Reviews
Policy on Reviews and Ratings
The items reviewed are usually top-of-the-line products that I use. I prefer to be selective and recommend items that I know are high quality and will help you in your fishing. Reviews you see are favorable because I won't take one item and destroy it in a review although I may give a brief review and a "not recommended". I have not been paid to run reviews on products or to give favorable ratings. Remember, these are only my opinions; you may disagree.
THE CRAPPIE BOOK ...BASICS AND BEYOND
Book available from author, Keith Sutton; www.catfishsutton.com
192 pages; color cover; black & white inside; 6x9 inches; suggested retail $14.95
Notes: Author Keith Sutton is one of the top outdoor writers and fishermen in the country. Chapters include: Getting to know crappie; Tackle tips; Lure selection; Considering bait; Crappie seasons; Tackle tips; Trophy tactics; Cleaning and cooking.
Pros: This book is written in a logical format and full of useful, informative tactics and tips. Illustrations and photos are good.
Cons: None.
Conclusion: It's an excellent addition to your library well worth the price. I highly recommend it.
JIM DUCKWORTH FLOAT & FLY ROD FFCS8
BnM Pole Company; 1-800-647-6363; www.bnmpoles.com
8-foot long; fixed reel seat; cork handle; IM 6 graphite; adjustable handle weight; suggested retail $49.95.
Notes: This is a good rod that allows small baits to be casted a long distance and can be used for tossing minnows. It's strong but sensitive for it's build.
Pros: Outstanding long spinning rod for casting jigs and minnows plus it's good for vertically jigging deep water and longlining.
Cons: No problems encountered.
Conclusion: You get what you pay for. On the middle to upper end for crappie spinning rods but it is versatile for a variety of uses. I can highly recommend this rod.
CAJUN FRYER, 2-basket, 4-gallon
R&V Works; 1-800-908-3037; www.cajunfryer.com
Oil compartment 13 x 14 inches, overall width 24 x 24; weight 68 lbs for cooker, 48 lbs for cart; long-lasting construction; heat from internal tube so very safe; vee design collects meal and batter in cooler grease in the bottom (less than 120 degrees); 70% reduction in oil use; built-in thermometer; hinged lid; two stainless steel baskets; grease drain valve; gas time approximately 5.5 hours per bottle suggested retail $450.Notes: Robert and Vicki Myers, R&V Works, provide an excellent product with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They give something you don't often find today...personal, friendly, down-home customer service. I often use my unit with rice oil. It will last you a lifetime and save you money on oil. Cooking time about a half hour for 8-10 people. Smaller and larger models available.
Pros: The construction, durability, performance, ease of use and overall quality is excellent.
Cons: High initial cost, heavy to move and clean.
Conclusion: I highly recommend this unit for those who periodically deep fry for four or more people. It's total quality. It's the best cooker in it's class...period.
Dry Hands Minnow Bucket www.dryhandsminnowbucket.com ; 765-396-9545
Don't get hands wet; easy to operate; clear lid; aerator; suggest retail $39.95
Notes: A funnel lid puts minnows right into your hand while you lift a plastic rod with the other.
Pros: Clear lid, easy to get minnows, aerator and hands stay relatively dry.
Cons: A little pricy.
Conclusion: This is a neat bucket to help keep your hands dry while minnow fishing in the winter.
GPSMAP 76
2004; Garmin International; 913-397-8200; www.garmin.com
6.2 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches; 7.7 ounces; waterproof; 8-meg memory; WAAS; 16 hours on battery. Suggested retail $300+
Notes: Handheld GPS that's MapSource compatable with built in basemap. It has a 1.6x 2.2 inch display.
Pros: Top of the line unit with great overall quality.
Cons: As with all new gadgets, it takes time to learn how to use.
Conclusion: I would recommend this unit to any serious fisherman who wants good general information and add-on specific lakes additional software.
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GPS Training Videos
2004; GPS Outfitters, Inc.; www.gpsoutfitters.com
training DVD's; cost varies with products
Pros: Teaches how to use electronic units.
Cons: None
Conclusion: If you've bought or are planning to buy a GPS, it's worth a few more bucks to learn it quickly and pick up extra tips. Angler's Guide a must-have for novice GPS users; model-specific DVD's are must-have for novice and GPS users with 'average' knowledge.
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Round 3 to 5 inch diameter semi-soft foam; floats; 4-5 foot long; available from X-Marts; $2-$3
Notes: This review is simply an economical tip. A funnoodle is a play toy for the swimming pool but you can cut it into pieces for wrapping pre-tied minnow rigs, with weights for a marker buoy and for making catfishing jugs. It's cheap, easy to work with and is good for a variety of uses.
Berkley Crappie Sparkle Nibbles
Pure Fishing; 1-800 Pure Fishing; www.purefishing.com
1/4-inch soft pellet; scents & flavors; disperses cloud around the bait; disperse scale-like glitter; suggest retail $5.
