Winni Derby ~ 2015

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I fished the Winni Derby for the first time this year. Our boat was on the water by sunrise with more rods than anglers. We rode to our hunting grounds at high speed. An hour later, the engine unexpectedly stopped running and refused to start. The captain pulled out his TowBoatUS membership card and called for a tow via mobile phone. I give him our location (LAT / LONG) from my DeLorme InReach. The good news is that we got towed in safely. The bad news is that we were without a boat.

 

Fish360 Lake Winni Derby

No boat? No problem! We got on our smart phones and searched the Internet. We found a marina with one boat to rent. Trip saved! We transferred all our gear and started trolling. Trolling using lead core lines and sinking fly lines for lake trout and salmon in 50 to 90 feet depths is vastly different from casting to structure. I learned a lot about this method. The lures of choice are metals (Mooselook Wobbler spoons, DB Smelt spoons) and flies. We used conventional reels with lead core lines and L.L. Bean 9’6″ 7 wt trolling fly rods with sinking lines and 6 ft 8 lb test leaders. Some anglers use cooper line!

Fish360 Lake Winni Derby

While we trolled four rods at back of the boat at 1 mile per hour, I went to the front of the boat and casted ahead of the boat. This allowed me to retrieve my presentation until the boat caught up to the lure. Sounds complicated, but the physics are actually simple.

Fish360 Lake Winni Derby

While casting towards boulders the size of Volkswagons in 20+ feet of water, I worked an Ozzie Jig with a pink/white Lefty Deceiver pattern that I tied on a 3/0 Owner Aki hook. A small mouth bass of loc ness proportions emerged from the deep and tail slapped my jig! OMG! The profile on that fish was HUGE! The captain stopped the boat. I fan castted that whole area, multiple times, for the next hour. But, Wally was no where to be found. Yes. I named the fish Wally.

We trolled for salmon and trout and castted for bass for two days with a 2D map and no electronics or downriggers. We fished hard. But we got schooled! 🙁

Fish360 Lake Winni Derby

After returning the boat to the marina, I grabbed my 9′ surf rod and Plano box of metals dressed with flies and walked down to our dock. I fan castted the whole area with the Ozzie Jig and fly that got Wally’s attention. Nothing! Not even a bump!! I switched to a 3/8 oz chrome/blue Kastmaster dressed with a blue/white Lefty Deceiver pattern that I tied on a 3/0 Owner Aki hook. BANG!! A small mouth full of attitude hit my presentation with a vengeance! It was Wally, Jr. 😉

Fish360 Lake Winni Derby

I never trolled for trout and salmon. I learned a lot. The captain never fished Lake Winnipesauki. He learned a lot. And we both learned: Always have a plan B! 😉

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Freshwater Surfcasting

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I am presenting “Freshwater Surfcasting” at the Plum Island Surfcasters (16-JUN-2015). In this seminar I will cover the fresh water species that you can target from terra firma using surfcasting knowledge and techniques. When you are waiting for the tide to turn, why not fish the near by pond, lake, or river? The strikes by freshwater fish can be absolutely explosive! 🙂

Fish360 BBAC Freshwater Surfcasting 2015

The club meeting is held at the Newbury Fireman’s Hall. Super is served from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM at prices that will not break the bank. The business portion for the meeting starts at 7:30 PM. My seminar will start at 8:00 PM. Members attend free. Non-members can attend with just a $5.00 donation, which can be applied to the membership if you decide the join this growing club of surf, boat, kayak, and fly anglers.

WARNING: The information in this seminar will make you catch fish! If you do not want to catch fish, please do not attend. I will not be offended. 😉

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Metals and Flies

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Metal lures cast far and have incredible action as they move through the water column. Flies cast near and imitate bait fish color, length, and profile. Metals catch fish. Flies catch fish. Why not fish metals and flies?

Fish360 Metal and Flies

Adding a fly to a metal lure extends the length of your presentation. A fly also enhances the color profile and provides additional action. I like to match the color of my fly to the metal.

