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Rigging Tip: Is line cutting into your spool? If so, its on too loose. Pull it off, reel it back up, and make sure you add a lot of tension on the line.
Conversation Artist: It was the opportunity of a lifetime. I was talking with john prochnow, product development director at Pure Fishing. This is the guy who developed the "delivery system" (read: soft, biodegradable baits) for its Gulp! Products. Here's what came out when I pumped his brain. -L.R.
You guys claim Gulp! has 400 times more scent dispersion than traditional baits, but how do you know? We measured it with a spectrometer.
When you tested the effectiveness of the baits, how did you account for personal differences in anglers? We used a mechanical fisherman, which went around on rails. And we ran it for days before we put bait on the line, so the fish were used to the motion.
Hmmm, very scientific. Did you discover anything that turns fish off? DEET, the active ingredient in insect repellent. The fish hate it. Surprisingly, they didn't react to gasoline. Turns out their taste receptors are shaped all wrong to register the molecules. Have you ever eaten Gulp!? No.
I have. The taste sticks with you, and it makes your lips sort of numb. Water won't wash it away. Who'd you say gave you my phone number?
Wave of the Future
They Cast
The Blue Wave Pure Bay 2200 is a premium composite bay boat with the performance and looks the pros demand.
We Cast
What's so great about this boat? Choices. Such as the 14 available colors. Or power options to 225 hp. Or the ability to sneak under low bridges, with the removable windshield and grabrail, to hit unfished waters. But sometimes you don't want choices. That's why pop-up cleats, a low-profile bow grabrail, antiglare on the nonslip, tilt steering, and a removable bench seat come standard. Small molded steps leading to the bow platform made it easy to keep my footing as I chased a bull redfish to the stern. After slipping the net under it, I put it on ice in the overboard-draining, 50"-long fishbox. That box, however, begs for more insulation. A locking rodrack in the bow kept two baitcasters and three spinners secure as we hit 52.8 mph with 150 hp on the transom. I wish bilge pump access at the stern was easier, but I loved the 18-gallon forward livewell, 40-gallon aft livewell, and Blue Wave's commitment to quality - the president himself does a 25-point check of each boat. Who Will Fish? It The angler who demands speed, fishability, and quality. Another Choice: The Blackjack 224 is a premium bay boat with eye-catching looks. It goes for $34,995 with a 200-hp Yamaha four-stroke. The Numbers: $33,900. Contact Blue Wave at 800/432-6768 , www.blue-waveboats.com. -J.m.
| Test Boat Power Single 150-hp Yamaha F150 four-stroke in-line-four outboard with 163 cid, swinging a 14 1/2" x 17" prop through a 2.0:1 reduction. | |||||||||
| rpm | knots | mph | gph | naut. mpg | stat. mpg | n. mi. range | s. mi. range | run angle | sound level |
| 1000 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 328 | 378 | 1 | 75 |
| 1500 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 223 | 257 | 2 | 81 |
| 2000 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 133 | 153 | 4 | 82 |
| 2500 | 15.6 | 18.0 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 264 | 304 | 3 | 89 |
| 3000 | 20.9 | 24.1 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 298 | 342 | 1 | 91 |
| 3500 | 26.0 | 29.9 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 270 | 311 | 1 | 95 |
| 4000 | 30.7 | 35.3 | 6.5 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 255 | 293 | 0 | 97 |
| 4500 | 35.3 | 40.6 | 8.5 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 224 | 258 | 0 | 99 |
| 5000 | 38.8 | 44.7 | 10.0 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 210 | 241 | 0 | 101 |
| 5500 | 43.8 | 50.4 | 12.9 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 183 | 211 | 0 | 102 |
| 6000 | 45.9 | 52.8 | 15.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 160 | 184 | 0 | 102 |
| Advertised fuel capacity 60 gallons. Range based on 90 percent of that figure. Performance measured with two persons aboard, three-quarters fuel. Sound levels taken at helm, in dB-A. | |||||||||
Dude, this is your chance! Cut out this article and show it to your wife - you're sure to get one or more of these fishing fantasy holiday gifts!
A Spy Fish STU J1550 remote-controlled submarine with three thrusters, a light, and two cameras. "Look sweetie, now I can watch the pretty fishies before I kill and eat them!" Price: $16,000. Contact: www.h2eye.com.
The Top Shot Pro Point Flying Gaff, with triangularly ground points polished to a mirror finish. "But honey, cheaper gaffs simply don't look this cool." Price: $699. Contact: www.Meltontackle.com.
Rudow's Guide to Fishing the Mid Atlantic. There are more than 300 hotspots detailed on 38 charts in this book, and ocean hotspots even have GPS coordinates. It covers bay, inlet, and ocean fishing from New York down to North Carolina. "Think of it as a time-saver, dear. Now I'll be able to drive directly to the hotspot, catch dozens of fish in a matter of minutes, and come right back home. Look at Rudow's guarantee. He says, "If this book doesn't help you catch more fish, I'll eat my bait," so it's got to be good." Price: $19.95. Contact: 800/536-4670, www.geareduppublications.com.
