Author Archive

When I began saltwater fishing seriously (or as seriously as I can be) I read any book I could get my hands on pertaining to the subject. Over 25 years ago there were not as many books on the subject as today. Furthermore the Internet was still a dream for the most of us.

This is the first book review entry to the reviews section that will hopefully turn into a library in the future. Someone asked me a week or two ago “What are your credentials”? Please keep in mind, I am not a professional writer or reviewer. I’m just a guy that loves time on the water and wants to help anyone enjoy this passion, pastime, hobby, or life.

The fist book review I decided to do was “Skinny: How to Fish in Shallow Saltwater“ by Capt. Mel Berman with Gary Poyssick.

The cover of the book speaks “skinny fishing” to me with a beautiful picture of tailing reds taken by our own Sam Root. The 217 pages are broken up into three major sections.

The first section is “Fishing where the fish are” and goes into finding structure, planning your trip,positioning your boat and what to look for which gives clues on how to read the water and what the activity of various birds mean.

The second section pertains to preparation for the trip, namely packing for your trip which includes rigging, various lures and their applications, a couple of pages sharing the importance of sun protection and the products that help with that. Finally there is a fairly detailed section on choosing a suitable rod or reel. Since this is such a varied topic this section gives the attributes of various rods and reels as opposed to just saying buy this rod or that rod. It requires the reader to sit down and actually think about what they want giving them the tools to make an informed decision.

The last major part of the book is our favorite – time on the water – and includes using live bait, which has an instructional for tossing a cast net along with the various attributes of those nets plus how to rig live baits.
There are about 24 pages on recognizing the various species we target with photographs some explanation of their characteristics. Snook, reds, trout, tarpon pompano and permit, cobia, ladyfish along with many others are listed. Instructions on how to hook a target fish and what to do in fighting a fish are very helpful reminders even to the advanced angler.

The last 40 or so pages include recipes, a few letters to Capt. Mel asking various fishing questions, current (at print) Florida Fishing Regulations and instructions on how to use Google Earth to find locations where fish my be found.

I found the book to be easy to read and understand and the pictures and diagrams most helpful. I think this is a “must read” for a beginner or even intermediate angler and yet it has the reminders (“I knew that”) that we often forget and some valuable tips for the advanced angler. It can take years off the learning curve. I wish I would have had this book so many years ago. I might would have become a “respectable” fisherman, if such a thing exists.

If you would like to read a chapter of the book you can click here to a link where you could do that and you can even purchase your own copy for your library (or one for a fishing buddy) thru this link. The price of the book is a reasonable $19.99 + tax and if you type in the promotional code SaltyShores you will get the book shipped to you free of shipping charges. If you prefer to go to your local tackle shop for your copy, They are available at The Back Country in Vero Beach,FL., Andy Thornal’s in Winter Haven,FL., Stones’ Outhouse and Big Fish Bait & Tackle in Lakeland, FL. If you are in Tampa or St. Pete most of the better tackle shops are carrying them plus the better shops in Bradenton and Sarasota that also includes Gibsonton and Ruskin and quite a few other locations. If your store doesn’t have it, ask for it.

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Some time ago Sammy got some Cortland Master Braid to me from Cortland to test and review. Being thoroughly satisfied with my Stren Super Braid and my Suffix Performance Braid I was somewhat hesitant. He said, “This is the best braid you have never heard of.”

I had some issues with other lines in the past and had found a couple of braid lines that I liked and had confidence in. The other lines either broke or I would consistantly get wind knots from hell.
Being a “team player” I decided I would spool a reel up with it and give it a shot. So I loaded the High Vis yellow 10 lb. test line (a 2 lb. mono equivalent in diameter) up on my Quantum 40. As I loaded it onto the spool I noticed the texture of the line was a mite bit stiffer than the other lines I used. I was concerned with the casting distance but to my pleasure the relative stiffness of the braid really didn’t have any affect on the distance. One concern down, three more to go.

