Author Archives: Julio Silva

AquaSkinz Rampage Top

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Many new moons ago I ordered a neoprene jacket.  The jacket kept the wind from penetrating through.  But, it was heavy and not very ergonomic.  I used velcro straps around my wrists to reduce the amount of water sliding down my forearms.  That was then.  I am now using the AquaSkinz Rampage top.

Fish360 AquaSkinz Rampage Top

I field tested the AquaSkinz Rampage during the Rhode Island leg of the Tri-State Tournament.  It was wicked cold for this time of year.  But, I was warm. 😉

The neck and wrist seals kept water out and thereby kept me dry during the tournament.  No velcro straps required. 😉

Fish360 AquaSkinz Rampage Top

I fished whole tide, non-stop.  I did not get fatigued as a result of wearing the Rampage. The top moves with you rather than just hanging on your shoulders.

I used the hood when the wind doubled in velocity.  I love the fact that I can remove the hood, complements of the large tooth zipper.

I found the front pocket very convenient to hold gear (e.g. my GoPro camera).  But, I primary used it to warm up my hands and avoid frost bite.

Fishing in the early and late season here in the North East is rewarding.  But, you really need proper gear.  The AquaSkinz Rampage gets my seal of approval because of it’s versatile, design, construction, and performance features.  Fish long!  Fish hard!!  Fish safe!!!;-)

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Tri-State Rhode Island Leg ~ 2013

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This past weekend I had the opportunity to fish the Rhode Island leg of the Tri-State Tournament. This was my first Tri-State.  But it shall not be me last! 😉

Fish360 Tri-State Rhode Island Leg

I met with my team at 9:15 PM on Friday night in room 5 of the Sand Dollar Inn. We were at the water’s edge by 4:30 AM on Saturday.  The atmospheric temperature was “wicked” cold for this time of year. My new AquaSkinz Rampage top performed exceptionally well.  I was warm through the whole tide. 😉

Fish360 Tri-State Rhode Island Leg

My team leader was focused on getting us in front of fish.  He found bait.  We matched the bait in size and profile. Fish on!

Fish360 Tri-State Rhode Island Leg

This fish was the meanest, badest, bluefish terrorizing 18″ striped bass in the state of Rhode Island! 😉  I could not thank my team mate enough for lending me a 3″ white Zoom fluke on a 1/4 oz jig head!

I know now why the Tri-State is the longest running catch and release team tournament on the East Coast for surfcasters.  The tournament is well managed.  Surfcasters with various skill levels come from near and far to compete and refine their skills. Plug builders leave their lathes to field test their new creations. The result is an escape from the noises of life and total submersion in a friendly (but reel!) competition for striped bass and bluefish from terra firma.

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Fall Stripers Steve Pappos

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I had the opportunity to see Steve Poppas present “Fall Stripers” at the October 2013 Plum Island Surfcasters club meeting.  The first time that I saw Steve present was many new moons ago. I was chunking the surf.  He inspired me to start plugging the surf.

Fish360 Steve Pappos Fall Stripers

Steve’s presentation overflowed with fishy knowledge, stories, and jokes. He spoke to the gear that he uses and why.  He also shared proven techniques that he has refined in his 40+ years of Surfcasting.  For those who listened closely, Steve shared six of his prized hot spots!

Steve Pappos is a Surfcaster.  He has landed several trophy striped bass from the surf via plugs that cast a shadow on boat fish landed via bait.  So when he says: “You can use any plug, as long as it’s yellow.”….I believe him! 😉

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Surfcasting: Traction Control

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When I made the transition from slinging baits, eels, and plugs from sandy beaches to rocks with seaweed dread locks, I purchased a pair of Simms boots from First Light Anglers and a pair of K1100 Korkers from Paulies.

Fish360 Simms Boots Korkers

I have used the my Simms boots and K1100 Korkers for several years now.  I am satisfied with their comfort, support, and gripping performance.  They have also held together pretty well, complements of their quality construction.

Although the Simms boots and K1100 Korkers are made with non-corrosive and anti-corrosion materials, I always rinse them with fresh water after each fishing trip in Poseidon’s domain.  Sodium chloride is a terribly efficient corrosive ionic compound.

The my Simms boots and Korkers are inexpensive.  Bones are not.  If you surfcast from slippery rocks, get a pair! 😉

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Striperfest 2013

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Striper Cup 2013 had 3,900 registered anglers. At Striperfest, it felt like all 4,000 of us were there. 😉

Fish360 Striperfest 2013

Patrick Sebile was working the SpiderWire knot testing machine. The knot challenges were impressive. But, if your knot lost, you had to drink water from the lure tank. Although the angler who lost was spared, I did not participate. 😉

Fish360 Striperfest 2013

A new exhibitor was Old Town, a long standing New England company.   Their new Predator kayak was on display.  Impressive!

Fish360 Striperfest 2013

At the begging of the awards ceremony, 0ld Town awarded a Predator kayak to a Striper Cup 2013 angler who survived the Boston Marathon bombing.  He walked effortlessly onto the stage, complements of a modern prosthetic.  He was surprised, grateful, and full is emotion. Boston Strong!

