Monday, August 19, 2019

Redhot Venice, LA bull redfish action August 12 to 14

Once again, I had the opportunity to fish for monster bull redfish out of Venice, LA with Capt. Keith Kennedy of Born To Fish Charters.  Capt Keith specializes in putting clients on big bulls and provides everything from housing, meals, and all tackle.  This August 12 to 14, I was joined by my brother Billy and friend Etan Zimmett who had never battled the big bulls before.  Action on day 1 was non stop with the largest redfish pushing the boga to 29 lbs.  The top lures were blabber mouth popping corks followed by plastics in black/char and white/char colorations. The weather during the stay was perfect with lots of clouds and some rain to keep us cool.  The water temps were a hot 90F degrees. The action slowed a tad on Day 2 but a few big bulls were landed by all.  During the afternoon on our last day, Capt Keith ran a long way to the Gulf of Mexico and the fishing was something I have never experienced out of Venice.  For practically 3 hrs we constantly had tripleheader after tripleheader.  I had a tremendous drag burning battle from a giant     30 lbs Jack Crevelle.  As mentioned in previous posts, Born to Fish Charters offers world class fishing for a fraction of top International destinations.  So, I highly recommend you contact Capt. Kennedy at  504-908-3108 to get in while the bull action is redhot! 

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Klures Monster Poppers

Nothing in the world of fishing can top the excitement of having a monster fish come shooting up to the surface and smashing your lure.  Poppers are a great lure while topwater fishing.  Monster species such as Giant Trevally and Golden Dorado are often landed with topwater lures.  For Giant Trevally, a "popping" technique is the way to go while speed reeling is the most common technique to land giant Golden Dorado.
Kermett Adams, of www.klures.com has been experimenting with variations of monster poppers which can stand up to the lure busting strikes exhibited by these brutes.  He has varied the mouth cup design to give the "pop" fisherman want.  Kermett has built a few skipjack poppers with and without cup weights on the rear of the lure.  Without the cup weight the popper tends to zig zag a few inches below the surface on rapid retrieves.  This is perfect for fooling golden dorado. 
When the cup weight is added the lure will now stay on the surface during rapid retrieves which again will fool golden dorado.  So in a sense he has designed 2 different lures both of which are a must for the giant golden dorado of La Zona.  For Giant Trevally one likes a huge splashing type popper so either model would work fine.  Kermett can be contacted here on facebook. He can paint the lure and construct it to your design.  So before you head out for monster species such as GTs and Golden Dorado make sure you consider topwater poppers and contact Kermett Adams.

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Shimano Ocea Head Dip 200F Flash Boost

Recently, Shimano has introduced its latest technology in the Ocea Head Flash Boost.  The heavy plastic stickbait is 8 inches long while weighing 135 grams without hooks which allows extra long casts..  It is available in numerous coloration while costing about $45 USD.   Yesterday, I was able to make a few practice casts with the 200F model.  It works great with a zig zag turnaround motion on slight pulls.  Once, stopped, the weight balance allows the lure to stand straight into the air thus allowing the flash panels to oscillate which hopefully will attract some top catches.  The Head Dip should be a winner for species such as Giant Trevally and will give it a try on my next adventure for these brutes!


Sunday, June 9, 2019

Redhot Bull Redfish Action

Captain Keith Kennedy of Born To Fish Charters, reports redhot action for bull redfish out in the Gulf Area out of Venice, LA.  Capt. Keith said it was practically a strike per cast.  As I have written on this blog numerous times, this is perhaps the best trip for the cost worldwide!  Capt Keith takes care of everything.  The 4 night, 3 days of fishing is the most popular package among repeat clients.  Keith books fast so get in to some of the great dates he has open.  Fishing is good year round.  Keith provides all tackle, housing, and meals.  He can be reached at (504) 908-3108 or you can find him on Facebook.  Or give me a shout and I will put you in contact with Capt. Keith

