Berkley Fishing Gear

Angling Tourism in the UK

During the 19th Century, British fly fishing continued to develop and many fly fishing clubs emerged in the UK. Monikie Angling Club was formed in 1976 and is located in Monikie and Crombie Country Parks just a few miles outside of Dundee. The Club provides fly fishing in 3 ponds spread between the two parks.

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The UK has some of the most famous locations for it, such as the classic English chalk streams, the rivers and lakes of the Yorkshire Dales. In South England, it is the only acceptable method of fishing the slower, clearer rivers of the south such as the River Test and the other chalk streams concentrated in Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset and Berkshire.

There are different techniques for it depending on the habitat. In it, they are caught by using artificial lures such as hand tied flies, that are cast with a fly rod and a plastic coated fly line which is heavy enough to send the fly to the target. Artificial flies are of several types made by fastening hair, fur, feathers, or other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook to attract the target fish species.

It is the most popular method for catching trout, salmon, pike, bass, panfish, grayling and carp. Marine species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass can also be caught by this method. No matter what size of the fish species, latest rods and reels are much stronger which enable larger species such as tuna, marlin and sharks to be targeted and captured, which was initially possible only through big-game fishing. There are many angling and sports fishing equipment providers listed on SearchMe4. Another famous form of fishing in the UK is sea fishing, which takes place off a boat. As the name suggests it normally is in sea however, it can also be done in estuaries, on piers and rocks.

Choosing the Very Best Fishing Reels For Successful Fishing

Memories of favorite fishing trips as well as bragging rights at the time are something one keeps in their mind forever. The excitement of the day when the ‘big one’ took the hook and was pulled in is something to relate to one’s children or other relatives. One of the things that made that such a successful day was having the correct rods and fishing reels. Without them, there could never be the story of the one that got away.

There is a big difference in the type of reel to be used for different kinds of fishing. Having the correct one can make the difference between a successful trip and coming home empty handed. A reel for inland fishing is much different from one for ocean fishing due to the size and fierceness of the fish. So the type of fishing you plan to do is an important factor in determining the type of reel you should us.

The spinning reel is a great favorite when using lighter lines, lures or bait. They are especially well received in trout and walleye fishing. Some bass anglers are also using this type of reel due to its ability to accurately place a lure in a desired spot. This can provide an advantage when trying to land the big bass.

Salt-water fishing requires stronger equipment due to the size and fighting ability of ocean fish. The most common equipment for this purpose is the conventional reel. Since most ocean fishing is on the bottom or trolling long distance, casting is not normally needed.

Prices of reels vary greatly and can cost hundreds of dollars depending on the model. Some are very famous reels, such as the Abu Garcia reels, which have reported great results for a large number of fishermen. Getting the proper reel and other equipment is important and, depending on the frequency of fishing trips, one might want to purchase one of the better models.

Manufacturers have conveniently numbered all fishing reels. This indicates their size and makes it very simple for one to select the correct model and match it to the correct size fishing rod. The smaller numbered reel matches the smaller rod. This makes choosing the correct fishing reels very easy.

Fishing Gear 101

Recently, a friend asked me what gear he needs to start fishing the many lakes, streams, and rivers of Idaho. I have known him for years, and it never occurred to me that although he is an accomplished hunter, an expert skier, and a genuine all-around outdoorsman, he didn’t start fishing until his children showed an interest. Many avid fishermen pick up the habit as children, through weekend trips with family and friends. Some of my earliest outdoor memories stem from fishing with my grandmother. She loved to fish, and would set out on a fishing adventure at a moment’s notice. Although her techniques were somewhat antiquated (8′ Ugly Stik, 12 pound test, 3 oz sinker, lawn chair and a pole holder), she almost always managed to produce fish. My friend’s request got me thinking – there are probably an abundance of people out there who would love to fish, but don’t know where to start. Most sporting goods stores will either attempt sell you a fishing combo that would be better served as an instrument of torture, or an expensive specialty rod and reel. The fact is, if you are just starting out what you need is somewhere in between. Use my advice as a starting point, and do your own research. Like anything else, fishing gear is diverse and unique, and should reflect your specific needs and style of fishing. The gear I have listed is best suited for general fishing in Southern, Eastern, and Central Idaho waters. Here’s an excerpt of the e-mail I returned to my friend.

