With the micro-guided fishing rod craze in full effect, fishermen from all around who are accustomed to fishing braid with a fluoro, mono, or copoly leader are bemoaning the fact their favorite line setups won’t work with these diminutive guides. We’ve been fishing micro-guided rods since the Fall of 2009 and thanks to the folks over at Hi’s Tackle Box, we’ve been fishing them with braided line and a fluoro leader. I’ve mentioned this in virtually all micro-guided rod reviews to date yet readers are still questioning the method, so we went to the source to show just how they tie the knot and how small it can get WITH the aid of a special tool. Check out the video:

The bonus Miller Knot demonstration is for those looking for a new knot to use with fluorocarbon lines. We’re getting ready to update our Fluorocarbon Showdown from several years ago and plan to put this knot to the test in the coming months, but so far on the water, it’s been proving very effective. But one thing is for sure, if long range fisherman can depend on this knot to use in their connections when fishing for tuna, you know it’s going to hold up to bass fishing.

At times, even more enjoyable than learning about something new and innovative in the tackle industry is the opportunity to meet and get to know the people behind the scenes. In this age of the Internet, a lot of times, face to face meetings come only after several years of corresponding via email or over the phone, and even more common are the occurrences where a chance to shake hands and say hello never materialize. Geographic obstacles are, afterall, still very difficult to overcome.

Nevertheless, whether the handshake greeting eventually occurs or not, bonds are made, friendships are formed, and relationships are sometimes built that extend beyond just doing business. TackleTour has afforded me the opportunity to build many such bonds over the years presenting an interesting dilemma when my job is to call it as I see it or fish it. The solid relationships withstand this test and a few even relish in the honesty no matter the outcome positive or negative.

It saddened me greatly today, to learn of the passing of one such friend, a man who looked forward to critical reviews and valued our honesty, but most of all, a man who I considered a good friend. Our early phone conversations would carry on for hours only briefly touching upon the subject at hand – the tackle – spending more time philosophizing about life and human behavior yet always finding a hook to bring us right back full circle to discussions about the product. As time went on our conversations grew less frequent, but always picked up right where we left off when re-engaged. We were like minded, understanding of each other’s position just like friends who had known each other for years and years.

News of his passing was unexpected and hit me like a ton of bricks and I still cannot believe he will not be there when I call to inquire about what’s new and exciting. In fact, while I’m sure there will be plenty of new stuff from the manufacturer he represented this year, somehow, it will be quite some time before I’m able to find any of it very exciting.

Out of respect for his friends and family, I am not at liberty to reveal the identity of my friend, but this entry is my way of giving him thanks and saying goodbye. Rest well my friend and I hope where ever you are that the sky is sunny and the air brisk. You will be missed.

Most any athlete or seasoned professional will tell you, the key to good health and fitness is to start your day with a good meal. It is often stated that breakfast is the meal of champions. It’s little wonder then that recent US Open Bass Tournament Champ, Gary Dobyns, has his own secret to success. Now after winning the most coveted tournament of his career, the US Open at Lake Mead, Las Vegas, this bass fishing professional and CEO of his own rod company is letting this secret out of the bag in true entrepreneurial fashion. In this TackleTour producTTpreview exclusive, we are proud to announce the soon to be available Wack’em Xtremes by the newly formed company Dobyns Dough-Nut$$.

That’s right, now you can start off your tournament or recreational fishing day like the West’s most celebrated Bass Pro, Gary Dobyns. It’s true that both the Yamamoto Super and Hula Grubs were the keys to his fish catching success at the recent US Open championship on Lake Mead, but to ensure he had enough energy and focus to feel those subtle takes and in turn, swing for the fences, he started each day with is own secret recipe snack treats. The Wack’em Xtremes are what gives Gary Dobyns his edge on the competition both on the water and now on grocery store and bait shop shelves.

Official release dates have not yet been decided. In typical fashion, Dobyns is still quality testing the factory’s ability to deliver consistent results. But we understand these will in fact be US domestic made products. That’s good news to fans because keeping production local is the only way to ensure each batch of Wake’ems are delivered with the same freshness and sweetness that has earned Dobyns his reputation in the bass fishing world.

