Plan Your Winter Fishing Vacation Now

Now is the time to plan your winter fishing vacation. If you live in the northern part of the U.S. like I do (I live in Des Moines, Iowa), winters get very long. I enjoy having four seasons, but I also enjoy at least one nice trip to warmer weather during the winter months to do what I enjoy most - FISHING. There are many great places to choose from; however let me suggest Key West if you've never been there. It is not really a family friendly place in my opinion, but it is extremely beautiful and is a great destination for a fishing vacation with your buddies. I like it so much that I spent my honeymoon at Key West.

One of the most popular charter services is Key West Fishing Charters aboard Odyssea with Captain Rush Maltz. you can fish for sailfish, wahoo, blackfin tuna, king mackerel (kingfish), mutton snapper, permit, grouper, yellowtail, and swordfish. Visit their web site at www.keywestoffshorefishing.com. Key West has some of the most awesome water in the world; it is worth the trip.

For more information on fabulous fishing vacations, visit Crazy Fisherman's fishing vacations page.

My "Go To" Plastic Bait

I think everyone has their favorite "go to" bait. Something in your tackle box that you pull out when nothing else is working. Well I have two. One is the Steelshad and the other is the Kelly's Pier Boy plastic worm. I'm going to focus on the plastic worm in this article.

I was first introduced to this product by the owner of a bait shop in Columbus, Ohio in 1992. The Kelly's Pier Boy has been my favorite plastic worm since. They are pre-rigged and scented. The worm I typically use is the one pictured which has three hooks, including one in the tail. I would say that 75% of the hundreds of fish I have caught with this worm have been caught on the hook in the tail. They are not readily available at tackle shops across the country, but are available at shops throughout the Midwest and at many online retailers. They come in a variety of colors and are available with weedless hooks. The secret sauce in this bait is the placement of the hooks and the built in scent.

Kelly's Pier Boy was started as a hobby by Glenn B. Kelly in the 1950's for personal use. The product became so popular with Glenn's friends and by word of mouth that he began making them full-time a few years later. He passed away in 1979; however his son and daughter-in-law continue to run the business today. Try them out and you won't be disappointed. Go to their web site at www.kellysbassworms.com for more information.

Catching Walleye In Late Fall

Fishing for walleye in late fall can be very productive; however you won't find them in the same spots as the summer months. Also, there is less pressure from anglers which certainly helps.

My first suggestion is to start shallow and then work towards deeper water. Start with a jig tipped with a minnow off of shallow points. Next pitch into weedlines. Then move to deeper water where the bottom has contour changes. There is usually forage near changes in the bottom which will attract walleye. You can try trolling, but walleye are slower so don't troll more than a mile an hour which is slower than you troll in warmer months.

Take advantage of less fishing pressure and enjoy fishing for fall walleye.

Basstrix Becoming Popular Lunker Lure

Little known Basstrix lure has become one of the most popular baits with bass tournament fishermen. The Basstrix Paddle Tail Tube, designed by owner Bruce Porter, has flat sides with a rounded back and belly. It also has realistic eyes and a holographic finish. The lure is available in 13 airbrushed colors and five sizes, from 2 1/2 to 6 inches. The 6 inch lure is the most popular targeting lunker bass. The Basstrix Paddle Tail Tubes are not readily available because of the intensive manufacturing process. Unfortunately, the demand is often greater than the production capacity.

Used with a weighted hook and rigged Texas style, the lure is weedless. With a heavier weighted hook, you can catch fish suspended at 20 feet or deeper. The skin and realistic eyes are the secret sauce in the design. The action is like nothing else out there.

Click here for a complete product review. To purchase try www.tacklewarehouse.com.

Plan A Trip With Some Friends

Don't plan a trip without it. I have found a really cool web site for planning a trip with some friends. It's called "I'm In". The site contains a variety of ideas (including fishing of course) for trips to meet almost everyone's interests. There are built in electronic communication tools for inviting others to join in on the trip and to keep up with who's in and who's not. The site has a discussion board and photo gallery exclusive for each trip or group. I'm In is todays way of planning a trip with friends. Check it out and I think you'll agree. Click image below.

New Fishing T-Shirt Design - Going Online

Check out the new fishing t-shirt design available with a theme that creatively combine fishing with being a little "techie." It is available in multiple colors as well as short and long-sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts. This would make a great gift for a fisherman who also spends time like I do online. To learn more or place an order click here.

Attention Hawkeye Fans - New Hawkeye Spinner™

Any Hawkeye fan who enjoys fishing needs one of these spinners baits to show your fellow fans. With the Hawkeye logo on the blade, the University of Iowa Hawkeye Spinner™ is handmade by Joe Laslo (with approval and licensing from the University of Iowa of course) with the finest materials. Show your school spirit and support with the Hawkeye Spinner™. It makes a great gift for Hawkeyes who are crazy about fishing."

For more information go to Hawkeye Spinner from the Crazy Fisherman Company.