Hey-

So which fishing line did you say to get again? I’m revamping all my fishing gear and need a laundry list of line and tackle basics that I need to purchase. Hit me with a list you think every tackle box needs. Lures aren’t as important as the basic equipment. Send it to me when you can.

Re:

Here you go buddy. Hope this helps.

Fishing Rod: You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but the extremely low-end fishing rods are junk. I’ve had trouble with broken poles, poles coming apart when I cast, and bent and broken eyes with the low-end rods. It usually happens when you have a big fish on. A good rule of thumb is to look for a pole with a cork handle (not the velvety material) and glass eyes (not plain metal). The Ugly Stik Lite is actually a great pole for the money (). My son had a 0 Browning rod that he broke last summer I am planning to replace with the Ugly Stik Lite. Other good middle of the road brands are Pflueger, Shimano, and Quantum.

Reel: Spinning (open-faced) reels work the best. They hold more line and are easier to work on and maintain. The key to finding a reliable reel is in the number of ball bearings. Any decent reel should have at least 5. Spincast (closed-faced) reels work great for kids because they are easier to cast. The main thing to remember with them is that most come pre-spooled with poor quality line. The line will be good for one season if you’re lucky. My wife and youngest son love spincast reels, and I usually take them apart 2-3 times per season to clean and oil them. They are way more susceptible to becoming clogged with dirt, moss, and debris. The best spincast reels on the market are the Zebco Omega, Pflueger Cetina, and Abu Garcia Abumatic. My next (spinning) reel will be a Shimano Spirex. Mitchell alsomakes reasonably priced bullet-proof reels. If I was going to purchase a solid, inexpensive rod and reel set-up for a friend that was just beginning to fish, it would probably be a 6′ 6″ Ugly Stik Lite paired with a Mitchell 300Xe Classic Series spinning reel. Both products are tried and true, and have been on the market since I was a kid.

Combo Packages: Outside of kids pole set-ups, you have to be really careful if you buy a package. Most pair one piece of acceptable equipment with a piece of junk the manufacturer is trying to unload. Shimano, Phlueger, and Quantum all put out decent combo packages. I broke down and bought my wife a combo last fall (I just wanted the reel; it was the best spincast reel on the market and the pole was basically free from Cabelas), and the end eye came off last weekend when we were fishing. It was the 3rd time she had used the pole.

Line: I firmly believe that if you are going to splurge, do it on line. Nothing ruins a day more quickly than breaking off a big fish, or messing with tangled line while everyone else is fishing. Florocarbon line is a solid all-around choice. For my money, Berkley Vanish Transition, Seaguar, and P-Line Halo are the best on the market. I typically use a little heavier than recommended. For smaller poles and kids poles, I use 6lb test, and 8lb for the longer rods. I prefer colored line, because it is easier to see when you’re tying on a hook or casting and kids don’t seem to trip over it as often.

Hooks: Hands down, the only bait hooks I buy are Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp. They are markedly sharper than other hooks, and the leader is integrated into the hook so you don’t get the abrasion that comes with knots. I try to keep packages of #4, #6, and #8 hooks in my tackle box all of the time, and typically use the #6.

Swivels: Using small swivels helps to keep from getting your line tangled, and they work great to change out hooks and lures quickly. Most people make the mistake of using large swivels; I try to buy the smallest barrel or ball bearing swivels I can find – and make sure they have snaps on one end. It’s also a good idea to keep some 3-way swivels on hand.

Sinkers: I keep an assortment of egg sinkers, bell sinkers, removable split shot, and rubber core sinkers. If I had to pick one type of sinker to keep with me at all times, it would be removable split shot. Buy the round package of assorted sizes, and you will be covered in almost any situation.

