Skishing

I went Skishing for the first time today. As I was walking backwards into the water, an angler in waders approached me. With a look of astonishment on his face he asked: “Are you going to swim out there and fish?” I was puzzled by the question. What else am I going to do with a Neosport X-Span 5 mm wetsuit, dive knife, AquaSkinz E.H.P.S. gear (Cobra bag, belt, plyers sheath, and gloves), Hansom pliers, Dragon Tails Lanyards, compass, pealess whistle. rod lease, Rapala Lock ‘N Load IGFA certified scale/griper, Tusa X-Pert Zoom Z3 Split Fins, and a 10 foot surf rod mated to a ZeeBass reel? After a 60 second silence, I responded: “Yes” and continued to negotiated my way through the boulder field behind me. He kept talking, but the sound of the surf was deafening. He shouted his final words: “You are BRAVE!”

Skishing: Backwards Walk

There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. Skishing without the proper gear is stupid. A great resource on skishing gear is Jacob Freeman’s Skishing Gear & Safety article.

Casting a surf rod while bobbing around in the ocean was more challenging than I thought. My “best” casts were when I was “sitting” in an invisible chair as I bobbed around. My 10 foot surf rod propelled my lure a respectable distance. But, the length of the rod butt is more optimal for Surfcasting than Skishing. Time for a custom Skishing rod! 😉

Skishing

Proper gear and determination got me beyond the surf zone and into my first skish. But, a knowledge of the area and it’s surrounding currents got me back safely. ;-).

Skishing is a fishing method. But, the experience of Skishing is unlike any other method. First, Skishing is the most physically and mentally challenging fishing method. Second, it’s an experience all its own. Having personally experienced Skishing, I should now be able to describe it. But, alas the English language fails me! The words that do come to mind are: excitement, adrenaline, fear, and OMG!. I think Paul Melnyk, the founder of Skishing, said it best: Invigorating! Bottom line, to know Skishing is to experience your first skish. It’s the experience that has the tide washing in an increasing number of skishers each season.

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DIY Canoe Rack

I purchased a Mad River canoe.  The canoe is fantastic!  But, transporting a 16 foot canoe can be a challenge.  So, I built a custom canoe rack.

Canoe_Rack

You can build this custom canoe rack with some inexpensive materials and basic tools.

Materials

  • 2    2″x4″x10′ pressure treated stock
  • 1    1″ 36″ stock iron pipe
  • 2    1″ iron pipe end caps
  • 4    2.5″ U-Bolts
  • 2    1.75″ U-Bolts
  • 10  3 1/4″ Eye Bolts
  • 10  1/4″ Flat Washers
  • 1    30″ 1.5″ PVC stock
  • 50′ 3/8″ Braid Poly Rope

Tools

  • Power Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • 2 Pipe Wrenches

Procedure

1. Drill holes into the pressure treated stock for the eye bolts such that they are equally distributed throughout the length of the pressure treated stock.

2. Secure the 3 1/4″ eye bolts to the pressure treated stock with the 1/4″ flat washers.

3. Place the pressure treated stock on your roof rack.  Mark the placement of the 2.5″ U-blots such that they secure the stock to your roof rack.  Remove the stock from your roof rack and drill the holes for the four 2.5″ U-bolts.

4. Loosely secure the 2.5″ U-bolts to the pressure treated stock.

5. Mark and drill the holes for the 1.75″ U-bolts on the rear ends of the pressure treated stock.  (These will be used to secure the stock 36″ iron pipe.)

6. Loosely secure the 1.75″ U-bolts to the rear ends of the pressure treated stock.

7. Using two pipe wrenches, secure one of the iron end caps to the iron pipe.  Insert the un-capped end of the iron pipe onto the PVC pipe.  Secure the other iron end cap to the iron pipe using two pipe wrenches.

8. Secure the pressure treated stock to your your roof rack using the 2.5″ U-bolts.

9. Secure the iron pipe using the 1.75″ U-bolts.

10. Roll your canoe onto your custom canoe rack.

11. Secure your canoe to the rack using the 3/8″ rope.

This simple and inexpensive custom canoe rack has several advantages. First, taking the canoe on and off the rack with the “roller” is easy.  Second, (depending on your vehicle) you may still have access to your rear cargo area because you do not need to tie the rear end of the canoe to your rear bumper.  Thirdly, and most importantly, it holds the canoe securely.

