- IF4, International Fly Fishing Film Tour, a special Saltwater Cut for us here in Florida.
- Very Cool trick try this it works awesome.
- Dragon Fly paddle boards in South Carolina Show this weekend.
- Real truth about SOPA
- Natural Laws
- Clay Dyer, can’t help but to be inspired by this guy
- Invisible to the Naked eye water proofing you iphone
- Tuna gets over $700,000 at the fish market
- Real Cyclops Shark found
- White Pelican eating a pigeon
The American Shad – St. Johns River, FL.
Everywhere that I’ve lived in my life, I was at least 30 minutes away from the St. Johns River and I keep hearing about the Shad run that takes part every Winter and Spring but I’ve never went out and tried catching them until recently. My buddy Dominic Agostini invited me to join him on his new and improved Micro Skiff that he’s been working on for a while now. You may have seen it in one of my previous posts called Micro Skiff = Micro Poon. Well, since then he has added a poling platform by BT’s Welding and pushpole holders from Renzetti.
If you ask me one thing about Shad, I will probably scratch my head and say “huh?” This experience was all new to me, so I just sat quietly and took notes while Dominic explained everything there is to know about the American Shad. I never knew that these were saltwater fish that migrate down to freshwater areas of the river to spawn.
Once we launched the skiff and headed north through the windy creeks, It came back to me how pristine this part of Florida was. The scenery and all of the wildlife put me in a whole new world as if I was going on an African Safari Tour. What a great time to break out the Nikon DSLR and the long lens for a photography session while we were on the way to the fishing spot.
Once we came off plane, we immediately saw some flipping on the waters surface. It was Shad feeding on small minnows that were flowing in the current. It didn’t take long until Dominic hooked into the first fish of the day on his 3wt.
Then it was my turn on deck while Dominic was armed with the camera to capture some jump shots.
We caught several Shad each along with some pretty impressive Bluegill that put up a good fight.
After about an hour of catching Shad and Bluegill, we decided to just go joy riding and enjoy the great scenery that the St. Johns River has to offer.
I think I might started taking advantage of living close to the St. Johns River and make more trips out there to enjoy the great fishery and amazing scenery.
-Capt. Willy Le
www.nativeflycharters.com
Lithionics battery, Epic Battery break through
This sounds too good to be true but finally a new battery technology that is ridiculously lighter by 4 to 7 times, charges faster and better running time. Imagine the possibilities. Not only in skinny water boats but remote situation like camping and travel with electronics. It even has a “never die” mode that allows the batter to last up to a year!
“Push the NeverDie™ Button and the Battery Retains Power for 1 Year
Battery Enters Sleep Mode if it Senses Battery Drain”
These batteries weigh a third of normal batteries, have 5 times the running time and charge in half the time. Imagine what this will do to a flats boat.
Skeet Reese and Arron Martin already use them and they had to buy the batteries themselves.
http://www.lithionicsbattery.com
From there website:
“Next generation lithium-ion battery technology lasts longer, charges faster and is more environmentally friendly than any other battery available today. Not only are Lithionics Battery products leapfrogging existing performance and cost standards, but we’re doing it the right way – by addressing the critical global need for safer forms of energy and large-scale renewable energy storage.
Unlock the power of energy independence wherever you are, no matter what you’re doing!
Lithionics Battery is committed to be the best. Instead of blanket-blasting the marketplace, we’ve decided to maintain a clear focus and specialization in five market sectors:
Automotive Energy
Power Sports
Marine Energy
Mobile Audio
Emergency Energy
For these sectors, we develop, manufacture and distribute high-quality Lithium-Ion systems for independent energy supply. We sell our systems to private investors and individuals throughout the world via our network of distributors and dealers. Achieving the right combination of power, weight, durability, and reliability ensures market leading performance for the demanding conditions in which they will be deployed.
Contact Us to discover how Lithionics Battery brings dependable power to your everyday applications! “
Aperture Books & Borders FX Plugin
Been playing with new ways to present pictures to friends/clients and came across a pretty cool feature in the photo editor I use – Aperture 3. The software allows you to select a number of photos and then include them in “book” format. The intention is for you to arrange your photos to form a coffee table book or a book to share with family (I’m actually considering doing a coffee table book for the house with some fishing pics). Coffee table material aside, I think the “book” layout is pretty cool just for one single photo assortment. You can document a day’s worth of fishing on one big photo collage…just chose several photos and click “new book”. You can tweak the size of each photo and color the background however you want. You can also use the borders fx plugin to add text without going into photoshop. I used it to give a friend of mine some ideas on a new flyer for his charter business…they’ve got tons of letter fonts to chose from. You could potentially arrange flyers, business cards, or whatever with your photos and designs without having to fork out a bunch of cash. Anyway, hope this is useful for somebody out there. I’ve had fun messing around with it.
January Redfish Trip
Summer Grass Flat Fishing
Random Georgetown Pics
Douglas’ Flyer
Aquaz Kenai rain/wading/fishing jacket review video
Aquaz, a Korean based company that makes waders. I first saw these guys at the Fly show in New Orleans and to be honest did not pay much attention. Mainly because there are many apparel companies out there, they just get lost in the mix of things.
Aquaz found out about the Salty Fly and wanted to send over some products to raffle off. It was a good opportunity for me to check some of their products out. After a little research, I come to find out that they make waders for other “well known” companies as well. I checked the Aquaz website out and it looks like they have some cool gear other than waders. However, looks are one thing but feeling it is another though.
When I got the box in for the product give away I was surprised that they sent me a jacket as well as waders. Though it was a give away and not for mine to use, like any gadget guy I had to check it out. I must say I was pleasantly surprised how well thought out the jacket really was.
