Win A FREE Guided Muskie Trip

SuperUser Account — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:30:50 GMT

Win a FREE fishing trip with muskie guide Josh Borovsky—a chance of a lifetime for a 50-inch muskie. Entering is easy, fast and free!All you have to do to enter the contest is submit your best muskie tip by e-mailing editors@fishingclub.com.Tips can be as short as one sentence, and should not exceed 250 words maximum. Feel free to describe when and where your fishing tip works best, as well as how you execute the tip. If possible, explain in one sentence why your technique catches fish (i.e. “Trolling big crankbaits at high speeds in summer catches muskies because it excites muskies and triggers reaction strikes.”)Tips will be judged on creativity, quality of explanation, and how helpful the tip is to the average angler. The tips do not need to be high-tech, difficult or well-written. Preference will be given to well-explained, succinct tips. You must include your name, number, e-mail address, hometown and favorite species to catch.The winning individual will receive a free one day guided outing with Josh Borovsky. All necessary fishing gear and tackle will be provided, and Josh will determine which lake to fish.The total prize package is valued at $350.Contest entries will be considered from Oct. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2008. The winners will be notified by Jan 15, 2008.This prize does not include tax, transportation, additional food or any other unforeseen costs, which needs to be paid by the winner. All submitted tips might appear in North American Fisherman magazine or on fishingclub.com.The winner and his/her guest must redeem their prize after June 1, 2009 and before Oct. 30, 2009. The winner must work with Josh Borovsky to schedule the trip. Josh Borovsky will accommodate the winner’s scheduling requests as he is able, but Josh Borovsky will have the final say on the date and location of the trip.A full-day guided fishing trip typically lasts eight hours, unless the guide decides the day needs to be cut short or cancelled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the guide has full discretion to make any decisions about the fishing outing.Josh Borovsky is a muskie pro and 2005 Professional Muskie Tournament Trail champion. Visit www.promuskieguide.com to learn more about Josh. Call 612.508.2759 to book a trip with Josh – you won’t regret it.

Web Links October-November 2008

SuperUser Account — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:08:15 GMT

Best Of The Best Berkley: www.berkley-fishing.com Shimano: http://fish.shimano.com/ Ardent: www.ardentoutdoors.com Pflueger: www.pflueger-fishing.com Quantum: www.quantumfishing.com/index2.html Daiwa: www.daiwa.com Flambeau: www.flambeauoutdoors.com Kistler: www.kistlerrods.com Abu Garcia: http://www.abugarcia.com/ All Star: http://www.allstarrods.com/ St. Croix: http://www.stcroixrods.com/ FishHer: http://www.fishher.com/home/ Lowrance: www.lowrance.com Humminbird: www.humminbird.com Stren: www.stren.com Seaguar: http://www.seaguar.com/ Sufix: http://www.sufix.com/FishingLine/USAMarket.htm Lindy: www.lindylittlejoe.com VMC: http://www.vmchooks.com/ Northland: www.northlandtackle.com Yum: www.lurenet.com Mann’s: www.mannsbait.com Storm: www.stormlures.com Big Bite Baits: www.bigbitebaits.com Optimum: http://www.optimumbaits.com/ Tru Tungsten: http://www.tru-tungsten.com/ Trigger X: http://www.triggerx.com/ Plano: http://www.planomolding.com/tackle/ Flambeau: http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/fishing.asp Owner: www.ownerhooks.com Eagle Claw: www.eagleclaw.com Daiichi: www.tticompanies.com Mustad: http://www.mustad.no/ Pallatrax: http://pallatrax.co.uk/ Water Gremlin: www.watergremlin.com Fin Tech: http://www.jigfish.com/newproducts.htm Bullet Weights: www.bulletweights.com Rapala: www.rapala.com Spro: www.spro.com Sebile: www.sebileusa.com Strike King: www.strikeking.com Lucky Craft: http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/home.htm Yo Zuri: www.yo-zuri.com Minn Kota: www.minnkotamotors.com Cannon: http://www.cannondownriggers.com/ Frabill: http://www.frabill.com/ Wiley X: http://www.wileyx.com/index.aspx E21: www.e21fishing.comSporting Vehicles EPA Fuel Costs Calculator: www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtmlFishing Adventures Lake Erie steelhead Ohio DNR: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6166/default.aspx Fish USA: http://www.fishusa.com/FishErie/ New York DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7946.html Pennsylvania Fisheries: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/steelhead.htmSt. Simons Island Charter Fish: http://www.charterfish.net/giantredfish.html Georgia DNR: Coastal Island Charters: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaynavigation.asp?TopCategory=5Mississippi River Minnesota DNR: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/eastmetro/rivers/pool2.htmlWhite River Ozark Mountains: http://www.whiteriver.net/index.asp Go Fish Arkansas: http://www.gofisharkansas.net/troutfishing1.htm Gastons: http://www.gastons.com/Gouin Reservoir Air Melancon: www.airmelancon.comLake Huites Trophy Bass Lodge: www.trophybasslodge.com

