November Freshwater Lure of the Month: Rebel F10 Minnow

November Freshwater Lure of the Month: Rebel F10 Minnow 

It is hard to believe that it was 50 
years ago that Fort Smith, 
Arkansas, resident George 
Perrin saw the potential of 
plastic fishing lures and 
created the first Floating 
Minnow. 

Perrin had grown frustrated 
with the wooden minnow 
lures on the market. They 
were inconsistent, dove to 
different depths and ran to 
the left or right, and with 
use they took on water, 
which killed the action. He 
reasoned that he could 
make a better one out of 
plastic. 

He was right; unlike the 
wooden lures of the day, 
every one of his Minnows ran 
true right out the package, 
dove to the right depth and was 
tough enough to handle giant 
fish. 

Perrin established Rebel, 
named after the mascot 
of the high school his 
daughter attended. 

That original lure, the 
Rebel F10 Minnow, is 
still catching fish half a 
century later.

When the Rebel Minnow was born in the early 1960's, a standard of excellence was created. The same commitment to quality and craftsmanship that was established then is alive today.  Rebel minnows are available in a variety of fish catching sizes ranging from panfish fooling ultra-lights to heavy weights designed to handle brutes like muskie, pike, and many saltwater species. Most sizes are also available in a lazy summer jointed model that scores of anglers have relied on to bring most hard to catch trophies to the landing net. Great for walleye, pike, striped bass, trout, muskie and bass fishing.The 3.5" Rebel Minnow (F10) was the first hard plastic Rebel lure produced. Its success came almost overnight. Demand quickly grew for other sizes and styles of the now legendary Rebel Minnow. For traditional, dependable, true-running action, nothing compares to the one that started it all — the Rebel Minnow. The Rebel Jointed Minnow Fishing Lure has all of the same great qualities as the original Rebel Minnow, but with a ‘broke’ back.

• Delivers straight-running stability at any speed
• Tight, lifelike action and high-speed trolling
• Cranks from 5' to 7' under the surface
• Trolls at 13-1/2'
• Ideal for targeting striped bass, salmon, & trout

November Saltwater Lure of the Month The Bomber Badonk-A-Donk

FishingEnthusiast.com's November Saltwater Lure of the Month

The Bomber Badonk-A-Donk

Fishermen often come up with crazy names for their baits.  Sometimes the name comes from thorough brainstorming sessions.  Other times, it just happens!  Lures and baits out there have names like the “Near Nuthin, the Heddon’s Zaragossa and the Zara Spook.  But there is one lure out there with such a unique name that I had to dig deeper after reading about the rave reviews in Sport Fishing Magazine: the Badonk-A-Donk.  Why the heck is it called that?

It turns out the word “badonkadonk” is a slang term for the behind of a woman – often a curvaceous booty.  What does that have to do with fishing?  Well, since this particular lure wiggles from side to side across the water, it kind of resembled the sashay of a badonkadonk! Kim Norton, the Pradco Saltwater Division Manager came up with the name.  They then capitalized the “A” in the middle of the word because it is a Pradco trademark that they use in other lures, such as the model A, Flat A, and Long A.

Saltwater fishermen rave about the Badonk-A-Donk lure because of the weight forward design, which makes it cast like a bullet, which is a big bonus when trying to stay off spooky fish.  The key is to use your imagination with this one – make it live up to the name! Make it move fluidly with a “walk the dog” action or “slow dancing” method. 

Tips: To maximize action and lifelike attributes it is beneficial to utilize a loop knot (bowline) when utilizing topwater baits like the Badonk-A-Donk. Ensure that the loop knot is properly tied to not interfere with the first treble hook. Anglers unknowingly tie the loop knot too large, resulting in fouled baits when walking the dog. The breaking strength of the loop knot, coupled with a quality drag system provides the best shot at the fish of a lifetime when throwing topwater baits.

November Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

November Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Fishing Guide's Top Selection of 2013!!

