Accurate American Angler Trip (Jan 6-17, 2011)

The annual Accurate sponsored 10.5 day American Angler trip left for the southern off-shore fishing area (typically 14 to 16 day area) on January 6, 2011. This trip was designed for fishing “the beach” (lower Baja coast above Cabo San Lucas). Credit must be given to the American Angler for burning the extra fuel and actually making it a 11 day trip, with no additional charge to the passengers. The American Angler really does what it takes to give all of us a chance to catch a big fish and have a great time. We left the bait receiver with the best bait that I have ever seen. Having 9 inch sardines allowed us to use larger hooks which results in very few pulled or broken hooks.

This trip on the American Angler is like an annual family reunion. You look forward to seeing friends that you met the year before. Check out all the smiles in the group photo with Joe’s 247#.

We had the additional pleasure of having a great group of guys from Washington and Oregon. These guys are really hardcore fishermen and we traded great stories with them. We are looking forward to seeing these guys again next year (at the family reunion).

Four lucky anglers were able to land cows on this trip. Jackpot fish were landed by Mark Johnson 287#, Joe Machado 247# and Jeff Norwood 210#. The other cow was landed by John Yarbrough 206#. The rest of us all landed YFT from 125# to 180#. What a great trip, everyone landed at least one big fish.

Joe hooked his fish at dark and his brand new ATD-30T had to go for a swim. At lease it was supported by a great back up outfit (ATD-80). Check out Joe’s style of fishing the back up (I missed the photo with both a beer and a cigarette while sitting down). The paparazzi (passengers with cameras) were running back and forth following Joe when the 247# was at color.

Accurate provided 40 reels and rods for the passengers to test drive for the entire trip. In addition, Calstar provided 6 of their newest rail rods for the passengers to try out. Izorline provided fluorocarbon and spectra for rigging these outfits. Check out these photos of the passengers having fun. Most were using an Accurate reel or Calstar railrod, or both. The hot set up was a ATD-30, 100# Izorline fluorocarbon and a 770XXH. I was trying out a ATD-12 (with ATD-30 gear set, lower gear ratios) with 520 yds of 100# hollow and 135# Izorline spectra and 100# Izorline flurocarbon on a 770XXH. Really easy and comfortable to fish all day with. It did a great job on a180# and a 140# YFT.

I would like to thank Accurate Fishing Products for providing 40 loaner reels and rods along with a give-away Boss reel and other apparel, Izorline for fluorocarbon and spectra for making my “nub” connection, Calstar for loaning us their newest rail rods and providing a 770XXH blank for give-away, Baja Fish Gear for gift cards to all passengers, Bill Roecker’s FishingVideos for calendars, and a copy of his latest book “At the Rail”, FishworksProducts for beanies, Salas Lures for PL-68 glow jigs, and Mario Sportsman’s Seafood for tuna jerky and discounts on fish processing. If you are interested in joining us next year, contact the American Angler office as this trip is scheduled for Jan 6-17, 2012.

Thanks for reading my blog,

Gary Teraoka

Connection Glue

I have received a number of questions on what glue I use for making my nub connections (see earlier posting on this blog). I use the INSTA-FLEX model from Bob Smith Industries. INSTA-FLEX is a cyanoacrylate (super glue) with just the right amount of flexibility additive to penetrate the spectra weave and bend around the reel spool without cracking. It is only available in a 1 oz bottle and retails for $5.95 (what a deal). The turquoise label color and cap color is unique for INSTA-FLEX (other versions have different names and different color labels).

An additional feature is that BSI also sells a 1/2 oz empty bottle as well as extra nozzles. I pour the amount of glue I need for the trip into the smaller bottle and store the larger bottle in the refrigerator (prolongs the shelf life). The shelf life (un-refrigerated is approximately 2 years). To deal with clogged nozzles, I buy extra cap/nozzles and always seal the bottle of glue with an nozzle that has not had it's tip cut open (acts as an air tight cap). If you examine the design of the cap/nozzle, it has a compression fitting which prevents the glue from getting on the threads and gluing the nozzle/cap to the bottle. One other feature is the cap is made of a material that can be soaked in Acetone. Acetone will release the glue and clean out the nozzle (if you soak it soon after use) so you can re-use the nozzle many times.

I suggest that you check out this glue yourself (at $5.95 for a 1 oz bottle) it will be the most inexpensive connection glue that you will probably buy and you will probably find that it is one of the best performing. With the extra nozzles and smaller empty bottle you will be able to actually use all of the glue.

I included a photo of the glue, 1/2 oz bottle and spare nozzles.

You can find INSTA-FLEX glue at many hobby shops. If you are in the Lomita, CA 90717 area, I have made arrangements with Pacific Coast Hobbies to stock sufficient supplies of INSTA-FLEX, spare nozzles and empty 1/2 oz bottles for your long range connection application. Just ask for the fishing glue that Gary uses. They will mail order this glue to you, as they are doing this for some of the long range boats. Their address and phone is:

Pacific Coast Hobbies

1747 Pacific Coast Hwy

Lomita, CA 90717

310.530-7127

If you happen to visit Pacific Coast Hobbies, I want to encourage you to visit Baja Fish Gear tackle shop. They have a tremendous shop with an impressive amount of inventory. They really understand the San Diego long range type of fishing. The owner Ed and

his employees fish on these trips so they have first hand knowledge. They also sell lots of Accurate reels, in several special order colors, and I have taught them how to make my nub connection for you. They have several great sales and seminars throughout the year. You can usually find me at these events to answer questions on connections, Accurate reels, Calstar rail rods and Izorline spectra/mono/fluorocarbon.

Baja Fish Gear

24603 Narbone Ave

Lomita, CA 90717

310.517-9899

Thanks for checking out my blog,

Gary Teraoka