Plano’s SoftSider product line offers the widest selection of tackle bags available.  SoftSider tackle bags are designed to serve a wide range, from the beginner to the seasoned angler.

The 4472 Open Top SoftSider tackle bag’s sleek minimalistic design allows for quick and easy access to your tackle.  Included are four StowAway® utility boxes allowing you to organize and carry all your tackle.  A molded waterproof base protects the bag from early morning dew or water from the floor of the boat while a rain shield built into a back pocket that covers the entire bag and protects the contents from rain and overspray.  Additional storage is provided by the mesh pockets on either end of the back, the two zippered pockets on the front and the large full-length zippered pocket along the back.

The 4472 Open Top SoftSiderincludes four 3700 series StowAway utility boxes.  The 4472 Open Top SoftSidermeasures 14.5″L x 9.5″W x 8.5″H. VisitPlanoMolding.com.

Today your camera, cell phone, camcorder, GPS and a myriad of other electronic devices are as important to your fishing trip as your rod and reel. To protect these valuable devices Plano has developed the Guide Series Waterproof Cases. Made of tough crystal clear polycarbonate featuring cam-action latches and a Dri-Loc® O-ring seal, these cases are airtight and waterproof, making them perfect for storing all your electronic gear.  Non-corrosive pinned hinges are designed to with stand the saltwater environment and provide a solid hinge that will last through years of use. Included with each case is an additional sheet of the soft rubber lining to shield the contents from the sun while on the open water. These cases are perfect for any situation where secure dry storage is needed.

Featuring an all new design, the Guide Series waterproof cases are now available in our four classic StowAway footprints: 3449, 3500, 3600 and 3700 allowing them to be used in our tackle bags alongside our traditional StowAway utility boxes. Visit PlanoMolding.com.

Cheryl Smith loves to fish, and her desire to be on the water is paying off. Her infectious angling passion paid big dividends in the Berkley Big Fish (BBF) Contest for OutdoorGirl1, as she has become known on BerkleyBigFish.com. Smith landed the biggest prize offered – a fishing trip for two with legendary angler Hank Parker.

“I was up against a lot of great anglers on Berkley Big Fish,” said Smith. “The website is so much fun, I can’t get away from it. The voting and pictures that are submitted show that fishing is growing. Families and individuals still love to get outdoors and stay active.”

The St. Charles, Ill., native has been posting pictures of her and anything with gills on BerkleyBigFish.com since early 2009. She has won multiple awards on BBF, most notably being named Elite Angler for the month of April. Smith is also a five-time category winner and has marked her place as one of the standout anglers on the site.

“It’s so good to have a website that is all positive,” said Hank Parker. “Everything about the outdoors should be all about being positive. BerkleyBigFish.com is for any angler wanting to share their story. Cheryl was the crown jewel out of the 22 anglers selected for the Grand Prize. She is held in high regard from her competitors and myself as well.”

BerkleyBigFish is a Web site that celebrates the sport of fishing through creating an online community of dedicated anglers. The almost-12,000 users (nearly double from a year ago) can post photos that are entered into monthly contests and sweepstakes with the chance to win prizes from Berkley, Abu Garcia and other sponsors.

Users have the ability to comment on others’ photos and rate them on a scale of 1 to 5 “bobbers.” Five monthly winners are chosen from these votes based on fish specie (Bass, Trout, Walleye, Inshore Saltwater and Other), with one monthly Grand Prize Finalist being hand-selected by Hank Parker to be in the running for the grand prize.

In addition, monthly “Elite Anglers” are chosen based on skill level to compete for the grand prize alongside monthly finalists. Smith qualified for the grand prize by being named an Elite Angler.

I’m sure many of you haven’t heard of the company Qualia fishing, and if you have it was probably from one of our show coverage articles. The company’s main focus is on designing reels that are “Simple. Strong. Reliable.”  They have just redesigned their website with the latest information for those who are interested in taking a peek at this fairly new company. http://www.qualiafishing.com/

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the addition of a fourth show to its East Coast-based fishing, hunting and outdoor consumer show roster. The Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow will take place February 25−28, 2010, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, a short drive from downtown Philadelphia.

ASA, under its consumer-show management com­pany, ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, is a leader in producing sports shows in the eastern United States, showcasing fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports for enthusiasts. In 2006 ASA, the sportfishing industry’s trade association, assumed ownership of Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition from founder, Paul Fuller. For more than 30 years, the Eastern fishing shows have entertained and educated hundreds of thousands of sportsmen and women and been host to thousands of exhibitors.

The new show will serve the millions of fishing, hunting and outdoor sports enthusiasts who live in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware region who collectively spend over $3.9 billion in pursuit of fish or game each year. The Suburban Philadelphia Market has not had a venue capable of housing a large-venue sports show since 2006 when the Fort Washington Exposition center closed.

