Getting Rid of Loops in Your Braid

Nothing can put a halt to your fishing like the dreaded wind knot.  Often times they can start many casts before you realize it and by then it's too late...or is it?

The beginning of a bad wind knot often times starts with a loop that gets buried under your line on the retrieve.  In the past we have discussed the easiest way to eliminate that is by closing the bail by hand and giving a slight pull on the line to insure it is sitting on the roller.  You can watch the video on How to Prevent Wind Knots here. 

But what happens when you find a big loop or when your line gets tangled at the reel because it caught a loop and has pulled that loop out causing a mess?  If you try to gently pull the braid off your reel it will continue to twist around the loop and the mess just keeps getting worse.

Here's a trick that our friend, Paul Van Reenen from Unfair Lures showed me on a trip last year.  Simply loosen the drag all the way, open the bail, and instead of pulling your line off the end of the spool, pull it to the side!  You will do this until you reach the loop and it will unwind itself with no tangles at all.  Then just tighten your drag back down and you're back to fishing!

David
Treasure Coast Tackle

Choosing the Proper Hook or Jig Head for your Monster 3X Baits

By now you have probably heard about the most productive, most durable soft plastic on the market today, Monster 3X.  Once you have selected which bait to use, your next decision will have a tremendous impact on your success with these baits.  Do you choose weedless hooks or jig heads and what size do you choose?

First we will look at the T&A Bullhead Jigs.  They are available in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz sizes and all of them are designed with a 3/0 wide gap hook.  Almost all of our flats fishing, when we use jig heads, is done with the 1/8 oz Bullhead Jig.  If the wind is strong we will move up to the 3/16 oz for a bit of extra casting distance and to stay in contact with the bait better.  In water over 4 feet deep, if the goal is to fish on the bottom we break out the 1/4 oz.  When choosing which size would best work for you, just keep in mind where you are trying to fish in the water column.  At night in the dock lights, for example we stick to the 1/8 oz even though the water depth can be up to 10 feet, we are trying to stay just under the surface, not on the bottom.

Next are the T&A Weedless Belly Weighted Hooks.  These hooks have been responsible for taking the versatility of Monster 3X baits to a new level!  They are available in 2 sizes, 3/0 and 4/0 and the weights are 1/16 oz, 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz and 1/4 oz.  The most important thing to remember here is to use the 3/0 size with the 3 3/4" X-Move Shrimp, the 3 3/4" X-Swim and the 2 3/4" Slimshad.  Use the 4/0 with the 4 3/4" X-Move Shrimp, 4 3/4" X-Swim, 3 3/4" Slimshad and Ultrasoft Shrimp.  Using a hook that is too small on the bigger baits doesn't give enough penetration to get a solid hook set.  If you remember nothing else remember this:  Small hook for small baits, big hook for big baits!  The best all around weight for the Weedless Belly Weighted Hooks is by far the 3/16 oz.  Since the bait falls more horizontally, the sink rate is slower than the same weight jig head.  But again, experiment and find the size that fits your style of fishing.  The push pin on the hook makes rigging a breeze and being able to present these baits in heavy cover makes them a fish's nightmare.

If you're not sure how exactly to rig these baits that's okay, we have videos on our YouTube Channel that will have you rigging like a pro in no time!

David Jouppi
Treasure Coast Tackle

4 Questions to Ask Yourself that WILL Help you Catch More Fish

Are you tired of seeing the same guys catching fish day in and day out when you look at Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram?  Do you find yourself wishing you could be that "lucky"?  Do you want to know the "secrets"?

4 Questions to Ask Yourself that WILL Help you Catch More Fish

1.  Are There Fish Where I'm Fishing?

First and foremost, in order to catch fish, there has to be fish where you're fishing at!  If you're not getting any bites and you're not seeing any action, chances are the fish aren't biting at the time you're fishing.

2.  Do I Know the Tides? 

If you're fishing near the end of the tide cycle and are fishing through the slack portion, chances are you're not going to catch many fish.  However, if you're fishing when the tide starts ripping, you're very likely to catch the fish.  Often at the change of the tide, it's almost like someone rung the dinner bell with all the activity you start seeing and the bites you start getting.  There are a lot of good tide charts online, we prefer Tides4Fishing.  You can put in your specific area and get an accurate chart for the whole month.

