Fishing Rod Repair

Upon returning from my recent trip to Papua New Guinea for monster GT, I decided it was time to replace a few rod tips.  The bobbin, PR knot, puts a tremendous amount of pressure of the rod tips and guides along with the drag burning runs put on my these brutes! Upon looking at options, I contacted Randy "Buzz" Butters who owns B & B Custom Fishing Rods located in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Also, I decided to replace the tips and all the guides on some quality TFO TFD Big Fish spinning rods which were designed by friend, Larry Dahlberg.  The spinning rod models were never set into production but friend, Jim Shulin, of TFO put me onto a few of these blanks.  Buzz is a rod building instructor for Mud Hole Custom Tackle.  After numerous discussions with the staff at Mud Hole and myself we decided to replace the guides with high quality FUJI Titanium SIC (Silicone Carbide) guides.  The other option would be high quality FUJI Torzite guides.  The main difference between these guides is the Torzite is about 30% lighter than the SIC guides and about $100 higher in price. 

To replace all the guides and tip on a 7 1/2 foot spinning rod will cost over $250 without labor for the SIC parts whereas the Torzite will run over $350.  So, when guys notice that high quality GT rods like Ripple Fisher cost in excess of $900, the Torzite guides are the main part of the cost.  Also if you notice one of your favorite GT rod is lighter than other, odds are it is the guides. 
Buzz Butters can handle all custom fishing rod building and repair.  You can find him on Facebook at BbCustomRods or give him a shout at 920-896-3132 or email rodmaker@dotnet.com

La Zona 2021

To date, this is the largest dorado I have seen a photo of that was landed in La Zona.  This monster bottomed out the lodge's 60 lbs bogagrip.  It was weighed on a different scale pushing it to 68 lbs.  It was landed last year on Christmas Eve on a Rapala Super Shad Rap.  I have seen only one other photo of a dorado pushing the scale over 60 lbs which was also caught in the month of December.  However, the guides claim they have seen larger!  Recently, the governments of Argentina and Uruguay have approved an anti-poaching agreement on the Uruguay River which both governments will enforce.  So, with this great measure, I believe more dorado of this size will be landed.  Years ago a 40+ lbs dorado was considered the trophy of a lifetime.  A few years ago panic set in when the Argentina and Uruguay Governments placed a restriction zone from anybody fishing within 100 meters of the Salto Grande Dam.  Once informed of this restriction, I predicted on this blog that the size of the dorado will drastically increase as fisherman will now not concentrate their majority of time near the dam as there are too many dorado in the 30 lbs range for the true monster to grab your lure.  My prediction came true as now numerous dorado exceeding 50+ lbs are caught which is now the trophy measure. 

With the onset of the coronavirus numerous clients had to be rescheduled to 2021. This has made weeks available in 2021 in tight demand, so book now before all the top dates are filled and your left out in the cold.
As mentioned in previous posts, we are going to do an exploratory trip for surubi catfish elsewhere on the Uruguay River to determine if it is feasible to offer this fishing to clients which stand up to the high standards La Zona Lodge has.  The hope is to have clients extend their dorado trip a few days to catch a trophy surubi and/ or clients fishing at other Argentina Lodges such as Jurassic Lake to extend their trip.  Clients on the proposed surubi trip will stay in the La Zona Lodge hotel with the dorado clients and drive in from Buenos Aires with them, unless extending their current trip.  This will be at a much reduced rate compared to the high demand golden dorado fishing in the zone!  Stay tuned for an update later this fall.

CABIN FEVER

Many of us, including I, am confined to our houses due to State restrictions on the coronavirus.  Hopefully this will end sooner than later as I am sure all of us want to get back to our normal daily lives.  I am dying to wet a line and getting cabin fever after watching TV all day long and seeing the Stock Market drop drastically.  This epidemic has caused cancellation of trips and flights.  I for one have had trips to La Zona Lodge in Argentina, Jurassic Lake Lodge in Argentina, and perhaps a trip to the Tugar River in Russia postponed till a later date after all is clear.  However, with numerous airlines cancelling a large percentage of International Flights throughout this year, I am booking domestic trips with the hope that flights will be available.

Born to Fish Charters out of Venice, Louisiana is a great option.  It is located about an hour and a half drive out of New Orleans. Capt. Keith Kennedy will put you on top of big bull redfish.  Keith offers deluxe packages which include all tackle, housing, meals, and guided trips into the Gulf region where the big bull reds are plentiful.  With International trips in doubt until who knows when, I am sure Keith will fill quickly for this season.  So, if cabin fever is setting in, give Capt. Keith a call at 504-908-3108 while top dates are still available.

Papau New Guinea

The waters around Papua New Guinea are quickly become one of my favorite destinations worldwide.  Having been blessed, I have the opportunity to wet a line in the top fisheries avilable on this earth!  Luke Wyrsta of Rock Expeditons runs fantastic operations in the remote water of PNG for Giant Trevally and others brutes, out in the Sea of Solomon and  the jungles for giant PNG bass.

Luke's trips are for devout anglers who can take care of themselves and do not leave to leave footprints in this "Land That Time Forgot". If isolation is what your looking for, look no further! If your looking for luxury go elsewhere and I guarantee you the fishing experience will not be the same!  I for one am here for the fantastic fishing opportunities and to get back to nature!  If I wanted luxury I would just book a week long stay at a lodge or houseboat where the waters have been pounded by others and the remote experience would not be available!  Plus I would pay thousands more for this so called luxury!  Luke's guides know these waters where you  likely are the first on earth to wet a line.  To my knowledge there are not many remaining spots on this earth that offer this opportunity. 
The waters are countless and you will not see other fisherman during your stay.  The scenery cannot be accurately described by words as the colors of the ocean are astounding.  This was my 4th trip to Papua New Guinea.

