Category: Accessories

Starting in 1996, Alexa Internet has been donating their crawl data to the Internet Archive. Flowing in every day, these data are added to the Wayback Machine after an embargo period.

Spinning Reels product reviews

The fishing reel is one of the key components to a fishing rod.  The fishing reel is one of the variables that an angler can control to help in triggering strikes and selecting a fishing reel should not be taken lightly. 

There are three primary types of fishing reels in the world of bait and lure fishing.  The Spin cast reel is ideal for true beginners as the top mounted thumb controlled system is easy to use.  The spin cast reel has many limitations to include the amount of line you can have spooled on the reel.  On the other end of the difficult fishing reel spectrum is the bait casting reel. The bait casting reel is also a top mounted reel system and is intended to fish heavy lures and line and for catching big fish.  It can achieve very accurate angling but controlling the line spool during casting is something to be achieved through experience.  It is very easy to overwrap that spool during casting which can result in more frustration than fish catching.  The most popular fishing reel is the spinning reel which is mounted on the bottom of the fishing rod and is open-faced.  To release your line from the stationary spool, you have to flip a bail wire which goes across the spool. 

The following spinning reels are highly regarded as best in class by consumer reviews.  These reels reviewed here range from $24 to $210 in price.

Shimano Stradic® FI Spinning Reel has an aluminum frame with graphite sideplate and rotor which provides a strong, sturdy base.  The manufacturer
boosts about it superior strength cold-forged aluminum drive gear that is more durable than all-stainless-steel drivetrains and provides a long lasting smoothness.  The technology that this reel deploys combines to provide a longer, more accurate casts with less effort while drastically reducing the chance of backlash, wind knots or tangles. Consumer reviews show a 85% top rating for this reel with the emphasis primarily focused on smoothness and durability while 7% had complaints and would not recommend this item due to durability issues.

Pflueger President Spinning Reels are probably best in class for the price.
This reel has nine ball bearings plus one roller bearing which provides an ultra-smooth performance.  The instant anti-reverse, one-way clutch bearing ensures a solid hook set every time.  Consumer reviews were in abundant and 79% rated this reel as best in class for price and quality.  The price is around $70 dollars and this reel is highly regarded for durability, great smoothness during reel in and ability to handle a large variety of line tests and bringing in big to small catches. 

Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder Spinning Reel has Okuma’s patented Bait Feeding System which allows you to fish live bait in freespool mode.  This reel has
six stainless steel ball bearings and gives a smooth retrieve.  For a price range of $45 to 64 dollars, this reel is highly regarded for its price and quality.  I personally use an Okuma Avenger reel and it has performed very well for me after many fishing outings.  Performance seemed to drop after time but it is still my go to reel for catching trout and bass. 

If there is a product or site that you would like reviewed, please contact me through this site or via Twitter.

Tail Spin Bait
Three types of fishing baits that are often overlooked but have deadly results on predatory fish are tailspins, buzzbait and the weedless spoon.

Tailspin baits are great for fishing deep where the water is colder and fish are deep.  Tailspin baits are meant to be vertically jigged and bass, walleye or lake trout down deep will typically strike when the tailspin bait is dropping.  Utilize a yo-yo motion around structure for bass and in deep open water for walleye or lake trout.

BuzzbaitBuzzbait is a type of topwater lure that ripped across the surface enticing a shallow water bass to strike. A buzzbait resists snags and can cover more water faster than other topwater lures such as poppers and prop baits. The winged blade of the buzzbait churns the water, leaving a wake of bubbles and clattering sounds.

Weedless SpoonWeedless spoons are ideal for catching bass in shallow cover such as water grass and weeds. The curved convex bottom belly allows the weedless spoon to slide over or navigate through thick cover where other lures would be lost.  The weedless spoon wobbles through the cover and is known for enticing big bass to leave the safety of the thick cover to strike this type of lure.  Skim the weedless spoon across matted surface weeds by keeping your fishing rod tip high as you reel.  Attaching a plastic trailer to the lure helps to entice more strikes.

Slip Bobber Fishing Rig

The following illustration is another example of  a highly versatile freshwater fishing rig.  This particular fishing rigg is ideal for shoreline anglers and working off a boat.  This slip bobber fishing rig configuration is similar to the water bobber versatile fishing rig as it can be used for fishing the lake bottom or the upper layers of the water column.