  

3.  Am I Using the Right Bait?

Not knowing what type and size of bait to use can be problematic.  Options for anglers can be overwhelming to say the least.  If you know what size bait the fish are feeding on this will help your decision tremendously.  Here in Florida from Winter through late Spring, we tend to use smaller lures and during Summer through Fall, when the water is warm and the fish's metabolism is high, we like bigger lures to target the big fish looking for the biggest meal they can get!  Having said that, we will downsize if we find them spooky or not feeding heavily.  Our "go-to" baits are undoubtedly the Monster 3X baits.  If you would like to know why or read more about them, you're going to want to check out this article we did:  Introducting the New Standard in Soft Plastics, the Monster 3X!

4.  How are my Casting Abilities? 

How good are you at skipping or casting your lure under docks and mangroves?  The biggest fish will usually be hanging in the shadows waiting for an easy meal to drop in front of their face.  If you're two feet from them they won't chase it and you're left thinking there are no fish there or they just aren't biting, when it's your presentation that's the problem!  Practice casting your lures as close to the structure as you can without hitting it.  Learn to do this and you WILL catch many more fish!

Conclusion

To catch more fish, the 4 things you MUST know are:

1.  If there are fish where I'm fishing
2.  Your tides
3.  Use the right bait
4.  How to skip or cast your lure under docks and mangroves

Do these 4 things and you "hoping" to catch more fish will become a thing of the past, you WILL catch more fish!

David & Erica
Treasure Coast Tackle

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All About the Monster 3X X-Swim

By now you have probably heard of the hottest soft plastic bait on the market, Monster 3X!  Most likely though, the bait you have seen and heard the most about is the X-Move Shrimp.  The X-Move Shrimp is by far the most popular of the Monster 3X line up, but we aren't here to discuss the X-Move.  Right below the shrimp in popularity is the Monster 3X X-Swim.  This bait incorporates a segmented tail and may be even more versatile than the X-Move Shrimp.  The X-Swim is a perfect bait fish imitation that gives the angler an array of options in not only saltwater but freshwater as well!

We rig all of our Monster 3X products on the T&A Bullhead Jigs or the T&A Weedless Belly Weighted Hooks, they are the only hooks and jigs designed specifically for use with the Monster 3X baits.

 Here are just some of the ways you can use the X-Swim to put more fish in the boat:

• Use a sharp upward snap of the rod to jump the bait off the bottom like a struggling bait fish.
• Use a medium speed retrieve with steady rod twitches to imitate a fleeing baitfish.
• Use a fast, steady retrieve and the X-Swim's tail will kick side to side just under the surface.
• In freshwater, rig on a T&A Weedless Hook (1/16 oz-1/4oz) and pitch along cover.  The X-Swim has a subtle action when sinking using very little rod movement, making it a great bait for bass fishing.

Next time you need the perfect bait fish imitation, pick up either the 3 3/4" or the 4 3/4" Monster 3X X-Swim, you won't be disappointed!

David
Treasure Coast Tackle

The Worst Thing You Can Do With Your Monster 3X Baits

If you've been following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@treasurecoasttackle) for any length of time, you have probably seen A LOT of photos, posts, articles and YouTube videos about Monster 3X baits.

We've told you all about how Monster 3X is truly the new standard in soft plastics, we've shown you how to rig the Monster 3X baits, we've given you tips to catch more fish with Monster 3X and we've proven our motto, "We use what we sell so we KNOW it works!" through numerous photos.

The thing we haven't told you is the worst thing you can do with your Monster 3X baits.  DO NOT under any circumstances mix your Monster 3X baits with any other soft plastics! The material of other soft plastic baits will damage Monster 3X baits and by damage we mean all you will have left of your beloved Monster 3X baits is a clump of gooey, sticky mess.  Mixing your Monster 3X baits with other soft plastics is worst than leaving a pack of them on the dash of vehicle for a day; however excessive exposure to heat can also damage the baits.

