The Spring Arrival
Clint Taylor
Finally, we have had some decent temperatures to go fishing! Since the weather started to get a little bit better, I decided to go ahead and start to stock up on what I would need for the first outing of the season, and hopefully I'll get to test it out this week too. The good news is that I have quite a bit of tackle that can be salvaged from last year and will only have to get some new line and a few lures. Here is my new tackle to start off the 2015 fishing season.
Power Pro 30 lb. Braided Line
Ever since I used braided line for the first time, I have not been able to forget about the unbelievable characteristics that it offers. Yes, it does cost quite a bit more than monofilament, but it is well worth it. I have usually used as cheap as braided line that I can get my hands on, but this year I started to upgrade a bit and try out some Power Pro braid.
I have heard a lot of good things about Power Pro and could never decide if it was as good as every said it is. To solve this problem, I decided to go ahead an just get some. at $15 for 150 yards of 30 lb braid, it is not extremely cheap nor expensive, more so just the middle ground. I got mine in a moss green coloration, but there is some other colors if you would like to try something else out. I plan on pairing this line up with my Abu Garcia baitcasting reel and seeing how it handles it, and this should be soon as I am going to the Brazos River.
Rage Tail Space Monkey
With such a unique name as Rage Tail Space Monkey, how could someone not choose to at least give the Space Monkey a chance? Just as I chose to use some Power Pro braid for the first time because of word of mouth, I am also using the Space Monkey for the same reason. I am hoping to use the Space Monkey as a Texas Rig bait as well as a setup for a jig head on the Texas rivers, but possibly even a Carolina Rig if the time is right. I got the Watermelon Red & Black Space Monkey because I will be using them in pretty clear water. I am not sure what to expect from this "crawfish creature bait", but going by what I have researched, it should work well.
Rapala Shadow Rap Jerkbait
For those of you who read my articles frequently, you will know how much of a fan I am of Rapala. Their lures have such a high quality and action that I still haven't found a company that comes close. One major downfall of the Shadow Rap and all Rapala Lures is that they are extremely expensive. The Shadow Rap costed almost $10 at my local shop, but I was willing to invest a little as the Shadow Rap is Rapala's newest and top of the line bait. Rapala claims that the Shadow Rap can go near 180 degrees side to side with the right retrieve and almost stay in the same spot. If this is true, or even partially true, I expect the Shadow Rap will be devastating.
I love jerkbaits for not only late winter and early spring, but also for any time of the year. The Shadow Rap has three hooks and a small bill (at least in this variation, there is one that runs deeper but I chose the Shadow Rap) along with a nice rattle located in the belly of the bait. I can almost guarantee success with the Shadow Rap, but the only way to find out is to test it out on the water.
Check back later this week or next week to see how all of my new gear handles and hopefully how they can catch some fish. Until then, go get some gear to get ready for fishing this year.