September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Clarkspoons Gold Classic Clark Spoon

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Clarkspoons Gold Classic Clark Spoon

"These spoons catch everything ! They work so good it's hard to try anything else love then even for trolling work like magic!! Gotta have them!"

"The standard of the Clarkspoon family"

The Clarkspoon company was founded in America in 1927 and sought to create a series of better saltwater spoons for offshore fishermen.  In the nearly 100 years since the companies inception, the company has created dozens and dozens of innovative new baits, including (of course) the original Clarkspoon, but also Flashspoons, Spoon Squids, Clark Caster, Mackerel Duster, Mackerel Tree, Trolling Sinkers and many others.  Their attention to detail and quality have allowed them to stay ahead of the competition 

The Clark Spoon original is a legendary spoon that has stood the test of time.  With a fast action and strong life like motion designed to be trolled or casted, this bait is a favorite of blues.  It's also a a hands down favorite for Spanish Mackerel, Striper, and other game fish.  They are proven for both salt and freshwater fishing.  

Equipped with special built-in swivel with red bead and reinforced strong, stainless steel hooks, the fast acting lures feature a bright finish and a fast live action flutter.  Rigged Silver Clark Spoon is tied with a 24-ft., 30-lb. test leader and a No. 3 snap swivel. Wound on a 4" wheel.

Available in both chrome and gold.

FEATURES:

• Original Clarkspoons
• Fast-acting with realistic motion
• Great for trolling or casting
• Chrome or gold plated
• Built-in swivel with red beads
• Stainless steel Eagle Claw® hooks
• Clarkspoon

August Freshwater Fly of the Month: Bead Nymph Psycho Prince

August Freshwater Fly of the Month: Bead Nymph Psycho Prince

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

Bead Nymph Psycho Prince
With a little variance in the usual color of a prince nymph, the psycho prince nymph offers trout and steelhead a slightly different look...something that they haven't seen before, and something that looks buggy. The caddis green psycho prince nymph can be effectively used to imitate most green colored caddis larva or pupa.

Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gibbs Minnow

Saltwater Lure of the Month: Gibbs Minnow

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

The Gibbs-Delta  "MINNOW" is definitely one of the most versatile fishing lures available today, It can be jigged, trolled or used as a casting lure. "Designed Flexibility" of this sterling silver plated lure allows the fishermen to achieve the desired action simply by bending the lure. The one piece stainless steel wire, 3 extra strong rust resistant hook and extra heavy stainless split ring offer maximum strength to land even the largest gamefish.

August Freshwater Lure of the Month: ZMAN ChatterStick 5” Blue/Silver

August Freshwater Lure of the Month: ZMAN ChatterStick 5” Blue/Silver

An excerpt from GearPatrol.com's "The Art of the Fishing Lure" to read the rest of the article on our blog at www.FishingEnthusiast.BlogSpot.com! 

I

f any item holds special mysticism among fishing gear, it’s the lure. Some anglers spit on them for good luck; many have favorites (my dad and I still call one spinner, which will be kept secret to protect innocent fish, our “secret weapon”); rules abound for their use, like “light on dark days, dark on light”. Or was it vice versa? There are spoons and buzzbaits, tubes and cranks, jitterbugs and streamers (and dry flies, wet flies, and a million other flies) to choose from. It’s a lot to keep track of.

It's understood that at their basic level, lures are deceptions meant to replace live bait, which are hard to gather and often expire prematurely, escape or are used up before the day’s work is done. But beyond that, a surprising majority of fishermen don’t really understand lures — and in this vacuum, myths abound. So we spit on them. And worship them. And generally pick them from our tackle boxes without much sense of why they’re the right choice.

And the lures (the good ones, at least) tend to work, maybe not every time, but on the whole — which, given recent findings about the intelligence of fish, is more impressive than we might have realized. In a recent study, biologist Culum Brown found that “fish perception and cognitive abilities often match or exceed other vertebrates.” Turns out they don't have five-second memories. More like a year, and maybe more. Brown has even written that certain fish species like the wrasse show similar tool use to primates and corvids (birds).

Fishermen have long known that fish are often smarter than they. But the rest of us probably haven’t given the lures used to catch these clever creatures their due. In fact, the best lures are really works of inventiveness, science, utility and even art.

Along those lines, this month's selection, the ZMAN ChatterStick is a very rare, hard to find, but devlishly effective bait.  ZMan's better know Chatterbait is heralded, but the Chatterstick is an equally effective bait for bass and other freshwater fishing.  Take em out on the water and try it out! Hopefully you can outsmart some fish!!

July Saltwater Lure of the Month: Logic Lures Scented Tandem Rigs

July Saltwater Lure of the Month: Logic Lures Scented Tandem Rigs

The Logic Lures Pre-Rigged Tandem Rigs feature Logic Lures' patented swivel hook technology, which allowed them to perfectly pair two lifelike PlastiX Flutter Tails, and produce the natural schooling action bass instinctively key in on. The patented Texas Twister Swivel hooks also keep the baits weedless so you can swim them through weeds and around structure, while still preventing line twist and increasing action.

