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Regulatorman

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  1. Seeking suggestions on recommended hooks you use when tying Howitzer poppers? Mainly for blues and stripers Thank you RM
  2. Looking for suggestions on buying bulk packages of Silicone skirts. Been purchasing 10x skirts to a pack between $1,90 - $2,70 depending on color and patterns. Overheard last year at a local flea market these skirts could be as low as $,05 a skirt if buying in bulk. Anyone buying skirts in bulk packages can confirm this is true? Thanks RM
  3. Dan- I'm simply trying something that I really haven't seen offered on the market to date. Which is the main reason why I started pouring my own jigs. My first attempt with the swing hook failed as I explained in my post. I have since started to make them with the barrel swivel which gives the hook increased action and I believe will give the fish much less leverage to shake a hook free. I have seen other types of jigs that have sinker eyes molded in the rear of the jig and then used a heavy gauge open eye siwash style hook. They certainly work well, however I'm using lighter wire hooks. Without a doubt based on the last two seasons of personal observations and higher catches (mainly fluke) I have seen way more fluke and larger fluke eat the swing hook bucktail over the traditional fixed hook bucktail. I personally have not experienced any more junk or a higher percentage of snags with a swing hook jig vs. a fixed hook jig. one more reason / rationale behind why I opted for a barrel swivel between the jig and hook. Many of the higher quality "fluke ball" jigs have a barrel swivel between the sinker eye and hook. I didn't think much of this either until I purchased two variations of fluke balls. I wont mention the brand names, but one brand made the fluke ball with the open eye hook attached directly to the sinker eye. The other brand had the barrel swivel between the sinker eye and hook. I fished both of these fluke balls, the barrel swivel model consistently caught more fish. Again I'm no expert, I just like making observations. I hope this answers your questions. RM
  4. SC- The wire form opened up. It opened on the top photo I posted- the hook that was inside the wire form. I have not tried to fish with the 2nd generation which now includes the barrel swivel. I'm thinking the fish had leverage on the 1st generation without the barrel swivel and was able to open up the wire form.
  5. Looking for some help please. I have been tinkering around for the last two seasons trying to make a swing hook bucktail, primarily for fluke fishing. I included two photos attached. I have been using pre-made wire forms from Do-It. This past season I had two fluke break off the hook that was inserted on the wire loop that I closed with pliers. I have since added a barrel swivel between the wire loop and hook. I haven't been able to test out this newer version with the barrel swivel. For reference I'm using the Do It Ultra Minnow mold. Over the winter I was thinking about buying Mason 220 lbs stainless wire and forming a closed loop, placing a hook inside the loop or possibly a barrel swivel inside the loop and inserting the wire into the mold before pouring lead. Asking around to see if anyone had other ideas on what has worked for you? Thank you! RM
  6. Seeking info from the group that pours their own Blackfish Jigs please Blackfish Jigs I have the Do-It Flat Head Jig Molds (1.5, 2, 2.5 oz mold) and the (3, 4oz) Also using the Banana Jig Mold (3/4, 1, 1.5, 2oz mold) For hooks I have been using: Eagle Claw # 635 size 7/0 and Mustad 32786BLN size 6/0 I gave several to friend and he had these hooks straighten out on blackfish. Curious to know what hooks, model # and size hooks guys are using in either these molds or for their blackfish jigs. Thanks RM
  7. Two options I suggest 1) For the highest quality with the widest array of colors I suggest Pro-Tec Powder paints. 2) if you use the basic colors- Red, White, Black and Yellow- it is impossible to beat Harbor Freight Tools. The have a large container that is around $6 and always have 20% off coupons available. I have only used their white color and have had no issues. Regardless of whichever paint I use I always bake in the oven at 325 for 20 mins. I don't know if you use a fluid bed? If not I highly recommend, You can build one yourself for around $10-$15. plenty of online videos that show you how to make one. Good luck!
  8. Thanks for all your feedback. Rapidfflow0- do you know if any of the local NY/NJ shops stock this rod? I'd really like to see it first hands vs. ordering online. Sounds like you have one or seen one - any suggestion on where to look? Thank you!