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AquaSkinz Elite Hunter Pro Series Belt

A proper fishing belt does more than just hold up your pants (or cinch your waders/wetsuit). A proper fishing belt must be stiff enough to hold and carry your gear! A proper fishing belt must have a buckle that will not come undone when you need it most!! TheAquaSkinz Elite Hunter Pro Series belt is a proper fishing belt!!!

AquaSkinz Elite Hunter Pro Series Belt

The feature that sets the AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.belt apart from other fishing belts on the market is it’s adjustability. If I am fishing with my MTC shirt, wetsuit, or my wool Fisherman’s sweater from Scotland, I can easily adjust the belt to the optimal circumference.

The AquaSkinz E.H.P.S. belt is a high performant and a great value. The belt will grow with you. Literally! 😉

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Fresh Water Bass Kayak Fishing

I recently went fresh water bass kayak fishing for the first time. OMG. What fun! 😉

Fish360 Gary Yamamoto D-Shad

I fished several baits. But, the go-to-bait for the day was the Gary Yamamoto D-Shad. This bait out-fished my other baits, 2:1!

Fish360 Gary Yamamoto D-Shad

One lesson that I quickly learned is that when fishing a narrow river with low hanging tree branches from a kayak: do not to keep your rod in the rear rod holder perpendicular to the boat! In one area of the river, the current was unexpectedly fast. My rod got caught in the over reaching branches in a long time resident tree. I had to pull out my knife and cut the 50 lb Spiderwire Invisi-braid. I then paddled back up river and retrieved my blue pearl Gary Yamato D-Shad.

My Montauk Tackle shirt performed beyond my expectations. The shirt wicked away my perspiration and kept me dry and cool. And the shirt’s built-in 50 SPF, protected my Azorean skin from the sun’s penetrating rays.

This was my first fresh water bass kayak fishing trip. But, it shall be be my last! I am already planning my next trip!! Bass beware!!! 😉

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Surfcasting Around The Block

Surfcasting Around The Block by Dennis Zambrotta is the newest addition to my fishing library. The book has three parts.  You can read each part independently, but I would suggest starting at the begging with the history, then wade through the fishing stories (which themselves are written in historical rigor), and conclude your journey with the chapters on gear and methods.

Fish360 Surfcasting Around The Block

I enjoyed all three parts of the book.  But, my personal favorite was the chapters on gear and methods.  The chapters on needlefish and eels represent not only the best synthesis of knowledge on these subjects, but they also break new ground by speaking to methods not previously written about in the Surfcasting literature.

When I first fished Block Island, I wish Surfcasting Around The Block was published.  But, now after reading Zambrotta’s book, I have a new game plan.  Bass beware! 😉

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Canal Cruiser

I was working at a recycle day event to raise money for a public school in my town. A person dropped off a purple bicycle with no seat. My friend asked me: “What are you going to do with a purple lady’s bike?” I smiled and said: “Canal Cruiser!”

Fish360 Canal Cruiser

My newly acquired soon-to-be Canal Cruiser needed a seat and a seat post. Luck struck twice! A second bike came in with a super comfy seat. The frame pipe for the seat post was a non-standard metric size; I picked up a seat post from a local bike shop.

The color purple is royal. But, it’s not exactly my first choice for a Canal Cruiser. I broke the bike down, taped up the auxiliary parts, and sprayed on multiple layers of thick black paint.

To transform the bike into a proper Canal Cruiser, I secured a recycled milk create to the rack with stainless steel u-bolts. I bolted on a custom PVC rod holder. And built a proper kick stand from a recycled pool pole (which I got at the recycle day!).

Fish360 Canal Cruiser

You can certainly buy a standard Canal Cruiser fully rigged and ready to fish.  But, building your own custom Canal Cruiser for your specific needs is not only fun, but also fishconomic. 🙂

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Hobie Field Test

A friend called me up recently and asked me if I wanted to field test a Hobie.  My response was: “Do fish swim?”  We went to a local river.

The first thing thing that I noticed was how quickly the Mirage Drive gear assembly snaps in and out of place.  I was paddling away within five minutes of pulling up to the boat ramp.

