My 2009 Christmas Wish List
It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. Lots of great fishing was to be had in 2009. With winter upon us now the window of opportunity for fishing has gotten smaller indeed. I have only been able to cast a line once this winter with good fishing success. Then it got so cold out that I could only dream. Videos and books have kept my mind occupied but it’s just not the real deal. I have been looking at all the new fishing gear that is making its way out to tackle store shelves. From rods and reels to everything in between. So I thought I would write a short article and let you know what it is I want for Christmas this year.
The new Shimano Stradic is a must buy for any serious spin fisherman, the new design for 2009 utilizes the new CI4 material for construction. Stradic CI4 is the ultimate in lightweight reels designed for the ultra-finesse angler using lightweight fluorocarbon, braided or monofilament lines. From drop shotting to shaky heads and small Texas rigs, this reel has you covered. CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. It is over one and a half times stronger than our normal XT-7 graphite and is over 20% lighter. Because it does not contain metal, it is impervious to rust. So, as a result of its strength and weight, we can create an extremely lightweight reel with very precise tolerances. Its cost will be priced at two hundred dollars, but it goes on my list even if it is a little pricy.
Next will be the Shimano Cumara spinning rod, this looks like a very sensitive fishing rod but is also up there in price. Here are the specs on the Cumara. Shimano’s high-performance Cumara Spinning Rods are specifically designed for bass fishing’s most productive bottom bouncing techniques. Whether you’re shaking, dragging, shotting or rigging, the Cumara Spinning Rod is built to deliver maximum feel and enhanced comfort to keep you focused on the bite. The Cumara Spinning Rod features high modulus IM-10 graphite blank construction and is outfitted with Fuji SiC black frame guides, a custom etched butt cap, convenient hook keeper and shaped EVA foam grips. And to make sure the Cumara Spinning Rod is the lightest, most sensitive and innovative rod you’ve fished, Shimano engineered a new custom carbon insert reel seat. The carbon in the reel seat acts as an extension from the blank transferring all signals into the palm and fingers which greatly increases the sensitivity of this rod. You’ll find this increased sensitivity makes a world of difference during slow presentations and deep water situations. The price for this bad boy is 219.00 for the 6 Foot 8 inch fast action rod.
There are a few new colors for certain types of Rapalas. I would add the Rapala X-Rap jointed shad to my tackle box if I were you. Ask Santa to bring you the new colors which are BTO-Bonito. The world record Rainbow Trout was caught with this lure, in this color pattern. Next get the HH-Hot Head which is a hot orange color. And finally the SB-Silver Blue needs to be under the tree this year.
You can buy all this equipment through the Bass Pro Shop link seen above this post. They offer fast shipping and they have what you need in stock when you need it. Bass Pro is offering free upgraded FedEx shipping for orders over 75.00 for the last minute shoppers who need their goods before Christmas arrives. The best thing about shopping on the net is you never even need to get off your sofa.
So these are a few of my must have fishing goodies for Christmas of 2010. Hope you get your fishing equipment you asked Santa for this year and get to chuck out a lure or two on Christmas day. My fingers are crossed the weather warms here and I get to test drive a Rapala X-Rap.
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Merry xmas to you. I need lots of rapalas also. the day before winter starts,10 bellow zero and im fishing on the bow.this evening I went to toss a few, got to my spot tied up a blue tail dancer and launched it out. slowly reeling stopping jerking and bang! I can feel serious weight not your normal 18 or 20 incher, slowly and carefully brig him to shore get my extra long handle net (you need this on the ice) scoop him up,and he has the whole lure in his mouth. 24 inches, nice fish. For the last four months I’ve been fishing almost always at night, I’ve landed tons of the nicest trout I’ve ever seen. One thing for sure if you are fishing at night mind your retrieve they will hit it a foot off shore and hold on because you were right, the big guys come out at night.
Author
Hey Ron, glad to hear those fat bastards are jumping on your hook. Its freaky in the dark when you hook one at your feet and then it goes for a screaming run. That’s what makes your heart pump !! Thanks for the comment and if you take pic’s of your fish then let me know and I can post one or two of them here on the Blog.
Thanks,
~Mike.
Hey mike I’ll do that, broke my camera in the summer. I got to get one with a good flash for night time. Missed out on a lot of good pics but I’m getting good at catching nice fish on every outing, so im sure I can catch more for pics. You will see that those guys that got that big trout out of diefenbaker were fishing in the dark with rapalas.
Author
That would be awesome Ron, when you get a new camera start snapping and send them my way. I would be happy to add to our night fishing articles here on the Blog. I have a camera for sale if you are interested, It’s a Olympus Stylus Tough. Its a 10 mega-pixel waterproof camera. It takes great night shots and you can even get the underwater photos of fish if you need that option.
Anyhow, I met up with the fishing geeks as they are known, on Bounty Fishing.com. If you look at their photos of their world record fish, both Adam and Sean fish at night for trophy’s. They just added some Gerard Rainbows to their profile on Bounty in which these monsters were caught at night. So now I can tell my best buddy Tom to talk to you if he ever doubts me again about night fishing.
Thanks Ron and keep me up to date with your fishing adventures at night,
~Mike.
The fishing on the bow has been really busy these last few days with the warm weather. I have seen many out spin-casting and even a few fly fishing. I think that winter is for sure a time to land some big ones, as i have not caught a brown under 20 inches the last three times i have been out. Pretty sick!!
Just wondering if anyone has some advice on the ice safety, or if it is safe to be on too?
Author
Hey Ty, sure glad to hear your hooking some great trout, I love my trouties.. As for the ice issue, if you see water flowing under the ice it usually means DANGER.. I walk out slowly and scrape the snow off the ice to check for thickness before I walk out too far and fall in. Believe me its not fun when your boot breaks through the ice. That will end your day.
So I guess the best advice is to tread lightly and check thickness along the way.
Thanks Ty,
~Mike.
Just saw these posts now. Well I have been shut out at the dogpark twice this winter now and am going through the frustrating learning curve….. So the big browns still feed at night during the winter? If so thats great if we catch some weather. Thinking on heading down to policemans next chinny on a week day but my recent success would suggest I should shorten the drive and find a closer hole. Still waiting to catch my first winter fish.
Nice stocking stuffers Mike!
Got me a CI4 as well, great reel for the money…
Bow river is definitely insane with the size and numbers of fish accumulated in deeper holes. Last time I was out(about 3 weeks ago) Bow was very productive, even the blistering cold could not hold me inside the house(it was drastic temperature change, from warm to cold, and on those days big fish come out to play). In my first three casts at my favorite hole I hooked into two browns reaching 28-30″, both males.
They seem to have re-gained their strength after the spawn, no scratches on body or damaged fins, they look healthy and plump 🙂
Ron- I also go night fishing, some of the best fishing to be had!
Oh and Mike, congrats on still running this blog, hope this year you up your PB by an inch or two! 😉
Sasha
Author
Hey John, I was also out at the dog park a couple of weeks ago and was shut out. The water was dirty but it still looked as though the fish could see the bait OK. Some you win and some you lose but it was fun to just get out of the house for a few hours.
Policeman’s should be good at this time of year so I would make that drive if I were you.
Good luck and keep me posted on how you make out.
Thanks,
~Mike.