Skeet Reese shot a video for Monster Fishing Tackle explaining a little about his Wright and McGill S-Glass Series Crankbait Rods. Take a look over at our video page: Skeet Reese S-Glass Video.

]]> http://monsterfishing.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/skeet-reese-s-glass-crankbait-rods-monster-fishing-tackle/feed/ 0 monsterfishing http://monsterfishing.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/cht-tackle-double-wacky-hook/ http://monsterfishing.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/cht-tackle-double-wacky-hook/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:44:10 +0000 Monster Fishing Tackle http://monsterfishing.wordpress.com/?p=62 ]]> The CHT Tackle Double Wacky Hook is a brand new light-wire, finesse hook that is intended to be used for the nail weight wacky rig technique. This technique is a big secret of anglers from the west coast and has become the go to presentation for spotted bass. The proper presentation includes a Senko, nail weight, and now the CHT Tackle Double Wacky Hook. Simply insert the nail weight into the head of the senko and thread the o-ring over the Senko with the Double Wacky Hook points facing downward. Once the o-ring is approximately 1/3 of the way up the bait it is read to fish.

The proper retrieve is similar to a shakey head, but the baits action is far different. Upon retrieval the worm with flex in the middle and walk back to the boat nose down. Spotted bass can’t resist this technique. Anglers have found this technique to be most effective when using light fluorocarbon line and a spinning rod.

Check out the video featuring the hook’s designer, Zack Thompson, on our product page.

Monster Fishing Tackle is the exclusive online retailer of the CHT Double Wacky Hook.

The Alabama Rig has left a permanent impression on the sport of bass fishing. After the impressive win by Paul Elias at the FLW Tour Open on Lake Guntersville, anglers began to experiment with their own versions of the multi-lure contraption. The phenomenon caught wild-fire and spread throughout the country. Reports of 35lb bags from Clear Lake in California and Lake Fork in Texas were substantiated by tournament results and fishing guide photos.

Anglers can choose to use any number of baits on the 5 wire contraptions, but the most popular and what appears to be the most effective rigging method is attaching 5 swimbaits. There are many swimbaits that will work well with this contraption, but a few of the most commonly used are:

• Basstrix Paddle Tail
  
• Keitech Fat Swing Impact
• Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper
• Little Creeper Trash Fish
• Berkley Hollow Belly

The original Alabama Rig has been the inspiration for many other similar rigs. Each has its unique aspects which need to be experimented with. Here are a few of the models we carry at Monster Fishing Tackle: (Names of products below their respective images)

Chubby Chaser Calabama Rig

Chubby Chaser School Girl

Picasso School-E-Rig

Rago Bait Ball

Venom Pay-Me-Now

Whichever Alabama Rig you choose to use remember that the most important consideration is the jig heads used for the swimbaits. Be sure to place the heavier jig heads on the bottom wire or wires in order to keel the bait correctly. We suggest 1/4oz as the heavy jig heads and the 1/8oz as the smaller jig heads.

Also – due to restrictions in some states anglers may only have 3 hooks. We sell the Calabama Rig – a rig that has 3 wires each of which has a spinnerbait blade in order to look like a larger school of fish. Anglers can also use Owner Twist Lock centering pins and attach swimbaits as teasers without the hooks.

Every fisherman knows that the G. Loomis name represents high quality fishing rods. Ever since there introduction of IM6 several decades ago G. Loomis has lead the way in fishing rods technology. Over the past few years G. Loomis has only modified existing technology in its rods. 2010 is different, after 17 years of work G. Loomis is launching the G. Loomis NRX line of rods on August 13, 2010.

What are G. Loomis NRX Rods?

G. Loomis NRX rods are currently 13 casting and spinning rods designed for bass fishing and 16 four piece fly rods designed for many freshwater and saltwater species. These rods are at least 15% lighter and 20% stronger than their G. Loomis GLX predecessors.

What is new about the G. Loomis NRX line of fishing rods?

The G. Loomis NRX rod blank is created from a new graphite sheet material which is higher in density, has greater stiffness and is lighter than any other graphite sheet material G. Loomis has ever used. Utilizing the nano tubes G. Loomis is able to make a rod blank with Nano Silica resin that is thinner, more viscous and has more surface area. This allows the G. Loomis NRX rod blank to be stronger, lighter, harder, more sensitive and more impact resistant than ever before.