Fish360 Hobie Field Test

The Mirage Drive is an impressive piece of engineering.  I was truly amazed at how quickly I was able to move through the water. No need for a gym membership! 😉

Fish360 Hobie Field Test

I also found the rudder system to be well designed.  The rudder drops in and out of the water via pulleys.  The pulleys are labeled “Up” and “Down”. Brilliant!

Fish360 Hobie Field Test

Overall, the Hobie is stable and tracks really well.   But, the rudder is not an option!
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AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

When I started slinging plugs into the surf, I was flooded by the number of surf bags on the market.  After a comprehensive technical review and speaking with anglers up and down the East coast, I purchased an AquaSkinz E.H.P.S. Cobra surf bag.  The Cobra surf bag is made in U.S.A. and has purpose-built features.

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

A surf bag worth it’s weight in salt must stay closed under harsh marine conditions and drain water.  The Cobra bag features Velcro under it’s flap to prevent your plugs from swimming out of your bag; but, with a little force, you can quickly access to your fish seducing plugs.  The 10 stainless steel holes drain water with ease.  I addition, the Cobra surf bag is constructed from an impervious material that does not absorb water!

The Cobra surf bag also has ample storage.  The main compartment has 5 plug plastic insets (8 1/4″ x 2″).

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

The front pocket can hold plastic baits and 10 jigs.

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

The two side pockets can be use to hold items like an Uncle Josh pork rinds.

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

There is even an internal spacer pocket to store a leader spool; if you need a new leader, simply pull. Brilliant!

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

The Cobra bag is ergonomic.  The bag can be worn in your surf belt or carried using it’s shoulder strap.  Each method is equally effective, if done properly.

While wet-suiting, I wear my Cobra surf bag on my belt.  I keep it on my back side and swing it to my left side when I need to change my presentation.

When I use waders, I wear my Cobra bag with the shoulder strap. I have a large clip on one of of the stainless steel D-rings, which I clip to a stainless steel loop on my surf belt.  This helps to reduce the strain on my shoulder and trapezius muscle.  I also have a Drangon Tail lanyard on the second stainless steel D-ring so that if I loose my footing, I do not lose my bag.

Fish360 AquaSkinz E.H.P.S.Cobra Surf Bag

AquaSkinz has been building innovative quality products for 10+ years.  In fact, the people at AquaSkinz are passionate about fishing, which translates in quality surf bags like the Cobra bag.  The Cobra bag was field tested and modified until it was proven to work.  Then and only then was it made available to the Surfcasting community.  Bottom line, if you are in the market for a surf bag, learn from my experience and buy an AquaSkinz E.H.P.S. Cobra surf bag because of it’s features, quality materials, and it’s built-to-last stitching.  You will not be disappointed!

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Tactical Anglers Clip

When I first started slinging plugs into the surf, I field tested every clip on the market.  All the clips failed my tests.  Without an acceptable clip on the market, I fished plugs with a loop knot at the end of my leader.  I used this effective (but time consuming!) method until the Tactical Anglers clip came on the market.

Fish360 Tactical Anglers Clip

The Tactical Anglers clip is the only clip that passed all my tests.  In short:

1. They allow for quick lure changes.
2. They do not “open” during a cast.
3. They do not interfere with a lure’s action.

The Tactical Anglers clips come in three sizes: 175 lb, 125 lb, and 50 lb.  In addition to allowing quick lure changes, the Tactical Anglers clips also have other uses.  For example, I use a clip on my tube-and-worm rig to quickly replace the hook.  I use laser sharp and chemically shared hooks with bleeding sharp points.  When the they get dull, I replace them quickly.  No exception.

Fish360 Tactical Anglers Clip

At the end of all my line, you will always find one thing: a Tactical Anglers clip.

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Split Ring Pryers

How do you safely open the split rings on you lures?  I have been using a small screw driver to pry the the split ring open and needle-nose pliers to move the split. This method works.  But, it’s terribly inefficient and dangerous.  While visiting M&D’s Bait and Tackle Shop recently, I found a new solution.

Fish360 Split Ring Pryers

The Texas Tackle split ring pryers have a patented design that efficiently and safely open and move split rings on or off your lure.  During my field tests, I was able to replace split rings and hooks in 1/3 of the time!

The Texas Tackle split ring pryers now have a permanent resting place in myAquaSkinz Cargo Bag! 😉

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