“December Gift Ideas for Anglers”
By Billy "Hawkeye" DecoteauAnglers who like to walk on solid water are patiently waiting during the month of December as the water begins to freeze in most New England areas. While, those anglers who dare to battle the cold December chill, look for calm sunny days to venture out unto unfrozen lakes and backwater ponds off major river systems. Yet, both groups of savvy anglers have one major thing in common…………..they love the allure of the Black Bass!
When my lovely wife Trish asked me what I might want for possible gifts this year, I flipped her my usual answer. “Nothing, I have you!” However, this year she was prepared and handed me a list of things I might consider getting for her! With a bass-eating grin on her face she just sat next to me as I read her list. Glancing up from the list as she walked away slowly, Trish replied, “Not to shabby is it?”
Somehow my sweet USA Bassin Massachusetts Division partner and assistant tournament director had indeed acquired a true sense for quality products!!! A voice echoed from the kitchen, “You might want to log unto those web sites as well, there’s a wealth of information, to attain at each site!”
So without further a due, here is Trish’s list. I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised and without a doubt more than satisfied with her choice of holiday gift suggestions! (The list is not formatted in any particulate order. Simply assembled as Trish came across a bass catching lure, new product of interest, or a destination in a warmer climate!)
The Bass University (www.TheBassUniversity.com):
Coming to New England in January 2011, the wealth of information at these seminars will increase your Bassin Knowledge ten-fold in just one weekend. With everything from seminars, power point high quality presentations, professional workshop videos by individual Pro Anglers to actual hands on workshops, and your personal questions answered so that you totally understand the answer. “This is the Perfect Gift for any Avid Bass Angler,” says Trish. “Especially me!”Sunglasses for Breast Cancer: (www.WileyX.com)
“Besides being the best pair of sunglasses on the market. Wiley X’s new Pink Lacey model displays the Breast Cancer Research Foundations, BCRF, Pink Ribbon on the lens. Demonstrating WileyX’s commitment to finding a cure the company will donate $3.50/pair to the BCRF until the end of 2010.” According to Trish, “Most companies make their donations only for the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month!” Trish highlighted Wiley X Pink Lacey Sunglasses on her list. Check out the WileyX web site for the closest dealer new you.
Venice Louisiana Redfish Trip (www.CajunFishingAdventures.com): I’m certain Trish got this idea from my recent trip in October? The fishing is the BEST it ever has been in my 14 years of gong there, without Trish!!! Disregard the media reports of Marsh contamination; we were catching 3 lb plus largemouth bass at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and the Bassmaster Elite Anglers hitting the actual Marsh tell of 7-8 lb bass! Airline tickets to New Orleans are extremely reasonable, and a short highway trip to Venice will have you battling the Worlds Best Fishing period. Oh, and please give Miss Joan a call at the Lighthouse Lodge and Villa’s, her lodge is a ‘Home away from Home!’ (www.LightHouseLodgeVenice.com) When it comes guides and Professional lodges, stop looking and start booking!!! Ryan Lamberts is the Best, the most Knowledgeable, and his Cajun Fishing Lodges are second to none!!! Clean, awesome food, high tech-hooks up to keep you posted and connect to your office and computer…too much to mention on Ryan Lambert just go to his web site or give Ryan a call, you will be glad you did.Strike Zone Slammers: (www.StrikeZoneTournamentBaits.com) I’m not exactly sure how Trish caught wind of these Secret Pro Drop-Shot Baits? Hand made in Canada by one of Canada’s Top Professional Anglers, these baits are secretly being utilized by Professional Bass Anglers and winning lot’s of money on Lake Champlain, Lake Winnipesaukee, Sebago Lake in Maine, and of course the Great Lakes! Pick your colors by water clarity! Trish list double amounts for Smoke Purple Silver Holigraphic?
Seaguar TATSU Fluorocarbon: (www.Seaguar.com) Two products from Seaguar can be found spooled on Top Bass Pro’s reels, such as Keith Combs a Bassmaster Classic 2011 Qualifier. Abrazx, “The most durable fluorocarbon line on the market”, says Combs. Then Seaguar’s new TATSU, which means ‘DRAGON’, the most sensitive double-structure drop-shot and finesse technique line you will ever use! Also, be sure to check out Seaguar’s new long sleeve T–Shirts. Trish has thee colors listed yellow, green and then the TATSU Dragon T-Shirt. (T-Shirts are very reasonably priced…...Trish just might get these presents!!! Seaguar’s Level Wind technology eliminates sever line twist, one reason Trish has ultra-sensitive TATSU Fluorocarbon spooled to her spinning reels for drop-shot and Finesse Techniques.
MEGAStrike Soft Plastics: (www.MegaStrike.com) I know where Trish got this idea! Dragging a MegaStrike Mega Bug in Green Pumpkin/Black Flake along outside weendlines, while I flipped a Mega Bug in the thick weeds, landed Trish a 5-Bass Limit on Lake Cochituate this year! This made in America Company has a full line of high quality baits! Trish’s picks: Mega Bug, Mega Stick, Mega Dog.
