MAGAZINE
EDITOR-IN -CHIEF
RICK PATRI CREATIVE DIRECTOR
DEREK YOUNG PUBLISHING EDITOR
ANDREW L. SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTOR // ANDREW SCHADEGG CONTRIBUTOR // JOHN LOUGHLIN CONTRIBUTOR // JUSTIN PAKDAMAN
There’s an old saying that floats around Hollywood — “everyone wants the same thing just different.” Well, we’ve taken this approach to our magazine. It’s the same great content, like tips from pro’s, fishing facts, product reviews and more, but with a fresh new face. In the upcoming months we’ll be presenting our content in ways you’ve never seen from Fishhound and we hope that you enjoy the vacation from our old format to one that allows us to share a bit of our personality with our readers. In turn, we want to hear from you. Tell us what you want to see and how we can make Fishhound Magazine the best fishing publication you receive. Send me your suggestions at andrewls@fishhound. com. I look forward to hearing from you. Tight Lines!
A.L. Schwartz
CONTENTS PG.4
THE LARGEST OF THE LARGEMOUTH
These top ten, record holding Largemouth Bass might surprise you!
PG.5
TOP SECRET TIPS!
Get the secret to top water Bass fishing success!
PG.8
WANT TO CATCH A TROPHY?
Learn how to keep the odds forever in your favor!
PG.9
LIQUID LIVIN’
Life on the water with Lucky Tackle Box pro Travis Moran.
PG.13
MONO VS. FLUORO
Everything you need to know about choosing the proper line!
PG.17
LUNAR CHARTS
Use the power of the Sun and Moon to catch more fish!
PG.20
TACKLESHOP BOB Find out what wacky advice Tackle Shop Bob has to offer.
FH | 3 Learn to fish the Lunkerhunt Bento Bait at www.luckytacklebox.com/lunkerhuntbento
FH | 5
FH | 7
Learn to fish the LIVETARGET Shrimp Hybrid at www.luckytacklebox.com/livetargetshrimp
WANT TO CATCH A TROPHY? BY JUSTIN HOFFMAN
The quest for a big fish is what drives anglers to endlessly toss baits season after season - hopeful that the next cast might yield that mythical giant. Catching a trophy fish is about determination and drive, but knowledge is equally key for putting the odds in your favor. Starting Out The lake, river, or stream you target is of utmost importance. Gather as much information as you can, including, past fishing reports, tournament results, current records, and stocking studies. Narrowing down your choices based on this criteria will improve your chance for success immensely. Not all bodies of water are capable of yielding trophy fish. Past results will be a good indicator of future catches. Know Your Seasons Know what season the fish you are targeting hit their maximum weight. Here in the north, late fall is prime time for the largest smallmouth bass of the year. The same goes for muskie. In the south, pre-spawn largemouth bass (when legal) will be their fattest. Fishing your hardest during these optimal seasonal months will increase your chances at that trophy. Cover Water It goes without saying that the more time your lure is wet, the increased likelihood that it will get bit. Covering water is the main mantra of the trophy hunter. But, in doing so, ensure that each cast is executed as efficiently and as effectively as possible. GPS enabled sonar is also mandatory for those chasing giant fish. This will allow you to find
untapped and prime water, mark structure and baitfish, and allow you to return to these prime pieces of real estate. Go Big Although finesse baits have their time and place, tossing oversized cranks, spoons, and jigs gets the nod when targeting trophies. Big fish eat big meals — plain and simple. Upsized is always the way to go. Equipment Considerations Having reliable, high-quality equipment and terminal tackle is highly recommended. Ensure that baits are matched to your rod, reel, and line. Any weakness in those three could cost you that fish of a lifetime. Get in the habit of checking line and terminal tackle for frays, brakes, or nicks. A smooth drag, clean rod guides, and fine-tuned cast controls is equally important. Dig Deep Trophy hunting can be a lonely game. Fishing in inclement weather, for long hours, and season after season can take a toll. Attitude is important; staying focused, being mentally prepared, and digging deep cast after cast will bring results. Catching a trophy fish is akin to winning the lottery. Not everyone can do it. And that in itself is what gives anglers the drive - cast after cast - to chase their dream fish.
