1. Knowing what you know now at this point in your career about what it takes to sustain a livelihood at professional fishing and be competitive, what advice would you have for someone else wanting to chase the same dream?

Kevin VanDam (Plano pro staff) – Biggest thing is to believe in yourself. Do it your way and to your style. You have to have confidence, and it has to be about your own strengths and abilities; not about trying to emulate someone else. I have anglers telling me their accomplishments, and then want to know if I think they’re ready. My answer is always the same, “Only you can know that.”

Jeff Kriet (Sebile and Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – I have a lot of people tell me they want to do what I do, fish for a living. But it’s really not true. They say they’re not because they don’t have the time or money. Well, I didn’t have the time or money either when I got started. But I made up my mind and went after it just like I was making a decision to start my own business. If you’ve got the guts and determination to do that, go for it. Be prepared for a ride, and do know that there are going to be sacrifices.

Todd Faircloth (Sebile pro staff)- Be patient, and be prepared for a slow start, in the beginning, especially when it comes to getting sponsors. I felt once I graduated to this level that things would happen in a hurry, but they didn’t. You have to understand that and have the staying power to hang in there until you get things going the way you want.

Kevin Short (Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – If it’s for a college-aged person or younger, it is to get a college degree in marketing before you do anything else. Having the education and that kind of information on your side is ever bit as important as being able to catch fish. For someone older, learn whatever you can about marketing, however you can. I think it’s the single most important thing toward molding an angler for a long and successful career.

Tommy Biffle (Gene Larew Lures pro staff) – Take up golf at an early age. No, if someone is really serious about this as a career, it’s to spend as much time as possible fishing in all kinds of places and in every type of condition. I’m hearing some guys here this week saying they’ve never fished in water less than 50 degrees before. Then another guy who is in the know was excited to practice while it was snowing because he knew it’s an active time for fish. Fishing for a living, you don’t get to pick the days, times and places to go, so you better be ready to deal with what you’ve got.

Mike McClelland (Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – Biggest piece of advice is to get an education first, focusing on marketing and business because what we do is a business first and foremost. And don’t get hung up on fishing as many different tournaments as you can. Instead, you’ll be better served by simply spending more time fishing and going to different places and situations.

2. Does cold water and weather make you change your choice of line type or weight?

Kevin VanDam – Not really. I’m pretty much using XPS fluorocarbon for everything; some braid for flipping around the grass. I do use a lot more line conditioner when it’s cold like this because it sheds water and helps keep my rod guides from freezing. I use a Palomar knot for fluorocarbon.

Jeff Kriet – No, not really. If I make any changes it will be going to heavier line because the water is stained and I can get away with it. I’ve got my Jewel jigs on 15 pound fluorocarbon; my Sebile crankbaits are on 15-20 pound test fluoro. I use a San Diego Jam knot on my fluorocarbon, it’s kind of like a Double Uni.

Todd Faircloth – Not really on my line choice, but I do consciously back off on my hooksets just a little. I’m using  mostly fluorocarbon  and because they are low stretch, the extreme cold can brittle them a little so I sure don’t want to break a fish off on an over-powered set.

Kevin Short - Not much of a change. I’ve downsized a little, but mostly using the same type – fluorocarbon. As for my knot, I use an Improved Clinch or a Double Uni on the smaller diameter stuff.

Tommy Biffle – If I do make any changes it will be to bigger instead of smaller. I am using fluorocarbon, Sunline. When fishing is tough you don’t want to take any chances with bites few and far between. I think I can get away with a little bigger line.

Mike McClelland - I’m liking my green Sunline I’ve got spooled for this stained water. I’m using fluorocarbon for my bottom baits, giving me the best line properties for them. For my stickbaits, I go with their monofilament because it doesn’t sink or weight them down.

3. When you have bait that is working well in a tournament, will you have an identically rigged rod and reel with an exact duplicate of that bait on your boat?

Kevin VanDam – Absolutely. I have a backup for everything. I have to be efficient. I don’t want to waste time having to rig or change a bait when I don’t have to.