Watch Videos of New Lures

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:30:34 GMT

Optimum Double Diamond: http://www.optimumbaits.com/DoubleDiamond.phpTrigger X: www.triggerx.comBBZ 1 Shad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WanMOWMeeU

Fishing Q&A: Odd Weather And Jigs Vs. Cranks

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:23:53 GMT

Oddball WarmupQ: Two years in a row now we've had some odd fall weather – a week of real warm, sunny conditions in early November. When such an event happens, does it affect walleye location? Any tips for exploiting a freak fall warm front? Member Bill Lutgen Greece, NYA: What you've described is in fact the best late-fall situation you can get--not just for the fish, but for you too. In the late fall, walleyes start congregating again to fatten up for the winter, and it's often the best time to catch a trophy. The classic, and I feel best, approach is to Lindy rig a big chub on sharp breaks--especially those along inside turns on points. You'll want to work the rig real slow up and down the edges of the break. Warm days are perfect because they get the walleyes a little more active, but more important, it's easier to stay out in warmer weather and you'll usually have more patience for this type of slow fishing. Patience, comfort and confidence during a trophy window is about the best situation you could hope for.--Ted TakasakiSwim ItQ: Can one of the pros tell me why or when I should use a swimming jig instead of a crankbait? Member Steve McCredie Huntsville, TexasA: I personally swim a jig a lot--more often now than I ever have. I like to so it, instead of throwing a crankbait or spinnerbait, around the post-spawn time when the bass seem to want a subtler presentation. Whenever they don't react to the wide wobble of a crank, of the noise and flash of a spinnerbait, it's a great time to swim a jig. I do think bass become conditioned to certain baits, and swimming a jig is something different. And although the post-spawn is the most obvious time to swim a jig, I really use the technique through summer all they up until mid-fall. That's because one of the technique's big advantages is you can skip or pitch the jig into places you just can't put a spinnerbait or crank. You can get it way up underneath docks, right into lily pad fields--it comes through anything, and covers a lot of water. I actually designed a signature series swim jig from Strike King that's sold exclusively through Bass Pro Shops. One version comes with a lightwire hook for open water or sparser cover. The other is designed for thicker cover. --Kevin VanDam