 Each Tandem Rig comes ready to fish, and each bait also comes loaded with Logic Lures’ own Scent Formula iX. Tungsten sound beads provide additional fish attracting sound, while helping to keep the baits down in the strike zone, and 30lb fluorocarbon links it all together. Available in several colors, the Logic Lures Pre-Rigged Tandem Rigs are also completely reusable - just replace your PlastiX Flutter Tails.

It's best to fish this with a slower retrieve and slight movements to attract the fish.  The slightest movements of the rod will help to send the baits side to side across the water, making these even more enticing for the big boys to come after and create that beautiful swimming action that makes this a must have bait.  

Features

• Realistic swimming action
• Pre-rigged with premium 30lb fluorocarbon
• PlastiX  are infused with Logics own Scent Formula iX
• Weedless, rigged with our patented Swivel Hooks
• Tungsten sound beads
• Realistic 3D Eyez
• Bait Clips – baits stay on!
• Reusable rig  - just replace your PlastiX

July Freshwater Lure of the Month: LIVETARGET Frogs

July Freshwater Lure of the Month: LIVETARGET Frogs

In 2007, professional sportfishing guide, Grant Koppers, founded Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corp.

Koppers caught his very first gamefish when he was 8-years-old. He had joined his dad and a friend for a morning of casting spoons from a Lake Ontario beachfront. The quarry were Brown Trout cruising the shoreline, foraging on Emerald Shiners. Being only eight and the only angler to catch a fish that day, one would say that Koppers was officially ‘bitten by the bug’. Fueled with a new passion and exploding with energy, he crafted his own lure using an old kitchen spoon that same day.  In 1996, Koppers took his experience on his own to start a different kind of lure company – one with the finest crafted baits.  In 2005, he took the company to the next level by creating the first ever anatomically accurate line of fishing lures. They continue to fine tune their baits every year, continuing to dazzle their customers at every new bait that hits the market

This month’s Freshwater Lure of the Month is the LiveTarget Frog, a spectacular series of lures.  Weightlessly gliding left and right across the surface, the LIVETARGET frog series has all the attributes to attract BIG fish. Anatomical accuracy, detailed color and effortless action make this a first to the market, elevating the thrill of topwater fishing to a whole new level.

Use the hollow body in heavy cover. Twitch, Twitch.....SPLASH!

Young frogs are commonly found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs throughout the world. Frogs prefer the security of heavy vegetation, submerged timber and subsurface structure.

This popular bait is a favorite prey to:

·         Bass

·         Walleye

·         Northern Pike

The hollow body Frog is the perfect choice for fishing over weed choked areas or lily pads. The weedless design allows it to be worked over the cover without hanging up.

• ·         Astounding detail
• ·         Hollow-bodied frog
• ·         Precise spots, ears, front arms, and bulging eyes
• ·         Ultra-soft yet durable body
• ·         Better collapsibility for more hook-ups
• ·         Foolproof weedless design   

The detail here is astounding--you've never seen a hollow-bodied frog this realistic! Precise spots, ears, front arms, and bulging eyes. Ultra-soft yet durable body offers better collapsibility for more hook-ups, and the foolproof weedless design lets you chunk it into those water-thickets with confidence.

July Freshwater Fly of the Month: Crystal Bugger Black Beadhead

July Freshwater Fly of the Month: Crystal Bugger Black Beadhead

The Wooly Bugger fly pattern has to be one of the most productive streamer patterns to ever be created. Over the last few decades the wooly bugger style of flies have without a doubt accounted for more and larger fish being duped than with any other freshwater fly. The main reason for the wooly bugger’s great success is its ability to be adapted to catch virtually any fresh water fish that exists and to be used in all the different water conditions that may occur. From trout to bass, rivers to spring fed lakes the wooly bugger can just about do it all. The Crystal Bugger fly pattern is a relatively new addition to the wooly bugger family. 

Simple enough the crystal bugger boasts a flashy estaz body instead of the traditional chenille to spice things up a bit. This added flash coupled with the undulating action produced by the marabou tail in the water makes this fly a definite steelhead spring time favorite. Another of the key features of this fly is the Spirit River metallic bead head. This bead head provides the fly with the necessary weight to get it down on the bottom of those big deep pools where the big steelies like to hang out.

Fishing the bead head crystal bugger is relatively simple. If you are going to be fishing very cold weather cast this pattern to your target and let it dead drift drag-free down the river. Fish that are in these very cold temperatures become very lackadaisical and will not aggressively search out and chase down prey. Providing a slow subtle presentation with the crystal bugger will help keep your fly in the fish’s strike zone for longer providing you with a better chance of hooking into quality fish. In summer these same lazy fish will now be ready for a more active and rapid approach. Continuously stripping in the wooly pattern will have the head-heavy fly dancing up and down in the water column driving the fish wild.