Umbrella Tamer

Umbrella Tamer

Many Northeast fishermen would agree that the umbrella rig — shad, tube or other type — can be a most effective piece of terminal tackle for trolling, especially for striped bass. These same sources would also agree that an umbrella rig is one of the most awkward products to stow. Anglers usually dump the whole mess into a 5-gallon bucket. But for guys like me who have small boats and limited deck space, the bucket approach won’t work. I found a better way. During a recent gathering with friends, where my wife served finger foods, I discovered Utz brand Pub Mix. This pretzel-snack mix, available at Costco, comes in a tall, 30- ounce plastic canister. One look at the container and I had the solution to my umbrella-rig problem. I drilled two 3 ⁄4- inch holes in the lid and folded my rig into the jar. The upper wire legs extend out the holes. I can now stow multiple rigs, tangle-free, beneath the gunwales. This should work with any similar canister or tube, but the Pub Mix is pretty tasty, too.

Live-Bait Popper 

When fishing for speckled trout, snook, redfish and even stripers, I use a technique that combines the effectiveness of live bait with the explosiveness of a topwater plug. Buy some foam cylinder of

the type commonly used in constructing poppers. (I like the 1-inch-diameter material; it’s available at stores and online where fly-tying supplies are sold.) Cut a 2-inch-long piece of foam and pierce it directly through the center with a hot needle. Take an appropriately sized bead-chain swivel and push it through the center of the foam cylinder. Yes, this will require a little bit of effort, but it can be done. Attach a 1/0 to 3/0 stainless-steel hook to one end of the bead chain using a split ring. Bait the hook with a live shrimp, pilchard or crab. Cast and use a slow, twitching retrieve. The results will be very dramatic!

K.I.S.S. Bottom Rig

This basic bottomfishing setup strips fancy rigging to the bone, adhering to the acronym for Keep it simple, stupid. The K.I.S.S. Rig can be built quickly because it eliminates two knots and a swivel, which can be potential trouble spots. You can raise or lower the sinker without retying; should the hook break or be bitten off, simply tie on a new one and adjust your leader length. K.I.S.S. is a simpler version of the popular knocker rig used on headboats. To rig, insert your line through an egg sinker sized to match current and depth. Bring the line around the sinker and back down through it for a second pass. Adjust the sinker to provide the amount of leader you like and tie on a hook. [See Captain Ken’s K.I.S.S.-rig knot at www.sportfishingmag.com/KISSknot.] If I find abrasion above the hook, I can slide the sinker up, cut off a little line and retie the hook. Capt.