Reviews & How-To's
LiveTarget Lures 3D Process Sets Them Apart…A Chat With Tom Chopin, Koppers Fishing & Tackle By Hal Abshire, Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler & Features Columnist Abshire: Let's start off by what is the name of the company and where you are located? Tell us who you are and what is your position? Tom Chopin: The corporation is Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corp. manufacturer’s of LIVETARGET Lures. We have a warehouse in Grand Island, NY and Niagara On The Lake Ontario. My name is Tom Chopin and I joined the company in August 2009 as the Office Manager. Abshire: Tell the readers about Live Target Lures? Tom Chopin: LIVETARGET lures were invented by seasoned, fishing guide Grant Koppers. The concept he created is to provide the market with the most realistic and anatomically correct crankbait. Where most manufacturers start with a style of bait and paint it to look like different species, we start with the species, such as the Bluegill, and build the different style of ‘tool’ staying true to the species shape. Each species of fish has a unique shape and so do our baits. A bluegill is a different shape than a crawfish and they are both different than a Blueback Herring. We currently have 292 different models covering Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Golden Shiner, Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Frog, Crawfish, Blueback Herring, Smelt, Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass.
Abshire: I noticed how life-like your lures are and the details that are done with each lure. Is this something that your company is striving to do with each bait that comes out? Tom Chopin: I think this is what sets us apart from our competition. We start with a 3-D tooling process and finish with a multi-layered painting process. This process gives a multiple flash point effect in the water. You can’t achieve that with a water slide transfer decal. As good as our baits look the performance is even better. Our baits run true out of the package, have premium Diachii hooks, and in each package there is a detailed tip and instruction sheet specific to the species and tool. Tom Chopin: ICAST 2010 was incredible for our growing company. We introduced a new hollow-body frog following our life-like concept and it won best new soft bait at the show. It has a really soft body and a custom hook for better hook-ups, incredible details from the paint down to the little frog fingers, and it is one of the easiest frogs to walk on the market. The orders for the frog are going through the roof so it is going to be an exciting year for us. Tom Chopin: We are working on new products now but we will be launching them at ICAST again. It’s a great place to showcase new products and get instant feedback from industry insiders. I’m already excited for next year’s ICAST, with the new concepts we are working on we are hoping to turn some heads once again. Tom Chopin: We have over 1000 retailers in North America and anglers can use the dealer locator on our website to find the one closest to them. Our baits retail in the $12-$14 range with a few exceptions for the jointed baits. Abshire: I noticed that you are an avid tournament angler as well. How has Live Target Lures made a difference in your tournament fishing? Tom Chopin: I love tournament fishing and having cutting edge life-like products is a great advantage on heavily pressured waters. In the north where I’m from the zebra mussels are making the water clearer and clearer and the fish are able to see baits better. Having a life-like bait helps get those hard to get fish to hit. As our company grows our line-up I’m adding more tools to my arsenal. The new hollow frog and walking frog models are definitely going to be on my rods next year. Abshire: Your company has a strong Pro Staff. Please let the readers know who they are and some of their accomplishments this year so far? Tom Chopin: We currently have 3 professional anglers on our Prostaff. Stephening Browning, David Walker and Byron Velvick. We couldn’t have written a better script to start the year off. Stephen was leading the California Delta tournament for the first two days and finished in 6th. Then the following week Byron won the Clear Lake tournament. It was great exposure for our young company. Stephen qualified to fish the Bassmaster Classic in February. David joined us this year and fished the FLW tour, but he also fished the BASS Northern Opens and qualified to fish the Elite Series next year so we will be well represented in 2011 with BASS. Abshire: Please let our readers know how they can get in touch with your company? Tom Chopin: Our website is www.livetargetlures.com, we will be launching a new site mid-December. They can find us on our Facebook fan page and we are available by e-mail at info@koppersfishing.com. Abshire: Is there anything else that you would like to let our readers know about Live Target Lures? Tom Chopin: We have a big announcement coming mid-December that we are very excited about but you will have wait until then to find out what it is. |
Good Reel Maintenance Saves In The Long Run
Anglers know how important it is to clean and maintain all of their fishing gear, and most are pretty good at doing that. As fishing schedules close after classics and championships, many clean up the boat and store it away safely under cover. The tackle box can be a great, wintry inside project in mid-January. Rods are usually tucked inside socks and stored to the side. The one thing too many try to get away with is skipping the total cleaning and maintenance of those reels. One local angler has offered to help. “I know one of the toughest winter chores to do is breaking down our reels and taking the time to thoroughly clean and re-lube them,” stated Wesley Motsinger, owner of Mots Reel Deal and a member and board member of the Triple H Bass Club. “The average angler is afraid that, if they take the apart, there might be extra parts left on the workbench once the reels are back together.” According to Motsinger, a lack of yearly maintenance means a shorter life for reels. “We use those reels pretty hard for eight to ten months of the year and then just store them in a corner. That’s even worse than the wear we put on them,” he noted. Motsinger is offering area anglers a professional maintenance service that won’t cost all outdoors. He understands the heavy wear and tear the equipment goes through each season, as he is out fishing nearly every weekend. He also knows how tight funds are. Motsinger charges just $15 for spinning reels and $20 for the more complicated baitcasters. He provides service for all makes and models. He has been doing this for the past five years and has finally decided to broadcast his efforts more. Reels can be dropped off at David Fritts Outdoors in Lexington. He can be reached at motsspeedshop@gmail.com. |
Wobblehead Lures May Provide The Upper Hand (Update: Prior to publication of this review, I gave Ralph Nolan a Wobblehead Lure to try in a Central Carolina Bassmaster event… he caught Big Fish with it that day!)
A trip to the local tackle shop can be both exciting and depressing at the same time. We’ve all been there many times… we plan a trip to a favorite shop to pick up the baits that have worked in the past and maybe that new item that will make an outing a dream come true. We walk up and down the aisles looking for the one lure that will win tournaments. Nothing jumps out at us, but we lay down our cash for a few we hope might produce results. Invariably they become more junk in the bottom of our boat. While covering a Deep Creek Lures event on Badin a month ago, owner Henry Turner was excited. Now Henry can get that way about his plastic baits and fishing in general, and I understand. I prefer his baits to others on the market because of the added flexibility they provide. There’s a lot more action in a bait made from virgin plastic than recycled. But, that wasn’t what he was dancing in the parking lot about.
