Holliday's World Famous Fishing Thread - 2023 Version

[oldslowandugly]

about 3:15 in the aft

I'm a big fan of late day/sunset fishing. Mostly because I can't get up early anymore. But I find that a hour or so before sunset is almost as good as dawn. Plus, it transitions into night fishing, which is big in summertime here.

April 15 Striped Bass opens. I usually take the Grandkids to Little Neck Bay. It is shallow and if you catch an all day incoming tide with a sunny sky- it warms up nicely by afternoon. Those few degrees of warmth convince the Bass to come in and feed. I use big Flounder hooks and sandworms for bait. You can also get some fat North Shore Flounder that way. The water has been cold so I hope the weather warms up some.

 

[The New Holliday]

Fucking weather.

....<EOM>

 

[oldslowandugly]

Fucking weather.

....<EOM>

I need to bottom paint the Whaler. The weather has been against that for weeks. I switched to the new water based bottom paint. I like it better than the solvent based stuff. But it is less forgiving of cold weather. I was really trying to get in the water early this year. Oh well......

 

[oldslowandugly]

So I got it up off the trailer. Years ago I welded up some nice hull supports out of stop sign poles. I get them under the hull and mount the ends on cement blocks. Now I can slowly lift the boat off the trailer with a jack. Then I roll the trailer out from under the hull and it is suspended on the cement blocks for painting the bottom. Funny thing. All the people who can't wait to go out fishing, are nowhere to be found at bottom painting time. No visits, no calls. Hmmmmm. This is last year, I pray the weather clears up next week. This needs to get done.

 

[The New Holliday]

So I got it up off the trailer. Years ago I welded up some nice hull supports out of stop sign poles. I get them under the hull and mount the ends on cement blocks. Now I can slowly lift the boat off the trailer with a jack. Then I roll the trailer out from under the hull and it is suspended on the cement blocks for painting the bottom. Funny thing. All the people who can't wait to go out fishing, are nowhere to be found at bottom painting time. No visits, no calls. Hmmmmm. This is last year, I pray the weather clears up next week. This needs to get done.

You got to go full Tom Sawyer and charge them for the fun of doing that.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I have a better plan. The ones that say 'Call me when it's in the water', get ghosted. No calls. And if they do call, I am always too busy. My kids and grandkids are always willing to help out. They get to go. They can outfish just about everyone anyway. When I used to take 'friends' out, and they learned nothing, that is when I realized all they wanted was a boat ride. What I will do is send them pictures of the big fish we catch. Just to rub it in.

April 15- Striped Bass opening day!

 

[oldslowandugly]

Hey Holliday. Ever hear of the 'whacky rig' worm? My cousin from western PA claims it is worth using. He was at some Racoon Lake where nothing was hitting. He tried a plastic work rigged that way and nailed two fat smallies. I asked why he did not use a regular rigged worm as a control. Otherwise I am not surprised a worm got hits when lures did not. Spring Stripers are suckers for worms as they are rooting on the bottom, not chasing lures. I would need to see both rigs fished side by side to be sure one was actually better than the other. I often will cast a big 2oz spoon while my partner casts a 2oz diamond jig. Whichever gets the first hit, we switch to that.

This 'whacky rig' looks like a 5 year old or a woman hooked a worm. It is what I was always taught NOT to do with a worm. I guess if the tactic is to toss it near cover and let it just sink, OK, but where else would it work? I don't get it.