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Bobbers: They don’t work well for me. I don’t know why, because from time to time I see people catching fish using bobbers. I saw an elderly gentleman hook into at least a 5lb trout about four feet from the dock using a steelhead bobber a couple of weeks ago. The only bobbers that I use and keep on hand are steelhead bobbers, and the clear cigar-shaped bobbers that are used when fishing with flies.

Flies: I haven’t fly-fished in years, but I keep an assortment of dry flies in my tackle box. If there is a hatch and fish are surfacing, it is effective to use a clear cigar-shaped bobber and about 4′ to 6′ of leader with your spinning rod.

Bait: My wife loves Powerbait, and it works ok, but it is incredibly messy and doesn’t float well. I can typically catch fish almost anywhere with night crawlers, marshmallows, and/or Nitro Eggs (red). Regarding marshmallows: all of the sporting goods stores sell them in assorted colors. They cost between -, depending on brand. I learned the hard way that the name-brand fishing marshmallows aren’t worth the cost. They don’t float well, don’t stay on the hook, and get sticky when it gets warm. Your best bet is the old-school small assorted-color marshmallows they sell in supermarkets. They cost for a huge bag, stay on the hook, and float like nothing else. The intended application of marshmallows is to float your worm up off the bottom of the lake where it will attract more fish.

Lures: By far, the most effective and versatile lure I have ever used is the Mack’s Wedding Ring Classic Spinner. I’ve used them in ponds, lakes, creeks, and rivers, and caught Walleye, Perch, Bass, and Trout. I buy red and/or green with the smaller single hooks and tip the hook with 1/4 night crawler. I’ve also had good luck with green and/or black Worden’s Original Rooster Tails. If you are going to fish for walleye or bass (which I strongly recommend), you will need some weighted jig heads (assorted sizes) and plastic worms. The florescent green, white, and dark green colors seem to work the best in the waters we fish, but effective color use (this applies to any lure) varies based on water temperature and color, and weather conditions. We have also done well fishing for bass and walleye with any lure that resembles a minnow.

Misc.: Always keep a small can of WD-40 in your tackle box to clean and lubricate your reel. I also keep at least 200 yards of extra line. I can guarantee you that if you are camped in a remote location and your fishing pole is malfunctioning, the fish will be biting. Also make sure you have 2-3 rope stringers. They are inexpensive, and it seems like they always get left in the garage after a successful fishing trip. And keep a net with you at all times, even if it’s a small inexpensive model. If you hook a big fish, chances are it will break off when you try to land it if you don’t use a net. The elderly gentleman mentioned in the bobber section above lost his big fish due to the absence of a net.

Lets Go Bass Fishing!

Bass come in various types, which is why they are one of the most popular types of fish that anglers try and catch. Bass fishing is becoming a huge industry and not just a hobby anymore. There are so many special items that you can purchase that have been made especially for bass fishing and bass fishermen. These can be small items such as cups or keyrings, all the way up to the larger items such as bass fishing boats.

The sport is climbing at an incredible rate and is being enjoyed by quite possibly, millions of people each and every year. The various types of bass you can catch are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass and spotted bass. The largest types of bass you will catch will be the largemouth bass as these regularly weigh in at over 10 pounds. Small mouth bass average 6-7 pounds in weight but still give you an incredible fight when you hook one.

It is custom to adopt a catch and release policy when bass fishing. This keeps the stock levels always at a high rate and allows the fish to be caught by other anglers. Not many people catch the fish to eat anymore, so always bear this in mind when you next go fishing. Of course, you should always check the rules and regulations of where you are fishing because it may not allow you to keep any fish you catch. You don’t want to end up in any trouble with the fishing authority.

They could revoke your license and you may not be able to fish many waters without a license. So always stick to the rules and respect other anglers at all times. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy your fishing for years to come and so will all the other fishermen who get great pleasure from enjoying the sport they love, bass fishing.

