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Written by Capt. Brad Groom
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Friday, 17 July 2009 09:23 |
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Topwater Choice Series
Article 1 – Beginner Basics
 My main game is topwater fishing. It has always been my go to attack at most any specie I fish for. Whether it is redfish, trout or even bass, the excitement of a strike on the surface is something you can’t put into words. I especially love to make a redfish strike a surface lure. Their mouth is downward facing for feeding on the bottom so when they do hit a topwater plug it is very impressive. A trout on the other hand is a surface attacker. They hit like torpedoes on crack. Their strikes range from your plug just disappearing into a little hole in the water all the way to a massive full body out of the water strike. I truly love catching gator trout (5lbs+) on topwater plugs. All this being said people seem to struggle with plug choice and fishing tactics in this arena. This problem is typical of a fisherman that has had bad experiences with topwater or someone who is just learning to fish. I am going to begin a mini series of how I choose and how I use topwater plugs. This may appear to be a little basic to some but I think most will find some good information. Because even though we spend a tremendous amount of time on the water learning about how to catch more and bigger fish, we can all make use of someone else’s knowledge.
This article will consist of picking the basic plug for your ability and skill level. We will also cover basic use of the bait to get you off on the right foot. Don’t get flustered with slow action from fish when you first begin using topwater plugs. You will need to make sure you are using the right plug, right color, right area, right time of day, and right action for the lure you choose. In fishing, like most things confidence is king and you will have to build that level up over time. Don’t think it will be an instant success story.
You can narrow topwater plugs down into 2 major categories; straight ahead action and walk the dog action. The straight ahead action will usually consist of curved or cut places on the face and side of the bait, internal ball bearings and/or spinners to help make surface disruption to attract fish. This plug is by far the easier style to begin with but also has some good uses even after you have mastered the walk the dog style. Speaking of the walk the dog lures, this bait takes a rhythmic action by the fisherman to move the bait left and right as it is retrieved. This bait only works on the motion of the bait and its internal rattles to attract fish. This bait takes more practice to use and is quite sensitive to the equipment that you use to make the action work smooth. This bait being more advanced does not mean that it will work better in all instances, but it has its place and is probably the most used topwater style bait. If you can build a well rounded tackle box consisting of both of these styles of baits, you will be able to consistently catch fish in different conditions on topwater.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 July 2009 09:23 )
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Read more...
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Written by Ed Schumske
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Wednesday, 17 June 2009 07:41 |
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Summertime Sleigh Ride
It's that time of year again for a sleigh ride. It is the middle of summer with the morning temperatures breaking the eighty-degree mark in the shade. The ride that we are after is a fat heavy red dragging your kayak across the benthics.
Why a kayak, you ask? Shallow water angling requires a great deal of
patience and technique, but if you cannot get to where the fish are, all of
that goes out the window. The kayak is a tool that offers anglers an
inexpensive way to reach the shallow water where the reds hide. The
lightweight maneuverability of kayaks are stealthier and float skinnier than
the quietest poling skiffs. Being able to run over the reds and then turn
around and set up ambush on them proves that you can get closer and maximize
your catch ratio. These plastic boats float in inches of water removing the
worry of scratched gel coat when floating over acres of shell patches.
Kayaks enable us to get closer to the fish. Kayaks can go where no other
boats can, plain and simple.
When I'm in a kayak it puts me in the perfect scenario. I'm in tune with
the water, so to speak. Mere inches from the waters surface; close enough
to reach my hand in and check the salinity or scour the bottoms for life.
As you paddle to your destination you spot the movement below the water.
You think to yourself..."they don't even know I'm here". You're trying your
best to be as quite as you can then you hear a thump. That fish just ran
into your boat. You can't get any closer than that. As your eyes scan the
water you see the elusive redfish tail just breaking the waters surface.
This is your opportunity to make that perfect cast, don't mess it up! You
let the lure rip about five yards in front of your target followed by a
twitch, twitch and a pause. Your getting closer just a few more feet,
twitch, twitch and pause. Just as the lure comes to a complete rest you
hear that explosion. You reel down and set the hook, Fish On!!! Your line
starts peeling off your spool with your rod bowed over, time to tighten the
drag. Now the ride begins, you begin to pick up speed as your dragged
across the flat with a good size red. It's better than a ride at the
amusement park. All you have to do is hold on and make sure your equipment
doesn't fail. So what are you waiting for? Dust off your kayak and go find
that summertime sleigh ride.
Tight Lines, |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 June 2009 08:26 )
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Tuesday, 09 June 2009 14:22 |
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 People always ask me, Captain Sean, “Where are you catching fish and what are you throwing? ”The answer they will get is in the corner of their mouth and on the loose end of the line. Then watch the information get processed and a smile usually appears…hopefully! There are millions of fish out there and I cover a lot of ground when I pre-fish because I want to increase my opportunity to win. Anyone can catch fish but it’s the winning fish I’m out looking for.
The most important part of fishing is learning to read the water. Do not just run out on the water looking for boats that are bowed over like a trout trying to find a herd of mullet. Instead start looking for nervous water, muddy streaks, slicks or mud boils because that is what is going to hold fish on the open water.