“Sportsmen and women will really enjoy this new Philadelphia show,” said ASA’s Consumer Shows Director Jonathan Sauers. “For over 30 years we have been providing a showcase for the best there is in the fishing, hunting and marine industries. In the tradition established by Paul Fuller, we are going to produce a first class show that will be a key destination for exhibitors and attendees alike. Big name talent, big name features, super seminars and, most importantly, first class exhibitors are hallmarks of ASA’s consumer shows and I can assure you that the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow will enjoy the same success as our other shows.”

“Times are tough, but that’s all the more reason to get outside and enjoy the simple pleasures that can be found in our great outdoors,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “What we’re finding is that many folks that have not been afield in some time are returning to the sports they enjoyed in their youth and are bringing the next generation along with them.”

With the addition of the Philadelphia show, ASA/Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition will produce four East Cast consumer shows in 2010 serving all of the major metro markets on the eastern seaboard from Delaware to Maine.

The dates and locations of the 2010 shows are:

·Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, Worcester, Mass., Feb. 11−14, 2010

·NEW! The Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow, Oaks, Pa., Feb. 25−28, 2010

·World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, Suffern, N.Y., March 4−7, 2010

·The Saltwater Fishing Expo, Somerset, N.J., March 19−21, 2010

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks is one of the largest privately owned exhibition centers on the East Coast with 210,000 square feet of exhibitor-friendly space and is just 20 minutes from central Philadelphia. The Expo Center has the following features:

Services the tri-state region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware) and is within driving distance of all five counties in the Greater Philadelphia area
Easy access to the building right off the highway.
More than 5,000 free on-site parking spaces.
Wireless internet service.
Eight 14 x 14 drive-in loading dock doors.
Ceilings that measure 22-45 feet.
Privately owned by American Expo Corp.
Managed by experienced professionals from the Fort Washington Expo.

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

Berkley gave bass anglers a treat with the 2009 Classic winning Crazy Legs Chigger Crawl bait, and now they have just introduced a few new baits for crappie, bluegill, perch, and trout fishermen. The micro-sized bait are all biodegradable and are delivered in Berkley’s Gulp! Alive! formula.

If you fish micro-tubes you will like the new Berkley Gulp! Alive! 1 inch Minnow Heads. This bait reminds me of a tapole except it has three tails instead of one, giving this tiny bait more action as you cast it out there with 2 pound or less fishing line. Not only that the one inch Minnow Heads are great when used to tip spoons and jigs. And this next part is kind of shocking as the Minnow Heads have lifelike gill and eye detail on the small head.

Another effective bait that’s introduced is a 1 inch Fish Fry. This micro-sized, quivering tail action and Gulp! Alive! scent turns sniffers into biters. These baits can be rigged on a bare hook and fished under a bobber or rigged on a jighead for a swimming twitching action.

Small and effective action is the key here and that’s what we’ve been seeing with the two baits above. Lastly there’s the Berkley Gulp! Alive! 1.5 inch Jigging Grub. This tiny grub offers a proven shape that works perfectly for panfish. You can rig it with a tiny jighead, as a trailer, or directly on the hook and effectively catch crappie, bluegills, and much more.

These new Berkley Gulp! Alive! Panfish baits are now available at your favorite online store and  local tackle shop. Many colors are available for all three baits and the great thing is that with artificial biodegradable baits, there’s no mess, refrigeration, aeration, or sticky stuff to deal with as with real dead bait.

The Bac Rac is a co-angler’s dream come true! The Bac Rac holds 4 rods across the rear deck securely while the unique design allows the Bac Rac to install in 2 seconds without fasteners or tools.

The Bac Rac is constructed of powdercoated aircraft-grade aluminum and EVA foam. The Bac Rac has 2 security straps  ensuring the safety of your rods and reels in rough water.

The Bac Rac comes in a heavy duty nylon backpack and weighs just over a pound. If you’re tired of tangled rods and not having space for the rods you need try a Bac Rac and enjoy safe secure rod storage for the back of any boat!

Retail price is $49.99
Retailers currently carrying the Bac Rac:

Tackle Warehouse

Inland Marine
Antioch, Ca

D&D Marine and Tackle
Zapata, Texas

The Berkley Bass Tank will be at the Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show in Long Beach, Calif. The tank is scheduled to stop March 4 – 8 and will feature seminars and appearances by Berkley Pro Anglers.

Berkley sends two 4,000-gallon bass tanks all over the country to help out the everyday angler. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about new Berkley products and tips on how to use these innovative baits.

“The Berkley Bass Tanks are out on the road, giving all anglers the opportunity to hone their skills,” said Tammy Cox, Berkley Marketing Manager “Not only will attendees learn to “Catch More Fish,” they will also learn about new products that will help them become a better angler.”

March 4 – 8
Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E. Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802

If you are unable to make it by the Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show, plan to attend one of these other upcoming events:

March 12-16 – Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis, Minn.
March 14-15 – FLW Tour Family Fun Zone, Branson, Mo.
March 28-29 – BASS Elite Series Expo, Russellville, Ark.
March 26 – April 5 – South Texas State Fair, Beaumont, Texas
April 24 – April 26 – Joe’s Fish Fest, St. Paul, Minn.
April 25 – 26 – FLW Tour Family Fun Zone, Charlotte, N.C.

