The Powertool Shed

Where to fish for salmon or the Chinook or the king salmon. The pacific salmon range from California to Alaska. These anadromous species can be found in most pacific coastal waters, streams and rivers that have a good flow of water and temperature as well as a suitable habitat for going up to spawn. You will find that they may be as many as three spawns per year, spring ,summer, fall.

The average size of the Chinook can be from 16 to 20 lb. but you will see larger fish up to 55 lb. taken from the remote areas along the pacific coast .From BC Alaska you can catch the largest or the Chinook. Fish up to 65 lb. which are common have been taken from the coastal areas.

The Chinook will return to the river in which they spawned from at the age of 2 to 7 years old. The salmon will travel over 7000 miles at sea to return to its spawning grounds. One of the longest river spawns is the 2000 miles battle up the Yukon River located in the state of Alaska.

With the advancement of man a lot of the smaller streams have been choked of with pollution and silt from local construction. Some of the streams have been filled in for housing and commercial use. There has been a increase of volunteers to clean up the streams and repair the gravel spawning grounds. With some success the salmon have slowly been returning to these devastated areas.

The salmon use solar navigation ,smell, day light and rain fall to help guide them to the spawning grounds. Most need a gravel bed of course gravel to spawn in. The female will dig out a spot and lay her eggs and the male will fertilize the eggs with jets of milt. Both fish die with in days of spawning.

The spawning fish feed many bears ,bird like the eagles and people on the run up to their spawning grounds. The decaying fish supply food for the river or stream organisms which provide food for the fry after the hatch. The fry will spend up to 18 months in the river and stream systems before heading out to sea to repeat the process all over

Before you fish for salmon you will need to check the regulations in the area you are planning to fish in every area will have different regulations. Time to fish size limits and the number of the fish you may keep. State and Provincial Regulations must be followed as the fines can be very large if you get caught fishing with out the proper license or are out of season. Always check with the regulatory body for the area you will be fishing in. Better to have what you need than to lose a boat or vehicle or go to jail.

If fishing in early spring or late summer or in the fall be aware that you may see bears of all sizes after all you are fishing in their favorite spot. Give them a wide berth they are hungry and will protect their territory. Better to play safe than to have a bad encounter you will lose if you come into contact with a bear.

Trolling from a boat will help you avoid the bears. The down rigger is very popular to get the bait down to the level to which the salmon are at. Trolling depth will vary from 10 ft to 150 ft a lead cannon ball from 2 to 10 lb. will be used .Hootches , and anchovies work in most location best to check with the local guides to find out what is working on the given days you are fishing.

No matter what you fish with or which method you use a Chinook salmon will give you a fight you will not soon forget.

Sammy Salmon has been having fun fishing for years and wants to share all his knowledge with you so be sure to visit him at Fishing-For-Fun

When you choose Caribbean yacht charters for your next vacation, it will be almost like having your own exclusive luxury hotel on the water. If you choose the crewed option for your sailing vacation, you won’t have to lift a finger. If you already have experience in sailing, you can charter a yacht on your own to sail the Caribbean, but you won’t have the luxury of having someone attend to your every need. Caribbean yacht charters are not just for the rich and famous. If you can afford to spend a vacation at a tropical resort, you can afford to take a sailing vacation.

The advantage of booking a Caribbean sailing charter is that you can choose the islands you want to visit. Although the company for Caribbean yacht charters may suggest a sample itinerary for you, you decide where and when you want to stop and for how long. You can also decide what kind of food you want to eat. Of course, if you choose one of the bareboat Caribbean sailing vacations, you will have to cook for yourself. On a crewed sailing vacation, you will have your own chef to prepare exotic delights for every meal.

Take a look at the many options available to you in Caribbean yacht charters. You can leave all the decisions up to the captain, who knows all the best locations among the islands. You can also do your own research to find out what kinds of activities are open to you on the various Caribbean sailing vacations so you can select all your favorites. You can spend your time at sea sunbathing on deck while reading a book. You can also enjoy diving, swimming or snorkelling among the tropical fish. One of the highlights of a Caribbean sailing charter is that you can go ashore on the islands and partake of the culture and shopping that only the Caribbean can provide.