The G. Loomis NRX rod’s reel seat is custom molded directly to the rod blank. TackleTour.com refers to it as a “Skeletonized reel seat” that allows the angler’s fingers to truly be on the rod blank The do this by having each G. Loomis NRX rod its own unique reel seat designed specifically for that rod and requiring no spacers that other manufacturers need to get a reel seat to work for every rod in a lineup. The lack of a spacer or spacing material increases the level of feel an angler has.

The G. Loomis NRX rod’s guides are Fuji SIC Titanium Frame guides for the first three guides (starting at the reel) and single footed REC black ion coated titanium Recoil guides developed for the G. Loomis NRX rods line the rest of the rods. The reason for the shift in guide types is to eliminate over three quarters of the noise created by the Recoil guides and give the rod better balance by shifting the fulcrum point of the weight towards the butt end of the rod.

The G. Loomis NRX rod’s handles are all high density cork which has never been used by G. Loomis before. The denser rod handles improve the overall sensitivity of the rod.

The G. Loomis NRX rod’s cosmetics include unpainted black blanks with light blue wrappings. The G. Loomis NRX series of rods are all business meaning G. Loomis put their time and effort into performance instead of style. By no means are they ugly rods, instead they are simple beautiful rods with incredibly performance characteristics.

Every G. Loomis NRX rod is made at the G. Loomis factory in Woodland Washington . All G. Loomis NRX rod’s include a G. Loomis rod sleeve. All G. Loomis NRX rods include a limited lifetime warranty.

What are the 13 G. Loomis NRX Bass Rod Models?

G. Loomis NRX Casting Rods

G. Loomis NRX 802C JWR : This is an incredibly light weight, insanely sensitive pitching and casting rod for largemouth, smallmouth and spots.  At 6’8″, it’s extremely versatile, capable of fishing light jigs, small worms, top-waters and even spinner-baits. A really nice open-water rod, you’ll find it effective when a finesse approach is required, especially for fishing lighter line in clear water conditions.  If you think our GLX is light and sensitive, you are not going to believe this one!  G. Loomis NRX gives lightweight and sensitivity a whole new meaning!

G. Loomis NRX 803C JWR: Recognized as one of our best all-around magnum tapered casting rod actions, this may well be the best we’ve ever made!  It has a unique blend of power and lightweight for fishing medium-sized jigs and soft plastics, especially for medium depths of 15′ or less. The extra-fast tip gives you accurate, low trajectory casts with plenty of power for pulling big fish away from heavy cover.  If you thought GLX was sensitive, this G. Loomis NRX version will blow you away!  It’s sneaky powerful, insanely light and so incredibly sensitive you can almost feel a fish looking at your lure. 

G. Loomis NRX 804C JWR : When the fish are tight to cover and you don’t have a lot of casting room, this is the rod you want. It’s powerful and gives you excellent pitching control in close-quarters.  It’s designed for fishing big jigs and soft plastics, but with our G. Loomis NRX technology it’s so incredibly light it doesn’t seem possible that it can be so powerful.  If short, accurate casts and a really sensitive rod are factors critical to your success this is the rod.  It’s a powerhouse that will haul a big bass out of the brush yet has enough tip to cast accurately.  It’s so light and insanely sensitive you’ll feel things you never imagined before!

G. Loomis NRX 852C JWR : This rod is designed for fishing clear water lakes and rivers where lighter line and long casts are required to catch spooky fish. The extra length helps create more tip speed for increased casting distance and positive hook, but with G. Loomis NRX it fishes a lot shorter.  It’s so incredibly light and so sensitive you’ll feel things you’ve never felt before.  When the bite gets tough and you need to downsize your baits, this rod will give you the ability to handle the smaller sized jigs and worms you need to be successful. The softer tip and powerful butt-section make this an excellent choice for fishing buzz baits.  G. Loomis NRX makes it so incredibly light and sensitive it’s takes fishing to a whole new level!

G. Loomis NRX 853C JWR: This is one of our most versatile medium-heavy casting rods and with our new G. Loomis NRX technology it’s the lightest and most sensitive we’ve ever made.  It has a light enough tip for smooth casting with sufficient power in the mid- and butt-section to keep fish away from trouble.  It fishes medium-sized jigs, plastic worms and soft jerk-baits with total precision, yet it’s so light, it’s hard to understand how it can be so powerful.  The extra length means much higher tip-speed and that translates to longer casts and more positive hook sets, even in deep water. G. Loomis NRX pushes the bar on sensitivity.  G. Loomis NRX takes it to completely new level.  It’s so sensitive it’s insane!  This may be the finest bass rod you’ll ever hold in your hand!

