Shimano Curado E Cu201e7 Left Hand Baitcasting Fishing Reel

The high performance Curado reel is ultra smooth, makes effortless casts, and is available in a 7.0:1 high speed, 5.0:1 power versions. The new 200 size is smaller than the previous Curado 100D but holds the same amount of line as the previous 200DHSV. Compact and lightweight with the heart and power of a large reel. The Curado 300 reel will change the way you think about low-profile baitcasting reels. Now you can expect large reel performace in a sleek, comfortable design that offers all of these benefits: * High Speed and Power * Excellent Casting Performace * Comfort and Maneuverability * High Line Capacity * Ability to Handle Large Plugs and Swimbaits

In my opinion the best combo of the '07 season is the Chronarch 100B from Shimano teamed with the Quantum 6'6" medium heavy PT Kevin Van Dam signature series rod. "Now there's a mouth full"! This combination is an excellent match, making it the most memorable from this past season. I have many combos on board in any given outing, but when I put the Chronarch and Quantum combo in my hands it feels right! You never know how good you have it until you try something else! It has something special, a confidence boost, and we all know darn well that confidence plays a major role in success!

The Chronarch and Quantum duo is solid! It can take on anything the Bass can dish out! The Quantum PT Kevin Van Dam series 6'6" medium heavy rod makes an excellent 'meat and potatoes' rod. It gives me that extra confidence in its versatility and its ability to bring the Bass home. I originally was looking for a heavy 6'6" rod for close proximity pitching and flipping, but when this Quantum PT signature rod was put in my hands I knew darn well that with my newly acquired Chronarch 100B it was a match made in heaven! For the money, Quantum makes a good affordable strong and light rod in the PT series. The relatively new Quantum PT Kevin Van Dam 6'6" medium heavy series is all the rod I need for a good reasonable price! I have put this rod to the test, getting big Bass out of heavy cover and the best part of all is I didn't spend a fortune!

I have had good success with the Chronarch family from Shimano so I thought I would try the same make but a different model and sure enough, it was a perfect addition to the family. The cast is magic and for pitching and flipping it is definitely a work horse, but yet smooth. There is no job the Chronarch 100B can't do and that is money well spent in my eyes. With its sleek 'gun blued' look it looks as good as it performs. The Shimanos quick release pivoting spool cover makes it easy and simple to fine tune to my liking without sacrificing precious time. This unique feature is adopted into many of Shimanos bait casting reels because it's simple and practical, not to mention ingenious! The Chronarch 100B is a consistent performer with no fussing every 2nd or 3rd cast or pitch. It stays put to my setting! That alone is what I think makes the difference in a good quality reel.

Nothing is more frustrating than having to constantly fine tune a bait casting reel while using the same bait with the same surrounding scenario. The 'science', if you will or the technology of a reel doesn't mean much to me if it doesn't feel right and perform with that utmost consistency. The dollars spent on a good performing reel doesn't need to be in the hundreds! I still have bait casting reels that, to this day, perform consistently after many years and I spent a little more than a hundred dollars including tax. So basically, you never really know what you get until you are out on the water working it.

That's where I come in! You might say that I am the 'tackle test dummy' of fishing and believe me.... I put them to the test! I experiment constantly with different reels and rod combinations to try to come up with an affordable consistent performer that I think will make a good team to help us get that Bass on the end of our lines. And let's not forget having the ability to land it without mortgaging the house! I do not get exclusive support from one reel or rod company. This gives me the freedom to choose what I think will work best for certain or all fishing situations. I am able to broaden my rod and reel spectrum this way. I have combos of many makes and models ranging from $250.00 to $1500.00 and when tournament fishing or just doing what I do best, experimenting, I don't look at price tags when I reach for them, I go for the right combo for the job!

Shimano's Chronarch 100B teamed up with the Quantum PT Kevin Van Dam 6'6" medium heavy rod is a good buy, in my opinion. This combo is well priced making it a good sound investment for many years of Bass fishing with the all important versatility factors to make this particular combo do what you want!