 

[The New Holliday]

Yes, wacky rigging became popular as a way to fish Senko style worms.
. I've used it a few time, sometimes with success, and have met others who swear by it, and have been witness to it. Personally, depending on the situation I prefer to fish them with a straight shank worm hook (open hook) unweighted, or with a ned jig on 3 and 4" versions, but also with EWG or auto .45 true turns (Texas rigged) on 5 and 6" (rather than wacky).
Not sure why the fish like it, or what they think it is if not a wiggling worm. With the wacky-rig when you twitch or pull it the ends flex and vibrate which makes an enticing action.
. There are a few other fine points in mounting the worm. You want it at the center nodal point, and can just hook it straight through like in the picture, but this leads to the hook splitting the worm and the worm falling off on a cast. A popular way is to use a ring which fits tightly around the worm and has a little ring atop to put the hook through. I've never used those. What I have used is a shrink wrap tube which is a tougher material and the hook can be inserted the same as w/o the wrap or I think if hooked through the loose portion before shrinking (lighter or match) and function much like the store bought rings. In all cases the hook shank and bend is perpendicular to the length of the worm. In these cases I like a circle hook - 1/0.

 

[oldslowandugly]

OK, I get it. My cousin said he was walking out on a downed tree limb, to where there was a lot of submerged branches and weeds. He said it was all he could do to just hold onto a rod with the worm rigged like that. He basically did what I said, just dropped it into the cover and let it sink. Maybe the fish see it as a stunned or dead bait just falling down?

Many moons go we were scuba diving at a flooded quarry in PA near Harrisburg. Willow Springs I think it was called. After we were done, and hanging out on the shore, I noticed a lot of bugs on the weeds, beetles I think. I picked them off and dropped them in the water. In no time we had a bunch of fish lining up to grab the bugs as they fell. These same fish would not let us get near them while we were under water.

I remember something else. We were there in late Summer, very hot. There was a well defined thermocline in the water. You could see it as you descended. All the big game fish were below the thermocline, in the deep cooler water. Only small pan fish were up near the surface, mostly near the shore. I guess in fresh water the fish have few options and will congregate where it is most comfortable for them. In salt water they are way more mobile and will just move as conditions change.

 

[Scooter]

Many moons go we were scuba diving at a flooded quarry in PA near Harrisburg. Willow Springs I think it was called.

I had to look that up out of curiosity. Richland, PA. I had family there and would visit during holidays or spend a week over the summer when I was a kid. The last time I was there was for my uncle's funeral. I forget how many years ago that was. Funny thing, the guy from Amish Mafia lived up the street from my aunt and uncle.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I remember it was pretty rural then. After diving, we drove for a LONG time looking for a place to eat. We found some family style dining hall and stuffed ourselves with good country food. The last time I was in that area it was to bury a fishing buddy at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

 

[The New Holliday]

I've finally had a few opportunities to toss some lures around.
. Nothing too amazing as catches. 7 Trout in my 4 outings for Trout with a couple getting away.
One of those came the one day I was out looking for Smallies. Went to a local reservoir, managed to finally catch one on my favorite early season lure (Minnow 70 pic below), then down to the river when another reservoir had people. Eeeew. Continued throwing the Minnow...the river was a bit high and hard running but clear. No Smallies but one Walleye and a Brown Trout. I rarely fish the river this early because the Bass are setting up out of reach from bank positions.
. So it feels great to get out and walk the rocky banks of streams and rivers even if the catches aren't wonderful.
...but there is one thing which so far I am quite proud of. 5 outings and nearly 10 hours...not one lure lost, which is like something of an April record for me. Catch nothing, don't lose a lure - successful outing.
. Actually, that one Smallie gave me 140 consecutive outings for Bass in a row w/o getting skunked. I usually get something. Trout, I get skunked once in a while, but I don't care - it's always a lovely day walking the rocks.

 

[oldslowandugly]

in a row w/o getting skunked

That never happens to me. Sometimes when we are on a roll, a skunk day comes, and we wonder what we did wrong. Salt water is funny like that. The fish are more mobile and can easily move to better feeding areas. And if they move offshore you are just skewered until they come back.

