Fishhound Magazine 007 | Page 31

taCkle shop BoB On fishing, work, relationships and more... Q: Hi Bobby, I was wondering what’s the best method to repair and replace the line guide eyes along the rod shaft? Also what materials, tools, and techniques work best? –Wayne Jacksonville, FL a: Replacing a rod tip is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get your rod back on the water. One of the best websites to use to get the materials is Mud Hole Custom Tackle. They also have a number of videos for the beginner to expert that walk you through the steps of getting your rod back to its healthy self again. But beware, there is a strong chance you will get bitten by the custom rod bug. My neighborhood ponds are full of some great fish, but as it gets warmer, it also starts getting full of algae. Can you recommend a technique that will help me get past the algae and catch those big bass hiding? -Michael, Little River, SC Ah the dreaded algae blooms! My best answer for you is to get rid of the algae. While I try my best to find other locations I have heard of friends taking a rake to the surface and removing some of the salad on top. If you return the next day, conditions should be a little easier to fish in. It still may be a little too early, but throwing a topwater frog during key points of the day may also get results. Its a great way to practice on your casting as your casts and retrieves will create lines where your lure has gone Cast in multiple parallel paths followed by casting from a perpendicular direction. You will create sort of a grid that will give you a visual indicator so you know you have covered the available water. Attractants are always a good equalizer. If all else fails slow your fishing down and dead stick at Texas rigged senko. Hey Bobby, My buddy swears by those scented oils that’s are supposed to attract fish but I catch just as much fish as him on most days and I never use ‘em. Do they actually work or are they a rip off? -Curtis Toccoa, gA Fishing is very similar to going out on a date. Your charm (fishing skills) alone can do the trick. Your experience patience and technique is likely to lure them in. Dressing nice (good equipment) will only increase your game. Adding a touch of cologne (Attractant) may be your key to “hooking up.” All kidding aside, attractants should only help increase your bites. There is a reason most soft plastics come scented and almost every tournament angler swears by them. Attractants are fairly inexpensive and if you subscribe to the Fishhound Field Test kit you get a FRee BaitMate sample in every box! I suggest you try it and see what kind of results you get. But make sure you remove last night’s date scents before you head out to the water or you won’t be attracting anything but an empty hook. Got a question and need Bobby’s advice? Send him an email at: [email protected] If he’s got good advice he’ll give it to you and hook you up with $30 worth of fishing tackle. Big Bass monthly | PAge 30