So just remember, DO NOT MIX your Monster 3X baits with any other soft plastics and keep them out of excessive exposure to heat and your Monster 3X baits are sure to last you a very long time! One bait, fish after fish...no kidding!  The Monster 3X innovative formula has produced a soft, flexible, extremely durable and more resistant bait than any other soft bait available!  If you haven't tried these amazing baits yet, you're missing out...you will catch more fish per bait guaranteed!  We have the full line of Monster 3X baits (X-Move Shrimp, Ultrasoft Shrimp, Big M, X-Swim and Slimshad) at unbeatable prices at Treasure Coast Tackle.

David & Erica
Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Choose Size of Braid and Leader

The number of choices available to today's anglers are endless. Not only are there thousands of lures on the market, but once you finally make that decision there arises a whole new set of options...what line do I choose? This article will address how we determine line and leader size along with why we make that decision. Let me first say that here at Treasure Coast Tackle, we are going to choose braid over monofilament every time. There may be some situations where mono may have a slight advantage, but in our experience when used properly braid will definitely put more fish in the boat.

Let's look at line size first. We use 15lb mono for backing (about 50 yards) then tie the braid to mono with a uni to uni knot and top off the spool stopping about an eighth of an inch from the edge of the spool. If we are fishing open flats with nothing for the fish to wrap you up in, we will choose 10 or 12lb braid. This will allow you to get the most distance possible out of your cast. If you choose this size, it is critical to check your line often for signs of fraying or damage. Make it a point to cut a few feet of line off when you tie on a new leader. While 10-12lb braid is strong, it is extremely succeptible to breakage if you have even slight damage to the line.

When we move to mangroves and docks, we use 20lb braid. We have found this size to be a good mix of strength and castability. The 20lb gives enough strength to put the extra drag on those fish hiding back under docks without sacrificing castability on a 3000 or 4000 size reel.

When we head to the bridges to toss jigs for big snook in 16-20 feet of water, we break out the 5000 series reels spooled with 50lb braid. The 50lb allows us to lock down the drag and winch up big snook before they can get around the rocks and concrete pilings. For our jig fishing around bridges, we will use 60lb mono leader due to the water being deep and we are fishing at night.

We use 40lb fluorocarbon leader almost exclusively on flats and around docks. If the water is gin clear and it's sunny out, we may back down to 25lb fluorocarbon leader but only if we feel the fish are being very skittish. Will a light leader leader get more bites? Maybe, but what good is that if you're just going to get broken off by a big fish? Our theory is if the fish are so in tune that a slightly heavier leader spooks them, then they are most likely not going to hit an artificial lure anyway! We use a triple surgeon's knot that we actually wrap four times instead of 3, to tie our leader to braid.

Hopefully this insight as to how and why we choose what braid and leader we use will help you on your next outing!

David Jouppi
Treasure Coast Tackle

New to Wading? Joupdog's Top 5 Wading Tips

New to wading?  Keep reading to learn Joupdog's Top 5 Wading Tips:

1. Be prepared - Too many times people show up with 10lb braid and 20lb leader which is fine in certain cases, but I use 20lb WonderBraid with 40lb Trik Fish fluorocarbon leader because you never know when a big fish, especially snook, is going to suck down your lure and with 40lb leader you have a much better chance of landing the fish.  It also will not decrease the amount of bites you get when redfish or trout fishing.
2. Don't overlook the shallows - Many anglers walk out as far as they can when in reality the fish are way behind them.  Especially when targeting snook, try to focus on knee to waist deep water.
3. Cover a lot of ground - Try to cover as much water as you can until you locate the fish.  I try to work 15-20 docks minimum in a trip.  By doing this, you will eliminate standing in one spot and put your lure in front of more fish.
4. Topwater still works when the sun is up - Some people think you can only throw a topwater for the first hour of sunrise or the last hour before sunset. The fact is, I've caught some of my biggest fish on topwater from 9:00 a.m. to noon so don't be afraid to stick to topwater for longer than your buddies do.
5. Skip way under the docks - Many times, it's going to take a very good cast way underneath a dock to get the bite.  Practice skipping your lure as far as you can under a dock to get it in the shade and get the bite.

EXTRA TIPS:

Wade fishing affords the angler the opportunity to get up close and personal with the fish they are pursuing. Keeping things simple is the key here.  We have been fortunate enough to stand in one place and catch fish for hours, but often there are times we have to walk up to 4 miles to find the fish!  You must always remember that safety is paramount when wading; NEVER wade alone and ALWAYS wear some sort of protection on your feet!

