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Charley Soares with one of numerous trophy linesiders he and many of his clients and guests caught this past season using the same methods discussed in his books. Are you interested in putting a fish of this stature in your fish box? Stemming The Tide and The Tube and Worm Guide as well as his current project WALKING ON WATER, which is slated for distribution for early 2009, are books that are both entertaining and informative. The response from Stemming The Tide has been extraordinary and a request for a similar book has been loud, clear and consistent. Walking On Water contains decades of research and over 50 years of on the water saltwater fishing experience. The book contains original and specific information on the formation of the famous striped Bass Clubs, their wealthy members as well as a look into their detailed records. There is a complete section dedicated to Legends of the Salt with stories and histories of such prominent figures as Frank Woolner, Bob Pond, Stan Gibbs, Curt Gowdy, Danny Pichney, Captains Bob Smith, Charlie Tilton, Lloyd Bosworth, Charlie Hague, a comparison of Charlie Church and Charlie Cinto and numerous other icons of saltwater fishing and their specific striper specialties. There is much more detailed information on the where, when and how of striper fishing contained in a number of entertaining and informative stories.

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NEW BOOK IN THE WORKS Our new book WALKING ON WATER is nearing completion and hopefully will soon be heading off to the printer. The book contains a history of and information on the famous striped Bass Clubs, the bass stands, record fish, tackle and a wealth of information and strategies for the serious or novice fisherman. While Striper fishing is the main thrust of the book there is enough information on other related salt water species and a variety of proven methods for fishing for the table are discussed in thorough yet entertaining detail. As with Stemming The Tide and Scratching The Surface the book will be entertaining as well as informative. As saltwater columnist and book author Tom Meade stated in a review "(the book) is a brilliant collection of wonderful tales by a master storyteller. Soares writes with a rhythm and rhyme.-like just about everything he writes it's more than just fishing." ." Inquiries can be directed to Charley at: linesiders @verizon.net or www.fishingthesalt.com

We offer the best insights and advice on salt water fishing & the facts you should know in order to make intelligent decisions.

  

Fisherman field editor Charley Soares with another jumbo linesider fooled by one of his tube and worm rigs on a warm early August morning. Fish from 36 to 51 pounds made their final mistake chasing a slow moving tube fished quietly close to the bottom. For details on how you can become successful at employing this DEADLY COMBO just email us a request for your copy of the guide which is available now.





TOOLS OF THE TRADE-THE SEA ANCHOR  BY-CHARLEY SOARES

We were close enough to see the white objects boiling in the wake off the stern of the big center console, but not near enough to make out what they were. We were catching fish along the backside of the rip on the downtide pass employing a combination of maneuvers including shifting the boat out of gear to keep my trolling speed in the range the fish seemed to prefer. From our vantage point the other boat appeared to be moving much too fast because the fish were settled in tight along the bottom close in between the ridges and spikes. The other boat was obviously presenting lures much faster than the fish were interested in and consequently well above the target area of the fish so he wasn't getting any hit and while watching us hook up it was obvious he might be frustrated. As the tide let go and the current slacked off the fish moved off the structure and the bite died off.

At this time the other boat began heading towards us creating a huge wake that was boiling up dangerously close to his transom. We began waving to him in a slow down motion (waving our arms from top to bottom with our palms facing towards him) until he slowed down and realized he was towing his " brakes" astern. When he came alongside to thank us for our warning we could make out the two white buckets tied to his stern cleats in an obvious attempt to slow his shallow draft outboard powered boat from moving too quickly through the water. When I observed how short the lines to the buckets were I couldn't believe he had not fouled his prop or damaged his running gear with the buckets positioned directly in the prop wash.

I can recall using a 5 gallon bucket, or pail, tied off my stern to slow down a small overpowered outboard skiff which would not troll slowly enough to entice the fish that we were targeting. However I had tied my bucket directly to the towing eye of the boat and positioned it where it could not foul or interfere with the prop or cause any problems with the landing or gaffing of fish. Those of you who have found yourselves in similar situations are well aware that not all advice is cheerfully accepted, especially when it's coming from someone who has been catching fish while your own efforts were thoroughly ineffective. It could be considered akin to pouring salt in the wounds. The "bucket man " was apparently not such a thin skinned individual. " What the hell is wrong? I'm trolling the same lures over the same fish and haven't had a strike while you guys are doubling up almost every pass". While he was alongside us the roar of his engine in neutral told me he was idling much too fast. I checked his tachometer and found it was registering just under 1000 RPM's. I showed him how to adjust the throttle stop screw (which was too far advanced) and this brought his idle speed down to 650 RPM's which would allow him to troll at a more reduced speed. When the tide began pulling he joined us and began to catch fish.

