A friend once asked me: “You fish at night on top of slippery rocks in the ocean…are you crazy?”  I replied: “No. I am systematic and confident because I use great gear like the AquaSkinz Black Thunder gloves.”

These gloves provide protection from the elements and the finger cutting tendencies of braided line. After three seasons, the Kevlar index figure is still going strong.  Now that’s quality.

When I am fishing, the gloves feel great and I often forget that I have them on. They actually enhance my grip, which in a hostile marine environment makes all the difference!  For example, I once plucked a 15 pound bluefish by it’s tale with my right hand out of shallow water and smacked it with my left hand when it got to frisky.  😉

If you fish saltwater with spinning gear, the AquaSkinz Black Thunder gloves are required gear. They will help you fish longer and safely without breaking the bank.

What is your mojo plug?  This simple question will not only break the deafening silence in a room, but also retrieve a multitude of different responses.  The bottom line is that they are all correct!  Why?  Because a mojo plug is nothing more than a plug that you have confidence in.  Confidence built up from the plug’s proven ability to seduce fish into striking.  My mojo plug is the 8″ / 2 oz black cherry junior needlefish from Lemire’s Plugworks.  Why?

Those scars are not from bluefish!  The stripped bass who visit Block Island cannot resist themselves!

Having one mojo plug is a risky proposition.  Once you identify your very own mojo plug, stock up on that plug. Trust me! 😉

As anglers, we tend to focus on must-have and fish-catching gear.  There is nothing wrong with this.  All good anglers do.  But, we should not lose sight of gear that enhance our fishing.  The Mountauk Tackle Company for example has performance fishing shirts for men and women that are not only functional, but stylish!

These shirts have some impressive features.  The SPF 50 feature in particular is brilliant!  I have a science background.  Climate change is a reality.  Protecting your skin from then sun’s damaging rays while on the water is not an option.  It’s a must.

The moisture wicking feature will keep you dry and cool while fishing.  Leave your cotton shirts at home.  The anti-microbial and the stain release features are novel.  I have not seen these in any other performance fishing shirt.  I’ll take them!

My Montauk Tackle Company shirts are part of my fishing gear.  They do not hook fish.  But, they protect my skin and keep me dry and comfortable when I am fishing.  I now fish longer.

Before you head out this summer to fish from shore, boat, kayak, canoe, or SUP, be sure to pick up your very own high performance fishing shirt (Made in USA) from Montauk Tackle Company.    You will thank me.  Trust me!

I am an equal opportunity ice angler.  I enjoy targeting fish below hard water via tip-ups and jigging rods.  This presented me with a unique tackle storage and travel problem.  I am happy to say that I have now solved this problem!  Thanks to the Cabelas 12-Rod Deluxe Ice Case. 😉

The case has several noteworthy features.  But, the feature that sold me was the ample storage.  I can fit my Jack Traps tip-ups and my St. Croix rods into the three main compartments.

The bag also has three additional compartments on the sides for tackle storage.  And, the two shoulder straps help to “balance” the bag on your shoulder as you traverse and negotiate your way over snow and ice.

I store my Jack Traps tip-ups, St. Croix rods, terminal tackle, and lures in myCabelas ice case during the off-season.  This keeps my gear dust and dirt free.  When it’s time to go ice fishing, I just grab my bag an sled.  That was easy! 😉

A friend once told me “There is no such thing as bad weather. Just bad clothing.”.  When it comes to ice fishing, bad weather is expected.  Bad clothing is not an option.  I opted for the Frabill ice fishing suit from Glen’s Army Navy Store because of its many technical advances.

First, the suite is very functional and non-restrictive.  Drilling holes and setting tip-ups happens with ease.

Second, the suit is well built and insulated.  During a recent ice fishing tournament, the temperature was well below freezing and the wind was perpetually blowing.  Some anglers left early because they felt cold.  My Frabill ice fishing suit kept me warm the whole tournament!

Third, the suit has no lack of pockets!  During my last ice fishing trip, I inserted my gear into my pockets and still had some pockets empty.  One day I may fill all 12 pockets.

