Fishing Tackle

Two goals were foremost in Robert Hopkins' mind when he set out to build a new fishing spoon in the early 1940's. He wanted a lure that would cast for long distances to reach far away gamefish. And he wanted a lure that would fool a wide variety of saltwater species.

The arrival of December serves as a reminder that open water fishing opportunities are coming to a close, at least in my part of the country, which is western Pennsylvania.

If you're putting away open-water gear and planning to strip reels, consider saving some braid to reuse for various repairs and tie-down duties. It's amazing how functional superline is as a thread and twine replacement.

Creek Chub lures have a rich history. Formed in 1906, this company created a plug called the Wigglefish that caught the world record largemouth, a bass weighing 22 pounds, 4 ounces. It also produced several other extremely popular lures including the Injured Minnow and Darter.

When it comes to fishing plastic worms, craws or

No series on classic fishing lures that have stood the test of time could be complete without including the plastic worm. Although a patent had actually been secured for a rubber artificial worm as early as 1877, that product was so stiff and unproductive that it never went anywhere.

Come fall, indigenous species of minnows trapped from local creeks, found within the same watershed being fished, are forage that gamefish are accustomed to feeding on. Being wild, when approached by a predator, they react as nature programmed them to do, not in the manner of a hatchery-produced fathead or shiner. The nervous behavior of a wild creek chub gives the angler a heads-up, while providing gamefish with a more natural predator/prey response.

Mention crankbaiting and most anglers picture hefty baitcast reels, heavy line, stout