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HEAVY METAL COD

    It looks like it’s starting to be a solid winter for slinging cod up north. When the bite is hot, jigging takes the cake as the main game in town to load a cooler full of cod. This week there’s been solid reports of cod biting off the Montauk/Rhode Island/Block Island area. The key to […]
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    • It looks like it’s starting to be a solid winter for slinging cod up north. When the bite is hot, jigging takes the cake as the main game in town to load a cooler full of cod.This week there’s been solid reports of cod biting off the Montauk/Rhode Island/Block Island area. The key to jigging is to be as lined vertical as possible with minimum angle in the line. When the current is running a little bit, its best to use thicker bullet type jigs that get down to the bottom quickly and hold in the current such as blocky 12 to 24-ounce hammered Diamond jigs or Williamson Gomame jigs. When current is at a minimum, look to drop jigs that reflect plenty of sunlight and have a planed side so they flutter on the drop, like Vike jigs with orange tubes or Crippled Herring jigs, once again in the 12 to 24-ounce range. Jigs are fixed with size 6/0 to 8/0 siwash hooks and tube can be in mackerel colors, fluorescent green/silver or bright orange/silver.A general jigging rig consists of a 200-pound Spro barrel swivel tied to the first tag end of a section of 48-inch, 50-pound Yo-Zuri TopKnot fluorocarbon leader. A dropper loop is tied 20 inches down from the swivel. On the dropper, an 8 inch red twister tail, 6-inch Berkley Gulp grub or pink squid skirt is fixed on a size 6/0 Baitholder hook. On the tag end, the jig is tied on directly via improved clinch knot. There are also tube jig rigs that consists of three droppers, each affixed with 5-inch rubber tubing in red, green or orange with a jig on the end. Jigging is accomplished by dropping down to the bottom, then cranking the reel slowly about 10 times before letting the bail open, dropping back down and repeating the process. Another productive method when cod are hanging tight on the bottom is to raise and lower the rod tip at a steady pace in a two to three foot swing. Rods should be beefy medium to heavy, moderate action 7 to 8-foot, such as the Lamiglas 8050C and reels should be high-speed retrieve to fill with 50-pound Power Pro braided line like the Shimano Torium 20 or Avet MXL. Who knows how long this bite will last, but if you get out there, try dropping the metal on ‘em for some quick action.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1516389642845-3fdcd2d390472f8718bfa3be2081b30b-4' include='5111,5110'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

      Chopper

      Hammered Diamond Jig
      Rugged, anti-corrosive and enticing. This hammered finish, diamond jig lure will be sure to attract big game fish with it's metallic appeal. It simulates an unsuspecting smooth-scaled prey.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

      Spro

      Power Swivels
      These amazing swivels are made of high-grade stainless steel with a gunmetal black finish. They offer super smooth rotation and unbelievable strength and durability. SPRO Power Swivels are 1.5 times stronger than standard barrel swivels despite their tiny appearance.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

      Yo-Zuri

      TopKnot Leader
      Yo-Zuri TopKnot Leader stays clear even after extended use, resulting in more bites! Known for its abrasion resistance, shock resistance, extreme durability, thin diameter, low memory, superior knot strength, and nearly invisible to fish.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

      Shimano

      TOR20HGA Torium
      The Shimano Torium Star Drag Reels are new to Shimano's Torium series reels. They are compact, rigid, and powerful saltwater conventional reels with excellent castability and durability expected by saltwater anglers.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

    THROUGH THE ICE

      Most level headed people righteously question the sanity of a hardcore ice fisherman, but that’s only because they don’t understand the payoffs involved. I just got off Lake Hopatcong, tired and spent from a day drilling holes in the hardwater. Total tally of a day and half fishing? – 21 jumbo yellow perch to 15 […]
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      • Most level headed people righteously question the sanity of a hardcore ice fisherman, but that’s only because they don’t understand the payoffs involved.I just got off Lake Hopatcong, tired and spent from a day drilling holes in the hardwater. Total tally of a day and half fishing? – 21 jumbo yellow perch to 15 inches long, 32 chain pickerel up to 3.5 pounds and two bucketmouth largemouth bass. Traditional ice fishing revolves around setting tip-ups out and chasing orange flags when they get tripped by the fish.A general tip-up rig for pickerel and perch includes the dacron backing line on the reel, then a 40-pound Spro Barrel swivel, and a 20-inch section of 12 to 15-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader with a size #4 Gamakatu Octopus hook on the end. A size B to BB split shot is set just above the barrel swivel and a live shiner hooked just behind the dorsal fin is bait. A more active approach to ice angling involves jigging with stunty little rods and ultralight reels.A good match is a St. Croix Silver Legend 24-inch rod, fixed with a Daiwa Crossfire 2000 spinning reel. Spool up with 8-pound Trilene XL monofilament. Jigs run all over the board when targeting perch, bluegills and pickerel. Common lures include Rufus Jr jigs, Rapala Jigging Raps, Buckshot Rattlin spoons, and Rat Finkie jigs. You can tip jigs with “mousies” or “spikes”, which are glorified names for maggots, yup maggots, but the panfish love ‘em.You’ll find yellow perch school up in packs and where you jig one up, you’re sure to find more. Generally, drop the jig to the bottom and work it a foot or two off the bottom with a super subtle twitch of the rod tip. Pickerel will take a more aggressive presentation on the larger Jiggin’ Rap, as it swims around in circles with a subtle lift of the rod. Pick yourself up a pair of Corkers as well to get ground and sure footing on the slick surface of the ice. A day out ice angling is sure to put a smile on your face with plenty of action all day long. Just bring plenty of hot coffee![vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1516389642845-3fdcd2d390472f8718bfa3be2081b30b-4' include='5089,5088'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