I am getting geared up for another experimental season with mixes and matches of baits and tackle to help our readers decide what's best for them. It is a passion for me to write about my findings and bring it to anglers like you so that together we can come up with a remedy for the dreaded 'empty well syndrome'! Try out the Chronarch and Quantum combo for yourself and you will see and feel why I named it the combo of the year!

Visit Nic DiGravio at http://www.probassfishing.ca

shimano fishing

Rapala Limited 1st Edition Fishing Santa Figurine 'Tonttu Wader'

Rapala Collectible First Edition Figurine named 'Tonttu Wader'. 'Tonttu Wader' is part of the Angler Series. This figurine comes with it's own Certificate of Authenticity and in it's original box. It can stand on it's own or on the wooden holder. It stands 7 inches tall not on the wooded holder. This work is issued in a strictly limited edition of 3000 after which the master mold will be destroyed to preserve the integrity of the edition. Get them while you still can, before it's too late!

When summer approaches bringing those summer doldrums a small silver fish called the kissu makes themselves commonly found around beaches, harbors and bays. Since Japan is simply covered with these types of environments fishing for these oishi fish is a great way to spend a day on the beach with family and friends. Kids can easily master how to catch some and it will certainly bring a smile to their faces. As we all know young ones are easily bored if there are no fish being caught and they will soon develop a non interest in sport fishing. So this type of action is great for their self confidence........remember it's not the size that counts for kids it's just the fun in catching them.

Lets get started with some key information you are going to need to start your kissu fishing. The bait is very simple, worms or as we say in Japanese gokae.

The fishing rod can be as simple as you make it. I myself just use a short 7 foot bass rod that is usually used for boat sea bass fishing. Some anglers in Japan like using 10 foot plus rods but I much prefer the light hit and the battle that will persist.

My reel of choice is a Shimano NAVI 4000 series. Now you may wonder why I use such a large reel. The reason is simple, the spool is larger so I can make longer casts. If you use a smaller reel you will not be able to spool off large amounts line as quickly as a larger one. Keep your main line nice and light with some braided line of 10-15lbs.

For the leaders I use store bought ones that are specially designed for this type of fishing. Depending on what type of area you will be fishing you might have to experiment with different types of packaged leaders. In Japanese harisu means leader so choosing the right strength is important. Using a lower numbered one like a 1 or 2 could result in many break offs from puffer fish. (god I hate those things) Puffer fish are your enemy at times because they can bite off your hook or leader in one fowl swoop. Many times you will have the choice between a leader with 2-5 hooks, it's really just personal so choose one that best fits your style. Also in the stores in can be quite confusing, so make sure to just look for the package that has a kissu on it. Do not forget to always ask for help when choosing the right leader package.....it has always worked for me.

Next you are going to need to add a weight and a metal wire rig. For the weight I have become very fond of #8's. They seem to get out far and do not put too much stress on the rod making it perfect for feeling those bites. For the rigs you can choose just about any size but do not go too long.

For technique it is actually quite simple. Let your set up hit the bottom of the beach or sand and slowly reel in. Place your rod on a side ways position ready to slightly twitch when you feel a hit. Try to stay clear of rocky or points that constantly snag you up, if you do run into these problem areas move onto somewhere else where you will not loose your gear every cast.

Some x-tra things that are important are tripod rod holders, a pair of scissors to cut off the heads of those nasty worms, folding plastic buckets, a fish towel, a sun hat, suntan lotion, chairs, a sun umbrella for the wife to keep her cool and happy, a cooler which can filled with ice for 100 yen at just about any fishing port, of course a few beers with the cell phone turned onto manner mode.....and a crazy friend to keep you entertained!

Tight lines, Nigel Paquin.

shimano fishing

Shimano Tiagra 30 Big Game Fishing Reel Cover New

Keeping your tackle safe and secure is very important to fisherman. This gear was designed to help you prevent any unnecessary loss of tackle during a day on the water. Protect your reels with Shiamno's new neoprene reel covers. All sides made of neoprene to help absorb the bumps and scratches. Design allows for reel covers to be mounted while the reel is on or off the rod. All sides made out of 5mm neoprene # Gold logo and stitches over shiny black fabric match the color of Tiagra reels and Tallus rods.# All reel covers fit perfectly to specific size of Tiagra reels.