Catching Bass With a Carolina Rig

The Carolina rig is one of the two most popular rigs used for catching Bass. Carolina rigs are very simple rigs with a slip sinkers, swivels, beads, and leaders. There are many variations of sinker weight, number and color of beads and leader length but the most common rig used by bass fishermen is a ¾ ounce sinker followed by a red bead, then a swivel and a 24-30 inch leader and a 4/0 hook.

The thing that varies the most, except for bait, is the length of the leader. Use shorter 18-36 inch leaders when you need to get really close to structure and precise presentation is needed. Leaders up to 7 feet can work extremely well for bass holding along steep ledges or suspended outside a break. The long lead allows the bait to drift slowly giving the Bass a longer look at the bait.

When fishing a Carolina rig you want to make your cast and let the bait sink to the bottom. Pay attention to your line as sometimes you will get a bite as the bait sinks to the bottom. When your bait is on the bottom take the slack out of your line. Reel your line in very slowly with frequent pauses or with short twitches of your rod reeling in the slack each time.

Pay attention to your line. Catching Bass takes feel. No matter what bait you are using if it is plastic the Bass will not hold it long. If you think you have a bite set the hook. If you miss just let the bait fall back to the bottom and begin again.

What Are Some Fishing Knots?

Fishing knots are one of the most important parts of fishing. Without tying your lures, sinkers and hooks on properly you are always going to lose fish. It’s important to know a large variety of knots as well, because these will give you more options. Remember that the knots that you can use vary based on the type and thickness of line that you are using. For example, many knots that you can use with standard mono line will not work on braid because it’s considerably thinner and tends to slip undone.

There are a huge number of knots for different options. A lot of people tend to be less careful with their knotting on the sinkers, or just run them through a clip. The reason for this is that the sinker is not very valuable, and it’s usually the first thing to snag on rocks. Alternatively you can just have a sliding sinker which works well but you end up losing the whole rig if you get snagged. The most common knot in fishing is probably a blood knot, which can be used for tying sinkers, swivels, clips or hooks onto line. Knots are also different for different types of fishing. For example, fly fishing knotting is different to standard knots because of the fly fishing line which is different to both braid and mono line.

Other knots include the clinch, jansik special, Palomar knot, hangman’s knot, scaffold knot and snelling line. There are knots which are designed to join line together, knots for tying sinkers on, knots for creating loops to slide sinkers on and everything in between. Much like learning to tie a trailer down properly, fishing knots can take a little while to learn. If you are finding that you keep forgetting them then the suggestion is simple; you need to go fishing more often!

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All Star Pro Series Graphite 6-Feet Medium-Light Action Spinning Rod

All Star Pro Series Graphite 6-Feet Medium-Light Action Spinning Rod

• Multi-modulus graphite blanks are lightweight and extremely sensitive
• Fuji aluminum oxide guides ? Lightweight and less wear on your line
• Lightweight graphite reel seats
• Premium cork handles and stainless steel hook keeper

Pro Series Rods from All Star feature a multi-modulus graphite blank designed to ensure maximum sensitivity and the lightest weight possible while maintaining overall strength and flexibility. They also feature Genuine Fuji guides and reel seats that guarantee trouble free performance. The Pro Series offers a wide selection of rods in the most popular casting and spinning actions and lengths.

List Price: $ 59.95 Price:

Johnson Century Spincast Combo

Johnson Century Spincast Combo

• Durable metal frame and cover
• Bearing drive with instant anti-reverse
• Dual roller pick-up pins
• Medium action rod

Johnson Century Spincast Combo is PRICED TO MOVE, and ready for anything! You won't find a Combo better suited for ANY spincast applications! Catfish, trout, you name it, the Century can catch it. The 3 BB reel features dual pick-up pins and is pre-spooled with Berkley Trilene line. Matched with 2-Pc., 5'6" Abu Garcia rod with cork handles. It's all set to go right out of the box... order TODAY and be haulin 'em in in no time! Order yours today! Johnson Century Spincast Combo

List Price: $ 29.99 Price: $ 25.99

Shakespeare Two-Piece Medium Heavy Action Ugly Stik Casting Rod (6-Feet 6-Inch)

