If you have a fishing product you’ve used and enjoyed over the past season or two, tell us why you recommend it for other fishermen. The product doesn’t have to be brand new, but it does have to be currently available for purchase. Post your reviews below or send them to me at jimmy@onthewater.com. If we use your review in an issue of On The Water Magazine, we’ll send you an OTW Lucky Fishin’ Cap.
For striped bass action top water style on the cape cod canal and elsewhere i recommend the 3 oz atom atomizer. This popper when slow retrieved has produced more fish for me consistantly than any other lure. It is also fairly inexpensive I have purchased it for as low as 7.99 and as high as 12.00 alot cheaper than many other lures. The only downside that I ocassionaly have is if I am not paying attetion I will get a helicopter spin on the way out makimng it cast much shorter.
For the price it can’t be beat. Pflueger President 6750. I have two of these on 9ft rods. I use them mostly for Saltwater sufcasting and once in a while off the banks of CT river. I have abused these two reels and other than nicks and scratches thet still are smooth like they day i bought them. And like i siad they are priced very well. Got both of mine on clearence. One off Bass Pro Shops, Atlanta 62$ out the door. And the other I months later 54$ out the door. You can’t beat that. Ohh yeah there are seal for salwater applications which is my favorite type of fishing. And they come with two aluminum spools NOT plastic. Great buy for me. GOOD LUCK FISHING.!!!!!
FISH ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rey S,Bristol,CT
Since bass fishing has sort of slowed down in the Connecticut River, my buddy and I have recently gotten into catfishing quite a bit. After a few outings we noticed that the bigger channel and white cats make a pretty strong run when they grab a bait. We were originally using regular spinning reels, leaving the drag loose, then tightening down right before a hookset. Pain in the butt. So we started looking into baitrunners. The Shimano version, being the top of the line, worth every penny, was a few pennies too many for us. We decided to go with the OKUMA AVENGER ABF 40, for only $50!!! What a deal! And a great reel for the price! Not clunky, holds a good amount of 15#, and the adjustable automatic bait feed (ABF) is an amazing feature. The fish have no idea there is anything wrong. And when you crank down to set the hook, the lever closes and you turn that fish right around!!! The first night we used them we got 8 cats all together, one of which was a 9# caught in some serious current! Great reel for the price! Check it out!
Hey Josh. Sounds like a great deal. I was actually going to try Okuma reels. But opted for Phlueger. Listen I almost got pulled in twice into CT river when catfish hit the bait. Current was kinda slack. This was off Cromwell by the bait shop off the parking lot. Can you recommend another spot for cats?
I have used Atoms poppers for years, Love the simplicity and the action, drives big blues and stripers crazy!! Thank you, Love the show!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope to see You on the water!!
Stripper Fest 1st timer and it was a blast in spite of some changes that we could recommend for next year, 2012. C U then and keep that great musical line up and bring in some better beer than Bud stuff.
Trout seem to be hiding in Fresh water ponds on the Cape, any tips would be welcome for catchin’ some to be smoked this fall.
Kayak fishing is the best only the wind has been the worst recently even fore us amateur Sr. citizen golfers. Lovin’t the weather and the greens fee’s this time of year.
Here on the south shore of Long Island, I have used Berkeley Gulp and Power bait minnows rigged “Carolina” style with a 1 to 2 oz.egg sinker & strong wide gap hook in the surf for Stripped Bass as well as surf caught Fluke (summer Flounder). Their action as well as scent attractant works when nothing else will.
Next time you are striking out on plugs or tins, try throwing one of these baits rigged or on a lead head, you will see they are sure winners.
I recently this Fall bought LLBEAN’S Double L Mid Arbor Fly Reel which to my delight has a super clean, strong drag system. This reel is worth every cent. Don’t forget, everything has a 100% guarrantee for life on prioducts from LLBEAN. Recently an Orvis reel I had for 3 years was repaired and they charged me for the repair. This won’t happen at LLBEAN. Number 1 guarrantee.
