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Orion Cooler Review

April 30, 2015 by · 2 Comments

Orion Cooler Review

orion cooler review

The Orion 45 Cooler has been in use in Spotted Tail for about three weeks now, long enough for me to state categorically that it’s the finest cooler I’ve ever seen. I can write a knowledgeable Orion Cooler review! There is also a Yeti cooler on Spotted Tail, so it’s easy to make comparisons. And I have used Coleman and Igloo coolers for decades. Their quality is such that they are completely out of this discussion.

Orion Coolers come in four sizes. The Orion 45 is versatile, well suited to everything from day trips to week-long outings. Whether by canoe, truck, motor boat or RV, the 45 is sized for high portability, while still having the ability to carry common items like two litre bottles or a case of cans.  It makes a great standing platform for casting!

Orion coolers have a number of features and innovations unique to the rugged cooler market. There are a lot of premium coolers.  They all look alike. Orion doesn’t. Orion introduced multi-color, camo plastic blends to the cooler market, making every single Orion cooler unique.

Each cooler has YakAttack gear tracks on each side for easy customization via RAM accessory integration, a key innovation that allows you to add holders for fishing rods, phones, cups, fish finders, GPS and more.

orion cooler review

Corner tie-down and side gear track.

To help hold the cooler in place are six tie-down points (four of which are bottle openers), giving multiple ways to secure your cooler. Holding all your cold items secure are low-profile, camming latches that are hinged for ease of use and snag-free when loading or using the cooler as a fly fishing casting platform. Orion Coolers are all lockable via padlocks on the corners, both to secure the cooler, and to seal it shut, and are bear proof following IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) certification criteria.

orion cooler review

The camming latch is recessed while closed…

 

orion cooler review

…and here it is, open.

On the top of the cooler is a standing pad for traction, seated comfort and a look distinctly Orion. The strong and comfortable rope carry handles give long-lasting comfort and sure grip in tough conditions.

orion cooler review

The standing pad is an integral part of the Orion Cooler.

 

orion cooler review

Carry grips are strong yet comfortable.

Every Orion cooler is made in the USA with a rugged, roto-molded polyethylene shell built to give you years of service. Underneath that rugged exterior shell, Orion Coolers have at least two inches of insulation to keep what’s cold, cold. My two quart freeze bottle stays frozen for at least three days.

orion cooler review

That lonely freeze bottle will stay frozen at least three days.

Inside the cooler you will find a solid thermoformed plastic tray, not the standard wire mesh trays you will find elsewhere.  It allows for drainage, but won’t let your smaller items fall through.

Lighting your way is a removable, Princeton-Tec AMP1 light, helping you see in the cooler at night or diminished light conditions. Use it in the cooler, or remove it for use around your camp at night.

This cooler is built like a bomb shelter. You will never wear it out.

Cooler story- last week I had two fishermen in my boat, which was part of a corporate three-boat charter. One of my fishermen was texting with his iPhone. He put the phone down on top of the Yeti, which is secured on the front deck of my boat. At that instant a fish hit. The boat rocked, and the phone slid off the Yeti into the water.

If the Orion had been mounted up there the phone would not have moved. The Orion has a tough, closed-cell foam standing pad on top.

Orion Coolers have a website, of course. I suggest you visit. Its URL is http://www.orioncoolers.com.

Orion Coolers have my highest recommendation. And that is my Orion Cooler review.

John Kumiski

www.spottedtail.com

http://www.spottedtail.com/blog

www.johnkumiski.com

www.rentafishingbuddy.com

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

March 12, 2015 by · 3 Comments

Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

Sevylor Kwik Pak K-1 review

The Sevylor Quikpak K-1, ready for launch.

So this fairly inaccessible pond used to have a boat on it. When I visited the pond a few weeks ago, the boat was gone. GONE! How could I fish there now? The bottom is soft, the pond full of big alligators. That’s not a good wading combination.

Some research on-line led me to the Sevylor Quikpak K1 One Person Inflatable Kayak. I contacted (three times) the media representative at Coleman (Coleman owns Sevylor) to inquire about obtaining said vessel. They never responded to me.

