I haven’t included any of the more personal and complicated choices that some fishermen prefer to make themselves but kept the list to tools and gadgets that most will love but are too afraid to ask for.

I hope you enjoy!

1. Grip 9 Piece Fisherman’s Tool Kit – everything need to clean and fillet fish in a great little storage container.  Top quality! Under $20 (Click here for more info).
2. Berkley Digital Fish Scales – another cool little gadget that many would love to have in their tackle box. Under $20 (Click here for more info).
3. Plano 3500 Size Tackle Box – enough storage for the most demanding fisherman.  This will last a long time. Under $25 (Click here for more info).
4. Ready To Fish Soft Sided Tackle Bag – a great alternative to the usual hard plastic tackle boxes.  This will get a lot of use. Under $25 (Click here for more info).
5. Okuma Expandable ABS Rod Rack – clean up the garage and keep the rods in top condition with this rod rack from Okuma. Under $25 (Click here for more info).
6. Redington Clark Fork Mesh Fly Fishing Vest – a light weight, quick drying fishing vest; suitable for all types of fishing. Under $30 (Click here for more info).
7. Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager Spinning Travel Kit – store one in the car or travelling so you always have a rod at the ready.  Under $40 (Click here for more info).
8. AP Outdoors Fish-N-Game Cleaning Station and Fillet Table – keep the mess and smell out of the kitchen with this convenient portable table.  Under $50 (Click here for more info).
9. NorCross HawkEye F33P Fish Finder – This is a very cool portable fish finder that will make any fisherman happy. Under $50 (Click here for more info).
10. Garmin Fishfinder 140 – this is one for those with a boat, a great fish finder at a ridiculously low price. Under $100 (Click here for more info).

Penn Applause Specifications

• Gear Ration – 5.1:1
• Weight – 200g
• Line Capacity – 8lb – 165yd.
• 5 stainless steel ball bearings.
• Full metal construction.
• Infinite anti-reverse.
• Thick aluminum bail arm.
• High performance drag with super micro-pitch adjustment.
• Rotary flat oscillation.
• V-shaped rotor arm.

I will talk about the benefits of each feature after I have given them a good work out.  The Penn Applause does look promising and from all reports it should live up to its expectations of being the best cheap fishing reel currently on the market.

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Selecting the best bream lures doesn’t have to be a mystery; you just have to get out an experiment and stick with what works.  For some reason, a lot of fishermen like to change their lures up even if they have been having success with another.  Save yourself the frustration and find what works at different times of the day and year and stick with it; you will catch a lot more bream more often this way.

Here is a collection of bream lures that are a must have for any tackle box and should be enough to catch a nice fish even at the worst of times.

Bream Lure #1 – Bushy’s Stiffy Minnow

The minnow design has been a favourite among bream fisherman for a long time.  Bushy has taken this popular shape to another level with his range of hard bodies bream lures.

These 60mm lures are well constructed with top quality trebles (Owner) attached to a welded frame.  These lures will last a lot of hard hits and tough fish.  They cast well and far and retrieve at a little over 1 metre.

Bream Lure #2 – Ecogear SX 40F

Next up is another tournament winning lure from Ecogear.  The SX 40F is a shad style lure measuring in at a smaller 40mm.  It has a tight shimmy action which sends the bream absolutely nuts.  A loud rattle stirs the fish up even more and can make the most passive of bream turn aggressive.

This lure is great for a stop-start or twitch retrieve as it slowly floats to the surface rather than rocketing up like many other diving lures.  It keeps it in the strike zone much longer and gives the fish something to think about and time to hit the lure hard.

Bream Lure #3 –Smith Towadi Top Water Plug

The last lure is for those willing to trying something a bit different to catch their bream.  The Towadi by Smith lures is a very popular top water plug (minnow style) that just so happens to work great with bream.

Using a twitch and pause style retrieve (walk the dog) you can get bream in the shallows really excited and striking hard.  It is great fun and works a treat.  If you haven’t tried a surface lure before then this will be a great place to start.

The problem is, when they come back to the fresher waters they are easily spooked in the shallower waters and a lot harder to catch – especially on flies.

Sea trout are most likely to enter a river system when the water is high enough for them to make their way upstream.  They like to stick in the larger pools of water and become most active during dusk and dawn when it isn’t as bright.  If you must go after them during daylight hours then it is recommended to wait until the water is high but still clear.

Using sea trout flies must take all of this into account or you are just wasting your time.  Try and think where a shy fish that likes high water free from dirt and mud is going to be sitting in the river.  This is where you want to be throwing your flies.

Getting your sea trout flies to the right depth is the most important part.  As they are shy they won’t be too active on the surface so wet flies are the way to go.  Get the flies down into the target zone by adjusting the sink rate of the link accordingly.  This is preferable over choosing larger flies that won’t get hit, no matter where you place them.

The pattern and coloring must stand out in the water, especially if it isn’t crystal clear; the murkier the water the higher contrasting the fly.  Silver bodied flies work great when visibility is really an issue.

Some popular choices of sea trout flies in murky water include:

• Alexandria
• Teal Blue & Silver
• Teal & Silver
• Executioner
• Silver Stoats Tail

You can use smaller flies once the water starts to clear and tamer coloring and patterns:

• Greenwells Glory
• Invicta
• Silver Invicta
• Dark Mackerel
• Grey Monkey
• Mallard & Claret

As you become more experienced using sea trout flies you will start to learn what works in certain river and weather conditions.  Kit yourself up with a 1 or 2 flies from the list above and hit the deep holes away from the stirred up water and you should be landing a large sea trout in no time.

Shakespeare has come up with a great solution to this problem with their Travel Mate series of telescopic fishing rods.  Now you can get a fishing rod that can easily be stored in your backpack or suitcase for use whenever you need it.

Set yourself up with a small tackle box with your favourite soft plastic lures and you can have a fishing setup ready whenever you feel like.  It is a popular solution for those who work home from the office and feel like a bit of relaxation before heading home.  With one of these telescopic rods you will always be ready.

So the Shakespeare Telescoping Spinning Rod sounds good in theory, but is it any good at catching fish?  Let’s take a look at the key features to see what it offers.

The Travel Mate rods come in 3 different models.

The TM46SPT is a 4’6” ultralight telescopic spinning rod that collapses down to a tiny 13.5 inches.  The reel is attached with a twist-lock seat.

Next is the TM46SCT, a 4’6” ultralight telescopic casting rod.  It is also only 13.5 inches when collapsed with the twist-lock reel seat.

For those after a rod with a bit more strength for targeting medium fish, the TM66SPT is available at 6’6”.  It collapses down to still only 15inches and uses a conventional reel seat for handling the larger sized fish.

Product Features

• Super Portable.
• Lightweight yet strong construction.
• Graphite reel seats.
• Reusable rod tube for safe storage and protection.

User Comments and Reviews

It is understandable to be a bit sceptical over the functionality and reliability of a telescopic rod so here are some reviews from people who have bought and used the Shakespeare Travel Mate rods to get an idea of how they go in the real world.

“Great for tight spots, compact for storage on the go. Perfect little rod to have around for those spur of the moment fishing adventures”- Outdoorsman – Amazon.com

“The Shakespeare Travel Mate rod is maybe the best cheap pack rod. It goes together tight, it is straight and true with decent action, has a graphite reel seat that does not scratch a reel, and has no real faults”  - Demeter – Amazon.com

“I used this rod on a recent trip to Belize where it was used to catch several species of fish. Used with 10# braided line it performed great. It casts light lures very well and has the sensitivity and ‘backbone’ to handle practically any reef fish” – Donald W. Conrad – Amazon.com

“Unlike all telescopic rods, this one is a sensitive enough to be fished with. It has a decent quality, and the only warning I have for the future buyers is to assemble it tightly, otherwise it may fall apart during a strong cast. It happened to me once, but I was lucky having strong braided line, so I did not lose a fallen piece in the river. After I snugged it in more tightly, I never had a problem with it.” – D. Pavlon – Amazon.com

Where to Purchase

If you are looking for a telescopic fishing rod, the Shakespeare Travel Mate telescoping series is one of the best you can get.  It is very affordable and a worthy investment for anyone who does a lot of travelling or likes to carry a rod with them to go fishing whenever an opportunity presents itself.

You can purchase the Shakespeare rods from Amazon.com.

• Click here for the 4’6” Ultralight Action Travel Mate Rod from only $12.50.
• Click here for the 6’6” Medium Action Travel Mate Rod from only $14.53.

Very popular amongst anglers looking for a general purpose spinning reel, the Pflueger will catch a wide range of fish at various sizes in all sorts of conditions.

The reel comes in 7 different models varying in line capacity and weight class.  The lighter reels are suited for freshwater conditions but once you get into the larger 6750 and 6760 you can tackle the larger saltwater species.

Product Features

• All reels except for the smallest 6720 have 9 stainless steel ball bearings to provide a nice smooth and reliable retrieve action.  Some of these ball bearings are double-shielded for increased reliability.
• Instant anti-reverse one-way clutch bearing.
• The spool is made of anodized aluminium and reduces the weight even further by having holes selectively removed.  This gives the Pfleuger President a nice unique look too.
• Your line from is protected from unnecessary abrasion by the titanium spool lip.
• Drag adjustment is smooth and accurate with the audible feedback.
• Pflueger’s Sure-Click bail makes spinning with lures and soft plastics a breeze.  You won’t get frustrated by an unresponsive bail.
• All of the core components and made from top quality corrosion resistant stain less – helps make the reel last longer and to always keep its smooth action.
• The handled is finished with a rosewood knob which is a nice touch to an already great looking reel.
• A spare spool is included which is a great addition for those who like to fish different weights in the same trip.
• The reel comes with a drawstring bag to keep it nice and safe while being stored.

Here is a rundown of the specifications for the different Pflueger President models:

• Model: 6720, Capacity: 105 yards at 4lbs; Weight: 6.4oz; Class: Freshwater – Ultra light
• Model: 6725, Capacity: 115 yards at 4lbs; Weight: 7.7oz; Class: Freshwater – Ultra light
• Model: 6730, Capacity: 115 yards at 6lbs; Weight: 9.1oz; Class: Freshwater – Light
• Model: 6735, Capacity: 145 yards at 8lbs; Weight: 11.2oz; Class: Freshwater – Medium Light
• Model: 6740, Capacity: 195 yards at 10lbs; Weight: 12.3oz; Class: Freshwater – Medium
• Model: 6750, Capacity: 220 yards at 14lbs; Weight: 18.7oz; Class: Freshwater – Med Heavy Saltwater – Med Light
• Model: 6760, Capacity: 230 yards at 17lbs; Weight: 20.9oz; Class: Freshwater – Heavy Saltwater – Medium

The 6750 and 6760 have a gear ratio of 4.6:1 while the lighter reels are 5.2:1.

User Comments and Reviews

The PfluegerPresident spinning reels have been well received by anglers and here is what some of them have had to say…

“I have used these reels for 2+ years fishing multiple reel sizes/multiple poles. This is a really great reel. I would give it an A+ only because I haven’t spent more money than on other reels….” – Michael J. Munson – Amazon.com

“These reels are nice for those that want a good real but don’t want to pay the big bucks for the extra stuff that only the true pros can enjoy about a reel. The discs are large enough to take a strong run yet still smooth under load.” – J.M. – Amazon.com

“Great reel, smooth operation, dependable, and strong. I have two different sizes of this reel now and looking to get a third.” – Mike L. Waggoner – Amazon.com

Where to Purchase

You can find the Pflueger President Spinning Reel series for sale at Amazon.com.

• Click here to go to Amazon now for the latest pricing.

They are available here for quite a bit cheaper than at a local tackle retailer.

The C80 is a component based system with inputs for a multitude of modules.  The popular choices are the HD digital sounder, GPS sensor, radar and support for SIRIUS satellite radio and marine weather.

You can configure the system exactly the way you want so you aren’t paying for functionality that you’ll never use.  It also gives you the freedom to expand once required without having to pay for an entire new navigation system.

You can mount the Raymarine C80 on either the trunion mounting bracket or for those after something a little more slick – the included low-profile flush mounting kit.

Navigating the on-screen menus is a breeze and you even have the ability to customize the windows so you can see exactly what you need.  The screen is large enough to make multi-window configurations still easily viewable.

The quality of the screen is one of the highlights of the Raymarine C80.  The high contrast and anti-glare protection makes it still viewable in direct sunlight and the 256 color high resolution image means you won’t miss any little detail.

It is well built and rugged enough for day to day use on the boat and weatherproof to the CFR46 standard.

HD Digital Fishfinder

Probably the reason you are looking at the Raymarine C80 is due to its Digital Sounder Module.  This feature is unreal!  When you connect the display to the option digital sounder module you turn the display into a fisherman’s best friend.

The module is remotely mounted which makes installing easy across a wide range of boats.  The feed you get from the sounder is very clear and eliminates most clutter.  You can therefore see the bottom structure and any fish with great clarity.

The digital fish finder includes modes for a-scope, bottom lock, and zooming and has a maximum depth of 5000ft.

Raymarine SR50 Weather Receiver Module

With the addition of the Raymarine SR50 weather receiver, you have the ability to get both SIRIUS satellite radio as well as the latest weather forecasts right on the display.  These provide some great advantages to the serious fisherman.

Receive all the vital information for a safe and successful fishing trip, including: storm tracking; lightning strike reports; satellite sea surface temperatures; surface pressure; wind forecasts; swell and more.

The satellite radio gives you access to some great music, news, sport and reports when the fishing is a bit quieter.

Radar System

Add an open-array or radome antenna so your C80 for some awesome radar performance.

Target tracking; waypoint navigation; low noise; Auto GST; enhanced target returns; AIS Target tracking (optional with the AIS250) makes it a very powerful radar system.

Raystar GPS Sensor

You can turn your Raymarine C80 into a top GPS charting system by connecting up a Raystar GPS Sensor.  By using the Navionics charts you get a fast drawing chart plotter with high resolution 256 color display that provides amazing clarity.

The chart plotter includes features such as Auto Range mode; true or relative motion; course-up, north-up, head-up modes; Loran TD positioning; support for VHF DSC position reports when connected to a DSC VHF; AIS target tracking when connected to an optional AIS250 receiver.

Other Features

On top of the features listed above, the Raymarine C80 integrates seamlessly with your boats navigation, engine and instrument data using SeaTalk (and SeaTalk NG), NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and J1939.

Having all of this information accessible from the one screen makes using and maintaining the boat a lot easier than without.  Know when faults occur or may occur before they happen.

User Comments and Reviews

I have included below a few comments from some owner’s of the C80 and supporting modules highlighting their experiences with the system.

“Provides virtually all info. needed for navigation. Chartplotter with Radar overlay is very useful–wonder how I lived without it until now…” – Steve – Buzzillions.com

“”I bought the C-80 only because the C-120 was too big for my installation. This unit has a clear & bright display although challenged by direct sunlight. (The Navionics chip is a mandatory addition for proper navigation.) I only use my C-80 for navigation/chart plotting, depth/fish finder. The manual clearly explains all the features of the C-80 but does not fully explain the uses for all the functions ie: adjustable Gain, VRM settings, etc. The only other complaint I have is the C-80 is cumbersome to assign names to tracked courses and locations.” – Kemosabe II – Buzzillions.com

“I have had Lorance, Garmin, Hummingbird, and Nav Man in the past and the Raymarine out performs them all marking fish on plane and the tech support is outstanding” – Jay. D – Buzzillions.com

“As a professional guide, I turn my Raymarine C80 on every day to a clear image that I am proud to show my customers. After some use you can predict types of fish and even their sizes.

The additional “add ons” like Sirius weather radar make the product even more valuable.” – Doug – Buzzillions.com

Where to Purchase

As you can see, the C80 is a wonderful piece of equipment and a worthy investment for any fisherman looking for a new multifunction display system.  The modular options make it an affordable and customizable solution so you get exactly what you want at less of a cost.

You can purchase the Raymarine C80 and any additional modules for up to 25% off the RRP from Amazon.com.

• Click here to get the best price on the C80.
• Click here to browse other Raymarine C series modules.

The Glidecoat technology creates a nice and smooth line that gives great casting distances in both calm and windy conditions.   Some other lines fail in the wind by getting caught up in messy tangles and knots.  This isn’t a problem for the Stren Sonic Braid and one of its big pluses.

The weakest point of a fishing rig is its knots and this braid handles them perfectly.  The knot strength is great and will hold up when needed the most.

If you are going to spend some money on decent fishing line it is important that it will last the test of time.  The Stren Sonic Braid won’t degrade in strength and holds its color well too.  This will save you both time and money by reducing the time between replacing lines.

Another benefit the Sonic braid has over other braided lines is that it doesn’t fray as much when cut.  Quality braid scissors are still recommended though.  This makes it easier to use and less frustrating.  You also waste less line trying to fight back the fraying end.

Having a strong line is crucial when fishing difficult conditions such as pulling lures through snags and weeds or getting hit by aggressive fish.  Stren Sonic Braid accomplishes this with a braid that is stronger than steel with a tensile strength to match.  This is what you expect from a quality line as it isn’t worth the expense if it just breaks off as soon as you catch a stump.

Having a strong quality line is great for durability and dependability but it also must be sensitive enough to feel the fish biting.  This is what makes braided fishing lines so great!  You can feel every little nibble and know exactly when to strike.

User Comments and Reviews

“I use anywhere from 8-12 pound braid on a spinning reel for surf fishing for halibut. One disadvantage of braided line is that it is not very abrasion resistant, which isn’t a problem when fishing from a sandy beach. I’ve used 4 brands of non mono line including POWER PRO Spectra Line – Moss Green, SpiderWire Stealth 300-Yard Fishing Line, and Berkley Fireline (Crystal, 300 yds). I have found the Stren to be the best in terms of castability and line manageability. With 12 pound braid, I’m not afraid to throw expensive lures like the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow and feel confident that it is more than enough to handle the small to midsized halibuts we catch in the surf zone of Southern California….” – Squirrel Dad – Amazon.com

Where to Purchase

The Stren Sonic Braid is a must have and if you were a fan of the Stren Super Braid you will love this one too.  If you haven’t used a braided fishing line before then this is the one you should start with; it has converted a few monofilament fans over already.

You can get a great deal of Stren Sonic Braid at Amazon.com.

Click here to go there now and find the best deal.

One of the great things about Crappie is they aren’t fussy eaters.  They’ll eat everything from minnows and crayfish through to insects and the ever popular worm.  Some of the mystique from selecting the right Crappie bait is the stories different fisherman have about their secret weapon that they swear by.

The trick is if you are fishing a local river system, find bait that works and stick with it.  Unless you are curious or up for a challenge there is really no point changing for sake of changing.   If a bait that has been working suddenly stops working, change it up but also take note of the conditions of the weather and even time of day and year and try and work out the difference between now and then.  This is a good time to try something new and match the conditions to a specific bait.

All fish, not just Crappie, eat what is available to them.  Insects and other baitfish change at different times of year, and even times of day.  Minnows might work during the morning sun when they are most active but at dusk it might be best to switch over to an insect that is abundant at that time of day…hanging around the water’s edge.

Live Crappie Baits – Minnows

If you want a starting point then I recommend trying to catch some live minnows.  They are highly effective and probably the all time favourite bait.  Try these before trying anything else.

The most effective way to rig up a live minnow is using some #8 or #10 gang hooks.  The first hook is simply placed through the lip and the other through the minnow’s back.  If you want to give the minnow more room to splash around you can leave the second hook free or try a single hook setup.

Keep the minnow in the crappie strike zone by using a bobber of a float to let it swim freely off the bottom of the water.

Two popular types of minnow to use are the “shiner minnow” and the “Missouri minnow”.  The shiner’s are great crappie attracters to the way they reflect light through the water – just like a mirror.  Missouri minnows are more common but a bit darker in colour.  The do present well and you will still have a lot of success over a dead bait or a poorly worked lure.

You don’t need to use a large minnow to attract large fish.  All a large minnow will do is limit your ability of catching the smaller fish.  If you are fishing for fun rather than size than use a minnow as small as 1.5 inches.

Other Crappie Baits

Another deadly crappie bait they is very easy to obtain (if you can handle “the yuck” factor is the maggot.  Once fattened up, the maggot is irresistible to crappie.  You don’t need a bobber this time.  You want the maggots to slowly float through the water looking as natural as possible.

Garden earth worms when presented in a similar fashion can also work very well.  Try and keep them alive while hooking as the movement on the hook will do wonders in attracting the fish.

Before heading out and giving one of these rigs a try, it is important to be kitted up with the right equipment for landing and releasing your hooked pike with care.  Poor release causes undue stress to the fish that often can’t be reversed.

Make sure you always carry a landing net that is at least 36inches in diameter to get the fish out of the water safely.  A sling mat or a weigh sling with an unhooking mat will protect the fish once landed.  Use a quality strong pair of long handled forceps with unhooking.

Pike Rigs – Popped Up Dead Bait Rig

The first rig is used to get the bait out of the weeds and off the bottom to put it right in the strike zone of the pike.  The free flowing bait also gives it a bit of ‘life’ to help attract fish to the location.

This rig uses a pop-up poly ball or pop-up sticks inserted inside the bait to keep it out of the debris on the bottom.  You can use either single or treble hooks but to protect the pike single is recommended.

Use a snap to attach the wire trace holding the two hooks and the pop-up ball.  This will prevent bite offs and stops the line from tangling up with the bait.

Pike Ledger Rig

The pike ledger rig would have to be the most basic of pike rigs and one of the most widely used.  It is ideal for land based fishing with deadbait but can still work well with a livey.

It is important when fishing the ledger rig to be alert for any bites as waiting too long can cause a regrettable deep hook.  If you are going to spin another rod while waiting for some action then make sure you have a good bite detection or alarm system setup.  Don’t stray too far from your rod.

Pike Float Ledger Rig

The last pike rig I’ll show you is the float ledger rig.  This is a variation of the standard ledger rig (above) and is great for those situations where you have a weedy area and want the line to head straight to the bottom; uneven bottoms that can cause abrasion on the line; fishing from baots where normal ledgering isn’t really possible; and slow drifting and trolling where you want the bait off the bottom for maximum movement.

The rig attaches a pencil float (or similar) to the depth you want the bait to sit above the ledger bomb.  A bead and a stop knot prevents the float from slipping up the length of the line and negating the effect.

There are many reels now available with line counters built-in but these can be expensive, bulky, and just not as good as a reel as others for the same price.  A fishing line counter attachment is the solution but like the line counting reels, they are only suitable for certain situations.

There are a few different manufacturers who have tried to create fishing line counters and some have had more success than others.  The most important thing to remember and a mistake that many fisherman in the past have made is realising that the line counters are really only suited for situations where you don’t have to cast the rod.

Line has to pass through a small slot in the device so a casting action will create too much variation (and friction) for the line counter to work accurately.

Trolling, jigging, and deep sea fishing are the main places these counters can be used.  Casting with a spinning reel won’t work at all so don’t waste your money if this is what you are after one for.  You may have some success with trolling using a spinning reel or baitcaster though.

Here is a list of the key features for the main manufacturers of fishing line counters.

Berkley Line Counter

• Attaches to most rods with a heavy duty screw clamp. (You aren’t going to lose this one in the drink!)
• 3 digit reading will give accurate readings to a massive 999 feet.
• Minimal line slippage for accurate readings.
• Push button reset button (Won’t cease up from sand and salt).
• Suitable for baitcasting and conventional rods (except for spinning reels).
• Automatic line release.
• Tension adjustment.

Rapala Lighted Line Counter

• 3 digital display to measure a depth of 999 feet.
• Tension knob to control line release.
• Automatic line release.
• Line-lock control.
• Light for easy display during night fishing sessions.

Shakespeare Line Counter

• Measures up to 999 feet of line.
• One-touch quick line set-up lever.
• Automatic line release.
• Adjustable release pressure.
• Push button reset.
• Deluxe model available with lighted display and stainless steel components for a longer lasting fishing line counter.

Where to Purchase

All of these fishing line counters are relatively cheap when compared to the cost of a line counting reel so if you are into deep sea fishing or jigging they are well worth a try.  Just remember that they aren’t suitable for spinning reels (or casting) and you should be a happy customer.

Out of the three, I would recommend the Berkley counter due it its quality construction and accurate readings.

You can grab any of the fishing line counters over at Amazon.com.

• Click here to purchase the Berkley Line Counter.
• Click here to purchase the Rapala Lighted Line Counter.
• Click here to purchase the Shakespeare Line Counter.