Notes: All Crappie Nibble products will help you catch fish. The soft dough balls filled with Berkleys secret formula attracts fish and the sparkle series of color also adds glitter to their product. I recommend any type Nibbles.
Tips: Keep Nibbles off of your boat floor because they make a mess; take a dozen out of the bottle and set them aside so they harden a little on the outside and therefore stay on the hook better; add a Nibble to the point of your minnow hook.
Pros: Definitely helps catch more fish and easy to use.
Cons: Can make a mess in boat carpet but washes out.
Conclusion: Any negatives are greatly overshadowed by more fish in the livewell. I highly recommend.
Li'l Pro Driftmaster Rodholder
Black River Tools, Inc. 803-473-4927; www.driftmaster.com
Guaranteed for life; plated steel construction; heavy-dury plastic coating; easy rod removal; holders remove for storage; variety of bases; variety of shapes and sizes; suggested retail about $15
Notes: These holders are strong and durable with many models so you can find one to fit your needs. They are the best you can get for trolling crankbaits.
Pros: Best built, durable construction and good availability.
Cons: Price for a full set of 8 with racks is costly because of the high quality.
Conclusion: I recommend these holders.
CATCH FISH WITH MAPS (BOOK)
Review Date: Nov 2002
Fishing Hot Spots (FHS) Maps; 1-800-ALL-MAPS
Retail: $9.95 from FHS
Pros: tips on map reading, locators, finding fish using maps/locators. Good graphics & photos.
Cons: some information out-of-date.
Conclusion: Excellent book for learning details of using contour maps and locators to find fish. I highly recommend.
LOUIE MANSFIELD SIGNATURE SERIES GRIZZLY ELITE JIGGING POLE
Review date: August 2002
Grizzly Jig Company; 1-800-305-9866; www.grizzlyjig.com
Retail: $44.95 additional tip $14.95 from Grizzly Jig.
Pros: 98% graphite for sensitivity; only weighs 4.5-oz; cork handle; 11 ceramic guides; trolling adaptor for handle; choice of two different rod tips?9.5-ft. short, extra-stiff or a 10.5-ft longer, light action; fixed reel seat in flyrod style position; excellent balance.
Cons: No major negatives.
Conclusion: I give this an excellent, must-have, recommendation if you jig for crappie and/or bluegill. Select one or both tips to fit your fishing style.
B'n'M Sam Heaton Signature Series Jigging Pole
Review date: August 2002
B&M Company; 1-800-647-6363;www.bnmpoles.com; email: bnmpole@ebicom.net
Retail: $39.99 to $54.99 at Bass Pro; available from many retailers.
Pros: very sensitive IM-6 graphite with a light action tip; light weight; designed for jigging; Fuji guides; lengths 9,10,11,12-ft; fixed reel seat; EVA foam handle.
Cons: tip a little soft in heavy cover
Conclusion: Highly recommended. Excellent jigging pole that telegraphs bites. A high-quality, affordable jigging pole.
CHARLIE BREWER CRAPPIE SLIDER GRUB
Review date: May 2002
Charlie Brewer Slider Co. Inc; 1-800-762-4701 www.sliderfishing.com; email:slider@sliderfishing.com
Retail: $1.70 (2 rigged, 2 spare bodies); also, heads and bodies can be bought separately by bulk.
Pros: good paddle tail action; over 30 colors; weedless designed head; four head weights.
Cons: not much action when still.
Conclusion: Excellent weedless jig rig when in thick brush and can be rigged regular on any brand head. Great choice for brush, trolling and casting. Highly recommended.
YEAR ROUND SHALLOW COVER CRAPPIE (VIDEO)
Review Date: March 2002
Bailey's Guide Service; 419-394-1261; e-mail: rab@bright.net
Retail: $14 (includes s&h) from Bailey's Guide Service
Pros: how-to guide for shallow water, vegetation and docks, good instructional tape.
Cons: shows small fish being caught.
Conclusion: This is an excellent shallow water, artificial bait video. I highly recommend.
SOUTHERN PRO UMBRELLA TUBE
Feb 2002
Southern Pro Tackle www.southernpro.com
Retail: $3.99 for 25 count. From Cabela's, Grizzly Jig, Crappie Company USA
Pros: Unique design with flared tail gives great action and a big profile, easy to change colors.
Cons: Tears easily.
Conclusion: I like the big profile and action so I use it for a lot of my vertical jigging.
TEEZUR HOTHEAD JIG
Jan 2002
TeeZur Crappie Jigs www.teezurtackle.com
Retail: $1.49 (per 5-pack)
Pros: Comes in standard weights plus a 3/32 oz, has big prism eyes, double-barb for holding bodies and tough paint.
Cons: A little costly for using techniques where you lose a lot of jigs.
Conclusion: This is my number one jighead because of the high quality. I highly recommend them.