Since the boat with shipping was less than $120, I just bought it. But I am wondering what customer service will be like, should I need it.

The boat arrived in a large carton. In the carton was the boat, a hand pump and hose, a paddle (which I just threw away), and the pack to carry the boat in. And of course there were instructions.

I took the boat into my yard and blew it up. The literature says this will take five minutes. It’s more like ten, not a deal-breaker if you’re the type who would carry the thing for a mile or two to get it to a body of water. Pumping up the boat is only a small amount of work, but enough that my aging butt had to take a break in the middle of it.

The valves and the hose nozzles are not brilliantly engineered. By being a little fussy one person can still get all five chambers filled up with air in minutes. The hose appears to be the weakest link in the system- guaranteed to be the first item to break.

The pump also sucks all the air out of the boat when you’re finished using it. That’s a good thing- that way it fits back into the pack.

This morning I gave the boat the on-the-water test. I carried it a mile and a half to the pond, filled it up with air, put it in the water, and climbed on.

By the way, since I have other kayaks I also had a decent paddle already. I did not need or want the chintzy one that came with the boat.

The K1 paddles kind of like a doughnut, or a big inner tube, might. Every paddle stroke turns the bow of the boat the other way. There is a lot of effort wasted going laterally.

I kept telling myself if not for this boat I would not be there at all. I don’t suppose one can expect a finely designed and built boat for $120.

In its defense, the boat stayed filled with air. The material from which it’s made appears sturdy enough to last for multiple trips. The quality of the (Chinese) construction appears to be more than adequate.

I found myself wishing I had an anchor. I believe an eight ounce lead pyramid on a thin nylon line would be adequate. As it was I parked it on top of weedbeds and fly fished from that stationary position.

Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

This was the best fish of the morning’s feasibility study. This boat will help me find a bigger fish!

I caught five bass from the boat this morning, and made it back to the put-in without incident. It passed the water test! With some maneuvering I was even able to pee from it. I think my limit for sitting in the thing will be four hours or so.

I’ve always regarded kayak fishing as an exercise in minimalism, but this boat takes it to the extreme. Outside of my pockets (in which was a small fly box, a leader wheel, and a multi-tool) I had a paddle, a one-liter water bottle, a banana for both good luck and a delicious snack, and a five-weight fly outfit.

The boat lets me access a place I would not otherwise be able to fish. I will adjust to its idiosyncrasies and continue using it as time and weather permits.

The Sevylor Quikpak K1 One Person Inflatable Kayak- it’s not the perfect boat, but it does allow one to fish otherwise inaccessible water.

 

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Energy Bits for You

December 19, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Energy Bits for You

energy bits

Recently a product sample arrived in my mailbox. The product, called Energy Bits, consists of a “serving” of 30 dark green tablets that look like something your doctor might prescribe. The tablets are composed entirely of organically grown non-GMO Spirulina algae – a super food endorsed by the United Nations and NASA as the most nutritionally dense food in the world.

The Energy Bits are not what I would call delicious. However, literature included with the product recommends not chewing them, just washing them down with water. Curiosity made me chew them! They turned my mouth pretty green.

During my recent trip to the Everglades I “ate” 30 Energy Bits (the manufacturer’s recommended serving size) as a breakfast one morning, just washing them down with water. They were not as satisfying as a breakfast at IHOP. However, I did not get hungry until close to lunchtime, and this was with paddling all morning. I would do it again!

Spirulina was a food source for the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans until the 16th century. Dried Spirulina contains about 60% protein, more than twice as much as a piece of beef. Nowadays Spirulina is used by many athletes as a nutritional supplement. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, superior to typical plant protein such as that from legumes. Spirulina is the most concentrated antioxidant food source known.

Energy Bits, 100 percent Spirulina, are fast, easy, and reasonably priced. They are really good for you. Learn more , or purchase some, at their website here…

Will they help you catch more fish? Not today. However, if you live longer as a result of using Energy Bits, then you’ll get to go fishing more. If you fish more you should catch more fish. So eating Energy Bits will help you catch more fish, too!

