Saturday, August 30, 2014

Gary Collins Wins Second Cal BASS Nation Event

From L-R: 4th Brian Day,
3rd and Big Bass Dejon Lewis
1st Gary Collins
2nd Jason Hemminger
Pic ctsy of Mike Landy
The second of four California BASS Nation qualifying tournaments, held August 24-25, 2014 at Lake Nacimiento, CA, was an exercise in persistence and tolerance for most.  The numbers were there even if the sizes were not.

What’s Your Line? Part 1: Monofilament

Recently the question was asked about what kinds of line to use in which situations, and why.   Here are a few basic guidelines I like to follow for monofilament lines.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to monofilament fishing line and that is one of the pluses associated with it.  Another is that monofilament is a cost-efficient choice for those that replace their line often.  Monofilament costs a lot less than fluorocarbon and braided superlines.

Everyone grew up with monofilament fishing line.  Likely your first snoopy rod or Zebco 33 had 8 lb. Stren monofilament on it.  Monofilament line is still the standard that other lines are compared to, even if just talking about limitations or comparing diameter.  Since I am most familiar with the Berkley Trilene brands I will use them as a base for this topic.

There are certain applications where monofilament line is the preferred choice and not the other options.  Monofilament line floats and is great for topwater lures that walk or pop, lures that move slower and sometimes stop and sit still in the water.  Fluorocarbon lines sinks, so using it with these types of lures will pull the front of the floating lure down and often under the surface of the water and prevent the lure from operating as it is intended.  Mono also has plenty of stretch when that big fish hammers the lure and the immediate reaction from the angler is to set the hook hard on a fish with a mouthful of treble hooks.  When fishing topwater plugs I like to use 17 pound Trilene XT (Xtra Tough) since it is a reliable, strong line that can handle any bass that hits it and still has a great chance of getting your lure back just in case that 20-30 pound striper or wiper takes off with it.

Because mono is less expensive it also makes a good value for those reels that may need new line often and where the sensitivity of the other lines is not necessary.  I specifically use Trilene XT for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits because often these lures are cast across, into and against heavy cover like timber and brush, and the abrasion resistance of XT keeps me from losing fish, yet, being so close to cover means that checking your line often and retying as needed means you are losing line by the foot as the day goes on.  Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are my favorite techniques and my set-up is “Old School” across the board.  When most are favoring 7 ft. rods or longer, I like a 5.5 ft. pistol grip Fenwick HMG or HMX with 17-20 pound Trilene XT because I can be as accurate casting this outfit as flipping a jig with a flipping stick, which is important when enticing bass out of a large field of brush where only inches of casting lane is available between the bushes.  A short, sidearm cast can place the lures into tight spots, adjacent and parallel to cover, next to laydowns or under overhanging cover, better than an overhead power cast, bringing fish hanging tight to cover out for that split second of action it takes to hammer the lure, yet the line is still strong enough to power the fish away from cover before they get tangled up underwater.

Monofilament line, Big Game, is also on about half of the reels I have seen aboard the saltwater boats and the consensus seems to be that the stretch of the line is often desired to keep from losing big fish that otherwise would have broken the line or pulled the hook on less-stretch or no-stretch lines.  Since bigger reels are the norm in saltwater then the heavier, larger diameter lines can still be used without compromising reel capacity.

Most of the light line (Trilene XL,) spinning reel applications that I once would use monofilament line for has been replaced by fluorocarbon line, but anytime a line needs to float instead of sink then monofilament is the line to use, like, for instance, a very small popper or a floating lure that needs a spinning outfit to cast well, or a float-n-fly outfit with dry flies.

The use of monofilament line, in many applications, has been replaced by the tantalizing sensitivity of fluorocarbon or the super strength of braided line, but monofilament line is still a necessary tool in my book.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Calico Bass Blitz on the Sea Jay


A few calico with Capt. John Fuqua on the Sea Jay
The calico bite is on!  Fishing Friday aboard the Sea Jay we were on the calico bass from the first stop and the boat soon had limits with a lot of released fish, too.  Throw in a few sugars, sheephead and three barracuda and it makes a fine day fishing the Channel Islands aboard the Sea Jay.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

California BASS Nation at the Delta




A California Delta Bass
Windy conditions on the California Delta didn’t hamper the leaders of this event who consistently brought in around 15 pounds each day to rise to the top of the pack.  Bass Angler Magazine’s own Mark Lassagne, fishing his first BASS Nation event in some time, punched his way to a win!


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Fishing Trip to Mexico

Jumping white marlin
At the end of June the wife and I went on a vacation to the Yucatan.  While there I booked a shared charter with Captain Rick's in Puerto Aventuras, about an hour south of Cancun.

Monday, June 16, 2014

First White Sea Bass, Fishing Aboard the Sea Jay

Capt. John Fuqua's Sea Jay,
pic ctsy of Channel Islands Sportfishing
I’m still new at this saltwater fishing thing and I know I have a lot more to learn and experience, but the first time I hooked into a school of white sea bass will be one to remember!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Lessons Learned from a River Bass Tournament

Dock at Lakeside Resort in Trout Creek, MT
on Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Swift river bass are known to be tough customers and fast fighters.  But the Coosa River bass are not the only ones who earn that reputation.  A recent trip to fish the BASS Nation Western Divisional was a lesson in river bass fishing in combat conditions, literally gunnel-to-gunnel with other boats.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Learning to Fish Can Last a Lifetime

  Having family or friends to teach fishing is an advantage to kids.  It certainly was for me.  And what I learned a long time ago is still with me to this day thanks to all those who helped me get started.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Fishing Ethics and The Spawn

 


     This topic can be a contentious one and as usual, everyone has an opinion, including me.  But fishing during the spawning period does not have to be as great an issue if simple precautions are taken.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Time Again for the Bass Pro Spring Fishing Classic

  Come down and get some great deals and meet Pro Anglers and company Pro Staffers.  Event dates: February 28 – March 16.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Close Encounters

  A lot can happen in the great outdoors, much of the time all good stuff, but sometimes it all goes wrong.
Also published at Fish Explorer.com