Aside from the obvious considerations such as seakeeping, safety, appearance and fishability we might stop to consider that the major emphasis on traditional boat hulls usually deals with speed and efficiency. With these primary considerations in mind naval architects and builders are influenced with how smoothly and efficiently a hull moves thru the water to minimize pounding and drag which cuts down on both speed and efficiency. With this mindset very little if any emphasis is placed on stopping or slowing a boat down. Just how would you react to an advertisement, for say a Boston Whaler 27 Offshore, which touted her ability to drift slower than her competition rather than accentuate how she handled in a rough seaway? In our efforts to achieve the aforementioned goals we have employed lightweight building materials, trim tabs, slick bottom paints, lifting strakes, high performance props etc. These additions have all made considerable strides towards these objectives. However if you are a fisherman who does any kind of fishing at rest just how fast and at what angle you drift can be very a important consideration.

My own boat is a shallow draft, wide beam planing hull with a high profile pilot house. With these features it drifts considerably faster than a deep vee or displacement design. Much of the fishing I do for the numerous species I pursue consists of drifting therefore I have come to appreciate the benefits of employing a sea anchor. Almost, if not all the information concerning a sea anchor, is about how to employ them for safety purposes. For the sake of brevity a sea anchor is device employed to keep a boats bow headed into the wind and sea as it drifts off to leeward. A quality sea anchor is a cone shaped device usually made from heavy canvas or vinyl fabric with a stiff metal (galvanized cable or band ) hoop to keep it open at the mouth. It is fitted with a bridle to which a heavier line from the boat is attached. The bottom of the cone has a small reinforced opening to which a trip line is attached to allow the bag to be spilled and hauled back towards the boat. This eliminates the need for hauling back a heavy bag filled with water. The sea anchor does not function on the bottom but just under the surface of the water where the drag it creates holds the boats head to sea or windward. If you are considering the purchase of a sea anchor make sure you buy one large enough for the size of your boat. The smaller sizes are easier to store but if they are not large enough to slow your boat down it doesn't make sense to have them aboard.

As previously discussed you could use buckets, even a plank or heavy section of hawser to slow you down but this material doesn't store well and you have to muscle it all the way back to the boat at the end of every drift. I have two sea anchors on board, a large one for storms or severe wind and current drifting purposes and a smaller one for normal drift fishing situations. When drift fishing I don't use the sea anchor in its traditional mode. You could fasten the sea anchor to the main bow cleat but in this manner your lines will be drifting up towards the bow and the line attached to the sea anchor causing problems with fighting or landing a fish. I normally rig my sea anchor from amidships using a bridle from the bow and stern cleats with the trip line off to the stern side where it will be out of the way but immediately handy. This permits the boat to drift abeam to the wind or current with the fishing lines out where they can be seen. Unfortunately I have to add the disclaimer that you must never use the sea anchor amidships in this fashion in type of heavy weather, breaking seas or in crowded conditions where another boat might run over the sea anchor and foul his prop or endanger your boat. In other words use common sense. When drifting for fluke under normal sea conditions I usually set the smaller sea anchor and begin drifting over a choice piece of bottom until one or more fish are caught, and then mark this area with a very small black marker buoy. I've gritted my teeth over other boats anchoring up on my marker (which is upsetting to say the least) but they never seem to do as well as a drifting boat which is presenting the bait or lure in a more natural fashion and over a much larger area. I also utilize a sea anchor when drifting along a beach where we are casting plugs into the shoreline or jig fishing for blues, weakfish or stripers. The longer you remain over a target area the more time the fish has to see and strike your lures. If you are drifting too fast and the baits are presented unnaturally the fish will remain disinterested. The sea anchor is a safety tool which has a dual role when used properly by successful drift fishermen. They are relatively inexpensive, store easily and it makes good sense to have one or more on board. Stay Safe.

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION COMES
FROM
Bill R. of Westerly, Rhode Island.
Hi Charley.

Several months ago you made note of the fact that your new tube and worm book would be ready for Christmas and we should look for that announcement. Did I miss it and if I did is the book still in the works? I have a worn out the coffee stained copy of your original booklet on fishing the tube and worm in my possession and refer to it whenever something is not working the way it should. Please put me down for a signed copy of your new guidebook and please make an announcement as to when we can expect to see it.

 
Dear Bill,

I can't begin to tell you what has transpired since I made that premature announcement but it would make Murphy's Law seem like good fortune. Suffice it to say the book is written, Fisherman Editor Zach Harvey has sent me the last of the illustrations he created and we are going to press sometime within the next two weeks and depending on the negations with the printers it might even be sooner. Thank you for your patience and please tell your friends I should begin distribution soon.

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