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If you are a boater…or board a boat for any recreational use…PAY ATTENTION!!!
Under threat of a new potentially costly EPA permit program to be in place by September 30 of this year, recreational boaters and anglers have only a short time to encourage their Senators and Representatives in Congress to support the "Clean Boating Act of 2008." The bill would retain a 35-year-old exemption under the Clean Water Act of 1972 for "normal operational" discharges from recreational boats, such as deck run-off from rain or engine cooling water. The proposed Clean Boating Act of 2008 does not weaken any existing environmental laws that restrict the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage, or sewage.
Help is needed to convert the 93 House sponsors who had previously co-sponsored a similar House bill, H.R. 2550 - now dormant - to be co-sponsors of the newest version, H.R. 5949.
To easily contact your federal legislators or learn more about the issue, go to http://www.BoatBlue.org or http://www.BoatUS.com/gov.
Post spawners are taking a lot of baits. Tubes, Baby 1_Minus, split shots, drop shots...find them on outside edges of grass beds…close to deeper water. Or in front of docks in nearest drop or cover…or on any drop…vary the speed of presentation to get bites! Topwater fishing is great! Poppers over clear water or at lower tides are producing on main river grass and in creeks. Find the right speed. I have found a pop, pop, pop, at a very slow pace will get bites. Also. Walking the dog with baits like the Lucky Craft Gunfish 115 really draws the bigger fish.
After that, Mann’s Baby 1-Minus in Slatterback Holographic is my favorite. In spinnerbaits, the ¼ ounce Classic…gold blades, white skirt over shallow grass and wood when the skies are cloudy or the water is a bit stained. Vary the speed of the retrieve and rip from grass. Also, “waking” baits like the Mann’s Waker or even the Mann’s Mid-Minus in citrus colors or shad patterns are working over grass and around docks and wood!
I am fishing a lot of Mizmo tubes now! Pitching to marsh clumps in creeks and to grass clumps. I am pitching them Texas rigged and with the Gerkin insert heads. I have been using the Gerkin head for 6 years! Made with a Mustad Ultra Point hook...it has a wire weed guard and an elongated lead head…this makes the bait glide. The Gerkin tube head, now owned by R&R Custom Baits can be found at Dance’s Sporting Goods in Colonial Heights, VA or by calling…804-541-4162. Also, hair jigs like the Punisher work too. Jack’s Juice really soaks into the plastics or into the hair on a Punisher jig!
For drop shots, Mann’s Hardnose green pumpkin finesse worm is the best. The bait’s tough head stays on the hook and the soft-bodied pencil point tail does a whole lot of shaking! I also like this worm for the shakey head application. I use the plain lead Gerkin jig heads for shaky head fishing…heat the head and coat with BROWN vinyl powdered coat available from lurecraft.com. It’s also a good choice for the split shot rig. For the drop shot and the split shot rigs, I am using a 2/0 Mustad Ultra Lite Mega Bite hook. I like to use an 8-inch leader on my drop shot. The Carolina rig is pretty good now to target post spawners! In Spoils and Smoots and in areas close to deep water! BTW I have found the PERFECT drop shot tool! The FISHING Butler (Fishingbutler.com) secures drop shot weights to your rod when putting away! No VELCRO or rubber bands! This device is adjustable and can also be used to secure rods to each other.
Pro’s Soft Bait Glue is new and improved…how could they? They improved the bottle! No more clogs! Much easier to apply on the water! Just in time for stick worm time! (senko style baits)
Last week I went fishing with WUSA Channel 9 sports Anchor Levan Reid! He wanted to go in February! We had a blast! He caught his very first bass! Wait until you see how excited he was!
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I plan to get out fishing again with WUSA Ch9 Morning Meteorologist Kim Martucci, Channel 9 WUSA, we had a great time…wanna see? Check out her blog…loaded with videos of our trip including her very first fish! I think she’s hooked!!!!
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The 12th annual St Jude Potomac Teams Tournament is JULY 11th…Friday…Leesylvania! Email me for REGISTRATION forms.
Come learn the great sport of fishing at the free 31 May 2008 Family Fishing Day & Casting Kids Contest at Franklin Park in Loudoun County Virginia. Morning fishing tournament for children 09:00-11:30, a picnic including hot dogs and hamburgers 11:30-12:30 PM, and from 11:30 PM-2:00 PM a “Casting Skills Competition” for children ages 8-15 as of 31 August 2008. Trophies and some great prizes presented 2:15 PM -3:00 PM. They will be teaching all interested children and adults about the joys of fishing. If you need further information contact Michael Hall at 571-236-1918 or the Franklin Park fishing team assistant Devon Smith at 540-338-7603.
Lipless cranks at higher tides enable you to touch the grass along the main river and in the mouths of creeks. I like the Lucky Craft LVR D-7! Mad craw, aurora black. On all moving baits, I recommend replacing hooks with Mustad Ultra Point trebles. BTW! The BEST split ring pliers ever, from Texas Tackle! http://texastackle.com/pliers.htm none like it anywhere! For cranks, I like the 7” medium action rod like the 2iG Ultra Strike, perfect to feel cover and hookset! It’s not too limber or too stiff to keep you from landing fish.
This year I changed insurance companies; I went to the experts in boat insurance, BoatUS! BoatUS Angler’s membership program is part of the nation's largest association of recreational boaters protecting the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers. BoatU.S. Angler offers insurance policies specifically designed to meet the needs of today's anglers with fishing boats, including coverage for accidents with non-insured boaters, medical coverage for injuries, as well as salvage costs related to the recovery of a sunk or totaled boat. They also offer GUIDE programs!!!! Visit http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or call 866-532-1829 for more information.