What I saw as he slowly retrieved the lure about a foot below the surface was a snake. I have never witnessed such realistic action and found my interest climbing rapidly. The lure works best in top-water to four foot depths, depending on how fast it is retrieved. It can be moved along the bottom and seemed to avoid hang-ups during our casts. Being the skeptic about new lures that I am, I asked him to tie on one of his 8 inch worms. Could we reproduce the same realistic action with a smaller plastic bait? One cast proved we could… the shorter bait responded with as much enthusiasm as the longer one. Next step… Compare the action of Henry’s Deep Creek Lure with one of the top-name brand plastics. My bias towards Henry’s products was proven. Action was much less attractive. So, this was my tackle shop aisle. I get excited about something and, most often, am disappointed once I use it on the water. My first test was an Adam & Eve event on stubborn Tillery in August. Everyone knows that, if you can catch fish there during the summer, you have to be doing something right. If the Wobblehead Lures and Deep Creek Lures combo was actually of any value, that would be a good test. My wife (and Fishbyte webmaster) and I fished the north end of Tillery for the entire tournament. We spent an hour up near the dam around the island on the left and had a few bites, but nothing to get me excited. I steered the boat back down near the shores of Carolina Forest and that’s where we were kept busy for almost the rest of the day. Both of us spent the entire time throwing nothing but the Wobblehead and Deep Creek combinations in different colors. Bite was steady and we were kept busy with action just off the shoreline and docks. I ran my favorite, a silver Wobblehead and 8 inch worm about four feet deep. As the sun jumped in and out, I switched colors to match the conditions. With an hour to go, we headed back to the cove just off the Swift Island ramps and continued our action there. Finally, as other Adam & Eve competitors began to appear ready for weigh in, we headed to shore. About a week later, I spent a quiet Sunday morning on the same stretch of Tillery, but tried a number of other environments. The Wobblehead can be rigged with a rubber band for retrieving through grasses, and I wanted to try it with a trailer hook. Neither rigging affected the action and I found plenty of bite for the three hours I spent. A couple of fish came on the trailer hook, showing me the half-hearted bite could be put in the livewell. I want to spend some time with Henry’s baits geared for striper and catfish hooked on some of the Wobbleheads. I am guessing the will give the same over-the-top action to these baits. Wobblehead Lures LLC isn’t a big business and you’ll need to call them to order your items. You can see their products and get some good “how-to’s” on the site at www.wobbleheadlures.com. The lures come in a variety of colors and two sizes. Although I thought I could rig my own weedless and trailer hooks, I’ve tried theirs and they fit better and retain the action I like. Henry’s Deep Creek Lures baits can be found in numerous shops across the state, but you can place an order online at www.deepcreeklures.net. (Wobblehead Lures LLC and Deep Creek Lures supplied the baits for this field test. Fishbyte.Net has received no remuneration or sponsorship for the printing of this product review. We just like to tell you what we catch fish with!) |
Henry had come across some lures rejuvenated from an old mold and made by a couple out in Missouri. Various renditions of wobbles have been out there for years, but this one was far superior, he noted. And, he had the baits to make a superior combo. He grabbed a silver Wobblehead made by
All hearings begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled as follows:
For more information on the Commission’s new public hearing schedule, read “Commission Adjusts Rulemaking Cycle,” at www.ncwildlife.org. For information on the rulemaking process, download “From Proposal to Regulation” at www.ncwildlife.org. |
The Wildlife Commissioners of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted today to change the location for its District 5 public hearing on Sept. 8. The annual public hearing will be held in the auditorium of Central Carolina Community College, 764 West Street, Pittsboro. Previously, the District 5 hearings had been held in the second floor courtroom in the Civil Courts Building, Graham. District 5 includes Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Caswell, Alamance, Chatham, Lee, Person, Orange, Granville and Durham counties The public can also visit www.ncwildlife.org to comment online or submit comments by mail to 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701. For more information on the rulemaking process, download “From Proposal to Regulation” at www.ncwildlife.org.
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That's A Wrap… I have been asked by several people about the wraps that I have done on my bass boat and Chevy Silverados. The most questions asked are will it hurt the paint when it is removed, who did the design, who did the wrap and, most of all, How Much?
Let me first begin by saying if you get your boat or truck wrapped, it will not hurt your paint. In fact, my wrap protected my last boat from a lot of scratches. As most of you know, my design was made with water in mind. So, the entire design was done with waves on the boat and my tow vehicle as well. This is one of the best ways of promoting your sponsors. I advertised my sponsors 24/7 on land as well as the water. Believe me, sponsors love this and if you are looking for one more way to obtain a sponsor then I would highly suggest a wrap. Just look at NASCAR and why not BASS and FLW do it in a big way to advertise their sponsors. The price depends a lot of the design and how much they have to do. This is where you can ask a sponsor to either chip in or have the whole boat dedicated to them and have them to purchase the wrap for you. An average cost for a bass is $2,500 and up. I was able to have about ten or more on my wrap. I always ensured that a picture was always taken with a sponsor in mind and it would get to them sooner or later! My boat and truck wrap came from Military Wraps. Their address is: 3400 David Street, Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone # is 910 671-0008. The company was founded by Trevor Kracker. They are located right off of I-95 and located right beside of the Lumberton Airport. They operate out of a big airplane hanger. This makes it great knowing that your boat will be in a big building and out of the weather. My boat was the first boat they had done and since then Trevor and his team has done several boats, both fresh and salt water boats. Tournament fishermen like Greg Lahr, Jamey Caldwell and Will Blanton have had their boats and trucks done by Military wraps. If you don't know what design you would like to have, the staff at Military Wraps will sit down with you and help you. There is a draw back or two for having a wrapped vehicle and boat. The first few times when you are at a stop light and you feel like someone is staring at you kinda feeling! Well you are right, they are staring, but mostly at your wrap, not you. Don't be surprised how many people will come up to you and want to take pictures. I have been very blessed to have Military Wraps as a sponsor. They are a great graphics company. Give them a call and tell them Hal sent you! Hal Abshire |
June 11, 2010 For anglers and boaters looking for service, accessories, or maybe even a new or used boat, Uwharrie Marine located in Montgomery County provides a pile of options and experience. The marine sales and service operation, located on Highway 24/27 about a half mile away from the Lake Tillery Swift Island Wildlife Access, has top-certified mechanics on site.
Ron and Gracie Partridge, owners of the ten-year-old business, moved just a hop and a skip down the road from a first location about five years ago. They first set up shop in buildings behind the log cabin store at the head of River Road and 24/27 in 2000, but quickly outgrew those surroundings. Now they have room to offer a variety of Tahoe pontoons, Polarkraft aluminum, and Clear Water skiffs. Lot improvements and clearing have been ongoing since they erected the new building where they now call home.
The shop is certified as a Yamaha and Mercury engine repair and warranty work and they work on all makes and models. Their son, Michael holds a variety of top industry certifications and has been in the boat business for twenty years. “This is a family owned and operated business,” stated Ron. “We’ve grown this bit by bit and now provide service to Lakes Tillery, Badin and even High Rock.” Employees put on some miles as the do full service and even on-the-water services across the region. They employ seven people and can provide in-house financing.
“We’ve grown our shelves and store into the largest parts inventory in the area,” noted Ron. “When there’s an issue, it’s important to get folks back out on the water fast.” Being so close to the busiest landing on Lake Tillery, weekends are flat out for the family. To keep up, they maintain business hours of Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Their web site is http://uwharriemarine.com or they can be contacted at 910-439-9900. Uwharrie Marine is located on 4700 Highway 24/27, Mt. Gilead, NC. |
“Our repeat business has always been excellent,” stated the owner. “We give first priority to our new boat sales customers.” Believing in the “buy local” philosophy, the owners are big supporters of local school fund raisers as well as numerous other local organizations. “If we expect folks to buy locally, we need to support locally,” stated Partridge.Fishbyte.Net Kicks Off Strategies & Bites We all spend a lot of time pouring over magazine articles and web sites looking for fishing strategy tips and tricks, or looking for a way to fish an old bait in a new way. At Fishbyte.Net, we think the best experts are the ones we chase every weekend on North Carolina’s lakes and we know you’d listen to your fellow anglers! To that end, we are pleased to announce the start of our Strategies & Bites efforts. Here’s how it will work… send us a short email telling us how you use a bait. What strategy do you like to use while catching fish? If you are on a specific lake, how do you fish it? In other words, tell us how you catch fish! If you can, send us a photo of yourself as well and be sure to give us your name and where you live. Your email doesn’t have to be fancy… we’ll make it ready for publishing. We will post you and your Strategies & Bites on Fishbyte.Net and make you famous! Be sure to include your mailing address in the email (we won’t publish that) because we will choose the best one each month and send that winner an official Fishbyte.Net hat. Here’s your chance to be an outdoor sports writer! |
With the bass fishing season in full swing, I had the time to sit down and talk awhile about fishing with on of the true legends of bass fishing, not only locally, but across the country. David Wright has been in the elite list of bass fisherman to come out of North Carolina and best anglers across the globe. Think about it, some of the best anglers in the world have come from our state… David Wright, David Fritts, Steve Sink. The list is long. Go to any BASS or FLW event, anywhere in the USA, and any of the top anglers know who these Carolina guys are, and respect their ability to catch bass. To be honest with you, I didn't know that much about David, besides the fact that he is one of the best, and can be found at the top in any tournament he competes in. But, after talking with him, I got to know a little more about what drives this bass fishing legend today. Background: David Wright was born, and still resides, in Lexington, NC. He is 59 years old. He went to Lexington High School before heading to Appalachian State University. After completing college, David went on to be a teacher at Central Davidson High School for 30 years. David is now retired, and stated, "…all I do is mow the grass and fish!" David has been married for 37 years, and has one son who lives in Raleigh.