There are over 600 mayfly nymph species, of which most are brown, and very similar in appearance to the pheasant tail nymph. Originally tied by Frank Sawyer, the Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the oldest of modern nymphs. A few good wrinkles have been added over the years, such as the peacock thorax, optional beadhead, etc., but when you peel them away, it's still Sawyer's elegantly simple, generically suggestive, devastatingly effective nymph. this pattern has been tweaked over the years, with a bead to sink the fly and catch a trout's attention, and flash to appear like an emerger. 

The Pheasant Tail nymph is one of the most utilized nymph patterns in the history of the sport for the simple reason that it works almost anywhere. 

The heavy metal Nymph-Head Pheasant Tail Flashback-Olive that we are featuring as this month's FishingEnthusiast.com Freshwater Fly of the Month enhances traditional nymph flies. These fishing flies catch big fish. With the extra-heavy tungsten bead head and chemically sharpened hooks, you can't beat the quality or success this fly brings. 

The Nymph-Head fly portfolio is designed to be a more realistic and attractive option to a series of proven fly patterns. The most successful trout flies are fishing flies that can imitate a wide variety of insect life. With already successful patterns like the Copper John, Pheasant Tail and Hares Ear as the base for this category, and now you can Nymph-Head tungsten beads to that mix. Not only do these bead heads keep the fly in the strike zone longer, but also provide a realistic and color-consistent fly profile for catching trout. 

At the end of the day, fish rely on color, proportions, and profile to decide what to eat. These flies catch more fish. 


Check out FlyDealFlies.com for other Nymph Head selections!

Freshwater Fly of the Month: Terrestrial Dave's Hopper

October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Terrestrial Dave's Hopper

So many different hoppers, so many first names! How did this happen?  Well we do know the story of Dave's Hopper, this months Freshwater Fly of the Month.  The hopper is named for Dave Whitlock, a fishermen that we owe a great bit of gratitude to for his many creations.  Not only did he create the Dave's Hopper, but also the Matuka, Mouse Rat, Redhead flies and about several dozen bass and saltwater patterns.  His nymph and streamer patterns are old standbys at most fly shops.  Many consider Dave's contribution to fly trying, in terms of pattersn, are broader and more numerous than the contributions of Lee Wulff, one of the most famous fly tyers of all time.

Dave's hopper is somewhat of a tradition to many western fly fishers.  Many fishermen say that once you master spinning deer hair, this is one of the easiest hopper patterns to tie (reason enough to learn how!).  This fly can be tied with all-black materials to create a cricket, or stonefly colors to imitate any of the stoneflies that inhabit the mountain streams. The hopper is tied with trimmed hackle legs that were knotted and bent to shape.  Some of the later variations used knotted pheasant tail fibers, rubber hackle, and hair for legs.  Depending on the area that you live in, and the terrestrials of the local area, feel free to use artistic creativity to add any features as you see fit.

Dave's Hopper casts like a bullet.  The fly is the best in wind because it shoots through wind and tends to land right up tight to the bank more than the other bugs.  It does hold some water, but then it seems to "punch" through blades of grass and fall in the water.  This gives it great fishability.  This fly can also be fished sunk (it's an old timers trick... but it works!).  Try fishing it with a little piece of split shot under a Hopper-Cator, which will allow it to drift up under the grass and into the trout's mouth.  Try it and let me know how it goes!

Freshwater Lure of the Month: Matzuo Zen Series Binate Crank

Freshwater Lure of the Month: Matzuo Zen Series Binate Crank 

The Matzuo bait company's slogan is "From Master Craftsman to Master Angler".  They have produced some of the finest baits known to freshwater fisherman, and are constantly innovating and testing.  Their incredibly attention to detail, such as being painfully precise bending each of their sickle hooks to achieve the optimal 43.405 degree bend, is what truly separates their baits from the rest.  They are dedicated to recreational or avid anglers who are truly trying to get the best bang for their buck, making tournament level baits affortable to the masses.