You will have to demonstrate experience in sailing in order to book one of the bareboat Caribbean yacht charters. The yacht charter companies have a responsibility to make sure that all the passengers on the yacht with you will be safe. You don’t necessarily need to have a sailing certificate - experience is valued more than a license. If you choose the crewed option for a Caribbean sailing vacation, you will have an experienced captain at the helm. The crew are knowledgeable about all kinds of watersports and will be able to provide you with instruction if you need it to make the most of the Caribbean sailing charter.

Chartering a yacht for Caribbean sailing vacations is the perfect opportunity for families and groups of friends to get together for a short period of time. It is possible to book Caribbean yacht charters for day trips as short as an hour or two or for week long excursions to the islands of the Caribbean. Choosing to spend a week cruising the Caribbean waters is one of the best ways to experience the best of what this part of the world has to offer. Check out the many options of Caribbean yacht charters and get started on making memories to last a lifetime.

To find out more about Sailing Vacations visit Peter’s Website Your Sailing Vacation and find out about Caribbean Yacht Charters and more, including LuxuryYacht Charters, Crewed Yacht Charters, Bareboat Charters and Florida Charters.

Boat towing or trailering across the United States is subject to different state laws as far as maximum speeds, trailer equipment requirements, trailer dimensions, brakes, insurance, and accessories such as reflectors are concerned. A separate permit for boat towing in each state is also required.
Most Americans live within a 100 miles of boatable waterways, and boat trailering is something of a national craze. Statistics show that the easiest boats to tow on a regular basis measure within twenty-five feet in length, since these allow for easier maneuvering on highways. Boat-towing vehicles and trailers differ quite a bit from other kinds because of the unique shape and dimensions of these crafts.
There is a mind-boggling array of towable boats available on the market today. These include air boats, fishing boats, bow riders, canoes, cuddy cabins, day sailers, deck boats, sailing dinghies, flats boats, jet boats, inflatable boats, and a host of others.
If one isn’t an expert, it is important to follow a trailering-safety checklist while towing. The checklist should include guidelines to loading, leveling, driving, unloading, and launching. Probably one of the most common and dreaded hazards that all boat towers face is compromised tightness of the nuts on the trailer wheels. These tend to loosen with distance covered. Wheel maintenance in all its aspects should be a primary concern of every boat trailer owner.
As with most other kinds of towing, each state has its own set of trailering laws that will prescribe limits to weight, speed, and minimum equipment. These are strictly enforced, and it is wise to be prepared for all eventualities.

Car Towing provides detailed information on Towing, Car Towing, Trailer Towing, Truck Towing and more. Car Towing is affiliated with Windshield Repair Experts.

Want to learn more about bass fishing? Are you catching less bass because of using the wrong lure? You can finally learn how to do it the right way. There are many ebooks as well as web sites on the internet which can help you can information in bass fishing and how to be successful at it.

The promise of this bass fishing ebooks is that it will surely aid you in getting better bass. Moreover, you just have to follow the tips, techniques and you will surely catch more and larger bass than you ever think of.

There are bass secrets that are contained in many ebooks. Many are amazed to see the results on their very next bass fishing getaway. Some may be very disappointed spending the day bass fishing and never had a good catch.

Maybe because you have used the wrong bait or if you had spent a little more time in a different location of the lake before the wind suddenly came. Well, if you have been thinking about those, these secret bass fishing guides and ebooks will easily solve your problem. How? With these, you will know the best baits to use in every case or situation. Moreover, you will be able to know where the best part of the lake for catching fish is.

It is affected by so many factors like wind and weather at that particular time so it is really advised that one should know about it. The next time you try, you are close to being a bass professional.

These guides will let you learn the various techniques and tips on how to catch a bigger bass. If you have never tried fishing before, then you will be an enthusiast once you have read information and ebooks about bass fishing.

It is not that hard at all. Many people are often disbelievers and have a common notion of bass fishing, they say it is complicated. But this is not true. Once you have got an ebook or you have apt information on bass fishing, you will no longer have a hard time getting improved bass. So what are some of the few big bass fishing secrets?

