http://www.viewpoints.com/Fishing-Equipment Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:03:49 GMT Reviews about Fishing Equipment http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-Ambassadeur-Silver-Max-review-d0070   I am a long time user and big fan of Abu Garcia products and I love the Ambassador series so each time I see a new reel or an old name such as the vintage "Max" re-introduced I just cringe..."can't they come up with anything new?!"  That aside, I went and put down the fifty some bucks for a SilverMax and took it out back for its examination.  What I found was a pretty nice reel for the money.  It has the typical Abu Garcia cast, limited vibration of the spool when pushed, and smooth retrieves.  I would like to see this reel in other gear ratio's, you can speed them up but it's had to slow them down!  The low profile build is very comfortable and the build appears to be up to the Abu Garcia standard.  So not bad for the money, I recommend you try it...you just might like it.  ... Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:03:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-Ambassadeur-Silver-Max-review-d0070 joeneary1 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Stink-Bait-for-Catfish-Store-Bought-vs-Home-Made--154824-review-a41b6 Okay today I want to persuade you into a more practical way to catch the ever elusive Catfish. Probably one of the most sought after sportfish there is, yes you heard me Sportfish! Many people shy away from catfish and for different reasons. They don't know how or hate to skin them or they have never experienced catching one. Catfish are aggressive fighters once you have hooked them and taste oh so good when cooked properly. — — Well let me tell you something you may not know......Catfish are the easiest fish to clean if you know how.....All you need is a fillet knife and a catfish! You don't have to gut them or scale them, you just make 4 cuts and you're done. First fillet both sides along the backbone and the fillet the skin off and your done, ready to either freeze or cook them. Now that you know how to clean them let me tell you how to catch them! — — Store Bought vs. Homemade Stink Bait — — Store bought Stinkbait is costly and an unnecessary... Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:52:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Stink-Bait-for-Catfish-Store-Bought-vs-Home-Made--154824-review-a41b6 kid-kansas 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Rapala-Freshwater-Rattlin-Rapala-review-589a5 From early Spring to late Fall, there's always one lure I use to "find" Mr.(or Miss) Bass...a Rattlin' Rap.  It comes in many sizes from 3/16 oz. (1-1/2" long) to 3/4 oz. (3-1/8"long).  It also comes in a variety of colors.  My two favorites would be the Sliver Blue & Firetiger.  The Silver Blue on bright, sunny days; the Firetiger on cloudy days or in murky, stained water.  Use this lure to find the first Bass of the day, then slow down with a plastic worm or other slow baits.  Sometimes you get lucky and find a "grassy flat" that Bass are holding in.  That's an area with submerged vegetation 2 to 4 feet below the surface of the water.  Just keep casting that Rattlin' Rap until they quit biting it.  Sometimes the Bass like it on a steady fast retreve...sometimes rip it a few turns then pause it for just a split second.    I give this lure a rare 5 stars for three reasons.  #1) I always catch... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Rapala-Freshwater-Rattlin-Rapala-review-589a5 OldHippie 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Quantum-Hot-Sauce-review-e4735 I always thought reel oil was reel oil...nothing special.  I had always used Abu-Garcia products because I owned Abu-Garcia reels.  On my last trip to Cabela's I wanted to pick up some reel oil.  All they had was Quantum Hot Sauce reel oil.  When I was about to complain, the sales person stated that's all they carry because it blows away the competition.  And he was right. — What I like about it best is the applicator.  A pinpoint dispenser that allows precise applications. (One drop is enough usually.) Also, it's RED, so you can see it better.  According to Quantum, this stuff forms a molecularly bond with the metal.  Quantum claims a 30% increase in casting difference on bait-cast reels.  I wouldn't go quite that far, but I did notice a better performing reel on a LONG day of fishing.  How long?  Let's just say I won't be needing a tanning salon. — ... Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:57:10 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Quantum-Hot-Sauce-review-e4735 OldHippie 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Quantum-HYPERCAST-HPL-review-fc685 For some unknown reason...this spinning reel is becoming harder & harder to find.  