1. There are more ways to save than ever on our website!

We are excited to let you know of our new coupon codes just for subscribers like yourself. You may absolutely combine them with any and all other offers: NO IFS, ANDS, BUTS, or SORRY ABOUT THAT!!!!! Just our way of saying Mahalo to all our customers....Stella

2. New 2007 Penn SS: Workhorse of Year of the horse??

The Penn SS spinning reels are a standard on offshore boats here in Hawaii. The all metal body is tough and handles the ocean spray relatively well while the large spools and drags can stop stop some pretty big fish. With the braided lines like Power Pro that allow for more line capacity, these reels can really be pushed. Soon after the hefty 9500 SS came out (previously the largest size was the 850 SS) I read a story in a saltwater fishing magazine of a 300 pound bluefin tuna caught using a 9500! Of course the smaller models have always been workhorse reels for even lighter trolling tackle, casting and bottom fishing.

The newest model SS has infinate anti-reverse (something long overdue) and is probably pretty smooth, but its no longer made in USA, instead its made in China. Don't get me wrong, I myself own tackle and such made in China and it would be wrong to assume the quality is not there. Perhaps they can call it the Shang SS, or Shang 88 (8 is a lucky number in China). I will probably be testing one out shortly but please anyone who wants to share their opinion on the new Penn SS please feel free to drop us a line.

3. Using a rubberband or roller troller for your corner lures

A friend of mine and I managed to get away for a short but eventful day of fishing on the windward side of Oahu. Typically Kaneohe waters are rough and today was no different. As we neared the end of the sampan channel I could remember on windy days just how bad this stretch of water is when leaving Kaneohe. The winds were definately up since sun up so there was no chance of going out comfortably for a few hours. We went downsea to think about the conditions, saw some aku birds and started to work some small kawakawa with a little japan pearl head. There were times when I couldn't get the bail shut on the 9500 SS Penn before another would jump all over the pink presentation. We kept a 7 inch lure out just in case since we were still making 7 knots or so and I was holding the aku setup in one hand to give it some extra jigs.

Afterwards we set out two corner lures (coggin small slant) on the long corner and a one pound bullet skirted salmon on the short corner. Running close to the boat it really seems to help when the line is either rubber banded down to the cleat or brought down with a release clip, such as the aftco roller troller release. The advantage to using a roller is that the line makes a gradual bend around the large roller and can be set farter out or in with ease by letting out more line or reeling it in. With a rubberband it is set in that position unless you remove it, reset the lure's position and rubberband it back down. The lures will maintain their natural swimming action rather than being pulled up and "drowned" at the surface (even a stubby pole can create a steep angle on a short corner thats only 1-2 waves behind the boat)...moments later the short corner line popped out and my 80 started screaming. I always enjoy this end to silence and started to bring in the other corner when...BANG the coggin got smashed and the other 80 started to scream. I knew something was up from the fight so I wasn't totally surprised to see a good size ulua on, the second was a larger one. Without any tags we couldn't tag them but we did want to release them, so off they went!

4. The Aftco gloves work well in protecting your hands while offshore fishing. Gloves without fingertips are great for the angler who needs the dexterity for cranking on a reel and the protection from those "mechanic" type hand/knuckle injuries. On the other hand the Release glove is more protected for leadering and handling fish with full coverage and tough palm and finger protection.....hmm reminds me of something. On a recent trip I tried to rush and didn't strap my gloves on good when I was about to leader an ono. Turns out he was still pretty green and after trying to run, the leader "grabbed" my right glove by the fingertip and pulled it right off. It was either gaffing this ono or trying to get my glove as it floated away. Needless to say my new pair of gloves has a spare for one side! I'll be making sure to take the one or two extra seconds to check the gloves are strapped on good from now on!

We also found it useful to keep them ready by attaching the velcro straps to my bimini top frame. This way they can get air dried as well just like a laundry line! Expect that gloves will get worn, even on the backhand parts, but they will give protection for a good amount of time. When washing remember to attach the velcro sides together so they don't stick and pull and the fabric backhand parts. The gloves are made in China even though AFTCO stands for American Fishing Tackle Company, thats odd??