You can check out the new Skeeters, including the one I run, the Skeeter ZX225! Stop by 1214 Portsmouth Blvd, Suffolk VA 23434 or call for details 757-923-0663, Frank, Chuck, Jack and Steve will be there. Pick up some Yamalube and Ring Free and also check out their other lines of boats. Under New Management, www.SeaportMarineServices.com.
I spent some time on the water with writer Pete Robbins and his wife. Pete did a great job on this article…How (not) To Teach Your Wife How To Fish! How many of you bought a baitcasting reel, tried it and gave up! Apparently there are a lot of you out there! Don’t give up, learn how to use them! Start with a decent reel, $120-140 on up. Then practice…but what do you practice? Check out my free videos (http://www.monkeysee.com/channel/show/89) and you’ll learn how to cast…if you can cast, but with only one hand, you can learn how to use your other hand too!
It’s no secret Maui Jims are the best polarized sunglasses…but they just made a huge improvement for anglers over 40…Maui Readers are equipped with a small magnifier on the bottom of the lens so you can see to tie knots!!! The added magnifier doesn’t interfere with regular vision! I love them! See what you’ve been missing! Mauijims.com. I suggest Maui Jim HCL (high contrast lens) polarized sunglasses for picking up cover in the water and seeing fish. Check around, most serious anglers are wearing them. Eye protection is important!!! Get a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. Sunglass Huts carry these. If you see me on the water, I’ll let you check mine out. Polycarbonate Maui Sports are light as a feather and the optics are great.
There’s confusion over what licenses are required to guide on the Tidal Potomac River. I worked very closely with the PRFC this summer to come up with a grid of requirements to comply with DC, MD, VA and the PRFC on the Tidal Potomac. If you would like a copy, let me know! I support Capt. Ken Penrod’s efforts to see to it that these rules are enforced!
Pour some great finesse worms and other soft plastics with precise and easy to use molds from lurecraft.com. They have all of the supplies and plastic mixes for floating and for softness. Go on–line to find out more! (www.lurecraft.com 1-800-925-9088 for a free catalog). Make straight tail finesse worms for shakey head fishing, drop shots, and split shots! They can even make a mold for your design! Take a look at some of the baits I have made on: www.nationalbass.com (articles/lure-craft.htm)…call now to put your orders in! 1-800-925-9088
I’m the BASS FISHING EXPERT for the Boatus.com website. I answer fishing questions based on my experience as a guide and with a little help from my friends: other writers, manufacturers, guides and top pros will contribute to my responses. Check it out at: http://my.boatus.com/askexperts/
I keep a few Frogg Toggs on board for sudden showers…whenever they come. The new Elite Series has become my year-round windbreaker and rain suit. These new Toggs are amazing and they are loaded with pockets and features…and come with a very reasonable price tag! Stop me and check it out! Frogg Toggs (www.froggtoggs.com) are always on board. They block the wind and are breathable! I carry extras for my passengers!
My Sportsman's Magazine article will focus on signature baits! Three big name pros tell you what goes into a product before their name goes on it. Look for my Tournament Talk column in Woods & Waters. Check www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com. A limited FREE supply at Belle Haven Marina and at Bowes and Arrows.
I detail features and benefits of specific products in my reports I have used extensively and have confidence. Mentioning product names is easier for you to match up with what I’m using.
It’s Teva Time!!!! I sometimes start with some Seal Skinz socks for the cool mornings…but sunscreen on my feet and I’m ready for the longer 10-14 hour days. Check out this video. Let's put the controversy to rest!
Senior BASSMASTER writer, Robert Montgomery has taken decades of writing and fishing experience with the best in the fishing business and compiled it into one huge E-Book. Ratio's KILLER BASS FISHING SECRETS contains nearly 300 VERY specific tips from pros to help you catch more fish! I found a TON of great tips to help me. Get RONTICO's KILLER BASS FISHING SECRETS here: www.killer-bass-fishing-secrets.com. It's only $19.95…about a nickel a tip! Well worth it! The site has some FREE tips!
There are some great tackle specials this month at Jann's Netcraft! If you want to be on the email list for these specials, contact me! Contact Jann's Netcraft for your free catalog! They have a great assortment of do-it-yourself supplies, and a great line of soft plastics too! By this time of the year, my rod tips are just about worn out on my cranking rods. The guides take a constant beating too! Toss out the rod that is really still in great shape? No way! I’ve learned how to replace guides on my favorite rods and they’re ready to go! Check out their rod building and repair supplies. Get a tip kit, with many sizes for a variety of rods. If you want to learn how to make repairs or even build your own custom rods, they have a great rod-building instructional book and all tools and parts! They also have everything you need to make crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits. You can start from scratch or assemble the parts to build the baits you like to your exact specs…and save money too! Jann's Netcraft luremaking, flytying, rod building, and soft baits! They've been around for a long time and have a great selection of lure making materials too! Check them out at www.jannsnetcraft.com or call 1-800-NETCRAFT!
New to the river? Get a pro-quality map for fishing the Potomac and for other Virginia waters map from GMCO: www.gmcomaps.com. They list popular locations and hidden dangers of navigating the Potomac.
I’ve switched batteries to the DEKA AGM deep cycle…I have already noticed they don’t take long to recharge! More on these later!
Have fun! Questions, comments or booking a trip: info@nationalbass.com. I have a lot of articles on various strategies and techniques on my site. If you have a suggestion for an article, let me know. Check out my website: www.nationalbass.com. I can't fish the entire river all the time; so if you have some information to share, let me know.
Captain Steve Chaconas/National Bass Guide Service/SEOPA
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