Monthly Archives: August 2018

Surfcaster’s Check List

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I am a traveling surfcaster. I travel to fishy locations like Cuttyhunk, Blog Island, Mountauk, Cape Cod Canal, Plum Island, and Drake’s Island. Whether I am fishing one night or for multiple nights, I print up my Surfcasting Check List and check off items as I pack them and cross out items that are not needed for the respective trip.

Fish360 Surfcaster's Check List

TRUCK

  • Gas (check and top up)
  • Tire Pressure (check and top up)
  • Oil Level (check and top up)
  • Windshield washer fluid (check and top up)

GEAR

  • 2 Rods (e.g. St. Croix)
  • 2 Reels (e.g. ZeeBaas)
  • 2 300 yard spools of 50 lb braid (e.g. Power Pro)
  • 2 Wetsuits
  • 2 Pairs of Wet Soxs
  • Neoprene Booties
  • Waders: Stocking Foot (Rock Hooping)
  • Waders: Attached Boots (Sandy Beaches)
  • 2 Pairs of Boots with Studs (e.g. Korkers or GripStuds)
  • 2 Watches
  • Compass
  • 2 lights
  • Surf bag
  • Surf top
  • Waterproof Bag (e.g. AquaPac)
  • Fishing License
  • Surf Belt (e.g. Tiderunner Ultimate Surf Belt)
  • Plyers
  • Split Ring Pryers
  • 2 Pairs of Gloves
  • Finger guard
  • Scale
  • Lip Gripper

ARTIFICIALS

  • Needlefish
  • Darters
  • Poppers
  • Pencil Poppers
  • Swimmers
  • Metal Lips
  • Metals
  • Bucktails
  • Plastics (pre-rigged and un-rigged)
  • Eel skins
  • Teasers
  • Squid Jigs

EELS

  • Live Well Bucket
  • Eels (live)
  • Eels (rigged)
  • Leaders (pre-tied)
  • Live Bait Hooks (e.g. VMC Live Bait 6/0 9260)
  • Rigging Needle
  • Zip Ties
  • Rigging Hooks
  • Eel Jar

CHUNKING

  • Rigs
  • Hooks (e.g. Owner SSW In-Line Circle 9/0 5379-191)
  • Sinkers
  • Cooler (e.g. Coleman)
  • Knife
  • Bait

TERMINAL TACKLE

  • Leader Material (e.g. Ande Mono-filament Line: 40 lb green, 60 lb pink, 80 lb clear)
  • Leaders (pre-tied)
  • Tail Hooks (e.g. VMC)
  • Swivels (e.g. Kork)
  • Split Rings (e.g. Wolverine)
  • Clips (e.g. Tactical Anglers Power Clips)
  • Treble Hooks (e.g. VMC: 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0)

CLOTHES

  • Long Sleeve Shirts
  • Short Sleeve Shirts
  • Pants
  • Shorts
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Under Armor Tops + Bottoms
  • Wool Sweater
  • Rain Gear Top
  • Sandals (e.g. Crocs)

TOILETRIES

  • Glasses + Case
  • Contacts + Case
  • Contact solution
  • Sunglasses
  • Tooth brush
  • Tooth paste
  • Gel
  • Shaving creme
  • Shaving razor
  • Beard Trimmer
  • Shampoo
  • Nail Clipper

ELECTRONICS

  • Phone (fully charged)
  • Phone Charger
  • Camera (fully charged)
  • Camera Charger

FIRST AID

FOOD

STUFF

  • Batteries (e.g. Duracel)
  • All Purpose Tape (e.g. Duck Tape)
  • Electrical Tape
  • Super Glue
  • WD40
  • 2 Coat Hanagers (to dry wetsuit / waders)
  • Can of Compressed Air (e.g. Dust Off)
  • Trash Bags
  • Zip Lock Bags: snack, sandwich, and gallon.
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Senko: big or small?

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The Gary Yamamoto Senko is a vertical presentation that seduces big and small fish into striking.  These salt-infused soft plastics are made in Arizona and come in a variety of colors (120) and sizes (3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, and 7″).  I select colors based on water clarity and local bait fish.  Size selection is complex.

Fish360 Senko

Traditional theory states: big bait = big fish.  Based on my recent trips in my fishing journal, there is no direct correlation between Senko size and fish size.  I have caught small fish on large Senkos.  I have caught big fish on small Senkos.  In fact, on a recent trip, a big fish hit my 4″ Senko like a freight train and brook my x-mart rod during the fight.  I landed the rod tip and the fish.  Therefore, I do not select the size of my Senko based on fish size.

Fish360 Senko

Water depth is the first thing that I take into account when selecting the size of my Senko.  Sink rate increases with increasing Senko length.  A 7″ Senko will sink faster than a 3″ Senko through the same water column.  In shallow water, a 7″ Senko will sink too fast.  In deep water, a 3″ Senko will sink too slow.  Therefore, as water depth increases, I use increasingly larger Senkos to achieve an optimal sink rate through the water column.

Fish360 Senko Largemouth bass

Vegetation is the second thing that I take into account when selecting the size of my Senko.  A 3″ Senko will take a long time to reach bottom in weedy water (if at all).  A 7″ Senko will reach bottom in weedy water (just at a slower rate than in clear water).  Therefore, in weedy water I use larger Senkos because their increased mass helps them flutter their way to bottom.

Fish360 Senko Largemouth bass

The Gary Yamamoto Senko is available in 720 different size and color combinations.  Therefore, I can match any local bait fish in any water column, with and without weeds.  I will continue to fish Senkos, big and small, with a new St. Croix rod.  Fish beware! 😉

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DIY Knot Tying Jig

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I tie all of my leader before my fishing trips for two reasons.  First, this allows me to make and test my leaders with the strongest knots possible.  If a knot passes my test, but does not look right, I cut and re-tie.  Second, this saves me time on the water.  Time is fish!

Fish360 DIY Knot Tying Jig

Making a Knot Tying Jig is simple.  Drill a pilot hole into a stock of wood (1″ wide x 0.75″ high x 3″ long).  Twist a hook hanger into the pilot hole.  That’s it!

I have two Knot Tying Jigs.  One in my workshop and one in my travel bag.  This small and simple jig allows me to tie high quality leaders efficiently at home or on the road.  Make one today!

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