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Hooked on fishing and boy, does it hurt
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Several years ago, while fishing with a newcomer to the sport, he hooked a striped bass and brought it into the boat.

As he was unhooking the fish it started to thrash around and managed to send his hook right through the inside of his index finger.

Once we put the fish back into the water he looked at me and said, “Take it out.” I told him that I would try and proceeded to get a line set for the yank technique. I had never performed this on another person and have only seen it done once before.

As I made my loops, I told him to turn his head while I attempted to dislodge the hook. It remained in his finger after two failed attempts. He ended up having to go to the hospital to have it removed.

Once I got home, I was curious as to what I had done wrong and now know that I should have pushed down on the eye of the hook, making sure that it was against the skin before yanking. I also learned that for smaller hooks you can actually remove them with pliers by turning them back out in a circular motion.

I also need to make sure that I have a well-stocked first-aid kit on board. I believe a lot of us think that we’ll never get hooked past the barb, and that’s fine. The truth is, you’re eventually going to be hooked, or someone else around you is going to get hooked. Being prepared and knowing what to do can definitely save the day.



Delta

Shade is the most important factor when fishing for bass on the Delta right now. Really pay attention to the banks and look for any shade pockets. This past weekend the bigger bass being caught were caught on Sweet Beavers on the shady side of isolated islands. The top water frog bite has remained excellent for those willing to toss it all day. Anglers are catching frog fish in both open water and above matted vegetation. Catfishing has been very good recently along Whiskey Slough for anglers fishing with clams and anchovies.  



New Melones Lake

Anglers are starting to catch trout but have to go deeper in order to catch them; about 50- to 60-feet deep. The Kokanee bite has remained wide open for those fishing the right depths. Anglers are reporting that the Kokanee are being caught fairly shallow during the morning hour and between 45- to 80-feet deep during the mid day. Bass fishing has been good for smaller fish on small plastics during the day and top water lures early morning and right before sunset. Catfishing has been really good for night fishermen fishing just about anywhere on the lake right now. Bluegill and crappie are also cooperating as many anglers are doing well fishing the backs of coves with minnows or worms under a bobber.



Lake Tulloch

The bite on the lake has been really good while fishing the morning and evening hours with top water baits. During the day go deeper for Bass with small plastics and deep diving crankbaits. Boat traffic has been really heavy lately so getting there early or fishing the evening is highly recommended. Night fishing has also been good to those fishing spinnerbaits in Copper Cove.



Lake Pardee

The hotter it gets the better Pardee becomes for Smallmouth Bass. Crickets are a must for sheer numbers of Smallmouth Bass. Rig and fish crickets just as you would a split shot rig with a smaller hook of course and get ready for some action. Bigger Smallmouths are usually caught by those who anchor and drop a line over the side and wait them out. The nice thing about using crickets is that you have a chance at catching just about anything that swims in the lake.



Lake Camanche

The bite is really good right now for those fishing for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught right now just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Lures that are being used are spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while the bigger fish are being caught by those dragging plastics along the bottom. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of bays.



Featured Product

This week’s featured product is Power Pro braided fishing line. Over the past 10 years braided line has really changed how a lot of people fish. Like with any new product after a while there are too many choices out there. I was turned on to Power Pro by a friend after several bad experiences with lesser lines and haven’t looked back since. It’s true that there are less expensive braided lines that will get the job, done but if you’re looking to try braided line and want the best I’d go with Power Pro.