One of the benefits of this slip bobber fishing rig is that the amount of leader length is adjustable and you are not dragging line during the cast.  The slip bobber is threaded onto your main line and then tied to the hook.  A split shot weight is attached between the hook and the slip bobber as the split shot weight works to stop the bobber from hitting the hook as well as define bait depth.  Above the slip bobber, secure a knot with additional test line to act as another stop.  This knot is small enough to glide through the fishing rod eyelets up to the reel but thick enough to stop the small plastic bead that is secured to the slip bobber.  To control depth, simply slide that knot up or down your line.

I typically use a 3 foot leader; so if I keep 3 feet of line hanging during cast and have my top line knot 5 to 7 feet from the slip bobber, I can fish depth from 8 to 10 feet.  That will open up a new range of feeding zones while visibly responding to a strike via your bobber.  Utilizing small to medium size split shot below the slip bobber will contribute to create different action when luring this type of rig.

This rig can also be used for bottom fishing by utilizing heaver split shot weights with a smaller size slip bobber. Don’t expect to rest this rig on the bottom and fish upward, rather add weight to get the bait into the lower depth layers while the bobber adds some action to the bait movement.  Utilizing an alternating retrieve speed while stopping periodically creates an enticing drop action or swim movement that are known to trigger strikes.

If you are looking for great deals on fishing tackle and gear, check out Ebay!

I’ve been slow to get onto the online purchasing bandwagon but I’m on it now!

There are items that I will continue to go to the local tackle shop and buy from but for expensive lures, unique hooks and tackle, I not only do my research online, but I buy online.

As I am huge fan of Cabelas and Sportsman’s Warehouse but Ebay offers a selection and price ranges definitely worth watching.  I recently purchased a 5 piece Bass Popper lure set for slightly over $2 and that included free shipping.  I’m also big in learning javascript and ebay is one of the places I go to find selections and to compare prices.

The picture is of the bass popper set that I recently purchased.  It was delivered within 3 days and I now have increased my fishing tackle arsenal with some great bass lures that I could not have purchased for that price.  I bought this through an ebay auction and with any auction, sometimes it works out well that you can get something very costly for dang near nothing.  Other times, you could end up spending more if you don’t know when to stop bidding.

Don’t rule out buying fishing tackle from ebay. Many fishing tackle stores sell through ebay so there are many options available in regards to prices and sellers for a specific item.

Fishing doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, you just need to utilize the money you have allocated for it wisely.

Trout are cold water fish and as the water temperatures continue to drop as we move into winter months, trout are coming to the surface more regularly.  I catch more trout in the bitter winter months here in Utah than any other time.  The fish are hungry and the water temperature is just right for them.

The following is what I would call the best trout fishing rigg that I have ever came across.  It is a simple fishing rigg but highly effective and productive.  Before I get into this, it is important to know how to use it and why this fishing rigg is an effective trout fish finder.

I am active angler meaning I don’t just cast out a line with a bobber and let it sit out their waiting for a fish to come and take it while I’m sitting on the shore shivering.  I believe that if you are going to catch the limit, you need to entice and trigger that strike.  This is how an angler would fish for bass or any other predatory fish; trout are no different.

This trout fish finder fishing rigg is ideal using a light test line of 2lb to 6lb.  I personally use a 4lb test line and have great success.  The key to using this type of fish finder is when the fish are within the upper layers of the water column meaning the fish are near the surface.  If the fish are down deep, you will need to use a bottom water fish finder fishing rig to get your bait within the right feeding zone.

Trout Fish Finder Fishing Rigg

• Attach a 2-way swivel to your main line.
• Secure a weighted bobber such as the cigar shaped weighted bobber shown below.  Any type of bobber will work but if it is not weighted, secure a medium size split shot weight between the bobber and the swivel.  
• Attach a 3 foot leader to the main line swivel and secure to a size 6 to size 12 hook.  I personally use a size 6 hook but you can definitely catch some big fish with a small hook; it’s all about your preference but I have less fish fighting their way off with a size 6 hook.
• Leave enough line from tying the previous hook so that you can tie another hook one to two inches apart if so desired.  The gang hook configuration allows a more natural swim from an artificial worm by hooking the artificial worm in the head section with the first hook and the tail end with the second hook.  Leave only a little tail extending from the shaft bend of the hook. 
• Pinch a BB size split shot weight about 6 inches above the first hook eye.  This will allow the bait to drop nicely as you alternate reeling and stopping on the retrieve.

Cast out and if using a light test line with the above weighted fishing rigg, you will probably achieve some good distance.  Reel in half a turn and stop and repeat completing varying degrees of reel turns.  This action will cause the worm to swim up and then drop and bounce back up in a wave light movement.  Trout love this and will usually strike on the drop.