I recently tried Fish Bites artifical baits in the red (worm scent) version. I used then on one rod for six hours with no bites. After a while they get slimy and are a mess to fet off your hook. I actually had to cut them off with my bait knife.. I tried them after hearing Shep rave about them in his fishing report 3 weeks ago.
There a total waste of money!
Leo
Leo,
Thanks for the review. I encourage you to give those baits another shot next summer. They tend to work better when the water is warmer, at least 65 degrees. They are excellent baits for kingfish and are more durable and less expensive than bloodworms. As for getting them off the hook, they are made with a thin mesh through them that keeps them on the hook after repeated bites. Over time in the water, the bait completely dissolves, leaving only the mesh, which you’ll have to cut off.
I was skeptical about these baits when they first came out, but they are definitely kingfish killers.
Jim
THE ‘FISH GRIP HOLDER’ IS A GREAT TOOL FOR ANY SPECIES, FROM PANFISH IN FRESH WATER TO 40 LB STRIPERS IN THE BRINE! IT IS BUILT ALONG THE LINES OF VISE GRIP PLIERS, FROM PLASTIC, AND ALLOWS THE ANGLER TO HOLD THE BIGGEST GAME FISH WITH EASE. ONCE YOU HAVE “CLAMPED DOWN” THERE IS NO MORE RELIANCE ON YOUR PERSONAL GRIP STRENGTH TO HOLD THE FISH. THIS MAKES HOOK REMOVAL, MEASURING, RELEASING, TAKING PICTURES, ETC. EXTRAORDINARILY EASY. WHILE WE ALL LOVE TO GO HOME WITH A “TORN UP THUMB” FROM THOSE BIG STRIPERS, THIS PRODUCT MIGHT ALLOW YOU TO GO HOME WITH THE STRIPER!!!
I’ve been using a shimano baitrunner 4500 for the last 10 years now and just broke it out and tuned it up for another season,its the best reel I’ve ever owned! It still operates smooth and tight and the bait runner option is a must when fishing live eels or cut bait in the canal . I cant wait for it to break so I have an excuse to buy the new model !
Lasted year i purchase a squall peen reel it’s one of the bests reel. I use it for bulktailing on boats and there is no problem,the reel is the squall sql15 i use it with a 15lb mono it is a reel that you can purchase with confidence.Don’t stop fishing guys.
One of the best fishing accessories I have purchased is the Boga Grip. When fishing from a boat, it is a great tool for assisting in the landing of any fish and is the single best way to land Bluefish as it maintains a lock on the fish’s jaw while giving you the opportunity to remove the hooks quickly and safely. It also weighs the fish, although the weight always seems lighter than I anticipate, but that could be a problem of my expectations more than anything. My only regret is that for economic reasons I purchased the Boga with a 30 pound maximum scale and have maxed it out several times, leaving me to having to guess at the weight of the fish. Its not cheap but it is solid and reliable and appears that it will serve its purpose for many years.
Power Pro Braided line. This is the best line i have ever used. The durability is outstanding. I have lined all of my rods with it in different sizes. It is great for getting out of snags and setting hooks, along with a subtle lift while catching a more delicate fish or using circle hooks. I have found that this is a bit pricey but is well worth it. It can generously increase your hookup ratio. This line is the way to go when fishing for anything…and i dont think i will ever return to mono again.
I’ve been using product called Grip Studs for the past year or so while striper fishing out on Montauk. These are studs that screw in to bottom of your boots (felt or rubber) for traction on the rocks. I use the long #1800 model. They make a huge difference when trying to navigate those slippery, bubble weed covered rocks, and I don’t think I’ve slipped once while wearing them. The studs really don’t seem too wear down or bend over like you might expect and theres very little rusting after a season of use. I would definitely recommend them to other rock hoppers! This is the page on there website http://www.gripstuds.com/Surf_Fishing.php.
For fall stripers in the Cape Cod canal, three and four oz. Spro jigs are a must. Colors will vary but of course I do have a favorite. Many times there were numerous anglers getting skunked because they weren’t using these jigs. Spro jigs are my top choice for the canal and always have a few on hand every time I go.