Before I get into this, lets just understand that I consider any jig 1/4oz or larger to be heavy. Catch 10,000 bass or so on a 1/16, 1/8 and 3/16oz jigs and you would also. When fishing heavy jigs, I abandon the realm of spinning tackle and move up to stout bait casting gear. This is necessary to transport your offering to nasty places and to get it back. I normally do not skip with a bait casting rod. It can be done but you must have an extremely educated thumb to prevent backlashes. I use Shimano reels exclusively. I go with either a Scorpion 1001 or a Calais Antares 101.

Contrary to many other anglers, I do not use a very heavy line 10 or 12lb line fills the bill for me and can handle most situations. I like Hybrid line. Gamakatsu G-Lock is also very good for flipping. I have used Vanish fluorocarbon and I like it also. It has great abrasion resistance. I only tie my jigs on with a palomar knot. I feel this is the strongest most reliable knot anyone can tie. I rely on Kistler Helium rods. I prefer a medium action rod. The lighter line and medium action rod make this a light line method when compared to the 25 and 20lb test many guys are using. Ive been doing a ton of flipping with a 6-6 ML rod and Scorpion 1001 reel. I usually do not go above a 3/16oz jig but it is a dynamite combo. It is sheer fun. Ive never broken a rod while fishing jigs.

Targeting Bass

I can flip, I can Skip, I can pitch. Which is best? Do what works for you. I am more effective skipping with a spinning rod so I usually do not skip with bait casting rods. My presentation is a cross between flipping and pitching. It is a kind of under hand lob low to the water that may be skipping-like in reality. When the bait hits the water, there is very little disturbance.

I am always searching for targets to hit. I will drop jigs into places many guys wont. You cant worry about losing a bait. If you do, you will handicap yourself mentally. Putting jigs in tough places can mean the difference between catching a horse and casting practice. I hit my targets from many different angles. This gives the fish a presentation it may not have seen. I see far too many guys drop a jig on a stump once or twice only to move on. I do not fish my jig back to the boat. Once I feel I have saturated the target, I reel in and cast again.

Strikes range from a mushy weighty feeling to an unmistakable chomp. I learned to fish jigs by forcing myself to only take them with me while fishing. I learned early on to discern what the jig felt like on the end of my line. Anything lighter or heavier was surely a bass. This is what I have come to name Weighing the line. I learned what a 3/16oz jig feels like in the water. This strategy has helped me learn complex techniques and has definitely made me a better, more consistent angler.

Lets talk about hook sets. If you are fishing a jig correctly, you will have very little slack line. It is a contact bait in which an angler must know what it is doing at all times. This makes for instantaneous hook sets and excellent sensitivity. If you feel something out of the ordinary, swing on it, hook sets are free. I set my hook hard over my right shoulder. It is violent, it is lightning quick and it gets the job done. I notice that very few anglers get the gist of the hook set in most applications. There is no pussy footing around here, set it like you mean it or go home empty handed. There really is no style to it, just speed and power.

Detecting a strike will come as a natural feeling in time and with practice. The time it takes you to detect a strike and swing on it is the difference between hooking up and getting beaned in the head by your jig. A jig is made of metal and silicone. A bass will rarely hold on to it for a long period of time. Scent and salt may help increase the odds by a half second or so but it is important to set up as soon as you detect the strike.

Rattles

Rattles may give the angler an advantage when the water is murky or cold. I prefer to fish without rattles 95% of the time. When I use them, I prefer the strap type of collar so the rattles hang down in the skirt. This way they do not impede with my hook set. One little trick I employ is to add a small piece of sponge on the hook shank. I spray it with a bit of garlic or craw scent. I think it at least gives me the confidence to be more effective.