        13 Fishing

        Wicked Ice Combos
        The 13 Fishing Wicked Ice Combos feature a Toray graphite blank that makes it super-light and sensitive for detecting soft strikes, yet is stiff enough to land big fish. The rod also features an Evolve carbon reel seat and performance guides.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

        Daiwa

        Crossfire 2000 Spinning Reel
        The all new Daiwa Crossfire Spinning Reels feature Daiwa Digigear, an aluminum ABS spool that is double anodized, a machined aluminum handle, infinite anti reverse, and more. Perfect for ultra light tackle freshwater and ice fishing.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

        Berkley

        Trilene XL Armor Coated Monofilament
        Berkley Trilene XL Armor Coated, through Bi-component Technology, is a monofilament line with two bonded layers - an abrasion resistant sheath and an exceptionally flexible core. The two layers work together to improve abrasion resistance.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

        Rapala

        Jigging Shad Rap Lure
        The Jigging Shad Rap has more pronounced movement, with slow circle down action. Raising in a sharp 'snapping' motion will cause the bait to circle faster. A quick 'vibrating' motion can also be used at fixed depths to prompt strikes from otherwise lifeless fish.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

      JETTY AND PIER SNOOKIN’

        Think warm thoughts – sunny, bright, comfortable thoughts. That’s all I keep saying to myself as I sit shivering in New Jersey’s subzero freeze. So my mind went to visions of snook fishing in Florida. Yesterday, I became green with envy as I saw one of my good buddies post on FB a 34-inch snook […]
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        • Think warm thoughts - sunny, bright, comfortable thoughts. That’s all I keep saying to myself as I sit shivering in New Jersey’s subzero freeze. So my mind went to visions of snook fishing in Florida.Yesterday, I became green with envy as I saw one of my good buddies post on FB a 34-inch snook he hooked from the jetty pier at Sebastian Inlet, Florida. It got me thinking of productive snook lures to use when working the rock jetties and piers of Florida’s East and West coasts. Number one in my tackle bag is the bucktail. Snook will usually be feeding low in the water column, so use the appropriate weight for what it takes to get down to drift by their noses.Casting in Redfish Pass off Captiva Island, I’ve connected on snook using anywhere from a ½ to 3-ounce white or chartreuse MagicTail or Andrus bucktail, tipped with a Zoom rubber split tail. Cast out and work the buck low in the water column, close to the jetty rocks and through rips.Fishing the Port St. Lucie Inlet, I’ve had plenty of luck with the 3-inch DOA CAL in Bayou Tiger and purple/gold good colors on a light 1/2-ounce leadhead or the tried and true 4-inch DOA Shrimp. Both lures are simply twitched off the St. Lucie tumble rocks and docks. Off the walkway at Sebastian Inlet, bucktails reign supreme, but don’t be afraid to toss out Rapala X Raps 14 in Firetiger or work TA Subdarters across the outgoing rips to trick a snook into a bone-jarring topwater strike.Hot rods to handle snook in the 5 to 15-pound bracket inside inlets and dock passes include a Loomis E6X Inshore 7 foot, and St. Croix Tidemaster 7 foot, rated 10 to 20-pound, but heavier guns are needed when targeting 15 to 30-pound snook on ripping tides near inlets. Go with an 8 to 9 foot medium-heavy action rod rated for 20 to 40 -pound. Match rods with reels such as a 6000 Shimano Saragosa or Okuma Azores Z90S. 50-pound Power Pro braided line gives you an advantage for pulling power and maintaining control, to which a 5 foot top shot of 40 to 50-pound Yo-Zuri TopKnot fluorocarbon leader is tied via uni to uni knot for shock absorption and to prevent cut offs from the sharp gill rakes of a lit-up snook.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1515529165022-8650436c7763a64da4ec897fb702f52a-6' include='5051,5050'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