G. Loomis NRX 854C JWR : Thanks to G. Loomis NRX technology, this magnum-powered big bass, jig and worm rod may be the best we’ve ever made!! It’s a fast-action, power-oriented casting and pitching stick designed specifically for fishing big bass in heavy cover.  If you’re familiar with our GLX rods and their legendary light weight and sensitivity, this rod will shock you.  G. Loomis NRX makes it so light and so sensitive it’s unbelievable. You’ll find yourself setting the hook before the bass can even think about heading back into the brush!  It’s sneaky powerful and magically quick for such a powerful rod.  It will keep you one step ahead of the bass.  They’ll be heading for the net before they know what hit them!

G. Loomis NRX 893C JWR: We originally designed this rod to fish soft jerk-baits and Senko’s, but anglers quickly found it to be an incredible jig and worm rod, especially in deep water.  The extra length creates a much wider tip arc, which creates higher tip-speed and that translates into more positive hook-sets and increased casting distance. It’s a great combination of power and casting ease and thanks to our new G. Loomis NRX technology; it’s so light and so incredibly sensitive you’ll be blown away!  It will cast soft jerk-baits that proverbial “country mile” and will tell you everything that happens at the end of your line with an almost mystical clarity.  Talk about keep you focused?  You’ll feel every single thing you touch and when a bass engulf your bait, there’s no doubt about it!!

G. Loomis NRX 873C CRR: This rod is designed to fish soft plastics on a leader behind a heavy sinker for a couple of good reasons. The heavy sinker helps you maintain positive contact with the bottom and it also creates a lot of commotion.  Once you’ve got the bass’s attention, the next thing to come along is the meal…  Bingo!  It can be tough to feel the bite because of all that weight ahead of the lure, but thanks to our G. Loomis NRX Technology, you’ll feel everything that happens to your bait down there. The extra length moves a lot of line so you’ll experience positive hook-sets. It’s difficult to imagine a rod so light can be so powerful and it’s so insanely sensitive you’ll wonder how we did it, but that’s our secret and your advantage!!

G. Loomis NRX Spinning Rods

G. Loomis NRX 802S JWR: Here’s a rod that will allow you to fish small baits with light line and still be able to control a big fish, even in fairly heavy cover. It’s made for fishing clear, open water, but when fishing pressure makes the bite really tough, you’ll have the answer. It’s so incredibly light that you won’t believe it, and talk about sensitive!  Thanks to G. Loomis NRX, it’s the lightest, strongest most sensitive, high-performance magnum-tapered spinning rod we’ve ever made. Catching those finicky, pressured fish won’t seem like such a challenge any more.  G. Loomis NRX has you covered!

G. Loomis NRX 803S JWR: There are times when you need the power and action of a casting rod, but conditions dictate smaller, lighter baits and you prefer a spinning rod.  Whether it’s lighter baits or lighter line or both, this new G. Loomis NRX has all the right stuff.   It’s so light and sensitive it’s insane!  When you first pick it up you’ll wonder how a rod so light will handle those big bass, but once you’ve hooked one you’ll know what we mean. This model is designed to fish medium-sized soft plastics and light jigs, but it will handle top-water baits or even a spinner-bait, no problem.  There’s no doubt about what’s going on at the end anymore thanks to G. Loomis NRX!

G. Loomis NRX 852S JWR : Sometimes it’s just difficult, especially in the wind, to cast lightweight lures and smaller soft plastics.  That used to be an issue, but not any more thanks to G. Loomis NRX Technology!  First of all, you’ll be amazed at how light this rod is and if you doubt the power, just rig it up and give it a try.  Only then will you understand what high performance is all about.  Add to that sensitivity beyond belief and you’ve to an G. Loomis NRX. The extra-fast taper allows you to make low, accurate casts so you can fish right up under the brush and when a real “toad” grabs your bait you’ll be in total control.  If you need a rig to cast soft plastic jerk-baits and Senko’s, this is the one. 

