DUPREE'S BLOG ARCHIVES

September 14, 2010
Well it’s starting to feel more like fall here in New Jersey, so I have started getting all my fishing gear and my boat in running order for the fall blitzes. It’s a good thing I did because the False Albacore aka "Albies" have showed up in full force along our beaches. These little speedsters are one of my favorite fish to catch on light tackle! Hopefully they will stick around for awhile. Also look for hunting reports to start filtering in as Martin is out west elk hunting right now, and we will be hunting in Montana together in October. We’ve got many more things planned for the fall, and we’ll be sure to keep all of you updated with stories and pictures from our adventures. Make sure you head over to the brand-new forum and share your fall hunting and fishing tips with
your fellow fans.

Tight Lines,

Tight lines!
Dupree

Big Ones in the Outer Banks

August 31, 2010
With the Sprint Cup guys having an off-weekend, we decided to make the most of the free time. Martin, myself and our favorite ladies took off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some relaxation – and of course a lot of fishing.

After taking the girls to the beach the first full day, we decided that day 2 would focus on fishing. I made a call to a good friend of mine, Ritchie Howell, to get the scoop on the local fishing scene. He’s an Outer Banks legendary charter captain and a local boat builder, so he hooked us up with his good friend Captain Aaron Kelly at Rock Solid Fishing. We decided to chase some amberjacks since MT has never caught one and they are strong fighters.

After a short time catching bait we arrived at the amberjack spot, and seconds after the first bait hit the water it was game on! MT came tight on a good amberjack, and after a 10 minute struggle we got her in the boat for a few pictures and a release. We stayed there for awhile and caught another 3 before heading inshore to look for some cobia. The cobia didn’t want to show their faces so we decided to start our way back in. Since it was just about the magic hour for fishing, we decided to give the redfishing a chance. It didn’t take long before MT caught a perfect 25 inch redfish for the dinner table that night. 

Day 3  weather was absolutely perfect, so MT and I decided to venture out on my boat. We were hoping to repeat the success from the day before, but they didn’t seem to hungry. We quickly tired of that game and I decided to get my spearfishing gear together and get some dinner. After finding good structure in about 30 feet of water, I jumped in and made my first decent down to the bottom. I was pretty surprised to see what I did! There were big sheepsheads all over the place so I took a shot and connected on a good one. During the next 45 minutes or so, I shot 10 fish! I had a blast freediving the new area.

Overall it was a great getaway, but more importantly, some really fun fishing. We got some great pictures for you guys to check out as well. If you’re ever on the Outer Banks and are looking to do some inshore fishing, give Capt. Aaron a call! He’s a great guide and will have you laughing all day! http://www.rocksolidfishing.com

Tight lines!
Dupree

The Fall Run...

August 18, 2010
We are fast approaching September and October, and that only means one thing to serious saltwater anglers - "The Fall Run." Yes fellow fishermen, that’s right. There will be huge schools of striped bass from Cape Cod to New Jersey, and red drum off the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It’s a time of the year  we all look forward to, and we must start getting our gear ready for the fast and furious action that comes along with it.

There are a couple of things that I like to do before the action heats up. I often wonder why fishermen spend all this money ($25 in gas, $20 in bait, plus food) and time to go fishing, but they never pay attention to their gear!

First and foremost, I check all my reels to make sure they are lubricated and functioning properly. I also check all of the guides on my rods for any kind of nicks or cracks that could chafe my line and give the fish a chance at freedom.

Secondly, if I haven’t changed my line out from the spring now is a good time to put some fresh monofilament on (if you are a fan of braid, just give it a good once-over). I see a lot of my charter clients coming on the boat with line that is two or three years old, and then they wonder why their line is constantly breaking.

Finally, I check the hooks on all my lures to make sure they are still sharp and not rusty. Dull hooks are very easy to sharpen with the aid of a hook file or sharpener. A great one at a reasonable price is the Bass Pro Shops® Diamond Edge Hook File. Check it out under the product picks section. It only takes a few minutes to do a handful of hooks. If your hooks are very rusty, it’s very easy to change them out with some split rings and a pair of split ring pliers. You definitely want to make sure your hooks find a home in the fish’s mouth when you finally get that bite you've been waiting for all day. Use these simple tips and I’m positive they will ensure you to have a lot more fun and productive time while fishing.

Nine times out of 10 fishermen lose their catch because of a lack of attention to their gear. Trust me, spend the few extra dollars it costs to make sure your line and equipment are fresh and ready to go. I promise you will be glad you did when you get the opportunity for the fish of the year or even your lifetime. Like my dad always told me, "You don't want to jump over a dime to save a nickel.”

Tight lines!
Dupree

Saltwater Anglers’ Fall Season Gear Tips:

· Check all your reels to make sure they are lubricated and functioning properly

· Check all of the guides on your rods for any kind of nicks or cracks that could chafe the line

· If you haven’t changed your line from spring, put some fresh monofilament on (if you use braid, just give it a good once-over)

· Check the hooks on all your lures to make sure they are still sharp and not rusty

· File any dull hooks with the aid of a hook file or sharpener (Check out the Bass Pro Shops® Diamond Edge Hook File in the Product Picks section)

· If your hooks are very rusty, change them out with some split rings and a pair of split ring pliers

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