Lateral Perch: (www.PowerTackle.com) Besides manufacturing one of the highest quality rods on the market…Just ask the plants Hottest Angler Keith Combs, or the Kentucky Gentleman Mark Menendez about Power Tackle Rods,..Power Tackle’s owner Tim Reneau, has designed the most dying baitfish bait on the plant…………Power Tackle’s “LATERAL PERCH”. Used by Keith Combs in tournament competition, and available in a wide variety of weights, the Lateral Perch presents an action you have to see to believe. While, Trish sticks with the lighter weights, ¼ oz most often, I prefer a range of baits weights depending on the water depth and thickness of the vegetation. On Candlewood Lake in CT try the ½, ¾, and 1-oz sizes. Colors for this big bass lake have been Hard Candy, Blk/Blu and Medicine. When it comes to skipping, the Lateral Perch is better than any flat rock you ever skipped. Adjust your baitcaster reel first, then plan on skipping the Lateral Perch into the thickest brush or under the longest docks on the lake, you will not regret it!!! (Tell Judy Trish sent you!!!)
Trish’s Hooks: (www.Mustad.no, www.MoanerHooks.com) I just had to get some input form Trish on her hook choice! It appears New England Tracker/Marine Tournament Angler Chris Blais showed her his wining Lake S. Watuppa plastic stickbait trick with a Moaner weightless swimbait hook? According to Blais, the Moaner hook is extremely sharp, and very reasonably priced! Blais demonstrated his ability to cast further than his competitors, by utilizing the Moaner hook when Texas rigging a soft plastic stickbait. “One of the advantages to the Moaner Swimbait Hook is the flat weighted section along the inside of hook shaft,” says Blais. “Other Swimbait hooks have a rounded weight, which imparts your ability to get good hook sets, while the flat weighted portion of the Moaner Hook not only allows better hook sets, it has also allowed me to utilize the Moaner Swimbait Hook on smaller baits such as a Keitech Fat Swing Impact!”
My number one choice for all around sharp dependable hooks, especially treble hooks has always been Mustad! Mustad’s new Ultra Point KVD Treble Hooks can be found on all my crankbaits and every one of Trish’s Top waters!!! As a side note, Trish suggest trying Mustad’s wide gap Croaker Hook for Wacky Rigging a Mega Stick!!! (I wish I didn’t tell you this, but it is just to awesome …not to!!!)Trish’s Frogs: When it comes to Trish’s number one choice on baits it’s Top-Water…Weedless. That’s right she is a no-nonsense Lady Angler! Hollow Body Frogs, especially pop’n frogs are her favorite; Optimum Baits Furbit Series, and Deps Basirisky are her first choice in Moss Green and Chartreuse Pepper please. www.OptimumBaits.com Ish Monroe’s Phat Frog in Sexy Ish, makes her list as well for Hollow Body Frogs. Solid body frogs or toads on Trish’s list include, Reaction Strike’s Naked Toad www.ReactionStrike.com, BizzBaits Pad Daddy, www.BizzBaits.com
. These baits are completely different; Reaction Strikes Naked Toad is lighter in weight, having a soft gurgling sound, excellent for calm mornings, shallow water, pockets and along outside-submerged heavy vegetation. The Pad Daddy is heavier in weight, allowing longer cast, heavier line applications, while it’s deep hook pocket keeps this bait totally snag free.
Denali Rods: www.DenaliRods.com Requesting Denali’s 6’6” Rosewood Series, Finesse Spinning Rod and 6’6” Medium/Heavy Baitcast Rod, Trish placed triple stars and a smiley stickers on these items. Perfectly balanced, light weight and extremely durable the Denali complete line of Tournament Tested rods will not empty your wallet! Using Skinny Bear Finesse Pro Series jigs, drop-shotting Shad Eye worms (www.SkinnyBearBassJigs.com) or weightless Mega Strike Mega Sticks, not to mention J & S Jigheads with Optimum Bait’s Double-Diamond, and of course Trish’s Top Water Frogs, the Denali Rods are the all-around perfect rods sized to perfection.
Trish’s Stocking Stuffers: (www.BioEdgeFishing.com) BioEdge 100% Crawfish, Frog, Trout and Sunfish attractant. Although, available in either a potion liquid or a wand semi-solid, Trish prefers the no-mess easily applied wand. Lead-Free environmentally friendly drop-shot and Fish-Head worm weights from www.Lunkah-Huntah.com, Skinny Bear Wacky Finesse weedless Jigs (Of Course!!!) (www.SkinnyBearBassJigs.com), Phenix Vibrator Jig Chatterbait style with Black Blade (www.BrettHite.com), Mustad Fishing Tools, Split-Ring Pliers, Clippers, Jig Cleaner (www.Mustad.no), Stick Jacket Rod Wraps (www.StickJacket.com) and yes Trish did manage to slide in a request for a Bass Pro Shops Gift Card……… in any amount over $100.00???
Thanks Sweetheart and Happy Holidays to Everyone.
God Bless and Best Bass’n
Just what made this particular area better than the rest? “Several factors must be present when targeting Trophy Musky, and they rotate with seasonal patterns. However, most importantly the common factor within each season is the presence of baitfish,” informs