Jeff Kriet – Lots of times I’ll do exactly that, especially if I’m catching fish on a Carolina rig or drop shot that takes some time to re-rig. More commonly though, I’ve got the same kind of bait tied on but in different colors or sizes. That’s really true with my shaky heads.

Todd Faircloth - Absolutely. It’s going to be right there on my deck where I can get to it in a hurry. Well, if it’s a really hot combo, I actually will keep it in my rod locker until it’s time to fish.

Kevin Short – I’ll definitely have multiple baits at the ready, but not so much identical things tied on. Usually there will be some similar things to what I’m effectively using, but in colors and sizes that give me some more options if I’m needing to change things up in an area to get another bite or two.

Tommy Biffle - Yep, I always have identical rigs of my go-to bait, sometimes as many as three others. If you’re in a key spot, the last thing you want to have to do is lose time by having to re-rig. I like all of my rods and reels to be identical so that every time I pick one up regardless of what I have on it, it’s going to weigh and feel exactly the same.

Mike McClelland - I’ll usually have similar rigs to give me more variations instead of exact duplications. I’ll have variations of bait sizes, colors and styles.

4. Do you weigh and record each keeper fish before it goes into the livewell or what is your fish culling process?

Kevin VanDam – I wish I thought culling was going to be a problem in this Classic. But no, I don’t do that. When it becomes time to assess my catch, I typically go to a balance beam.

Jeff Kriet – I do buoy all of my fish when I catch them. That not only gives me an easy way to keep count of my fish in the livewell, but also an easy way to work with them when it’s time to cull. I use a culling beam for that. As for estimating, I like to go on the light side, then when my weight is more than that I can be as excited as the crowd.

Todd Faircloth – No, I’m not that savvy. My process is always to get a limit first, then I’ll assess my catch and identify what needs to be replaced first.

Kevin Short – I don’t weigh my fish. I do tag them. On my fifth fish I will stop to weigh and record each one so I’ll know the culling order.

Tommy Biffle – I won’t mess with my catch until I have a limit. Then I’ll use a balance beam and tag the littlest one to cull first. Yes, I have messed up on my count. Wasn’t fun and it won’t happen again.

Mike McClelland - I don’t weigh my fish at the time of the catch. Many times you’re in a situation where you catch one fish, you’ll be able to catch another immediately behind it if you’ll get your fish into the livewell quickly and your bait right back in the water. When you have a limit, it’s time to assess your catch.

5.  Imagine this: It’s the final day weigh-in and you’re in line with a limit you believe has you in contention to win. Would you rather be visiting with the other pros in line and listening to predictions, or be totally tuned out and listening to your iPod?

Kevin VanDam – That’s an exciting time, and something to be shared. So many of us fishing in this Classic are good friends, and I enjoy sharing in the thrill win a friend wins. Of course, I’ve been fortunate enough to win a couple myself. It’s a special time.

Jeff Kriet - Oh, I’d be totally tuned out. I’d have some kind of hip-hop going on. I mean old school hip-hop. Just hip-hopping out, waiting to take care of business.

Todd Faircloth – No, I won’t be tuning anything out. I want to know what’s going on. I’ll be intermingling trying to figure who’s got what and what might happen.

Kevin Short - I’ll be listening to my iPod, plugged into a little bit of everything. Might be some Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, u2, and who knows what else.

Tommy Biffle – I don’t mind listening and visiting about what’s going on. It’s over by then, so you’ve either got ‘em or you don’t.

Mike McClelland – On that final day, it’s cool to have an idea of what’s going on. I got into some of that action on the last day at last year’s Classic. I had a good bag of fish that was getting lots of attention, so the adrenalin starts pumping and you do begin to wonder “what if” should the leader have a tough day. I say live the moment to the fullest.

6. When you win the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, what’s the most “fun” thing you would spend part of your prize money on?

Kevin VanDam – It would definitely be something with Sherry and the boys, probably a fun trip somewhere.

Jeff Kriet – I’d be telling my wife, “you want to quit that job, you go right ahead.”

Todd Faircloth – My longtime desire is to have my own land for deer hunting, but that might not be the best option at this point.

