Crazy Fisherman's News and Comment

Fishing Gift Baskets Now Available From Crazy Fisherman

2008-07-25T07:02:00.002-05:00

You can now purchase two versions of a Fishing Gift Basket from the Crazy Fisherman Company. One version contains a fishing short sleeve t-shirt, a fishing sign, a ZAK hook remover, and a combo pack of Steelshads in a plastic case all in an old fashioned fishing creel. The other basket contains a fishing short sleeve t-shirt, a fishing sign, an antique lure coffee mug,and a Steelshad fishing lure also in an old fashioned fishing creel. They are priced at $49.95 and $39.95 respectively.

These gift baskets will make an excellent gift for any avid fisherman. To learn more go to Fishing Gift Baskets.

Top Ten Products That Transformed Fishing

2008-07-17T12:46:00.006-05:00

At the 2008 ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) show, which is currently underway in Las Vegas, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has released of a survey that has identified the ten most influential fishing products created over the past 75 years. ASA partnered with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to survey the foundation's thousands of Anglers' Legacy Ambassadors who voted for the products they feel have been most instrumental in shaping the sport.

The results are found below:
- Original Floater Minnow (1936) remains one of the most successful and widely copied hard lures in sportfishing's history.
Original and current manufacturer: Rapala
- Spring loaded Bobber (1947) made suspending a baited hook at a desired depth simpler and easier. Even today this item is virtually in every angler's tackle box.
Original manufacturer: Nibble Nabber
Current: Various companies
- Mitchell 300 (1949) was the first commercially successful spinning reel, and is still one of the most common reels used today.
Original manufacturer: Mitchell
Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing
- Creme Plastic Worm (1949) changed the sport forever as the first -- and still famous -- long-lasting artificial worm that both looked and felt real.
Original and current manufacturer: Creme Lure Company
- Closed Face Spincast Reel (1949) made fishing easy and affordable to everyone regardless of age, size, gender and expertise.
Original manufacturer: Zero Hour Bomb Company
Current Manufacturer: ZEBCO Brands
- Lowrance Fish Lo-K-Tor (1957), the "Little Green Box" introduced anglers to the use of sonar in locating individual fish.
Original Manufacturer: Lowrance Electronics
Current: Lowrance/Navico
- Monofilament Line (1958) improved the durability, affordability and casting ability of fishing line while reducing its visibility to fish.
Original manufacturer: DuPont Stren
Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing
- Minn Kota Trolling Motor (1958) was the first electric gear-driven trolling motor gave anglers the ability to quietly maneuver and position their boats.
Original manufacturer: Minn Kota
Current manufacturer: Johnson Outdoors
- Fenwick High Modulus Graphite Rod (1972), with its super-sensitive carbon (graphite) fibers, revolutionized the method of making fishing rods and how anglers fished.
Original Manufacturer: Fenwick
Current Manufacturer: Pure Fishing
- Shakespeare Ugly Stick (1976), with its special construction, created an affordable, unbreakable and dynamic fishing rod still in use today.
Original and current manufacturer: Shakespeare

Youth Fishing Camp Teaches Eco-Fishing Skills

2008-07-12T20:47:00.004-05:00

Mahogany Outdoors, a youth fishing camp in south Florida, will provide 10 weeks of camp this summer to teach kids how to enjoy fishing and be good stewards of the environment at the same time. What a great program. There should be hundreds of these camps across the country each year.

The term "Eco-Fishing" is relatively new, but I think it will catch on quickly. Eco-Fishing combines fishing with good environmental stewardship. It means practicing mostly catch and release, keeping no more than two fish per fisherman regardless of legal limits. It means never throwing old fishing line, soft plastics, or anything else into the habitat that is not natural to it. A good rule of thumb is what comes with you leaves with you. It means removing hooks carefully using dehookers and other tools to minimize harming the fish. It also means returning a fish into the water as quickly as possible and not handling a fish with your hands which damages its outer coating. These principles and much more are what is meant by eco-fishing.

Learn more about Mahogany Outdoors and their eco-fishing camps by clicking on the link. This is a topic you'll be hearing much more about from me in the future.

Piranha Like Fish Caught In Colorado

2008-07-02T06:36:00.004-05:00

While fishing in the Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colorado, 18 year old Travis Smith caught a fish with quite a bite. He first thought it may be a piranha, but realized that there are not supposed to be piranhas in Colorado. The teeth in the mouth of the fish were not what you would normally find in a fish here in the US.