  9. Looking for suggestions please ..... Looking to purchase a 7'6 or ideally an 8ft spinning rod that I can use from the boat that will handle 3-4 ounce Pencils / Large Musky DOC plugs Would like to stay under $200 preference is a Factory rod Thank you! RM
  10. I'm heading down to the Tampa / St. Pete / Clearwater, FL area in early March. I'm looking to jump on a full day party boat. Anyone have any experience fishing any of the party boats in these areas? Any recommendations? Thanks RM
  11. Hanlon- You have selected a fantastic reel. The 25 N (narrow) is extremely popular on boat coasts. This reel can handle just about anything that swims in the Northeast Inshore waters. I have also used this reel on the Winter Offshore seabass trips. No issues whatsoever using 16-20 oz of lead and double header jumbo seabass. The reel is a work horse. I highly recommend. However I would encourage you to look at the Fathom 12. This is the same exact reel, but smaller frame and lighter. Yes, it holds less line, but easily 300 yards of 30 lb braid with a 100 ft mono topshot if needed. I'm making an assumption that you are using braid. if you are using straight mono than this reel might be too small. But if using braid, a Fathom 12 can easily handle the largest Striped Bass and Bluefish you will encounter from the surf. if you are looking to reduce by a few ounces this would be worth a close look. either way, you will not be disappointed with the Fathom Star Drag reels.
  12. JJdBike Kil provided you with much of the knowledge needed. Just some additional info. - Check out the Helen H suggested list as this party boat is the pioneer of Nantucket Shoals fluke trips. Capt Huck likes the Popcorn Rig which is basically two smaller Spro Type bucktails that are between 3/8 to 1/4 oz put on by dropper loops that are about 16-20 inches apart. Then he uses a perfection loop at the bottom to swap out your sinker. either a cannon ball type or bank sinker. As Kil mentioned, depending on current I would suggest bringing 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20 oz sinkers. I would suggest nothing heavier than 30 lb braid. The heavier the braid, the heavier sinker you will need to hold. I would highly suggest any of the quality MH 7ft - 8ft rods on the market today. - you should definitely bring a L or M jigging rod for when the current slows down and you might be able to use 6-8 oz bucktails. This is the best way to fish in my opinion, but not very easy on a party boat. Especially in these waters where you will likely be fishing in 70- 100 + ft of water. - I would definitely recommend several bags of 6 inch GULP Grubs. The Glow colors work best in my experience. Glow Pink shine has been very effective. a very effective rig is two dropper loops about 10 inches apart, use 6/0 Gammi Baitholders. you can use a hollow rivet type teaser in front of the hook. Place on a 6 inch GULP Grub on each hook, then 12-16 inches below the bottom loop, tie a perfection loop, use whatever size sinker you need. Basically the same as the Popcorn rig above, minus the Spro jigs. - DO NOT overlook a traditional bait rig. I would suggest you buy a box or two of whole squid and double snell two 5/0 Gammi Octopus hooks. There is a sliding snell rig video on YT that you can search for. This is VERY EFFECTIVE! There is a very good chance you will catch your personal best fluke in these waters, place the odds in your favor, use the double hook rig. You will also likely encounter jumbo sea bass in these waters, they cannot resist whole squid! fresh bait is always the best. there are times when you can jig up fresh live squid. IF you can catch fresh squid, then send down a live one immediately, better off a single hook in the mantle so the squid will stay alive longer. HOLD ON! Two years ago, while using live squid we had a 11 and 12.5 lb fluke come up minutes apart, both on live squid. - after your trip you will likely be looking to return, consider future trips driving to the Cape and hiring one of the local charter boats with 5 of your friends. fishing on a private charter is much more enjoyable, you can use lighter tackle, less weight, and stay on the grounds longer. It is a little bit more expensive but in my opinion it is worth every penny. If you want Capt recommendations send me a PM. Would be happy to point you in the right direction. Enjoy! You should be in for a very nice treat. RM
  13. I just ordered these.. good reviews... i bought the same handle recently from a local flea market vendor in NJ. I put this on the older Quantum Accurist, the original version that John Skinner used years ago. I agree with the comment above, $50 handle for a $100 reel is hard for me to justify too. But for $10 it is too good of a deal to pass up. *
  14. Berkley Inshore Series Nano-Carbon blank (honestly don't know what that means, but that is how it is marketed) Very light super Durable $60 comes in Spinning and Casting models I bought it as a low cost rod to give guests that come on my boat, not wanting them to use my high end rods. I now use this rod as much as my higher end rods. Great for throwing plugs/poppers for blues and bass great for bucktailing fluke great for casting tins and soft plastics to Albies... I have the 7ft MH 10-20lb Spinning rod with Penn Battalion 3000... A combo that is in my rotation all season long. I also have the some model in Casting with a Quantum Accurist PT..... A super light bucktailing combo... I have used up to 3 oz bucktails and no issues whatsoever...
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