G. Loomis NRX 822S DSR: This rod takes the drop-shot technique to an entirely new level.  A soft tip that allows you to see the bite before the fish feels it is one thing, but feeling that almost inaudible tick as it happens, is almost like an unfair advantage. This model is made for deep-water and heavier cover, but it’s still soft enough to be effective. When those big spots suspend in the trees on popular impoundments like Georgia’s Lake Lanier, this is the rod you want in your hands.  G. Loomis NRX makes it so sensitive that you’ll know everything that happens at the end of your line and it still has enough power to pull a big away from trouble. You won’t find a more sensitive rod on the planet!

G. Loomis NRX 822S SYR: There’s a unique action required to fish the ShakyHead technique. It’s subtle, but it makes a difference. All of our ShakyHead rods are designed with a mid-tip flex so you can work the bait properly and still react quickly when the fish bites. This 2-power ShakyHead rod is made for fishing in deeper water where you need slightly heavier line to keep fish out of the brush. It’s deceptive in its power and thanks to G. Loomis NRX is so light and insanely sensitive you won’t believe it. If you want the ultimate in a finesse fishing rod look no further. We’ve got you covered! Its sneaky powerful and so sensitive it’s incredible!

On Day 1 Sean utilized a special top water bait that he believes was the key to his big day. Weighing in the third biggest bag of the day with 11.39 pounds of bass Sean was able to put himself into position to make a run at this lucrative title. “With the Ima Skimmer I was able to fish behind other guys fishing a ‘fatter’ style topwater and still catch fish, the fish they were leaving behind were the better fish.”, Sean explained.  “The Ima is more slender then other walking topwater baits  on the market and I really believe that was an important factor, especially with the fishing pressure on Lake Mead. The Skimmer is shaped a lot like the popular Yamamoto Senko, but it casts like a bullet.”

Lake Mead is gin clear and targeting fish further from the boat was another piece of the puzzle.  “I didn’t even fish the bait in the last 15 feet of the cast.  Those fish can see you in the boat from 25 yards, maybe more, and the closer to the boat the bait is the less likely they are going to eat the bait,” Sean explained.  He reported that it is imperative to make extremely long casts and target those fish that your boat has not spooked yet.  “I am not sure if it’s the slender design of the bait or the weighting system but, it casts like a dream and it’s not a big bait.  Other baits this size often need to be fished on a spinning rod but, the Skimmer is great on a baitcaster setup.”

Photo courtesy of Won Bass

The area’s Sean was targeting was anywhere with grass. As Sean describes it, “Grass was the key, and fishing the grass on the correct side was even more important.  Those fish wanted to be on the shade side of the grass.” With a daily average around 120 degrees Fahrenheit  in the middle of the Mojave desert, gin clear water an nowhere else for those fish to hide, you can bet that they’ll find whatever shade they can to get out of the sun.

Sean offers this tip, “Figuring out the right side of the grass is easy when it’s 7 AM and the sun is low in the sky, but, as the sun
rises to nearly straight above it gets a little more complicated.  A great tip is to check your own shadow, look down at your shadow and know that whatever side of you it is on the shadow of the grass is on that same side.”  Once he figured out which side of the grass the shadow was on Sean set himself up and made the longest cast possible down that side of the grass with the Ima
Skimmer.

On day two Sean started the day with the same approach and had a solid limit in the boat early. Sean reported, “I was able to upgrade later in the day using the Deps Mini-bros spinnerbait in similar areas that had grass around the lower basin.”  On day two Sean tallied 10.38 pounds for his five fish limit and kept himself in the hunt and in fourth place overall for the title.

For day three Sean was where he wanted to be, “I felt like 10 pounds might be enough to win and after I caught two big fish early on day three I felt like I was right where I needed to be.”  On the final day Sean had two fish for 6.10 pounds in the first hour of the event. “Both fish crushed the Ima Skimmer,” Sean painstakingly explained.  “I can’t believe that was it for the day.”  Sean finished the day with only 2 fish in what was one of the most agonizing and tough events in fishing and finished the tournament in 10^th place in a field of 119.

Sean utilized the Ima Skimmer in several colors over the three day event.  Ghost minnow, chartreuse shad and a ghost minnow that Sean scraped the paint off to make it a clear bait were the go to colors for Sean.  The Deps Minbros spinnerbait was a bluegill color.

About MonsterFishingTackle.com:  MonsterFishingTackle.com is a bass tackle e-tailer offering the hottest bass fishing gear on the market.  MonsterFishingTackle.com is a megadealer for  G. Loomis, Dobyns Rods, Lamiglas Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Lucky Craft, Roboworm, Rago Swim Baits and offer the largest selection of swimbaits on the internet.

