Hello Surfcasters!
Clean Bill of Health, one more med, and I am good to go!
My focus now is to fill my existing orders, get some plugs into inventory and start thinking about fishing. I realized last fall that if I was going to catch anything bigger than a 51, I needed to be stronger. Walking and yoga has kept me flexible and my legs strong. I have since added push-ups and barbells to my daily regimen. If nothing else, being stronger may help me cast a little farther or fish a little deeper into the night. Come to think of it most of my big fish have come between 2am & 4am regardless of tide or moon. The exceptions were my 51 where the conditions were unfit for man or beast, and a 44 taken out of a bunker school on a bright sunny afternoon.
Support our Veterans!
Tom White of Commando Surfcasting has put together a fantastic guided fishing trip on Block Island which will go to the highest bidder in Tom’s effort to raise money for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, a program helping soldiers and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries as a result of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The winning donation is a 100% tax deductible charitable donation.
You can get all the details and donate or bid for this incredible prize at www.Striped-Bass.com. Click on Striper Talk Forums/Striper Talk and follow the thread “The ultimate Block Island Trip for the Troops Auction.” The auction has begun and will run through April 30th.
My hat is off to Tom White and Greg Walsh for their hard work in putting this together for such a worthy cause. I feel honored to have been asked to guide on one of the nights.
New Rods Added to Arsenal
I have added a couple of new rods to my arsenal – both conventional set-ups and more recreational than for serious fishing. I like conventional and I will use them while scouting during the day or from shore at night. Unfortunately, conventional and wet suiting don’t mix!
The rods are a CTS 12’ Vapor Trail 1209-2 rated 4-8 oz. and a Century Sling Shot 12’ 1449 rated 4-8 oz. Both rods are very light in weight and very strong — no problem throwing my 7-1/2 oz. Trollers. I have two reels to complete the setups. One is an older ABU Chrome Rocket 6500 customized with a mag and the other is a new Akios 5-line 656CTM, a very smooth reel. I will give you a report as I get used to them.
New Belt Bag
I wanted a belt bag that would handle a Troller as well as a SLIM Troller or a Sand Pike XL, all 10” plugs (12” if you add lip and tail). With Tom White of Commando Surfcasting, just ask and you shall receive. This bag will allow me to swim with some bigger plugs. I want to spend more time with these plugs this year — I feel they are the ticket to consistently catching bigger fish.
Last Spring Show
I’ll be selling plugs at the “Salt Water Lure Collectors Club” show (SWLCC) on Saturday, April 28th from 8am to 2pm. It will be held at the Trowbridge Tavern & Canal Club, 100 Trowbridge Road, Bourne, MA. If you are into plugs, a plug fisherman or a collector, this show should not be missed. It is an opportunity to see how it all started. There will be a representation of all the great plug makers on display and some you have never heard of. You may think you have a new design for a plug or a new color, but after you have been to this show you will realize it has all been done before.
If you have and questions on plugs past or present, or plug making past or present, you are likely to have them answered here. I’m always happy to talk fishing and I hope to see you there.
If you are interested in the Club or Club membership and can’t make the show, visit http://www.swlcc.com.
Tight lines,
Gary
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