We found a great article in Take Me Fishing’s web site that we think is very useful. Too often we forget the basics and proceed on to the minutia. This article gets back to the basics you need to consider when contemplating such a large purchase. Unfortunately it does not provide any guidance on how to justify this to your spouse…………….
Here it is:
Buying a boat can dramatically expand your angling horizons and open up a world of recreational opportunities for your family. But, as with any major investment, you should be diligent in your shopping approach. To hone in on the boat that perfectly matches your fishing interests, ask yourself these five key questions:
- What type of fish species do you like to catch most often? Fishing boats are designed to operate safely and effectively in different types of water where certain fish live. For example, the walleye angler might jig in large lakes that can be deep and wavy, so having a stable, high-sided hull is important; the saltwater flats angler might chase redfish in very skinny water, so having a boat with a shallow draft is key; and a bass angler might need a versatile boat that rides comfortably in different rivers, lakes and ponds.
- Where are you going to fish? If you do 99 percent of your fishing on a certain lake or river, get a boat that works best for that water, and for the fish species that live there. Look around and ask other anglers what boats are proven performers in that place – odds are the answers will be very clear. If you plan on fishing in different spots for different species, you’ll want an all-around boat you can launch and put on a trailer easily.
- What gear are you most comfortable fishing with? For instance, someone who likes to troll for lake trout in deep water will want a boat that can accommodate downriggers. The fly fisher needs a flat open space at the bow of the boat, where anglers can stand and cast, and loose line won’t catch on seats, latches or cleats. The bass angler also wants a casting platform, and he/she wants a boat designed to handle a trolling motor. If you fish with bait or in tournaments, you’ll need a live well on your boat.
- Who are you going fishing with? If it’s just you and your buddy, you might want a specialized boat that’s dialed into the fishing you like most; a three-person skiff, for example. If you envision evening cruises around the lake with the neighbors, or pulling the kids on a tube, you’ll want a larger recreational boat. You never want to overload a boat, so it’s better to guess high in this regard. It’s usually smarter to fish out of a recreational boat than it is to make that specialized fishing boat do things it really wasn’t designed to do.
- What type of engine do you really need? All engines-inboards, outboards, two-strokes, four-strokes have their own advantages by way of power, speed, fuel efficiency, ease of maintenance and so forth. You never want to overpower your boat, but to get optimal performance, you may want to match your boat with an engine that has a horsepower rating at or near the maximum the boat is designed to handle.
When you answer these questions (and also factor in where and how you plan to dock, store and maintain your boat), you can start looking for options with different hull designs, engines and other accents that best fit your budget.
Here’s another hint: The many consumer boat shows that take place in winter months are the perfect places to see different models, and more importantly, ask some qualified boat experts specific questions about your needs and interests. Moreover, if you are on the verge of buying a boat, some of the best deals anywhere can be found at these shows.
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Our HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE………….
My oh my, where do we start? This year we have added a some new lines and expanded on the products we had. There have been some great products introduced and some “old reliable” standards that appeal every holiday season. We’ve divided this into “Great Gifts” and “Stocking Stuffers”. We hope you will find something that appeals!
GREAT GIFTS:
AMERICAN LEGACY GIFT CARDS are the easiest gift to give hands down. No worry about the right size, right length, right retrieve ratio, right technique. We’ve never had anyone send one of these back! They come in denominations from $25 up to $950 and can be sent via email or regular post.
G. LOOMIS rods are simply the best. All G. Loomis rods have a lifetime warranty which means you are buying a legacy product that can easily be passed down to the next generation. You can’t do much better! The new Deep Flex Crankbait rods have been extremely popular, as have the new Top Water Series rods. There is a new Frog Rod Series and a new Jerkbait Series. All the the Walleye Rods have been redesigned with 8 GLX models. For the saltwater fishermen the new Pro Green Series rods as just awesome.
If you travel to your fishing destinations then the Escape Travel Rods are a great gift, as are the G. Loomis Escape Luggage and Tackle bags and accessories. We also LOVE the new Trout Spin 2 pc rods with 2 GLX models and the Classic Trout and Panfish Rods. The SR842-2 GLX is one of our most popular rods with good reason. One of my favorites as well.
We also love the G. Loomis Tournament Jacket as a great gift. They are very well made, look great, and last forever. Mine has been washed, stuffed, slimed, dunked, you name it and still looks great and works fine at keeping my old body warm.
is a one-of-a-kind high carbon razor steel knife that just is without equal. With its lifetime warranty and super sharp edge nothing else even comes close. Add the custom English leather sheath and you have the world’s best fillet knife.
Our ALL WOOD ROTATING ROD RACK with 2 free G. Loomis Decals (unapplied) makes another wonderful gift for you or your best fishing buddy. This is an all hardwood rack that holds 40 rods (or 24 combos) with a rotating base. Great workmanship and quality. These JUST ARRIVED and right now we have 50 in stock.
