Gear For The Year: Part 2

Get your hooks into this awesome gear. We did, and we did well.

Apex Trout Killer 1.0 #415T

Out for a day of urban lake fishing or off deep in the woods, targeting trout up to 5 lbs has never been easier than with this sweetheart. Be sure to use a bead swivel with this one, and if you feel like trolling it in the chuck, retie with at least 15- to 20-lb test—it comes pre-tied with 10-lb test for freshwater.

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AP Herring Spoon MVP

When you can’t decide, just pick up all three sizes—3″, 4″, and 5″. If you haven’t fished with an AP spoon, it’s time you did. Talk about quality: stainless steel body, stainless steel rings, and a Mustad stainless steel Siwash hook. Magneto would be proud to fish with gear like this, and we’re sure you will be too! Don’t be surprised to troll up a halibut or lingcod with this island staple.

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Cabela’s Ammo Box

A great go-to box for a day on the water, especially for a trip on a friend’s boat. It’s semi-transparent so you can see the contents, with a water-resistant o-ring seal, grooves for stacking, and a handle that won’t break off. It’s pretty cheap, too—we saw it last for $13.99, but even at the regular price of $19.99, they are superb for grab-and-go kits for different kinds of fishing trips. Make yourself a sockeye box, chum box, steelhead box, etc. and they’ll be ready for when you are. There’s even a spot for a lock or for zip ties to keep your friend’s curiosity at bay. Use it for tackle for a day trip, a portable kitchen, an emergency ditch-kit,” tools, downrigger parts, and most importantly, your collection of back issues of Island Fisherman magazine.

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Rite Angle Salmon Lance – Island Series: Lasqueti Island 27712

Long and lean, this one is mean! It comes in a variety of colours but as the old fable goes, use any colour you want as long as it’s green! The Rite Angle Salmon Lance is exploding in popularity, so grab them while you can. It’s a great choice, especially for bottom bouncing. Say hi to the fish you catch for us, OK?

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Seaqualizer

While expensive, it’s a no-fail device. Certainly, we want to recognize this for gear for the year, and to be safe, we recommend you buy two. This way, if you clip the descender on the downrigger at your cannonball you can set your line, too. No need to retrieve if your other line picks up another rockfish—use your spare.

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Peetz CJ Special Herring

Don’t get on your boat without one. A wicked bend and twist in the tail makes for a unique, erratic lateral darting action that is too provocative for fish to ignore. With 15 years of design and development behind these, there’s a reason why some of the top guides on Vancouver Island use them (you know who you are). Try the black top/silver and gold scale, with the powder coat white glow.

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Mister Twister 6″ Phenom

If you decide to target bass, don’t leave home without them. It’s the original Curly Tail action–Often copied, but never duplicated.” Rig this to a Keeper Hook for awesome weedless fishing. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with thinking outside of the box for steelhead with these. Try purple/freetail.

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G22 Geneva Copper and Silver

Another classic: The Lake Clear Wabbler based on an original design dating back to 1922. Think of it like a tiny flasher, as it’s most commonly used as an attractor spoon. This lake spoon has a wide side to side sweeping motion which communicates a darting movement to the trailing bait. Throw an 18″ to 24″ leader behind it with a snelled hook and bait or fly. Going for trout? Oh yes you are… oh yes you are. But wait, there’s more! Because of the back heavy weighting, you’ve got yourself a candidate for a traditional spoon by adding a Siwash that will sweep back and forth mesmerizing fish. Great for casting far off the rocks.

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Green Holographic Spinnow by Buzzbomb

If you don’t have a Spinnow, it’s time you do. Buzzbomb has been recognized over the years as the gold standard, and for horizontal jigging, their tackle is a staple for a reason. It’s very easy to fish with a spinning rod, so a super starting lure for jigging with kids or the most experienced. The trick is a series of lifts and drops on the retrieve. It’s imperative (but easy) to create slack and allow the jig to go horizontal and free-fall. As it looks like struggling baitfish, this is when the magic (the strike) will happen. And the whirling motion of the Spinnow as it falls makes for a sonic dinner bell” that call the fish in. But pay attention for that strike, as salmon hitting on a slack line can feel really subtle. Want to catch fish? Get your hooks into a Spinnow. Great for bottom fish, too.

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Luhr Jensen Coyote 4.0 Kitchen Sink Glo

If you are going to throw something in your tackle box, it may as well be the kitchen sink. How many beat up ones have you seen? Lots, and there’s a reason. Just great action and a perfect colour set for mimicking herring. Step up your size late season and hang on for a ride!

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Pro-Cure Herring Super Gel

Stink it up! Sometimes adding a little of this magic sauce is all it takes to make a spoon irresistible. Not only for salmon trolling, it’s always great to have this staple scent on board even for a Mudraker when looking for halibut. Guys, this is Old Spice for fish; just be sure to not get that slippery stuff on your hooks.

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Gibbs Delta Power Paddle

You may get some exercise jigging the 16 oz, but if you are in the right spot, don’t worry. It will be a short workout. Get ready for a monster ling with these bad boys. Shortest review ever: It works.

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Hot Spot Original Rainbow #955

Not a new one, but a good one. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Right. You’ll be surprised how well it works when the coho start showing up, so be sure you grab one or two while you can find them. It’s been an all-around go-to for many on the Salish Sea. This one also has great sparkle for your sockeye targeting, as well!