First and foremost, you must start off by thinking like a bass fish. It may sound crazy but it could help you in finding where the big one is. It is also advised that you find the right and appropriate tackle to use in any situation or case. You must have a lot of information on crank baits, spinner baits, plastic worms, buzz baits and many other types of it.

This would be one of the things that you might be sure of. A good lure is one of the techniques you have to learn and be knowledgeable about. In addition, you must know what part of the lake or stream is best to bass fish on different weather conditions. It will be different on a rainy day or a windy day, early in the morning or late in the evening. Other factors also affect like on a crowded lake or a steady lake and many others. It is up to you to research further on it.

Another thing is that you must know the most common bass fishing mistakes that almost every fisherman makes and executes. After knowing them and knowing the reason why will instill in your mind that these common practices end up in error so you must not practice it.

Another grateful thing is that you must choose the right bass fishing rod. You must learn the techniques and secrets on how to choose and where to find the most appropriate bass fishing rods there are.

Furthermore, you must know how to develop a successful bass fishing pattern. This will really help you in your fishing trip and having a larger bass. Some may go bass fishing at night so it is good that you learn professional night bass fishing techniques. Moreover, others may also be benefited by learning the professional winter bass fishing techniques for those who experience four seasons.

These are only some of the many techniques and tips on how to improve your bass fishing strategy. If you do not have any strategy at all, you may really get disappointed from time to time. But, it is suggested that you first learn and read sufficient information and guides on bass fishing.

For a free course on finding the best bass fishing guides and the best bass fishing lures, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Imagine having a report telling you in advance whether you will catch any fish, before you stop the boat. With the Eagle FishEasy 2 that’s just what you have, with its clear display telling you what’s going on under your boat.

The Eagle FishEasy fish finder is the type of tool that you just need to have on board when you head out onto the lake. Its the perfect fishfinder to help you see the fish activity below your boat. Its like having inside information about where to stop and fish. It will help you to impress your friends by helping you to bring home a full cooler of fish every time you head out. Here are the Eagle FishEasy 2’s features.

It all starts with the four inch display. The diagonal screen and high definition 240×160 resolution offers a good sized screen with all the details you need for success in your fish finding adventure. That is, it allows for you to have a very clear picture of what is down below. The high definition allows for a clear picture so that you can see what the sonar is bringing back to you. Having this clarity helps to improve your knowledge of where the fish are!

The sonar on board the Eagle FishEasy is good as well. You get a depth capability of 800 feet with 1500 watts of power. This depth is good for just about any average sized lake. It has a 60 degree highly sensitive fish detection capability. This means that the sonar is high quality enough to see some of the smallest of objects below and around your boat. This is helpful to know where to cast to and to know what your bait should be as well.

The other features that make the Eagle FishEasy’s sonar great include the technology known as FishReveal and HyperScroll. Each of these features is great. Fish Reveal allows you to see the fish hidden in the surface clutter or in the weeds at the floor.
Without this, you could miss the fish thinking there was nothing to be caught.

HyperScroll helps you adjust your setting easily to match your preferences. And, you’ll get Grayline which helps you to see fish that otherwise would blend into the bottom.

Each and every one of these features allows you the capability of finding your fish every time you try to. The Eagle FishEasy 2 is packed with features that will have you smiling the whole way home!

Niall is a fisherman looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for information and deals about the Eagle FishEasy 2 and other Eagle GPS/Sonar fish finders and marine navigation systems. www.fish-finder-review.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com

If you like sport fishing, you surely will like to fish for redfish. Redfish is a common name for a range of species of fish throughout the English-speaking world. It is commonly applied to members of the deep-sea genus Sebastes, or the reef dwelling snappers, Lutjanus. It is also applied to the slimeheads or roughies (family Trachichthyidae), and the alfonsinos (Berycidae). This feisty species is one of the best fighters in the inshore spectrum and, if cooked correctly, a great addition to the barbeque menu. Even some restaurants have adopted the fish as a specialty. For example, at the famous Redfish Seafood Grill and Bar on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, they headline, “At Redfish, we serve up a parade of award-winning French Quarter specialties, including classics like Blackened Redfish, Crawfish Etouffee and Jambalaya.”