As you can see, when wading it is a very "reel" possibility to not just catch fish, but to catch trophy sized fish! Wading can be one of the most rewarding ways to fish.  You can visit Joupdog Wading Adventures on Facebook or get the details on how to schedule your Joupdog Wading Adventures trip here.

Ryan (a.k.a. Joupdog)

Joupdog Wading Adventures

Offered through Treasure Coast Tackle

Never a "Bad Day of Fishing"

All anglers get excited about the thought of their upcoming trip to chase their favorite fish! Nothing can dampen that excitement more than making what seems like hundreds of casts with no action. Staying positive on the water is often times easier said than done. You can have the perfect lure in the perfect color with perfect weather conditions, but if your attitude turns negative your focus and attention to detail will suffer.

Picking up on seemingly minor things happening around you could be the difference between hooking up or going home early and dejected. Pay attention and keep your focus on making the perfect presentation, the perfect cast and believe that the fish of a lifetime is coming on that next cast! At the end of the day, you're still out doing something you love, whether it's with friends, family or by yourself enjoying the sounds of nature. Stay positive, stay focused, and I guarantee you'll catch more fish and enjoy yourself more while doing it! Remember above all, there is NEVER a "bad day of fishing".



David Jouppi
Treasure Coast Tackle

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How to Choose the Size of Jig Head to Throw

How do you choose the size of jig head to use on your Monster 3X or any soft plastic? Is it based on knowledge or do you just pick the one that your buddy is throwing or the one that there is the least amount of left in stock, because if there's not very many left that must be the best one, right?  Not necessarily.

We throw 1/8 oz jigs most of the time and that decision is based on the depth of the water and the wind. If the water is over 4 feet deep or if it's windy then we throw 1/4 oz jigs  Sometimes you may even need 3/8 oz; the times I would choose 3/8 oz would be in 10 feet of water or more. Jig head size is a lot of personal preference but keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish, if you are swimming a soft plastic through the dock lights you are not trying to get the lure on the bottom so even if the water is 10 feet deep we stick to 1/8 oz jig heads for this application no matter the depth. We try to use the lightest jig head possible to begin with, and work up in weight.

Bullhead Jig

Bullhead Jig

Poison Tail Jig

Uppity Jig

These are the general guidelines we use to determine what size of jig head to start with. This has been a very common question we recieve and while the answer is not very complex, hopefully it helps you determine what size of jig head to use on your next  trip!

David Jouppi
Treasure Coast Tackle

Tips to Catch More Fish with Monster 3X and Unfair Lures!

Here at Treasure Coast Tackle our motto has always been "We use what we sell so we KNOW it works!" As a result the most popular question we get almost daily is "how do you work (insert your favorite Unfair Lure here)" or how do you work the Monster 3X? Our goal in this article is to answer that question and give some insight as to how we approach our fishing trips. These four tips below will apply to both the Unfair Lures and Monster 3X baits and they will increase your success with these two outstanding products!

• Change Speeds - This is critical to determine the mood of the fish on any given day. I will start with a faster retrieve or more aggressive snaps of the rod tip. I'll usually give a retrieve about 20 minutes and if there's no interest then I'll change to a more subtle action all the way down to a very slow retrieve. Sometimes just barely moving the lure along the bottom. The main point here is to not get locked in on one retrieve style. Use short twitches, hard twitches, work quick and try to see how slow you can work it. Change up until you find out what the fish want, there is NO wrong way and every day is different.

• Focus on Casting - Practice casting your lures as close to the structure as you can without hitting it. If it's docks, you MUST learn to skip or cast your lures under the dock or mangroves. The biggest fish will usually be hanging in the shadows waiting for an easy meal to drop in their face. If you're two feet from them, they won't chase it and you're left thinking there are no fish there or they just aren't biting, when it's your presentation that's the problem. Learn to do this and you WILL catch many more fish!