Shakespeare Two-Piece Medium Heavy Action Ugly Stik Casting Rod (6-Feet 6-Inch)

• Two-piece 6'6" MH action rod
• Double-footed, chrome-plated stainless steel wire frame guides
• Exclusive "Ugly Back" 70-day/7-year warranty
• Durable and lightweight "Ugly Tuff" EVA grips
• Graphite twist-lock reel seats are standard on most models

Ugly Stik Two-piece 6'6" MH action rod

List Price: $ 29.95 Price: $ 27.75

Hfo – colin’s ice fishing gear

Colin talks about his new ice fishing gear

Catfish Rods – Recommended Rods

When choosing catfish rods, you need to be quite careful in making your choice. Depending upon the type and size of catfish you plan to fish for, you may need to be especially concerned with the strength of your rod and its ability to hold strong as you reel in your catch.

As with most fishing gear, catfish rods come in all strengths and price ranges.

For example, the Berkley Reflex 2nd Generation ranges between -23 and is offered with three casting and three spinning options. It can handle up to 40 pound test and 8 ounces of bait. In comparison to the original model, it’s obvious why this one is so inexpensive; the design was changed drastically, leaving the rod itself much stiffer with fewer rod size options and a lack of scotchlite on the guide wraps.

However, one improvement is the cork handle. While it is affordable, the rod is limited to almost exclusively fishing for large Blue catfish and Flatheads.

If you are looking for catfish rods that are affordable and give you excellent visibility into the wee hours for nighttime angling, you may want to check out the Berkley Glowstick. It is distributed in four spinning and four casting options, made of E-Glass, and uses 3 AAA batteries to provide 40 hours of glow for use in the dark.

It has a cork handle and can use up to 30 pound test. The rod itself provides great action, and with its long-term glow ability and several sizes available, this rod, costing around , is a quality option for almost any angler.

Jim Moyer’s “The Boss” comes in four different casting options. Jim Moyer was the designer of the Berkley E-Cat, and this is a continuation of his specialty series of catfish rods.

It is made of high grade E-Glass with a cork handle with trigger and a heavy duty reel seat. The two smaller rods have titanium glides, while the two larger are constructed with stainless steel glides.

While the actual rating varies depending upon the exact model, this rod can potentially handle up to 40 pound test. The two larger rods are great for medium and large rivers and can pull even the largest Flatheads out of the timbers, while the two smaller are viable for channel cats and small Blues.

This particular “specialty” rod will cost you around , which is more than most rods on the market, but the extremely high quality makes it worth every penny.

Berkley Dual Tube Flour Fish Lite Btctfl

Berkley Dual Tube Flourescent

• Ultraviolet black lightFluorescent white lightIdeal illumination for night fishing15 ft cord with vehicle plug-in

Dual Tube Flourescent

List Price: $ 27.00 Price: $ 27.00

Berkley Power Worm 10in. Pump Seed 100pk Cpwa10-ps

Berkley Power Worm 10in. Pump Seed 100pk Cpwa10-ps

Ribbontail design swims naturally on the fall with twitches and short hops. Soft but firm texture is irresistible to fish. Ideal for lakes, reservoirs, streams or rivers.

Price:

A Detailed Guide To Fishing Crankbaits

A Complete Guide to Crankbait Fishing

When it comes to fishing crankbaits, there are always a million questions, with just about as many answers. Some of the common questions of what kind, what colors, when and where to use them, are going to be answered in this guide. There will always be new products and new ideas that may or may not work, but hopefully the following guide will give you the answers to most of the questions that are constantly being asked by the beginner to the advanced angler.

“WHAT ARE CRANKBAITS?”

There are as many manufacturers of crankbaits as there are colors. Some of the more popular makers of crankbaits are Luhr Jensen, Mann’s,Bomber, Storm, Berkley, Bill Lewis, Rapala, Lucky Craft and Rebel. There are of course, many more, including hundreds of custom made crankbaits by individuals and smaller companies.

