Every once in awhile a new lure comes around that really catches my eye. I fish year round and in highly pressured waters, and sometimes cold pressured water. I think the advantage this lure brings will be huge for some anglers. This lure has a feature I have never seen and really makes it versatile
This lure has been touted as a cold-water and pressured fishing conditions lure that has a removable weed guard that really makes this thing unique! The Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig is sure to be a staple in anglers tackle boxes from the bank to tournaments around the country.
Meticulously designed by 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Mike Iaconelli, the Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig delivers big-time performance in a tiny package. Perfect for cold water conditions and highly pressured fish, the Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig features a hybrid head shape that is balanced around the hook to reduce hang-ups around structure and give anglers better sensitivity to feel differences in bottom composition. The Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig is also built around a razor sharp #1 Gamakatsu hook that provides unmatched hook penetration and is strong enough to battle against the biggest bass.
www.misslebaits.com
Check out these videos to see the Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig in action and to see how to use the weed guards.
So what do you think about the Missile Jigs Ike’s Micro Jig? Comment below right now and let’s see how many people would or wouldn’t use this jig. Be sure to check out the rest of the Missle Baits line up www.misslebaits.com
WHY YOU SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ROD & REEL COMPANY NOW!
This post is not sponsored or solicited by Sixgill. The National Angler has no affliation with Sixgill Fishing.
Most companies in the fishing industry are very big and feeling part of their family is hard, but that is something today’s anglers are wanting. In the past only, the biggest names were part of a pro-staff, today’s company’s like National Pro Staff bring those companies to you. This was my first introduction to working with a company and feeling like you are apart of something. For me personally, that has passed and the whole pro-staff thing just isn’t for me. However, I still wanted to feel like I was a part of something and provide input on the gear I want.
I recently found that company in Sixgill Fishing and they are growing extremely fast and offer an opportunity that not one other company in the industry offers. Sixgill really has figured it out, they offer that experience that I was looking for and they provide value and that is #1 for me. One other thing that makes Sixgill different is the marketing strategy. Sixgill is direct to consumer and that means they cut out the middlemen and sell from Sixgill to the consumer. There is a bad part for this strategy, you can only buy Sixgill products from them. You will not find these products in stores and therefore you won’t be able to try them out. The up side to the strategy, you get great prices and steep discounts on great gear.
So, what really makes Sixgill great, simple its the value they provide. Go on Facebook and join the Sixgill Fishing page and see for yourself. I will provide the link at the bottom of this article. In this group, you will find the value. First, you get direct access to the President of Sixgill Mr. Justin Geisel and he is not shy about his love for Sixgill. How many company Presidents regularly interact with their clients, none! To me, this is a big deal to have him so close to his customers. The customers have a direct impact on all new products and pricing sold by Sixgill. He is constantly asking for input on specs and pricing. Again, you won’t find that anywhere.
Price and quality are the other part of the value that Sixgill brings to the table. Let’s go back to the sales strategy, direct to the customer. This allows Sixgill to steeply discount products and have great sales and incentives. Let me tell you, they run sales that are really hard to passup. You will find BOGO’s, 50% off, 30% off, etc., but the one big sale that got me hooked was the Deposit Program. Products that are just being designed and intended to be released the following year are offered up for early sale to gauge interest. You will get an even steeper discount for your up-front deposit of about 25% and save up to 75% off retail. I recently received a rod from the deposit program that will retail at $389, I paid $45 deposit and $90 at delivery. That is a great program and you won’t find that anywhere else.
Quality is the next piece to the value you will find with Sixgill. First, I have never really seen the testing that goes into selecting rods and blanks that are being used. Justin will routinely post videos of the factory stress testing the blanks. I have my hands now on several of the rods and reels from Sixgill and let me tell you the quality is superb. It exceeds other companies and really rivals some of the biggest names in the industry.
Community is the last piece of the value that Sixgill brings to the table. If you want to be part of something this is the company to get involved with. Just the other night one of the employees went live on Facebook. I heard an important term mentioned over and over again. Bart Gore, kept mentioning that Sixgill is a family, and I believe that. Again, head over to the Sixgill Fishing Facebook group and find out for yourself just how good Sixgill really is, you won’t be disappointed.
