CONTENTS PG.3
3 SIMPLE TIPS TO SPYBAIT SUCCESS
PG.5
ASTRO TABLES
Learn the secrets to catching bigger fish!
Use the power of the Sun and Moon to catch more fish!
PG.6
TACKLE SHOP BOB Find out what wacky advice Tackle Shop Bob has to offer.
PG.7
BASS & BASSXL
PG.9
PANFISH & WALLEYE
PG.11
FLY FISHING & SALT
Featuring products from Bagley, Castaic and Outkast.
Featuring products from Lake Lunker, Primal Chase and Game On.
Featuring products from Umpqua, Reaction Strike and Lunkerhunt.
PG.13
MULTI-SPECIES & TROUT Featuring products from Sebile, Biwaa and Zagaia.
SHOP&SAVE
Promo Code: LTBSAVESQ1 www.fishhound.com/tw $10 minimum purchase required.
FH | 3
Photo: David Swendseid
3 SIMPLE TIPS TO
SPYBAIT SUCCESS by ANDREW SCHADEGG
Despite it’s success, Spybaiting is still a mystery to many anglers. Here’s a few quick New techniques can be intimidating. Even though Spybaiting has been around for a couple years, it is still a mystery to many anglers. This subtle, highly effective technique originated in the highly pressured lakes of Japan, where it began to take shape around 2007-2008. It began rising in popularity in the US around 2013, primarily through the introduction of the DUO Realis Spinbait 80. This product spurred many other brands to come out with their own version, but the DUO product was definitely the leader coming into the market and has continued to innovate with new, precision models. It has come to be known as an ultrafinesse hard bait technique, requiring a few very important things to remember to make it effective on the water. DUO Realis
Not Just Light Line, ULTRA Light Line If you can’t imagine fishing with anything smaller than 8-pound test, this technique might not be for you. Although there are some heavier versions that can be used with beefier setups and even baitcasters, the original concept was fished on a spinning rod and has proven to be incredibly effective. This requires the use of 4-6 pound test. The lighter the line, the better action you will get on your Spybait. When you cast out, a steady retrieve causes the bait to shimmy back and forth. As the line size decreases, the action of the bait increases and you will get more bites. There is no doubt. Retrieve it slow. This will give it
the appearance of a baitfish meandering outside it’s school and looking very natural.
A Longer Drop Shot Rod for “Sponge-y” Hooksets Typically for Spybaiting, it is recommended that you fish with a medium-light rod similar to what you would use for a drop shot. Though it may be personal preference a longer drop shot rod, like somewhere in the 7’4 to 7’6 range is very effective. Part of the reason for this is the additional casting distance you get with a longer rod. You can get 10-15 feet further with a longer rod than a shorter 7’0 or shorter version. This will allow the Spybait to run in the
depth range that you want it to, for a longer period of time. More time in the strike zone, equals more success. In addition, a longer rod with a good soft upper half, will allow for a gradual, more flexible hook set that keeps the small hooks from tearing free. It’s more of a “sponge-y” feel rather than an abrupt stop. You lean into the fish after they bite instead of ripping, allowing the rod to absorb the fish and just reel into them. This is called a “reel set” or a “sweep set.”
Learn to Count Your Spybait to the Proper Depth This technique is designed for, and is most effective on, suspended fish. These are the fish that you see on your graph in the middle of the water column, that you rarely fish for. Suspended fish can be finicky. Many times, it is rising barometric pressure or increased fishing or boating traffic or other factors that contribute to causing fish to suspend. It can be tough to get them to bite. This is
where Spybaiting shines, but you have to know the depth that your lure is at. The best way to do this, is to count it down. If you know the exact depth where the fish are staging, you can start counting the moment your bait hits the water on a slack line. Normally, it drops about 8 inches per second. Play with it though. If you’re unsure where they are located in the water column. Start out counting down 5 feet, then 8, then 10, until you find the depth where the fish are biting. Of course, having good electronics is a huge benefit.