Nix - How did you get into fishing and at what age? Nix - At what age did you start fishing tournaments? Nix - What is your most memorable tournament win?
Nix - How many days a year would you guess you’re on the water? Nix - What is your favorite time of year to fish and why?
Nix - Who are your top five pro bass anglers of all time? There are so any things about him that make him so successful on the water. Just his knowledge alone about bass and bass fishing is second to none. You add that to 37 years of tournament experience… what you come up with is a man who knows bass fishing! Don't look for David to go away anytime soon. Now that he is retired, that means that much more time on the water, and he still has the desire and drive to become an even better angler, a goal I personally think he will achieve, easily. |
Some things in life just go together naturally, like salt and pepper, Batman and Robin, or peanut butter and jelly. Fishing and racing are two of those outdoor sports that just seem to compliment each other. After all, what angler does not also appreciate the sound of a highly tuned stock car driving by?
With the support of his mother and father, Clint began racing at the age of eight. He quickly amassed a pile of wins and several championships. By the age of 13 he was winning consistently in his Late-Model-Truck earning him a “Rookie of the Year” title. This year at the age of 14, he has moved into the highly competitive UARA-Stars Racing Series, which hosts 16 races across North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Clint faces the challenge of competing against several young legacy drivers in the UARA Series, who have close connections to Nascar. Despite this fact, Clint managed to win in only his third outing of the season. The King family resides in Davidson County, the heart of fishing and racing country. When time allows, the pair even hits the local waters together for some fishing action. For more info about Clint King Motorsports, view their web site at www.clintking.com. |
The father-son team of Fishbyte.Net has partnered with the father-son team of
It's wee-4:30 on a Saturday morning and you've got a fishing tournament on a Yadkin Chain Lake. Your faithful alarm clock forgot to wake you on time and you'll have to hustle along Highway 109 without breakfast or the day's supplies to get to your tournament on time. In past years, you've just set up a poor start to what could have been a good day. But now, thanks to a complete make-over of a decades-old business, you can turn your day around... all in one stop.
The Mountain Market has been a popular site in Montgomery County for years and has recently undergone drastic improvements under new management. Gerald Carter and son-in-law, Casey Bullins, have increased their fishing tackle line-up, broadened the selection of beer and wine, and added a full restaurant and bar onto the general store. Fuel pumps out front, where hungry engines and hauling trucks can be fed, add the final piece to an angler's needs. Breakfast, fishing gear, fuel, snacks, ice and even a some local fishing tips can all be had on your way to an event. “A lot of hard work and time have gone into this expansion,” stated Bullins this week. The project began well over a year ago with a full re-modeling of the outer shell. Over the next twelve months, patrons watched as magic happened to the interior. The transformation included adding the Boondocks Grill, an overhaul of the general store's layout, and added extras throughout.
The family-run business will offer a wide-variety of items on their eat-in or take-out menu. The grill will feature a salad bar and a small bar serving beer and wine. An outdoor patio and seating area is also being constructed. Boondocks Grill will be open from 5 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 5 AM until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Your day is saved and your cheap time piece didn't ruin your day... a quick stop at the Mountain Market gets you stocked up on everything you need for the tournament. The Fishbyte.Net crew will be waiting at the landing thanks to the folks who saved your day AND made it possible for us to be there to take your picture! Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and tell them thanks for supporting the coverage of your club! |
Anglers looking for a home made biscuit, a hot cup of coffee, an extra bait and a few new hooks, or maybe just some snacks and cold beverages to take on the boat, can now make one stop to get it all. The Mountain Market and Boondocks Grill, located on Hwy. 109N in Troy at the intersection of River Road, is a natural stop if you're headed to a favorite lake. And, after a long hot day on the lake, a cold beer at the Boondocks Grill bar might be just the thing to forget about the one that got away.
Bullins is an active fisherman himself. He often fishes the local Adam & Eve tournaments on the Yadkin Chain with his wife, but missed the last one as they were busy constructing the new grill. He also fishes opens and benefits and can be found in an occasional wildcat on the local lakes. Those skills add an ingredient not found at most stops... fishing info that might just add to the livewell. The Mountain Market has sponsored several fishing clubs and tournaments, including the West Side Anglers, and has recently cast support to all clubs by joining the Fishbyte.Net family. This sponsorship helps pay for coverage of all fishing clubs and events across the state.
Editor's Note: We ran a product review on the Troll-Eze recessed trolling pedal box last spring. After our Pro Angler Andy Nix started using one and gave it a good field test, we felt it worth bringing up again. Here are his thoughts.)
Now, think about this. You have both feet firmly planted on your boat, distributing all your weight evenly between both feet, you're not having to fight to keep your balance, so that makes the wind easier to handle. You're not leaned over on one side, and your back is not stressed. Which scenario sounds better to you? With all that being said, this is a product that you can install on your boat yourself, without having to take it to a boat mechanic to do. It took me, by myself, about twenty minutes to install and clean up afterward. All you need is, a drill, jigsaw, tape, magic marker, and a shop vac for clean up. It gives your boat a new sleek look. It doesn't matter if you stand up fishing, or you sit down, this product will surely Now for the best part. The Troll Eze product is less than half the price of the competitors price. So, not only are you getting the best quality part, your getting the best price as well. I strongly urge anyone out there who does not have this |
On a normal day of fishing, I am completely exhausted after I get done, however, I was shocked at how much better I felt after using this product. I have a history of back issues, two back surgeries to date, and that is always a problem for me when it comes to fishing hard all day. My back is killing me when I get done. Well, I will admit that, after fishing for nine hours straight using the Troll Eze recessed pedal, my back did not hurt a bit. 