          MagicTail

          Bullet Head Bucktails
          The MagicTail Bucktail Bullet Head lures are made with super strong Mustad hooks. They are built with big fish in mind. The short shanked hook allows a ton of pressure on the fish without opening up and withstands almost everything.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

          Andrus

          Jetty Caster Bucktails
          Andrus is not skimpy with the hair. Their jigs are professionally tied with generous amounts (stuffed) with premium bucktail hair. Andrus jigs are made with high quality, strong, sharp hooks. Andrus Jigs are available in a variety of sizes and colors.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

          Tactical Anglers

          SubDARTER Smart Lures
          Tactical Anglers SubDARTER SMART LURES have undergone extensive testing to ensure maximum durability and functionality. TA Subdarters feature a large recessed diamond eye, through wire construction, internal rattling chambers, and a vibrating exterior system.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

          Rapala

          SXR14 X-Rap Saltwater Jerkbait
          The adrenaline pumping X-Rap slashbait has Xtreme attitude with its hard cutting, aggressive darting action. The integrated long casting system partners with an irresistible rattle and classic Rapala action.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">

        COLD WEATHER APPAREL

          I’m fully layered with thermal clothing right now, bundled up like little brother Randy on A Christmas Story, and that’s just to so I can go get coffee at WaWa. As we sit mired in subzero degree temperatures in New Jersey, it got me thinking about how to dress appropriately whether you’re fishing on the […]
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          • I’m fully layered with thermal clothing right now, bundled up like little brother Randy on A Christmas Story, and that’s just to so I can go get coffee at WaWa.As we sit mired in subzero degree temperatures in New Jersey, it got me thinking about how to dress appropriately whether you’re fishing on the ice or on the saltwater this winter. There are plenty of pieces of apparel that can make an otherwise brutally frigid trip more bearable and actually comfortable. Here’s a few I use on a daily basis when out fishing:Starting from the top, a solid pair of Costa 580 lens sunglasses are a must to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare off the water. The suns glare is even more so vicious off the ice. Don’t go snowblind. Go with reflective blue or purple lenses. I dig the Blackfin models as they cover the sides of your eyes from any light penetration as well.For surfcasters, thick Pro-Line 3MM Neoprene waders will keep you casting comfortably in the surf. On deck of the boat, do not leave home without the tried and true Grunden’s Petrus 116 Bibs as though they may not be insulated, they keep the freezing water spray off you and totally repel all wind from reaching your lower body. Top that off with a StormR StryKr jacket to keep you dry and warm on your upper body though the worst of the salt spray elements. Ice anglers will be smart to don a Columbia or Ice Armor Edge jacket and bib pants, specifically designed for warmth and innumerable pockets so you’ll never run out of spots to store stuff.Hands must be kept warm, but useable, thus the un-bulky and user-friendly Glacier Glove 823 Bristol bay model glove that contains neoprene outer shell and fleece lined interior with the peel back index finger and thumb are perfect to keep the digits warm but workable.Getting to the bottom of things, when on deck XtraTuf Neoprene Deck Boots are surprisingly light yet warm when combined with a thick pair of thermal socks, while Korkers RockTrax will give you the stickability to creep on the slick surface of the ice.I basically wear all of the above until February ends. Don’t let the cold stop your passion to fish. Be smart and pile on the appropriate apparel to beat the chill![vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1514990199708-bdb09442e58ef8af3bcd0f8fe35de4d2-5' include='5034,5033'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Suggested Gear'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

            Costa

            Blackfin Sunglasses
            The Costa Blackfin sunglasses are the best non slip sunglasses. You can trust them to stay put no matter how many pounds you have on your hook due to the co injected lining. The Blackfins have a flexible frame as well.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

            Grundens

            Petrus 116 Bib Pant
            The Petrus 116 Bib Pant is made from a knitted polyester base material, laminated to a PVC polyurethane layer, for a total weight of 5 oz. per yard. The strength to weight ratio of this fabric is remarkable.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

            Stormr

            Strykr Jackets
            The STRYKR series jackets are designed for withstanding the harshest weather and working environments for any professional fisherman or mariners. It contains abrasion resistant material in high use areas, along with fleece lining and PU welded waterproof pockets.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]

            Glacier Glove

            Bristol Bay Glove 823BK
            The Glacier Glove Bristol Bay Glove is a waterproof 2mm fleece lined neoprene glove with a seamless palm design. This glove features patented Touch-Rite index finger. This glove also has perfect curve finger design.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [instagram-feed id='3945030428'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width='stretch_row_content_no_spaces' type='full_width_content'][/vc_row][vc_column css='.vc_custom_1459892926495{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}'][/vc_column][vc_text_separator title='']" target="_blank">
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