Young redfish, or red drum as they are often called, feed in the shallows on clams, crabs, mussels and shrimp. Red drum are an inshore species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the near-shore population; spawning occurs from August to November in near-shore waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, inshore waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more.

The fish gets its common name from the copper bronze large scales on their bodies, which are darker in cloudy water and lighter in clear waters, but the most distinguishing feature is a dark spot at the top of the base of the tail. For the fisherman, however, the most recognizable feature is the tail disturbing the water in the calm shallows and frequently breaking the surface. The sight of a dozen or more redfish “tailing” as this foraging behavior is called is enough to set the adrenaline coursing through the veins of the most hardened sportsman.

Catching redfish is like all fishing. You just have to be in the right place at the right time with the right bait and tackle.

A fishing rods strength or lifting power is determined by its action. A light action rod has a low strength, making it ideal for casting light lures and fighting smaller fish, whereas a heavy action rod is much stronger, and therefore suitable for fighting big brutes like Giant Mekong Catfish. Most rod manufactures offer rods varying from Light to Heavy, but the extreme classes Ultra Light and Extra Heavy do also exist. Use a light medium action rod because you could end up doing a lot of casting before you finally lure your trophy specimen onto the hook, and use the lightest line you feel comfortable with. Just remember to set the drag accurately (the pro’s will actually use a scale and set it to sixty percent of nominal breaking strain).

The right time is easy, fish the feeding grounds on the flats and oyster bars on the rising tide and till just after the tide turns and fish the hiding places in the troughs and sloughs on the ebb. The most reliable spots are on the edge of the mangroves close to deep water. This gives the combination of a great feeding spot with an easy escape route when threatened.

As far as bait is concerned, if you are fishing for the pan, use live bait. Live animals such as mealworms, red worms, night crawlers, leeches, maggots, crayfish, reptiles, amphibians and insects may be used as bait on all waters not restricted to artificial flies and lures. Toss your bait or lure as close to the mangroves as you dare, let it sink for a few seconds, then retrieve slowly. Redfish tend to wave their tails slowly when feeding. When the strike comes, you will know all about it, and the fish will do all the work of setting the hook. Your job will be to get the fish away from the mangroves and then to enjoy the fight of your life. This is when the challenge of light tackle fishing will tax your skill and fill your psyche with pride.

Happy fishing, and look out for the recipe coming soon! Just remember, if you are not going to eat the fish, release it unharmed. Always respect your local fishing regulations.

My name is Robby, I live in Miami. I challenge anyone to make a fitting description of themselves that even begins to give a glimpse into the person they actually are. www.themiaminewsblog.com/

Sport fishers enjoy bass fishing tremendously especially if they succeed in catching their prey, and can prove very rewarding, whatever size or specie it may be. In order to achieve success in catching fish, it is necessary to study some tips.

Ranging from how to classify the fish down to the techniques in securing hold on the bait, many fishermen have their own advice and tips that are useful to both the novice and pro alike. Bass fishing tips are given with the purpose of helping the angler catch fish.

The first and most important tip is to become familiar with the fish you are going to catch. It is important for sport fishers to have an idea of their nature as well as their breeding activities. By researching thoroughly on their biological history, appearance, and their strengths and weaknesses, this will help you in order to catch them.

Take for example the regular black bass. It is wise to determine what their scientific names are and relate them to other fish. Maybe you will find that its characteristics maybe similar to that of a largemouth bass. By doing so, you can plan with similar details on catching the black bass just like of the largemouth bass. By tweaking your techniques accordingly, you will be able to be ready for catching both types. It’s best practice to be prepared for changes in circumstances.

Next is your preferred destination. Consider destinations suitable to your preferences. If you are passionately devoted in the study of certain specie of bass fish, for example, a peacock bass, then the Amazon River or any river tributaries that nestles in the jungle of the South American continent is the best place for you.