Life is great and I love my work!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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The Orlando No Fishing Report

November 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

The Orlando No Fishing Report

First of all, wishing everyone a magnificent Thanksgiving holiday. Don’t forget to count your blessings and give thanks!

Friday morning Sue and I drove to Madeira Beach to go to Ashley and Anton’s wedding. It was a lovely affair and we had a great time, spending the entire weekend over there. See the photos here… http://johnkumiski.com/ashley-anton-got-married/

Monday there was a monsoon as a strong cold front pushed through.

Tuesday was cold and windy with intermittent light rain. It was almost comfortable at the auto repair palace- Auto Nation Toyota Winter Park. They do good work there.

Tuesday evening I attended the public scoping meeting for the Port Canaveral Rail Extension. The Port Authority wants to build a rail line along the route shown at this link… http://www.portcanaveralraileis.com/documents/Port_Canaveral_Project_Area.pdf

Gadzooks!

In order to build the 11 miles of track they want to build a new causeway and trestle bridge across the Banana River Lagoon, which will certainly involve dredge and fill. Once the track is in place a 200-car train will come and go along the track four times a week.

I fail to see how this project benefits the people of central Florida as concerns their quality of life. It certainly won’t be good for the health or biodiversity of the Banana River Lagoon, or for those of us who enjoy using it.

To get more information about the proposed project, visit these links… http://www.portcanaveralraileis.com  …https://www.facebook.com/nofillnokill

You can make comments to the Surface Transportation Board at http://www.stb.dot.gov/Ect1/ecorrespondence.nsf/incoming?OpenForm

My letter to them is at this link… http://www.spottedtail.com/blog/canaveral-rail-extension-letter/

Please paste and copy and send the Surface Transportation Board a letter. If you enjoy fishing in the no motor zone please take the 15 minutes to send the letter. That’s the beauty of the democratic process. You need to write!

 

Some more thought provoking reading- http://www.scribd.com/doc/247019882/Rethinking-Industrial-Animal-Production

 

Broken cars and computers kept me occupied on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday too. The fact that the water temperature dropped 11 degrees over the past four days did not make me want to rush out to go fishing, either. The weather this week has been awful. But my computer is now restored and has had a memory upgrade (I wish I could get one of those) and my car is ready to go. Susan’s car needs a little more work, but the big stuff is fixed.

Friday I worked on various things, especially books. It was reasonably nice out but I just couldn’t get jacked to go fishing, as windy as it was.

One of the errands I ran on Wednesday was to Mudhole Custom Tackle (http://www.mudhole.com ) to get some parts for a rod repair. One of the things I’m thankful for this year is that Mudhole is 15 minutes drive from my house, and they stock every fishing rod component known to man. The rod got repaired on Friday.

 

An ebook version of Fishing Florida’s Space Coast is now available at Amazon at this link… http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PX4PS8C

I’m also working on an ebook revision for Redfish on the Fly. Now that the computer is repaired that work should go a little faster.

I got the new Florida Sportsman magazine on Friday and had an article in it, featuring photographs of handsome son Alex.

 

And because I did not go fishing once this week, that, my friends, is a fortunately rare Orlando No Fishing Report.

Life is great and I love my work!

 

Life is short- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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See How Easily You Can Lighten Up For Black Bass

May 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Lighten Up For Black Bass

A short time researching “fly rods for black bass” on the internet will find recommendations for bass rods between six-weight and eight-weight. And for beginners these are good recommendations. However, if you’ve been fly fishing a while, if you’re a good caster, and if you understand how to use your rod to fight bigger fish efficiently, you can use smaller, lighter rods than this quite effectively in many situations. Let us discuss the places little rods are appropriate.

I live in central Florida, and fish rivers and shallow areas on lakes with the fly. These places are made-to-order for a little rod. My own favorite is an eight foot three-weight equipped with a weight-forward number four floating line. With this outfit unweighted streamers, small poppers, and gurglers up to size 2 are tossed at likely targets when the wind is less than about 12 knots. When the wind comes up, or if I want to throw a larger or a weighted fly, then I go up to a nine foot five-weight. Either way, the leader is nine or ten feet long, tapered to a 10 pound nylon tippet.

Lighten Up for Black bass

Flies like these can be thrown with a small rod.