Fish360 Metal and Flies

What metals? When selecting a metal, I consider three things: color, weight, and geometry. I select the color based on the time of day, conditions, and water clarity. Then I select a metal with the geometry and weight that will penetrate the water column at the depth that I want to fish.

What fly? My go-to fly pattern is the Lefty Deceiver. This proven pattern has seduced countless saltwater and freshwater fish. Whatever pattern you choose, be sure to go with a strong hook that has a bleeding sharp point. I use Owner Aki hooks in 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 or 5/0.

There are many quality metal lures on the market. Buy some. Dress them with colorful flies. When you start catching fish, don’t blame me! 😉

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Wachusett Reservoir: My First Trip

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I finally had the opportunity to fish the Waschusset Reservoir for the first time. Wow! What an amazing fishery. Unlike other freshwater fisheries, there is overwhelming shoreline access.

The 7 square miles of the reservoir is home to a multitude of species:

  1. Lake trout
  2. Rainbow trout
  3. Landlocked salmon
  4. Smallmouth bass
  5. Largemouth bass
  6. Sunfish
  7. Yellow perch

I brought a wide range of presentations. My strategy was to cover as much water as possible and fish the entire water column.

Fish360 Wachusett Reservoir

The first lure out of Plano boxes was a 3/8 oz blue/silver Acme Kastmaster with a blue/white Lefty Deceiver pattern that I tied on a 3/0 Owner Aki hook. Why?

Fish360 Wachusett Reservoir

I fished this presentation though the entire water column by adjusting the speed of my retrieve, the position of my rod tip, and the frequency and length of pauses during my retrieve. A long cast with a steady retrieve while pointing the tip of my rod toward my feed with periodic jerks and pauses produced the best result.

While dragging my Kastmaster along the bottom, I hooked something. It did not pull, but it had some resistance to it. It was someone’s fishing line. But, there was no one near me! I eventually pulled the entire line in. I kept the old fishing line in my AquaSkinz Cobra bag until I got back to the gate.

Fish360 Wachusett Reservoir

I am already planning my next trip to the Wachusset Reservior. If you have not fished it yet, I hope this article inspires you to go fish it! Just keep in mind that this is a shore only fishery: no boats and no ice fishing. Fishing is only allowed during daylight hours at the designated areas. Dogs are also not allowed. When you go, practice C.P.R.; leave only foot prints behind; and post your fishy pics to Wachussets Addicts, a great online community.

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Montauk Rocks

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Montauk, NY is the Surfcasting capital of the world. Anglers from near and far travel to fish from its rock studded shores. Montauk Rocks captures the essence of Surfcasting on this remote spot on the Atlantic sea board.

Fish360 Montauk Rocks

The documentary starts off with a short history of Mountauk from an angler’s point of view. I found the history informative. But, the interviews of the fixtures on the Montauk surf was entertaining.

  • Paul Melnyk
  • Arden Gardell
  • Gary “Toad” Stephens
  • Capt. Craig Cantelmo
  • Mike Copoola
  • Fred “Eelman” Kalkstein
  • Paul Apostolides
  • Chuck Hollis
  • Jack Yee

The shoreline of Montauk is not increasing. But, the number of angers are increasing exponentially. This makes Surfcasting on public land challenging. So why fish Montauk?

Surfcasters travel to Montauk because of large predatory striped bass with carnivorousness appetites travel to Montauk each spring and fall. To understand the passion that fuels die hard surfcasters to fish under extreme conditions with wet suits and high tech gear, watch Montauk Rocks.

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Fish360 Journal Angler Edition

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When I decided to target trophy fish, I started keeping a fishing journal. I kept a traditional paper journal for three straight years. In the first year, I reached a new personal best. In the second year, I reached another personal best. And in the third year, I reached yet another personal best. But, my new success soon became limited by the limitations of a traditional paper journal. So, I formed a software company and started building an Internet based fishing journal.