Think about it... normally, you are leaned to one side, with all the weight and pressure of your body concentrated on one foot. Add strong winds that are ever so present in North Carolina this time of year into the equation. So now, you are fighting the wind, balancing yourself on one foot, and also carrying
Fishing season is underway and Highway 49 Sports is helping anglers get started right. The full-service tackle shop located on NC Highway 49 just beyond the Tuckertown Wildlife Access has pulled the usual price tags off much of its gear and is offering sales of the season. Known for its quality “hometown service” to fishermen, boaters and hunters, the shop has been providing gear for many years to area outdoor sportsmen. The three-day sale includes select Bomber,Rebel, Heddon and Cordell lures for under $2, Zoom and Daiwa products marked way down, name brand rods below wholesale and even hot dogs and drinks for $2.50. If you are anywhere near the Yadkin Chain those three days, or need a ride that'll be worth the gas, drop by Highway 49 Sports and give them a big Fishbyte.Net hello. You can find them at www.49sports.com or call 704-463-7053 for directions. Support Fishbyte.Net and support Highway 49 Sports! |
If you haven't reached your 26th birthday by May 1, 2010, you'll need to go back to school. New regulations passed by the NC Legislature last session (G.S. 75A-16.2) require successful completion of boater education courses for those under 26 wanting to operate a boat in North Carolina. The new law is bound to impact many anglers this season. Fortunately, courses are springing up in most every county. To see where you can enroll in a Boater Education Course, the Wildlife Resources Commission has posted the info in a search-able format by county: http://ncpaws.org/boatingsafety/coursesearch.asp The new law states: “On or after May 1, 2010 any person under the age of 26 must successfully complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater.” Info about Virginia's new regulations, which will be phased in over a period of years, can be found at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/boating-safety-education-requirement.asp. |
By Andy Nix Seriously though, like I said, treat it as a normal day you would spend on the water. Get up, go have breakfast with your buddies, then come back and get busy. I like to start by taking everything completely out of my boat. By doing
this, you can organize your tackle and probably eliminate half of it. I’m
sure most of you have made several trips to Bass Pro Shops or your favorite
tackle shop during the off-season, so you probably have a ton of new lures
and accessories to add to your boat. You’re going to need somewhere to
put these new, can't fish without, lures. While you have all of your tackle
laid out, take the time to sharpen a few hooks here and there. Small
things like this could make a big difference while you’re out on the water. As you clean and organize your boat and tackle, make a list of what you need and write it down. This way you won’t forget what you actually need by the time you are finished. Most of the time, you will come across half the things on your list before you are done, finding things you thought were lost! Separate and organize your jigs, crank baits, spinner baits, and plastics. Personally, I organize by size, but it may work better for you to organize by color, which ever is more comfortable for you. Go through your hooks' weights. Throw away any hooks that are rusted, dull, or bent. Hooks are very inexpensive, but I see a lot of guys use the same hooks over and over, then scratch their heads when they finally get a Now that you have all of your tackle out of your boat, take the time to give your boat a good cleaning. 3M makes a wonderful product called Finesse It. This cleaner/wax will remove any and all fading, scratches, and swirls you may have on your clear coat, and it’s safe to use on your boat. However, be careful, this is strong stuff. While you are buffing it off, it will cut thru your clear coat if your not careful. But if done right, it is the one product that will actually restore your boat's color. Even though many say it on the bottle, in reality, they do nothing but shine the dull, faded paint on your boat.
Lastly, but most certainly not least, spend some time on your trailer. After all, what good is a nice shiny boat, if you can’t get it to the lake. Check your wheel bearings; make sure they are packed well with grease. Check your spare tire, your wiring for your lights, brake fluid, and tire pressures. I cant stress enough how important it is to take care of your trailer. You cant get to the lake without it, yet it is the most overlooked, taken for granted, piece of equipment you own. |
Now that your boat is clean and the carpet is vacuumed, its time to start putting everything back in place. Put your tackle in your storage box in the order you will use it. For example, if you know you will start out by throwing crank baits, put
them in last, so they are the easiest to get to when you get to your favorite spot on the lake. Make sure your life jackets are in place, and fully charged if you use self-inflating jackets. Make sure all your clippers and pliers are lubed up and working properly, and that all your safety equipment is in place, i.e. boat registration, whistle, etc.
Free rod building seminars offered at 2010 International Custom Rod Building Exposition. The annual International Custom Rod Building Exposition is slated for February 20 and 21 in High Point, North Carolina. The 2010 event will be the largest in the event’s seven-year history with a greater number of vendors and exhibitors on tap than ever before. The “Expo,” as it has come to be known, is the world’s largest event for the custom rod building craft and features over 70 booths filled with every rod building item imaginable. Over 25,000 rod blanks will be on display and for sale at the 2010 event, most at special show pricing.
Featured seminars on both Saturday and Sunday mornings will pertain to building your own custom fishing rods. It is geared for the first time or aspiring rod builder and will teach you everything you need to know to successfully build your own custom rod. In addition to being the premier event for the world’s custom rod builders, the event also serves as the rod building industry’s yearly trade show. Additional information can be found online at the official “Expo” website at www.rodexpo.com. |
Continuing education is also a mainstay of the “Expo” with over 25 seminars and demonstrations on tap. The seminars are free with daily admission and run the gamut from beginning rod building classes to advanced techniques and methods. The seminar presenters include many of the world's best and most talented rod builders and include industry legends such as Gary Loomis (Founder G.Loomis, North Fork) and Jason Brunner (St. Croix rod designer).
The event opened at 10 AM on Friday, January 21st and a large crowd surged through the doors. Vendors stayed busy up until near the first day's closing at 9 PM. The show's exhibits were spread out between two large floor areas with one devoted to mostly boat dealers and another to angling interests. Organized by NC Boat Shows (www.ncboatshows.com), a series of gatherings happens in three of the major cities in North Carolina, as well as Richmond, VA in January and February.
According to Russell Gray, one of the organizers, even the weather cooperated. A rainy Saturday and blustery winds kept fishermen off the water and in the Coliseum. Large crowds turned out each day. NC Boat Shows moves on to Charlotte Convention Center today and runs through the weekend. One final event is scheduled for the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on February 19 through 21. All events last three days. For more information, visit the NCBoatShows.com web site listed above. |
If timing means anything, the Central Carolina Boat and Fishing Expo at the Greensboro Coliseum this past weekend hit it on the nail head. Staged just prior to the start of most clubs' regular seasons and after hunting seasons are done, the event drew large crowds of excited anglers all three days.
A combined event, NC Boat Shows brought both recreational boaters and anglers out. Numerous boat vendors and their company reps filled the largest floor area. A variety of pleasure, bass, and saltwater boats were on display. Booths of interest to anglers included a host of tackle shops, custom rod and lure companies, NC Wildlife, NC B.A.S.S. and other vendors.
Fishbyte.Net To Exhibit At Fishing Expo Looking to start your 2010 season off right and need some lake tips and bait tricks? Fishbyte.Net will be on exhibit at the Central Carolina Boat & Fishing Expo January 22 through 24 at the Greensboro, NC Coliseum. As a new season of fishing competitions draws nearer, every angler needs an edge and the show will feature the best of vendors from across the state.
One in a series of events, the NC Boat Shows group (www.ncboatshows.com) will roll across the state in January and February, appearing in many of the major cities. A schedule of those events appears on the front page of Fishbyte.net. Looking for a good luck charm to add to you boat? A limited number of Fishbyte.Net hats and decals will be available for purchase on site. Orders will also be taken. Here's your chance to get an up-close look at the boat that chases you out on the water during tournaments! Be sure to go to www.ncboatshows.com/discount.php/eventId/5 to print out your coupon for an entry fee discount! |
2010 is going to be a great season! If you'd told me back in November of '08 that the upcoming fishing season would have me covering as many as eight tournaments on one Saturday in June, I might have pulled the transom plug, trailered the boat, and slipped off to something quiet and simple. Plans for Fishbyte.net had begun that summer and we were busy researching and making contacts as winter rolled in. Simply put, we had no idea there were so many fishing clubs and wildcat groups out there!