Why should you Lighten Up For Black Bass? Several reasons present themselves.
– It forces you to become a better caster. At first casting your typical bass fly* with the little rod will be difficult. If you stick with it will get easier because you will get better.
– You will present your flies with less commotion. The words “delicacy” and “black bass” don’t often appear in the same sentence, but bass can be spooked just like any other fish. A five-weight line makes considerably less splash than an eight-weight line does.
– You can fish longer. That little rod causes less fatigue than a bigger one.
– Those little bass became more fun. A ten- or twelve-inch bass on an eight-weight isn’t very challenging. Put him on a four-weight though, and Boom!- he’s a real fish.
– Those bigger bass are suddenly angling trophies. The five-pounder on the eight-weight was a nice fish. On the four-weight though, you have some serious bragging rights.

orlando area fishing report

If you fish in thick weeds or timber you will lose a few fish. I submit you will catch more overall though, because you will spook fewer. You will enjoy the ones you catch a lot more, too.

Try to lighten up for black bass. If you don’t take to it you can always go back to using your more conventional fly gear.

*You may want to down-size your typical bass fly by a hook size or two.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

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Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea

May 3, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish

Guest Blog by Rodney Smith

Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish.

There has never been a more important time to protect the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and its most critical habitat, sea grass. It is in sea grass beds where the vast majority of baby fish, shrimp and crabs grow up.

During a recent paddle down the entire length of the IRL (irl-paddle-adventure.com), paddlers documented the widespread disappearance of sea grasses. In one eighty-mile stretch, from Port St. John in Brevard County to the north end of Vero Beach in Indian River County, the IRL’s bottom was 95 percent void of sea grass coverage.

Indian River County is currently pushing forward with a plan to expand the Oslo Road Boat Ramp by dredging sea grass beds 215 feet out from shore to a depth of 2.5 feet. This is one of the IRL’s best remaining sea grass bed areas, and is a critical spawning ground for spotted seatrout and snook. They are also considering filling in 1.4 acres of mangroves, widening and paving a gravel road, and increasing the parking lot for big boats with big motors. The current depth at the ramp is only inches at low tide, so it only accommodates small boats, canoes and kayaks and wading anglers.

Anglers for Conservation strongly opposes any expansion of the Oslo Road Boat Ramp that includes the dredging of sea grasses.

Below is a summary of major points to put into letters of concern for the Oslo Road Boat Ramp expansion project, and a list of email addresses where we suggest you send them as soon as possible.

An administrative hearing starts at 9 am Tuesday, May 6-8, in the Indian River County Administrative Building in Vero Beach concerning this issue.  If we are unsuccessful, then it is very important to get the Feds to stop this, as the county needs a permit from the USCOE (Army Corps of Engineers) as well as the St. John’s River Water Management District.

If you can only send two letters, send one to Tamy Dabu at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and another to the Press Journal, but getting your concerns to others is also very important.  The same letter, or a slightly modified version, can be sent to all of the agencies involved.

Anglers for Conservation thinks Expanding Oslo Road Boat Ramp a Bad Idea for Anglers and Fish

Rodney Smith is the Executive Director of Anglers for Conservation.

Here are major points to put into a letter of concern for the Oslo Road Boat Ramp Expansion Project.   This project is in a county/state purchased conservation land, (Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area) adjacent to an aquatic preserve and a Federal shellfish area.

