springtime is here: i try to catch a shad & take my pet turtle to cherry blossom park

It is Spring, finally, and that means fish are spawning up the rivers. I am pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Shad while I am pan fishing. so I cast my Rapala Rippin’ Rap in hopes to catch one of these powerful Gizzard Shads! Plus, I take my pet turtle for a walk in the park to get natural sun, and to see the many blossoming flowers. Check out my video!

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The following gear I used in this video:
Rapala Fish High Contrast Digital Scale
St. Croix 2-piece Rod 6 1/2″
Stren Original 330 Yard Spool, 8 lb test, clear blue
Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament 300 yard, 8lb
Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook, 10 Per Pack (size 8)
Reaction Tackle Drop Shot lead weights, 1/4 oz
Daiwa Procyon EX Spinning Reel 3000
Boga Grip, 15 lb scale
Frabill Power Stow Net 20×24 Hoop 36in Sliding Handle
Werner Skagit Paddle
Stanley Fat Max 1/2″ X 6′ Fatmax Keychain Tape Measure
Panasonic HC-V800 HD Camcorder
GoPro Hero 8

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video: the shad run is here & cherry blossoms in full bloom

There is a small window in Springtime to find the peak of The Shad Run, and they are here! It is tricky to get the interest of Shad while they are spawning, so I try out different lures to get their attention and hopefully get bites. It’s not only the grand appearance of the Shad, but also the peak of Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. A double whammy of nature goodness!

Check out the shad and cherry blossom action in my video, and enjoy!

This is officially the longest video I created. Probably because there was so many fish and I couldn’t stop fishing. LOL.

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video: small vs big lure challenge

Which lure catches more fish, a small or big crankbait? I do a personal challenge by using both a micro Bagley Rattlin Honey B and a Rapala BX Brat, and see which gets more Bass and Bluegill. Note: This is not a scientific test, but just having a fun activity while fishing.

Check out my video challenge!

video: rare peregrine falcon sighting & small vs big lure for fishing?

What lure fires up a Bass to bite? Today, I do a mini challenge to see what the fish are attracted to – a small or a big crankbait, both are by Bagley brand. Crankbaits emulate a scurrying fish when being retrieved in the water. I really like Bagley brand lures because they come in bright neon colors. They almost belong in a Mardi Gras parade! And it is a parade for me when I catch a fish :)

Plus, while I am on the river, I am pleasantly surprised by the presence of a rare endangered bird. It is a sighting of a Peregrine Falcon! You may not know it but I am an aspiring birdwatcher. (I have a bunch of bird feeders outside my window. And I like to see if I can name the birds that visit my deck.)

In my neck of the woods, Peregrine Falcons used to flourish before industrialization, living on the towering cliffs of the Hudson River and the Delaware Water Gap. Then, Peregrines were threatened due to heavy use of pesticides, like DDT, that seeped into the rivers, and drinking water, making their eggs so brittle that babies would not survive. Thankfully, DDT was banned in the 1970s and Peregrine Falcon populations are healthier and returning.

The falcon that I see is very big and fluffy, because it is a female, and females are much bigger than the males. In the distance, if you listen carefully, you can hear the babies. I am blessed to capture her on video perched, while drinking water from the river, and in flight.

Check out my short video, and let me know what you think.

video: i try a new fishing lure + the lonely goose

One a day I have trouble catching bass with various presentations, I decide to use a new lure by Rapala. It is a crank bait that emulates the look of a bait fish called a Shad. When retrieving the lure in the water, it has a vibrating swimming action that catches the attention of predatory fish. The coloration I am using is silver which reflects under the sun and has a red under belly as if it is injured. Is it successful in getting Bass? Check out my short video where I test out this new fishing product. Enjoy!

Plus, in the video, I meet a lonely goose and I make some fun references to Game of Thrones :)

The following gear I used in this video:
Rapala BXB-6 lure
https://amzn.to/2VIDjoS
Fenwick Eagle Spinning 2-piece rod
https://amzn.to/2N7D9R2
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod 6′ 6″ (TRS66MF2)
https://amzn.to/2NCxXHE
Daiwa Procyon EX Spinning Reel 3000
https://amzn.to/2tCZgX7
Boga Grip
https://amzn.to/2GdlGUA
Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament 8lb Low Vis Green
https://amzn.to/2Kdd8BM
Frabill Power Stow Net 20×24 Hoop 36in Sliding Handle
https://amzn.to/2LqiUwv
Aqua Bound Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle
https://amzn.to/2q7sWK3
Sony RX100 20.2 MP Digital Camera w/ 1-inch sensor
https://amzn.to/2PNJTUW
GoPro Hero 6
https://amzn.to/2LtDADG

illustration: jointed shad

The Jointed Shad lure is segmented, letting the tail swing freely and creating an aggressive swimming action when retrieved. The artificial lure moves at a depth of 4 to 6 feet in the water column, depending on how fast you reel it in.

This is a fourth drawing in my fishing series.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

cartoon: fishing snag

One of the trials and tribulations of fishing is getting snagged on weeds.  Ugh.  But then again, getting snagged is a small price to pay.  I’d rather be fishing than be stuck behind the desk or caught in commuting traffic.

Hello spring weather!

illustration: sinking crankbait

illustration: crankbait