• Lure Size - "Do I use an Unfair Lures Mullet 70? 90? 120?" "Should I throw the Monster 3X 3 1/2" or 4 3/4" X-Move Shrimp? What about the 2 3/4" Slimshad?" Options for anglers can be overwhelming to say the least. If you know what size bait the fish are feeding on this will help your decision tremendously. Winter though late Spring (here in Florida) we will tend to use smaller lures and during Summer through Fall, when the water is warm and the fish's metabolism is high, we like bigger lures to target the big fish looking for the biggest meal they can get! Having said that, we will downsize if we find them being spooky or not feeding heavily.

• Be Decisive - All the tips in the world are not going to help if you don't master this one. Pick a lure and presentation and commit to it, don't second guess yourself. If you think you should change lures, then DO IT! If you think you should change spots, DO IT! I first heard Kevin VanDam talk about this and it has been one of the best tips I have ever heard. His theory is that if you are thinking about other lures or spots then you are not focusing on the lure you're using or the spot you're fishing!

Hopefully this insight into how we approach our fishing trips will help you on your next outing!

David Jouppi

Treasure Coast Tackle

Ride the Tides to More Fish

If you have ever said "man, there are NO fish here today!" this article is for you. A few years ago when we were newbies to the saltwater fishing game, my son and I were out hitting dock lights hoping to find some snook. We fished for an hour and a half with no sign of a fish and were quite discouraged with the area we had chosen to fish. On our way back past the docks, we began to see some activity. It was like someone had rung the dinner bell! We began catching fish at every dock we stopped at from that point on and had a blast!

What changed? The tide! We unknowingly started the trip near the end of the incoming tide, fished through the slack portion and were about to move locations when the outgoing tide started ripping. That night was the best learning experience I have ever had on the water, we started to plan our trips around the tides and "hoping" to catch was replaced with confidence that we would definitely catch fish.

Over the years, we have made a point to scout areas during dead low tide to see any low spots, holes or channels that may be exposed. The big snook and trout will move to these areas and wait for disoriented baitfish to come by so they can ambush them. Docks are our favorite structure to fish and finding good ones that will most likely hold fish is easy to do at low tide. Look for any change in depth close by and focus on the area as the tide comes in. You will find some areas produce better on incoming than outgoing and vice versa. Since seeing first hand the difference the tide made in the activity level of the fish, I have made it my number one priority when planning my fishing trips.

There are a lot of good tide charts online, but we prefer Tides4Fishing.  You can put in your specific area and get an accurate chart for the whole month. Pay attention to the tides, pay attention to the details and "hoping" to catch fish will become a thing of the past!

David
Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Rig the Monster 3X Baits

Not quite sure how to rig the Monster 3X baits?  Watch and learn!  This video will show you how to rig the Monster 3X X-Move Shrimp, the X-Swim and the Slimshad using the Bullhead Jig and the Poison Tail Jig or the Scorpion Jig.



Thank you for watching.

David
Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Prevent Wind Knots

Want to eliminate wind knots?  Watch and learn!  This video explains the best way to prevent wind knots!



David - Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Work the Unfair Lures Mullet 70, 90 and 120 (Suspend and Fast Suspend Models)

Not sure how to work the Unfair Lures Mullet 70, 90 and 120 (Suspend and Fast Suspend Models)?  Watch this video and use this technique and you'll be sure to catch the fish!

The Mullet 70 and Mullet 90 are available in both the suspend and fast suspend model; while the Mullet 120 is currently only available in the fast suspend model. The differences between the slow and fast suspend models is that the slow suspend is a little bit lighter and has a higher pitched rattle; therefore the noise it makes is going to be different in the water.

I have used the Mullet 120 in as shallow as a foot and a half of water and as deep as seven feet; it really just depends on how long you want to let it suspend before you start to retrieve it. This is a great lure to use along the seawall, especially if you have a lot of wind blowing up against there. It also works great around deep docks, let it get three to five feet down and start retrieving it and if there's a big fish in there, it's gonna come out and smash your lure. The Mullet 120 is also an ideal bait for fishing on the beach because it's going to cut right through the wind and it casts really well. It's not so heavy that you can throw it on a medium action rod. The Mullet 120 will stay a foot under the surface, depending on how fast you are retrieving it. You can retrieve this bait a little faster because it is heavy and it's not going to want to pop up to the surface as easy. This lure has excellent rolling and swimming action, it just kind of wobbles and rolls and looks a lot like a mullet cruising along. 