Implement these three tips and you’re on your way to Spybaiting success. It’s a very precision technique, so give it a little time. Try fishing it for a couple hours before putting it down. Once you get it dialed in, it is an incredible fish-catcher and can catch BIG ONES!
For more information on Spybaiting, check out this website from the guys at DUO Realis: www.spybaiting.com
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. LUNAR PERIODS
BEST DAYS VALUE
DEC 2016
POOR FAIR GOOD EXCL
FH | 5
BETTER FISHING TIMES
TIMES OCCURRING AT NIGHT ARE SHADED MOON RISE
Thu 1 Fri 2 Sat 3
27 18 14
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
16 18 26 40 33 31 44
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
57 69 74 63 52 41 34
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
30 33 40 26 18 16 13
10:23 pm
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
10 19 28 39 45 36 28
3:55 am
25 50 75
AVERAGE
For more, visit primetimes2.com
8:37 am 9:25 am
10:10 am 10:52 am 11:32 am
12:10 pm 12:47 pm 1:24 pm 2:03 pm 2:43 pm 3:28 pm 4:18 pm
5:13 pm 6:13 pm 7:16 pm 8:20 pm 9:22 pm
11:22 pm 12:18 am 1:13 am 2:07 am 3:01 am
4:48 am 5:41 am 6:32 am
7:22 am 8:09 am
10:28 pm 8:53 am
PRIMARY
MOON OVERHEAD
1:17 pm - 2:252pm 2:04 pm - 3:16 pm 2:51 pm - 4:07 pm
3:37 pm - 4:59 pm 4:21 pm - 5:53 pm 5:03 pm - 6:49 pm 5:45 pm - 7:47 pm 6:28 pm - 8:44 pm 7:12 pm - 9:44 pm 7:58 pm - 10:48 pm 8:50 pm - 11:52 pm 9:47 pm - 12:57 am 10:45 pm - 2:01 am 11:47 pm - Midnight Midnight - 3:03 am 12:48 am - 4:00 am 1:48 am - 4:54 am 2:47 am - 5:39 am 3:41 am - 6:23 am 4:33 am - 7:03 am 5:26 am - 7:38 am 6:16 am - 8:14 am 7:04 am - 8:52 am 7:53 am - 9:29 am 8:43 am - 10:09 am 9:32 am - 10:50 am 10:23 am - 11:35 am 11:13 am - 12:21 pm 12:03 pm - 1:11 pm 12:50 pm - 2:02 pm 1:37 pm - 2:55 pm
MOON SET
7:05 pm 7:57 pm 8:51 pm 9:48 pm
10:47 pm 11:48 pm 12:50 am 1:55 am 3:02 am 4:11 am 5:21 am 6:30 am
7:36 am 8:36 am 9:30 am
10:16 am 10:58 am 11:35 am
12:08 pm 12:41 pm 1:12 pm 1:44 pm 2:18 pm 2:53 pm 3:32 pm 4:15 pm
5:01 pm 5:52 pm 6:46 pm 7:43 pm
PRIMARY
MOON UNDERFOOT
12:52 am - 2:04 am 1:42 am - 2:50 am 2:29 am - 3:41 am 3:16 am - 4:32 am 4:02 am - 5:24 am 4:46 am - 6:18 am 5:28 am - 7:14 am 6:10 am - 8:12 am 6:53 am - 9:09 am 7:37 am - 10:09 am
8:23 am - 11:13 am 9:15 am - 12:17 pm 10:12 am - 1:22 pm 11:10 am - 2:26 pm 12:12 pm - 3:28 pm 1:13 pm - 4:25 pm 2:13 pm - 5:19 pm 3:12 pm - 6:04 pm 4:06 pm - 6:48 pm 4:58 pm - 7:28 pm 5:51 pm - 8:03 pm 6:41 pm - 8:39 pm 7:29 pm - 9:17 pm 8:18 pm - 9:54 pm 9:08 pm - 10:34 pm 9:57 pm - 11:15 pm 10:48 pm - 12:00 am 11:38 pm - Midnight Midnight - 12:46 am 12:28 am - 1:36 am 1:15 am - 2:27 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
LOW
HALF
Perigee FULL HIGH
HALF Winter
Apogee
LOW NEW
Tackle Shop Bob
TACKLE SHOP BOB On fishing, work, relationships and more...