Kevin Short - I’ll be taking my wife on a houseboat on Lake Powell for a week, and then who knows what else.

Tommy Biffle – A Kodiak bear hunt in Alaska with my bow.

Mike McClelland – Take the family to Atlantis in the Bahamas. That looks like a fun place to escape for a few days

Source: Dollahon Public Relations

“We continue to see tremendous sales of our underwater dock lights from customers who fish for crappie, as these fish can be found in just about every freshwater lake in the lower 48 states,” says Brad Ball, President of Deep Glow Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of Deep Glow underwater dock lighting systems.

In fact, Deep Glow products were originally developed for saltwater and coastal homeowners, yet the company’s now sells approximately half of its lights to freshwater customers.

Crappie fishing usually equals family fun, and these fish are often considered one of the best tasting freshwater fish, targeted by anglers because of the diversity in how you can catch crappie.  They are also more plentiful than other freshwater species, with anglers capable of hauling in dozens of fish in a short time period

“Waterfront homeowners love crappie fishing from their docks using our underwater dock lights because these lights are easy to install by simply plugging the ballast into a 110 GFCI outlet, and dropping the light into the water,” says Ball.  “Our Deep Glow lights can be dropped under the dock’s pilings, or can easily be situated next to underwater structure, such as brush, rocks or timber – places where crappie with school,” says Ball.

With a Deep Glow light, you’ll build an instant marine ecosystem, as Deep Glow’s lights attract baitfish, which then attracts other larger species like crappie.

Crappie spread out to find brushy or weedy structure, seeking baitfish to feed off of, and are often attracted to light.  The fish will school around an underwater light, searching the glowing waters for wounded prey or the smell of food.

As Deep Glow lights may be dropped or placed in the water at a depth of 3-20 feet, they are great for fishing suspended fish.  Deep Glow lights are 60% brighter than its competitors, and depending on water clarity, can illuminate a diameter of up to 30 feet.

Deep Glow lights were designed to withstand harsh underwater environments, including rough water, salt water, prop wash, wave action, and impact from cast nets.  The low profile design allows the light to settle on the seabed to avoid damage from motor skegs and fishing lines.

A patent-pending design, featuring a metal halide bulb encased in a tri-level custom injection molded and waterproof housing, was years in development.  Each light produces heat to combat marine growth, and go through a self-cleaning process.  The lights can be easily pulled out of the water for additional cleaning, and the replaceable bulb is guaranteed for one year.

Youvella Hooks – Little Flip Hook, OWG (Offset Wide Gap) Hook, OWG Super Strong Hook, Pro Swimbait Hooks, and Pro Flip Hook.

In 2008 the Fish Harder company acquired the rights to be the sole distributor of Youvella-USA, LLC products in the United States and Canada.

Tim Norman, head of Sales and Marketing for Fish Harder Companies, has been named president of the new company, Youvella-USA, LLC.

“We’re excited about this opportunity. Youvella is by far the most modern and progressive sportfishing hook company in the world. They make a wide variety of hooks for the freshwater, saltwater and commercial markets,” Norman said. “We intend to use their expertise – along with that of our pro staff – to develop a line of professional grade fish hooks for the American and Canadian markets.”

Norman also announced Mike Iaconelli, Ish Monroe, Greg Hackney and Peter Thliveros to be the first members of Youvella’s professional pro staff.

Advantages and Applications

No Knots
This connection allows you to retain 100% breaking strength of your line.

Cleaner Connection
Since there are no knots here, the connection flows seamlessly through your guides.

Wind-On Top Shots
The hollow braid splice is ideal for attaching your pre-made topshots directly to the main line on your reel. Either by having a full spool of hollow braid or a hollow sleeve on top of your solid braid backing, you are able to perform this splice.

Repairing Your Line
The advantage to spooling up directly with hollow braid is the ability to repair your line with this connection. If your line gets damaged halfway down the spool, you can simply cut out the knick and do a hollow braid splice. With standard mono or solid braid, you would have to cut out the damaged area, but then re-attach the good line with a knot.

