This week, Wesley Strader discusses sight-fishing, tips for cleaning your boat and the advantages of fishing with composite fishing rods.
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Q & A with WESLEY STRADER
Q: I have read that a fiberglass rod is a good rod choice for throwing crankbaits. But are there any other applications in which a fiberglass rod would be beneficial? Thanks.
- Chris Chinn, St Paul, Minn.
A: There are many applications for fiberglass rods. I use CastAway rods and they offer several different rods of this type. However, many of their rods are not pure fiberglass as they have a mixture of both fiberglass and graphite. Personally, I think the Soft Touch series by CastAway is a great choice for small crankbaits. They also double as a great jerkbait rod. Remember, graphite and composite rods aren’t exclusively fiberglass, but they do boast many of the same advantageous properties of fiberglass rods. For throwing almost all of my crankbaits, I’ll use a rod called the Long Cast Launcher. It is made in several different lengths all the way up to 7 ½ feet. This rod also works great when facing an open water situation when throwing a spinner bait. Clear water situations also offer up a perfect scenario for fiberglass or composite rods. Swim baits work great on these type of rods as well. Some guys are even going back to a glass rod for flipping, but you better have your arm in great shape because, after awhile, it feels like you’re fishing with a lead pole.
Q: I know you get new boats quite often, but I was curious how you clean the inside of your boats, carpet, etc., without mildew building up from your boat getting wet? Is it okay to use cleaners on the inside of your boat or will the smell find its way onto your bait and hands even with a scent neutralizer?
- Tom Evins, Jr. , Baton Rouge, La.
A: There are several different things you can use. Most of your household cleaning supplies will work on the inside of your boat. I will use either Castrol’s degreaser, 409 or Orange Blast. However, make sure to read the back label as some solutions may have to be diluted with water. Here’s another tip for keeping your carpet looking great. Take a bottle of liquid fabric softener and dilute it with water in a separate bottle. Spray it on the carpet of your boat with a spray bottle. Let it sit for awhile. Then take a brush and brush the carpet back up. This will keep it looking soft and new. As far as the smell of this products finding their way onto your baits, I haven’t really noticed that to be a problem.
Q: When fishing on a lake that is clear, is it better to fish a spinnerbait with or without a trailer?
- Derrick Jones, Piscataway, N.J.
A: The quick answer is that you have to let the fish dictate what bait you’re using. War Eagle spinner baits come with a built-in trailer that is not attached to the hook but to part of the actual skirt. So, in this case, there is no need for a trailer. But if fish seem to be “short striking,” try trimming the skirt back and using a trailer hook.
Q: How do you get the spawning bass to bite? I’ve tried to put my bait in the nest area, but nothing seems to ever happen. The fish just look at it and swim around. I’ve tried all types of baits. If you could help me out, I would appreciate it.
- Jeff Armstrong , Wagoner, Okla.
A: Site-fishing is something that takes years to learn and you may never learn all that there is to know. I know that personally, I still have a lot to learn myself. But if you are getting the fish to look at the bait, you are obviously doing something right. For starters, I would try to stay with bait colors that most closely resemble a bluegill. If a small bait isn't working, switch to a larger one. Also, study your fish closely and look for something that will give away its unwillingness to bite. It may be just a sudden fin movement or a sudden change in direction. Obviously, it’s important to figure out whether the fish is catchable or not. Sometimes a bedding bass won’t bite no matter what you throw at it. So don’t waste your whole day trying to catch one stubborn fish. Also, don't get flustered. Site-fishing takes a lot of practice, even for the pros.
2012 will mark Strader’s 15th season on the FLW Tour. Strader’s seventh-place showing in the 2011 Angler of the Year race was his best showing to date. His lone top-10 tournament finish came at Beaver Lake. He made his 11th Forrest Wood Cup appearance in 2011 and finished in 22nd place. Strader’s sole Tour victory came at Lake Ouachita in 2002.