Travis and his father investigated on the internet and sent photos of the fish to the Colorado DNR to determine extactly what species this mysterious fish was. It was identified as a "pacu", which is a South American fish related to a piranha. Representatives from the DNR stated that it was probably purchased for someone's aquarium and later put in the lake.

Travis has frozen the fish and is not sure what he will do with it.

Fishing is always full of surprises.

The New Wiggle Wog From Snag Proof

2008-06-28T15:37:00.004-05:00

One of the best ways to invent something new is to somehow combine two things that already exist. That is what Snag Proof has done with the Wiggle Wog. It is part frog and part swimbait. It has a 4/0 double hook, an internal glass rattle for attracting attention, and a paddle tail to produce great action. The movement of the paddle tail causes the entire lure to wiggle as it moves through the water. The Wiggle Wog is great in open water, and of course is weedless so also works well in tall grass and weeds.

The body and the tail are made of a durable plastic that will last. Anyone who fishes with top water lures in the Spring and Fall should have a Wiggle Wog in your arsenal. To learn more and purchase click here.

Realistic Fish Replicas For Your Wall

2008-06-24T06:27:00.004-05:00

A couple of months ago I was looking for a wall mounted fish replica for my home office. After some searching I found a company located in Florida that does great work and decided to include them on my web site. One of the unique aspects of their products is that they offer both a full fish mount and a half-sided fish mount. The half sided mount a less expensive and basically looks just as good.

The Mount This Fish Company has replicas of the widest variety of fish species I have seen anywhere, including most saltwater and freshwater species of fish. They also offer some very creatively painted versions if that is what you prefer. In addition, they have glass fish art which is awesome. If you are in the market for a mounted fish replica, check them out today.

Click here to visit Mount This Fish Company

Fourth of July Fishing Tackle Sale

2008-06-22T19:55:00.007-05:00

I went to the lake this weekend and I spent $71 on gas alone, and that was just for my vehicle not my boat. I am looking for every way possible to save money on my favorite recreational activity - FISHING. Well now is a great time to take advantage of this excellent July 4th sales event. They are offering 10% off of 100's of items. Save money where you can!

You'll find many popular brands of fishing lures, soft plastic baits, electronics, reels, and tool kits. To check out the hundred's of sales items click here.

Top Brands of Fishing Tackle Survey Results

2008-06-21T06:42:00.003-05:00

Southwick Associates, a consumer research firm specializing in the field of fishing and hunting, recently released their latest data related to the top brands of fishing tackle. These results were compiled from surveys from 16,258 anglers through AnglerSurvey.com in 2007. Here are the results:

Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.7% of all purchases)
- Top reel brand: Shimano (18.1% of all purchases)
- Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (20.9% of all purchases)
- Top fly rod brand: Orvis (17.5% of all purchases)
- Top fishing line brand: Berkley (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game and Vanish (38.5% of all purchases)
- Top hardbait brand: Rapala (25.6% of all purchases)
- Top softbait brand: Zoom (15.9% of all purchases)
- Top spinnerbait brand: Strike King (21.3% of all purchases)
- Top hook brand: Gamakatsu (30% of all purchases)
- Top sinker brand: Bullet Weights (20.1% of all purchases)
- Top fly line brand: Scientific Anglers (25.7% of all purchases)
- Top fly brand: Orvis (12.6% of all purchases)
- Top electronics: Lowrance (55.5% of all radio or GPS and 35% of all fish finder purchases)
- Top tackle box brand: Plano (50.3% of all purchases)
- Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (46.4% of all purchases)

You can participate in an upcoming survey by going to www.anglersurvey.com.

How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing

2008-06-10T20:57:00.002-05:00

I was asked recently to explain the effect of weather, and especially barometric pressure, on fishing. I certainly knew that changes in the weather had an effect, but I couldn't explain it. So, it was time to do some research. Here is what I learned.

There is definitely a relationship between barometric pressure and fishing results. In a nutshell, the theory is that dropping air pressure brings on feeding activity, rising pressure turns the fish off feeding, high pressure results in the fish moving to shallower water, and low pressure results in fish moving to deeper water. Just to get your bearings, normal air pressure is 30inHg. A reading of 30.5 is considered very high and 28.5 is considered very low.