Bulk Spool Purchases
With a hollow braid splice, you are never left over with 100 yards of line that can’t be used. With monofilament, smaller quantities of line leftover on bulk spools serve no purpose as you would have to tie it to another length of line to fill up your spool. By using a hollow braid splice, you can use smaller quantities of hollow braid to make topshots or to splice onto your mainline should the situation arise.

Tools

Loop Puller Needle

Braid Scissors

Instructions

Step 1: Thread the tag end of one of the hollow lengths through your end loop and insert the needle into the other length of hollow heading inward (toward the bulk of the line) about a foot from the end.

Step 2: Thread the needle about 10 inches through hollow and then push it out. Leave about an inch of first hollow hanging out of the length it is inside of, (this will come into play later).

Step 3: Now perform the same action, but opposite. Thread the tag end of the hollow you just went inside of through the end loop and insert the splicing needle into the other. Insert the needle about an inch from the junction heading toward the bulk of the line.

Step 4: Thread the needle about 10 inches through hollow and then push it out. Remember to leave the end of the hollow hanging out about 1 inch. The hollows should now be inside of each other with their tag ends hanging out.

Step 5: Hold one of the tag ends and push the hollow surrounding it down towards the junction. At this point a loop should appear at the junction.

Step 6: Now hold the other tag end and push the hollow down towards the junction. This should have taken up the loop.

Step 7: Now work the bunched up hollows back in opposite directions with your fingers. This will help to flatten everything out and take up any slack.

Step 8: Holding one of the tag ends, push the hollow surrounding it down about a half inch and cut. Perform the same action with the other tag end as well.

Step 9: Finally work each length of hollow back in opposite directions. This will cause the remaining tag ends to completely disappear.

More fishing line tips at Blackwater’s website: http://www.blackwaterinternationalinc.com/tech_tips.html
(Images provided by Blackwater International Inc.)

Tools can be bought at Hi’s TackleBox

There are swimbaits, and then there are Castaic Swimbaits- a distinction that matters greatly to anglers the likes of Southern California’s Mike Long, perhaps the finest swimbait tactician alive.

In recent months, Long has used Castaic’s newest secret weapon, the soft-bodied Catch22, to boat numerous largemouths in the 10 to 15-pound class.  The lure also scored him a recent tournament win on Lower Otay Lake, near San Diego, where he outfished his nearest competitors by over ten-pounds.  Long’s limit was capped by a 13-pound hawg that fell for a 6-inch Catch22, in Castaic’s new Ghost Rainbow pattern.

Long had lately been field testing three additions to the already exceptional swimbait line.  With his stamp of approval, Castaic released today its newest swimbait species’-the Catch22 Threadfin Shad, Sunfish and Ghost Rainbow.  Like the original Rainbow Trout, the new species were crafted with Castaic’s trademark “Actual Species Replication.”  No other lure company offers such realism, both in design and function.

The new Catch22 Threadfin Shad patterns include 4- and 6-inch sizes in Slow Sink, and four colors, including Blue Shad, Green Shad, Golden Shiner and Silver Shiner.  The new Sunfish is a 5-inch bait in Slow Sink, available in Sunfish, Bluegill and Tilapia patterns.  Like the original Rainbow Trout, the new Ghost Rainbow is offered in 4-inch (Slow Sink), 6-inch (Slow Sink), 8-inch (Slow Sink or Floating), and 10-inch (Slow Sink or Floating) sizes.  Catch22 Swimbaits retail for $16.99 to $29.99.

“Using these baits my hook-up ratio has gone from 60% to well over 90%,” states Long.  The bait’s collapsible body construction enables the hook to penetrate bass jaws easier than any other soft-bodied swimbait on the market.  And its interior soft skeleton lets you catch bass after bass without damaging the bait.  What I really love about the C22, though, is the way it swims.  It has phenomenal action at all retrieve speeds, and when you pause and rip the bait, it darts and turns more realistically than any lure I’ve ever thrown.”