But it's still on the Quantum Fishing website.  Cabela's sells a rod & reel combo.  — It combines two things not found in any other spinning reel; a "trigger casting system" and instant anti-reverse.  The reel need not be centered at the top to use the trigger.  In fact, you never touch the line.  — I'm basically a baitcast reel man myself, (Abu-Garcia) but when I saw this for $30.00, I couldn't pass it up.  Spool it up with some Berkley Fireline and a medium-heavy rod and WOW...what a combo for plastic worm fishin'. — This would be a great reel for any young angler...let's say age 10 or over.  It's super-easy to use.  See this link.    http://www.quantumfishing.com/fwreels/hypercast_spinning.html —... Wed, 21 May 2008 08:25:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Quantum-HYPERCAST-HPL-review-fc685 OldHippie 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Angler-Buff-review-602b9 I’ve discovered a new product that I never want to be without again on the river. It is called the Angler Buff. Packaged, Buffs appear to be like bandannas but they are tubular and made from a very strong, stretchy fabric. — — Buffs can be worn around the neck, over the head, up over the mouth and in a variety of ways. I wear a cap on the river for sun protection but wind often threatens to take it away. The Angler Buff can be pulled up over your cap to keep it on and also protects those vulnerable areas like the back of the neck and ears. It can also provide some protection from bugs and thrashing branches. Another fisherman I talked to about the Angler Buff likes to get it wet and then put it on his head to cool down on hot days. The Angler Buff can alternatively keep you warm and wick away moisture. — — We found our Angler Buffs at one of our favorite fly shops, Virginia Creeper Fly Shop in Abington, VA. You can find Buffs at many outdoor... Tue, 20 May 2008 19:55:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Angler-Buff-review-602b9 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-Ambassadeur-Silver-Max-review-38ec1 Abu-Garcia's latest addition to the low-priced reel market does not stand up to the Ambassadeur name of old.  While it does have many strong points, eg. five ball bearings plus one roller bearing for "instant anti-reverse", a fast 6.2 :1 gear ratio, and weight coming in at a light 7.86 ounces, it lacks that one feature made famous by most (made in Sweeden) Abu-Garcia baitcast reels.  That being a two piece spool/axle combination. — I'll try to explain.  When depressing on the thumb bar to disengage the spool & cast, higher end Abu-Garcia baitcast reels release the spool from the axle.  That is the spool rotates around the axle while casting, producing long effortless casting of even light lures.  This reel has a "fixed" spool/axle combination, which creates more friction.  All the Abu-Garcia baitcast reels made in Sweeden (that I know of) have the better system.  This one is made in China.  But, I'm not going... Fri, 16 May 2008 17:28:16 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-Ambassadeur-Silver-Max-review-38ec1 OldHippie 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-MX130R-Spincast-Reel-review-df7b I do believe I learned to fish before I could walk! My Dad loved to fish and he passed the passion down to all 6 of us as we were growing up. I caught my first 5lb. fish when I was 6 years old right next to one of the most famous bridges in the U.S.A. Now it is place where bungee jumpers and crazy parachute fanatics love to jump off the bridge every year. I am speaking of the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. It is the worlds 2nd largest single span bridge. I fished there before it ever went up. The old bridge was a one lane wooden bridge and I was born and grew up just 30 minutes from there! — — Abu Garcia MX130R Spinning Reel — — I have always preferred using an open face reel and I still have 2 1952 Mitchell reels my Dad owned that he bought in Waco Texas 4 years before I was born and one still works! These Abu Garcia (also known as Cardinal) MX130R Reels are the best reels I own and I have had both these and the MX120R. There are... Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:42:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Abu-Garcia-MX130R-Spincast-Reel-review-df7b kid-kansas 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Cabelas-review-73866 Love thier store. If you happen to be near one its a must see. It's like a wildlife museum for the kids, lots of displays and a candy store for the hunter/fisherman. — Online shopping is also great . Well stocked. most items on site are in stock and ready for shipping. have found some sale items have run out before I can grab one , but hey thats how sales are earlybrid gets the best buys. — fast shipping great selection — ... Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:37:18 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Cabelas-review-73866 landlock1islandboy 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fishing-Factory-Outlet-http-www-ffo-tackle-com-review-22cb1 Who cares if it's "last years model"?  When you can find a $150 baitcast reel for 30-40% off list price...who cares?!  When you can buy plastic bait, i.e. plastic worms, grubs, minnows, craws for dirt cheap prices, are you going to pass it up? — Prime example on plastic baits; a ONE HUNDRED COUNT bag of Berkley Power Worms for $12.77.  You'd pay that much for two bags of a 10 count at Bass Pro Shops. — Inventory constantly changes...check back often.  As of this writing, they are low on some items.  They offer hard baits, soft baits, rods, (fly,spinning & casting) reels, (casting, fly & spinning) etc.  The list goes on. — Before going to Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's...check out these guys.  They are the factory outlet for Abu-Garcia, Mitchell, Berkley, Stren and more. —... Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:12:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fishing-Factory-Outlet-http-www-ffo-tackle-com-review-22cb1 OldHippie 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Old-Town-Dirigo-106-Kayak-review-a7a30 I was hoping to review the Dirigo 106 because I love mine so much,it can carry a lot of cargo without issue - the watertight rear compartment and in-dash storage are great! Your kayak buddies will wish they had them.  The bungies are great also for securing cargo to the deck.It's got an adjustable seat - very comfy, adjustable footpegs, also comfy. Plus this kayak is billed as a mostly flatwater kayak,it is maneuverable, and stable.The only possible negative comment is the shape of the hull seems to add some splash, —... Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:26:22 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Old-Town-Dirigo-106-Kayak-review-a7a30 Beagle 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Cabelas-review-435d0 Went to the website to find a gift for a sportsman and Cabelas has it all.  They have an e-certificate which you can purchase and the person gets it within minutes.  The gift certificate is good for either online purchases or for going to the store. — ... Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:14:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Cabelas-Cabelas-review-435d0 fanci-trixx 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Candoo1-Charters-Day-of-fishing-review-42252  What a great gift for a man or woman who like's to fish the Southwest coast of Florida. From Napel's to 10,000 Island's a day of fishing for 2 people.  Bring your own tackle or they have for you. What a wonderful surprise and you can pick your... Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:13:04 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Candoo1-Charters-Day-of-fishing-review-42252 Baker50 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Umpqua-Feather-Merchants-Z-Wing-Caddis-Mercers-review-ccd21 I've been using this fly for the last 3 years in the early spring just after season opener.  I never have had problems getting the fish to inhale this fly.  In the 3 years I've been using it, I have gone through dozens because they just get shredded by the number of fish I catch.  I highly recommend this... Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:07:27 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Umpqua-Feather-Merchants-Z-Wing-Caddis-Mercers-review-ccd21 sadreyer 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Umpqua-Feather-Merchants-Z-Wing-Caddis-Mercers-review-a0ed The Z-Wing Caddis is just about the only caddis pupa imitation I use on a regular basis (or, a minor variation thereof - you know us inveterate fly tyers can't help but "tinker"). It's just one of those relatively simple, fairly straightforward, "looks like what it's supposed to be imitating" designs that works.  You can't ask for much more than that in a fly pattern. — Why Caddis Patterns? — To put it succinctly, whether you fish in the eastern U.S., Canada, or the western U.S., a caddis pattern or, more likely, a selection of caddis patterns, rides in your fly boxes.  Caddis hatches can be an affair to remember and even "mark calendars" for some fly fishers; e.g., the Mother's Day Hatch is a famous caddis "event" in the Wyoming/Montana region which occurs, to one degree or another, like clockwork every year. At the other end of the season is the "October Caddis" hatch; which, interestingly enough, happens in October and is an emergence of rather large... Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:09:52 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Umpqua-Feather-Merchants-Z-Wing-Caddis-Mercers-review-a0ed DrReed 5