At the end of the awards ceremony, the golden ticket was drawned.  The angler who won the Pursuit boat was from New York.  He was welcomed to the stage in Red Sox fan fashion by the crowd: “Yankees suck!”  He as walking on air and took his welcome quite well. 😉

Fish360 Striperfest 2013

Since 2006, the Striper Cup has done one thing consistently: improve. Striper Cup 2014 is no exception: Kayak Division.  Yes!  Striper Cup 2014 will have a Kayak Division!  I am already planning next year’s trips in my fishing journal.  Fish beware! 😉

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Striped Bass on Clouser Minnow

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I had the opportunity to fly fish for striped bass with a friend at a fishy location (which shall remain nameless!).  We started wading pre-sunrise and casting by sunrise.  My chartreuse/white Lefty Deceiver got bumps, but no hook ups.  I waded towards the mouth of a creek and switch over to a chartreuse/whiteClouser Minnow.  Fish on!

Fish360 Striped Bass on Clouser Minnow

The interesting thing about this catch is not the fish, but the pattern.

Fish360 Striped Bass on Clouser Minnow

A dropping tide at the mouth of a inlet, river, or creek at sunrise or sunset is a classic pattern.  But, what really made the difference on this trip was depth.  I was using a line with a rapid sinking tip, which helps get the fly down into the water column.  But, it was the additional weight of the Clouser Minnow that made the difference between a skunk and a catch.  Good thing I keep a detailed fishing journal! 😉

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Tusa X-Pert Zoom Z3 Split Fins

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Prior to my first skishing fishing trip, I needed purchase a pair of fins.  Force fins are popular with Montauk skishers.  But, I chose a pair of Tusa X-Pert Zoom Z3 split fins.

Fish360 Tusa Split Fins

The technical and performance features of the Tusa X-Pert Zoom Z3 split fins are best summarized in the video by Simply Scuba.

The feature that sold me was maximum propulsion with minimal energy.  The less energy I spend propelling my self, the more energy I have to fish! 😉

Fish360 Tusa Split Fins

Technical details aside, the Tusa X-Pert Zoom Z3 split fins performed exceptionally during my first skish.  They felt like an extension of my feet.  I was able to self-propel past the surf zone with minimal effort.

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Cape Cod Canal: Fishy Patterns

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I have always been fascinated with the Cape Cod Canal fishery.  The depth, current, and submerged structures of this seven mile “inlet” represent a system full of fishy patterns.  On my last last fishing trip to the Cape Cod Canal, I landed a keeper striped bass.  The size of the fish is not worthy writing about; but, the pattern is! 😉

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This season I have fished location “X” three times: at the same time of day and during the same moon phase.  The first two times, the tide was flowing “right”.  The third time, the tide was flowing “left”.  I fished the same plugs all three times, with the addition of the Northbar bottle darter (7.25″, 2.5 oz, blurple) on the third fishing trip.  I know this because I keep a detailed fishing journal! 😉

On my fourth fishing trip to location “X”, I will make sure that the tide is flowing in the correct direction and that I have plenty of Northbar bottle darters. 😉

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Hansom Pliers

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A pair of strong, corrosion resistant, and fast cutting pliers is a must for any angler— no matter the species or method.  My previous pair of pliers failed these three simple criteria.

Fish360 Broken Pliers

I learned of Hansom pliers while reading an issue of the Surfcasters Journal.  I  ordered a pair of the Hansom AP-8 pliers from Cape Cod Canal Bait and Tackle.  They processed my order very quickly and I had my shiny new pliers in record time.

Fish360 Hansom Pliers

The Hansom AP-8 pliers are made from light anodized aluminum.  The gripping power of the replaceable stainless steel jaws helps greatly when un-hooking fish.  And the cutting performance of the replaceable Tungsten Carbide cutters is amazing.  Mono, braid, wire…no problem! 😉

The Hansom AP-8 pliers come with a quality leather sheath.  But, for extreme conditions, I secure my Hansom pliers to my AquaSkinz E.H.P.S. belt using theAquaSkinz E.H.P.S. pliers sheath.

I have used my Hansom AP-8 pliers while surfcasting, kayak fishing, fly fishing, and skishing.  They have performed beyond my expectations under these conditions.  If you are in the market for a new pair of pliers, then get a pair ofHansom AP-8 pliers!  😉

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Fishing Patterns

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Fishing patterns are cyclical in nature.  The best way to identify fishing patterns is to keep a fishing journal.  On a recent kayak fishing trip for largemouth bass, I identified a pattern from my fishing journal that was not obvious during my fishing trip.  During my fishing trip I was focused on casting to as many fishy structures with a variety of baits to quickly identify what bait the fish fancied that day. The bait that got the first fish was the Gary Yamamoto 5” D-Shad in Blue Pearl.

Fish360 Gary Yamamoto 5” D-Shad in Blue Pearl

The bait that got the last fish was the Gary Yamamoto 5″ D-Shad in Green Pumpkin.

Fish360 Gary Yamamoto 5" D-Shad in Green Pumpkin

Clearly the Gary Yamamoto 5” D-Shad was the top performer on my fishing trip.  But, this is not the fishing pattern that emerged from my fishing journal.  The first and last fish were caught at the same cut in the river bank, which provided the fish a break from the current and the ability to ambush passing bait.  I caught the first fish at the start of my fishing trip as I paddled up the river.  I caught the last fish at the end of my fishing trip as I paddled down the river.

Hence forth I will cast my fish seducing Gary Yamamoto D-Shad baits into fishy structures at different times during my fishing trips.  Fish swim in and out of structures as the day progresses.

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