The basic premise is that changing air pressure affects the swim bladder of fish. A lower pressure will move a fish to deeper water seeking the higher water pressure on their swim bladder. Theory has it that just before a change from high pressure to low pressure, fish will bite like crazy and then stop biting when the pressure gets low. A rising barometer will cause fish rise back to shallower water.

There is also some merit to the fact that changing barometric pressure also affects clouds, wind, and rain which can all affect your fishing. In summary, high pressure (above 30) will bring fish shallower and they will seek cover from structure. Rising pressure means clearing skys so fish shallower and with bright colors. Falling pressure is the best feeding time. Lower pressure usually means it is cloudy and you need to fish with a deeper running lure and at a slower retrieval speed because fish are more sluggish.

Hopefully this information is helpful; however you should keep some notes as you fish to begin drawing your own conclusions about the weather and barometric pressure.

Crazy Fisherman's Favorite Lure - The Steelshad

Crazy Fisherman's top rated, most versatile fishing lure.
Click for details.

My Pick For The World's Best Fishing Lure

2008-06-04T20:22:00.003-05:00

I have written several articles over the last year about the Steelshad. I first learned about this outstanding lure from a review in Bassmaster Magazine early in 2007. I purchased several and in the dead of winter in Iowa, so I had to wait several months before I could give them a try. When I finally got a chance to fish with the Steelshad, I was very excited about the results. Then in June, I fished for a day with Blake Gills, the creator of the Steelshad who helped me understand all of the ways you can retrieve the lure. While fishing at Lake Rathbun in southern Iowa, we caught six species of fish on the Steelshad.

So far this year I have only been out a few times, but in addition to dozens of small bass (and a few bluegills), I landed a 5 lb.+ bass and my wife just caught a 6 1/2 lb. bass last Saturday (pictured above). I tried to talk her in to fishing with a plastic worm, but she insisted on a Steelshad since I have talked it up so much. On her second cast she reeled in this fish.

I am proud to say that Crazy Fisherman now sells the Steelshad. They come in five colors, are very reasonably priced at only $5.00, and are not yet available in tackle stores.

Crazy Fisherman's top rated, most versatile fishing lure. Click for details.

Kid's Fishing T-Shirts Now Available

2008-06-01T08:46:00.003-05:00

The Crazy Fisherman Company has now designed a few fishing t-shirts specifically for kids. The plan is to add several more designs over the next few months because kids like to show off their passion for fishing too. As with the adult t-shirts, they are made of quality 100% cotton and the fabric is pre-shrunk. The image is printed with long lasting ink that will not fade with a state-of-the-art digital fabric printer.

For more information go to Youth Fishing T-Shirts at Crazy Fisherman.

T-Shirt of the Week "A Man's Gotta Do" Fishing Shirt

2008-05-26T07:45:00.003-05:00

This week's t-shirt commemorates how many men feel about fishing. Life comes at us hard and there are times when we just need to put things aside and go fishing. For many of us who stay on the go all of the time, fishing is a great stress reliever.

This t-shirt says it all. It might make a great Father's Day gift or may be something you just need to buy for yourself. All of our t-shirts are made of 100% cotton. This shirt, like most, is available in both short sleeve and long sleeve versions. Click here to learn more and to purchase the A Man's Gotta Do fishing t-shirt.

New Soft Plastic Lure Stanley Ribbit Frog

2008-05-23T19:02:00.005-05:00

Stanley Lures continues to develop some of the best jigs and soft plastic baits on the market today. Founder Lonnie Stanley, a five-time Bassmaster Classic veteran, has used plastic frogs successfully for years. While fishing in tough conditions like murky water, overcast skies, or heavy cover, he would dip the frogs to add more color. Now Stanley has created the Hot Feet Ribbit with color contrast built in. The bright color contrast improves the visibility and draws more strikes under certain conditions. It is weedless and can be thrown in tall grass or thick cover where the biggest bass hang out. The feet create a realistic kicking action that looks and sounds like a real frog. Click here to learn more about or purchase the Hot Feet Ribbit.

Combined with a Stanley Wedge V Lock Hook you've got a killer plastic bait. The V Lock Hook was originally designed for the frog, but will work with almost any plastic bait. Click here to learn more about the Stanley Wedge V Lock Hook.

KickTail Fishing Lure

2008-05-17T18:05:00.006-05:00

New designs are being developed constantly for fishing lures. The KickTail has been out for a couple of years now, so it has now been tested extensively by fishermen who have given it extremely high marks, including being field tested by the North American Fishing Club. The KickTail fishing lure mimics the swimming motion of real fish which draws attention and bites. There are similar baits, but no other bait has as many small joints which gives it the natural looking flexibility and motion. The five tail segments click together as the lure moves through the water which draws a lot of attention.