I have caught plenty of bass with this technique as well but with different bait.  For trout, try different colors of honey worms or trout worms made by PowerBait.  Trout can be very picky sometimes and what worked earlier may not work now.  If the brown trout worms are not working, trying something brighter in the reds, blues and green colored honey worms.

Check out these great deals on ebay.  I tend buy most of my tackle and artificial bait and lures from ebay since I usually find great auctions and get better than walmart prices.   Four packs of these trout worms for only $10.95 is an awesome price from ebay and this includes shipping.  Click here if you want to directly to this ebay location.

Just like there are more ways to filet a fish, there are more than one way to thread a worm on the hook.

Worms are the best type of bait and there several ways to thread a worm on a hook.  I was recently asked by an angler who has just picked up the act of fishing how to put the worm on the hook.  His method continued to result in fish taking pieces of his fishing bait worm but failing to get the hook in the fish’s mouth.

The following illustrations depict several methods of rigging a trout worm onto a hook.

Honey worm or meal worm
This illustration shows a honey worm or meal worm threaded onto the shaft of the hook.  This is one of the best methods for rigging any type of bait worm if you plan on introducing any action such as luring or jigging.  I prefer night crawler imitations or honey worms made by Berkley.  Cut the tail so that it is slightly extending past the hook bend as you don’t want to give the fish enough worm tail to chew on.

The illustration to the right shows a worm hook rig that is more ideal of vertical bobbing or floating up from a bottom water fish finder type fishing rig.  Leave some tail extending out to help entice a strike by it’s subtle movement.  Live worms work exceptionally well for this type of worm hook configuration.

This illustration to the left is intended to depict a worm pierced through several segments of it’s body so it looks like it is handing on to the hook.  This is also a great configuration when using a bobber with limited or no action.

Three Fishing Accessories for Shoreline Anglers

I am not one to carry the everything and the kitchen sink with me when I go fishing.  I believe in being mobile to find the fish instead of waiting for fish to find me.  As the day progresses and water temperature changes around the lake or reservoir, moving from location to location is key component to catching fish the limit.  With that being said, the accessories that I value are based on:

• Easy to carry or stow away
• Provide the ability to keep or get my line back in the water as fast as possible

Basically, the accessories that I carry and value contribute to catching fish.   The following five fishing accessories fall into the above criteria and are worth having to make your fishing life easier:

1. FISHING VEST  
Fishing vest are great fishing accessory as they provide much needed pockets to keep the selection of bait that you are going to fish with in addition to other tackle such as sinkers and hooks.  A fishing vest comes in very handy for the pure mobile angler.  I vary on my technique as sometimes I will only move short distances and prefer trying out a variety of terminal tackle and baits to develop skill and explore new techniques.  During these occasions, a fishing vest is not my preferred accessory.  When being a mobile angler, select a small collection of baits that you plan on using and gather a small collection of sinkers, hooks or floats that you vary from to catch fish.  Managing your tackle to be effective when moving around the shoreline is the key and a fishing vest is a great fishing accessory for this method.

2. TACKLE STORAGE CASE
A great way to store your lures, baits, hooks, sinkers, etc is with a fishing storage binder.  A lot of people like the hard body fishing tackle boxes but I’m not one of those people.  A tackle box is simply too structured for me to move around with, even short distances.  I use a soft body tackle case similar to a gym bag that I can strap around my neck and move around with both hands free to focus on casting out ahead of me and trying to trigger a strike.  A fishing tackle utility binder as the one shown here is a great way to organize your stuff so it’s easy to get to and to pick that right lure for that water condition.  In addition, it allows you to pre-tie your lures and hooks and to keep it all in one nice, closed pocket for quick access and rigging.  I highly recommend this method of storing your fishing tackle whether being mobile is important to you or not.

3. FISHING KAYAK
Okay, I’ll admit that this is a stretch however I am on a fishing kayak hang-up right now – I must have one!
Although I do take pride in being a shoreline angler and being able to catch fish from the shore, there is definitely something about getting out on the water and fishing the hard to get to places that a shoreline angler can not get to or even someone fishing from a boat.  Fishing Kayaks such as the one shown here made by LifeTime are specially designed for fishing. They are extremely stable and designed not to flip over.  You can even stand and fish from these fishing kayaks.  These types of kayaks are light weight usually weighting less than 50 pounds and can be launched from any shore.  No need to find a marina or having to use a trailer to get your boat around.  Also, no fuel to pay for

Football Jigheads 
The football jighead is one of the most versatility jigs on the market and is very popular by anglers who fish structure for bottom dwelling fish. Football jigs works well around rock piles, trenches and shell beds.  This jig tempts bass from 6 feet to 40 feet and is great for exploring the bottom floor.  Once an angler finds the rock piles, focusing on creating a wave movement that allows the trailer to flutter will bring the bass to the area.