Crankbaits are minnow imitating lures, that float and/or suspend in the water column, have different sized lips and body shapes, and some have no lips at all. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes, and weights, all of which are designed for a particular action and depth, to closely simulate a fleeing or injured baitfish or crawfish. First we will start with the floating and suspending variety of fat and slim bodied crankbaits.

“BODY SHAPES”

The different body shapes that are offered all have distinct advantages over each other at different times of the year, depending mostly on water temperature, and the size of the baitfish available in that particular body of water. There are always exceptions to the rules, but basically the slimmer, flat sided crankbaits, that float, and/orsuspend, are better early and late in the year, when the water temperatures are below 60 degrees. The flat sided crankbaits will mimic a fleeing crawfish early in the year, and the best colors at that time are shades of red or brown.

The proper depth is very important, as you want the bait as close to the bottom as possible to simulate a feeding or fleeing crawfish.

The lures with the flat sides have a neutral buoyancy, which is very important in making the lure perform like a real crawfish. I like touse a bait that has a bill made to bump against rocks and other cover to achieve this result without getting hung up or breaking. The flat sided crankbaits help me do this.

The Bomber Flat A is also a good choice for this, and catch a lot of pre-spawn bass with this bait, using a slow steady retrieve. In the fall, I use different shad patterns like Pearl, or Chrome, for bass that are suspending this time of year. I use a steady, slow to medium retrieve for this, sometimes bumping into objects, but most of the time a steady retrieve has worked best at this time of year.

In a tournament in the fall, I boated a 18 pound stringer, using this method, to win the tournament and take big bass with a 4 pounder.

I like to target the shores that are wind blown first, when working these baits, and a lot of the time, in some of the New York and New Jersey Lakes that have clay or tapering gravel banks, I throw these flat sided crankbaits, because I can catch fish in areas where there is little cover and most people don’t fish!

The flat sided crankbaits are more for bass that are holding in water that is about 3-8 feet deep. Most of the flat sided crankbaits don’t work properly any deeper than 7 or 8 feet. Most of the time I don’t fish these flat sides in heavy cover, but there is one that was made by Poe’s, that is called an RC3, that seems to produce well in heavier cover. In open water, I usually use a Shad Rap, made by Rapala, because I found that it produces some good bass in relatively open water.

I use spinning gear most of the time to throw these baits, like the Shad Rap, and I use 8-10 pound test line, with a Shimano reel. I do use a baitcaster in 7 foot, with a medium-action rod, like a Lew’s or G.Loomis, with a Lew’s reel or Shimano geared down lower. I don’t really fool around with these baits as they are mostly made of wood, and they all have their own “personality” anyway. Sometimes I go through 10 or 15 crankbaits before finding 2 or 3 with just the right action. In the colder water I like the Shad Rap and I also like the Bomber Flat A best. When the water temperature is in the 40′s and 50′s I like it to wiggle a little tighter, and these baits achieve this action well.

Baitfish are the main forage of bass in cold water, so I always try to match the bait with the prey. The Flat A seems to look like a Shad or maybe a Bluegill, which is the main forage in a lot of the lakes I fish,and it works well in the lakes that have clearer water. I have used this bait with success over the tops of the Hydrilla beds in some Florida Lakes, as it doesn’t pick up much grass because of the real tight wiggle. I caught several nice bass from Stick Marsh and Walk-In-Water on this bait before. It also produced good in Lake Jackson. I always try to use 8 pound test whenever I can, as it usually allows the crankbaits to achieve their maximum depth, and action.

Recently the best flat sided baits here in the northeast have been the Lucky Craft Flat CB and Mini CB, as well as the new Sebile baits.

These 2-inch master crank lures by Lucky Craft are essential components in the planning of tournament tactics today. To further increase productivity, you must correctly understand the different applications and effects of the Flat Mini SR, MR and DR baits and learn, through actual gripping sensations, the “sweet spots” of the respective lures. The unique screw of water flow generated by the flat side ensures the best luring movements, which are akin to those of the original Flat CB. Indeed, the SR, MR and DR are miracle baits that combine an optimal lip shape designed to quickly reach the strike zone, an effective gravity-center shift for maximal castability, and a longer stroke for attracting bass in a wider area. These Lucky Craft baits are some of the better new Flat Side crankbaits available.

