The Fishing Enthusiast Blog

Thursday, October 20, 2011

October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Bivisible Badger

FishingEnthusiast.com October Freshwater Fly of the Month

Bivisible Badger

This month's Fly of the Month was chosen after reading through FlyAngler.com's piece compiled by Deanna Birkholm about the nostalgia that comes from older fly tying patterns. The bivisible is a classic fly that was introduced by Edward Hewitt in 1926 in his book, "Telling on the Trout". It has remained a standard attractor fly through the years either mimicing a skating caddis or a midge cluster.

The Bivisible was developed to use two contrasting colors. The darker colors are more readily visible to the trout while the contrast of the light against dark colors allowed the flyfishermen to see the fly on the water more easily. The use of palmering the hackle over the body is a old technique going back perhaps to the 1700's. Mr. Hewitt presented the first Bivisible as a Brown Hackle body with a White hackle wisp at the head. This pattern has been recognized as the Brown Bivisible.  Others used different combinations of hackles. Mr. Charles Merrill of Detroit, MI is credited with the Badger Bivisible sometime in the 1930's and Hank Wilson, a guide on the White River in Arkansas is credited with the Bulbous Bivisible in the late 1970's.

In his A Trout and Salmon Fisherman for Seventy-Five Years, 1948. Mr. Hewitt, in mentioning a few flies that are the most taking, includes:

"The Brown Bivisible with the white wisp at its head, which I myself introduced, although palmer flies somewhat similar had been in use for many years in England. The white wisp enables the angler to see the fly readily, hence the name I gave it - Bivisible because I can see it and the trout can see it. The fly in various sizes is certainly the most universally useful fly we have, and is perhaps more fished now than any other dry fly. Palmer flies are made in various colors and are called Bivisibles in tackle stores, but this is incorrect. The true Bivisible is brown, with a white wisp of feather at its head."

October Saltwater Lure of the Month: Bomber A-Salt HD4

FishingEnthusiast.com's Saltwater Lure of the Month:

Bomber A-Salt HD4

From BomberSaltwaterGrade.com

Bomber fishing lures has been producing some of the most innovative fishing lures since the early 1940's. Their lures are true and proven fish catchers. The company was founded just after World War II by two fishing buddies Ike Walker and C.S. Turbeville, who were searching for a more durable set of baits to fish with. It didn't take long for their sturdy line of lures to take off, and their little company quickly became one of the most popular lure brands in the country. They created classics like the Model A and the Long A, and have continued to innovate. Soon enough, the Bomber brand was being recognized as the company that built some of the most trustworthy lures in the tackle market.

The founders have always been into creating newer and stronger lures, and as the looked to expand their selection, they came up with the Bomber Saltwater Grade collection. This set of lures truly took them to the next level in the tackle industry. They have developed specialized tools for a savage environment, with stronger and sharper hooks, super-duty components, bulletproof construction, and bodies that have truer running characteristics, this new line of lures is the toughest to ever hit the market. They have created over 200 different options built especially for the ocean.

The Bomber A-Salt HD4 included as this month's Saltwater Lure of the Month is one of their best yet. They combined a "best-in-class" 350,000-modulus polycarbonate body set that boasts a tensile strength of 70MPA (or 10,200 lbs) and a puncture resistance factor of 1,200 lbs of hydraulic force - designed to withstand the crushing power that toothy saltwater game fish can deliver. The casting system is designed to provide longer and more accurate casts when conditions call for pinpoint placement.

Enjoy the lure and happy fishing!

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October Freshwater Lure of the Month: Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe

October Freshwater Lure of the Month: Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe

2-1/2 in. 5/8 oz Sinking lure.

Lipless crankbaits are some of the most hotly sold fishing lures in history. This family of lures has been known to catch everything from smallmouth bass and largemouth bass to crappie, speckled trout, walleye, and even salmon. And you can fish it all year round! With these lures you can fish in all seasons and a whole wide array of weather conditions.

One of the big draws to lipless crankbaits is how easy they are to fish. Sometimes called "idiots baits", it's been said that anyone with a rod and reel can catch a fish with a lipless crankbait. It's hard to say what is so enticing to the fish that chase these little lures. Many feel that the shape of the lure resembles the forage that bass usually feed on, namely shad and perch. Others feel it is the rattle that attracts fish in droves. The rattle was first introduced to the fishing world by Bill Lewis in the 1970's, and has spilled over into nearly every family of bass lure in existence.

With this knowledge in hand, the creative team at Yo-Zuri wanted to combine all of this into a phenomenally lifelike lipless crankbait that was made with all of the finest materials. Their Rattl'n Vibe was created as a true wake-up call to any fish in the area. With it's lifelike finish, strong treble hooks, and natural wiggle, this is a lure that fish want to destroy in the water.

Tips to Fish:

This is a fast-sinking lure that offers a tight wiggle, and is easy to control at any depth. It's a great lure to reach for when you've got a lot of water to cover. Cast it long, then burn it in to trigger the active fish. You can also cast the lure out and hover it over deep water, vertically jigging it to create that lifelike action. This lure dives to 20'. Throw it out and let that extra-loud rattle call the fish in!

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!

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Daddy Long Legs Reference

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.

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September Freshwater Lure of the Month: Booyah Buzz

September Freshwater Lure of the Month: The 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