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Tackle Tuesday: Catching Spawners
This week we’ll talk about the Strike King Shim-E-Stick. This is one of my go-to baits for catching spawning bass. I like to fish it weightless or Texas rigged with a 1/16 tungsten weight. I’ll use this for both visible spawners and around areas where I think they might be.
The key is to fish it slow. Once the bait settles to the bottom I’ll usually wait 5-10 seconds before moving the bait. The Shim-E-Stick is very effective when dead-sticking it around the beds.
The only modification I’ll make is the spray the bait with Strike King Coffee scent.
My recommended set-up is an Owner 4/0 offset wide gap hook, 15lb Seaguar Invizx, Keith Combs Signature Series soft jerkbait rod from Power Tackle, and a Shimano Metanium 8.5:1.
Good Fishing! Keith Combs
It’s that Time of the Year
At long last, the signs of Spring are starting to show up all around the country. Warming temperatures bring good times outdoors, but there is also a downside to this time of year; namely, this year’s crop of biting insects looks like it’s going to be a bumper one! If you’re going to spend any time outside this Spring or Summer, you’re almost guaranteed to get bitten or stung by something.
After recent trips to Florida and Georgia, one of our staff members found himself in a tough situation. After being attacked by fire ants and munched on by mosquitoes, their itching was almost unbearable. It’s that time of year.
There’s no need to panic or stay inside, however. Besides the most obvious strategy – trying not to get bitten in the first place – here’s what to do once the inevitable happens. Grab yourself a tube of the best anti-itch treatment money can buy: Dr.Dan’s Advanced Anti-itch Stick.
Here are the details:
Dr. Dan’s Advanced Anti-Itch Stick is a specially formulated ointment that stops the pain, swelling, itching and redness associated with bites from bees, wasps, hornets, mosquitoes, fire ants, jelly fish, spiders and other biting insects. The ointment works in two ways: 1) the short acting ingredient, methanol, works immediately to stop the pain; and 2) the long acting ingredient, hydrocortisone, works to eliminate the swelling, redness and itching.
Dr. Dan’s Advanced Anti-Itch Stick works to counteract the allergic reaction associated with bug bites. When insects bite, they release chemicals into your skin that cause your body to respond to those foreign substances. The result is a painful, red, and swollen area that can last for hours or even days. Dr. Dan’s Advanced Anti-Itch Stick reverses the allergic process and eliminates the side effects. As with all of Dr. Dan’s products, it is hypoallergenic, making it safe and non-irritating.
The best Anti-Itch hands down!
Pros Pledging a Pound for Autism
Salem, Va. – April 5, 2016 – A group of professional bass anglers are creating another Autism Awareness campaign on the BASS Elite Series this year during the month of April. John Crews took an idea given to him from Kevin VanDam for the Elite anglers to pledge a dollar amount per pound of bass they catch during the month of April. Crews is coordinating the pledge and asking fellow pros to take the pledge for Autism and take it to social media.
“Last year, I was blown away with almost every single Elite angler flying an Autism Awareness flag so it will be hard to top that. This year, I am asking my fellow pros to take a pledge to donate a dollar per pound of bass they catch during the month of April. Anglers can pick the Autism charity of their choice. I am encouraging all pros to talk about the whole program on social media because our cumulative reach is huge,” John Crews explains.
John Crews is planning on donating a dollar per pound of bass he catches during the month of April to two charities. He is donating to the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center near his home in Virginia and to Autism Speaks, a national Autism charity. With the Elite Series having 3 events that have competition days during April, there could be a nice amount of weight he and the other anglers accumulate.
Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Randall Tharpe, and Ish Monroe are already on board with pledging money for Autsim along with Crews. All the anglers are going to be encouraged to join in to create awareness for Autism and help raise money for various Autism charities and services. Eli Delaney, Autism activist and avid bass angler, started and runs My Little Buddy’s Boat, which is an Autism charity that Iaconelli will be donating his total to this month. Be sure to tune into each angler on social media to see where and how much they are donating.
Anglers Inn Offers Special El Salto Trip for Women
Anglers Inn International, the leader in service-oriented trips to the most productive Mexican bass lakes, is offering a special opportunity for lady anglers in 2017. For the first time they’re targeting an offer specifically at women, with a mid-January trip at the heavily discounted price of $1,495 – that’s $500 off of the regular package price.
“Over the course of three decades of operation, we’ve had thousands of women fish with us,” said Billy Chapman Jr., President of Anglers Inn. “But we realized that most of them come in groups or with their husbands or boyfriends. That means that there’s an underserved group out there of women who may not feel comfortable traveling here by themselves. Some of them are experienced anglers while others would like to learn to fish, and with this package we’re inviting them to get a taste of what we have to offer.”
The trip will run from January 11 through 15, and includes 3 ½ days of fishing, safe transportation to and from the airport, all food and drink as well as daily laundry service. The only things that are not included are airfare, gratuities and items of a personal nature. Equipment will be made available to those who don’t have their own or those who would prefer to travel light. There are also spa services available on site for those who fancy a massage after a long day battling big fish. Furthermore, Chapman’s sponsors and several other members of the fishing industry have chipped in with giveaways and prizes to make sure that everyone takes something home in addition to memories and pictures of big fish.
Frequent Anglers Inn guest Hanna Robbins is coordinating the trip for Chapman and is available to answer any questions at LadyAngler@AnglersInn.com.
For more information about Anglers Inn, go to www.anglersinn.com or www.anglersinn.tv
Marty The Party’s Wife Knows it Pays to Tow with a Toyota
Bassmaster Elite Series pro and plumbing contractor Marty “The Party” Robinson knows a lot about PVC pipe fittings and flipping sticks, but he’ll be quick to admit he could care less about working on his tow vehicle.
His wife Iris, who Gerald Swindle lovingly nicknamed “Iris Taters” several years ago, will be quick to tell you she buys Toyota, because she says, “I know Marty isn’t going to do maintenance on my Sequoias, so I’d better get something that’s really dependable, not to mention when he does well in tournaments, we win Bonus Bucks because he tows with a Tundra.”
Marty’s recent 3rd Place finish at the Bassmatser Elite Series event on the St. Johns River made Mrs. Robinson and her boys feel like winners when they realized his high finish netted $3,000 in Bonus Bucks – and Mom was quick to grab the ‘bucks’.
Indeed the Robinson family is a faith-based foursome that loves to laugh, fish, and compete in everything from backyard volleyball to dancing contests, and sons Marshall, age 12, and Mitchell, age 10 would rather be engaged in soft plastic swimbaits and Texas-rigged Zoom trick worms than just about anything life has to offer two kids from Lyman, SC.
They’re a fun loving bunch, but taking time-out for auto maintenance isn’t on the list.
“She’s right,” laughs Marty. “I don’t want to have to do any maintenance on my trucks – that’s why I’ve bought three Tundras, and Iris has had two Sequoias, from Scott Clark Toyota during my 10 years as a pro. The greatest reason we’re a Toyota family is simple –they’re dependable, and it’s the best tow vehicle I’ve ever owned.”
Like Marty, you don’t have to win a tournament to win the “Bonus Bucks” – you just have to be a registered participant in any of the dozens of tournaments sanctioned by Bonus Bucks, and be the highest-placing participant. To get signed-up, please visit http://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ or phone (918) 742-6424, and ask for Kristie or Kendell and they can also help you get signed-up.