When the last boat roars away, I can focus on my own boat. I wait until everyone is well gone before I start hauling gear from the truck to the boat. It's always best to stay out of the way and, well, it's a whole lot easier to slide the boat in when there's no line up to contend with. The day belongs to the anglers and I can't slow them down.
Plans are usually to be back on land all squared away at least an hour before weigh in. I can usually count on no one coming in before then and I have to reckon with recreational traffic at the ramp. They usually get out of the way when 20 to 50 bass boats roar in, but a single craft is in with the mix. Jumping from weigh in to weigh in as they happen at a ramp can't be choreographed. Plan it as carefully as I might, a good day slows it down. Some clubs are fast, some take all afternoon. Getting to know the character and process of each helps get me to the next one on time. It's when Fishbyte.net is covering multiple tournaments on different lakes that it gets real interesting. I look forward to the weeknight tournaments when I cover only one event.
2010 will be an exciting one for us at Fishbyte.net. We begin the season so far ahead of where we were a year ago. With over a hundred clubs and groups represented on our site, we know there are more to be found. You all have made us the #1 clearinghouse of fishing information and event coverage in the state. It's your encouragement and support that drives us forward. We know we are delivering something of value to you, and our commitment to supporting our clubs is stronger than ever. This site belongs to each of us and it will make fishing stronger in North Carolina. We owe so many of you our deepest thanks for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers for our son serving in Iraq this last year. He will arrive home in late January and step into Fishbyte.Net... and probably out-fish his old man on occasion. His presence will mean more coverage, newer ideas, and even more on our web pages this year. This is a family business and the gang will all be here soon. 2010 is going to be a great season! |
A typical weekend for us begins with our arrival at a boat ramp somewhere in the state at least an hour and a half before a scheduled launch. We need to get there before the first boats arrive so that the colored tape can be given out to every team in the water. What we've come to learn is that if we expect to greet one or two clubs at a landing, there's apt to be one or even three more not on our list. Fishbyte.net has five colors of tape to use and we've often had to have one club tie it to the trolling motor shaft and another to the foot control wiring harness.
Running around a landing area touching bases with multiple directors sometimes means helping coordinate, like it or not. It's part of my job to collect information, and letting each group know what another's plans are can smooth blast offs and weigh ins. Traffic control on blast offs and weigh in times wasn't something I expected to be doing, but it certainly helps everyone in the tournaments.
From then on, it's chasing boats around a lake, finding anglers tucked away in coves, and slipping in for the photo shoot without running over their fish. Some of them pose; some barely note my presence. Only twice all season did I have someone wave me off. The fish were hitting hard and they wanted no additional impact on the hole.
Get home, sort out the photos by colored tape, and get them uploaded to each club's Gallery... the day stretches well into the evening. If it's a Saturday, a little sleep before the same process is repeated on Sunday is always nice. Sometimes I just slept on the strange little boat of ours.One-On-One With Steve Sink
During this down time, I had the opportunity to sit down with someone I consider to be the best bass fisherman, period. Steve Sink has not only proven that he is the best by winning numerous tournaments, at High Rock and nationally, but is one of the most respected bass anglers in the country. His reputation is undeniable, and on top of that, he is a super nice guy. This man has more knowledge about bass fishing than most of us will ever come close to having. I made it a point not to “dig” for information while talking with Steve. I am not a big fan of trying to get information from other anglers. Most of us had to learn on our own. So I asked Steve some general questions about life and fishing. |
Owning a Triton just got a whole lot simpler for anglers in the central part of the state. According to Tommy Roach, owner of Badin Lake Boating Center (www.badinlakeboatingcenter.com), the full service marine dealer has just added the Triton fiberglass line of boats to their lineup. Already the only dealer in the state to carry the Legend line of bass boats, traffic to the shop just off Highway 49 is bound to get busy.
A rapidly growing dealership. Roach and wife, Danielle, just opened for business last summer. In July, the line up of custom-built, Legend (www.ridewithalegend.com) models out in front of the shop was nothing less than stunning. Prior to the opening, an angler would have traveled hundreds of miles to see such a sight, as the Badin Lake Boating Center folks were the only dealer in NC. Legend models, the only line that comes fully rigged for fishing, boasts custom paint schemes and standard features far above other manufacturers.
Located just off the intersections of Highways 49 and 8 just to the north of Badin Lake (248 Badin Lake Road), the new facility is a full-service boat center with certified mechanics on site. Customers visiting the store will find boating accessories, parts, financing, and even boat detailing available. Pick up and delivery services are also provided. The center also carries the Cypress Cay – Triton (www.discovercypresscay.com) pontoon boat line along with the Triton and Legend boat products. Hours of operation for the boating center are Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Stop by and check out a Triton, Legend bass boat, a Cypress Cay or one of the many used boats on the lot. For more information or to speak with Hop, Tommy, or Danielle personally, call the Boating Center at 336-859-2013 or visit their web site at www.badinlakeboatingcenter.com. |
“I am really excited to offer the full Triton line (
Hop Chandler, on-site manager for the dealership who has nearly seventeen years experience in the industry, showed off a 2010 Triton 18XZ Tournament model outside the showroom last week. “These bass boats are quality all the way through,” stated Chandler. “We have several more models on the way and I expect it to get even busier here.” The 18XZ was outfitted with a Mercury OptiMax150. “Offering Triton will broaden what we have available to anglers and everyone knows they are a top name in the bass boat business.”
Badin Lakes Boating Center is offering a $300 clothing package for any Triton fiberglass purchased between now and December 31st. According to Chandler, “If they are a Bass Federation Nation member, there is a special package that is up to $700 in cash and clothing for purchasing a new Triton/Mercury boat package.”Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Launches Governors Sportsmen's Caucus July 20, 2009 (Biloxi, MS) - The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation announced Friday the formation of a bipartisan caucus of governors that will work to protect the interest of America's hunters and anglers, and advance sound wildlife management policy. The Governors Sportsmen's Caucus was launched at the National Governor's Association Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, and will facilitate communication and information exchange between participating offices in support of policies and regulations that promote and protect hunting and fishing. At the official launch, members selected Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Gov. Mike Rounds (R-SD) as the inaugural Co-Chairmen and also selected Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) and Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D-WY) as the inaugural Vice-Chairmen. "The quality of life in this country continues to rely on the outdoors opportunities we provide, and we don't want these rights and freedoms taken away from the next generation," said Gov. Rounds. "I'm committed to do anything I can with the federal government and all of our state legislators," said Gov. Manchin. "Throughout our various states, we can really help each other work through important hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation issues." The GSC is patterned after the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and supported by CSF, both of whom have served the interest of outdoorsmen in the halls of Congress and federal land management agencies for 20 years. The GSC will work closely with CSF and state legislators in their home states and through the 38 state legislative caucuses that make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses. "Building upon the success of CSF and the Caucus in Washington and the NASC in state legislatures around the country, the addition of a Governor's Sportsmen's Caucus creates an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials," said CSF President Jeff Crane. "It's part of our culture, our tradition, our economy," said Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont. Sixteen governors from across the country have joined the caucus as inaugural members, including: Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia; Gov. Mike Rounds, South Dakota; Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming; Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia; Gov. Phil Bredesen, Tennessee; Gov. Rick Perry, Texas; Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi; Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana; Gov. Butch Otter, Idaho; Gov. Mitch Daniels, Indiana; Gov. John Hoeven, North Dakota; Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio; Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma; Gov. John Lynch, New Hampshire; Gov. Jim Douglas, Vermont; Gov. John Baldacci, Maine. "We're from all over the country. This group just goes to show that hunting and fishing, the sportsmen's life, really is America from one side to the other," said Gov. Barbour. |
Nix Knowledge: Practice – Is It Worth It? The answer is simple, ABSOLUTELY! In the world of tournament fishing, the one thing you will never be able to overcome is time on the water. Now, with that being said, it obviously comes easier for some than others. A high percentage of the men and women, who fish regularly in bass tournaments, have a full time job, so that makes it more difficult for them to put time in on a lake prior to a tournament.
