Sportsman's Quest

You should have your tag applications in, and unless you're planning a hunt in the southern hemisphere - South America, South Africa or Australia-New Zealand - (which is a great idea and easier than you may think), it's time to wait.

While waiting, you may have heard the Albacore are starting to run and the yellowfin won't be far behind.

Bottom fishing is in full swing along the west coast from Baja to British Columbia and Alaska.

Cod can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to over 50 as you go north and get into some of those deep-water "yellow eyes" or "lings." Halibut off the California coast can go to 50, while those in northern waters may weigh in at over 100 pounds.

What they all have in common is that the most effective way of fishing for them is with jigs, and the most effective jigs are those you make or customize yourself.

You should have your tag applications in, and unless you're planning a hunt in the southern hemisphere - South America, South Africa or Australia-New Zealand - (which is a great idea and easier than you may think), it's time to wait.

While waiting, you may have heard the Albacore are starting to run and the yellowfin won't be far behind.

Bottom fishing is in full swing along the west coast from Baja to British Columbia and Alaska.

Cod can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to over 50 as you go north and get into some of those deep-water "yellow eyes" or "lings." Halibut off the California coast can go to 50, while those in northern waters may weigh in at over 100 pounds.

What they all have in common is that the most effective way of fishing for them is with jigs, and the most effective jigs are those you make or customize yourself.

The materials you'll need are:

• hooks - big is better;
• swivels - strong are better;
• spoons in various sizes and shapes:
• "hoochies" (squid imitations);
• "skirts" and
• any artificial rubber or plastic critter-looking things you can find, including shrimp, frogs, worms, crickets - or you name it.
Shop in the toy or sewing store as well as the fishing section of your favorite outdoor store.

You'll also need lots of lead weights. I like the 2- to 12-ounce size, but I have used even heavier in deep northern waters when the tide was running.
You can buy weights and jigs pre-made and then customize them.
Or, you can melt some lead (be sure to do it outside, stand up-wind and wear a protective mask due to the harmful effects of lead vapor) and pour your own.
Molds can be purchased at a good sporting goods store or from a catalog.
The jigs I most often make use a piece of chrome tubing. Old towel bars work well, or look around the house or salvage yard for something similar.

These are then filled with poured lead and a piece of steel wire about three inches long is placed in the lead, while it is still fluid, leaving a loop at the top or at both ends.

Hooks can then be placed either at the top or bottom. I place mine at the top, which prevents them from snagging in the ever-present rocks where bottom fish live.

As a further attractant add the "hoochies," spinners or artificial critters to the hook shank using steel wire.

Ol' Seldom makes an interesting jig; I've tried it and it works.

It's made using a round weight stuffed in the head of a 10-inch artificial squid.

Bigger is again better, with a drop hook reaching to the end of its tentacles. Nothing beats this for those big northern lings or halibut - not even fresh cut herring or anchovies; which can be added to the hook, if you think it best.

I've found it interferes with the live-looking action of the lure - but who knows? The trick is to try different stuff and most importantly, have fun creating and doing it.

Select colors to match what the fish are eating; light and bright colors work best in deep or darker waters and fish oil attractant also helps.

Ol' Seldom swears by WD40 and often out-fishes me. I haven't been able to talk myself into this drastic measure, but who knows? Fishermen will try, and swear by, almost anything.

Whatever you use, fish it one to two feet off the bottom and regularly let it drop and bounce to make sure you're in the "strike-zone."

So, hunting season and those tags will come soon enough and there is nothing else you can now do to improve your odds of success. But, you can spend some time, have some fun building "secret jigs" and dream of those soon-to-be fillets and chips on your dinner table.

The only thing that could make it better is sharing the activity with your son, daughter, young person, or someone whose company you enjoy; that's "bonding," while you're "building."

If you need help or discover something "magic" give me a call or e-mail. I'm always looking for a new secret lure and an opportunity to build the sport.

What's new

I have just received a new product from Superknife.

It's a quality folding pocket utility knife that uses an interchangeable blade available at most hardware stores. It never needs sharpening; just change the blade. It is lightweight and fits securely in the hand.

I've justified its use for hunting and fishing, but I'll bet that it gets equal time around the house and yard. To see this knife go to www.superknives.com or call 480-348-0544.


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