New rigs and techniques are always popping up and making an impact on the fishing world. Some are homegrown like the Alabama Rig and other are transplants from other countries like the Neko Rig.
These rigs usually aren’t anything new and they have usually been around for a while just used regionally until one person wins something big like Paul Elias and the Alabama Rig.
So what is the Tokyo Rig? Its nothing really groundbreaking just a new look for lures that you want to follow bottom contours and be just off the bottom. The Tokyo Rig has a tried and true, wide gap worm hook, but it’s what’s in front of the hook that makes this rig so unique. The unique feature is the large round ring, where other might expect a split ring. This large round ring allows you to attach a swivel on the front and long wire with a swivel on one end that drops down to add on weights of your choice. The large ring is really the key, it allows your choice of baits to have freedom of movement. Having a soft plastic swimbait, craw, or worm just off the bottom undulating as it moves has proven deadly on largemouth bass.
I have already found tons of videos with people making homemade rigs. However, VMC with the support of Mike Iaconelli for this technique that is sure to be hot for 2019.
Here is the link to Tackle Warehouse below the video if you are interested and a video below to show you this potential game changer for 2019.
Make sure to subscribe to The National Angler YouTube channel as well! Click on the logo in the upper left corner!
If you want to join one of the fastest growing Facebook Groups dedicated to helping anglers, join Bass Fishing Network. Click on the image below to take you to the group to join!
This is one lure the I’m excited to see from Live Target! This is incredible technology that one day I hope the homegrown swimbait guys can duplicate. This is a lure that will skip a mile and hold up to the most vicious strikes and heavy fishing that anyone can experience.
Endless possibilities when it comes to using this lure, and in clear/pressured waters I think this lure is going to excel. The rigging options are also endless with the new innovative lure as well!
Can you name another lure manufacturing company that can produce innovative lure like Live Target? I can only wait to see what is next from this amazing company!
When it comes to fishing I’m always looking for something new to call my own and do something that no one else is doing. I’m always looking for an edge and something innovative as well. In today’s fishing world the big-time pros are going to be the ones who get their hands on the latest and greatest the fishing community has to offer. The one untouched and sometimes unnoticed part of the fishing world is the custom world. Custom molded, poured, painted, shaped, or carved, the custom fishing world is where the average guy will find something new the fish in your area have yet to see or anyone else for that matter. You also have a higher chance at calling a new technique from a custom lure your own as well.
Starting in 2018, I’m going to start focusing on custom lures created by fellow anglers. Why, simple, it puts money into the hands of people like me. After starting to use big custom swimbaits, you really get better quality and craftsmanship. These lures are usually tested for quality and sometimes swimabilty before being sent out. You are not going to get that from a large manufacturer of lures. Does Rapala still hand tune and test each bait? Guess I should find out.
I’m also going to put up a page dedicated to the custom lures that I have discovered and tried as well, so you can have the same as me! Here is the link to the page thenationalangler.com/custom-fishing-lures/
So what custom lures do you make or recommend for me to try! Comment below!
The Guadalupe Bass is another subspecies of species Black Bass. While there is several very popular species more notable know as Largemouth and Smallmouth. The Guadalupe Bass is a subspecies of the Black Bass and is only found in the Hill Country of Texas, most notably the Guadalupe River. You can find these bass spread throughout the Hill Country from San Antonio to Austin.
Through some research, I have found the Guadalupe bass to be quite the small ferocious fish. The Texas state record is just 3.71lbs and measured 17.25 in. The state of Texas has stated that a 12in Guadalupe Bass is a trophy fish. Recognition of the species is also very hard with the introduction of Smallmouth Bass in some of the rivers. So, finding a true Guadalupe Bass may be difficult.
Now, catching a Guadalupe Bass or just a bass in some of the Texas Hill country rivers can be difficult. One you have a limited amount of public shore access. When looking for shore access to the Hill Country rivers, go to google maps and scan the areas of the river and look for areas of green on google maps. This will designate some sort of public location. These are the areas to key in on if you do not have a boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Check out my social media articles for more information on how to use google maps and other social media tools to find fishing locations. Click Here https://www.thenationalangler.com/category/social-media-fishing/
The second part of catching bass on these rivers especially during the summer is getting away from tubers. During the extremely hot summer months, people flock to the Hill Country rivers to cool off. Well, they are everywhere and getting away from people cooling off is hard.
