Christmas Gifts For Bass Fisherman

This weekend is traditionally the time we put up the old Christmas tree around here and with that in mind, here is an old bass hounds Christmas wish list.

Now I know that Santa is a fisherman. We even have a statue of him with some trout in one hand and a rod and reel in the other. I’m guessing that the elves make all his stuff according to his personal specs but since I don’t have any of those little guys handy, my second choice for a new rod and reel combo, actually two of them since I tend to get fishing gear in pairs, is the new Quantum PT Smoke 150 and the Quantum Smoke PT Micro Guide Casting Rod.

I believe that I talked about these products in the ICAST wrap up but now they are beginning to show up at retailers. Without getting to deep into the specifics, the reel will weigh in at a svelte 6.8 ounces, added to the rods weight, the total for the combo will be somewhere around 9 ounces.

For most of us including myself, I have reels that I am still using that outweigh that by themselves! I can’t wait to get my hands on the Quantum’s and give them a go around the lake. Just a side note Santa, I promise to act surprised even though I’ll know what the gift is no matter the wrapping or packaging, after all what else under the tree is going to be 7 feet long?

Next on my list will be a bait that again is just starting to show up on store shelves. The new Strike King KVD HC Square Bill Silent Crankbait 1.5 and 2.5. I’ll be looking to add a few patterns of both sizes to my crankbait box. This little bait was developed to have an erratic action   with wandering and searching motions all built in! I know that I’ll be throwing these little gems as soon as the first warm day hits in January. Just a side note Santa, these little baits retail for only about $5.29 so please just fill one stocking full of them in both sizes and assorted colors so you don’t have to go to the trouble of wrapping it.

The next bait class that I will need to add to is lipless crankbaits. I really like the Spro Aruku Shad Jr. and there are some patterns that I would like to try along with a couple that are tried and true that I need some more of. Beyond that, there is a new lure in this category that I am looking forward to trying. The Koppers Live Target Pumpkinseed and Bluegill Vibration Trap.

All of these lures have an ultra-realistic finish and come in three sizes. The smallest is 2-3/16 inches long and weighs 1/4 ounce. The middle size in the line is 2-9/16 long and weighs 1/2 ounce. The largest is 3 inches long and weighs 3/4 ounce. Both are available in a metallic gloss and a natural matte finish and here again they are just starting to show up in retail outlets. I believe that the small and medium sizes will be the best producing versions for me so Santa, how about just a couple of each and you can throw them in the stocking with the crankbaits!

Santa, while we’re on the subject of Spro, I would really like a few of the new Spro BBZ-1 Baby Shad. This little bait is a four segmented, hard body swimbait that comes in one sink-rate, which sinks about a 1 foot per second. The BBZ-1 Baby Shad is approximately 2 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 1/4 ounce. It should prove to be a bait that will catch multiple species and one that can be thrown year round. There are several patterns available that will mimic different bait fish that can be found across the country. I am really looking forward to tying this little guy on and seeing what ends up on the end of my line.

Another swimbait that I have in mind for this year is the new Berkley Powerbait Split Belly Swimbait. I like using this type of bait for several applications not the least of which is as a follow up bait for when I am top-water fishing. The Split Belly Swimbait will come in two sizes, 4 and 5 inch, with the patterns being the same for both. I personally prefer colors like Hitch, Tennessee Shad and Blueback Herring. I believe that these patterns will most closely match the existing forage around So-Cal and the two sizes are ideal for my applications.

Anyone who throws hollow body frogs knows that after enough strikes by some big largemouths, they can get pretty torn up. This is the time of year I look to replace them and I have two choices this year that I want to give a try. First is the Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Frog. This little ribbit was the ICAST 2010 best soft lure winner. Once again, Koppers gives this lure a very realistic finish and the plastic is supposed to be super soft allowing it to collapse easily under the weight of a strike, making the hook set less problematic than with other frogs.

The other new frog that has something unique is the Paycheck Baits Transporter Frog. This frog is designed to be multi-functional. It can walk-the-dog, pop, spit and any combination of these. The Transporter Frog has both front and back “legs”, and comes in a variety of colors. It is offered in one size at the moment, 2-5/8 inches and 5/8 ounce. This is right in line with other products of this type and like those, I will be throwing these little guys on braid.

Santa, while you’re at it could you please get me a couple of the new Sebile Pro Shad Finesse Spinnerbaits? This is another new bait that has done some things differently than most. It comes in two sizes, 1/2 and 3/4 ounce, again with the patterns being the same for both. There are a limited amount of patterns but there are at least three that I would like to try which are Natural Bluegill, Natural Blue Back Herring and Natural Shiner.

Ok, I know that I said a couple but these three patterns are really intriguing and it would be nice to have them all!  I am looking forward to seeing if the unusual blade shape and finish will entice more strikes than other spinnerbaits. I am thinking that I can’t wait to have a head to head competition between the Sebile Pro Shad and the  River2Sea Crystal Spin. That to me is going to be a blast!

And finally Santa, I could sure use some new line as I am getting a little bit low on 12 and 15 pound P-Line Floroclear. This is the line that I use more than any other and I just haven’t found anything that has proven to be better yet. So for the time being, I won’t try to fix what ain’t broke!

That’s it for an old bass hounds Christmas Wish List so Merry Christmas everyone and have a Happy New Year!