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.net or
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