A jig is a contact bait. It is built be used in nasty places and it is strong enough to wrestle big bass out of them. Many guys make the mistake of not attempting to penetrate deep into cover with them. By failing to do this, they decrease their chances for success. Youve got to get into the places where these fish live.

Although I am a light tackle jig guy by nature, Im smart enough to realize that heavy jigs definitely have a place in my arsenal. On the other side of it, dont just use heavier baits. You will be pleasantly surprised when you tie on a light jig n pig.

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and Craig's ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/

shimano fishing

Shimano Tiagra 30 W Big Game Fishing Reel Cover New

Keeping your tackle safe and secure is very important to fisherman. This gear was designed to help you prevent any unnecessary loss of tackle during a day on the water. Protect your reels with Shiamno's new neoprene reel covers. All sides made of neoprene to help absorb the bumps and scratches. Design allows for reel covers to be mounted while the reel is on or off the rod. All sides made out of 5mm neoprene # Gold logo and stitches over shiny black fabric match the color of Tiagra reels and Tallus rods.# All reel covers fit perfectly to specific size of Tiagra reels.

Tips for Yellowtail & Mutton Snapper Fishing

Yellowtail Snappers are found in the tropical and subtropical regions of all the oceans. One of the most popular and best eating of the snapper species, the yellowtail snapper, ranges as far north as the Treasure Coast but are in greatest abundance in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. During days around the full moon, you will probably have excellent catches of the mutton snappers.

Yellowtail snapper is one of the best eating fish in the entire tropical roster of fish only eclipsed by the pricey yellowfin tuna steaks. The small size of the fish adds only to its succulent taste. Typical catches of yellowtail range from 10-12 lb size. This fish is so versatile that it can be cooked in any number of ways with any number of sauces & still come out superbly delicious.

Yellowtails are characterized by a yellow mid body stripe that extends into its yellow tail. The sleek and abundant yellowtail snapper swims in loose groups well off the bottom. There is a 12-inch minimum size limit and 10 snapper aggregate bag limit. for catching yellowtails. June is usually a good time, weather permitting, for night offshore fishing for mangrove, lane and yellowtail snapper.

Bait for Yellowtail fishing and mutton Snappers - Weighted live bait will produce grouper & mutton snapper sometimes following in the chum slick. Depending on the time of year you might also catch kingfish and cero mackerel. Use live ballyhoo whenever possible. Mutton snapper fishing will be better with live bait.

When yellowtails pull and drag on 20 pound spin tackle, you know you have a good yellowtail on. Cut pieces of squid, small pilchards, and even live shrimp are productive baits for yellowtail snapper. Sardines, silverside and glass minnows will also work well. Yellowtail fishing can be a lot of fun for anglers of all ages

You'll also need frozen chum to put in bags to chum up the water behind the boat. Chum up the water heavily at first. When you start to get a good bite of yellowtail, ease off on the chum so that they will feed on the bait of your hook.

How to Sandball for Yellowtails & Flat Lining - Filet your ballyhoo & squid & then cut them into strips. Then mix your chum & sand for sandballs - 60% sand & 40% chum. Make sure your chum is oily. Always add the chum to the sand. Mix chum until there are no dry areas. Mixing some oats into the sand/chum will help you catch more yellowtail.

Put the hooked ballyhoo bait into the middle of a sandball. Wrap your line around the sandball & then throw your bait out into the chum slick. Let the line feed out as the current goes until you feel the fish strike the line & pull on your bait.

Fishing Tackle - Use the smallest hooks, 1/0 or smaller, you can find & small conventional reels. Shimano 10 lb spinners for fighting those yellowtail, so everyone gets to enjoy the challenge. We also recommend bright colored jigs to attract the fish.

12- 15 lb test line is the best for these fish. Use a pink line so that the fish cannot see the line in the water. A #4 hook up to a 1/0 and a 1/8 oz weight will be best on your rig for flat lining or sandballing.

Finding Yellowtail - Look for a sharp drop off on the edge of the reef. This is where you will find small stacks of fish & plenty of bottom life to support the bait fish. Your Loran or GPS will tell you where the best drop offs are.