If you are in pursuit of a largemouth bass, then the waters of the North American continent is best suited for your purpose. Be familiar with the terrain, if you have to, trail several kilometres before you reach the river you want to catch fish. Just as much as researching into the fish itself, it is important to find out as much as possible about the surroundings and characteristics of the landscape, and prime positions for catching fish.

Season is also an important tip to consider. In knowing, what your prey’s characteristics are and becoming familiar of the terrain of your selected place, you can now associate them with the season. What are the different seasons over there? Do fish come out in this particular kind of season? Knowing this before setting out can really save you time, and bring in a lot more fish. After all, you could be waiting patiently, and the fish aren’t even due to come out!

For example, summer is one of the seasons most sport fishers look forward to. Summer is when the bass’ biological systems functions more effectively. Also, their system is accustomed in growing themselves rapidly at water temperatures that range from seventy up to eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Other than that, their prey such as small school of fishes, crayfishes, and waterweeds grow rapidly during summer and provides them enough food that result in duplicating rapidly other than any season in a year.

After careful consideration on what season to do your bass fishing, it is time to think about the fishing arsenals to use. Try to know and master the function it offers, and maximize the use of the fishing gears. Do not ever forget the basics of each gear and familiarize yourself with the latest trends.

Here are some of the basics of spinner baits, a kind of lure in catching fish. It is one of the most versatile bait because it can be placed in any cover without hassle. Each combination of the colors, blades, and its style will help you lure the fish you want to catch. Spinner baits will be of help if you know the basics of handling and manoeuvring it. Let your bait be more of an asset and not of a liability to you.

The method of catching your prey will be the most important tip you should not forget. How can I maximize the use of my bait? How can I properly handle the fish once it strikes my bait? Peacock bass, for instance, have enormous power within and can throw you out of your fishing vessel if not handled properly.

The best thing to do is to keep your feet planted on the floor of your boat and once the peacock bass strikes your bait, manoeuvre your rod towards you and not away from you.

Now, are you ready to lure your prey?

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Splitshotting can mean the difference between taking a cold boat ride and a great day of catching fish. Invest the time to practice this technique and you will have more fun bass fishing in the cold winter months. This and other Bass fishing techniques are required to master the art of bass fishing.

If you put the time in, you will soon learn how to master the fall and winter bass fishery in British Columbia. Your efforts will be rewarded with exceptional smallmouth bass of trophy sizes. Remember though it takes roughly 8 to 10 years for a smallmouth bass to attain a weight in excess of 5 lbs., so conserve your catch by practicing responsible catch and release methods.

Well the cold weather has put the bass into their winter patterns. Forget about rip baits, spinner baits and crank baits. Now is the time to break out the finesse gear. One of the most common techniques for getting bass to bite during this season is splitshotting. It is a fairly straightforward technique and requires little investment in terminal tackle.

The hardest thing there is to teach a bass angler learning to splitshot is detecting the bite. The bite will vary according to the activity level of the fish. There will be times when they pop the bait hard and you will know immediately that they are eating the bait. Other times there will be a soft, almost imperceptible tick and then nothing. And finally there is the dreaded pressure bite. The pressure bite will take two forms.

The first way to describe a pressure bite is you will feel a slight resistance to pulling your line forward. This is somewhat like hooking a soft, spongy rubber band. The second pressure bite is when you lose contact with the bottom.

A bass has picked up your lure and is just following along with your forward movement. This is why it is so important to maintain bottom contact. Once you realize that you’ve lost the feel of the weight against the bottom, and your depth hasn’t changed significantly, you have to put two and two together and get ready to set the hook.

The preferred hook set for this technique is called a sweep set. Once you have detected a fish holding your bait drop the rod tip towards the fish, reel down to the point of feeling resistance (or just shy of that point) and ’sweep’ the rod horizontally away from the fish.

If the rod loads up good and you’re sure that you’ve got the hook in the fish just fight him to the boat. If you set the hook and it didn’t feel solid you may want to set the hook a second time. The drag on your reel should be set tight enough that it doesn’t give on the initial hook set. But it shouldn’t be set so tight that a larger fish can’t take the line if needed.