The other concern was the dreaded wind knot. Sometime ago I had my first experience with braid that resulted in taking every bit of braid off all my lines because of knots. I had just begun to untie a knot that looked more like an osprey’s nest as opposed to just a bird’s nest. Off to my left they came….the water column rose up and a band of marrauding reds swam by within casting distance. That is what should have been casting distance if I didn’t have that darn knot. I was made sport of by those reds that day as they mocked me and some even flipped me off with their fins. Sometime after that I “discovered” the Stren and at Sammy’s urgeing I incorporated the Suffux into my arsenal…my wind knots were relatively a thing of the past. Much to my pleasure the Cortland Master Braid did not manage one single knot. Not one. The package says “Twist Free” I believe it. Now, I must admit, I usually close the bail manually just as the lure or bait hits the water but the conditions ranged from very windy (in excess of 25 mph) to quite cold (40′s).

Two down.
Another concern was would the line break when bringing in a good fish. Now I realize a “Good Fish” is a relative statement. Some time ago on of my Blue Water buddies gave me great ribbing with regards to my “big 26 inch red from my little plastic boat.”

Point well taken. This Courtland did manage to bring in a couple of nice reds about that size and a few sharks a bit larger than that. A couple of times I did see the tailfin slap the braid. It held up. Three down.

Sorry for the pic quality, but if you look closely you can see the yellow Cortland Master braid on the reel. This was right after a three foot shark had tail whipped the line. Not even a mark was left on the line.

The final test is the overall durability of the line. Through those skirmishes the line had not shown any sign of wear… none. Furthermore, Sammy has been using this line since July and sees no wear at all.It looked as it did when I first put it on the spool. Four down.

I was able to get these results from a test that may show clearly what I have been trying to say.
MasterBraid – a picture is worth 75,000 words[1]

As I complete this review the words I had heard before ring in my ears, “This is the best line you have not heard of.” Hopefully, we will change this.
This line passed my tests and I think that it may pass whatever tests you may have for it.

Keep visiting SaltyShores regularly because soon we will be testing their fly lines and also blue water heavy test braid.

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Del Calhoun

Fin-tech Jigs

About a month ago (mid December) Dale handed me a couple of jigs and said here give these a try. The jigs he handed me were the “Title Shot” jigs from Finn Tech. At first, I wasn’t expecting too much from them. I mean they’re just jigs. Plus I was happy with the jig heads that I was already using. Took all of three fishing trips for me to become a convert.

The first trip consisted of fishing a flat on the south east side of Tampa Bay, looking for redfish. The day was somewhat cool and windy and the fish were hard to find. I decide to use the 3/8 oz jig with a 3” gulp. I spent most of my time dragging the lure through the grass at the edges of pot holes and sand bars. The jig did a great job of gliding through the grass. I only managed to catch two small reds that day but the hooks were so sharp that they practically hooked them selves.

My second trip was down at Siesta Key “Point of Rocks”. The fish love to hang out in the sandy areas between the rows of rocks and I have lost many a jig head there. I spent a couple of hours working this jig with a DOL cal tail. I didn’t catch any fish that day but, because of the weedless design and jig head shape, I also didn’t lose any jigs.

A couple of days later I was back to my favorite Tampa Bay flat looking for reds again when I hooked into a perfect 26 and 7/8” red. The cool water made this red extra feisty and it gave me a great fight. After the fight when I examined the jig, it was in perfect condition. Not the slightest bend to the hook. Now they have got my attention.

At this point I needed to learn more so I headed over to their web site www.jigfish.com and grabbed up some info.

Available in 1/16 (2/0 hook), 1/8, 3/16 (3/0 hook), 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 (4/0 hook) and 3/4 (5/0 hook) sizes and four HOT bass-n colors.

While at their site I also noticed that they were selling a Title Shot Skip jig. I wasn’t really sure how much a jig could help with skipping under the mangroves but I had to order a couple to find out. I also wanted to order some more of the original Title shot jigs in different colors.

Ordering from their site was easy enough and the jigs were at my house in ____ days

To be continued when the jigs arive………

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I have owned numerous headlamps over the years. My attitude has been “get the cheapest, it’s just a light”.

