ARTICLE'S - 7 & 8
"LIVE WORM INSIDER"
While game fish probably rarely see a real worm, much less a nightcrawler,
it is the exceptional fish that will turn its nose up at an opportunity to eat
a lively, juicy worm. The secret to consistent, successful catches with live
worms is having a lively bait. During the heat of summer, that often does not
work out well for many anglers.
Unless you did your own, fishing with
live worms normally involves buying the worms in a tackle store. Most
fishermen like the convenience, and then keep their newly purchased wigglers
and nightcrawlers in the container they are sold in. This works well as these
baits can then be plucked out of the container as they are needed. This is all
fine if the angler doesn't move around much such as when fishing in a boat. At
this time of year, the best way to store container held works when you are in
a boat is keep them cool in an ice chest with a little ice. This is most
likely to make your worms last all day.
On the other hand, if you are roaming up and down a stream or river, and
especially with wading, this is not practical. When doing such on the go
fishing, transporting live worms becomes challenging. The best solution is a
bait bag is attached to your fishing vest, belt loop or whatever, and holds
your live worms. Fishing worms can hang right there at your fingertips.
Worm Sources:
|
James Burke Research Service and Sales Co., P.O. Box 41495 Baton Rouge, LA 70835 Phone: (225) 275-3162 Fax:(225) 273-3959 |
Joberta Crossin P.O. Box 186 Clarkston, MO 63837 |
|
Larry Martin Vermitechnology Unlimited P.O. Box 130 Orange Lake, FL 32681 Phone: (352) 591-1111 Fax: (352) 591-4550 |
Dave Metzger 2144 Hog Trough Road Owensville, MO 65066 Phone:(573) 437-3605 (worms and supplies) |
|
Cape Cod Worm Farm 30 Center Ave., Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 Phone: (508) 759-5664 www.capecodwormfarm.com |
Ron Clausen 2111 N. Century Blvd McDavid, FL 32568 Phone: (904) 256-2845 |
|
The Potted Thorne Nursery Box 278 Lake Elsinore, CA 92531 Phone: (714) 674-7041 |
Oregon Soil Corporation 1324 Beaver Lane Oregon City, OR 97045 Phone:(503) 557-9742 |
|
Arkansas Wigglers 532 Bunker Rd., Harrison, AR 72601 Phone: (870) 743-9831 |
Penny Bernas 325 Govenor's Rd, Hwy 99 Paris, Ontario, Canada, N3L3E1 Phone: (519) 753-0288 |
|
Holly Stark 9202 YY Hwy Peculian, MO 64078 Phone: (816) 779-7301 Email: dstark9202@aol.com |
Gail Taylor 6874 N. Farmroad 247 Strafford, MO 65757 |
| Rich Beasley Jenkins Creek Farms P.O. Box 1482 Flippin, AR 72634 Phone: (870) 453-3229 www.jenkinscreek.com/catalog/default.php |
Charles Kendall K & G Worm Farm P.O. Box 283 Boyle, MS 38730 Phone: (662) 843-0412 |
| Bob Ingram Trinity Ranch 5750 Duda Rd., House Springs, MO 63051 Phone: (636) 671-7234 www.trinity-ranch.com |
John and Kay Ihnat Work World, 26 Ihnat Ln., Avella, PA 15312 Phone: (724) 356-2397, Fax: (724) 346-worm (9676) www.wormwrld.com |
| Irvin and Kathleen Huser at ESP of Missouri, 1900 Keller Drive Wright City, MO 63390 Phone: (636) 456-3066 http://home.earthlink.net/~espofmo/ |
Windswept Worm Farm 1110 W. Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 Phone:(816) 224-2956, Fax:(816) 228-6906 www.windsweptwormfarm.com |
"TACKLE TREASURES IN YOUR ATTIC"
It seems everyone collect something, be it old buttons or Indian arrowheads. In recent years sporting paraphernalia, such as baseball cards and duck decoys, has been eagerly sought by a growing number of collectors. Old fishing tackle is the latest craze among sporting collectables.
Crafted and manufactured in this country since the 1880s, collectable old fishing tackle covers everything from rods and reels to wood plugs and bobbers. Makers of early fishing tackle relied on materials such as wood, bamboo, brass, German silver, silk, and leather.
Fishing reels and plugs are two of the most highly sought after items of fishing tackle. Early English wooden reels are occasionally found at flea markets and yard sales, but metal level-wind and fly reels are the most frequent finds. Early Milam reels fetch several hundred dollars, while the more common South Bend and Pflueger reels are rarely worth more than $10 to $20.
Wooden fishing plugs were first made around 1990. Fine old plugs like the Michigan Life-Like Minnow have up to two dozen components and qualify as folk art. Even relatively common Creek Chub or Heddon plugs deserve this same distinction. Many old wooden fishing plugs have glass eyes and baked-on paint jobs that feature rainbow patterns and highly realistic scale patterns. Most mimic bait fish, but old plugs that resemble frogs, mice, crawfish, and insects are common. Most of the old lure makers such as Moonlight, Paw Paw, and Rush Tango went out of business long ago. A few of the early lure makers such as Shakespeare and South Bend continue to produce fishing tackle.
Everyone wants to know what the reels and lures in a tackle box are worth. As with coin or stamp collecting, old does not necessarily mean high in value. Condition and scarcity largely determine the value of an old lure. Those with chipped paint or damaged hardware have only 10 to 20 percent of the value of the same bait when in excellent condition in its original cardboard box.
Generally, wood lures are more valuable than those made of plastic or metal, but not always. Lures with glass eyes are more valuable than those with painted eyes, but again, not always. Split section bamboo rods are desired over steel fishing rods, which are rarely worth even $5. Brass and raised pillar reels usually are older and more collectable than the level-wind baitcasting reels made from the 1930s to the mid 1960s.
Collecting Old Fishing Tackle by Carl Luckey, a title carried by local book stores, is an excellent reference guide for identifying and determining old fishing tackle values. Listed by company name, this book has hundreds of photographs and illustrations.
Beginning collectors usually grab up every old piece of tackle they can find. Yard sales, antique shops, and flea markets are their favorite hunting grounds. In time most tackle collectors refine their pursuits to certain types of baits such as frogs, or those made by a specific company such as Heddon or Al Foss. Avid collectors who are looking for rare pieces to complete collections usually go to swap shows sponsored by groups such as the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club. This organization currently has over 2,000 members.
A few collectors specialize in collecting tackle made in their home state. If you live in Michigan or Indiana, where much of the early tackle was made, this is easy. Those living in Alabama or Tennessee where little tackle was produced prior to 1960, must search for collectables made in their states.
Interestingly, one of the most sought after old southern fishing lures made was in Trussville in the late 1940s. Known as the Pinson Spinner, this mechanical wooden lure with aluminum blades is worth over $75 when in good condition. You probably do not have such a lure in an old tackle box, but odds are you have a few treasures collectors would desire
If you have an old tackle box filled old fishing lures, or have other old fishing tackle, I am available for identifying and assessing. I occasionally purchase old tackle, and if requested can usually find a potential buyer.