The other new flat side baits that have really produced since they were introduced are the Sebile Flat-Sided Rattslers.

Sébile has only been in business since mid-2006 and the product line is characterized by several unorthodox and exciting bass lures – the three-piece lipless Magic Swimmer swimbait, the swervy Slim Stick and humpy Ghost Walker, the fantastic Flatt Shad series, the unconventional Stick Shad, trumpet-shaped Splasher, unique Onduspoon hard plastic spoon and many other Sébile lures are truly original and unlike any others out there in terms of shape and application.

In 2009, Sebile introduced two crankbait series, the fat-bodied Crankster and flat-sided Rattsler. These are not as out-of-the-box and unconventional as many of Sebile’s other lure designs.

The Rattslers are not only flat-sided but have ultra thin bodies. As a result, Rattslers are a bit light in comparison to their side profile size, since they are so flat and thin.

The flat sides stir and move a lot of water, creating tons of turbulence as the Rattslers wiggle along. The swimming movement can be called tight and frantic, and there is a lot of side-to-side full body flipping motion.

The Rattsler 85 ML and 85 VLL are the two I recommend for average, everyday cranking on decent size bodies of water for decent size fish.

I’d say all three Rattsler 65′s are better suited for finesse cranking situations, for small ponds and small streams or where mainly small bass are found. The Rattsler 65′s are suited to clearer water, smaller waters or finesse situations with light tackle.

The Rattsler 85′s are more of your mainstream crankbait size, even a little on the big size (keeping in mind they are thin). Of the three Rattsler 85 sizes, I’d say the 85 SL would be the least used model overall since it runs very shallow. The 85 SL dives just 1-2 feet, and that makes it good for fishing over thick grass or jumbled shallow wood, through the crowns of dense brush fields and so forth. Those are great sitations where the 85 SL excels. But day in and day out, the most poplar models will be the Rattsler 85 ML which runs 2-4 feet deep and the Rattsler 85 VLL (runs 10-20 feet) for deep water applications.

“FAT BODIED CRANKBAITS”

I like a lot of the fat bodied crankbaits when working shallow or brushy cover, as I believe they come through it better, and have awider wobble, which at times is just what the bass want. I use these more in the stained or muddier rivers and lakes, and I also like them for running over the weedbeds when the top of the weeds come to about a foot of the surface.

Mann’s 1-Minus, and Baby 1 Minus and Lucky Craft are my favorites for this style of shallow running crankbait. Again, I always try to match the forage of the lake, at the particular time of year I am fishing.

Also, many days when you couldn’t get a bass to come up out of the Hydrilla for a topwater, such as a buzzbait, or a Zara Spook, you could catch a limit by running these baits just under the surface creating a wake over the grass and Hydrilla beds. Bomber makes a bait called the Shallow A, which is also good for this type of cover.

Another method I use to replace a spinnerbait is a Cotton Cordell Big O, the one I like best runs about 3 or 4 feet deep. It creates a good wake when I reel it slowly, or if I want to burn it, it will run just under the surface and serve as a search bait, covering a lot of water quickly. I like to throw this bait around the edges of the thick weeds in New Jersey’s Union Lake, and others that are similar to it. It really works well there. If I want to make an even heavier wake than normal, I just go to heavier line for the crankbaits, say 20-25 pound test.

The thicker line helps keep the bait running on top. I always like to throw these baits to visible structure such as grass and docks,and most importantly later in the year, SHADE!

In lakes that are really clear, and have little cover, the bass will relate to a shade line.This is also true in Table Rock Lake in certain areas, although Table Rock does have a variety of structure, but little to no vegetation.

