Wednesday, September 28, 2011

September Fly of the Month

September 2011 Fly of the Month: Daddy Long Legs

The Daddy Long Leg fly is an ancient fly dating back to the 1400's.  The very historic Fly Fisher Cotton mentions this fly in his book "The Compleat Angler", although the name that he uses in the book is "Harry Long-Legs".  The fly is also mentioned in one of the first fly fishing books ever written in 1496, called The Treatysse of Fysshynge with an Angle" (clearly spelling wasn't a top priority!)  and written by the Abbess of Shropshire, Dame Juliana Berners.  Back in those days, the sporting men would catch the actual natural insect and attach it to their hook.

Today's fly fishermen, however, prefer to use the artificial imitation.  Over 300 different species of crane fly populate all kinds of water throughout North America.  They are more popularly known as "daddy-long-legs" but are properly classified as part of the Tipulidae biological family.  These "daddies" are a very familiar site at water side at the tail end of summer - mainly early August through early October.  It is around this time that they get blown onto the water by the fall breeze, and when they do, they struggle to become airborne once they fall in.  It presents a very appealing snack to a trout, and they respond quickly when they fall in.

To take advantage of this, take your Daddy Long Leg fly to an area where trout activity is obvious on the surface.  It is best to dunk the fly well in floatant.  Then you wait for the fish to find it.  When you do get a take, don't strike right away, as the trout is going to try to drown the fly first before finally taking it in it's mouth.  Wait for the fish to swim out with your line, then lift your rod high to set the hook and bring him in.  

These flies are best for trout, but can also be used for sea trout and salmon.  They are especially good for windy day river fishing, as that is when many are blown into the water, priming the trout for your fly and big catch.  

Now get out their and fish! 

Join the fun at www.FishingEnthusiast.com!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: The Pencil Popper


Pencil Poppers date all the way back to the 1940's, when an old time plug maker by the name of Stan Gibbs from Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts was trying to create something that would cast further out than any of the other lures that he had at the time.  The business that Stan created out of his own curiosity and necessity is still running today, though it has changed hands several times since he sold it in 1972.

Stan was known for several different specialties.  He focused on pencil poppers (3 1/8 oz) that he designed to give him an edge in the Cape Cod Canal, his plug testing grounds.  He was also responsible for innovations such as "Cast-A-Lure", Mackerel paint finishes, differently designed bottle poppers, and the California special pencil popper - which at 5+ oz was one of the heaviest pencil poppers created at the time.

While he originally was just creating these plugs for friends and family, the demand quickly grew for these poppers that could "cast for miles".  He gained popularity and respect, and before he knew it his little company was producing hundreds of poppers every month.

Stan's company really took off in 1945 when he visited New Jersey.  The fishermen there had only been used to slinging bucktails, tins, and some very light wooden plugs.  After a few had the chance to try Gibbs' pencil poppers, they raved for days about how the poppers could get out further and cast better in strong winds.  They began to see that the pencil poppers gave them an edge, and the rest, my friends, is plug building history.

Tips:
The pencil popper is perfect for Saltwater top water fishing for any gamefish! Works for BIG stripers, bluefish, Tailor, Queenfish, Giant Trevally, Tuna, and many more.  Fast-taper rods with long butts are advisable for working pencil poppers. Use your wrist more than your arms.  The trick is to brace the rod butt against your thigh and apply motion with a slight wrist action. The wrist action creates a side-to-side splashing motion in the popper that doesn't require as fast a retrieve and can be slowed even further as the plug nears the boat.

September Freshwater Lure of the Month: Booyah Buzz




WARNING: THIS BAIT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!

This month's bait is the Booyah Buzz, part of the family of buzzbaits better known as "Heart Attack Lures"!  Why are they called heart attack lures?  The bait is designed to buzz along the water as you slowly trail it behind you.  The bait's gentle hum can lull you into a trance. Everything is so quiet and peaceful.  And then all of the sudden, "WHACK", a big bass has tried to swallow that bait whole.  I guarantee your heat rate will skyrocket! It is truly one of the most exciting baits on the market.

The Booyah Buzz was created by the Booyah Bait Co. Technically, a buzzbait is a metal-headed lure with a rotating propeller on a wire arm, similar to a spinnerbait. This kind of a lure is designed to run along the surface.  When a fisherman casts it out, he then can buzz it over stumps, logs, brush, grass, docks, and other shallow cover.  The sound lures the fish out from underneat.

Professional Angler Bernie Schulz of Gainesville, Florida uses this buzzbait when competing on the Bassmaster tournament trail.  "A buzzbait is good for covering a lot of water in a hurry. I use it when I think bass are feeding on or near the surface. Also, it's good for locating concentrations of bass that may be worked more efficiently with a slower lure like a plastic worm or a Slug-Go."

"And one more thing," Schulz went on. "A buzzbait is a great lure for catching big bass. Tournament fishermen use it for culling smaller fish after they've caught a limit. I don't know why, but a buzzbait definitely produces quality bites."

One final tip on the buzzbait: Rig another rod with a plastic worm or a Slug-Go, and keep it handy. Then, if a bass boils on your buzzbait and misses it, cast back with the buzzbait again. If there's no strike this time, make the next cast with your followup lure, and let it sink. Nine out of 10 times that bass is still there, and he'll inhale a bait that drops by his nose.

Enjoy the Booyah Buzz and Happy Fishing! Let me know what you catch!

David
FishingEnthusiast.com







Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Look Behind the Scenes at FishingEnthusiast.com

My Helpers, Louise, Samantha, and Raymond

Boxes getting stickered

Boxes getting stuffed with fluff, getting ready for the lures!

The Lures as they arrive. I open each one and individually place in boxes to the delight of every fisherman out there!