Q: Hey TSB, I just got a kayak and I’m not quite sure what I need before I take it out on the water. Help! - Jake, Syracuse, NY A: Hey Jake, You may not know this, but your favorite Tackle Shop owner used to be an avid kayak angler, but not so much anymore. That’s what 20+ years of Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing will do to a man… but in terms of advice, the first thing I would say once you’re ready and on the water is be sure to have all of the essentials secured to your kayak and within arms-distance. You also need to be ready to swim at all times as you could tip at any moment. You can definitely have a great, relaxing and productive time when kayak fishing so you should keep in mind what I said and give it a try. Q: TSB, Its getting cold here soon and I thought I would give Ice fishing a try... what advice do you have for someone just getting into it? - Hank, Baudette, MN A: Aside from a warm jacket and some good company, go get yourself an ultra lite rod and reel, some very small jigs and few bobbers. All you need is some bait walleye minnows are good for both pike and panfish. Wax worms or wigglers are good for panfish. Hook your minnows through the tail or the lips so that they stay alive. If you’re using wax
worms or wigglers jig them to give them more action. The only other thing you need is to get a couple of holes in the ice. If you don’t have an auger that’s alright just go out to where people are ice fishing and ask some one to drill a couple of holes for you most guys don’t mind I do it for people all the time. Q: What’s your thoughts on replacing your last hook on a lure to a red one? - Louis, Chowchilla, CA A: Red hooks have taken on a little bit of controversy lately; some view it as a gimmick meant to catch the species Gulibis Fishermanus, while others swear by them… as with most things in life, I think you should fall somewhere in the middle. The thought is that red attracts the bass so they charge at your lure like a bull would a Matador’s cape. Personally, I tend to use red hooks on bright, sunny days in mostly shallow water so the light can reflect of the hooks and give the bass a little flash in their eyes. No reason not to give them a try and see if they work for you. There is definitely a place for them, but as with almost everything in fishing, it depends on the conditions of the water you’re fishing and your own confidence in using that particular bait. 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.
FH | 7
INSIDE YOUR BOX
BASS Bagley Bait Co. www.bagleybait.com Minus B Lipless | Price: $7.99
Castaic www.castaicswimbait.com BD Swimbait 3ct. | Price: $5.40
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com KVD Classic Round Bend Treble Hook | Price: $3.99
Outkast Tackle
www.outkasttackle.com
401 Kraw Swing Head Jig | Price: $3.99
Cabin Creek Baits www.cabincreekbaits.com Express Craw 4ct. | Price: $2.31
TIP:
Find the bait and you’ll find the fish. Especially in the fall, as bait begins to school up as the water cools, look for bait and bass breaking the surface. Backs of creeks, coves and river arms are great areas this time of year.
INSIDE YOUR BOX
BASSXL Duo International www.duo-international.com Duo Realis G-Fix Spinbait 80 | Price: $13.99 TIP:
With this bait, I usually key on suspending fish that are really hard to target in the summertime. It has a little bit of a wobble, a little rocking action, and a slow fall that will appeal to those hard-to-catch fish. It’s a slow reeling deal. You’ve got to have a lot of patience. It’s definitely a finesse technique. However the G-Fix version is weighted, so I can cast it out further, get it down quicker to those fish, and cover more water to bring my percentages up on fishing. You can actually power fish on baitcasting gear with the G-Fix baits.