TackleTour would like to congratulate Gary Dobyns on his recent win at the 2009 US Open Bass Tournament. This parody was our way of raising a toast to your achievements and wishing you continued success in life and the bass fishing world.

In my August, 2008 review of the Humminbird Side Imaging 797c2, I chose to highlight a few areas where I found this $1,200 unit deficient. The unit still received a good score levied mostly because I gave it the benefit of the doubt in a couple of areas, but I fielded some harsh criticism for my findings from individuals that inferred it was somehow my fault that I encountered the issues I did.

Afterall, don’t you know you’re supposed to check for firmware upgrades when you purchase a sonar unit? Apparently there is an upgrade that would have addressed my GPS tracking issues and no, I was not aware of this as I expect items like a sonar/gps unit to function out of the box. Apparently, my expectations are too high, and no, I still have not upgraded the unit’s firmware.

There’s more, but that’s not the point of this blog. Humminbird recently announced an upgrade to all their side imaging units. Of course, it’s a firmware upgrade, but once you download and install it, it will enable your unit to provide the same incredible detail you get in the side imaging scans in a straight down view. Available in January 2010 this sounds like a really worthwhile upgrade and something to really get excited about.

Oh but wait.. here’s an excerpt from their press release:

“A free software upgrade to add Down Imaging will be available in January to current owners of Humminbird models with Side Imaging (except 797c2 SI)…”

Unbelievable.

The fables of surf fishing on the beaches of San Francisco during a by gone era are legendary. Having grown up in the City by the Bay, it was impossible to escape the near mythical tales of thirty and forty pound striper being common sized catches off the surf, and not only striper, but salmon as well. Back then, any fish under twenty pounds was considered a schoolie.

But according to those in the know, the last good run during the hunt for giant linesides in the frothy white foam of the surf was only ten years ago. How could I have missed that?

Sitting amongst these hunters, hearing them share the details of some of their most famous days inspires nostalgic reminiscence to “the good ole days” of giant striper running the surf, appearing out of crashing waves to annihilate surface lures, turning vast expanses of ocean black with their massive numbers, and turning the water into a frothy mess of scales, fish slime, and tails as they balled up baitfish and pummeled them with their voracious appetites.

But the last good run was only ten years ago.

Toss your lure into this mess and hold on. As anyone who has experienced it knows, when a striper hits your lure, there is no doubt. But when a big striper hits on the surface, you could very well be spoiled for any other type of fishing. Is it any wonder fisherman with their obscenely long fishing rods would line up in droves, shoulder to shoulder, all the way up and down the beach waiting for their opportunity.

That’s right, surf fishing on the San Francisco coast for giant linesides was predominately a waiting game. Watching the water for signs of activity from the massive schools of striper. One sure fire indicator? The birds. The birds tell can tell you where the baitfish are when they crash into the ocean feeding on what lies below, but the birds can also tell you when the striper are below the baitfish by hovering and hesitating in the air, afraid to dive, for fear of becoming striper fodder.

And the last good run was ten years ago… or was it?

Last week, while we were at ICAST, the clock turned back and fishermen lined the shore along San Francisco’s Ocean Beach once again. The cell phone served as modern day CB radios helping dedicated anglers spread the word as fisherman after fisherman could be seen stopped on the side of the Great Highway, leaving their cars where ever there was the slightest bit of daylight, jumping out of their cars, and running down to the surf putting their waders and boots on as they ran, afterall, it’s been ten long years since the last good run.

The fish were fresh out of the bay and gorging themselves on anything they could find which, during this time were the lures of crusty ole veterans who hadn’t seen action like this in ten years. But it was like yesterday, I’ve been told, the good ole days. Over two hundred fishermen were there during this two to three day stretch. Day crews and night crews, keeping vigilance on the bite and spreading the word when indicators showed the bite was about to explode. And we were in Florida.

The bite is still there. Not as hot as it was last week… not as hot as it was 10 years ago, because the striper have eaten. They’ve gorged, and they’re about to head back into the bay. I missed it again… it’s been ten days since the last good run… ten days!