The water is still in the 40's. It needs to warm up some before things pop.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Holliday, have you ever used EWG hooks with real bait? I like to net baby Bunkers in late summer [Menhaden]. They are about the size of a pogy shad bait. I see rubber pogy baits hooked with a jig hook sticking out the top. The real bait is softer than the rubber ones and I wanted to hide the hook tip up in the body. Fluke are notorious short strikers and stinger tail hooks are a PITA to rig. I think an EWG hook would hold the mouth in place, the wide gap would follow the curve of the belly, and the tip hidden in the rear of the body. I generally use a 4/0 hook for Fluke. I'm thinking that would nail the short strikers better than hooking the bait in the mouth as we normally do. This is a Menhaden. Fluke, Bass, Blues, they all feed on this little guy.

 

[The New Holliday]

Holliday, have you ever used EWG hooks with real bait? I like to net baby Bunkers in late summer [Menhaden]. They are about the size of a pogy shad bait. I see rubber pogy baits hooked with a jig hook sticking out the top. The real bait is softer than the rubber ones and I wanted to hide the hook tip up in the body. Fluke are notorious short strikers and stinger tail hooks are a PITA to rig. I think an EWG hook would hold the mouth in place, the wide gap would follow the curve of the belly, and the tip hidden in the rear of the body. I generally use a 4/0 hook for Fluke. I'm thinking that would nail the short strikers better than hooking the bait in the mouth as we normally do. This is a Menhaden. Fluke, Bass, Blues, they all feed on this little guy.

I think the thing with EWGs is that the fish has to bite over it and push the bait down to expose the hook point.
. Not sure what the texture of live bait is vs plastics. For short strikers I would think a stinger would be best. Maybe a long shanked primary hook and a stinger directly attached like they use on spinnerbaits. Something like that...which personally I don't use.
Maybe a short line connecting the hooks and the stinger exposed between the fork of the tail?

 

[oldslowandugly]

Well, the Kahle 'English gap' hooks we usually use are almost identical to the EWG hooks. We have been using them for many years because they tend to get the fish in the side of the mouth rather than them swallowing it. But I believe we are missing a lot of hits for the reasons we discussed before with the EWG. But if the hook point is hidden up in the bait I think it will be better at hooking. Plus weedless. The baby 'Peanut' Bunker are super soft. Plastic is tougher but Fluke have razor blades for teeth. They will slice it right at the hook.

Yes, short strikers need a stinger hook. I do use that if I am fishing an adult Bunker. I like to use a big lead head jig hooked in the mouth, then a Bluefish hook with steel leader from the jig hook back to the tail. That is what gets the fish and a Bluefish will eat through any leader including steel sometimes. That kind of rig is hard to use for Fluke. They don't really go for huge baits. Even a tiny killie-fish [minnow] will get a Fluke. But these baby bunkers are between 2 and 5 inches over the few months while they are here. Perfect for an EWG hook I think.

Hey, if I don't try it I will never know. Look at the EWG and Kahle hooks- almost identical.

 

[The New Holliday]

. Against better judgement (what I thought was better) I decided to go to a favorite summer spot on the river. Never fished it this early. Down the trail and I head down river...40 minutes fishing and nada.
. Going North to a small riffle and the lower portion (not expecting Smallies there but...) toss my 1/10th oz Ned rig (pumpkin 3") and WHAMO! Fights hard, must be a good Smallie. NO WAY! a beauty of a Brown Trout - a male. Next cast...WHAMO ! - a beauty girlie Brown. They swim free to make more beauty Trout, of course.
. Move down a bit and a couple nice Smallies, a baby Smallie and a couple of Fallfish in the space of an hour.

Not too bad.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I put the Whaler in the water today. Tomorrow I rig the battery charger, load up the dock box, get ready for opening day of Fluke.

I have an old Cherokee I use as a tow vehicle. I beefed up the rear springs for towing heavy loads. It has both a rear and a front mounted trailer hitch. So after I get to the marina I swap ends and I can pilot the trailer so EZPZ onlookers can't believe it. Instead of looking over my shoulder and reverse steering- I can look straight ahead and make incredible precise turns. I wish I had rigged one up like that 40 years ago!