Well, my attitude has changed.

Princeton Tec has been making durable quality lights for over 30 years for military and industry including first responders. Most recently they released a very light weight (3.6 oz) headlamp, the EOS Tactical Headlamp for outdoorsmen. The Tac EOS opperates off of standard 3 AAA Lithium or Alkaline batteries with a life of 112 hours. That is a lot of fishing trips! The lamp is 1 Maxbright LED which is powered at 45 lumens. This is in the neighborhood of a 25 watt bulb and at it’s highest setting ( 4 settings – blinking, high, meduim, low) can shine in excess of 60 yards.

In addition the Tac EOS also has an easy-to-change lens filter system designed for specific nighttime activities: red for preserving night vision, blue for blood tracking and green for hunter safety.

When I took it out on the water it did not dissapoint. It was comfortable and lit up the area well. I was apprehensive to test the Level 2 (30 min. under 1 meter of water) waterproof rating because I had some headlamps from other manufactors it the past that were supposedly waterproof that failed miserably. To my delight the lamp still worked.

The cost of these headlamps is around $52 but should be the last headlamp you should have to buy for quite some time.

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I’ve decided to post a review of something that is not new, but old.
Years ago I went to Andy Thornal’s in Winter Haven (a wonderful outfitter and fly shop) and picked up a Titanium braid cutter from Fishpond since I was new to braid lines, tired of the nailclippers rusting and did not have any pliers that would cut it. For years that Pitchfork Clipper has hung around my neck by a small cord and has gone on most every trip with me. I called Fishpond and they informed me that the Titanium now was unavaible because it was cost prohibative at about $75 each. They sent me the other model made of aluminum which is the same design as mine.

The design is simple being a 1/2 inch aluminum tube about 3 inches long with stainless steel cutters that are replaceable (in all the years I have owned mine I have never had to replace them). I have used them to cut 80# flouro and 50# braid with never an issue. Another useful application is to use the holes in the cutter to put your hooks in to cinch down knots. Just a great tool, simple in design, well made construction and durable materials. The suggested retail price is $22.

Another clipper they sent to me is their Aussie Clipper. It is made of plastic and has a stainless steel cutter that I used to cut braid even though it was mentioned to only cut mono or flouro. Also secured to me by a cord around my neck or a zinger attached to me. One of the signs to me that a company is concerned with quality is “what is their least expensive product like?” The cost for this cutter is only $8.95 very lightweight, does what it is supposed to do and would be an excellent stocking stuffer.
http://www.fishpondusa.com/index.cfm

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OK, I’ll admit it…I catch my fair share of catfish. Truth be told. I probably catch your share too. I’m also not too good with using most de-hookers. Since having had a barb cut my knuckle I have put away my shorter de-hookers.

That is why I was pleased when Norton Brass Rattle (makers of the Bullet Brass Rattler Spoon and the Fish Gripper previously reviewed here on SaltyShores) sent me their De-gouger. As soon as I saw it I noticed it was a good bit longer than many inshore dehookers on the market being 14 1/2 inches long (plenty long enough to keep my knuckles from a barb).
The action to unhook a fish was simple for me. I just held the line tight and pushed the forks around the hook While keeping pressure on the D-Gouger I made a quarter turn and the hook was free. It was also used holding the fish with the Fish Gripper and using the same action the hook was dislodged. The packaging said that it was for unhooking hooks 2/0 and larger but I had no issues unhooking a 1/0 circle hook also.

I did make a simple alteration on it though. I drilled a hole through the end of the nylon handle to be able to run a lanyard through to keep from losing it.
Another nice stocking stuffer. They are available at many local Tackle shops for $8.95 (if yours does not have it, ask for it) or you can order it from http://www.nortonbrassrattler.com/index.html

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By: Dale Snead

I was very interested in the 7.5 inch Prolite-OS composite  fishing pliers from Composite Reel Company
(www.compositereelco.com ) that were introduced at this year’s ICAST and was looking forward to reviewing them.