I am proud to announce that several years of research and extensive beta testing (on two different platforms!), the Fish360 Journal Angler Edition is now available! In this free version, you can create trips and fish— similar to the way you would in a traditional paper fishing journal. You can easily add spots, rods, reels, lines, presentations, and pictures—- which you cannot do in a traditional paper fishing journal. And you can search all your data in your fishing journal. I literally mean your data. Your journal is private and secure. The Pro Angler edition, which will give you unlimited storage, will be available soon. 😉

I am also proud to say that I am using the Fish360 Journal Angler Edition for all my fishing. As you know, fishing is my passion. I fish for multiple species in fresh and salt water via multiple methods. I am pushing the Fish360 Journal the extreme of extreme. When it starts fails me, we will extend it! If it fails you, drop me a line, and we will improve it.

The Fish360 Journal Angler Edition is a WebApp that can be accessible via web or mobile device. To create your free account using your mobile device, go to: http://f360-fish360.rhcloud.com. Save the link to your mobile device’s desktop (iPhone | Android | Windows). It’s FREE. Private and secure. The only thing you have to lose is the fish you will not be catching without it. ;-).

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Surfcasting The Water Column

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I plan my trips to the surf by selecting spots based on the migratory patterns of striped bass, the time of year, the moon phase, and tide. I tend select a spectrum of presentations (plugs, soft plastics, eels, jigs, and tins) that will fish the entire water column.

Fish360 Surfcasting The Water Column

When I arrive at a spot (e.g. “Death Rock”), I start fishing my top water presentations. Then I move to my sub-subsurface and down low offerings. When conditions are right, I fish fly teasers on all my presentations (except poppers). I match the color of my teasers to my presentation.

Fish360 Surfcasting The Water Column

The height of the water column is constantly changing as the tide floods or ebbs. Fish swim up and down this dynamic water column. There is no algorithm to predict where in the water column a fish will be at any given time. And so, I take a systematic approach. I fan cast each spot and fish the water entire column until I hook up.

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MSBA Annual Sport Fishing Expo ~ 2015

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The Massachusetts Striped Bass Association (MSBA) is hosting their annual Sport Fishing Expo on 28-MAR-215 (10 am – 5 pm) and 29-MAR-2015 (9 am – 4 pm).  This year’s show is being held at the brand new University Sports Complex.  I will be attending this show for the first time.  I am looking forward to the fishy seminars and the trolling through the isles of the 100+ booths.  I have spoken with Mike Jones, the President of the club, about the club and where it’s going.  Bottom line, I am joining the club at this show!  Admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Parking is FREE!  I hope to see you at the show.  It’s going to be a wicked fishy!

mass_bass_2015_575

 

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Jiffy Pro4 Propane Auger

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Ice fishing requires an auger. An auger powered by human or fuel. I like to make holes as efficiently as possible. No priming, flooding or mixing fluids increases efficiency. Hence, my two options were a manual auger or a propane powered auger. I chose the latter. My next decision was to choose between the Jiffy Pro4 or the Eskimo HC40. I chose the Jiffy Pro4 because it has been field proven for several seasons.

I field tested my Jiffy Pro4 during the coldest and windiest day of this winter season. It’s performance was unaffected. I cut the first five holes through 16″ of ice in less time then it would have taken me to drill one hole with a manual auger. The cutting power of the Jiffy Pro4 is due it’s 49 CC 4 stoke engine, heavy duty clutch, and gears working synchronously to generate maximum torque.

In theory, a 34 lb auger sounds “heavy”. But, in practice, I found it “balanced”. I had no issue pulling it on my sled or caring it around the ice. In fact, I would not reduce weight by replacing metal components with plastics ones! 😉

Are you in the market for a power auger? If you are, I would recommend the Jiffy Pro4 Propane powered auger because of it’s design, performance, and warranty: 2 year engine, 2 year transmission, and 2 year blades.

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Coastal Conservation Association of New Hampshire Flee Market ~ 2015

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The Coastal Conservation Association of New Hampshire (CCANH) is hosting a flee market on 21-MAR-2015 at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, NH. There will be lots of fishy gear ranging from fly fishing, lures, rods, reels, to boat equipment and life vests. Admission is only $3.00. There will be a door prize! Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Red Hook Brewery. Yum! 😉

Coastal Conservation Association NH Flea Market 2015

 

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