Fish with JD » News

California Fish & Game Commission votes 4-0 against proposed striped bass regulations!

JD — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:06:38 +0000

Thanks to the Commission's vote, stripers should remain a viable fishery in California

The California Fish and Game Commission did the right thing and rejected the proposed changes to striped bass regulations that would have reduced the minimum size to 12 inches and increased the bag limit to 6 fish (and as many as 20 in some areas).

To thunderous applause and a near standing-ovation from the throng of 200 plus anglers who packed the meeting, the Commissioners voted 4-0 not to pursue a the proposal. By the way, anglers all over the state need to pass along a hearty thank you to Fish & Game Commission President, Jim Kellogg, who really took a stand for the state’s outdoorsmen on this deal.

The regulations changes had come about not because DFG thought they were warranted, but instead because the Department was sued in 2008 by the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta. The Coalition is a group of San Joaquin Valley water districts, who asserted that striped bass are harming native species, including endangered salmon and Delta smelt.

Now, nobody denies that stripers eat fish like salmon smolt, but come on here people…the two species have coexisted since striped bass were introduced to California in the 1850′s. And during many of those years we had excellent salmon…and striped bass runs. This is a political play to divert attention from the fact that record water exports are putting the entire Delta ecosystem in great peril.

It’s pretty clear when you look at the overall trend in Delta species: all of them have been on a sharp decline, which points to the fact that it’s the health of the system…not the striped bass…that’s the culprit here.

In any case, this is good news though I’m sure we’re not out of the woods here yet. Expect more lawsuit to follow. A nice victory in the meantime however!

432.4-pound Yellowfin Tuna a New World Record?

JD — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:07:09 +0000

Could this be the next world record for yellowfin?

This 90×62-inch yellowfin tuna was taken taken by Ron Tegland out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and weighed nearly 30 pounds more than the current world record! We’ll have to see what develops with this story in the near future. Regardless of the outcome, that is one massive tuna!!

Read the whole story at my former longtime employers and good friends: WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

Pebble Mine: A Monumental Environmental Disaster in the Making

JD — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:10:50 +0000

B.A.S.S. bans Alabama Rig in Elite Series Events & Classic

JD — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:34:13 +0000

Alabama Rig: Too deadly, says B.A.S.S.

The castable umbrella known as the “Alabama Rig,” which turned the bass fishing world on its ear just a few months back, has officially been banned in B.A.S.S. Elite Series tournaments and the Bassmaster Classic.

Elite Series Rules Committee members believe the rig eliminates some of the skill that should be required in tournament competition at the highest level. “It doesn’t matter how you work it,” said one of the anglers. “The fish can’t help themselves.”

Our resident bassin’ expert and professional angler, Big Fred Contaoi, is excited about the ruling.

“The rig can be hard on the fish…you may get one of the lures in the mouth but others can snag fish in vital areas like the belly,” he says. “Outlawing it levels the playing field again I wish other tournament series would follow suit.”

Read the entire story at BASSMASTER.com

Nor Cal Steelies going off in New Year!

JD — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:55:06 +0000

The fish are in!

Well, the rain that hit Northern California and Southern Oregon has done wonders for the steelhead fishing the past few days! On the Smith River, guide boats have been seeing up to double digit scores of steelies, some of which have hit the 20-pound mark. The Mad’s loaded and the Chetco is full of fish and just dropping into shape! Looks like a good week to hit the creek!

Click on our Fishing Reports section to get caught up on the action!

HAPPY 2012…may your rivers runneth full of chrome!

JD — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:00:55 +0000

Here’s to a safe, fun and enriching 2012. Thank you all for being a major part of this website! We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you the bigger & better version in the coming year.

Happy 2012 everyone!!

YUUUUCK! Your 2011 “Wunder Boner of the Year”

JD — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:27:35 +0000

Salmon Milt...the "Other White Meat!"

The Academy has voted and the “Wunder Boner” of the Year Award goes to….

“Bitter Milt Face,” sent into us by “No snagn here.”

If you recall, it’s a tale of culinary exploration…Or wait…was it more a case of lousy fish anatomy identification? Well, you can decide (read the winning entry below). Anyway, “No Snagn” wins a Spineless Wunder Boner fish bone removal tool, plus the good folks at Boner HQ have also decided to throw in a shirt and cap too!

As our second place finisher, Kevin P. also wins a Wunder Boner. Guys, be sure to send us an email so we can get you hooked up!

Here are your official results…

Milt Face by a landslide!

And now, the winning entry…

I overheard a guy say he caught a big Salmon and took it home and ate it from head to tail! Then he proceeded to say how good it was and how he even ate the lungs. His buddy said “you ate the lungs???” And he said: “Yea, those two big white things in the salmon’s stomach…I fried them up in the morning and ate them with eggs!” Then, with a huge grin on his face he said “Those aren’t lungs those are Salmon SPERM sac’s..!!” Just before he gave about 10 other fishermen a good half hour worth of giggles..he made the funniest face ever.. A combination of I think I just crapped myself + Bitter Beer Face = Bitter Milt Face.

Top 10 Gifts for the Angler on your List!