SHIMANO REELS and RODS are always appreciated. The new Stradic CI4 spinning reels are currently in stock in both the 2500 and 1000 size. These super lightweight and technologically advanced reels are marvelous. All of the new Cumara Reaction rods are in stock along with almost all of the better casting and spinning reels. And yes, we still have the Tescata TSS70XL rods on sale at $79.99 (normally $199.99).
Shimano, simply put, makes some of the world’s best fishing reels and rods. Not only are they finely tuned, precision instruments, but they last and last and last. Top-of-the-line Calcutta DC casting reels, Calais DC low profile reels, Stella spinning reels, Tiagra Big Game reels, and Torsa lever drag reels are world’s best by which all others are judged. Anyone would love one of these under the tree!
DAIWA RODS AND REELS also make wonderful gifts. We love the STEEZ rods and reels. Plus, we have most of the new saltwater reels now in stock and ready for Christmas. The ZILLION rods and reels are also great gifts and deliver a ton of bang-for-the-buck performance. Don’t forget the Certate spinning reels for the ultimate top-of-the-line Daiwa spinning reel.
is consider the crème de la crème of fish grips as well as IGFA certifiable scales. Made in the good ole’ USA these are fine, fine tools. Once you use one of these any Chinese knock off just doesn’t do it. Folks, there definitely IS a difference. This is something any fisherman would love to have.
STOCKING STUFFERS:
STICK JACKET rod covers are innovative and the best we have found. Inexpensive yet so very useful. They come in assorted colors so you can identify one rod from another. Great gift!
are just fun! Sizes from small to XXXL means that everyone can find his or her size. Wear one of these and you’re sure to start a interesting conversation.
SKELETON FISH T-SHIRTS
are an American Legacy Exclusive. These show actual game fish skeletons and come in a variety of colors and fish species. Great inexpensive gift for you and yours.
RITE in the RAIN FISHING LOG
is a unique product that I personally use. It’s waterproof paper with a pen that will write under water! No more squishy pages, no more runny ink. Even has a field for GPS waypoints!
ARDENT REEL LUBE PRODUCTS and CULLING SYSTEM are so well designed. We use the lube products exclusively for all of our reel service. The culling kits is the best available as well as the easiest to use.
MEGABASS LURES are always appreciated in any fisherman’s stocking. Highly detailed and engineered they really do make catching easier. We have the world’s largest assortment. If you haven’t tried one of these you’re missing out!
LIVE TARGET LURES were designed by Grant Koppers and are one of the few lures sold here in the USA that actually “match the hatch” for North American game fish. Great details and performance at a very reasonable price.
SUNLINE FLUOROCARBON and MONO LINES come from Japan and in our opinion are the best available. This year the product line expanded to laeder materials and some very specific technique/situation lines. This will improve your catch ratio!
AIRFLO FLY LINES and LEADERS are the brand G. Loomis uses in developing all of their fly rods. With the new Ridge finish these lines fly through the guides like nothing else. If you fly fish you really need to try the Airflo lines as well as the pre-cut leaders.
CABLZ SUNGLASSES LANYARDS is a product we “discovered” at this years ICAST show. One of those “I wish I had thought of that” items that really fill a need. The days of sweaty, smelly lanyards are gone.
FISH HOOK REMOVAL KITS were one of my “must have” items when we came back from ICAST. So I bought heavy thinking every fisherman would want one or two. Not. Whatzamatter with you guys? You know you hook yourself or your buddy sometimes. Man up and get a couple of these!
G. LOOMIS Hats, T-SHIRTS, and ACCESSORIES are always welcome by one and all. Great quality with innovative traditional as well as cutting edge designs.
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ADAM’S ANGLERS’S TIPS – LIVE FISH……………..
Every bass tournament angler has experienced the shock of opening your live well lid to upturned bellies from your prize catch. Dead fish! In most cases this means that you cannot cull the fish and you will also be penalized on your total catch. There are several factors that may cause a fish to perish throughout the day. Some of those factors may include Ph balance, temperature of your live well, injury incurred by the fish when hooked or handled, transporting a fish through rough waters, removing fish from deep water or simply overcrowding your live well. I have a simple tip that I learned from an angler from Minnesota named Josh Douglas (JoshDouglasfishing.com) that will help you reduce the mortality rate of your fish to ensure that they arrive at the scales and are able to swim free. Often times when a fish has been hooked and fought for a long time or handled excessively it will show signs of exhaustion exhibited by rolling over or going “belly up.” If you experience this simply clasp a 1-2 oz clip weight (commonly used for lake trout and walleye rigs) onto the anal fin of your worn out bass. This will allow the fish to sit calmly at the bottom of your live well while it is rejuvenating. In turn it reduces how often you have to handle the fish roll it over by hand. Also add some oxygen pellets or a release-aid and keep the water well re-circulated. You can’t save every bass but this technique will certainly help reduce the mortality rate of your catch in the heat of summer when it is tough to keep your live well properly cooled, and also when you are taking bass from deep water. You can make your own fish saver from some cheap alligator clips and some 1 oz catfish weights. Should you get lucky enough to catch a giant you may need a few ounces to keep the fish down at the bottom.