British Columbia, Canada’s foremost sport fishing web site containing BC saltwater fishing, BC freshwater fishing, maps, fishing tackle news, sport fishing destinations, fishing tips and techniques, editorials, articles and much, much more. Inside you’ll find everything you need to tackle trophy fish of all varieties including salmon, halibut, steelhead, trout, bass, and sturgeon to name a few. They also had their own approach and techniques regarding bass fishing.

Since the best spot to catch bass is never on weeds and cover, use weedless lures when possible. This will cut down on the expense of losing lures.

Bass exist in a wide variety of temperatures, but tend to get inactive during a cold front. Fish swim deeper during the sunniest part of the day. Sun seems to adversely affect bass fishing. Seek out shady spots or deeper water with cover. On cloudy or overcast days try shallower waters. In cold water, retrieve your bait slower. Fish tend to react slower in colder temperatures.

Freshwater Fish Identification is another technique used by anglers. So whether you’re watching a consummate professional angler check-in fish during a tournament, or listening to an on-air running commentary on a television fishing program, you know that he’ll be speaking the truth of the matter.

For free bass fishing tips and Florida bass fishing secrets, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Who would have thought?

When you think of fishing, you seldom envision too many things that can keep you from partaking in this recreational activity.

Think again.

I am on the disabled list.

That’s right, in rehab– to much pain to cast my fly. Or my powerbait for that matter.

Now, complaining about a “fishing injury” is sorta like complaining that a hangnail is keeping you from typing.OOHH poor baby! Nonetheless, I am telling you, I am in too much pain to cast.

I didn’t exactly get injured fishing, so if your first thought was: “What, did he pull a muscle setting the hook?” Or “Does he have ‘fisherman’s elbow’ ?” “Did he fall out of his folding lawn chair?”

You would be wrong.Although negotiating a lawn chair can be tricky business, especially while holding a beverage.

Actually, I am not one hundred percent sure how I got injured, but it might have had something to do with doing a face plant–or shoulder plant to be exact– onto the basketball floor while playing a loosely resembled game of basketball.

I say loosely, because fi you saw the “brand” of basketball we play here in the “old boys” basketball league here in Southern Oregon, well–you would know what I mean.

As it was, I was already nursing a pulled hamstring, when as I limped along like a struggling Wildebeast, my shoe grabbed tight hold of the freshly finished hardwoods, and dropped me like a Douglas Fir sapling. Unfortunately, my “catlike” reflexes were unable to respond to the sudden pull of gravity, and I crashed shoulder first into the floor.

Sharp pain–no more basketball…

….or fishing.

I now have what modern medical technology has deemed as the “torn rotator cuff”.

Move over Pedro Martinez, my pitching career may be over.

If you have never had a torn rotator cuff, then you will not know the pain I am in. If you have, then you will understand the strange feeling of being able to pick up seventy pounds in one direction, but the problematic task of combing your hair can drop you to your knees in anguish.

Luckily, I have no hair.

Even trying to turn your steering wheel, wax your car or picking up a pot of chili can make you wince in pain.

Of course, chili can make you wince in pain for other reasons–but that is a different story.

Reaching back into the cooler for a beverage? No can do Elmo–we are talking major problems here.

Naturally, it is my right arm–my casting arm– and even though I don’t exactly throw a ninety mile an hour roll cast, the casting motion definately brings out some really creative and colorful language.

So, for now it is the disabled list, while I ponder surgery or therapy, hoping there is an off chance that it is really really bad tendonitis just flaring up like an air bag in my shoulder.

There isn’t enough ibuprofen on this planet to ease the pain when it hits you.

I mentioned that I wasn’t really sure how I tore the rotator cuff–because when you think about it, the art of casting is similar to the art of pitching or throwing a baseball.(baseball or throwing is probably the most common cause of torn rotator cuffs)

Who is to say that the numerous hours spent trying to get just ten more feet of casting length has not taken it’s toll on my casting arm.Pumping and wrestling in salmon and steelhead could surely put wear and tear on the shoulder also.