First the jacket was very light weight but very useful. The gear pockets in the front were expandable(for fly boxes, lures etc), situated high, water proof zippers with pull tags, Velcro enclosure, with drain holes. The side pockets were high so no water gets in while wading, waterproof zippers w/ pull tags, and has wool material inside for hand warming. The vents in the back the same way, water proof zippers all the way. The cuffs are Velcro with neoprene cuffs to keep the elements out. D rings around the pockets to clip things on. Many jackets in this price range do not offer this. The hood has a visor and there’s bungee cords all the way around the hood as well as the waist. This allows for fitting adjustments quite easily.
Most of the jackets available in our area never consider many of the functions I’ve mentioned. Usually they are made in the traditional non fisherman configuration. Flat pockets, pockets lower the waist, no hand warmers, no neoprene, no zipper pull tags.
Overall the Kenai jacket is a well thought out and functional piece of foul weather fishing garment.
Loon Nip N’ Sip review by Brian Sawyer
By: Brian Sawyer
I was growing tired of carrying the same dull pair of finger nail clippers in my back pocket I decided to surf the internet for a decent set of line nippers. Low and behold I stumbled up upon these little guys, The Loon Nippers. So I got on the horn with Loon, and I was delivered pair within three days. Seeing as how they were priced at only $20 I didn’t exactly think I was getting the world’s greatest fishing tool. Man was I wrong, these things are amazing!
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As I am on the water quite frequently I always carry a pair of pliers on me, any fisherman would be a fool not to. However, sometimes your standard pliers just don’t cut it (no pun intended). When I need to cut the tag ends of a blood knot all the way to the knot or clear an eye of a hook, regular pliers tend to fall short and you need a more specific tool. That’s where the Loon nips have really come in handy.
Of course I had a few test of my own:
I cut several thickness of mono line including 10lb -120lb and even 400lb! Although the 400lb line needed quite a bit of pressure, it cut through all of them flawlessly.
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(400lb Monofilament Line)
Another great feature that performed impeccably was the eye clearing needle. It is located just in-between the jaws out of the way of any accidental slip of the finger. Its stainless steel thorn will clear the toughest powder coat build up on any jig head as well as any excess thread build up around the eye of a fly.
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Overall, the Loon “Nip ‘N Sip” nipper is quite an impressive tool. Whether you are a hard core fly fisherman or just a beer drinking weekend warrior these nips are perfect for any angler’s pocket. At a low cost of only $20 and a stainless steel construction you can’t go wrong.
Amazon Link to the Loon Nip N’ Sip
Bottom fishing with D.O.A. Swimmin’ Mullet
Me, my brother and friends ventured out of Port Canaveral in the 22′ Pathfinder TE this past weekend. Conditions were sloppy but that didn’t stop the fish 80ft below from biting. We used nothing but D.O.A. Swimmin’ Mullet to jig the bottom and caught multiple species including Flounder, Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Sea Bass, Trigger fish, Grouper, Cobia, and Toad fish this day.
-Capt. Willy Le
www.NativeFlyCharters.com
Ashley of Don’s Bait and Tackle Fly How to Series 1: Dubbing head, shallow water fly
Ashley of Don’s Bait and Tackle is an awesome fly tying machine. He is starting to do some video tutorial to share with us here on Saltyshores. Here is the first of what I hope is be many to come.
You can tie them right off the video. The materials needed are listed bellow.
All of the flies you seen here can be seen at his shop down in Homestead, Florida.
Recipe:
Hook: Gamakatsu B10 stinger #1
Thread: Match Head color
Tail: Finn Raccoon or Mag Zonker
body: artic Fox, Scalapen
Head: Senyo’s Lazer Dub
Eyes: bead chain and 3-D epoxy red
15% off any Hell’s Bay skiff……….(update)
Guys I just wanted to update this post as I have fielded alot of questions regarding it. The coupon is 100% transferable to anyone of my choice, however it cannot be used on top of a HB guide discount. Would love to see it get used by someone that shares the same passion for getting skinny. It is obviously still available.
Well with the recent tournament win we were lucky enough to get 15% off coupon for a new Hell’s Bay skiff as a prize. Seeing that I just bought a new 17.8 but over 12 months ago (could have used this then!!!) I unfortunately have no use for this coupon.
The coupon can be applied to ANY skiff of your choice and provides roughly $5,000 off a new Gladeskiff to $8,500 off a new Neptune.
I would love to get the coupon in someone’s hand that is serious about purchasing a new skiff. This is a good opportunity for someone that has been sitting on the fence about one of these skiffs, god knows I love mine like one of my own children.
Heck if you know someone or find anyone that would like to use this discount I am willing to pay a finder’s fee.
Coupon expires 3/31/12
Just shoot me an email collin_ross@hotmail.com or have Sam get in touch with me.
If you see this truck in your area you should know two things
No do not call 911. This is Captain George M Gozdz new wrap boat for the Florida Sportsman web show called “Reel Time”. The show is based on their popular forum. George and the crew go around Florida fishing and filming with regular fisherman like you and I. They pick the best bite they see posted on the FS forum, contact the anglers and go get the footage. Very reality TV ish.
They have already filmed a few episodes check it out: http://www.floridasportsman.com/rtfs/
The other thing you should know is:
All that aside, the coolest part is the epic tarpon tact sharp, full frame photo on the wrap was shot by yours truly. 
Ok more unashamed patting myself in the back. I also have this month’s cover with with Gator trout with Capt. Jason Stock. The fish was caught right here in Sarasota Florida.
I must add, it’s their best cover this year. lol(I know it’s still Jan)
Video of a Space Coast Redfish on fly
A short clip of Honson catching a nice Redfish on fly while he was up visiting from Miami.