I note from the owner of Albackore Sportfishing Gear…

“A NOTE ON THE ECONOMY:

Despite rumors published on certain websites … Albackore is not going out of business. Has the economy had an impact on us? Yes, and just like thousands of businesses across the nation, we’ve had to shrink staffing, discontinue products, as well as trim our advertising and marketing programs. Some products have been discontinued due to decreased demand or the introduction of similar products by other manufacturers, including the Albackore Jig Wraps, Jig Keepers and Reel Transports. I’m sure you will see these products on sale this season!

Finally, I’d like to thank all of the customers that have supported us throughout the years and I wish you all the best in the coming year. Hang in there!

Sincerely yours,

Jeff Jost”

Anyone who has ever fished with a two fly rig has experienced the frustration of seeing it come back in a tangled mess. Gamakatsu’s new Dropper Beads will help alleviate that problem. The Dropper Bead is a clear plastic oval bead with a hole running length wise through the center that the leader goes through and a second hole underneath it running perpendicular to the other one to attach a dropper line to. The easiest way to rig it is to put it on the leader before tying the tippet. The tippet knot will keep it from sliding forward. Once in place, the dropper line can be easily attached. Since the Dropper Bead can slide and spin on the line, the dropper fly is less likely to tangle with the fly on the tippet. The Dropper Bead is also neutrally buoyant and won’t interfere with the cast or prevent the leader from turning over. They’re useful for other purposes like attaching a strike indicator or attaching a weight.

The Dropper Beads are available in 3 sizes, Large, Medium and Small to accommodate different line sizes and applications.

Frabill Advances the Cause for Fish Care Management
The new Conservation Series landing nets are designed for releasing fish unharmed

JACKSON, WIS. – The emphasis has changed. For decades, a landing net was an insurance policy against fish not making it to the frying pan. Nowadays, anglers use landing nets to expedite the release process, which reduces stress on the fish. Frabill, the world leader in landing net technology, has designed the new Conservation Series ‘Fish Friendly Landing Nets’ to perform ideally during both the catch and the release.

At Frabill, it’s called ‘Fish Care Management,’ the gentle and thoughtful handling of fish from “hookset to the time they’re fully released and swimming away,” says Frabill Vice President of Marketing Jeff Kolodzinksi.

“It all starts by controlling the fish,” he says. “A fish that is quickly subdued has less chance of inflicting injury onto itself, not to mention throwing a treble hook into your forehead,” adds Kolodzinksi with the grim reminder of what can happen.

Kolodzinksi says that most permanent, even fatal injuries to a fish occur during capture. “Eyes are damaged; fins get broken; slime and scales removed. All of which can lead to harmful fungus and infections.”

Frabill’s Conservation Series was developed to pamper the catch, lessen stress on the fish, even speed up the catch and release process.

“It starts with our knotless meshing,” says Kolodzinksi. The Conservation Series’ knotless meshing and special coating minimize the damage to scales and fins caused by traditional nets.

The physical shape of the hoop and meshing play equally as important roles. “Old style conical nets deliver a fish tail first. Fish come in upside down, tailfin smashed.” The Conservation Series’ distinctive flat-bottom cradles fish, keeping them on their sides, and with body weight evenly distributed.

Not lost in the concern for a fish’s welfare is overall performance. “This is one serious net,” says Frabill Pro Scott Glorvigen touting the Pow’R Lok Yoke System and corrosion-proof construction. “We’re talking tournament quality.”

The Conservation Series is available in 9 models, the various hoop sizes and handle lengths geared for specific species and applications. Some models are intended for multiuse.

1) The number one rule is to check the forecasts before heading out. Thanks to the internet we have many resources for this. And if it’s too windy or rough, perhaps find somewhere else that’s less dangerous to go fishing at.

2) Keep your bow down if you’re going into the waves and wind. This allows you to cut through them rather than having the wave toss your bow up and slamming it down with much force. But be sure not to trim too far down either or you’ll be digging into the waves.

3) To take on waves, especially big ones, the best way is to head straight at them. But at times when it’s windy there will be many wind waves that are about one to two feet high that’s painful to run the boat in. Sometimes the best way is to zig-zag, cutting the waves at another angle (ie: 45 degrees) to reach your destination. It will take longer but much more comfortable.

4) Unlike #2, if you’re going with the wind and waves, be sure to trim. This will prevent digging into the back of the waves. Another important tip here is that DO NOT go too fast or you might fly over the huge wave and dive nose first. This is extremely dangerous. Be sure to go slow enough to surf the wave but not go over it. Small wind waves are fine, just be on the lookout and make the best judgment.

5) As mentioned a few times, control the speed of the boat. Going too fast can be dangerous, but also going too slow can also be a bad thing. Find the equilibrium where the boat is going the right speed to handle the water conditions.

6) And lastly, make sure everyone onboard are wearing a lifejacket!!!