Maybe I should just hang up the ol’ waders and call it a career?

Give up fishing? No way!!

Even if I have to go back to dangling a worm and bringing in a “relief” reeler, rest assured I will be back out there soon tossing casts into mighty rivers. I just might have to work my way back up by casting on creeks and catching smaller fish during “rehab”.

Probably will have to pour smaller drinks too!

So beware of those fishing injuries, they can really put a crimp in your fishing life.

And if you see some guy stretching and warming up by tossing short casts ten feet out into the water–you just might want to ask him how his rotator cuff is doing.

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

There are a couple of mini spinner baits that pop into my head every time I hear someone speak about light tackle bass fishing. These two baits bring back fond memories of years past and all out bass brawls on light gear. Perhaps no other baits are as synonymous for light tackle as the Beetle spin or the Road Runner. Both of these little powder kegs are spinner type baits. They may not be known exclusively as bass baits but both of these dynamos are definitely successful bass catchers and have been for years. They are inexpensive and available just about anywhere. I tend to use tiny braid with these baits. I also employ a light action rod that has a little give to it. I like setting up on fish with this rig. The braided line instantly telegraphs a strike and can wrestle fish out of dangerous places. The softer action rod helps throw the bait and the braid adds to the sensitivity you may lose with the lighter action rod.

Beetle spin

This little bait is a simple light jig head tipped with a small straight twin tailed beetle body combined with a spinner harness. It is a scaled down version of the more popular safety pin style spinner baits that are so common today. Fished on 4lb test and a rod with a whippy action, the Beetle Spin makes a devastating early season bait. Even in cold water, the beetle has a knack for producing tremendous numbers of bass along with a few good sized bass as well.

I fish the beetle on a homemade 6-6 light action Helium spinning rod that features a split Tennessee handle. I prefer 4lb test on a Tica SB500 reel matched with that rod. This sweet smooth little combo telegraphs everything the beetle spin is doing and transmits it back to me. The light rod is a blast when battling fish. For all around fun, you can’t beat this set up.

The beetle spin is a year round bait. It will catch fish in all seasons. For me, it shines in the spring, the heat of the summer and again as the water temperatures drop in fall. The bait is available in a number of colors although I think that they for the most part are not all that important. I go with yellow or green on bright days and black for dark days. I concentrate its use around shallow water. All you need is a slow steady retrieve.

The bait is versatile because you can switch up the soft plastic bodies. There are many styles to choose from. The original beetle is a stubby plastic body with two small tails. You could use a panfish tube Branson bug, minnow or shad body or curly tail grub.

Roadrunner

No, this isn’t the Hemi powered muscle car of the late 60’s. It is a small horse head jig that can generate just as much horsepower though. This little spinner jig features a small blade on the under side of the head and a slew of different soft plastic bodies. From small minnow shaped bodies to the many armed Branson Bug or the tube like Turbo tail, the Roadrunner is a versatile little bait for light line bass fishing.

The bait will literally catch anything that swims, it certainly is not just for bass. “You can’t fish it wrong as long as you fish it slow” seems to be the slogan behind the bait. This little lure is very effective in the early spring. I use it on the same combo that I fish the beetle spin on. I tend to jig the bait along and use it more in deep water situations. You can reel it in steadily but I prefer to lift and drop it. I sometimes use it in areas where some anglers would slow roll a spinner bait. A recent introduction to the line up is a Roadrunner head that feature Gamakatsu hooks. These should be dynamite for hooking and holding bass more efficiently.

Both of these little baits are tailor made for small creek smallmouth bass fishing any time of the year. The baits simply get blasted by the highly competitive stream bass. If you want to have fun and catch a mess of fish, give either of these baits some time on your next float trip.

Gear breakdown: Light Tackle Hail Mary

Rod: Kistler Helium LTA 6-6 Light action

Reel: Tica SB 500

Line: 4lb Yo Zuri Hybrid

Bait: 1/8 or 1/16oz Roadrunner/ Beetle spin

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and Craig’s ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/