Friday, May 10, 2019

Fishing Publications

As with anything in life, knowledge is the key to success!  You can learn the stock market and your on the way to financial wealth.  You can get a good college education and be on the road to retirement.  You can learn a trade which can land a great career,  In terms of fishing, the more you read and grasp the greater the odds of landing the fish of your dreams.  In past years with the push to social media, one can find someone thousands of miles away to talk about waters they dream of exploring.  Magazines, like "IN-FISHERMAN" teach you the basics to be a successful fisherman.  Years ago before the internet came around, newsletters were one of the ways to gain knowledge.  I have folders full of "The Pan Angler" newsletter which was one of the first to focus on International Fishing.  I still go back and read these often.  I have boxes upon boxes of old issues of "IN-Fisherman" and "Fishing Facts" which are still good reference guides.  Issues of the IGFA "International Angler" teaches one of conservation and is a great source for especially saltwater.  There are hundreds of great books to read.  Numerous exist teaching one to cast a spinning reel and how to cast a fly.
  I have a huge bookshelf full of great reading.  Christopher Batin's "How To Catch Alaska's Trophy Sportfish" is a must read for those dreaming of an Alaska Adventure.  Actually I read a chapter on silver salmon and immediately booked a trip on the Alaska Peninsula 30 years ago and still head there annually.  IN-FISHERMAN wrote numerous fishing strategie books on walleyes, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, pike, and others.
Larry Larsen wrote a few books on Peacock Bass before most even heard of this dynamic species.  Douglas Dann wrote "The Largest Tigerfish in the World--The Goliath which is full of huge tiger photos and I still dream of catching one before my times expires.  Tony Rizzo wrote a great guide with his "Secrets of a Muskie Guide".  There are a few great websites where you can actually ask questions.  Hall of Fame fisherman, Larry Dahlberg runs "The Hunt For Big Fish" where he promptly answers.  YouTube is full of great teaching along with videos from some of the companies mentioned above. 
So Knowledge is the Key to Success even in Fishing.  So, Educate yourself while the resources are available!

Saturday, April 27, 2019

The Best of the best Braided Line

Having been blessed with the opportunity to travel the world, fishing for super strong exotic brutes, having a super strong line is a must to have a chance at landing these beasts. In my opinion, the best of the best is the Varivas Avani GT Max Power Plus and Jerry Brown Solid Core.  Varivas Avani GT Max Power Plus is my favorite.  It is extremely smooth to the feel helping out when passing through guides.  It is really thin which allows added line on your spool and is super strong.  It has great knot strength.  It is made in Japan and I buy it on ebay. 
Jerry Brown Solid Core in made in the USA.  It is Spectra that is furnished in many different diameter fibers to suit the particular application.  The smaller the fiber diameter, the stronger it is but more costly.  I recently used Jerry Brown in both Papua New Guinea and La Zona and highly recommend them.  Both lines are smooth to the feel and are not prone to wind knots.  So, I highly recommend taking a look at these lines and taking off that popular extremely stiff feeling braid many of us previously used!

Saturday, April 13, 2019

La Zona's Holy Grail!

A few years ago news broke that the governments of Argentina and Uruguay would no longer allow sportfishing next to the Salto Grande Dam.  There would be an imaginary "starting" line about 100 meters from the dam where those fortunate few who obtained permits to fish in La Zona would be allowed to start fishing.  Panic broke out from many of the diehard Golden dorado fisherman as I heard everything to nobody will catch a dorado anymore, to guys eating their deposits and not showing up.  I highly disputed their reasoning and stated in a post that I believed the fishing for monster dorado over 40lbs would increase in numbers.  After a few years, the facts are in and I was correct in my thinking.  Not only are more trophies over 40 lbs increasing, but huge golden dorado over 50 lbs are now becoming weekly catches.  Everyone now is shooting for a 60 lbs!  When the zone restrictions were set into play, a few diehard dorado fisherman such as Dr. Gary Clark and Joe "Sparky" Bullock began experimenting with super strong spinnerbaits.
  These "Holy Grail" lures were not buzzed across the surface, but rather pulled across the tops of giant boulders where the monsters wait to ambush their prey!  All one does is to move the rod up to 12:00 and back down to 9:00 to get the giant spinerbait blades to rotate.  Clark's "doradokiller" spinnerbaits have fixed hooks while Sparky's killers have a rotating hook where the dorado cannot get leverage to toss the lure while jumping.  Both models have accounted for numerous golden dorado over 50 lbs the past few years.  Dr. Clark only makes his models available to a few lucky friends, while Sparky will sell them to those who contact him.
He can be reached here on Facebook or contact me at doradokiller@hotmail for more info on buying these "Holy Grails"!  Do not head to La Zona without them!