"Bass Pro's Know..."

To outsiders bass fishing pro's are an odd bunch with their glittery bass boats, sponsor covered shirts, swing for the fence hooksets, and boat decks overflowing with fishing rods. BUT...few anglers spend the time studying bodies of water, trying and experimenting tackle and lures, and learning how to use their boat electronics like bass tournament fishing pro's do! And, here is the wonderful part; they are often quick to share it in magazines, blogs, and social media.

Reading bass magazines is a great way to pick up ideas and tricks to use while fishing inshore for snook, trout, and redfish. Eric (http://www.freighttrainfishing.com/) and I both regularly check out the latest bass magazines for ideas to cross over into the saltwater world. Keep an eye on what the bass guys do, you'll see it in the inshore saltwater world soon!

"Brine Em' Up"

While "brining" is most popularly used for ballyhoo, it is a also a good trick for keeping any types of baits fresh (and tough) for a few extra days. In a good cooler mix ice, kosher salt, and some water together to form a super cold slushy solution. 

This extra cold "brine" is great for keeping ballyhoo, sardines, mullet, and even mackerel fresh and ready to go for a fishing trip a few days down the road.

Catch 57/365

"Old Reels and New Lines"

We see a lot of old fishing reels at JUNO BAIT. Some old reels are beautiful and working great, others are in need of major help, and in a lot of cases headed for permanent retirement. One of the most common problems we see with old reels these days is the use of braided line (This is not a braid bashing either, we love it and use it all the time!).

Reels built more than ten years ago were not designed for braided line. Gears, drag washers, shafts, spools and more are not capable of handling the abuse braided line hands out. If you are still using older reels, consider keeping them filled with monofilament. Save the braid for the new reels...that are being built to handle it!

"Gotcha"

The "Gotcha",by Seastriker, is a great lure for fast striking aggressive fish like spanish mackerel, jacks, and bluefish. It's heavy weight and bullet like shape make it great for casting. And, it's pointed nose gives it great side to side action with quick jerks of the rod.

Gotcha's are best fished on 10-15lb test with a short leader. Wire leaders will work in dirty water situations. In clearer water switch to mono or even flurocarbon leader to get more bites.

"Super Swimmer and Super Sharp Hooks"

Bruiser Baits "Super Swimmer/Super Swimmer Plus" and LAZER TROKAR HOOKS are a match made in heaven for hunting giant largemouth bass and lunker size snook. The action and vibration put off by the "Super Swimmer" has the ability to call in trophy fish from a long way away. Rig it weedless and swim it through heavy cover where the big ones are hiding. 

Pro Tip: Capt. Eric at The Freight Train recommends keeping a few Super Swimmers in the box for the nights that the snook don't want to bite the flair hawk. Swim a "Super Swimmer" slowly along the bottom and hang on, it may just be one of the biggest snook bites of your life!

"Golden Bream"

Golden bream is a really good soft plastic color to keep in the tackle box. It is ideal for dark water situations, and for fishing dark bottom areas as well. 

The DOA Terror Eyez in "Golden Bream" is so good it even tricked this usual lure snob sheepshead into biting!

"Wildeye Mullet"

The Storm Wildeye Mullet is an awesome swimbait to keep in the tackle box for big snook. It is Capt. Eric's, at The Freight Train charters, top choice for fishing around large mullet schools. The weight of the lure, and the large boot tail make it a great choice for fishing around bridges and deep channels. Fish it on heavy tackle, swim it slow along the bottom, and hang on when they bite!

"Plan B, and maybe C"

It's good to have Plan A, B, and sometimes C on every fishing trip. Conditions, weather, and the fish don't always cooperate with your well thought out plan A. 
Having a solid Plan B ready to go can save a trip in a hurry. 

Having a secondary spot, method, or species to target is always a hood idea.

When the wahoo didn't play along on our last trip with FishCastings, we switched to plan B and caught the yellowtails pictured.

"If you chum, they will come"

Chumming is a good way to help improve your odds and help improve your catches. 

BUT...it is not as easy as throwing free food in the water and fish magically showing up. Knowing what to chum with, how to dispense/disperse it, and when to chum are all important. 

Chumming can be effective inshore and offshore. Stay tuned as we provide insight into chumming in further installments.