Catch22 Swimbaits feature revolutionary design elements that set them apart from all other lures on the market today.  In addition, Castaic offers an exclusive Catch22 Guarantee.  If you catch fewer than 22 bass before the C22 loses its ability to swim, return the bait, along with $7.50 shipping and handling, for a one-time lure replacement.  To learn more about Catch22, continue reading below, or visit www.castaicswimbait.com

The Catch22 possesses traits never before seen in a softbait, coupling a fluid, lifelike action with the durability and longevity of a hardbait. Castaic Catch22 innovations include:

The CATCH22 GUARANTEE – To back its claims of toughness, Castaic is offering an unheard of 22 bass guarantee. If you catch fewer than 22 bass before the C22 loses its ability to swim, return the bait, along with $7.50 shipping and handling, for a one-time lure replacement.

Innovation #1 – Castaic’s exclusive patent-pending INNER ARMOR Fiber Skeleton prevents the Catch22 (C22) from tearing and losing its natural swimming motion. While other soft baits break down after just a few fish, the Catch22 keeps on kicking. Similar to the interior cartilage structure of a live shark, this soft, flexible skeleton reinforces vital joint sections, while preserving the lure body’s integrity.

Innovation #2 – Ingenious NO-THROW Sliding Hook System keeps fish hooked solidly from strike to lip-lock. This critical design element allows the C22 to slide freely up the line when fish are hooked. This yields more successful hooksets, while also preventing fish from using the weight of the lure as leverage against you, and throwing the hook.

Innovation #3 – Another patented Castaic exclusive-the MAGNETIC HOOK HOLDER®-keeps the Tri-Claw hook aligned parallel to the C22’s body. When retrieved, a magnet pins the hook to the belly of the lure, precisely positioned for a sound hookset. This streamlined hook placement yields an ultra natural appearance and presentation, while also helping the lure resist snags.

Innovation #4 – Castaic’s advanced TRI-CLAW® hook is unique among swimbaits today. Coupled with the Magnetic Hook Holder, which pins the Tri-Claw hook against the lure body, hook gaps lie exposed and away from the bait, where they’re in ideal position to penetrate and hold. For pro-level swimbait fishing, this radical hook system is a must.

Innovation #5 – REAL SWIM(tm) Technology allows the C22 to swim naturally at multiple retrieve speeds. From a slow crawl to a speedy burn, the C22 is one of the most versatile swimbaits available. While most swimbaits require the angler to learn and master one specific retrieve, the C22 swims flawlessly at almost any speed.

“The Catch22 is the biggest breakthrough in swimbaits in a long time,” Long asserts. “Fishermen are going to catch a lot of bass with this lure.” One of America’s original swimbait tacticians, Mike Long has boated 27 of the top 100 heaviest bass ever documented. Throwing Castaic Swimbaits, he has caught thirteen bass over 15-pounds. In 2001, Long boated the ninth largest bass ever documented, a 20-pound 12-ounce monster using a 6-inch Castaic Trout.

Shimano Xtreme Fishing Invites Anglers to Choose a Weapon
New Wii Exclusive Game from Mastiff Includes Bowfishing, Spearfishing, and Traditional Rod & Reel Fishing
Shimano Xtreme Fishing challenges players to choose a weapon for a whole new take on fishing.

Embracing the wilder side of sport fishing, Shimano Xtreme Fishing is the only videogame to let players take the fight to the fish with bow and speargun in addition to the traditional rod and reel. Featuring cutting-edge fishing gear like Shimano Voltaeus fishing rods, Hoyt bows, AMS Bowfishing reels and accessories, and Muzzy arrow points, players hunt for a legendary catch from the deck of a free-roaming boat or underwater in full SCUBA gear.
But don’t think that the hunt will be easy, because the more extreme the gear, the more extreme the fish… More than 40 varieties inhabit the massive environments, with huge predators like sharks and alligators guarding the hottest fishing spots. Shimano Xtreme Fishing takes players through exotic environments ranging from the cold, dark waters of a North American reservoir to a roaring Amazon waterfall, eerie submerged Mayan ruins, the hidden lagoons of a southern island, and the shark-infested shipwrecks of a tropical sea.

