1. Koppers Live Target Frog – $10 to $15

Koppers Frog

This newly released soft-bodied, top-water lure should be shattering a glassy, calm lake near you this summer. This frog bait made some headlines at this year’s 2010 iCast Event and won their soft-bodied award. Koppers try very had to create ‘the world’s most anatomically accurate line of fishing lures‘ and this frog SHOULD catch some bass for you. Feel free to put one under my tree Santa! Visit your local tackle store to purchase or buy online from Bass Pro Shops.

2. A new tackle bag - $30 to $80

Plano Soft Sider Guide Bag

This year I ‘purged’ the junk from my old tackle box and exported them to smaller, fabric-shelled guide bag. It has 4 plastic trays that pull-out with multiple slot size configurations.  I was able to find a place for everything my older tackle box contained.  My gear stays better organized in a more streamlined container.  The molded-hard bottom lining is a must have feature. You can place it in the bottom of a wet boat or dock without water being ‘sponged’ into your tackle.

You don’t need to get the exact one I as I did. I bought a Plano Soft-Sider Guide Bag.  The point is, any new tackle box will cause any angler to re-organize their old one and feel better about themselves…

3. A new handcrafted fishing rod – $150 to $300

This my take a creative note in a stocking (or gift wrap), but consider getting your special fishing jedi a custom rod from from Fetha Styx. They fish the rods they build and the production versions of their rods all come from the DNA of a custom, hand-crafted version. I have been able to interact with some of the crew behind the ‘Styx’ and they are the real deal.

Afraid to get the wrong fishing rod? It may be obvious, but visit the Fetha Styx website with your favorite angler and get some guidance from them. You could also note the printed details, of an old rod, located close to where the reel is attached to the rod handle. Still not sure? Send me an email and I would be happy to help you determine a good fit.

Fetha Styx Fishing Rods

Fishing Float Tube

Experience your favourite fishing lake from the view of float fishing tube. They are stealthy and easy on fuel. You will be able to access areas that boats can not spook less fish. So far, I have not hooked into a fish my flippers could handle. Prove me wrong.

Higher priced tubes are more stable, easier to enter and support the angler higher out of the water. Cabela’s has some nice examples here.

5. An Ultimate Fishing Trip to Queen Charlotte Lodge – $3800 to $5900

Every time I watched an episode from WFN’s reality fishing show called, The Lodge, I am reminded why this fishing resort is at the top of my own ‘bucket’ list. Catch big fish and relax in style. Meet the stars of the show. Book early through the QCL website – they fill up fast!

Catch The Fish of a Lifetime at QCL!

It is easy to spot a rookie, and sometimes the saying, “If you want to be – ACT as if…” can speak volumes.  Fly fishing Author, George Douglas, announced the release of his new fly fishing book, Fish Like a Guide.

According to Douglas this book is,

“The first of a series that teaches anglers how to think, plan and adjust at the level of a professional fishing guide. The introduction of the book states that you can spot a professional fisherman a mile away. You can tell by the way they move, the decisions they make, their preparation and strategy–and it is all geared for one thing, catching fish consistently… if you do things in a certain way on and off the river, you will become a better angler.”

In addition to the book launching, Kype magazine (Douglas is a publisher) has announced a drawing scheduled to take place on September 1, 2010 for members of the social community at www.SteelheadSalmonTroutFishing.com. Membership is free for anyone to join. The Grand Prize is a guided trip with George Douglas in Steelhead Alley, Ohio, including two complimentary nights at The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake.

For more information on pre-orders of his new book, the drawing, guide service, and to join the Kype Nation Social Community, visit www.SteelheadSalmonTroutFishing.com

Douglas’ Blog: http://steelheadsalmontroutfishing.blogspot.com/

The lure maker’s, Live Target – Hollow Body Frog,  took the soft body category at the prestigious fishing show.  When you visit Kopper’s Live Target website you will find that they take lure design very seriously. They have tried very had to create ‘the world’s most anatomically accurate line of fishing lures’. This characteristic defines the success of these lures.

Live Target's Hollow Body Frog wins 2010 iCast Award

Great job Koppers!

In past communication with Evan (from Fetha Styx), I could tell right away he is proud of his product. What also stands out to me about Fetha Styx is the company’s commitment to helping American waterways and law enforcement personnel through rod sales.

Check them out with an interview from WFN:

Nice work Fetha Styx!

Generally speaking, these top-water tactics are reserved for calm water conditions normally associated with early morning and evening fishing opportunities. However, if nothing else is working out of the tackle box, change things up and try fishing the water’s surface any time of day.

To begin, I recommend a Heddon Moss Boss lure. The design and purpose of this topwater lure allows the angler to cast into thick weeds with a minimal risk of snagging. This puts the lure into the realms of largemouth bass that are usually undisturbed by other anglers. Reel the lure erratically from weed patch to weed patch and pause randomly before continuing. Allow the moss boss to drop into weed pockets encountered along the way. Expect weeds to fly.

The second topwater offering should be a standard issue in most tackle boxes – an Arbogast Jitterbug. This wobbling noise-maker will ignite the early evening, glassy calm on any lake or Toronto pond. Cast this lure just off weed beds or around shoreline structures. Reel and pause at random intervals and get ready to fight aggravated smallmouth and largemouth bass. Don’t under-estimate the effectiveness of casting close to docks and vertical logs.

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The problem arises when a walk down a tackle shop’s aisle presents the inquisitive angler with a multitude of fishing line choices. When lost in the advertising madness, remember to keep it simple. Any fishing line, despite the packaging and label, will fulfill its purpose in a majority of situations. Look for a deal or the marketing that grabs your attention and confidently make your purchase knowing that the product will work.

The three main players in fishing lines are monofilament, braided lines, and fluorocarbon. The difference being mostly in method of manufacture and special use conditions.

Monofilament lines are by far the most popular and come in various shades. Comparatively cheap to manufacture, these type of lines can be used for many fishing conditions. They tend to not be as sensitive as other line types because they stretch.

Braided lines are microscopic fibres braided together during manufacturing. They are more expensive to produce but are thinner, very sensitive and troll deeper. Be careful not to overfill your spool (leave and1/8th of an inch of space) and consider using a monofilament backing. Attach a lure using a palomar knot.

Fluorocarbon lines are nearly invisible due to their manufacturing. With initial uses as fly fishing leaders, these low visibility lines are perfect for clear water scenarios. They are low-stretch and abrasion resistant. The trilene knot is best for using this line on your favourite lure.

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