I have been fortunate enough to have time to practice for most tournaments I fish and, when I do practice, I have one goal, learn something. I know that sounds elementary, but when I say learn something, I don’t mean catching fish. Some of the best practices I have had, I hardly caught anything. I eliminated a majority of areas, so I knew not to waste my time in those areas during the tournament. The most important thing to remember when practicing, or while fishing in a tournament, is to not waste time in dead water. If you have been fishing for a while, you have a natural sense that will let you know when things just aren’t right. Whether it’s the water temperature, or that the bait fish aren't in the area like you want them to be, you should know. If you are an experienced angler, go with your gut feeling and leave. I can’t tell you how many times I have started in one area and couldn’t put anything together, left , went to a totally different area and pattern, and immediately started catching fish.
If you only have a few days you can take off work for practice, use them in the spring and fall. Post-spawn bass usually stay on the same pattern through out the summertime and early fall, so if you caught them in a certain spot the weekend before, you should be able to catch them fairly close to the same spot the next weekend. However, fish change like the wind in spring and fall. The lures you use stay the same, but fish are forever changing locations, especially right after they spawn. I practice more during the time right after the spawn is over than any other time of year. These fish are the most difficult to catch. The females become extremely difficult to catch for a period of about two weeks when they finish laying their eggs, and they normally suspend making them even more difficult to put in the boat. They still have to eat, so at some point they will bite. You just have to know where they are. Don’t look at practicing the same as you look at a tournament. Try to find the fish during practice, and then start looking for similar places where you can use the same pattern. Practice is not about how many fish you catch, but about locating the fish and eliminating water that just isn’t productive. A lot of guys don’t like to actually “set the hook” during practice. I disagree. I want to know what size fish are in the area. A limit of fourteen inch fish on High Rock isn’t going to do anything for you but get your feelings hurt at weigh in, so you need to make sure you are on bigger fish rather than just “keepers”. If I find a place where I know there are big fish, I will spend all day in that area just to get five bites. You better make the best of those bites when you get them, because you probably won’t get another chance! So the next time you have a tournament, it might be a good time to “get sick” at work and have to leave that afternoon, only to immediately start feeling better when you get home and get the boat hooked up. Like I said earlier, even if you can only go fishing for an hour or two Friday evening, go. It could make all the difference in the world come tournament time!! See Ya on the water! |
Many things change overnight when it comes to catching bass, but the one element stays the same is that you will never consistently beat someone who has had two or three days of practice on a lake before a tournament. I see a lot of guys shaking their heads at weigh in, wondering, “How did they catch those fish”? Again, the answer is simple... the guys who “caught those fish” probably found those fish a day or two ago and stayed on them. You can bet there wasn’t a conversation at breakfast that morning trying to figure out where their first run should be; they knew where before you got out of bed the day before.
Make the best of your practice time! Again, if you have been fishing tournaments for awhile, you have a good idea where you need to fish and where your normally productive areas are, so don’t waste your practice time beating those places to death. Chances are, you will be able to put a few in the boat at your normal spots, so try to figure out new places to fish during practice. Even if you are only able to run down to the lake for a few hours the evening before the tournament, try to find a good top water bite or shallow bite late in the evening. There is a good chance those same fish will be there first thing the next morning before they get gun shy for the better part of the day.Abshire's Picks: What's In Your Boat? The first thing that I thought about when I chose this title was the commercial, What's in your wallet. I recently purchased a new 2010 Bass Cat Puma FTD from Greene Boat & Motor (www.greeneboats.com) in Spindale, NC. Now the task at hand was to try to put everything in the new boat from my old boat. A task indeed. I had an entire tackle shop in my old boat! As I was going through everything, I realized this would be a good subject to write about. It's time to clean up and clean out.
With the cold months coming on, I would suggest you go through your boat and get rid of the things that you haven't used all year. I suggest taking everything out at one time and see how much you have accumulated. Just don't do it in front of your wife! Then she will know how much tackle you have been buying!!! By taking inventory of what you need and instead of getting the shirt and tie from the relatives, why not give them all your fishing or wishing list to shop from? I do it every year. I emptied 4 Plano trays and combined them with 4 others. I know that I have now saved 30 plus pounds in plastics. This can slow you down on the water and help you on your gas mileage if you think about it. It is unreal what I have not put back in my boat this time. I just hope that I can now keep it this way! I label all of my boxes and number them as well. I put the label on scotch tape so that, if I need to change what is in the trays, I can always peel the tape off and put another on, writing on them with a Sharpie. The reason I number my boxes is that I will always know what is in them and by numbering them, they are in order and I will always know my 1-4 are hard baits and my 5-9 are plastics and jigs. Believe me if you try this, it can make a big difference when you or your partner are looking for something. You don't have to stop and get them out for your partner now that you have them labeled and numbered. On the safety side of the house, this is also a great time to check your fire extinguisher and ensure that it is fully charged. Check your throw cushion and life jackets as well. It could save a life or a ticket in the future! I also carry a small Tupperware box with first aid supplies and this is also a great time to ensure that everything is fresh in it. Hal Abshire |
Sauce Lovers Discovering North Carolina's CB's Hawg Sauce
From the get-go, I'll be up front. I am one of the ones who had some interest in trying one out, but hadn't stepped to the counter and laid down any cash. There's a lot of reading out there about the olfactory (sniffer) sense of fish, and I had read many of them with interest. It seemed to make sense that predatory fish might use their smell skills to hunt down food. I just hadn't heard tons of guys saying they used it.
I got thinking, maybe it was the difference between two different anglers throwing much the same baits in the same locations. Fishermen keep secrets, but they also fish the same holes and throw identical, off-the-shelves lures. Sure presentation is important; it make all the difference. Covering tournaments every week I see good fishermen doing the right things, but coming up empty handed or ending up with a small catch at best. I do hear plenty of guys talking about the bass that spit out their baits. It doesn't take much of a leap to realize what we throw tastes like plastic! We need to mask that taste! So, who uses bass sauces? I guess you could wander around a landing and sniff boats. Some of the residue has to land on a boat's carpet and it would certainly be noticeable. I guess spending a few dollars to try one would be a safer bet and probably not get those boat owners quite so upset. I field tested a North Carolina product made by a little company in Olivia, NC that I had heard some chatter about. CB's Hawg Sauce, www.cbshawgsauce.com, seemed to be the right candidate for some field testing. After all, wouldn't an NC company know a little more about NC bass than some outfit thousands of miles away? It was worth a shot, so I contacted the owner, “Crossbow”, and set up some product to review.