About Sean Stafford:   Sean Stafford is a professional angler based out of Fairfield California and is sponsored by MonsterFishingTackle.com, Optimum Baits, Deps, Ima Lures, AA Worms, Triton, Chem Software and Shimano.

Whether it’s a big fishing trip or your weekly visit to the lake you make sure your tackle is prepared for your outing. Usually, anglers will re-spool their reels, make sure they have plenty of their favorite baits, and tie on just the right lure for the day they’ll be fishing. All the preparations made for the day of fishing can be wasted by forgetting that one small item that you need to have. Here are some of those overlooked items that are must haves for any fisherman.

Hook removing tool – When you get that big fish in the boat you want to make sure you can get that hook out of him and get him back in the water as soon as possible. Many anglers will cut their hooks off, but what many people don’t know is that with our new and improved hooks by Gamakatsu, Trokar, and Owner; the fish WILL die eventually if the hook is not removed. It’s imperative to get it out. A good pair of forceps like the Rapala forceps could save that lunkers life.

Livewell Additive – Along the same lines of keeping the fish alive its important for tournament anglers to add Rejuvenade to their livewell to keep the fish healthy. With summer here and postspawn fish starting to be caught regularly it is imperative to keep your water cool and to keep the fish calm. Rejuvenade will keep the fish in a calm state so they can save their energy throughout the day. Even in 6 hour tournaments, fish mortality rates are much higher postspawn so throw a half bottle of Rejuvenade in and keep those fish kickin’.

Scale – How big is that fish? I know I’ve done and I’m sure others have, over estimating the size of the fish happens. So why not make it official, who knows if you do catch a personal, lake, or even state record you need an accurate scale. I recommend the Mustad Digital scale its very accurate and weighs up to 50lbs for you guys who fish for stripers or catfish.

Mend it – This stuff is awesome. You ever have that one color senko that is just getting bit better than any others? I know I have and I know how quickly they run out when you are smoking them on it. Make sure you have some Mend it and fix your damaged baits. That bag of senkos or any other soft plastic bait will last you a lot longer with it.

If you are a non-boater or shore fisherman or carrying your rods not in a rod locker Stick Jackets are a great way to care for your rods. Stick Jackets protect your rod and keep them from getting tangled up together as well. Stick Jackets work a lot like a "chinese finger lock" and are super easy to put on and take off your rods – but, won’t come off the rods unexpectedly.

Fish Descender – If you are fishing deep water and catching deep water bass an fish descender like Shelton’s Deep Water Fish Descender can really save you time. Besides just saving you time it’ll help save the bass for future fishing trips. Taking the time to needle many fish throughout the day can really be a buzz kill, but, with the fish descender you can get those fish back deep in no time and spend those extra minutes saved from not needling searching for the next lunker. Besides, having fish go belly up on the surface and dying is never a great feeling the Shelton’s Deep Water Fish Descender will increase the survival chances of those deep water bass by quite a lot.

By spending those few extra dollars on these items you will never come to the lake and be unprepared ever again. Hope this helps and good fishing.

About the Author
Steve Reed is a former FLW Collegiate fishing Champion (Clear Lake 2009) and a current FLW Tour Co-Angler. Steve has written for Bass West USA, LeftCoastBass.com and TackleTour.com. Steve Reed is a Pro-Staffer for MonsterFishingTackle.com headquartered in Cotati, California.

About MonsterFishingTackle.com
MonsterFishingTackle.com is your G. Loomis, Shimano, Dobyns Rods, Lucky Craft, Roboworm, Yamamoto and all swimbaits super store. MonsterFishingTackle.com carries products from these fine manufacturers.

Byron reported fishing the Rago BV3D with a pulse and hover technique. As Byron described it the Pulse and Hover technique included fishing the Rago BV 3D slowly back to the boat “on slack line” and when he would feel the bait catch up in a weeds  he’s lift the rod getting the bait to pull above the weeds and then he’d let it hover in there over the grass. He said this method proved to be the winning ticket for the 2010 Golden State Shootout.

It has also been reported the Skeet Reese used the Jerry Rago BV 3D swimbait to land his final day 25 pound sack and jump from 11th to 5th place and into the lead for the Angler of the Year race.

The Rago BV 3D is now available at OutdoorProShop.com.

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