Castaic www.castaicswimbait.com BD Soft Squarebill | Price: $9.99 TIP:
I think scent is pretty important. If the fish are biting well you will catch yourself not using it as much maybe. But if you make yourself use it all the time you will catch more fish. Although some anglers apply scent to crankbaits, I feel the best lures for scenting are soft plastics, especially those with hollow bodies and ribs. I like to squeeze it inside tube baits so they provide a burst of natural flavor when a bass bites. They tend to hold on longer, giving you more opportunity to set the hook.
Bagley Bait Co. www.bagleybait.com Minus B Lipless | Price: $7.99
Castaic www.castaicswimbait.com BD Swimbait 3ct. | Price: $5.40
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com KVD Classic Round Bend Treble Hook | Price: $3.99
Outkast Tackle
www.outkasttackle.com
401 Kraw Swing Head Jig | Price: $3.99
Cabin Creek Baits www.cabincreekbaits.com Express Craw 4ct. | Price: $2.31
TIP:
Changing out stock hooks on your lures is essential. Almost every company uses hooks that can be bent out on a big fish, so try upgrading all of your treble hooks to a better quality brand to avoid losing that fish of a lifetime.
FH | 9
INSIDE YOUR BOX
PANFISH Lake Lunker www.lakelunkers.com Mini Crankbait | Price: $5.99
Primal Chase www.rhodesoutdoors.com Rigged Minnow Swimbait 3ct. | Price: $5.99
Drew’s Custom Baits
www.drewscustombaits.com
Lucky Minnow 2.75” 5ct. | Price: $3.00
Best www.stopperlures.com Fishing Line Assort. Sizes | Price: $2.99
Johnson Fishing www.johnsonfishing.com Crappie Buster Shad Curly Tails | Price: $1.99
Southern Pro www.southernpro.com Hot Grub 10ct. | Price: $1.99
Southern Pro www.southernpro.com 1.5” Chappie Shads | Price: $1.99
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com Aberdeen Extra Fine | Price: $1.89
TIP:
The right rod and fishing line is crucial when fishing for bluegills. You’ll want to use equipment that is small and lightweight. In most situations an ultralight spinning rod is the best choice. Unless you have issues with snagging, you’ll want to use monofilament line that is 3-4 lbs.
INSIDE YOUR BOX
WALLEYE Game On Outdoors www.gameonlures.com MagCast Candy Color 5.5� | Price: $11.99
Primal Chase www.rhodesoutdoors.com Rigged Minnow Swimbait 3ct. | Price: $5.99
Lake Fork Trophy Lures
www.lftlures.com
Magic Shad 5� | Price: $5.49
Best www.stopperlures.com Pikfish | Price: $4.99
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com Big Mouth Light Wire | Price: $3.99
Carlisle www.stopperlures.com Slip Float w/ Bobber Stop | Price: $2.49
TIP:
Weed beds are closely associated with bass and other species, but they can be a great place to target walleye as well. Try a rattle bait over the top of the weeds or a jerkbait along the outside edges.
FH | 11
INSIDE YOUR BOX
FLY FISHING Curated exclusively by
U-Series U-501 Hooks 50 Pack | Price: $7.00 UMPQUA offers the serious fly tier a value-based hook alternative to the current offerings on the market, with a broad range of the most desirable hook styles. After extensive product research, we deliver a quality product at a terrific price. Umpqua U-series hooks feature; high grade carbon steel, chemically sharpened points, micro barbs for easy penetration and easy de-barbing.
Umpqua Strike Detector II Roll-on Indicators | Price: $6.99 This simple yet effective indictor is perfect for low water/picky fish indicator fishing. Simply peel off a precut square of the adhesive backed indicator foam and roll onto your leader for a hi-vis yet stealthy presentation.
Gold Bead Crystal Bugger | Price: $6.00 A variation of a traditional Wooly Bugger, the Gold Bead Crystal Bugger uses a synthetic body material to create a flashy/sparkle attractor bugger that fish need to check out. The Marabou tail also helps with undulating motion with each strip of the fly line.