It was like Christmas morning for me when they came in the mail. The first thing that struck me was “They are light!” The weight? 4.5 ounces! They came with a holster and lanyard attached. All seemed to be of high quality and good workmanship. Even the threads on the holster were uniformed without any defects. The lanyard was attached (with the option to attach either side of the holster or pliers)  to the holster and the pliers with heavy duty clips. It opened and closed well and in alignment. I don’t think you have to be concerned with the spring action being weak as they held good pressure.

Since the weather had not been cooperative as of late I was able to tie and retie knots and leaders. I exclusively used these pliers to do this. They cut through the mono and flouro (15lb – 80lb) like it was not there. Many offer that their products cut braid well. This one delivers. I cut braid from 6lb to 50lb without a second cut. I was getting carried away with the cutting and decided to get out my old king rigs. Without issue both the wire and cable were cut cleanly by the Tungsten carbide cutter(which can be replaced when they wear out). Did I mention they were light too?

When tying knots the Stainless steel tips (replacements also available) held onto the line securely (another person I was showing the pliers to could not get them to grip into 20lb braid as if he were tying a Bimini Twist – I guess I had “the touch” because I could not reproduce it, they worked for me).

My final bad weather application involved crimping the barbs, both a delicate and brute force application. Again, they performed well.

Finally the weather lifted and I was able to get out. Numerous fish were caught and  the pliers were used to get the hooks out. Again, they performed flawlessly. No slippage. In addition I found the lanyard plenty long without being too long. I must admit, I had to look down a couple of times to be certain I was still wearing them. I mentioned they are light, didn’t I?

I have owned many pliers. Everything from the floating ones to metal from cheap ones to mid range ones. These pliers are the best of both worlds – extremely light (I wondered if the lanyard attached was needed to keep them from floating away into thin air) and like the metal ones durable enough to handle the abuse we put them through.

The list price is $149.95 but I can tell you I can put my hands on 6 other pliers ( total value over $150) I own that no longer go out because they just don’t do what they should – poor design, rusts even though I have cleaned them, lack of ability to cut braid, lack of power, ect… Furthermore I can not tell you the number that sit at the bottom of the ocean.

Time will tell as to how long they will last, as it does with most things in life, but these pliers are without a doubt the finest I have ever used. They are available online and a few other outlets including our own Indian Rocks Tackle in Indian Rocks, FL and, one of my favorites on the East Coast, The Back Country Tackle Shop in Vero Beach, FL. Not too late to see if Santa cann’t get some for your stocking.

-Dale Snead

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The Fish Gripper by Dale Snead

Back on July 17, Sammy reported on some new products at ICAST. One of the products that caught my eye was “The Fish Gripper“.

http://www.thefishgripandmore.com/

In a subsequent report on July 25, Sammy gave a brief review of that product. Shortly after that I was on our friend Hank’s boat and saw it in use also my fishing buddy Del got one and was using it in a video Sammy did.

Fish Gripper Video

That did it for me.  I was the last kid on my block to get one.
I HAD to get one!

Usually I fish out of a yak and most of the time I am in the water. As a result, lightweight is very important to me.
I have been a fan of the Boga grip for a few years and I still am but it is a good bit heavier and bulkier than “The Fish Gripper”.

The dimensions of “The Fish Gripper” is
1/2 inch wide
10 inches long
it has a opening gap of 2 inches (fully opened) and there is a distance of 5 1/2 inches from the lip opening to where your hand is.
It weighs only 5 ounces (it floats)
It comes in 5 colors (the white one I have glows in the dark)

I got my “Fish Gripper” about a month ago and am very pleased with it. It opens and closes like a vice grip. I have not experienced any premature unlocking as it closes securely. When you are ready to release the fish, a simple outward push on the lever does the trick. The use of it is quite simple – you simply insert the lip into the fish’s mouth and lock The Fish Gripper.

The angle you use to insert it is not at all cumbersome and boy does it hold! A couple of weeks ago I has a 30 inch or so red that I used this on and it worked like a charm. Because the lip closes flat and in 1/2 a inch width it does no damage to the fish’s mouth.