To be successful you need to be fishing from a boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. You need to be on the river to target the fish you can’t from the shore. You need to be on one of these platforms to get to areas of the rivers with no shore access. This also gets you away from people swimming and tubing.
Let me know if you have caught a Guadalupe Bass or have any thoughts on fishing the Hill Country area for Guadalupe Bass.
Travel rods are probably one of the most overlooked items an angler could have in his or her arsenal. However, if you have one or two, I promise you will use them. They come in handy at multiple times and at any time you think, “man I wish I had a rod”, those are the time you will want a travel rod. I keep my travel rods and backup reels in my truck. I also take them on every flight I take. You just never know when you might have the chance to fish. So always keep a travel rod, backup reel and a small assortment of tackle ready.
I went on the hunt several years ago for travel rods when I went out to Northern California for training one summer. Went to the local Bass Pro and found the only travel rod they had was the Browning Safari spinning model. It was medium light and thought it would do well. That was almost 3 years ago and I have taken that rod on a half dozen trips. That rod has been used in lakes and rivers of Northern California, Texas Hill Country streams, and the clear water of the Florida Keys. Being a medium light rod and 4 pieces, I can say it’s one tough rod.
Just this year, I wanted a casting travel rod. Unfortunately, the local Bass Pro didn’t have any travel rods. On a recent trip to Texas, I went to another Bass Pro and thankfully found a Heavy model of the same rod, just a casting model. It had the exact same specs as the Bass Pro saltwater travel rod. So again, I went with the Browning Safari. This rod isn’t rated as high for lure weight as I wanted. However, it works great and I really can’t complain.
So, if you are on the hunt for a travel rod. Seriously, take a look at the Bass Pro Browning Safari travel rods. Under a $100 and well worth the investment to always have a rod handy. If you have any questions, ask below!
A few years ago, I bought my first swimbait and later on, my first 12 in worm for fishing. However, I didn’t have the correct gear to throw such big baits. This year I’ve gotten back into throwing big baits to include swimbaits, glidebaits, big worms, big jigs, well you get the point. I use social media to gain a lot of information when I starting something new. However, the sources of information are lacking and some social media groups are not for beginners. I’ve decided to start a few “Projects” to document how I start something new.
So what is the “Project”? It’s just that a project on how I’m starting something new and documenting how I’m getting started. You can learn along the way with me or go back and see how I got started. I’m also going to build a Facebook group specifically for talking about getting started in something new. This Facebook group will cater to those people getting started and I will keep it from getting extremely negative like some groups.
My first two “Projects” are kind of related. So I will be launching “Project” Swimbait Mayhem and “Project” Big Bait Mayhem. So why two different ones, swimbaits are in their own world while you use the same gear to throw other big baits as well. To me, I think they are different so I will keep them separated. I will only have one Facebook Group and two separate blog section for each.
Still thinking about being a PRO-STAFF member or think it’s a waste of your time? Well, see what I’ve done in just a matter of months!
A few months ago I wrote an article detailing the difference between be a “PRO-STAFF” and “SPONSORED” angler working for a company and how they differed. I do find a little entertainment in the fact that people still don’t understand the benefits of being a “PRO-STAFF” and what it can do for your wallet and career.
Being a “PRO-STAFF” is more than just a discount or a free t-shirt, it’s having the ability to professionalize your hobby and putting that first foot in the door. It’s exposure to other anglers and brands. It’s an internship and a chance to prove what you really have to support a company and demonstrate your commitment. It’s a game changer for those who never would have thought it was possible to start a career in the fishing industry.
I took the opportunity to work with Ardent Outdoors and ran with it. In my mind, it was my time to show people how I could really help them out, without even asking for a single thing in return. I’m not a tournament angler and needed to take advantage of my website and my understanding of Social Media and go to work.