JD — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:52:55 +0000

If you’re like me, you probably think the ol’ Holiday Gift Guide is coming out a bit early…after all, there are what…still 11 days of shopping left or something? An eternity to get ‘er done! Anyway, for those of you who aren’t as into the traffic and mall crazies that I deal with at 9 PM on Dec. 23, here are some suggestions for the angler on your list…

Terminal Tackle

Alabama Rig: The Rago Baitball

The Rago Baitball Alabama Rig

Well, it’s all the rage these days…the Alabama Rig. This thing has taken the bass and striper world by storm. Hunted to extinction for a while, the rig is now available to the general public. Check out the Rago Baitball at Monster Fishing Tackle

Hootchie Thing

Crystal Basin Tackle Hootchie Thing

For the kokanee and trout troller on your list, how about the kooky wiggling, tentacle waving action of the Hootchie Thing by Crystal Basin Tackle It’s a squid, it’s a plug…it’s Crazy!

MagLip FlatFish

MagLip: Springer Food!

Don’t forget spring Chinook season is right around the corner and one of the greatest springer catching’ gizmos out there is the Worden’s MagLip. See more HERE

Rods & Reels

The All-Around Stick!

This is one sweet stick!

If you buy just one rod this year, Lamiglas’ X82 MS is the ticket. Originally designed for light side-drifting action for salmon and steelies, this thing is truly a jack of all trades. It’s a super sweet trout stick. Put some light braid on it and you can whip a Kastmaster a mile! Or try drop-shot rigs for bass. It’s also a great light weight surf perch killing machine! For more info, click: Lamiglas X82MS

Go Ballistic!

The Ballistic: Light & strong!

Diawa’s new Ballistic Spinning Reels should be re-named “Bulletproof.” These bad boys can take a licking in fresh or saltwater and are made of corrosion-proof Zaion Carbon construction that rivals Magnesium for strength and rigidity. In other words, they are super tight and tough! Throw in a sealed drag and Air Rotor bail and it’s a fishing machine! Get one here: Diawa Ballistic

Stocking Stuffers

The Ultimate Line

Perhaps the best line you'll ever use...

Well, for light spinning applications. Berkley’s NanoFil is amazing stuff. Strong and thin like braid but smooth like mono…the stuff casts like a rocket and is tough as nails. May just be the best line made to date. Available in cobweb-like in 6- to 12-pound test. Get it at Monster!

Stinky Stuff!

Get your stink on!

Atlas Mike’s new UV Super Scents are just the ticket to get those finicky fish to bite. Packed full of fish attracting flavor (you can get it in Sardine, Anise, Garlic, Shrimp, Herring, Salmon, Trout & Anise/Krill), this sticky gel is also charged with UV so that the fish can see it as well. Smother your favorite lure with it! Check it at out Atlas Mike’s

Reading Material

Written by kooks!

Because you always need something to read on the john… Side-Drifting for Steelhead book

How Big was that Fish?

Now, your buddies will have to believe ya!

End all the “how big was it really?” disputes with your buddies with the SnapShot Ruler, a fun & handy little gizmo that’s basically a vertical fish measuring device that you can easily attach to your line or fish gripper (BogaGrips, etc). It’s a two birds with one stone type of deal: You can simultaneously snap a photo of your fish while getting a measurement…See more @ SnapShot

Every Angler needs a “Priest.”

Wood Shampoo…Attitude Adjuster…Priest…Bonker…Whatever the name, all anglers who take fish home for the grill need a whacker. Get one for your favorite angler with customizable engraving at : Mason Marine Products

Gotta have the Gear!

Gotta rock the FWJD gear, right?

For the stylistically hip angler…FishwithJD Ballcap: Get it HERE

California Anglers: Write a Letter to Save Stripers!

JD — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:30:56 +0000

If you're into this kinda thing...bust out pen & paper!

We all know that the proposed regulations changes designed to help save native fish in California by reducing the number of striped bass are heavily flawed at best. When you look at the graphs, all the fish species of the California Delta (stripers included) are on the decline…which suggests, of course, that it’s an issue with water and not striped bass.

The California Fish & Game Commission will be considering drastically liberal bag and size limits at its February meeting and you can help by sending a letter that says you’re strongly opposed to the new regs. Read more about all this HERE

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: 1) First off, send an online letter voicing your opposition to the F&G Commission here: www.water4fish.org Then, for maximum impact, whip up a quick letter on the computer and mail a hard copy as well to: California Fish and Game Commission, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

Former owner of North River Boats convicted of 1st Degree Murder

JD — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:21:44 +0000

Brush, in happier times (KEZI Photo)

It took a Pacific County Superior Court jury less than two hours to convict Brian Brush, former owner of North River Boats of aggravated first-degree murder.

More than 800 days have passed since Brush used a 12-gauge shotgun to kill Lisa Bonney, 45, near the north end of the Long Beach Boardwalk on a busy September afternoon. He has spent all those days behind bars. Now it is likely he will spend the rest of his days in prison after jurors found he premeditated his crime. Aggravating circumstances will likely guarantee life in prison without possibility of parole.

Read the entire story at KVAL.com