This is also true with the more tender mouth of a trout. Sometimes (being metal and having a smaller lip) a Boga can do damage to a mouth so tender. It also holds up to the less than tender mouth of a small shark. When using this on a larger fish the lanyard could be used to hold the fish after The Fish Gripper has been locked.

This way the lanyard would be used as a pivot and the torque would not be passed on to  the body of the gripper from an active larger fish. It would be suitable on a tarpon or other offshore fish. Tests using weight well in excell of 150 pounds did not compromise the Gripper.

One final attribute is, being the excellent catfish fisherman I am, I was very pleased for the 5 1/2 inches of plastic keeping my knuckles away from those #@^^ ^ catfish barbs.

Another use for it is in actually grabbing the hooks on a lure (such as Del does in the video previously mentioned) or even a circle or J-hook and getting a frisky fish off without having to tough it or without having to risk a hook being thrown into your hand or finger.

The components are simply plastic and stainless pins at the 4 pivot points. A wrist lanyard is attached and there is a slot to attach a scale if for some reason you would need to weigh the fish. The design is quite simple but the genius of it is it’s simplicity and lightweight.
They are available at many local tackle shops (I got mine at Dogfish Tackle) and through Cabela’s or the company’s website.

I still have my Boga and on occasion I will still use it. But this little tool reminds me of the “Little Train That Could”. Time will tell just how durable it is but for $15 it is an excellent buy!

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First off, “Thanks Sammy” for adding me to this distinguished list of Anglers. If Brad is an “Angler in Training”, I would suppose I am maybe a “Guy with a hook in skinny water” and with some of the others…. well I wonder if I even “angle”.

I was sent a number of Mission Fishin’ weighted live bait hooks to try out. Having been a Mission Fishin’ fan from way back, it was like Christmas morning to me. The MF standard jigheads are the only ones I have in my tackle box and the same is true for the weedless jigs. Hands down, they are the best! The weedless hooks from MF, with the wire “screw” to secure a soft plastic, is my first choice when using weedless applications.

I enjoy tossing artificials, but I just love live bait. There is something just so funny about a shrimp doing the “I’m about to get et dance”, which to me much akin to Wile E. Coyote. Also my thoughts are that if a fish hits my line, I would like to offer a reward of a tastey morsel as opposed to a mouthful of plastic. Call me tenderhearted. Another reason I like live bait is many times, as of late, the conditions dictated it – too much grass, warm water temps, etc..

The hooks came is 3 different weights and whereas they were not labeled I would assume they were 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64 ounces. The additional lead was added just before the curve in the circle hook. The hooks are 1.5 inches in length and a gap of .75 inches. The hooks appear to be 2/0. One final attribute was the hooks had a slight offset to assist in the standard corner of the mouth hookup.

My testing of the hooks proved to be a bit aggrivating as I found the catfish loved them also. The first time I used them I did not have live bait with me and tried to use them on a Gulp. This application was not what they were designed for. I found it difficult to thread it properly inline as one may use the other hooks. Although you could certainly hook a Gulp crab with ease or just hook a Glup shrimp as you might a live one.

I finally got on some respectable fish and they worked like a charm. The first fish was a respectable snook under a dock. I had tail hooked the shrimp and it was just too enticing for that snook. I would assume that much would be the case when working a mangrove line for snook, or for that matter, anything as I was able to also catch a small Mangrove snapper. The extra weight assisted in getting just that extra distance you sometimes need with enough weight to get the bait down, and sometimes back where the fish are.

The final test involved my favorite fishing, sight fishing for reds on open flats. The distance I got was pleasing and there was not an alarming entrance splash. The reds gave my final hook a workover but all were hooked in the lip even when I used a ladyfish chunk. I also found the hook beneficial when using a live pinfish. I would assume that the same would be the case for other baitfish.

I could see this hook be very effective when fishing for bonefish or permit with live shrimp on the flats as that you are able to get some distance (thanks to the additional weight) without any alarming entrance splash.

All in all, I was very pleased with the hook and look forward to when they are available at our local tackle stores. One change is requested, Hal, could you make them less catfish friendly.

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