Umpqua Trout Taper Leaders | Price: $4.99 Umpqua’s nylon tapers are precision extruded from the same co-polymers as Umpqua Nylon Tippet and are manufactured in the most technologically advanced factories in the world with the most stringent quality controls. Olive-tinted for low visibility, these taper designs are unique and exclusive to Umpqua. Whether dead-drifting small dries or splashing big hoppers at the bank, Umpqua has the perfect leader for the task. All leaders are knotless and include looped butt sections. Use with Umpqua Nylon Tippet or SuperFluoro Fluorocarbon.
Bat Wing Emerger | Price: $4.50 Created by Tracy Peterson the pattern is tied to imitate an emerging nymph, the Bat Wing Emerger sits perfectly in the film imitating a vulnerable stage for a mayfly that trout often key on. This pattern also works well in a drowned state, fished just below the surface.
Barr’s Copper John | Price: $4.50 This is the original and quite possibly the most famous/bestselling fly of all time, the Copper John was created by John Barr as a heavy weighted dropper fly to be fished under a hopper or indicator to help submerge a secondary nymph pattern.
TIP:
Fly selection for trout and steelhead is based on their natural forage. Using egg patterns or stonefly nymphs to imitate dislodged sub-surface food sources will drive fish crazy as they defend their nests and make their way to spawning grounds. Submitted by: Colton Orbaker, Twig ‘N’ Timber Outdoors on YouTube
INSIDE YOUR BOX
SALT Reaction Strike www.reactionstrike.com Revolution Shad| Price: $13.99
Lunkerhunt www.lunkerhunt.com Bento Swimbait | Price: $6.99
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com Mini Gun Live Bait | Price: $4.99
Best
www.stopperlures.com
Saltwater Jerkbait | Price: $4.99
Gambler Lures www.gambler-lures.com Flapping Shad | Price: $3.99
TIP:
A strong knot is essential for inshore fishing. The Bimini Twist (also known as the Twenty-Times-Around knot) is the only knot that maintains 100 percent strength under all conditions. Use it to double the line for a strong leader connection.
FH | 13
INSIDE YOUR BOX
MULTI SPECIES Castaic www.castaicswimbait.com 4” BD Shad | Price: $20.00
Goldy www.goldylures.com Goldfish Jerkbait | Price: $6.99
Zagaia www.zagaialures.com Prima Gold Stick | Price: $6.99
Buddha Bait Co. www.buddhabaitco.com Baby Momma | Price: $5.99
Primal Chase www.rhodesoutdoors.com Rigged Minnow Swimbait 3ct. | Price: $5.99
Sebile www.sebile.com Vibe Machine | Price: $5.99
Mr. Crappie www.mrcrappie.com Slabalicious | Price: $2.49
GOT TIPS?
Submit your favorite Bass, Trout, Panfish, Walleye, Fly or In-Shore fishing tips to tips@luckytacklebox.com for a chance to be featured here. If we select your tip, you’ll be entered to WIN a FREE Lucky Tackle Box of your choice!
INSIDE YOUR BOX
TROUT Biwaa www.biwaa.com Divinator Mini 3”| Price: $9.99
Best www.stopperlures.com Pike Fish | Price: $4.99
Lake Fork Trophy Lures
www.lftlures.com
Sickle Tail Baby Shad 2 1/4” | Price: $3.39
Southern Pro www.southernpro.com 2” Trout Stinger 10ct. | Price: $2.99
Nothead Tackle www.notheadtackle.com Original Jig w/ 2” Grub | Price: $2.39
Mustad www.mustad-fishing.com Beak Live Baitholder | Price: $1.89
TIP:
As winter approaches, trout begin preparation to spawn. As they begin creating reds for their eggs, they will begin to defend these nests. Using bait fish imitations such as jigs and streamers may trigger some bigger aggressive trout to strike. Submitted by: Colton Orbaker, Twig ‘N’ Timber Outdoors on YouTube