The other thing I like about the KickTail, is that it comes in a diving version and a top water version. There are a wide variety of colors available, and the lure is shaped like a threadfin shad which is the baitfish of choice for most game fish. Learn more about the KickTail by clicking on the banner below.

Measure Net Fishing Net A Brilliant Invention

2008-05-11T06:51:00.005-05:00

A fisherman by the name of Jeff Abel has invented, and patented, a fishing net that can easily measure your fish while it is still in the net. He came up with the idea while fishing in the middle of a river in Wyoming. He found it extremely difficult to hold on to his rod and the fish while getting out his tape measurer, then measuring the fish, and finally releasing the fish. So he developed a prototype of a net with built-in measurement marks before his next trip. After nine months of testing and modifications, the Measure Net was born.

To use the Measure Net is very easy, simply land the fish in the net, then add the numbers at the head and the tail to get the total length. The patented Measure Net is the only landing net that allows the angler to catch, measure and release a fish without touching it. Learn more by visiting their website www.themeasurenet.com. The Measure Net is now available in hundreds of fly shops and sporting goods store across the country.

Isn't it great to see what a fisherman can do when they put their mind to it. Why didn't I think of that?

Fishing T-Shirt Of The Week "Old Story"

2008-05-03T19:45:00.001-05:00

Fishermen are known for stretching the truth a bit. I'm sure you have never been guilty of that, but if you know someone who has, this is the shirt for them. The "Old Story" t-shirt is available in both short and long sleeve and is made of 100% cotton. The short sleeve t-shirt is available for $13.95 and the long sleeve t-shirt is only $17.95. Order yours today or buy one as a gift. Visit the fishing t-shirt page at Crazy Fisherman.

Save On Spring Fishing Tackle Sales

2008-05-03T14:38:00.003-05:00

Now is a great time to do your shopping for fishing tackle to get ready for the summer fishing season. Many outlets are offering great sales and discounts which can save you money. To check out some of our favorite retailers that are providing sales; go to www.crazyfisherman.com/discounts. You will find discounts from Basspro Shops, Orvis, Land Big Fish Tackle, and P & S Fishing Tackle.
For instance, you can save $100 on this Garmin GPSMAP 172C for your boat. There are also great prices on lures, reels, terminal tackle, and much more. Bookmark and go to our discount page often to take advantage of the latest. Enjoy browsing and save.

Power Pole Excellent For Shallow Water Fishing

2008-04-27T07:22:00.004-05:00

I believe fishermen are some of the best inventors. Their inventions may not cure a disease or create world peace, but they certainly continue to develop innovative ways to impact the world of fishing and make the experience of sport and recreational fishing much better. These kinds of inventions also have a far reaching economic impact. One such invention is the Power Pole.

For those of us who primarily fish in shallow water, meaning 8 feet or less, the Power Pole is the greatest thing since sliced bread. If you are trying to fish and there is any wind, anchoring is burdensome and can disturb the fish, and using a trolling motor is helpful but it still churns up the water and makes noise. The Power Pole can be lowered very quietly into water placing a small spike on the bottom which will keep your boat in place. It can be lowered from a small remote device hanging around the fisherman's neck or kept in a convenient location. The Power Pole can be used in both fresh and saltwater.

The device was invented by John Oliverio of Brandon, Florida. He is an avid flats fisherman who noticed that when fishing shallow, clear water, as his boat got too close, the fish would disappear. "I wanted something I could lower from anywhere in the boat without taking my eyes off of the fish," states Oliverio. So, in 1999, he invented such a device for shallow water fishermen and called it the Power Pole. By the way, in the recent Bassmaster Classic held at Lake Hartwell, 18 of the 50 qualifying boats had a Power Pole on their transom. For more information go to www.powerpole.com.

Fishing Around The New Moon For Best Results

2008-04-24T19:40:00.005-05:00

I certainly realize that you do not always have a choice of when to fish. Sometimes we have to fish when we have the time, regardless of other factors; however, you should be aware of the environmental factors that affect fishing results. One of the most important factors is the position of the moon. The solunar tables have been around for years. They predict the best and worst feeding times for fish and other animals.

Speaking from experience, I can simplify things for solunar fishing. The best times to fish are just before and just after the new moon. Generally, fishing during the morning hours for six days before the new moon, and fishing during the afternoons for six days after the new moon produces the best results. This doesn't mean you can't catch fish at other times, these are just the best feeding times.

It is easy to find out when the new moon is, just click here to view the table. In conclusion, when you have a choice, fish around the new moon for best results. In the next couple of days I'll write about other environmental factors that have an effect on fishing.

A Great Way To Start The Bass Fishing Season

2008-04-20T07:26:00.004-05:00

It has been a very long and difficult winter for us here in Iowa. I have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity for the weather to warm up enough for the bass to begin moving around. Well I guess that time is here because I went out yesterday and caught two lunkers, each weighing just over 5 pounds. One had a belly full of eggs; however I released both so they can continue to reproduce and create more fun in the future. I caught one with my favorite lure, the Steelshad, and the other with a Rattletrap. We were fishing in a small lake in Southwest Iowa. We caught several smaller bass which one of my fishing buddies promptly prepared for our shore lunch.

It was a great day and I'm glad spring is finally here.

Sales On Fishing Tackle And Gear

2008-04-14T21:14:00.004-05:00

I have added a sale page to Crazy Fisherman. There is much more to build out on the page, but I have now started building a web page that will highlight sales on fishing tackle and gear from several of the major retailers. To begin with I have included Bass Pro Shops, P & S Tackle, Land Big Fish Tackle, and Orvis. More retailers will be added over the next couple of weeks. This is one page you can come back to time and time again to look for savings. Just click on the link provided and you will go directly to the retailers items on sale.

How much can you save? You can save over $60 today at Land Big Fish on a Garmin GPS for your boat. Bookmark this page and come back often for maximum savings. Click to save on fishing tackle and gear.

Clean Your Boat With A Green Cleaner

2008-04-12T13:41:00.003-05:00

Since I have become more environmentally conscious, I have looked for a cleaner to use on my boat that is completely non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. Ultimately, anything used on your boat will end up in the water. I've tried cleaning my boat just using plain water, but that just doesn't get rid of the fish smell and doesn't disinfect surfaces. Thanks to my wife, I have found a product that works great. It is not a new product, I was just not very familiar with it and would have never thought of using it on my boat. The product is Basic H which is a Shaklee product. And not only is it all natural so it will not harm the environment, it is also very inexpensive. One 16 oz. bottle of concentrate makes 48 gallons of cleaner.

If you have carpet in your boat like I do, you can also use a combination of Basic H and a product called Nature Bright to clean your carpet. Again completely biodegradable. Basic H also does a great job removing the fish smell from a fisherman's hands. Your wife will appreciate that before you come home. Click here for more information.

Night Fishing Light

2008-04-10T18:13:00.002-05:00

This is an excellent and inexpensive addition to your tackle box to help you with your night fishing adventures. The Galaxy Tip Light attaches to your rod and provides 60 hours of light. It makes it easy to see when you've got a bite. Click for more information.

Fishing T-Shirt of the Week - Add Beer

2008-04-06T14:14:00.004-05:00

Our Fishing T-Shirt of the week is our new Add Beer To Koozie and Fish t-shirt. Though this design is new to us, I think it will be a popular shirt with young fishermen. As with all of our shirts, they are made of 100% cotton and printed with our state of the art digital printer. They are available in both long and short sleeve, and in blue as well as green. The short sleeve shirts sell for $13.95 and the long sleeve t-shirts sell for $17.95.

Check them out at Crazy Fisherman.

Steelshad The Most Versatile Fishing Lure

2008-04-05T07:51:00.000-05:00

Since being introduced to the Steelshad last spring, I have become a believer. The Steelshad is without a doubt my favorite lure and the most versatile lure I have ever fished with. I even had the privilege to spend a day fishing with its inventor, Blake Gills, last summer. He demonstrated various methods of bending the lure to make it swim along the bank, or swim more on its side like a wounded baitfish. I have caught as many as six different species of fish on it in one day. It is effective in not only freshwater, but also saltwater. I also like the fact that this one lure can fish both shallow and deep. If I could have only one lure in my tackle box, it would be the Steelshad.

It is well worth the investment to give it a try. Buy several different colors to experiment with. I have had great results and I'm sure you will too. Check it out at www.steelshad.com.

Catfish rarely bite on lures, but you can see below a catfish my wife caught on the Steelshad.