FH | 9
FH | 11
Learn to fish the Livingston Pro Sizzle at www.luckytacklebox.com/livingstonprosizzle
FH | 13
FH | 15 Learn to fish the Johnson Thinfisher at www.luckytacklebox.com/johnsonthinfisher
FISHHOUND MAG | PAGE 14
FH | 17
BETTER FISHING TIMES USING THE SUN/MOON TO CATCH MORE FISH
What are Astro tables and how does it work? Astro Tables are far more effective than “moon tables” because they take into account critical solar energies as well as lunar. PrimeTime data is based on solar/lunar research at a leading college of astrophysics and our own research pond/wildlife area. Annual data is supplied by the U.S. Naval Observatory. All lunar times are adjusted to the center of your time zone and for Daylight Saving Time.
VALUE
POOR FAIR GOOD EXCL
SEPT 2016
LUNAR PERIODS
BEST DAYS
Thu 1 Fri 2 Sat 3
73 60 46
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
34 27 26 26 31 41 31
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
27 29 41 54 66 73 66
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
59 51 47 48 53 62 50
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
25 26 27 28 29 30
43 41 48 55 62 64 25 50 75
AVERAGE
For more, visit primetimes2.com
TIMES OCCURRING AT NIGHT ARE SHADED MOON RISE
6:57 am 7:54 am 8:49 am 9:44 am
10:38 am 11:32 am
12:25 pm 1:18 pm 2:10 pm 3:01 pm 3:50 pm 4:38 pm 5:23 pm 6:05 pm 6:47 pm
7:27 pm 8:07 pm 8:48 pm 9:32 pm
10:18 pm 11:07 pm 12:01 am 12:57 am 1:54 am 2:53 am 3:52 am 4:49 am 5:46 am
6:41 am
10:28 pm
PRIMARY
MOON OVERHEAD
12:11 pm - 2:472pm 1:03 pm - 3:25 pm 1:54 pm - 4:02 pm 2:43 pm - 4:39 pm 3:33 pm - 5:15 pm 4:22 pm - 5:54 pm 5:12 pm - 6:34 pm 6:01 pm - 7:17 pm 6:51 pm - 8:03 pm 7:41 pm - 8:53 pm
8:32 pm - 9:44 pm 9:21 pm - 10:39 pm 10:10 pm - 11:36 pm 10:57 pm - 12:35 am 11:43 pm - Midnight Midnight - 1:35 am 12:29 am - 2:37 am 1:14 am - 3:40 am 2:02 am - 4:44 am 2:51 am - 5:47 am 3:43 am - 6:49 am 4:37 am - 7:49 am 5:32 am - 8:48 am 6:27 am - 9:43 am 7:24 am - 10:34 am 8:19 am - 11:21 am 9:13 am - 12:05 pm 10:05 am - 12:45 pm 10:57 am - 1:23 pm 11:48 am - 2:00 pm
MOON SET
7:55 pm 8:28 pm 9:01 pm 9:33 pm
10:06 pm 10:41 pm 11:18 pm 11:59 pm 12:44 am 1:33 am 2:27 am 3:25 am 4:27 am 5:32 am
6:38 am 7:46 am 8:55 am
10:04 am 11:12 am 12:18 pm 1:21 pm 2:19 pm 3:12 pm 3:59 pm 4:42 pm 5:20 pm 5:56 pm
6:29 pm 7:01 pm
PRIMARY
MOON UNDERFOOT
Midnight - 2:30 am 12:36 am - 3:12 am 1:28 am - 3:50 am 2:19 am - 4:27 am 3:08 am - 5:04 am 3:58 am - 5:40 am 4:47 am - 6:19 am 5:37 am - 6:59 am 6:26 am - 7:42 am 7:16 am - 8:28 am
8:06 am - 9:18 am 8:57 am - 10:09 am 9:46 am - 11:04 am 10:35 am - 12:01 pm 11:22 am - 1:00 pm 12:08 pm - 2:00 pm 12:54 pm - 3:02 pm 1:39 pm - 4:05 pm 2:27 pm - 5:09 pm 3:16 pm - 6:12 pm 4:08 pm - 7:14 pm 5:02 pm - 8:14 pm 5:57 pm - 9:13 pm 6:52 pm - 10:08 pm 7:49 pm - 10:59 pm 8:44 pm - 11:46 pm 9:38 pm - 12:30 am 10:30 pm - 1:10 am 11:22 pm - Midnight Midnight - 1:48 am
ANY LUNAR PERIOD IS ENHANCED WHEN IT OVERLAPS A KEY SOLAR PERIOD. THE BEST OF THESE OVERLAPS ARE DESIGNATED BY THE SUN SYMBOLS: = HIGH NOON = DAWN = DUSK