At Fishing Enthusiast, we have featured a number of fantastic baits from the Matzuo Zen Series, the finest quality tournament series of bait.  Previously we have featured the Kamikazi Spinnerbait, Double Play Crank, and the Triple Play Minnow.  This month, we are incredibly excited to be featuring the Binate Crank bait from the Matzuo Zen Series line, one of the finest baits in this quality tournament series.  

Matzuo Zen Binate Finesse lures are shallow runners available in two sizes. These lures feature two treble hooks and a jointed section to create a perfect swimming action when retrieved in the water. A versatile bait no matter how fast or slow you retrieve it. At rest, the Binate floats like a live resting fish.

From Matzuo.com:

We Value...

Innovation -- The latest styles and finishes at tremendous value

Intelligence-- Smart choice for "techy" products at affordable prices

Passion -- Authentic emotions coming from a passion for the activity

Saltwater Lure of the Month: McKala Fishing’s Poppa

October Saltwater Lure of the Month: McKala Cap'n Andy Poppa

The McKala Fishing and tackle company was founded in 1994 in Beacon Falls, Connecticut.  With plenty of experience on the Eastern seaboard, the McKala fishing team has perfected a full line of wooden plugs of all shapes and sizes, built specifically for avid saltwater fishermen.  These lures include fun names like the Poppa, Lil Momma, Killa Gorilla, and this month's selction, the McKala Cap'n Andy Poppa, named for it's creator.  All of the McKala products have been thoroughly and extensively tested by some of the top fishermen on the East Coast, as well as charter Captains throughout the country.   

The Cap'n Andy Poppa is one McKala's finest creations.  The wooden plug comes in white, blue, yellow, and flueorescent orange, and range in size from 1 1/4 oz to 2 3/4 oz.  I recommend trying out all of the different shapes and sizes to find the best fit that provides the most fishing success for you! 

Some tips on how to fish:

1. Cast is out, then let it sit for a litte bit.
2. Jerk your rod tip to pop it up, and then let it set again... then pop again.
3. Cast it and retrieve it slowly, giving it a pop every few feet.  
4. Cast it out and retrieve it rapidly, jerking the rod tip during the retrieve.
5. Experiment to find out how it works best for you each time you fishing.

Popular Lures: Poppa, Lil Momma, Big Momma, Killa Gorilla

Company location: Beacon falls, CT

Company Founded: 1994

References:

http://www.mckalafishing.com/WoodenPlugsLinksRmvd.pdf

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Sea Striker 3 oz. bucktail spoon

Sea Striker 3 oz. bucktail spoon

September Saltwater Lure of the Month: Sea Striker 3 oz. bucktail spoon

Sea Striker Lure Company was founded in 1992 in North Carolina and immediately found their niche in high quality, saltwater fishing lures and terminal tackle for both inshore and offshore fishing.  Famous for their Got-cha lures, Swivels, and many other saltwater lures, their Bucktail spoon sneaks in as one of their most durable lures and as some say, "This durable spoon will last you a lifetime!"


The spoon is nickel plated and contains a single hook that is specially plated for saltwater use.  It has the wild action of a Kastmaster, but with the added appeal of a bucktail.  It works well on a wide variety of gamefish.   The bucktail helps to add color to this deadly, 3 oz spoon, but it also helps to accentuate the spoon's fluttering action to trigger even more strikes.  Many use this as a great alternative to the Kastmaster.

Deadly for everything from trout to bass and even saltwater gamefish, the very well-balanced, solid brass produes a great action and are especially deadly when jigging for suspended bass.  Easy to cast and complete with premium components and durable finishes ensure this will hold up in even the toughest saltwater.

• Proven for trout, bass and more

• Produces enticing fluttering action

• Bucktail improves action and adds color

• Solid brass construction  

• Very well-balanced; easy to cast

• Premium components and durable finish

• Hooks plated for saltwater use

• High quality spoon made to Sea Striker Specifications