triple headers with 15in-22in catfish.
I fished until I ran out of bait and the current was too strong. A short easy paddle back to the truck with a
stringer full of good eating catfish ended the day. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-558955070184541684.post-48641530147335988942014-03-10T21:27:00.001-04:002014-03-10T21:50:57.105-04:00Slowing Down <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0jwL_nd_Vn3obLhZI0AbqaIIckfjHw2G4rnGzA_cFhTauR7GR4anQtaC71wBPXpbM7bqKlL-VJpCIe3vutwxVFvkQjN6KIGgkrbVwd5pIENrQKdMH8FxFBxpXTdQBO3SugTU_4GgsQo/s1600/GOPR0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0jwL_nd_Vn3obLhZI0AbqaIIckfjHw2G4rnGzA_cFhTauR7GR4anQtaC71wBPXpbM7bqKlL-VJpCIe3vutwxVFvkQjN6KIGgkrbVwd5pIENrQKdMH8FxFBxpXTdQBO3SugTU_4GgsQo/s1600/GOPR0283.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a weekend fisherman, I can’t count
on perfect conditions every time I go fishing.
This weekend I faced post cold front conditions and muddy water from a
lot of rain the previous day. At least
the weather called for some warmer conditions, so I loaded up my Cuda 14 and
went to one of the local lakes near my house.
The bright blue sky and warmer air temperatures made for a nice day, but
the fishing was slow. I started the day flipping
heavy cover in 9-12 feet of water with a small finesse jig. I missed a few fish but couldn’t get any
solid hookups. I eventually worked my
way into a small, deep creek, and I switched to a jerkbait. After a few cast I connected with a decent
largemouth. It was suspended in 15 feet
of water.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt8j8cARAFbHALEXKSYP73dRywne7JNwOo5Ar2mwlCPawcmZf8_EzpMcUvL61U5JrCkBJCFiOyQgvU86IAGsb61S_w-zw7b-Vud2pzqgDZxG3N3GfCnWhkWM_dJwoxjLngwIlYoi3V2I/s1600/GOPR0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt8j8cARAFbHALEXKSYP73dRywne7JNwOo5Ar2mwlCPawcmZf8_EzpMcUvL61U5JrCkBJCFiOyQgvU86IAGsb61S_w-zw7b-Vud2pzqgDZxG3N3GfCnWhkWM_dJwoxjLngwIlYoi3V2I/s1600/GOPR0273.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I thoroughly fished the creek
but couldn't get another bite. I moved
to another shallower creek, where my Dad connects with a nice fish. After a
short fight he lands a chunky bass. That
fish hit a square bill crankbait in a craw pattern. I hoped a change would increase the action so
I decided to make a move and head way up lake to find some warmer water. I started fishing a large stump field. I picked up a small pickerel with my
jerkbait, and missed a few more fish on my jig.
My Dad was working his jerkbait in a small pocket when it was blasted by
a nice largemouth<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3QVxqeH6NnnYH3nbZemmk7iU4yvj2FJS1QGx6H3TKmsPVNAFDD_lTyijp3uWUEqLlp3gojocFoxbiEqjYJlBBWuCXbM_DmqVMynCegxcb-3M87VXKEq81N_VsT7mcUZTbGeJUJBuZwY/s1600/GOPR0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3QVxqeH6NnnYH3nbZemmk7iU4yvj2FJS1QGx6H3TKmsPVNAFDD_lTyijp3uWUEqLlp3gojocFoxbiEqjYJlBBWuCXbM_DmqVMynCegxcb-3M87VXKEq81N_VsT7mcUZTbGeJUJBuZwY/s1600/GOPR0282.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After a quick fight
he landed it and I took a few pictures.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This one was fatter and a bit longer than his first.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The fish kept me guessing the rest of the
trip and I couldn’t get another bite.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRxxXgRAq2QoI0ZwSrhgwppeGesKhtbpxT8OoEokOdjitrozfkVTwqfLzbCJ-FjIUvKs2b4-IPJRjmVbavH2s2viv_1mn6tGqWsrT-eqEDcRAOlcsmCIH2uMrw3zElkZ6zO2gdzBYZmI/s1600/GOPR0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRxxXgRAq2QoI0ZwSrhgwppeGesKhtbpxT8OoEokOdjitrozfkVTwqfLzbCJ-FjIUvKs2b4-IPJRjmVbavH2s2viv_1mn6tGqWsrT-eqEDcRAOlcsmCIH2uMrw3zElkZ6zO2gdzBYZmI/s1600/GOPR0280.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day I went to a smaller, shallower lake hoping for
a better bite. I fished my normal spots
without a bite. I switched to slow
rolling a spinnerbait and fished it down drop offs and near spawning
flats. I managed to pick up 2 small bass
and a pickerel.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4xC8OaoLHp6ikRZmiEeWg__zTJ3zQA91-pDKBqJNG63pm0FGpZlf2VoMFhWqSuYCFcOcYaScCwDPVBBHwc3BDxXQt9U9c4j2MchNe_l85rBhpXTQbIaaskZFTHn6fWLZ1oqR2jYL0XY/s1600/GOPR0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4xC8OaoLHp6ikRZmiEeWg__zTJ3zQA91-pDKBqJNG63pm0FGpZlf2VoMFhWqSuYCFcOcYaScCwDPVBBHwc3BDxXQt9U9c4j2MchNe_l85rBhpXTQbIaaskZFTHn6fWLZ1oqR2jYL0XY/s1600/GOPR0303.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fishing was slow but
the weather made for another nice day on the water. When you are fishing the action can’t always
be great, but slow days are what make you realize how special a great day is.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12155623967594030350noreply@blogger.com0