May 2022 – Fish360.Net

The first time I fished a froggy pattern, I witnessed an explosion on the water’s surface that was then followed by the feeling of a heavy fish. The fish was polite. The fish only ripped off one leg from my frog. The second time I fished a froggy pattern, I witnessed an even bigger explosion and felt an even heavier fish. That fish was not so polite. The fish ripped off both legs from my frog!! Hence, my inspiration to make a trailer hook for my solid-body frogs.

Fish360 DIY Frog Trailer Hook

Making a trailer hook for solid-body frog is easy. First, clip a hook to one end of a 50 lb Tactical Angler Power Clip and a swivel to the other end. Second, insert a length of monofilament through the eye of the swivel, insert the two tag ends trough an appropriately sized marine shrink tubing, and pull hook-clip-swivel assembly into the marine heat shrink tubing. Third, shrink the tubing via heat gun. And lastly, insert the eye swivel through the hook on your frog.

This presentation is optimal for solid-body frogs with a wide gaps between their legs and open to sloppy water patterns. I now land more fish and my Plano boxes are without amputee frogs! 😉

Today I had the opportunity to fish the Annual Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Program Carp Trip. The fishing during the first two hours was slow, but the knowledge sharing and fishing stories from the Senior members to the Junior members were absorbed faster than a sponge can suck water. I mentioned to a mom (who’s young daughter hooked, but unfortunately lost the first fish of the day) that the next 30 to 45 minutes is the optimal tide window because the carp will be moving from the main river back into the smaller river. Fifteen minutes later, someone yelled: “ALARM!”. All heads turned to my rod pod. I ran over at Olympic speed and picked up my St. Croix Mojo Surf rod with my Zeebaas reel and shouted without restraint: “Fish on!” (crank….crank…crank) “OMG….it’s a HEAVY!!” (crank…crank..crank) “We got COLOR!!!” (crank…crank…crank) “Get the NET….NO…the BIG NET!!!!” The people walking their dogs must have thought that there was a five alarm fire on a river boat. Clay Patles, the Director of the Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Program, climbed down the rocky bank and netted my personal best carp. Thirty six minutes later, my hands were still shaking from the adrenalin rush.

Fish360 Carp Candy 0

With each trip, I refine my carp calculus. On this trip, I modified my sinker/bait feeder chum recipe: I used a mixture of course and fine Goya corn meal. Clearly, my “carp candy” recipe worked. However, I am still adjusting the proportions of water, oats, corn meal mixture, and ingredient “x”.

Fish360 Carp Candy 1

The Annual Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Carp Fishing Trip is specifically designed to help new anglers learn how to land a drag-pulling fish on a rod and reel; an angling skill best learned at the water’s edge. This trip, like the program’s other trips, also provides an opportunity for members to unplug, socialize, and share stories about life and fishing while they wait for the carp to bite. I am not sure who has more fun, the Junior members or the Senior members!

Fish360 Carp Candy 2

I have been a Plum Island Surfcaster since 2005. Each year I renew my membership because I enjoy fishing with senior members who make me a better angler; because I like sharing my knowledge with other members; and because I feel part of a community where the only thing that really matters is your word and if you can (or want to learn how to) fish. If you have a daughter or son who would like to learn how to fish, then join the Plum Island Surfcasters.