Adam Daywalt
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G. LOOMIS RODS FROM A MORE TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE……
Ever wonder what makes a G. Loomis rod special? I mean, they aren’t the prettiest rods I have ever seen. Frankly, they’re kinda’ plain. The marketing seems fairly subdued and there’s no hype. No “nano” this or secret that. You know, they really aren’t “cutting edge” component-wise never having a split grip, an EVA handle, an exotic reel seat, fancy paint, or who knows what else. So just what makes Loomis the world’s best fishing rod?
Start with the heart of any rod, the blank. All Loomis blanks use woven graphite material in their construction. GLX rods use a proprietary aerospace woven graphite material only available to Loomis. This material is used on some of the most advanced military and commercial aircraft. Additionally, the resin used in the GLX is very thin and very technical. After all, graphite is by nature an anti-friction material, so it’s quite a challenge to get a resin to not only adhere to these graphite fibers, but to hold this material together once the blank is formed.
Loomis uses a special method to roll multiple sheets of various graphite materials on the mandrel. This allows a mandrel press pressure of about 2200 psi on the mandrel as the sheet is rolled rather than the typical 600 psi all other rod builders use. By doing this a much harder (higher modulus), stronger, and more sensitive blank is created where the overall weight is far less than those blanks using less pressure in manufacturing. Special resins also keep the weight down. Lover weight = more sensitivity.
All fishing rod blanks require some reinforcement where the graphite material overlaps and Loomis uses an all carbon fiber “scrim” or reinforcing material in all of the G. Loomis rods. The GLX blanks are all graphite through and through. Many other Loomis rods may contain some GLX graphite sheet material as well as other non-proprietary woven graphite sheet materials. Some models will even include some fiberglass sheet in the “recipe” depending on the technique and use design of that series of rod. Overall Loomis’ technology is cutting edge and remains the standard by which all other brands aspire and are judged.
Once the blank is finished quality components from the world’s best manufacturers such as Fuji, Recoil, etc. are used to make a classic rod with premium cork handles, wonderful guides, bullet-proof reel seats, and great fit and finish.
The real test however, is what happens when the finished rod is in your hands and on the water. Once again, Loomis proves it superiority by improved catch ratios vs. any other similarly priced rod. So next time you consider a new rod, think about the superior sensitivity, light weight, matched power, and lifetime warranty that comes with every Loomis rod. Lurking below that unassuming exterior are the attributes of a world class champion!
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CATCH and RELEASE – A Perspective………
I am by no means the oldest fisherman, although there are some mornings I feel that way. I do, however, remember a time when the phrase “catch and release” was unheard of in fishing. I began fishing seriously in the 1950′s and the mantra then was “catch, clean, and keep”. These were the days where a limit of crappie was several washtubs full of fish and keeping a muskie or sturgeon was considered normal. This was also a time when the USA population was under 150 million (vs. 270 million today), the “great north” was accessible only by old log roads or airplane, and fishing was confined to a period from June to September.
By the time I was guiding in the 1960′s pressure on lakes had increased, commercial fishing had increased, and limits had not been adjusted down. Killing a trophy fish and having it mounted was the only way to get a “fish on the wall”. So by the 1970′s things started “tipping” and fishing on most lakes, rivers, and even saltwater became tougher. We were in the midst of ruining sport fishing. And yes, I was right in there along with everybody else.
Then an amazing thing started happening in the late 1970′s. The term “catch and release” began appearing at resorts, tackle shops, and on tackle manufacturer’s packaging. We even put “Catch and Release” decals on all of our boats and watercraft. This was the beginning of a “movement”.
Here was a small group with a big idea and lots of energy. Unlike other “campaigns” this wasn’t something that had to be “sold”. It just needed to be communicated. It was an idea with almost no opposition. It was the perfect common sense solution! And so it spread and the world was a better place ~ well, not exactly.
As widespread as “catch and release” is today and as difficult as it is to find any angler who disagrees with this practice, the simple fact is all of us can (and should) do a better job of handling released fish. We can do a better job of tying knots, discarding rubbish, and generally making sure what we do and how we do it is in the best interest of the fish stock. Today’s hooks have so many coatings, etc. that they no longer rust away if lost in the mouth of a fish. Plastic and other synthetic baits and tackle lost will eventually find their way into a fish’s stomach, oftentimes proving fatal to the fish. Ditto on rubbish, cigarette butt filters, etc.
Make sure your line knots are strong as match the type of line used. We suggest making sure you know how to ventilate a fish that has proven a mighty opponent and given you a great fight. This dramatically improves the fish’s chances of making it upon release. Be sure you make every effort to keep the fish wet and in good condition. Don’t mishandle the fish taking pictures. Best you can, quickly untangle a fish in the net. Use a gaff only when absolutely necessary. Know how to resuscitate the fish and do it carefully. Never keep a trophy fish – release it for someone else to enjoy.
As I get older I often find myself more emotional about catch and release.. I want to see my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids enjoy what I have enjoyed. I want them to have my passion for fishing, the outdoors, and the honesty that God provides in nature. Making sure there are plenty of fish for them to catch will always be part of the process. And we need your help.
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