We hope you enjoyed our article on Yellowtail Snapper fishing & Mutton Snapper fishing in the Florida Keys!!

Try out our Free Fishing Ebooks Download at our Key West fishing report page:

http://www.flkinfo.com/fishing-reports/fishkw.htm

for more fishing techniques & tips!!

Our Instructional DVDs on "How to Throw a Cast Net", "Yellowtail & Mutton Snapper fishing", "Live Bait Trolling", and more!! are available at:http://www.flkinfo.com/vp.htm

Tight lines & Have fun fishing!

shimano fishing

Shimano® FX® RB Spinning Reel

Shimano FX RB Spinning Reel packs power, precision and performance in 1 AFFORDABLE PRICE! Well thought-out features with you in mind! Oversized Power Roller II line roller reduces twist from casting and retrieving and is enhanced with a tapered area on the support to help your line get onto the roller quicker. Meanwhile, DynaBlance technology eliminates wobble during the retrieve by counter balancing the rotor to enhance sensitivity and smoothness. That's only part of the story though... ... here's the rest: QuickFire II gives you easy and fast one-handed casting; VariSpeed oscillating gear for an even line lay that provides excellent castability and manageability; Super Stopper II anti-reverse provides instant hooksetting power; Die-cast aluminum spool; graphite frame, sideplate and rotor; Ported Handle Shank; Approved for saltwater use; Pick Model. Order Now! Model No.: FX1000RD, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 19, Wt. (ozs.): 9, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 2/270, 4/140, 6/110, Max Drag (lbs.): 7, Gear Ratio: 5.2:1; Model No.: FX2500RD, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 21, Wt. (ozs.): 9 1/2, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 6/170, 8/120, 10/100, Max Drag (lbs.): 7, Gear Ratio: 5.2:1; Model No.: FX4000RD, Retrieve per Crank (in.): 24, Wt. (ozs.): 12, Line Rating (lbs./yds.): 8/240, 10/200, 12/160, Max Drag (lbs.): 15, Gear Ratio: 4.6:1; Shimano FX RB Spinning Reel

Fiji Inshore / Reef Pattern (The I dont care spread)

The Fiji islands enjoy a whole variety of sport fish species from reef dwelling coral trout to oceanic blue marlin. Whilst we usually target particular species aboard our game fishing vessels here at Matava in Fiji, Bite Me and Offensive Tackle, we sometimes take resort guests out simply to catch dinner and have fun doing so.

It's general fishing (Otherwise known as I dont care what I catch just as long as its big and tasty) so we aim to cover all our bases and catch a variety of different species.

We run 15kg (30lb) Shimano TLD25 outfits on Excalibur roller tip rods with a 9ft double connected to a short leader. All minnows are rigged on a short single strand wire trace. The sample spread below should give you an idea of how we fish the inner lagoons and fringing reefs for anything and everything found there.

Sample I dont care spread from our inshore sport fishing boat Offensive Tackle

SHORT CORNER

Target Mackerel, Grouper, Red Bass

1. Halco Sorcerer Silver (mullet)
2. Halco Laser Pro 190 Crazy Deep Silver (mullet)

LONG CORNER

Target Mackerel, Barracuda, Long Tom

1. Lurestreet Raptor Green / Gold or Red / White

SHORT RIGGER

Target Tuna, all Trevally

1. Wellsys Micro Bullet Red black / Pink

LONG RIGGER

Target Tuna, all Trevally

1. Pakula Uzi Orange.
2. Abu Toby Spoon or other metal slug- Silver Target - Queenfish

SHOTGUN

Target Mackerel, Tuna, all Trevally

1. Halco Laser Pro 160 minnow Redhead
2. Pakula Phantom Blue Silver / Green Gold (Evil) Target Sailfish.
3. Halco Roosta Popper Redhead Target Large Great Barracuda & GTs

Species Variety:

Mackerel

• Narrow Barred (Spanish) Mackerel
• Shark Mackerel
• Double lined Mackerel

Tuna

• Yellowfin Tuna
• Skipjack Tuna
• Mackerel Tuna (Kawakawa)
• Bigeye Tuna
• Albacore

Trevally

• Giant Trevally
• Bluefin Trevally
• Bigeye Trevally
• Brassy Trevally
• Golden Trevally

Barracuda

• Great Barracuda
• Chevron Barracuda
• Bigeye Barracuda

Grouper

• Coral Trout
• Lyretail Grouper
• Peacock Grouper
• Rock Cod

Where we get our Inshore lures :

Wellsys Tackle

Palmfishing & Outdoors : Fishing Tackle Warehouse, Palm Fishing, Fishing News, Feeds, Community, Forums

Adrian was born on the island of Cyprus and graduated to his first rod & reel at the age of five. Having fished around the world from the Arabian Gulf to the North sea and English Channel, he finally settled for the tropical waters of the South Pacific around the island of Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Director of Matava Resort Gamefishing, he skippers 'Bite Me', the resort's 31ft DeepVee Gamefishing vessel and thoroughly enjoys exploring the light and heavy tackle fishing around the island and Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. An IGFA Certified Captain, he advocates tag & release and is a keen supporter of the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.

Adrian Watt
IGFA Captain
info@matava.com
http://www.Matava.com
http://www.GamefishingFiji.com
http://www.GameFishingFiji.blogspot.com

shimano fishing

Shimano Tiagra 30 Big Game Fishing Reel Cover New

Keeping your tackle safe and secure is very important to fisherman. This gear was designed to help you prevent any unnecessary loss of tackle during a day on the water. Protect your reels with Shiamno's new neoprene reel covers. All sides made of neoprene to help absorb the bumps and scratches. Design allows for reel covers to be mounted while the reel is on or off the rod. All sides made out of 5mm neoprene # Gold logo and stitches over shiny black fabric match the color of Tiagra reels and Tallus rods.# All reel covers fit perfectly to specific size of Tiagra reels.

A lot of families today are looking for a way to reconnect with their children. A great way to disconnect from the wear and tear of daily life is to pull up stakes, pack some tents and a cooler and head out camping. The break from electronics and the letting go of pressures to run free in the outdoors is a fantastic gift to give your children, and camping will most likely leave an impression of fond memories with your kids for years to come.

Being outdoors is the best way to let loose and relax with your family for a night or three. Life has become so fast paced that we can hardly think at times, but camping gives us all a chance to forget about our busy lives for a little bit. Kids absolutely love camping because they get to explore the wilderness first hand. They are free to roam the surrounding area, swim in the nearby lake, catch fish with their Dad, and help cook with only the basics. It is a whole family experience when you go camping.

There are other benefits to family life that camping provides. Being away from the bustle and daily grind is often relaxing for parents, and the tension flows away, leaving kids wondering who replaced their harried, too-busy-right-now mother and father with these mellowed out people. In return, the pressure of performing easing up, kids will most likely be far more pleasant and obedient, willingly helping out with cool chores like fetching water to wash dishes in a plastic pan, or sweeping sand and dirt out from inside the tent. Usual annoyances like brushing teeth will become novel experiences for your kids and they'll probably end up reminding you that it's time to take them down to the public bathrooms to have a shower.

One more great thing about camping is the fun places and things your kids get to do. A night looking at stars is fun for all, as is an afternoon in the fishing boat or a hike along the water's edge. Kids, lost in the excitement of their camping adventures, will also be learning new skills throughout all of this. They can witness you make a campfire from the wood they collected, or cook dinner using just the bare essentials. They will undoubtedly discover that perhaps all of the luxuries they have become accustomed to in their daily life are not so necessary after all.

While camping, your children will discover facets of their parents they never knew of, and parents will also see that their children, away from home and in the fresh air and sun of the outdoors, really aren't video-addicted creatures with no more motivation than the newest Xbox game or latest DVD out on store shelves. Camping trips can strip away the craziness of a fast-paced, throwaway society, revealing good natured people enjoying life and each other's company just because they can.