Water is damn cold still.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Holliday, I am rigging the worm hooks now. Do you use a leader? Or tie directly to your line? We generally use a 30 lb clear leader for Fluke. They have razors for teeth, but can't usually chew the 30 lb stuff. Blues on the other hand, can chew steel leaders. I made two of each, no weight, 1/16 oz, and 1/8 oz. I use a standard Fluke rig of a long leader tied to a three way swivel, a short dropper for the sinker. But in shallow water, instead of the sinker, I use a lead head jig. Quite often, the lead head out-fishes the baited hook. Instead of the bait I want to try the long Mann's worms. I will fish all three rigs and see what produces best.

 

[The New Holliday]

Holliday, I am rigging the worm hooks now. Do you use a leader? Or tie directly to your line? We generally use a 30 lb clear leader for Fluke. They have razors for teeth, but can't usually chew the 30 lb stuff. Blues on the other hand, can chew steel leaders. I made two of each, no weight, 1/16 oz, and 1/8 oz. I use a standard Fluke rig of a long leader tied to a three way swivel, a short dropper for the sinker. But in shallow water, instead of the sinker, I use a lead head jig. Quite often, the lead head out-fishes the baited hook. Instead of the bait I want to try the long Mann's worms. I will fish all three rigs and see what produces best.

. I do not use leaders. I am a dedicated mono-man - XT Green Trilene for all situations.
Sadly, I do occasionally lose a lure to a nasty toothed Pickerel...I try never to encourage their strike, not that they need encouragement...they'll eat anything. Many years ago when I was getting back into fishing I was in a tackle shop where old guys used to hang out and swap stories. The subject of Pickerel came up and I asked the oldest and wisest of the old guys how to catch Pickerel. He said...Stick your finger in the water and wiggle it.
. Leaders change presentation and action of the lure also, and using those skills is what fishing is all about to me.
Anyway...Pickerel....When my time comes, and I am standing before God, the one question I will want to ask is:
"Why...why Pickerel? What were you thinking?"

 

[oldslowandugly]

Leaders change presentation and action of the lure

That is true. When I am going for Stripers I prefer to tie the line directly to the lure. But they have no teeth. They do have sharp gill covers and can slice the line that way. But once the Blues show up, you are more likely to hook one of those. And you better have a steel leader on the lure. There is a trick where you let the lure drop down below the Blues. The Bass will be underneath picking up the pieces that the Blues tear up. But if a Blue nails it on the way down- kiss your lure goodby.

When the Blues, and Bass for that matter, are busting bait on the surface, you could probably have a 110 volt extension cord tied to the lure. They won't care. But when it is quiet and you have to be sneaky, a big leader will be a handicap. But I still use a short thin leader. I did find some Chinesium steel leaders that are short, thin, colored green, and don't seem to spook the fish. They come with a barrel swivel at one end, and a duo-lock at the other. Even the Blues have a hard time biting through. The only problem is that after a fish is hooked, they will kink the leader. You can finish the day, but then you must toss it. It will rust at the kink and if you re-use it, it will fail at the worst time. But I grab them by the hundreds so I consider them expendable.

 

[oldslowandugly]

My latest project. I found a busted rod on the dock and noticed it was a nice grade of graphite. It was a 7' Tsunami one piece MH graphite spinning rod. I looked up the number and it went for about $150. Someone managed to bust the top 3' off. It had a nice Fuji reel seat. I took it home and cleaned it up.

There was just one guide left, the gather guide. It broke about a foot above that. I knew I needed a good grade of graphite blank to fix this. I had an old Daiwa pistol grip Magnumlite graphite casting rod a buddy had given me. I remember when he bought it he paid a lot more for it than I would have. I never use a pistol grip because you have no leverage for a big fish. I decided to cut the grip off, strip the guides, and use the blank.