Fourth, the loop on the outside of the jacket is really great to hang gear.  I hang my The Fish Grip lip griper for quick access during a FLAG UP!

Fifth, the padded knees are priceless!  How many times do you get down on one or both of your knees while on the hard and cold ice?  Exactly!

Sixth, the value of the front zipper on the bibs is only appreciated when Nature calls.  This technical advancement is priceless. 😉

Having ice finished in bad weather with bad clothing, I can fully appreciate all the technical advances of the Frabill ice fishing suit.  I am very happy with it and highly recommend it!

I have always used gloves.  Why?  Because they feel functional.  🙂  However, they are not as warm as mittens. 🙁  A tip that I learned from Joe Brortz during his Ice Fishing seminar at the Plum Island Surfcasters is that an ice fishing angler should carry gloves and mittens.  Each have their purpose.

There are a variety high-tech mittens on the market.  I purchased a  pair of The Northface Montana Mitts from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS).

The mittens are waterproof and breathable.  They different amounts of insulation on the palms and on the back-of-hand areas.I have field tested these mittens under a variety of conditions.  They were surprisingly functional and they kept my hands warm!  I give them two thumbs up!  I am now convinced that real ice anglers wear mittens. 😉

The first time that I went ice fishing, a fellow Plum Island Surfcaster told me: “As long as your feet are warm, you’re all set.”  OMG.  This could not be closure to the truth!

I retired my first pair of “ice fishing” boots at the end of last season.  I hope they can recycle the duck tape also. 😉  After much research, I asked Santa for a pair of Cabelas Inferno boots.  And he delivered! 🙂

The boots have a quality construction and some impressive features.  For example, they are 100% waterproof and they have an aggressive snow-gripping outer sole.  And most importantly, 2,000 grams of 3M Thinsulate Ultra!

I tested theses boots during a recent snowplowing and snow shoveling excursion in my Chevy Suburban.

They felt light and comfortable on my feet.  Even after eight hours, they still provided great support.  They kept my feet warm the whole time.  No.  Toasty!  🙂

I give the Cabelas Inferno boots two thumbs up.  Or is that, two toes up?  I cannot wait to get on the ice with them and fish!

I was out chucking during the last blue moon.  Under the bright night, I noticed the various methods anglers employed to transport their chunking gear to and from their hot spots.  One angler dragged his gear in a plastic snow sled that only hand a short cord tided on one end; the thing kept tipping over because it was not balanced.  One angler carried a sand spike, two rods, bait, and only Poseidon knows that else, in his hands, under his arms, and hanging off his back.

When I go chunking, I fish remote locations and I move based on tide emerging structure.  To do so effectively, I travel smart using my “BUV” (“Beach Utility Vehicle”).

To build your own BUV, all you need is:

• 1 milk create
• 2 sand spikes (or 1.5” PVC pipes)
• 2 Wheels
• 1 Aluminum Axle
• A collapsing or removable handle
• Stainless steel screws, nuts, washers, clamps, and bolts, and clamps to secure everything.

This is my BUV.  With a few recycled parts and some creativity, you can build your own BUV and save your back for winching in the COWs! 😉

This past May I fished the Plum Island Invitational Tournament, hosted by the Plum Island Surfcasters.  The tournaments starts at midnight and ends at 9:00 AM.  To properly fish this nine hour tournament, you need to move from hot spot to hot spot as the tide changes.  And you need your rod ready to go at all time.  Hence, you need a rod rack.  I picked up the RodBunk.

I read the RodBunk installation instructions from start to finish.  Then I inserted them into the recycle bin.  I developed my own method for securing the RodBunk straps in my Suburban without drilling any holes.  The method works well and it’s non-intrusive.

For the rear strap, I built a 1” x 3” wooden frame and screwed the metal loops to the frame.  I secured the wooden frame to a 2′ x 4′ piece of plywood for stability.  I secure both straps to the frame when I am not transporting rods.

During the Plum Island Invitational, the RodBunk kept my rigged 10′ surf rod and reel safely above my gear.

The RodBunk continues to keep my rods and reels protected from the elements and thieves.  All  without breaking the bank.