When I fish the shade line, I usually burn the bait. The most active fish will always be on the shady side of whatever structure there is. I cast beyond the structure, and burn the bait through the shade as close to the structure as possible. If you fish a lot of lakes that receive heavy pressure from water skiers and jet skies, and pleasure boaters, it generally creates a “Mud-line.” Bass will relate to this very often. It generally is in the upper 3 feet of water, so bass will hold along the mud line so they can see what’s swimming by. I cast parallel to the muddy water and burn the bait back to the boat. I usually use a white or Pearl color for this. I have used this method with success at Lake Hopetcong in the summer months. All these shallow running baits of this type produce bass well in the spring in California and Florida.

Many times a crankbait will run deeper or shallower than it is supposed to according to the manufacturer.

The Suspending crankbaits seem to run a little deeper than the floating ones, I suspect because they are a little heavier. The other places to target for bass with crankbaits in rivers, is the creek channels or bends.

River bends collect structure such as fallen trees and brush, which in turn, creates a great spot in slower current where the largemouth lay in wait of the prey. Differences in materials should also be considered when selecting the crankbaits to use. For example, plastic lures can be abused a little more than some wood lures, but wooden baits have better flotation and action many times. There are differences in the way they have to manufacture plastic baits and wooden baits, and both have their advantages and disadvantages in each situation. Trial and error,experience, and time, are the best teachers in these matters.

You can read all you want, but there is nothing like time and hands on experience to learn what works best and when.

One thing I do with most crankbaits though, is change their hooks. I only use premium hooks on baits such as Gamakatsu, VMC, Daiichi, X-Pouint, or other quality hooks. I replace them after a couple of months or sooner, depending on the use, and the number of fish caught on them.

You really need to understand and have good electronics also, to find the right cover, and select the correct depth. Many times anglers are either fishing above or below the fish. It is very important to have and know how to use a wide variety of crankbaits to cover the proper depth. I never stick my rod in the water to make the lure run deeper, as it causes you to loose contact with thebait. If you are after fish that are deeper, it is better to make a longer cast beyond them, and reel the bait to them. The longer the cast, the better, if you are trying to achieve maximum depth, as it takes a while for the lure to go down. When fishing for deeper bass there are better choices than some of the crankbaits I’ve mentioned above.

“LIPLESS CRANKBAITS”

Many times when searching for deep bass lipless crankbaits are better.Some of the better lipless crankbaits for searching and catching bassin deep water are a 1-ounce Cordell Rattlin Spot, a Rattlin’ Rapala in1/2 ounce, Lucky Craft, the new baits by Sebile or Little George’s.

Little George pictured above was a mainstay for many years

pictured above is the new spin shad by Sebile

These baits proved to be a life saver one day on Table Rock Lake, when the bass wouldn’t cooperate on the other crankbaits.

Many times in Delaware Lakes and ponds, I have used similar baits in cold water very early in the year with success. These will also work in the deeper, colder areas of the Nanticoke and Sassafras rivers early and late in the year. I usually stick with the Shad patterns for these baits, or solid chrome, although I have at times caught numerous large bass early with a red or orange color.

Sometimes it is just a matter of presentation.

Before changing the lure or color, I always cover the area at various angles at different retrieve speeds. As you can see, there is a lot to know about using the correct crankbait, and I have just touched on the tip of the iceberg. There are other subtle variations in all of the above lures and presentations that can effect how a bait catches bass. After many years of trial and error, I am still learning new ways to catch more and bigger bass on crankbaits. And isn’t that the way it should be? The experimentation, and anticipation of every cast is what keeps it exciting and fun.

Berkley Lx Ice Spin Combo 28 In. Med Blxi28m

Berkley Lx Ice Spin Combo 28 In. Med Blxi28m

• Ultralight spinning reel
• Aluminum spool
• Smooth multi-disc drag system

Berkley LX Ice combos feature a top of line ultralight spinning reel with two ball bearings, instant anti-reverse, aluminum spool, and a smooth multi-disc drag system. The rod features a comfortable cork handle and a conventional twist-lock reel seat .The combo also includes Berkley PowerBait Wigglers and a spring bobber to help you hook more fish under the ice.

Price: $ 25.89