New in equipment: Berkley's FireLine Crystal fishing line
Braided fishing line is no longer new, but Berkley's FireLine Crystal is. Billed as the world's first translucent superline, it's said to be nearly invisible underwater so it can be fished without a clear leader. Berkley says the line is 20 percent stronger than its predecessors, casts more easily, ties better knots, is more sensitive, and stays more hassle-free than conventional braids. Someone must have agreed: the line won a "Best in Show" award at last year's ICAST show, the fishing industry's big annual trade show. It comes in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 10-, 14-, and 20-pound test on 125-yard spools. Suggested retail price is $15. For information: call 877-777-3850 or visit www.berkley-fishing.com .
Lure of the week Float 'N Fly
• Company: Spro Sports Professionals
• Lure type: Jig
• Sizes and colors: Available in nine colors, all in a 1/16-ounce model
• Target species: Smallmouth and largemouth bass and panfish
• Technique: Work these jigs delicately on light line beneath a small float to trigger letharigic bass to strike. The fly moves in pendulum fashion as the bobber is pulled forward, so by varying your presentation speed from ultra-slow to erratic and fast, you can vary the action of the lure.
• Sugg. retail price: $1.99.
• Notable: Once thought of solely as a cold-weather lure for catching smallmouths, the Float 'N Fly is becoming more popular at all times of year. As spawning fish move onto their beds in the spring, Floar 'N Flies can generate good strikes.
Tip of the week
Brown, brook and rainbow trout are all coldwater species and remain relatively active throughout winter, so they're a good species to target when you're ice fishing. One key to finding them in reservoirs and lakes is to first locate shallow flats, say four to eight feet deep, marked by soft bottoms. Tiny invertebrates live in those soft bottoms. As a result, trout often suspend just off the outside edge of those flats, then move in to feed on the invertebrates and on the small baitfish they attract. Find that kind of habitat and you'll find fish. To catch them, try using small baits like nymphs, worms, and curlytail grubs on a size 10 hook or use jigheads weighing from 1/64- to 1/8-ounce.
Recipe of the week Crockpot rabbit
Ingredients:
• 2 rabbits, cut into serving pieces
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can water chestnuts, sliced
• 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sherry
Directions
• Place all of the ingredients except the cornstarch and sherry in a crockpot and cook on low for six hours. Remove the rabbit from the pot. In a separate bowl, combine your sherry and corn starch, then pour that into the crockpot to thicken the sauce. Once that's done, return the rabbit to the crockpot and mix it all together.