  • It dredges 215 ft. into best and only seagrasses left in Indian River County and fills 1.4 acres of mangrove wetland forest with a hard impervious surface for a parking lot and road widening.
  • This project will deleteriously impact essential fish nursery habitat for four of the most protected and intensely managed fish species within the State of Florida:for snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon, red drum.
  • Goes against the county’s own Manatee Protection Plan. It is the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation opinion that “the project is inconsistent with the Indian River MPP because the project represents a deepening of the access from the boat ramp, and an increase in the size of vessels that would be able to launch from the site.”
  • According to the County’s Manatee Protection Plan the County as twice the number of public boat ramp lanes needed to meet DEP recommended levels of service. Riverside park (6 miles away) has a 75-ft.-wide boat ramp plus two 40 ft. long floating docks, 26 paved vehicle and trailer parking spaces, 118 additional parking spaces, bathrooms, picnic tables, drinking fountains, and an outdoor shower. Four additional boat ramps and 10 parking spaces are at nearby MacWilliam Park.
  • Impacts are inconsistent with the Manatee Protection Plan: page 55 “….there shall be no increase impact to manatee habitat, or the natural resources of the Indian River Lagoon, including   seagrass beds, water quality, estuarine wetlands, and mangrove fringe, attributed to the development or expansion of boat facilities or boat ramps in Indian River County.”
  • The Oslo boat ramp is in the largest area of manatee concentration in the county (Manatee Protection Plan).
  • Impacts are inconsistent with Indian River County’s own Comprehensive Management Plan: “The County will strive to improve water quality in the Lagoon, including that portion adjacent to the subject property (South ORCA)”
  • The boat ramp is in a Federal Shellfish Area, conservation lands, and next to an aquatic preserve
  • There is no mitigation for seagrass destruction.
  • The presence of rock indicates that this area was never historically dredged.
  • The following agencies and organizations have written against it: EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, DEP Aquatic Preserve Manager, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, Audubon Florida, Indian River Keeper Save the Manatee Club, Marine Resource Council, Coastal Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Pelican Island Audubon, Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area Volunteers, Kayak Renters, Wading and Small Boat Fisherman, and Scientists.
  • U.S. Representative Bill Posey sent his Chief of Staff, Stuart Burns, from Washington, D.C. to Vero Beach to pressure the USFWS to overturn their 2011 denial of the county’s permit based on threats to manatees.
  • Common Sense says: 45th St. (Gifford Dock Rd) or 69th St. are Great Alternative Sites-15 minutes from Oslo Rd.
  • Not in a Federal Shellfish Area requiring a Variance
  • Less Seagrass Destruction
  • Little or no Mangrove Destruction
  • Eliminates Unwanted Exotic Plants
  • Mitigates on Site
  • Less Expense to Build
  • Keeps OSLO Natural
  • Closer to the ICW-Intra-Coastal Waterway
  • Not in an Conservation Area or Aquatic Preserve
  • County owns the property

          Where to send your concerns:  

1. Federal Organizations (They have not issued their permit yet, waiting for our hearing):    

-Colonel Alan M. Dodd, District Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 4970 Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019  

-Tamy Dabu Regulatory Division, North Permits Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 400 High Point Drive, Suite 600 Cocoa, FL 32926 tamy.s.dabu@usace.army.mil  

-Larry Williams, Field Supervisor South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 larry_williams@fws.gov  

-Craig Aubrey, Assistant Field Supervisor South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 craig_aubrey@fws.gov  

-Charles Kelso South Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 charles_kelso@fws.gov  

-Cynthia Dohner, Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30345 cynthia_dohner@fws.gov  

2. Press:

-Most important T.C Palm (Press Journal our county daily paper). Letter to the editor: 300 words maximum to Larry Reisman: Larry.Reisman@scripps.com

3. County Commissioners:

-Joe Flescher: jflescher@ircgov.com

-Wesley David: wdavis@ircgov.com

-Peter O’Bryan: pobryan@ircgov.com

-Bob Solari: bsolari@ircgov.com

-Tim Zorc: tzorc@ircgov.com

4.   U.S. Congressman Bill Posey (Ask him why did he ask USFWS to change their denial to OK approval): Congressman.Posey@mail.house.gov  

5. St. Johns River Management District. Ask why this project was approved (actually don’t they usually do a cultural or archeological survey before issuing a permit? Don’t they care about the fish and manatees anymore?)

-Hans G. Tanzier III, Executive Director: xhtanzler@sjrwmd.com

-John A. Miklos, Board Chairman, jmiklos@sjrwmd.com      

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The Continuing Saga of the Bang-O-Craft- A Photo Essay

April 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

The Continuing Saga of the Bang-O-Craft

the Bang-O-Craft

Alex and Maxx in the Bang-O-Craft.

