FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

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One thing I wanted to do is tell you how I rig the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad, along with other soft jerk baits and swim baits.  One thing I have learned it is incumbent that your soft jerk bait runs properly, straight and true on a straight retrieve, or if using a walking the dog retrieve as I usually do, that it preforms just like a Spook.  While all worm hook style hooks will work I have settled on the VMC Drop Dead swimbait hook for a couple of reasons.

It has the twist lock keeper on the front end with the streamlined weight located much further back on the hook than other swim bait hooks, which is very important in making it easier to work properly.  The advantage of the Drop Dead is the placement of the weight actually acts as a keel, which allows it to run level.  And on the stop or drop it will remain basically level instead of nosing straight down like many swimbait hooks.  And with a variety of weights you can use whatever you need for the depth and method you are fishing.  Generally when fishing it walk the dog style I use a 1/16 or 1/8th ounce weight.

   Wrong.                                                                  Right.

              Wrong – bunching.                                            Nice and straight.

No matter what soft plastic bait you use it can not be over stressed that it must be rigged straight.  So after twisting the lock on before putting the hook in the bait let it hang off the hook eye and be sure it hangs straight inline with the hook.  Then place it next to the bait and find the place where the bend would enter the bait and insert it until it comes out the top with the bait straight.  The great thing about Controlled Descent baits is there is a visible line on the midline top and bottom so you know you are in the right place.  The bait should be straight without any bunching.

Skin hooked and ready to run straight and catch fish.

Last comes what I feel is the most important point to the rigging.  Skin hook the point of the hook into the bait to keep it lined up straight on the hook.  By doing that it is as straight as you can make it, it look as natural as possible, and will run true and stay that way.  Of course it helps it from hanging up when throwing around brush and cover, but that is a side benefit.  When properly rigged it will run straight and true and fall level, which at times they just can not stand.  Take the time to rig it properly, because it is the little things that put more fish in the boat.

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Anglers Arsenal

Stopped in at Anglers Arsenal last week to pick up a bag of Pit Boss plastics and some tungsten slip sinkers and I wanted to let you know that not only have they started online sales, and also the “Guide Box”.  It will be full of select products for the bay fisherman.  A one time purchase or monthly, it will be a deal.  And their general selection is also available online, also nice to know what is available if you plan on stopping in.   So stop by their site and check it out.  And if you have not been to the store stop in, great folks.

https://www.anglersarsenaltx.com/s/shop?page=1&limit=60

And my buddy Rusty reports he just had his reels cleaned there and they did a great job.  Glad to hear it after my last cleaning.  The place cleaned it but did not fix it.  Why would you do that?  Nice to pay for a cleaning on a reel I still could not use.

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Please Send Your Comments

After my post on the increase of the day use fee to $17 a day at Coleto I heard from SA Joe.

And no Veterans fee at Coleto Creek either !!!! You might have said that but too lazy to go back and read…LOL

You made me laugh, of course I mentioned retired military.  But on a serious note I sent along the following comment to GBRA.

To Whom It May Concern.

I am writing to inform you of my objection to the increase in the day use fee on Coleto to $17 a day.  Over the last 40 years I have fished from Canada to Key West, as I currently do, and this is one of the highest day use fee anywhere in the country.  Fishing the lake as I do, up to 3 times a week, I have the annual pass so it does not affect me directly.  (Though it has gotten to high and if you look at the annual fee it takes over a 100 trips to the lake to make it viable.)  But I am not writing about me.  My concern is during the week many, if at times most, of the folks fishing are seniors as I am.  And with that many are retired military who have served this country well.  While I am fortunate that the increase does not lock me out I am very concerned for folks who just can not afford that for a day of fishing, much less next year when families and their children come to enjoy the beach.  So I hope that you will review that decision and compare it to other fees in the area.  As an example Lake Fayette Country has a $2 day use for seniors.  I appreciate the chance to comment.

Cordially

Doug Coppernoll

Attorney (Retired/Inactive)

Victoria Texas

When things like this happen it is incumbent on folks to comment.  If people do not participate then I can guarantee nothing will change.  While I am not hopeful that GBRA will reduce the fee you never know.  So if you fish or swim at the lake comment respectfully and state your case, it can not hurt.   Their email for comments is below, so either comment or don’t complain, your choice.

comments@gbra.org

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And I have one more comment on buying a used boat.  “This boat runs 65 mph!”  Think about that for a second when reading the ad.  That means it has been run wide open, maybe a lot.  So compare that to a car.  If you read an ad selling a car and it said it ran 120 mph would that assure you it was in good shape and had not been abused?  But if you are buying a new late model used boat the dealer can tell you how it was run.  Mine is about 50/50 on hours, 1,500 rpm at idle and the rest generally 4000 – 4500 rpm range.  Just a thought when you are about to spend $50k.

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I haven’t fished the last couple of days.  The Boss is off and we will spend a little time together before she starts a 7 day stretch, at which point I will be foot loose and fancy free.  First up is tomorrow morning.  If the timing is right we have a real cold front that will come crashing down with high north winds around noon, so I will be at the lake hoping to ride the front for what I hope is a big bite.  You never know for sure how they will react but it might be spinnerbait heaven on the wind change.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines