UNIQUE PRODUCTS THAT REALLY WORK!
(By "The Bass Coach" Roger Lee Brown)
Throughout many years of bass fishing I have seen so many
different products that have been introduced to the bassin'
industry that I lost count years ago. Some products have
been exceptional, some good, some just okay, and some not so
good, and with the industry being in the multi-billion
dollar bracket there are literally thousands of products on
today's market, and out of these "thousands of products"
there are just about a handful that I surely wouldn't be
without, mostly because they have proven themselves time and
time again to gain the "Exceptional" reputation they so
richly deserve.
I would like to talk about some of these unique products
that I have stumbled onto over the years, especially the
ones that have proven themselves to be in the "Select"
catagory when it comes to bass fishing. But first let me
explain a bit about my product sponsorships and how I
promote them. When I agree to a product sponsorship from a
certain company I have to really accept the quality,
performance, and dependability of their products before I
can agree to promote them, the reason for this is because I
have to teach the students that enroll at my 3-day bass
fishing school as well as my bass charter clients how to use
these products and why I use them, but let's not forget the
most important part, "A Great Product Will Sell Itself!"
PLASTIC BAITS
Now, the first type of product we will talk about is plastic
baits. Over the years I have used selected plastic baits
from many different companies and found that some of the
companies may have a bait or two that might work well, but
as a whole I would find myself shopping other companies to
get the different designs, colors, sizes, textures, etc.
that I really needed. (Boy, talk about your inconvenience
right?)
Well, we don't have to be inconvenienced any more because I
found (2) companies that supply just about everything a
serious angler needs to fill his or her plastic bait
shopping list, and in all honesty I'd have to say that "Gary
Yamamoto Custom Baits" and "Bud' Fishing', Way' Inc." (who
produce the original Bobby Garland Gitzits) offer by far the
best selection and quality in plastic baits that you will
find on today's vast market.
FISHING RODS
With all the different rod manufacturers world wide there
are some really fine fishing rods on today's market. I've
used most all of them and I can see a lot of good features
in most of these, but, the particular rods that I use
(manufactured by Lamiglas) I find to be in the "Exceptional"
catagory. I use Lamiglas Rods for many reasons such as;
durability, strength, feel, comfort, quality, appearance,
and selection and best of all, the Lamiglas Company has just
about every type of fishing rod you will ever need for bass
fishing.
PLASTIC RATTLES
When fishing with "Rattles" or "Glass & Brass" or any of
these combinations with a Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Tubes,
etc. you will usually find that when fishing thick weeds,
grass, moss, etc. the vegetation usually gets wrapped around
your tackle (hooks, baits, swivels, and especially glass or
brass beads!) and the whole purpose of the "Ticking Sound"
is not what it should be, right?
I found a company called H & H Plastic Rattles that has
taken care of this problem. The company makes a sealed
rattle for all the rigs mentioned as well as rattles for
jigs, spinnerbaits, tubes, worms, and!!! they make these in
color assortments to match your baits.
Now, by placing the sealed Carolina Rig Rattle on your line
and working the thick stuff, no matter how much vegetation
gets on it, it'll still make that ticking sound. After using
Glass & Brass for so many years with all the frustrations
that go with them, now I just simply put on a H & H Plastic
Rattle made especially for Carolina Rigs and let me say,
"Boy, do they work great!"
LURE RETRIEVERS
I used to own a lure retriever that consisted of a heavy
weight with little handles sticking off of it and a line
attached to it. Now, when the wind came up (like it usually
does) it was almost impossible to direct the boat and try to
send this contraption down to retrieve my lure, sound
familiar?
I found a company that makes this retrieving thing simple!
"Easy Retriever" is the name of it and it couldn't be easier
to use. You just slip the clip on your line and down it
goes, and most of the time it will knock your lure free from
whatever obstruction it got hung up on. The best thing about
this item is the cost!.... for a fraction of what I paid for
the one with the string retriever you can actually purchase
a package of (3) Easy Retrievers. A great time and money
saver!
SCENTBOXES
I know you'll love this one! When a angler uses a fish
formula (or attractant) it is usually applied by squirting,
pouring, or in the case of the jelly substances, rubbing and
spreading it on the bait. I know from past experience that
when you spray or pour this formula on a bait, some goes on
your boat, yourself, and mostly in the water, right? These
formulas are not good for the carpet or the finish of a
boat. The average angler usually goes through several
bottles of formula in the course of a season (especially if
he or she uses it all the time.)
I have found a company that makes what they call a "Scentbox".
It is a plastic box with the ability to hold usually 1/2 of
a bottle of formula at a time and will last longer that you
would usually go through about 5 bottles of formula, but,
the best thing about this Scentbox is that you don't spill,
spray, pour, or spread the formula on your carpet, boat,
hands, or anything but the bait itself. You just simply grab
the line right in front of the bait, lift the lid, place the
bait onto the box, close the box, open it back up and make
your cast. The Scentbox is truly one of the best products I
have ever used!, in fact, 95% of my 3-Day Bass Fishing
School students and Bass Charter clients have purchased
these Scentboxes after using mine. The cost is about what
you would pay for about 2 or 3 bottles of formula but you
will save money because you won't go through near as much
formula as you have in the past.
FISH FORMULAS
While being on the subject of the Scentbox, I found a
certain Fish Formula (or Attractant) that works better than
any I've ever used in the past! This stuff is so good that
I've even doubled my setting ability with Jig & Pig combos
using it, and if you have ever fished this type of bait you
can understand what I mean, but not only Jig & Pig baits,
this formula can be used on all artificial types of baits.
The company's name is "Scientific Bass Products, Inc." and
they make what they call "Kick'n Bass" fish formula. Not
only do they make a product for just bass, but they make a
Kick'n Trout and Kick'n Catfish as well. Now, the nice part
about the bass formulas is that they make a few different
scents for bass such as Garlic, Crawfish, and a Anise Shad
formula that really helps fish to hold on to your baits. As
a pro angler, I know that a few extra seconds of a fish
holding on to a bait can really make the difference between
catching the fish or not!
UNDERWATER VIEWING
How many of you anglers have certain spots (honey holes)
that you've been fishing for years? Wouldn't you like to
find more spots like these?, of course you would! Now you
can do just that with this product called the "CatchCam"
made by the Axial Corporation. This under viewing camera is
about the best you will find. I have one and the more I use
it the better I like it. It has a 50' lead wire attached to
a waterproof camera lens that is attached to a viewing
screen to allow you to see anything on the bottom you want
to see. I have fished many spots that held fish in the past
but didn't know exactly why the areas held fish, but now I
know. It is truly an amazing tool when it comes to locating
bass, pre-fishing, or just learning why fish hold in certain
areas. The picture on the viewing screen is crystal clear,
in fact, you can see even the smallest blade of grass. Just
remember, this shows the actual picture and not the liquid
crystal image like you would see on your fish finder!
FISH CARE PRODUCTS
Probably one of the worst nightmares for a tournament angler
is weighing in a dead fish. Not only does this hurt when you
get points deducted from your total catch, but as a "Catch &
Release" angler, nobody likes to see a dead sport fish,
especially a bass! Guess what, I have some really good
news.... I have stumbled onto a product called "Keep Alive"
and what it is, is a oxygen infusor. I know you are probably
wondering what in the world an oxygen infusor is so I'll
tell you. This is a unit that you place in your livewell (it
has suction cups on the bottom of it, completely
submergible) take the wire lead clips and clip to your
battery. Once the unit is operative it disperses millions of
micro-fine bubbles that give more than a ample supply of
oxygen to the fish in your livewell (which will keep them
alive). This is good especially when fishing the warmer days
when it gets hot and the surface temp get warm. Please!...
make all efforts to keep the fish alive for release!......
BASS TOURNAMENT GOODIES
When fishing bass tournaments time is very precious right? I
have found a couple of items that has really made a
difference when it comes to not only the protection of fish,
but has allowed me that few extra minutes needed to
"Cash-In" in past tournaments, and has recently given me the
extra precious minutes needed when I qualified for the
Vermont B.A.S.S. Federation State Team for 2001.
The first item is called "Bass Tags" made by Bag-Em
Products. What this is, is a bass culling system that uses
clips instead of stringer type snaps (that damage fish when
you have to insert them). These clips with the colored tubes
(attached) quickly attach to the fish's upper jaw securely
without puncturing or damaging the fish. Along with this
kit, you will receive a marking pencil and a weigh board to
keep a quick record of your fish caught during the day.
The second product that the Bag-em Products Company makes is
a great individual fish weigh bag that "once again"
protects the fish from the damage of puncturing it when
using the hook connected to your portable weigh scales. With
this bag you simply put one fish in it, insert the hook from
your scale into the provided holes already made into the bag
(once again protecting the fish from puncture damage) and
with the drain holes already provided in this unique bag it
allows the water run out of the bag while weighing the fish
for a accurate weight. Don't you just love companies that
have "Fish Protection" in mind when it comes to the
development of a product? This company also makes a very
strong and durable Carry Bag (that will hold together!, not
like others I've used in the past that have either fallen
apart or torn easily) with handles to carry those big
stringers to the weigh-ins. All in all, the best thing about
the Bag-em Products Company is that (I am very proud to
announce!) they strive to be the global leader in the
preservation of sport and tournament fishing by providing
conservation minded products.
OUTDOOR PROTECTION
How many times while outdoors fishing have you been attacked
by insects? This can be a real drag right?, especially while
holding a rod in one hand and trying to reel in a fish with
the other hand, then by time you get to put the rod down,
you've been another victim of a insect bite. Or, how many
times have you been out in the sun and got a good sunburn or
even a windburn? Or, how many times have you been out
fishing and get swarmed with Nats?......
I have been through all of these scenarios and then some and
it's not fun! So after doing some research on products that
can remedy some of these problems, I not only found a
company that has every product to take care of all of these
situations, but this company also makes one of the best bass
fishing products I've seen in many years (which I will talk
about in just a moment.)
The Tender Corporation is the companies name, and they make
what they call a survivor pak that comes with the following
items:
1. A power pen (which comes in handy when you solely depend
on your flashlight batteries).....
2. Natrapel (a Nat repellent).....
3. Family Medic (a first aid cream).....
4. Ben's backyard formula (a insect repellent).....
5. After Burn (a Aloe Vera base product that really soothes
a burn from the sun or wind).....
6. After Bite (a stick roll on to take away the itch from a
insect bite).....
7. A carry Bag (for all of these wonderful products to be
carried in).....
8. Usually we save the best for last, but before I tell you
about this amazing product I need to relate to you why this
product is so great. How many times have you went to make a
cast with your rod when it gets wet from the rain and you
almost throw your rod overboard? I know that I have lost a
couple of rods in my days by doing just that, and I can
assuredly say that it can mess up a good day, especially if
it's your favorite rod.
Now the last product you will find in this survivor pak is
what the Tender Corporation calls "Dry Hands." This product
is a solution you apply to your hands, rub it around and let
it dry for a moment. Once you've done this, grab the handle
of a "wet rod" and try to slide your hand down it using a
little pressure, "You Can't Do It!" this solution actually
prevents your rods from slipping out of your hands when you
get wet. A big money saver?... I'd say so!
The Tender Corporation makes all of these products separate
of course, but with the survivor pak you get it all. I carry
a pak both in my vehicle as well as my boat, and let me tell
you, there has been several times I was grateful the
products were there when I needed them.
CLOSING
Once again, these are all products that I have personally
been involved with and will stand behind each and every one
mentioned. All I can say is that you need to at least give
them all a try and I'm very confident that you'll fully
agree with me when I say that these products are second to
none! If you would like more information on these products
or would like to purchase any of these items please Email me
at
rlbrown@capital.net
or call me at (518) 597-4240. Many of my Bass Fishing School
students as well as Bass Charter clients are loyal to these
products after using them. As the old saying goes; "Try it,
You'll like it!"
Until next time, Take Care & God Bless (Always!).... "The
Bass Coach" Roger Lee Brown