Fishing News

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:54:39 GMT

Illinois Finalizes Plans for High School Bass FishingSPRINGFIELD, IL—The Illinois High School Association Board, the body that oversees 35 intra-school sports and activities in the state, has made it official: Illinois will be the first state in the country to have a sanctioned, state high school bass-fishing championship, beginning in 2009. IHSA directors approved schedules and official rules for the new Bass Fishing State Series to be inaugurated during the 2008-09 school term. Sectionals in the series will be held on Friday of Week 42 (April 24, 2009), with the state final being held on Friday and Saturday of Week 44 (May 8-9, 2009). Sites for the events have not yet been determined. Schools will be allowed to enter up to two boats, with up to three students in each boat, although only two may fish at any one time. The competition will take place for up to eight hours per day, with provisions for inclement weather. Each boat will weigh five fish at the end of each day’s competition. “We are excited about the new bass fishing tournament,” said Marty Hickman, IHSA Executive Director and the driving force behind state-sanctioned high school bass fishing. “We believe it will be the first bass fishing tournament in the country sponsored by a state high school association. The tournament is a great way to reach out to high school students and give them an additional opportunity to compete in interscholastic activities.” Fisherman Hooks Drowning ManHALLOWELL, ME--A drowning man owes his life to an angler who reeled him in—literally. Bob Greene of Hallowell, Maine, was recently having his morning coffee when he heard what he thought was a bird. He then realized there was a man bobbing in the Kennebec River screaming. Greene said a 911 dispatcher told him to throw something out to the man. He snagged the man's shirt with a fishing lure and reeled him in. As of press time, the rescued man remained in critical condition at a Portland hospital. Hallowell Police Chief Eric Nason says Greene did the right thing by calling police first and not jumping into the water.Boater GassedPORT SALERNO, FL—Here’s some advice for anglers and boaters reeling from the record-high gas prices: When you’re filling your boat with gas, make sure you put the pump nozzle in the gas tank and not in the fishing rod holder. And, if you mistake the fuel intake holes on your craft, let’s hope you’d recognize your error before you pump 100 gallons of pricey petroleum product overflowing into the water at a marina. The Palm Beach Post discreetly failed to publish the name of the boater whose 100-gallon fueling mishap required the response of the Martin County Fire Rescue Hazmat team to Finest Kid Marina fuel dock in Port Salerno, Fla. According to the report, only about 15 gallons went into the water around the fuel dock. Hazmat crewmembers towed the boat from the fuel dock to a safe location, where they secured the fuel, said Jeff Alter, Fire Rescue bureau chief.Florida Enacts New Reef Fishing RegsTALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding Gulf anglers fishing from a vessel for any reef fish species must carry and use circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools. The new rules are intended to increase the survival rate of released fish when they are not legal to harvest. Reef fish species include all snappers, groupers, sea bass, amberjacks, gray triggerfish, hogfish, red porgy and golden tilefish. A venting tool is a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel, used to deflate fish that become bloated when brought up from depths of 50 or more feet. Proper use of a venting tool will help ensure fish survival by allowing it to safely return to the bottom.

Hybrid Tow Vehicle Specs

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:47:48 GMT

BASIC SPECIFICATIONS Make: 2009 GMC Sierra Two-Mode HybridModel: Crew Cab; 2WD/4WDEngine: 300hp 6.0L V8 w/ Active Fuel ManagementTransmission: 32hp Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT)Suspension: Z85 packageFinal drive ratio: 3.08:1Battery system: 300-volt nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) Steering: 42V electricA/C: 300V electrically-drivenEPA mileage: 22 city (est) / 20 hwy (est)Fuel tank: 26 galsCurb Weight: 5,881 lbs (4WD) / 5,641 (2WD)Max towing: 5,900 lbs (4WD) / 6,100 lbs (2WD)On sale: Fall 2009Warranty: 8yr/100,000-mile on the Sierra Hybrid’s Energy Storage System; 5yr/100,000 Mile Powertrain Limited WarrantyPrice: $40,000-$45,000 (est)

Hot New Products For 2009

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:42:29 GMT

Water Gremlin’s Walking Sinkers These clip on and off your line with ease, and feature a subtle groove running the length of the weight, which imparts a side-to-side wobble as it falls.(800) 328-1440Flambeau Fly Locker Series These carry large quantities of big flies and hold them using friction, so the hooks don’t have to pierce the foam. 800) 457-5252.Yo Zuri Sashimi This three-bait (Minnow, Slider and Bull) series actually changes colors in different light conditions, just like many real saltwater baitfish.Flambeau Fly Locker Series These carry large quantities of big flies and hold them using friction, so the hooks don’t have to pierce the foam. $XX.XX (800) 457-5252.Cannon Adjustable Rod Holder—Dual Axis A 10-inch rod holder with six locking positions. It rotates up-and-down and 360-degrees with a push of a button. A pistol grip release provides quick one-hand adjustment. $99.99; (800) 227-6433.Pflueger Patriarch LPThis reel’s Ultimate Braking System (UBS) is its strongest feature, although its diminutive size isn’t bad either. It features 11 bearings and a multi disc carbon fiber drag system. $199.95.

Light Up Muskies

SuperUser Account — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:57:40 GMT

