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.netor
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
Visit "The Bass Coach" at:
Pro Bass Guide & Bass
Fishing School
Route-1 Box-65, Pearl Street
Crown Point, NY 12928 Tel. 518-597-4240
or email him at rlbrown@capital.net
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