John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com for all your needs for fishing tackle based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service. Sign up for the newsletter and get weekly specials on Shimano fishing reels and various fishing supplies to fill up your tackle box and catch more fish.

shimano fishing

Shimano Curado E Cu201e7 Left Hand Baitcasting Fishing Reel

The high performance Curado reel is ultra smooth, makes effortless casts, and is available in a 7.0:1 high speed, 5.0:1 power versions. The new 200 size is smaller than the previous Curado 100D but holds the same amount of line as the previous 200DHSV. Compact and lightweight with the heart and power of a large reel. The Curado 300 reel will change the way you think about low-profile baitcasting reels. Now you can expect large reel performace in a sleek, comfortable design that offers all of these benefits: * High Speed and Power * Excellent Casting Performace * Comfort and Maneuverability * High Line Capacity * Ability to Handle Large Plugs and Swimbaits

Deep jigging is a fishing method that has been practiced around the world, but is just now gaining acceptance from saltwater North American anglers. With the introduction of Shimano's Butterfly Jigging System, this productive technique of enticing deep water fish continues to lure anglers with the dream of landing the next record-breaking trophy.

It could be the constant jerking, lift-&-wind action required when deep jigging, or the heart-stopping sensation one gets when a fish grabs the lure and begins to tug and pull that leads me to believe this method of fishing will continue to gain in popularity.

Having grown up fishing the fertile grounds of Southern California and Mexico for the past 20 years, I am no stranger to this type of fishing. I just happen to have known this method as yoyo jigging. Anglers from the west coast have been catching fish for decades with what we have been calling yoyo irons, heavy fish-body shaped jigs with slightly curved edges that would flutter from side to side on the drop and depending on the speed of retrieve, come up almost in a spinning motion.

Names like Salas, Tady, Ironman and UFO were popular in this type of lure. Colors in combinations of blue & white, green & yellow, brown & yellow or sardine patterns are commonly found in saltwater tackle boxes throughout Southern California.

Shimano, one of the leading brand name tackle manufacturers, has recently launched its line of Butterfly jigging rods, reels & jigs with the hopes of introducing anglers to this productive fish-catching technique. Utilizing clever marketing approaches, the company has attempted to take a widely practiced jigging method and attach their brand, Butterfly, to metal lures, fishing rods, reels and other fishing products as if they recently invented this form of fishing. Do not be deceived, as products from other manufacturers will serve the same purpose in this type of fishing application, usually at a substantial discount.

Recently, I've been trying to experiment with different outfits and jigs to find the perfect combo as my jigging setup. I've been using knife jigs and Butterfly jigs in various gram weights and colors for several different depths and target fish species. What I've found is that regardless of the many actions, speeds and drags of the countless fishing rods and reels that I have fished with, spinning reel combos are by far the best to jig with. The advantage of having the reel hang below the rod makes lifting and jerking the rod easier, as well as helps in maintaining control of the handle during this erratic motion. Also, being able to have the handle on either side of the reel, depending on the angler's preference, outweighs many of the advantages of conventional casting rod & reel combos.

When the fish are slow to bite, fishing can get a bit exhausting. This is another reason why spinning rods and reels should be used when deep jigging. The constant movement and action required to dart your jig in the proper motion is much easier to maintain for longer periods of time with a spinning combo. Also, the smooth functionality, casting friendliness and tremendous fish stopping power of today's saltwater spinning reels are so advanced, that anything else would be overkill. So next time you go on a saltwater fishing charter, tell the captain you would like to try deep jigging with a spinning combo and see for yourself what the commotion is all about.

Find new and used saltwater spinning rods and spinning reels at discounted pricing and begin enjoying the thrills of deep water jigging.

My name is Henry and I have been fishing for over 20 years of my life and hope to continue to do so for the next 30. I have dedicated myself to sharing what I have learned through those years in the hopes of promoting this popular outdoor recreational activity by providing commentary and reviews, video tutorials, fishing forums and more. Come visit my fishing site http://spinningreels.com for more.

shimano fishing