Keep your cool when the heat is on
July 2010
In the strange event you somehow haven’t noticed, it’s hot every day, and the evening, it barely cools down, dropping to temperatures we considered hot just a month ago. If you’ve been living indoors in total climate control, this is the time to abandon that and get out to take advantage of summer.
Carolina rig is the best for live-bait fishing
June 2010
Many fishermen prefer to use live baits. That’s stating the obvious about as bluntly and simply as possible. One of the best ways to catch fish, especially those that are picky, bashful or otherwise reluctant to chomp on a piece of plastic or balsa, is to use live bait. If you offer what they normally eat and present it in a reasonable manner, they will probably eat it.
Pogey wars: Who wins?
May 2010
Bunker, fatback, shad, pogey or their proper name, menhaden — whatever you call them, they are one of the main forage fish in coastal and nearshore ocean fisheries from Nova Scotia to Mexico.
Oh goody! New goodies
April 2010
Ever wondered how the latest in rods, reels or terminal tackle went from being just another great idea to your favorite tackle shop? While it may be frustrating at times, the first part is really pretty simple. Someone comes up with a good idea and makes it work. Then comes the hard part —finding a way to get it on the market.
Saltwater tournaments come and go
March 2010
The rumor mill is going wide open these days when it comes to saltwater fishing tournaments. Some rumors carry some truth, and some are as ridiculous as the silly-season trade rumors that permeate NASCAR and other pro sports.
Select, set up your trailer carefully
February 2010
One of the most overlooked aspects of purchasing a boat is the trailer. Oh, if it’s a used boat, you may walk around the trailer and look for obvious rust or problems and maybe even kick the tires, but rarely does anyone check further or ask any questions. When the purchase is a new boat, there is even less discussion of the trailer. Many folks have the opinion that if the dealer has the boat on that trailer, it is the right one.
Can't buy new? You can update old
January 2010
Can’t buy new? You can update At the risk of sounding like a naysayer or doomsday prophet, I think it’s safe to say there are many of us who would like to replace the boat we have but don’t see it as something that is going to happen in the near future.
It’s the night before Christmas, and a fisherman needs a present
December 2009
The wives of several friends have already called to make sure I would be doing another column with gift ideas for their husbands, so here it is once again. I hope it will be helpful, as many of you have indicated at boat, fishing and hunting shows when we’ve spoken.
Topwater route is most exciting in fall
November 2009
After last month’s column on weedless spoons, my phone began ringing and inbox began stacking up with requests to go to the other extreme. If spoons are most effective when bumped slowly along the bottom in inshore areas, what works best when retrieved across the top?
Catching fall fish by the ‘spoonful’
October 2009
They say age is just a number, but a few weeks ago I realized just how quickly my number was increasing.
Getting another visit from ‘Aunt Ethylnol’
September 2009
What in the world are they thinking? While we, the consumers — and the mechanics who have to keep our marine engines running — still haven’t figured out good ways to deal with the side effects of adding ethanol up to 10 percent into our fuels, the EPA and some legislators are considering upping the allowable level to 15 percent.
Carolina rigs + scented soft baits = a good fish dinner
August 2009
I believe most fishermen are familiar with the Carolina rig. It’s a very basic way of rigging that involves using a short to medium piece of leader, a swivel and an egg or bullet sinker to make a bottom rig. There are two basic types: the sinker above the swivel sliding freely on the line to the reel, and a round, tapered sinker that slides across small irregularities on the bottom and allow the bait and rig to be retrieved.
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