Round Jig Heads
These types of jig heads help keep the jig from getting caught on rocky bottoms.  A key benefit to round jig heads is that it is very versatile on when and where to use it as it can work best with just about any type of bait.  Utilizing a twist tail, trigger a bite on the drop during vertical jigging or luring.  Walk a bottom bait along the trenches and rock piles and entice the bottom dwelling predators.

A key element to any type of jig head is the weight.  Jigs come in a variety of sizes, weight and hook sizes and depending on the depth, terrain and species, an angler will need to accommodate to these elements.  If fishing a football jig through some cover, a heavier weight may get more hung up than a lighter jig head.

Jigging is considered a complex method to fish but with some practice, jigging will result in catches when everything else isn’t working.  The ability and versatility to adapt to changing conditions by adding different trailers that entice with movement and/or vibration is what makes jigging a preferred method to catching fish.

Fishing pole rack is an important accessory to keep you catching fish.  

To an angler the fishing pole or fishing rod is the same thing that a rifle is to a hunter.  It is important to maintain and service your fishing pole and reel between each fishing trip and use.  Fishing doesn’t have to be expensive but will quickly become so if your reel or pole is wearing out prematurely because of lack of maintenance and upkeep.

A fishing pole rack is a means to store and organize your fishing poles.  In addition, storing them in a fishing pole rack will prevent any warping or bending of your pole.  For those of you who are guilty of bending and keeping your fishing pole in the trunk of  a car for prolonged periods of time you can attest that the tip will be warped from where it was stored in the bent position.  This pole warping can also occur if you leave your fishing pole leaning against a wall.

For those interested in cheap fishing stuff, check out some of these great deals:

7-Pole Rod Rack found at Sportsman’s Guide.  It cost less than $30 and stands up with its own built in stands.

Okuma Expandable ABS Rod Rack found on Amazon.  This 18 rod fishing pole rack can be wall mounted or stand up.  It cost less than $20.

Rush Creek Log Cabin Style Corner Rod Rack which also found on Amazon and is the style that I prefer. It is a good looking corner fishing pole rack that stores 12 fishing rods.  It is currently on promotion for slightly less than $60.

A fishing pole rack is worth the extra expense as it will help keep your fishing rod in a good condition when not in use.  Do a search on fishing pole racks and you will find a variety of styles and sizes to chose from and the prices range from $12 to several hundred.  For those who are handy and wish to make their own fishing pole rack, you will quickly find articles that will walk you threw how to make your own fishing pole rack which would truly be cheap fishing.

Winter Accessoires for Cold-weather Fishing

As an avid shoreline angler, even in winter time, standing along the shoreline welcomes in the deep cold.  There are many winter accessories that are designed to be light, warm and quick drying and being prepared will result in a fun fishing day out in the winter cold.

Cutthroat trout at Strawberry Reservoir, Utah
It is important to be prepared for the winder conditions and planning appropriately is the key to having a safe, fun cold weather fishing vacation.  To do so, plan the type of fishing you are going to participate in.  If your goal is to hike to a distant mountain lake, dressing in layers while having heavier gear accessible is important.  It’s all about the amount of movement and physical activity you are embarking on when being outdoors and the amount of and type of cold weather accessoires to have.  Many a nights, while standing along a lake shoreline, the heaviest winter gear that I have will still allow the cold to penetrate through.  Movement creates more body heat which aids in the insulation of the accessory working properly and keeping you warm.  Standing by a lake with minimal movement of casting out and reeling in or letting the line float will test any gear you got on.  Focusing on the extremities are critical as most heavy cold weather jackets trap enough body heat to keep a cold-weather angler comfortable.  Your feet and hands are more likely to feel the cold first and make any fishing winter trip miserable as time goes on and coldness sets in.  The picture of me at the top left was taken in late fall at Stawberry Reservoir, Utah.  I was wearing a heavy cold weather jacket made by Eddie Bauer and it was goose feathered lined or something. That jacket is possibly the warmest extreme-cold weather jacket that I have ever owned and is my go to jacket when heading out at night to stand by a lake and fish. Consider ebay when researching different winter jackets and accessories.

The following winter accessoires are key to staying outdoors safely and enjoyable.  Wearing the right type of boot or having the right type of glove for a specific conditions, terrain and environments is crucial.  The following are some recommendations on winter accessories but your judgement on what type or style to use should be based on length of time in the cold, degree of cold, environment that you are going to be in referring to wet or dry, rocky or snow packed and finally what you will be doing.