WHILE THE LESSER MOONRISE AND -SET OVERLAPS (ABOUT 30 MIN. BEFORE AND AFTER THE LISTED TIME) ARE DESIGNATED BY BOLD BLACK TYPE.
For more information and samples of PrimeTimes products, visit www.primetimes2.com
NEW
Apogee
HALF LOW
FULL
Perigee
Fall HALF HIGH
NEW
Learn to fish the Chasing Trophy Fish Stick Bait at www.luckytacklebox.com/chasingtrophy
FH | 19 Learn to fish the Trigger X Boot Tail Minnow at www.luckytacklebox.com/boottailminnow
FISHHOUND MAG | PAGE 18
Tackle Shop Bob
TACKLE SHOP BOB On fishing, work, relationships and more...
Q: My wife of 10 years loves me very much but says I spend too much time fishing and not enough time in the romance department. Can you help me out? - Andrew, Jamesport, NY A: Absolutely. Leave this poem next to her pillow for her to read when she wakes up: Roses are red, violets are blue, I’ve gone to the lake, will be home after two. Thought I’d take the time and leave you this note. To not block the drive when I bring back the boat. I love to go fishing, my tackle box and reel, but you’re my most memorable catch, my heart you did steal. Q: Where should I look for bass while fishing at night? - Mel, Eden Prairie, MN A: During the Summer months, bass get sluggish and inactive during the the day, so they feed at night. This is the perfect time to fish around weedlines, docks and any shallow areas adjacent to deep water. At night use your ears and listen for bass feeding on the surface. Try throwing big buzzbaits in black and blue or other noisy topwater. Bulky black & blue jigs with hefty trailers are also very effective. Make sure they have a rattle for added attraction. As always, be careful out there and catch a big one! Q: What can I do to beat the heat when
fishing during the hot summer months? - Justin, Casco, ME A: The easiest answer to this question is avoid the hottest parts of the day. Fish in the morning, take a break and go back out in the evening or at night. If you want to squeeze in all the fishing time that you can, there’s a few things you can do to stay cool: Sun Protection – There are a ton of great brands of UV protective clothing out there. I recommend Stormr’s full line of men’s and women’s long sleeve UV shirts, sun gloves and neck shields. These will help keep the sun off of your skin and they actually wick sweat away from your body. Of course, ALWAYS use a quality high SPF sunscreen and continue to reapply throughout the day. Hydration – I’ve been there, so I know how it is. You sweat and burn a ton of energy while fishing, so drinking a lot of water is super important. Avoid sugary drinks or alcohol. Both of those can lead to dehydration. Take a Dip – Nothing can cool you off faster than just hopping in the water and taking a quick swim. Got a question and need Bobby’s advice? Send him an email at: bobby@BigBassMonthly.com If he’s got good advice he’ll give it to you and hook you up with $30 worth of fishing tackle.
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