Once the weapons – bowfishing gear, fishing rod, or spear gun and SCUBA – have been chosen, players can compete to unlock new tackle, clothing, and sporting accessories in a series of challenging tournaments, each with beautiful scenery and unique time and weather conditions. Players looking for a more open-ended fishing trip can roam the vast environments in search of new hot spots while mastering their weapons of choice in Free Fish mode.
“We weren’t interested in creating just another fishing game,” said Bill Swartz, Head Woof of Mastiff. “We wanted to give players something new – the very best equipment, an incredible selection of fish and locations, and most importantly, the rush that comes from extreme fishing, whether with rod, bow or spear.”

Shimano Xtreme Fishing will be available for Wii(tm) in summer 2009.

1. Hard Snap Retrieve: With the rod tip down, use a short snap, snap, pause retrieve for a narrow track to target extremely active fish. This will create a quick zig-zag pattern of a fleeing baitfish.

2. Sweep Retrieve: With the rod tip up, use a long sweep, sweep, pause retrieve for a wider track that triggers shallow or suspended fish over deep water. This is a good method to use especially during the early colder water season when the jerkbait bite is just starting.

This is the ultimate stinger harness rig, designed for use with both soft plastic and natural baits to eliminate short strikes and improve hookup ratio. Available in two models, each rig features a length of super tough 80-lb. braided line, terminating at one end with a large loop and at the other with our EZ-Snap (dual interlocking), to which is attached an Owner ST-36 Treble hook. Simply pass the loop through the eye of any swimbaitbait hook, then pass the treble through the loop and cinch the rig down against the eye for either a top side or under side rigging of the bait. The snap allows for a convenient change of treble hook sizes. Shown above is the 5130W Weighted Beast™ Hook which is the perfect hook to pair up with the Stinger Harness Rig.

Beast™ Hooks with TwistLOCK® Centering-Pin Spring (CPS) are designed for weedless-style rigging of larger plastics like big swimbaits, flukes, tubes and creature baits. With its TwistLOCK® Centering-Pin Spring (CPS – patent pending) attached to the hook eye, baits can be permanently secured by inserting the pin in the center of the nose of a soft plastic, which can then be screwed onto the TwistLOCK® coil spring to rig perfect everytime! Different Size springs are matched to hook size to maximize holding power. Quick-drop shank below eye allows for rigging fat-headed baits, and maximum gap allows for improved hook sets because of better bait clearance. The non-movable weight attached (5130W) not only helps to sink or swim a rigged bait down into the strike zone, but because the weight is positioned so low on the shank, it provides a keel effect. As a result, when rigging large swimbaits weedless-style, plastics swim naturally (as opposed to rolling or flipping where weights are inserted inside soft baits). Ideal for both fresh and saltwater fishing, features include a TwistLOCK® Centering-Pin Spring (CPS – patent pending) attached to the hook eye, maximum gap, a XXX-strong forged shank, Super Needle Point, and black chrome finish.

The MIMIC MINNOW® FRY is hand sculpted, and duplicates to perfection what panfish prefer to dine on…the vulnerable and succulent “young-of-the-year” minnow fry! It is designed with a lifelike “holographic” Baitfish-Image™ body, and sports a flat dolphin shaped glider tail that darts and swims like a crippled minnow. A highly reflective FlashFoil™ body shimmers and shines like iridescent fish scales to lure fish from a wide radius…and trigger them to strike.

“The MIMIC MINNOW® FRY looks like it should be swimming around in a bait bucket – it’s that realistic”, says TEAM NORTHLAND™ panfish expert, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl. “It is deadly for open water jigging around weeds, brush, docks, and bridge pilings, or vertically fished below a slip bobber for perch, crappie,bluegill, trout and all fish that eat. It mimics a minnow fry and fools ‘em!”

The MIMIC MINNOW® FRY is available in 1 1/2″ and 2″ sizes, and in 6 lifelike Baitfish-Image™ color patterns that panfish wait in line to snack on. For more information and a 2009 catalog, contact Northland Fishing Tackle® Inc., 1001 Naylor Drive SE, Bemidji, MN 56601. Phone is (218) 751-6723 or email us at norfish@northlandtackle.com. Website is www.northlandtackle.com