The Mullet 70 is ideal for when you need a small bait to get under the docks. The way you work the Mullet 70 or the Mullet 90 doesn't change from how you work the Mullet 120. We work all of the suspending and fast suspending mullet models the same way; a steady retrieve with light twitches or pulls.  The only thing that changes is how long you wait to let it suspend and the speed at which you retrieve it.

The key to this lure is you don't work it a whole lot, the less you do for it, the better it will do for you. Just use a very slow and steady retrieve and mix in a little twitch, just a little pull, that's all it takes. If you start twitching it a lot, your leader is going to get tangled around the hooks; that's not the way this lure was designed to be worked. If you try to do too much with it, you're just going to be frustrated because your line is going to keep getting tangled. So again, slow and steady retrieve and mix in a little pull every now and again, just barely moving the rod.

The Unfair Lures Mullet 70, 90 and 120 is available in a variety of different colors; you can sell all of the colors and purchase them from Treasure Coast Tackle by clicking here: Unfair Lures - Paul's Dinkum Mullet.

David - Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Work the Unfair Lures Mullet 90 Topwater Sub-Surface Twitch

Not sure how to work the Unfair Lures Mullet 90 Topwater Sub-Surface Twitch? Watch this video and use this technique and you'll be sure to catch the fish!

Hopefully this post and video will clear up any confusion as to why this lure is referred to as a topwater sub-surface twitch. The reason it is called a sub-surface twitch is because it's not a true floating topwater. As soon as you start to work it or move it at all, it comes up to the surface and it wakes just under the surface and if you add any action to it then it comes up and works a lot more like a topwater. It will stay underneath and work in that two to six inch range, just under the surface.

The key to this lure is you don't work it a whole lot, the less you do for it, the better it will do for you. Just use a very slow and steady retrieve and mix in a little pull, I wouldn't even call it a twitch. If you start twitching it a lot, trying to walk the dog with it, your leader is going to get tangled around the hooks; that's not the way this lure was designed to be worked. If you try to do too much with it, you're just going to be frustrated because your line is going to keep getting tangled. So again, slow and steady retrieve and mix in a little pull every now and again, just barely moving the rod. If you use this technique, it's going to look just like a mullet waking right under the surface, just popping up to the top. After watching the video, you'll be able to see that it does work a lot more like a topwater than a sub-surface bait.

A pretty cool benefit with this lure is that if a fish rolls on it or misses it, if you pause it for a split second the lure will sink just below the surface and most of the time the fish come back and smack it again! Whereas, with a true topwater that stays up on top and you keep working it, a lot of times they won't come back for it.

The Unfair Lures Mullet 90 Topwater Sub-Surface Twitch is only available in Liveglow White or Pearl Black at this time. You can purchase them from Treasure Coast Tackle by clicking here: Unfair Lures - Paul's Dinkum Mullet.




David - Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Work the Unfair Lures Sinking Shrimp

Not sure how to work the Unfair Lures Sinking Shrimp? Watch this video and use this technique and you'll be sure to catch them!

What's neat about this lure is that it can sink and go to the bottom, but you can actually walk the dog with it also along the top. You barely twitch the sinking shrimp and it will pop straight up, just like a shrimp trying to pop out of the grass.

The key to this lure is giving it enough time to sink back down after twitching it; if you twitch it too hard it will jump up a foot to a foot and a half off the bottom. If you're just barely wanting to move it along, just give it a very short little bump. With very, very short little twitches of the rod you can do the walk the dog action. If you get to a pot hole you want to drop the shrimp down in, you just stop twitching it and the shrimp is going to glide right down in the hole.

This technique works for all models of the Unfair Lures Sinking Shrimp, the 85 (smaller shrimp), the 110 (larger shrimp) and the 110 (larger shrimp in the super fast suspend/sinking model).

The Unfair Lures Sinking Shrimp is available in a variety of different colors; you can see all of the colors and purchase them from Treasure Coast Tackle by clicking here:  Unfair Lures - Paul's Dinkum Shrimp.




David - Treasure Coast Tackle

How to Work the Unfair Lures Paul's Dinkum Shrimp 85 (Floating)

Not sure how to work the Unfair Lures Paul's Dinkum Shrimp 85 (floating)? Use this technique and you'll be sure to catch them!