According to the owner, “There is no doubt my products will, in fact, put more fish in your boat. I worked many months, days and hours in my lab to come up with a product that is a lot stronger and will stay on longer than any other products on the market.” The package arrived just a day before I headed to the coast and the Neuse River for a few days rest. I brought it along figuring to do a test or two in salt water just for grins. Much to my astonishment, fish had no interest in anything I threw unless I used the hawg sauce. I could throw most anything in my armory at them with not even a bump, but when the sauce was applied, I'd get interest and caught a variety of fish. That got me interested in trying it out back home on the local lakes. What I was most impressed with was the fact that the sauce stayed on the bait cast after cast. I wasn't having to reapply it after a dozen or so throws. Most sauces are gone in that amount of time. My fishing time is few and far between with all the coverage assignments each week. I've had the chance to use the CB's Hawg Sauce on a number of occasions that ranged from just a few minutes to an hour or two at a time. First off I can tell you the catfish love it. Good golly I've caught a pile of catfish with it. Didn't take much “testing” to convince me of that. CB may call it “hawg” sauce, but it's “cat” sauce, too!
I've caught some bass when using it. The disbelievers would say I might have caught them anyway, and they might be right. I will say that on one day, after not getting a bite for the entire first hour, I began to use CB's Hawg Sauce and did catch a few after that. Again, might have been just a coincidence, and maybe not. If those who don't believe in using sauces have read this far, I haven't convinced them to buy any brand of sauce. Hopefully, for those interested or already using, they'll consider giving CB's Hawg Sauce a try. If there's a reasonable chance something will give me an advantage over bass, I'll use it until convinced otherwise. A quick look at their web site will show you a number of tournaments won while using the product. If you can jump that one spot from just outside a paying position in a tournament to “in the money”, you've made a big step. Visit www.cbshawgsauce.com and do some investigating. Send Crossbow an email at crossbow@cbshawgsauce.com and ask him some questions. Do tell him I sent you! You'll see all his offerings for sale via his web site, but there's a good listing of dealers across North Carolina there as well. I think you'll find one of your favorite bait and tackle shops listed. |
This review is only for the guys who use sauces to find the extra bite. If you don't believe all the bass sauces make any difference, this review isn't for you. But, if you've been thinking about trying one out, or already use them, you might be interested in reading on.
Abshire's Picks: Take your G-Splash to School
Bass tend to start moving to the shallow areas more in September and October. They are starting to fill their bellies with shad and anything else that gets in their way! This is when I like to start throwing top water baits and watch for the action to start. I just took a guy out on a day-long, fishing trip that he had won with me through a promotion with CC Top Shop in Fayetteville, NC. The promotion took place in July of this year. When I met Mike, the first thing he told me was that he had never caught a fish on a top water plug. I knew that July would be tougher with the heat the way it is during the summer. So, I told him to be patient and we would go when the top water bite would be better. By the way, Mike got his wish. He caught his first bass on top water plug. He worked hard at it and enjoyed watching a bass come out of nowhere and slam his bait. Not only was the bass hooked, but now Mike knows how and what to do for his topwater fishing!
Now when it comes to top water fishing, the first lures that I think of are made from Lucky Craft. My favorite top water bait is definitely the Lucky Craft G-Splash and my second in line would be the Lucky Craft Gunfish 115. What I like about the G-Splash is that it spits when you pop it, not like other baits where you just hear a popping noise. If you need to work it fast, you can with no problem in case you get into a school. I look for fish schooling up on baitfish, if you are lucky to find them! I put the G-Splash to use in a hurry if I get in a school. The problem is this time of the year your baitfish will move around and the bass that you find in practice will most likely be gone the day of your tournament. Why, because the baitfish are moving, so guess what, Mr. Bass is going to be following his next meal around and he is not waiting for you!!! My second choice is the Gunfish 115. This bait will make them come to you if you don't have a lot of baitfish around you. Marty Stone, BASS Elite Pro, once told me that the Gunfish was like a top water bait on steroids! I take this bait and walk it like a Sammy top water bait. It is more slender in profile and will twitch up and down and sideways. It will drive the bass crazy. When the bass hit this bait, they will try to kill it!
Remember, during this time of the year, you have to be willing to move around a lot to look for the baitfish. A lot of times you will see the balls of baitfish moving in and I start looking for either a Wolfpack moving in or a lot of times you will see a v-shape in the water moving around. When you see this, believe me something is getting ready to get eaten! This is when you should pick up the top water bait and help get them stirred up. Speaking of Wolf Pack, a big congratulations goes out to the NC State Team for winning the 2009 College Bass National Championship on the Arkansas River. Take a look at the Lucky Craft G-Splash and Gunfish 115 when you go to your favorite tackle store or go to http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/default.htm, and click on USA. Believe me, these baits are worth the extra bucks that you might spend. Visit me at my revised website at www.liprippin.com and take a look at what I have been doing on the water. |
Badin-Tillery Evening Groups Field Test Deep Creek Lures Products I read a lot of product reviews. Seems there are hundreds of sure-fire gadgets and gizmos out there that guarantee you'll win every tournament you enter, but most take your money and leave you with an empty live well every time. A few seem to live up to their promises. I had heard a bunch about Deep Creek Lures, http://deepcreeklures.net, plastics and decided it was worth a test. But, how do you go about giving a fair test to a product in the middle of the summer?
Sometimes fishing is fickle. You can take the best product out on the water and sling it all day with no luck. Or, you might happen to hit it right and the lure seems like a miracle. When I do field testing of a product I don't have an entire season to use it; time would be a great way to tell if a bait is worth the cost. For Deep Creek Lures' trial, how was I going to get that time factor in? One simple idea gave me the answer. Deep Creek Lures sent me a box of their latest plastics. I knew when the box arrived there was something different inside. It smelled funny. I suspect the Post Office was most happy to be rid of that parcel! Inside was a pile of plastic baits of every shape, color, type and smell. Garlic... lots of garlic emanated from the bags. I took the entire lot to the Friday and Saturday Nights on Badin and Tillery clubs and handed them out. This is a crew that hits the same waters every week and includes some real talent. If anyone could judge the worth of a bait, it would be these folks. The event was their all-nighter on August 1st that would have the crews going at it from 11 PM to 7 AM the next day. The anglers gobbled them up before blast off reading the various bags and sniffing them cautiously. Using something that didn't work meant not finishing in the money, and this group was competitive. I watched boat teams opening the bags and hooking them on their rigs. They'd be brutally honest at the end of the evening and over the next couple weeks. Most of them wanted to try something black, but settled for other colors when that shade ran out.
The result? It wasn't a good night of fishing for anyone. Bag weights continued to slump and they were on Tillery, not noted to be a good bass lake in summer months. The highlight, however, was when Big Fish was weighed in for the night early the next morning. Steve Dyer of the Southfork Bassmasters, an angler who often slips over from the Concord area, nailed the solo biggy on a Deep Creek Lures bait and finished in second with partner, Frank Arnold, on the night! He caught it on a 7.5 inch Green Pumpkin Curlytail. “I threw it up next to some weeds and that bass took it hard,” stated Dyer. “He was on solid because he wanted all of it.” The Curlytail is noted as a great plastic to be used on a Carolina rig.
A week later, we heard from Ronnie Blankenship, who was thrilled with one particular Deep Creek Lures bait. He had been throwing the Chartreuse Scented Stump Thumper and swore by them. Blankenship has finished in the money nearly every week this season and is considered one of the best on both series. “I'll always have some of the Deep Creek baits on the boat,” he stated. “I've been catching all mine on that Stump Thumper.” He spoke of it in front of many in the group, and he doesn't often speak his mind.
