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Written by Steve Chaconas
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Build a shelf and fishing manufacturers fill them with every color, shape and size imaginable. Trouble is…do they catch fish or fishermen? Some things come in like a gadget and go out as a gizmo!
When Laser Lures “better idea” light went on, it landed in the nose of some well-designed lures! “Classic” pitchman Bass Cat/Yamaha pro Michael Iaconelli has seen the light! Ike proclaims cat-catching lasers work on bass too! Bass are cat-curious when approaching water-activated, computer-controlled intense beams of laser light, infused into five “Laser” lures. Laser Lure’s “something different” light sets bass off in conditions where some lures might not be effective, extending the window of opportunity allowing Ike to use them in water too stained for dim lures. Batteries are included and last for about 80 hours. After that it’s lights out, but the crankbaits, poppers and jerkbaits with red hooks and 3-D eyes can still catch fish after losing their super powers. laserlure.com
Thinking outside the tackle box isn’t easy in this copy-bass lure market. But, Minda Lures “The Injured Minda” stays in the strike zone aggravating bass into biting. After all, vulnerable injured prey won’t swim away. The bright lights of YouTube showcase this Lazy Ike-ish lure. A few small taps cause the head to dip. The Injured Minda rocks into a bass-biting lullaby! It’ll even “walk the dog!” If you need to go “mainstream”, you can simply crank this lure. mindalures.com
Japanese lure maker, Lucky Craft has been raising the bar on how deep anglers will reach into their pockets with uniquely designed lures with fish-like finishes, weight transfer systems, ballast, and noise. Lucky Craft scratches the surface, just barely, with a unique wake bait. Weighing in at 2 ounces and 4 inches long…the Bulky Bullfish is louder and flashier announcing its presence with rattles and a substantial wake with oversized ball bearing propeller or thumping spinner blade creating irregular action. Surfing bass can catch a wave! Number 2 hooks are stout enough to hook up with bigger fish this lure attracts. Using heavier line and stouter rods, the Bullfish is perfect to pull fish out of heavy grass or along the edges of cover like docks or laydowns. luckycraft.com
Feeling creative? Jann’s NetCraft has more than hooks, weights, rod building and repair…the on-line catalog has lures in various phases of construction, components to modify original lures, or supplies to create your own! Some only require hooks; others allow air brushers to fancy their own designs. Or, carve up something new! Jann’s has hardware, hooks and coloring for nearly every hard bait on the market, including some Japanese designs! “Customize” spinnerbaits with blades and a variety of skirts or just repair old ones! Perfect for the hobbyist or angler looking for the edge “uniqueness” provides. jannsnetcraft.com
Elite Series Triton/Mercury pro Brent Chapman is cranked up about something new from trailer winch and jack experts, Fulton! Most jacks and winches are slow and sometimes hard to engage! Forget about moving your trailer after it’s off the tow vehicle! Wider wheelbase and two-wheel option enables Fulton’s jack to maneuver trailers into garage or parking spaces! Fulton’s new F2 trailer jack with 1600 lb lift capacity is fast and you don’t get a “winch workout!” The release “pull pin” is easy to use! And, finally a strong winch cranking on either side! The new F2 has a user-friendly pull and easily engaging turn knob. Buying a used boat, replace the winch and jack! Ordering new? Upgrade to a worry-free jack! fultonperformance.com
Every lure company attempts to tackle hollow frogs. Since the 1950’s Snag Proof has sold more frogs than anyone! They’re the biggest frog in the frog pond because they never stop tinkering. Ranger/Yamaha pro Ish Monroe solved one of the biggest hollow frog foible, leaking! A molded chamber encases the hook making Ish’s Phat Frog tighter than any other! Apologies to hollow frog inventor Harry Ehlers, but this is the most innovative design in froggy history! I’m sure Harry is smiling down on Ish for turning a frog into a leak-proof prince! Ish’s Phat Frog’s soft body compresses to reveal the business end of two very strong hooks! Leave it to Ish to colorfully moniker his line up! “Da Man” is white, “Papa Midnight” black. snagproof.com
As you pull plastic to pay for your new stuff, remember, three axioms that come to mind…fishing lures don’t catch fish…fishermen catch fish…fishing lures catch fishermen. With every new season, come a new gadget or gizmo and an angler eager to own one. As my wife says, “fish until you drop!”
Potomac River Bassing in March
It’s warming a bit! Be prepared for cold weather with SealSkinz Chillblocker socks and gloves, a breathable rain suit like Frogg Toggs Elite and Maui Jim sunglasses to protect from sun glare.
Bass are moving up from the depths to drops and points! Crankbaits like Lucky Craft’s GDS DR series in chart/brown and red on 12-pound test on a good cranking rod like the medium action Quantum Tour Edition cover water. In clear water, try suspending Lucky Craft Pointers 100 in Clown color and Lucky Craft Bevy Shad lures.
Carolina rigs with Mann’s HardNose lizards soaked in garlic Jack’s Juice to encourage fish to hold on longer. Using a Mustad 3/0 Mega Lite Ultra Point Hook allows the bait to appear weightless. The thinner wire hook helps with long distance hooksets. Keep Mann’s Stingray 3-inch avocado colored grubs on ¼ ounce round jig heads close to the bottom with multi-purpose 6’10” Quantum spinning rods spooled with 8-pound Trilene 100% fluorocarbon. Mix in Punisher Hair Jigs and Mizmo tubes with a Gerkin insert head with a lift and glide presentation. Drop shot and shaky head with HardNose worms provide variety.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide and BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (www.my.boatus.com/askexperts/) Potomac River reports: www.nationalbass.com. Book a trip or purchase gift certificates:
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