The people are extremely nice and go out of their way to lend a hand.
Port Moresby, where you fly into, has numerous 5 star hotels and restaurants.  Luke's number one priority is SAFETY!  Luke teaches all clients the proper means to land these brutes and to set up your tackle.  This for me was priceless as this teaching is not available in the Chicago Area.  I for one, go back year after year to my favorite destinations as evident by fishing the Alaska Peninsula for 30 years.  There are too many ripoff outfitters out there so go with the best!  I for one will be returning to wet a line with Rock Expeditions until my arms tell me no

more! I cannot recommend this trip enough as all should experience this remote fishery!   You can also experience these great Expeditions by contacting Luke Wyrsta of Rock Expeditons for give me a shout.

Papua New Guinea/ Rock Expeditions Jan 28 to Feb 6, 2020

Once again, I had to please my fishing addiction and return to Papua New Guinea.  Papua New

Guinea is one of the last frontiers remaining on earth.  It is a long ways from Chicago as I fly from O'Hare to Los Angeles then to Brisbane Australia where I overnight a few days to get some needed rest.  We pass the International Date line along the way so I really aged quickly!  Then, I fly to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and overnight at the Gateway Hotel where I meet up with Bruce Cross and Rock Expeditions outfitter, Luke Wyrsta.  The plans are to fly to Misima Island on PNG Airlines the next day then motor about 1.5 hours to our base camp on Bushie Island.  We will target Giant Trevally and Dogtooth Tuna and many others during out stay amoung the numerous reefs and islands in this remote area!  Hardly, if any lures have hit the water in these locations!    After unpacking Bruce and I are anxious to make a cast so Luke's guides motor us a few minutes to a near reef.  On my 6th cast using a giant Skipjack Popper the water explodes, drag is burning off of my Daiwa Dogfight.  After palming the spool to stop the brute I am rewarded with a true monster Giant Trevally.

  What a way to START the trip!  A few minutes later I get another explosion and after a long tiring battle the GT wins and cuts me off in the coral!  Numerous GT attacks on our lures are seen throughout the afternoon.  Baitfish are present every direction we look so Bruce and I are excite for the days ahead.  Back at camp, I am excited to see new one man tents Luke has provided and now a refrigerator/ freezer to store our beer, soda, and water.  The following days are great.  We see no other fisherman throughout the stay and the scenery is simply breathtaking.  Various hues of blue/ green are seen on the gin clear water which cannot be described with photos.  One can literally see about 70 ft in the waters and observe fish swimming on the bottom! 

Numerous Giant Trevally and landed during our stay along with Jobfish, Red Bass, Mackeral, Barracuda, Blacktip Shark, Coral Trout, and numerous others. These brutes put a hurting on one's body.  On my last trophy Giant Trevally of the trip, while palming the reel spool, my glove gets a burn hole and I feel my skin is on fire!  I have a burn mark on my palm to remember this brute!

Bruce catches the Holy Grail of Species while jigging one afternoon, a beautiful Napoleon Wrasse!  I hated to come home after this stay as it was my favorite saltwater trip to date. What a way to get out of the cold weather of Chicago and to fish in a location where practically nobody has been!
Rock Expeditions off remote trips in extreme isolated locations. The number 1 priority is Safey and Catching Fish!! The Expeditions are conducted as a "wild reef camp" format to preserve the natural beauty of the area and to minimize human footprint.  This is the main reason why I chose to fish with Rock Expeditions as if I needed luxury, I would just stay at the Chicago Hilton and fish extremely crowded local waters while looking at Steel Mills and maybe looking down a few inches in the polluted water!  Cannot wait till next season for a  return trip to this great Land! 

Daiwa Saltiga 2020

Daiwa has announced a new an improved model of their popular Saltiga line of saltwater reels.  The original Saltigas were produced in 2002 and have become the go to reel for battling big fish such as Giant Trevally. 
The 2020 line of Saltigas feature a re-designed Monocoque body which is capable of holding much larger internal gearing components and provides increased strength and improved sealing.  The new body has a new rear cover design, eliminating screws from the underside of the reel to improve the sealing.  Improvements have also been made to the drag assembly where the drag pressure has been increased to an amazing 30kg!  The new 2020 models come in size 8000 to 14000 with high and power gear options.  So before heading out to battle some monster saltwater brutes take a look at the new line of Daiwa Saltigas! 

Last Minute Christmas Gifts--Sparky's doradokiller spinnerbaits

In the past few years, spinnerbaits have accounted for more giant golden dorado at La Zona than any other lure.  The best of the best spinnerbaits are those constructed by Joe "Sparky" Bullock.  Joe uses extremely strong wire which is bent at a machine shop.  The spinnerbait has a rotating since hook compared to others which have a fixed hook.  This gives one a good advantage when the dorado jumps and often bends fixed hooks.  We pump the rod rod causing the blades to rotate around the giant boulders in La Zona where the true giants lay.  We have found double bladed spinnerbaits to work the best with a large willowleaf and a medium size colorado blade.  Joe provides skirts and hooks.  So if you after 50lbs+ golden dorado look up Joe here on Facebook or get in touch with me.