Perhaps the biggest breakthrough in muskie fishing in recent years is the discovery that the fish (in certain waters) feed aggressively after dark.Most pike fishermen consider night fishing a waste of time. That sentiment is still shared by some muskie anglers. But night fishing for muskies is rapidly gaining in popularity, especially among anglers on water that see heavy recreational use. There, the incessant boat traffic slows daytime feeding activity, it limits the areas you can fish and makes boat control more difficult.Night fishermen also catch a few tiger muskies, but these pike-muskie hybrids are not as prone to night feeding as purebred muskies.In order for muskies to see well enough to feed at night, the water must be fairly clear. As a rule, the clarity should be at least 3 feet- the best night-fishing lakes have a clarity at least twice that.The top night-fishing lakes have another important feature: lots of shallow, weedy flats or rock bars that serve as nighttime feeding areas. In lakes with a sharp-sloping shoreline, the fish usually feed during the day, so night fishing is less effective.Night fishing kicks into high gear in midsummer and fast action continues into early fall. The fish are most active in hot, muggy weather- especially on nights when the water is calm.If you’re planning on night fishing on an unfamiliar body of water, be sure to scout it thoroughly during the day. In fact, it’s a good idea to do some preliminary scouting even on familiar waters. This way, you can mark some likely spots so you can find them more easily after dark.If you have no idea of where to start looking for nighttime muskies, focus on the same spots where you normally find them during the day, but fish shallower. How much shallower depends on the water clarity. As a rule, the clearer the water, the more reluctant the fish will be to swim into the shallows. More Tips for Nighttime Fishing- Set markers on your prime spots during daylight hours and then use a powerful spotlight to locate them after dark. - Use a battery powered headlamp to help you see follows and land your fish. A brighter light may spook any fish following your lure. - Arrange your equipment neatly to avoid unnecessary tangles or accidents. Keep an extra rod handy just in case problems arise. - If possible, start fishing weedy flats, points or rock bars close to the west shore of the lake. These spots fall under shadow before similar spots on the east shore, so any fish using them are likely to turn on earlier. Check out these resources for more muskie night fishing info:http://www.southerntackle.com/products.asp?cat=402www.fishinglights.comhttp://www.niteiiis.com/

The Best Fishing Inventions Of All Time

SuperUser Account — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Monofilament line. The electric trolling motor. A spring-loaded bobber. Where would we be without them? The American Sportfishing Association announced the Top Ten list of influential items that have changed the way people fish.Think you know what they are? Read on and find out. Then e-mail this to your fishing partner to see if he’s smarter than you are.Without further adieu…· Original Floating Minnow: 1936 – Rapala Perhaps the most popular and successful lure in history.· Spring-loaded Bobber: 1947 – Nibble NabberFound in almost every angler’s tackle box.· Mitchell 300: 1949 – Mitchell Who hasn’t fished this spinning reel?· Creme Worm: 1949 – Crème Lure Company The plastic lure that started it all. · Closed Face Spincast Reel: 1949 – Zero Hour Bomb Company How every kid learns to cast.· Lowrance Fish Lo-K-Tor: 1957 – Lowrance The “Little Green Box" that introduced anglers to sonar.· Monofilament Line: 1958 – DuPont StrenWhat did they use before mono?· Minn Kota Trolling Motor: 1958 – Minn Kota Lets you crowd that other boat… quietly. · Fenwick High Modulus Graphite Rod: 1972 – Fenwick Probably started the “hold-the-rod-tip-to-your-throat-and-talk” test.· Shakespeare Ugly Stik: 1976 – Shakespeare So tough it could survive a nuclear holocaust.

Member Photos and NAFC Hot Shot

SuperUser Account — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:03:20 GMT

Email Us Your Photo! Submitting Member Photos is easy—just email high-resolution photos toeditors@fishingclub.com. Include your member number, name, hometown, fish size, body of water and lure used. NAFC HOT SHOT awards are the Club’s way of recognizing exceptional Member Photos. Winners are chosen by the NAFC staff and receive a free lure package from the Club.

Monster Pike Photo

SuperUser Account — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:25:40 GMT

You studied it. You debated it. You drooled over it. But you never quite believed it, did you? No pike picture in history blazed through the Internet faster or more often than this photo. Most e-mail chains claimed the fish came from Rainy Lake, Ontario, and was caught when it attacked a 36-inch pike that had already been hooked. Wrong. The monster fish, which weighed an amazing 42.9 pounds, was caught in 2004 on a lake in southern Holland by Dutch angler Ewout Blom.He was trolling a perch-pattern Rapala Super Shad Rap when he noticed his rod bend slightly. It straightened, then bent completely. He set the hook and battled for five full minutes, including a few tense moments when the giant thrashed at the surface. The pike measured 50 inches (127 centimeters if you’re Dutch).“The mystery is over,” says NAFC Executive Director Steve Pennaz. “You can tell by its coloring and the shape of its fins that it’s a European pike.”

North American Fishing Club