The real key is to make a long cast, retrieve it very slowly and don't stop...that's the ticket. If you stop, it's going to pop back up to the top and you're going to have another 6 or 7 feet before it actually gets down to the depth you want it.




David - Treasure Coast Tackle

A Look at the New Widow Maker Weedless Keeper Jig

Have you seen the Widow Maker Weedless Keeper Jigs, but not sure exactly how to rig them up or what the benefits are? Watch and learn!



The Widow Maker Weedless Keeper Jigs are available in 1/16 oz 2/0, 1/8 oz 3/0 and 1/4 oz 5/0 and you can find them at www.treasurecoasttackle.com.

David
Treasure Coast Tackle

Comparison: Unfair Lures Rip-N-Slash Vs. Unfair Lures Mullet

One of the most common questions we receive here at Treasure Coast Tackle is "what's the difference between the Rip-N-Slash and the Mullet?" This is a valid question because they are both the same length and are viewed as "twitch baits".

Let's start with the Rip-N-Slash; our favorite way to work this lure is with aggressive twitches combined with a pause. The Rip-N-Slash is designed to dart from side to side very erratically to mimic a fleeing or disoriented small bait fish. This is the perfect lure for getting a reaction strike out of fish that may not be actively feeding. The combination of flash and wild action are just too much for the fish to resist!  You can check out our YouTube video "How to Work the Unfair Lures Rip-N-Slash" here.

Now let's move on to the Mullet; this lure was designed by taking a laser scan of a real finger mullet to make the mold. By doing this, the sonic signature is exactly what fish know as being a mullet. Having said that, this lure has nowhere near the darting action of the Rip-N-Slash. We work the Mullet with small twitches of the rod, also with a pause mixed in. The lure will wobble and roll slightly, exactly like an injured mullet and since the water displacement, or sonic signature is exactly the same as a real finger mullet, fish usually inhale this lure...when they hit it, it's to eat! Most of the fish we catch have this lure all the way in their mouth. It's for this reason that we use at least 40lb Trik Fish leader if we are targeting snook...they hammer this thing!

The Rip-N-Slash is currently only available in the 70mm 1/3oz size, but the mullet is available in a 70mm 3/8oz suspending model or a 1/2oz fast suspending model. We recommend using the suspending model if the fish are in less than 3 feet of water or if you are trying to stay just under the surface. The fast suspending model is ideal for working in the 2-4 feet range.

If you have any questions regarding anything we sell at www.treasurecoasttackle.com, feel free to contact us by clicking this link or emailing us at david@treasurecoasttackle.com.  Below are a few personal best fish caught on either the Unfair Lures Rip-N-Slash or the Unfair Lures Mullet.

David - Treasure Coast Tackle
"We use what we sell so we KNOW it works!"

The Wind Is Your Friend

A lot of people let the wind control their fishing plans. At Treasure Coast Tackle, we have caught some great fish in the windiest conditions! We are all too familiar with the wind being the deciding factor as far as if we can take the boat out or not. While our boat is extremely stable, heavy chop because of the wind can make getting into position and making an accurate presentation nearly impossible. We had to think outside of the box. We love to fish and were determined to find a way around the wind. That's where wading comes in; if you don't mind walking to find the fish (we have walked up to 4 miles to find them) this can be one of the most rewarding ways to fish!

If you decide to take the boat out and battle the strong winds, the constant running of the trolling motor will spook the fish that are in shallow water and anchoring limits where you can present your lure. It sometimes takes multiple casts on different angles to get the fish to bite. In our experience, when you fish a windy shoreline, the size of the fish will also be bigger! We recently found this scenario playing out on the Indian River; we had three days of north winds blowing 15-20 mph. We found big snook laying in the shallow, murky water under docks. With the strong wind, the snook were just sitting waiting for bait to be blown under the dock for an easy meal! We fed them the Unfair Lures Mullet and Rip-N-Slash instead. Best of all, the "bad" weather meant we had the river to ourselves! I believe if we would have had beautiful, picture perfect weather, we would have never found those fish. It was the most challenging, yet rewarding fishing we have had in quite awhile.

  

                                                                           

So remember, next time you wake up and hear the wind howling outside your window...the fish hear the dinner bell ringing!

David
Treasure Coast Tackle