There was a hole in the cork butt end so I was able to insert the blank into the rod and see how far it would go. I kept cutting off sections of the rod until most of the blank made it out the broken end. I had about 6" of blank left inside the rod when I was done.

The blank had a very weepy tip because my buddy used that rod for Winter Flounder. I started to cut short pieces off the tip so it would firm it up. I ended up with a very stiff bottom, and a fairly fast action stiff tip. When I was satisfied with the job I epoxied the two sections together to make it a one piece 6' MH rod. I had a set of single foot spinning guides that I wrapped onto the rod and sealed with epoxy, then I painted it black. I don't have a winding machine so my fugly wraps look terrible. The epoxy smooths them out.

I repaired the worn cork handle by filling the holes and cracks with wood putty. Then I sanded and sealed the cork with U-40 cork sealer. I scrounged up a plastic button that filled the hole in the end of the butt. It looks brand new.

So I took two expensive rods and combined them to make one short firm graphite spinning rod that should be perfect for the back bay Striper fishing that I enjoy. The only thing I had to buy was a new jar of cork sealer. The reel in the pic is an old Browning graphite model from the 1980's.

 

[The New Holliday]

My latest project. I found a busted rod on the dock and noticed it was a nice grade of graphite. It was a 7' Tsunami one piece MH graphite spinning rod. I looked up the number and it went for about $150. Someone managed to bust the top 3' off. It had a nice Fuji reel seat. I took it home and cleaned it up.

There was just one guide left, the gather guide. It broke about a foot above that. I knew I needed a good grade of graphite blank to fix this. I had an old Daiwa pistol grip Magnumlite graphite casting rod a buddy had given me. I remember when he bought it he paid a lot more for it than I would have. I never use a pistol grip because you have no leverage for a big fish. I decided to cut the grip off, strip the guides, and use the blank.

There was a hole in the cork butt end so I was able to insert the blank into the rod and see how far it would go. I kept cutting off sections of the rod until most of the blank made it out the broken end. I had about 6" of blank left inside the rod when I was done.

The blank had a very weepy tip because my buddy used that rod for Winter Flounder. I started to cut short pieces off the tip so it would firm it up. I ended up with a very stiff bottom, and a fairly fast action stiff tip. When I was satisfied with the job I epoxied the two sections together to make it a one piece 6' MH rod. I had a set of single foot spinning guides that I wrapped onto the rod and sealed with epoxy, then I painted it black. I don't have a winding machine so my fugly wraps look terrible. The epoxy smooths them out.

I repaired the worn cork handle by filling the holes and cracks with wood putty. Then I sanded and sealed the cork with U-40 cork sealer. I scrounged up a plastic button that filled the hole in the end of the butt. It looks brand new.

So I took two expensive rods and combined them to make one short firm graphite spinning rod that should be perfect for the back bay Striper fishing that I enjoy. The only thing I had to buy was a new jar of cork sealer. The reel in the pic is an old Browning graphite model from the 1980's.

. Them Fuji Speed-Fit handles/reel seats are the best. Still have a few short rods I use for jigs and worms...and Silver Minnow, frogs etc over weeds. I put one on a 6" medium heavy rod and not having used it in a time took it out one day. Hooked a 2 lb Smallie and thought my wrist would break. You get soft if you go with the long handle rods long enough. ...but 5'6" is good and I like the pistol grip for them. Used an old timey Fenwick Eagle with my near 40 year old Shimano Bantam SG 21 for spring Bass wormin this past week. Nothing like setting a hook on that rig.

 

[oldslowandugly]

thought my wrist would break.

Yes, I agree. I liked the pistol grip for popping the 1/2oz jig off the bottom. Just a simple flick of the wrist and the jig came alive. BUT- when I hooked a 21" Fluke, I almost could not get it up off the bottom. No leverage. We used those pistol grips for Winter Flounder for many years. But they don't go much past a pound or two. Being short light action rods they let the Flounder give a good fight. In my area you always have the chance of hooking something huge so you have to be prepared.