You might as well join the National Audubon Society because birds can save a lot of gas if you know which ones to watch. Terns, seagulls, and pelicans are the Texas stops signs on the water. Just watch them with a good pair of binoculars. Watch the way they fly, dive, and act then read the water around them. I think you are starting to “get the picture”- Nickelodeon.
Fishing Texas waters in June and July can be fun if you can stand the heat. The wind along the Texas coast will start to lie down during these months making open water the target zone. These fish have not been pressured for months so fish have better size and weight. The beach front is already producing a number of species like speckled trout, mackerel, and redfish. They will be chasing ballyhoo, shrimp, shad, and mullet to name a few. Throw top water plugs like Zara Spooks and Mirror Lures (Top Dogs or She Dogs) since they are big targets and are easy for big fish to locate. Using color that can be seen from a distance will help and work the lure fast will be the key. Once you locate them then you can switch over to jigs and spoons. You can stay on them longer if you stay stealthy. Checkout American Rodsmiths’ new UltraMax since it is the only adjustable rod on the market that you can change the length on the fly making a better transition from top water to jigs with one rod.
This is the time to get out on those rock jetties as well. It is important to have moving water so watch your tide charts. Again read the water…tide lines, eddies, mud streaks are the ambush point for big fish. You may need to look at your depth finder to understand if the fish are suspended or deep. Throw up current and add weight to keep the lure down in the strike zone longer. Heavy stringers are there if you can find a consistent pattern.
A new wave of shrimp has just arrived in the marsh pulling redfish in for an easy meal. Small crabs, mud minnows and mullet will help to fatten them up. Locate them now so if the wind or weather picks up you can have a fall back plan. Start thinking of where to fish this fall since it will be here before you know it. Until my next report…catch some fish!
Captain Sean Halloran
Clear Lake, TX
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 June 2009 07:37 )
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Written by Ed Schumske
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Friday, 05 June 2009 09:18 |
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Spinning for reds
Are we fishing for red fish? You bet! How are we going to catch them
today? Using spinner baits, that's how. It's no secret and the spinner
bait has been used in a wide variety of fishing applications, from the
weekend warrior to the top red fish and pro bass anglers across the United
States. Lets take a look at a few different types of spinner baits and how to
trick those red fish into striking, and putting more fish on the end of your
line.
The two types of spinner baits that have a permanent spot in my tackle box,
the safety pin spinner and the in-line spinner. Each has their special
purpose. The safety pin style spinner bait has a tough wire frame that is
bent, usually at a ninety-degree angle or less. The safety pins style used
in inshore applications lets you decide what type and size jig head will
suit your needs best. The in-line spinner has a straight wire shaft with a
bullet weight, a few beads, and I primarily use it for it tight profile and
its weedless abilities. I fish both styles rigged with soft plastics minus
the skirts.
Lets get down to business and talk about slow rolling, jigging, and ripping.
The Slow Roll
The "slow rolling" technique has been around for quite some time, and you
probably have used it a time or two. I like to cast my spinner bait and
start counting down, until I reach the depth the reds are holding or until I
hit the bottom. I start reeling in the slack until I feel the blades start
to spin while still trying to remain at the same depth or pulling across the
bottom. I will usually use this technique in the wintertime.
Jigging
"Jigging" can be used to trigger fish into biting and finding where they are
holding on the water column. The retrieve is pretty simple on this
technique. After you have picked out the perfect pothole or oyster bar to
cast at, simply reel up the slack and raise the rod to the 10 o'clock
position. Let the spinner bait sink back down and repeat. Try varying speed
of the retrieve and the jigging 'til you find the perfect combo.
Ripping
In my book "ripping" is pretty close to "jigging". The main difference is
the speed of the retrieve. I like to retrieve at a medium to fast pace
while twitching the rod tip to make the spinner bait jump and fall, jump and
fall, jump and fall. This technique works great when the red fish are
actively feeding.
Spinner baits have been around forever and will always have a place in my
tackle collection. I'm always trying new plastics on them and always trying
to learn different techniques. Get out there and catch a few fish in a
spinner bait and you will be hooked. The secret to success is having a
little confidence in the bait and knowing it will catch red fish year round.
Tight Lines, |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 June 2009 17:32 )
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Written by Rob Schumske
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Wednesday, 03 June 2009 11:28 |
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 Shallow water cranking? The Mann's Waker is a mainstay in the Schumske's boat. The Mann's waker produces and enormous wake, diving only 1"-3" of the waters surface. Originally marketed for the freshwater fisherman, saltwater fisherman along the coast of Texas quickly jumped on the "wake bait" craze.
The Mann's Waker can be used in a variety of fishing situations. From shallow grass flats to back lakes and ponds. When your top water plugs won't get the fishes attention. Tie on a Mann's Waker.
The Mann's Waker is one of the easiest hard baits to fish. The amount of wobble and wake it produces can be achieved with a fast/slow retrieve and everything in between. Though a constant retrieve seems to let the waker do all the work.
 The hookup ratio is far greater than a top water plug. There is no need to set the hook with the "Waker". Since you always have tension on the line, when the fish crushes the bait it literally hooks itself and the fight is on. The Waker is a great search bait as well. You can cover a lot of water in a short amount of time and be confident you are not passing up fish.
Next time you are out on the water, tie on a Waker and hold on!
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 June 2009 17:30 )
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