“If Ronnie says it works, you know it works,” stated Todd Street, co-director of both series. “He knows what he's talking about and he can prove what he says.” A number of the other boats continue to use the baits during the weeks when bass seem to have little interest in anything. Each of those anglers know it'll happen once the fish begin to feed in earnest again. As for our field test... during the worst months of fishing, by some of the best anglers in the area, over a number of weeks... I'm convinced. When I look for plastics off the rack, I'll reach for Deep Creek Lures. The yellow bags will be my pick. If they work for these guys in the worst of conditions, they're a good choice. If you can't wait to get to a fishing tackle shop, go to www.deepcreeklures.net and buy some online. The postman loves the smell... really! |
Abshire's Picks: Corn Or Gas At Your Next Fill-Up? The Federal Government mandated the addition of ethanol in gasoline in 2006. We didn't think much of it then, but now boaters are concerned as more outboard motors are breaking down. It does make me think a lot about what I am putting in my 225 outboard at every gas station that I pull into now!
I have started filling up with 92 or 93% octane fuel to help eliminate problems. Plus I have been adding a fuel additive from Protect All. I talked with Junior Nance owner of Pit Stop Marine. He suggested staying away from the 87% octane and go to 89% octane or higher for the added additives. The 89% octane burns cooler than 87% octane fuel. Nance sells the fuel additive, PRIG and tells me that he purchases it by the cases and can not keep enough of it in stock. Another fuel additive on the market is Stabil. It is now making an additive to help with the ethanol situation. Each of the major outboard companies offer gas treatments. Again, check with your local boat dealer or contact your outboard manufacturer to see what they suggest you as a boat owner can do to prevent a possible motor breakdown. Nance stated that he is seeing more outboard problems with fuel problems this year. You can contact Junior Nance at his website www.pitstopmarine.com or by phone at 919 639-4869. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has set up an Action Alert link on its website at www.nmma.org. This will allow you to send a prepared opposition e-mail directly to the EPA. Boaters, we all need to be heard or you will soon be seeing the possibility of Ethanol 15 coming to your nearest gas station!!! Reviewed by Hal Abshire, www.liprippin.com |
What is ethanol? Ethanol is made from corn or cellulose. This causes engines to run hotter and less efficiently. Ethanol will absorb water. Your boat's fuel tank is vented, this will allow air to continually breath in and out. This is bad if your boat sits for weeks. The ethanol can cause phase separation. This happens when fuel is the top layer, while the ethanol and water are in the bottom of the fuel tank. Well guess what, the fuel is drawn from the bottom of your fuel tank and now your engine has the possibility of getting more than fuel..... You can check with your marine dealer for more information on this.
One thing you should know is that fish are naturally attracted to blood. They can see red and this means an injured bait to fish. Remember... the weak get eaten really fast in the underwater food chain! I also use the Bleeding Bait Hooks on my spinnerbaits and buzz baits as well. One tip: When you are using these two baits and you are not in an area where you can get caught up a lot on structure or anything else, try turning the trailer hooks upside down. It will be opposite from your hook on your baits. It will give you an advantage over the fish that you are trying to put in the boat.
Get Ripped, |
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Hal Reviews Tru-Tungsten Weights
The design of their weights will allow you to penetrate cover much easier than traditional weights. During a strike, the tungsten's hardness keeps bass from holding onto the weight, causing a better hook-up ratio for you. Their weights are insert free. This maximizes the sensitivity and allows a better pegging on your line as well. How many times have you felt the roughness around your traditional weight and thought, what is this doing to my line?
Tru-Tungsten weights are composed of 97 percent, pure Tungsten. This is why their weights are so small in profile. They allow you to feel a greater sensitivity while fishing with them. Most of all, I believe that Tru-Tungsten weights have helped me detect more bites than I normally would have felt before.
To me the biggest advantage to using Tru-Tungsten weights is the profile of the weights. By having a smaller profile, I have fewer hang-ups. I can penetrate through grassmats with more ease. I also employ the colors of their weights to my plastics. Whatever advantage I can use to catch another bass in a tournament or when just having fun, I want it!!! POINTER: When I throw a plastic with a Tru-Tungsten weight on it, I will always try to have a bead on it to attract more bass. I believe that the bead clacking against the weight allows the fish to find the bait faster, plus I believe that it makes the sound of a Crawfish clacking their claws together. Tru-Tungsten makes a fantastic bead called Peter "T" Force Bead. It is coated with Duraseal and is shatter proof when using Tru-Tungsten weights. These beads are a lot of louder than other beads that I have used in the past. Try the Peter "T" Bead along with a Tru-Tungsten weight and see what a difference these two products can make for you on the water. |
My fish see RED..... If you look at most of my crankbaits, you will find a red treble hook on the front of each bait and some will have both hooks in red. I fish Daiichi Hooks from Tru-Turn Industries (
I have been asked about the red hooks and how come certain lines were red and why they disappeared under the water, but not the Bleeding Bait Hooks. My answer is quite simple. The reason is the lines are transparent and the hooks are metal and won't let light through them. I have done seminars at Bass Pro Shops and showed people how the lines would disappear but you could still see the Bleeding Bait Hooks. Their water is gin clear, so this gives you a good birds-eye view of everything.
You can go to 
Tru-Tungsten... is it worth the extra bucks, or should I say, are Tru-Tungsten products worth the extra fish? I have been associated with Tru-Tungsten (
A Great Addition To Your Boat And It's Pocket Change
June 23, 2009
When wading through the piles of fishing gear and accessories available these days, I have to work hard to get beyond the glitz and fancy of something. Failing to do that means I end up with worthless junk and less money in my pocket. There are two criteria I keep in mind when looking at possible purchases... will it really catch me more fish, or will it actually save me from an ongoing frustration when fishing. The amount I'll spend is related to the chances of upping my fish catch or how big a frustration it'll make go away.
Dang, I just found a great one! Here's the picture... you are competing in your favorite fishing tournament and luck is on your side. You begin to catch fish, but all the livewell buoy lines you have on your boat are stored upfront and are a tangled mess. You have to take precious fishing time while sorting them all out. You've just found a great hole and now you are floating by while you get your first fish in the livewell. Maybe your buddy caught them all.
Picture two... another good day on the lake. There's five fish in your livewell, but they are all tangled up in the long buoy lines and can't move around. One or two are dead because of this. You just lost out on a competition payday when a few dollars invested would have brought you a win.
There's an answer and it's so inexpensive, you'll wonder why you hadn't used it before. The Cull-Buddy system (www.cull-buddy.com) is designed to be attached on the lid of your livewell. Problem number one resolved... you now have more room in your other storage compartment! The rugged rack takes only minutes to install and puts every buoy line where you need it, when you need it... right there in an open livewell. You're back fishing in seconds. You can smile at your fishing partner, knowing he didn't catch all the fish while you battled gear.
Your present lines are often buoyed with Styrofoam, causing the fish to be forced upwards in your livewell. Eventually they fall onto their sides and their health declines rapidly. Your lines are also too long. Fish get tangled and can't move around freely and, again, their health goes belly up.
Spend $34.99 and a few bucks shipping. I'd advise going online and buying one before this company realizes they are charging too little! The units are heavy duty, install simply and will resolve a bunch of issues on your boat immediately. Heck, they could even earn you money when your fish stay healthy for weigh ins. Visit www.cull-buddy.com to see how they work and why they work. You spend a lot of money getting fish in the boat; invest a little to fix some problems once they are there.