In my yard sits a 14 foot long MonArk jonboat. I call it the Bang-O-Craft. I have had it for a long time, since before my kids were born. Although I love the boat and we’ve had many awesome adventures together, it’s just been sitting there collecting leaves for way too many years now. Very sad.

the bang-o-craft

The late Joe Mulson, on an Everglades trip.

I am trying to get it water ready again. I had to replace the old rotten tires. There went a hundred bucks. When I was putting the new tires back on the trailer I discovered (to no surprise) that the starboard wheel bearings were shot. Further investigation revealed that the spindle on the axle was shot, too.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx runs the boat on the Gulf of Mexico in Everglades National Park. Brother Alex enjoys the ride!

I bought that axle at Tractor Supply. It’s about twelve miles from my house, pretty convenient. A phone call revealed that they no longer stock that length axle. No one locally does. WTF??? I had to order one from a place in Delaware. There went another hundred bucks. It’s now on the trailer, though, some of my work for today.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx’s first camping trip the Everglades National Park. He was two years old at the time.

I wanted to put the wheels and tires back on today, too. I went to Auto Zone to get bearings and seals. It’s easy to see why they don’t call it “Trailer Zone.” They had neither bearings nor seals. I had to order them. I don’t get it. Parts stores used to always have that kind of stuff in stock. Now you have to order them? It’s just another indication of the decline of western civilization. Along with the dust covers and an adaptor for my socket set, there went another fifty bucks, and, I was unable to finish the job today like I wanted to.

the bang-o-craft

In Lake Ingraham on the same trip.

This boating stuff could get expensive.

the bang-o-craft

Maxx running the Bang-O-Craft on the Indian River Lagoon.

I found a new motor for the beast, a 9.9 hp Suzuki. It’s “previously owned,” a two stroke. I hope to go over to Pinellas County this week and pick it up. It’s $850. I need a new fuel tank and fuel line. There goes another hundred bucks.

the bang-o-craft

Dad and Alex with a redfish caught from the Bang-O-Craft.

The boat must be registered. I don’t know what the state of Florida is thinking. It only charges twenty-two dollars to register that boat.

I am lucky to already have a pushpole as well as oars and oarlocks, investments I made years ago. I plan to use the Bang-O-Craft as a St. Johns River fishing boat, with occasional use as a scouting vessel over in the lagoons. I know from past experience it works very well for that. We’ll see how it performs as a river boat. My guess is it will be better than a drift boat. The St. Johns River version of a Hyde!

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of the Bang-O-Craft!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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Filed Under: Fishing Stories, opinion, Photo Essays ·

Bananas and Boats

April 22, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Bananas and Boats

banana and boats

Have I doomed these flies to a lifetime of failure???

Fishing has been important to me my entire life. Bananas have been important to me my entire life. Fishing and bananas always went together like beans and franks, ham and eggs, beer and pretzels. Et cetera.

It came as a shock when someone tried to educate me in the mid-1980s that bananas in a boat are bad luck. “Hooey!” I said when I heard this. “Bananas are delicious, nutritious, and filling, and have nothing whatsoever to do with luck.”

I still believe this, and take bananas aboard my boat all the time. Of course lately my luck has been declining, but so has everyone else’s around here. Water quality has nothing to do with bananas.

However, having said all of that, I found a video that seems to indicate that bananas may actually be bad luck when taken aboard a fishing vessel. Of course one trip is a small sample size, and preconceived notions may have come into play during filming.

Watch the video yourself, and then let me know what you think by using the comment form below. And thank you for reading!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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This Book Was A Tree- A Review

March 30, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

This Book Was A Tree- A Review

this book was a tree

This Book Was A Tree- Ideas, Adventures, and Inspiration for Rediscovering the Natural World, by Marcie Chambers Cuff, the Penguin Group, paperback, 190 pp., $16.00.

This Book Was A Tree is a beautiful, beautifully written, book, both in appearance and in sentiment.

When I go out anywhere anymore, whether it’s to a restaurant, a sporting event, or a concert, what I see are people, especially young people, fiddling with little electronic devices. They’re not paying attention to or interacting which each other, and they are certainly not interacting with what’s left of the natural world that surrounds them. My guess is many of them never learned how to interact with the natural world, and those that did have forgotten.

