Evening Sun: Take me fishin preview!

Free fishing seminar for kids this month in Greene


By: Josh Sheldon, Outdoors Columnist

Published: June 13th, 2013











As we age, we tend to forget the awe inspired by experiences we had as kids. Fishing is the type of high intensity sport that upon the first catch hooks most kids for life. Outdoor seminars are becoming the most effective way to get new sportsmen afield, but don’t leave it all up to big programs. Take the time to give whenever the opportunity presents itself.


Fishing can be quite complicated if you don’t have the proper information on how to do so. Most fishermen aren’t too worried how many fish are caught daily, while tournament fishermen are searching for the five biggest fish they can catch. The odds of catching a five-fish limit are greatly decreased by tournament fishermen having to fish unfamiliar waters. Having to figure out where the fish are on the lake or river, coupled with the lack of knowledge on what they are feeding on, will test the skills of the most seasoned angler.






By constantly trying new things, the tournament angler tends to learn quite a few more tricks that will help put fish in the boat. For this reason, what better fishing instructors could be found rather than the pros? The years of compiled fishing knowledge, along with the patience needed to help educate kids, are the tools put to use by the tournament angler. Like any other professional sport, the anglers involved in tournament fishing must dedicate their lives to the sport to be successful.


Jim Root, a professional fisherman heading up youth instructional program, stated the hardest obstacle to overcome was the time spent away from his family. Tournament fishermen must travel all over the country to qualify and compete on the tournament trail, much like other professional sports. Fortunately, Jim has a very supportive wife who is happy to see him pursue his dreams. He made the statement, “Becoming a pro was equally split between hard work and the help offered by others.”





View the whole article by clicking here.

Fishing Report: Oneida Lake 5/30

Oneida Lake report for 5/30



I fished Oneida last Thursday with my good friend Bridget Allen (some of you know her). We got on the water around 10 am, and spent a lot of time really just looking at different areas and their bottom compositions and didn't really spend much time fishing until around 1:30. For two hours we did fish (1:30-3:30) and for the conditions (hot, bluebird skies, no real wind to speak of) we actually did very well. Here are some pics from that day. We caught our fish between 7-10 feet of water, flipping grass. I think she caught one smallie in like 2 feet of water. I can't recall exactly how many fish we caught, but we both had limits and I think I might have caught a couple more fish than she did.

None of our fish were on beds. And they didn't want anything aggressive.

We were using almost two completely different setups. I can't tell you exactly what her's was, but I can tell you she was using Fluoro, texas rigged senko, no weight. I was using 65# braid, and two baits 1) 1/2oz sinker, texas rigged bass pro shops magnum flipping tube on a Trokar hook, 2) blue and black Bass Attacker 1/2oz football jig with a blue and black craw trailer, Quantum Smoke 151HPT reel, Dobyns Champion 766FLIP Heavy Flipping fast action casting rod.


It was probably the best two hours I've ever had on that lake. I know there a lot of people who are on the fence about Trokar hooks. I started out the day using a Gamakatsu wide-gap hook, and after I lost my fourth or fifth fish I decided it was because the weeds we were fishing were surprisingly thick for this time of year, and I just didn't feel like that hook was penetrating deep enough for me. I cut it off, put on the Trokar, and I maybe lost one other fish the rest of the day. My theory on the Trokar, is that under normal circumstances you can't try to cross their eyes when you set the hook. But when I was fishing these deep weed beds, I really felt more comfortable with the Trokar's ability to penetrate through the tube (just the very tip of the hook was exposed to reduce snagging) through the weeds, through the mouth. I think if you try it, you'll see it actually works very well and you don't have to gently set the hook.

Shallow Water Anchoring Systems

I remember my first shallow water anchoring system I ever had.  It was a cinderblock that I firmly secured to my canoe via a piece of twenty foot rope that I found in my parents’ garage.  I was so proud of myself.  I got out on the water, threw it over the side, and watched my delightful smile fade away as I began spinning around in a circle.  The next day I returned with a dual anchoring system that consisted of my cinderblock and a 25lb dumbbell.  My first mistake was deploying my new friends both off the back.  This created a twisted mess that required my frail 13 year old frame to heave what I only imagined was the equivalent of 5 dead bodies up and over the side at the same time.  Lesson learned, no great success comes without bumps in the road!  Launched the dumbbell forward off the front, check!  As I launched the cinderblock off the back, already rejoicing in my triumphant ingenuity, my rope broke somewhere around the 15 foot mark, carrying to the bottom of a murky pond my brilliant invention and taking with it what was left of my pride.

 

There are more stories similar to mine than I can’t even begin to imagine.  Some are far worse.  Somewhere along the line there was a mind that resolved that because the need to anchor would never cease to exist, there had to be a more “user-friendly” option.  So for those of you who haven’t found a co-angler who can hold their breath for hours at a time and patiently sit on the bottom of the lake, here are some options for you.

Minn Kota Talon

The Talon, by Minn Kota (Johnson Outdoors), is designed to drive a spike straight down from within the large apparatus which is mounted on the rear of your boat.  It’s easily mounted, and comes standard is silver with black or white trim in either 6’4” or 8’4”, with a quick release bracket making it easy to remove when not in use.  The Talon is designed to deploy quickly and quietly.  Simply push the button once on your remote (which can be programmed to operate two units simultaneously) and the spike will stop automatically when it reaches the bottom.  Anglers who want to know how deep their Talon is need only look at the LED indicator lights which are defined in one foot increments.  

Minn Kota is known for building high-grade, long-lasting products, and this is no exception to that.  Being constructed of marine-grade extruded anodized aluminum, it’ll withstand saltwater as well as freshwater, and the spike itself is made of fiberglass reinforced composite material, and carries a lifetime guarantee.  

Power Pole

The Power-Pole, by JL Marine, is a slightly different design than the Talon.  While the Talon offers direct vertical deployment, the Power-Pole is designed to stretch out and down like an arm, offering completely unobstructed casting area.  With a mounting system that offers strength and flexibility, you can rest assured that your boat will remain in place without having to worry about durability.  Power- Poles are operated by a system which applies constant hydraulic force.  The other major differences are options, colors, and price.  

 
Both companies offer wireless remotes, alarms to prevent outboard motor operation while anchors are deployed, offer lifetime warranties on spikes, are environmentally friendly, and claim to be the quietest and fastest deploying.  I can say that I’ve used them both, and really haven’t found one to be superior to the other.  But I will say this, I have a good friend who I believe can fix anything marine related, and he once told me something that I’ll never forget:  “You can blind fold me, and I can take that (blank) completely apart, and put it back together.  Hell I might even be able to do it in my sleep.  But I wouldn’t have the first clue how to work on a Minn Kota.  Ya know why?  Cuz I never to work on the ###### ######!  The way you fix a (blank company) once and for all, is to buy a Minn Kota.”

So which is better?  You decide.  I’m sure either of them is better than a piece of old rope and your father’s weight set.

My first review as a part of the team at RahFish is published!

Here's the link to my review of Cashion Rods at RahFish.
Click here to read it.