Doing “PRO-STAFF” work for a company you get access to sales and sometimes giveaways and contest. Ardent just happened to run a recruiting event and was giving away $1000 in free gear. Yes, a $1000 in free rods and reels! I put my website and social media skills to work and for the month of November 2016, I was the winner!
I walked away with 5 brand new Ardent reels and 3 brand new Ardent rods to add to my arsenal. Winning that contest freed up much-needed money that I could apply to other needs. If you are not part of a “PRO-STAFF” team, then you are not taking advantage!
Speaking of “TEAM” you get access to thousands of other anglers in the various “PRO-STAFF” teams. I’ve made countless connections that will last my career in the fishing industry. So what are you really waiting for?
If you want to take the step and join the Team Ardent Tournament Anglers PRO-STAFF program and get your career started. Contact me today for details.
Today, with social media and the internet the average angler can play a huge role in promoting companies without being a tournament angler, having a website, or a tv show. The “Average Joe Fisherman” can now serve a role in a fishing company’s publicity! When it comes to promoting a fishing company there are two types “Sponsored” and “Pro Staff” and they both mean different things.
Actions are also associated with each and help you identify which one you most affiliate with.
SPONSORED usually means that a company is reaching out to you. You have something they want and they are giving you either financial, product or both in return for using and promoting the company. These anglers are well-known tournament anglers or have a unique niche with a huge following.
PRO STAFF means the angler reaches out the company. You want something they have either through being a fan of their product or maybe it’s something new you want to try.
Focusing on the benefits of being a Pro Staff member for a particular company and how it can help you get started working for, supporting, and promoting a company. If you haven’t developed a following or made it big yet on a tournament trail this can be important. Maybe you are just a weekend fisherman and you have a great social media following. Being a Pro Staff can help you out.
Benefits of being a Pro Staff:
Discount on merchandise, I’ve seen on average a company will give you between 30-50% off retail prices for being a Pro Staff. Let’s be honest, if you need help getting started, having this discount can be huge.
Occasionally a company will give you an initial load-out of gear. They might give you a few pieces of merchandise to get you started as a good gesture. Don’t always count on this, though. It also doesn’t hurt to ask either for this if not offered.
Access to the companies social media feeds and followers. Most people starting out may at most have several thousand “likes” or “followers” on any particular social media platform. By using a company and tagging them in the post you access their following for even greater exposure. If you make a great post, picture, or video they may even feature it.
Responsibilities of being a Pro Staff:
Use the products frequently and maximize exposure on your social media. Take great pictures/videos and be honest! Incorporate the logo on the merchandise to make things less tacky.
Learn how to tag the company in any given social media platform, it helps the company and yourself!
Don’t just get something and run, I promise this is a small world and word will get around.
Exclusivity and Pro Staff:
I’m torn when it comes to exclusivity clauses with Pro Staff opportunities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support a company and receive a discount and potentially some gear to boot. But, the only way I would exclusively promote a company is if a contract was signed and I was paid by the company. If you are ok with exclusively promoting say just one reel company then go for it.
There are some things you can do as a Pro Staff member to help you out when asking for discounts, merchandise or monetary compensation in the future.
Keep track of the following information and build a strong social media presence.
If you don’t have a website, at least start a Facebook Page to keep track of your post. This also allows you to write short blog posts.
If you are into video getting a cheap action camera and promoting on YouTube and Vimeo is a great idea, plus you can earn a little money on the side as well.
Don’t forget Twitter, Instagram, Fishidy, and Fishbrain as well.
Keep a log of the following information; Posts, Views, Shares, Impressions, and Clicks. This is great info to show a company what you have done for them and the exposure you have created in exchange for your gear or discount. This helps when going back to the table to ask for more.
In the end, being a Pro Staff for a company is a great way of getting started in the fishing industry, I’m currently a Pro Staff for Ardent Outdoors and Rayjus Outdoors.
ARDENT is actively seeking Pro Staff! Email me at thenationalangler@gmail.com for more information!
Let me know what you think and if you have questions, please feel free to ask below! Always willing to help out!
Semper Fish!
Joe, The National Angler
You must be logged in to post a comment.