This Book Was A Tree will teach you how if you never learned, and will remind you how to if you’ve forgotten. “No need to be a weekend warrior with a carbon-fiber kayak hitched to your bike to appreciate the out-of-doors. Getting out there doesn’t require special equipment or masses of expensive gear. Instead, become re-acquainted with nearby wild pockets of nature. Look around! Nature is as close as a sidewalk crack or a moss-covered stone.” She implores the reader to commit to spending at least 15 minutes exploring outside every day.

One of the chapters is called, “Get Dirty.” Why? “Think of yourself as more than a single organism. Your body is a planet- a superorganism comprised of so much more than your own human cells. Its sun-drenched skin grasslands and waterlogged gut wetlands are teeming with diverse communities of critters- each looking for a shelter, a good meal, and a few trustworthy allies.
“In this chapter, you’ll expose yourself to the germy world. You’ll be challenged to go barefoot in the dirt, make a mudpie, snuggle with a dog, and eat whole unprocesseed fiber-rich antibiotic-free foods that promote a healthy internal ecosystem…”

I can hardly wait.

Another chapter is called “Scatter Some Seeds.” Ms. Cuff writes, “An avalanche of unprecedented global challenges looms before us and very few people are paying attention. How can one single individual make a difference when the Earth’s problems loom so large? Here’s how: you take the information you’ve gathered and then share whatever you have with the world.”

Ms. Cuff wants all of us to develop a more sustainable lifestyle. I could not agree with her any more wholeheartedly. She has me working on three projects already and I have my eye set on a couple more.

This Book Was A Tree is a lovely book. This Book Was A Tree is an important book. Even if you don’t need to read it, you damn sure know a lot of people who do. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and buy one. Read it and put its philosophy into practice. The global community will thank you for it.

John Kumiski

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When to Use Small Lures

March 24, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

When to Use Small Lures

When to use small lures presents problems to the fisherman.

Small lures don’t cast well. The hooks are weak and prone to failure. You need to use lighter line and leaders. However, sometimes the fish don’t give you a choice. Use smaller lures or don’t get a bite.

Let’s look at four situations where small baits are necessary.

The fish are keying on small baits. In the southeastern saltwaters the bay anchovy, commonly called a glass minnow, is an important baitfish. These baits are small, frequently two inches or less. Certain gamefish species will feed on them selectively, ignoring other, larger baits.Whenever you find gamefish selectively feeding on small baits of any kind you need to “match the hatch.” Failure to do so will lead to frustration.

Haw River Tackle makes a great lure called a Sting Silver which many fish species will accept as a glass minnow imitation. Find them at www.hrtackle.com.

Orlando Saltwater Tarpon Fishing Report

The Sting Silver is the hot tip for tunny. Doesn’t look like much but they do like it!

Cold water– unlike humans, fish are cold blooded. Their metabolism slows as the water temperature drops. Consequently they are much less interested in eating large meals when the water is cold. For this reason winter fishing often requires the use of smaller lures than used during other seasons.

Heavily pressured fish– in areas where fishing pressure is heavy the fish have seen all the commonly used baits over and over again. The fish learn to avoid these commonly used baits. By using small lures the fisherman gains a competitive advantage. The fish haven’t seen a lot of small baits, and the bait itself is not perceived as a threat.

My current favorite for this situation is the DOA CAL Shad. At three inches in length it qualifies as a small bait. You can rig it with a 2/0 hook , which will hold most any fish likely to eat it.

orlando area fishing report

The lure is a DOA CAL Shad.

Some gamefish just like small baits. Tarpon come to mind. One wouldn’t think a 100 pound fish could derive much nutrition from a two or three inch long minnow. But tarpon often key in on small baits even when larger prey is available. I’ve watched tarpon swim through schools of glass minnows with their mouths open, just filtering the baits out of the water. Again, match the hatch or go fishless.

The DOA TerrorEyz is a small lure which is deadly on tarpon (and other fish). Find them at www.doalures.com.

I’m not suggesting that you toss all your large baits overboard. But you should carry a selection of small baits and be prepared to use them when condition require. If you want to catch more fish, know when to use small lures.

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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