 Tsunami Airwave
Bimini Bay Outfitters
43 McKee Drive
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
(800) 688-3481
www.biminibayoutfitters.com/tsunami.htm
TSAWSS 802MH 8’ 12 - 20lb 3/4 - 3 oz. $68
Becoming a successful surfcaster requires long sessions on the shore, casting plugs, pitching tins or lobbing out live eels for many hours. Consequently, if you don’t have a quality surfcasting outfit, your body can give out before you’re ready to call it quits.
The Tsunami Airwave surf rod was designed for such marathon casting sessions, with a remarkably lightweight construction designed to keep your arms from wearing out before the rest of your body does. When I picked up the two-piece, 8-foot surfcasting model, I was wowed by its light-as-a-feather feel. I paired the rod with a Quantum Cabo spinning reel spooled with 30-pound-test braided line and concluded that the combo was ideal for tossing rigged soft-plastics from a rocky jetty and for throwing live eels from a boat. Almost as striking as the lightweight construction of the rod was its combination of sensitivity and strength. Quite simply, it fishes like a rod that costs twice as much, making it an excellent surf rod for any angler who demands bang for the buck.
The rod is constructed with a high-density blank, Fuji graphite reel seats, Fuji Hardloy guides and a textured vinyl grip. The Tsunami Airwave line also includes models from light-tackle freshwater through inshore saltwater to a full selection of surf rods. I’m looking forward to picking up a 10-footer to gain some extra distance when tossing out eels from shore, and because of its two-piece construction, I’ll be able to keep it in my car at all times for “emergency” surf sessions.
 Owner Oversized Worm Hooks
Model 5110-171 (7/0) • Model 5110-211 (11/0)
OWNER AMERICAN CORPORATION
3199-B Airport Loop Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 668-9011
www.ownerhooks.com
Like many anglers who fish for stripers, I’ve been totally seduced by soft-plastic baits. Their amazing action and natural feel tempt the stripers to hit – and then hit again. There are dozens of ways to rig the baits, but my favorite is the Texas-style rigging method. Many freshwater anglers prefer this method because baits rigged this way (when done correctly) are virtually weedless, and the soft bait can be made to move in the sinuous, natural way the makers intended. Hooks designed for this rigging style feature a 90-degree bend in the shank slightly behind the hook eye, then another 90-degree bend back to normal position. The problem is, most hooks are too short in the initial bend to get much “meat” on the hook at the head of the lure before the hook is poked through the bottom of the bait and inserted farther along the body to complete the Texas rig. Less meat up front means that even a schoolie striper can rip the head of the bait away from the hook. This ultimately requires re-rigging, if the bait isn’t destroyed altogether. My other complaint is that most freshwater-style worm hooks are made of very light wire and will not survive very long in salt water. In most cases, they also bend easily under the stress of fighting a substantial striper.
I was happy to discover Owner’s Oversized Worm Hooks, and they have proven to be just about the perfect answer to the deficiencies inherent in other worm hooks. They feature Owner’s patented Cutting Point, which instantly penetrates even the hardest part of a striper’s jaw. These hooks are made of a heavy-duty forged metal composite with a black chrome finish and are slightly thicker than comparably sized worm hooks. This means that these babies do not bend or break – at least, they haven’t yet for me, and I’ve taken stripers to 25 pounds on them! Best of all, the bend at the front of the hook, which Owner calls its Z-Lock shoulder bend, is slightly longer than on other worm hooks. In effect, more of the soft bait can cover the bend before the hook is poked out to continue the Texas rigging. That means more fish caught before you have to adjust or re-rig with a new bait.
The Oversized Worm Hook is presently available in only two sizes, 7/0 and 11/0, and they may be a little difficult to find because most tackle shops in the Northeast have not yet begun to carry them. Ask your local shop to order them for you, or you can find them on various Internet stores. These two sizes are perfect for 7- to 14-inch soft-plastic jerkbaits.
Aquaskinz Phantom
Waterproof Dry Top
Aquaskinz
562 West Hoffman Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
(877) DRYTOPS
www.aquaskinz.com
Price: $225
If you’re a hardcore surfcaster, you should already be familiar with Aquaskinz products. The company’s line of clothing and accessories are designed specifically for serious fishermen.
The Phantom Dry top is new for this year, and as soon as you try it on, you’ll be hooked. This is a serious, well-designed and well-built dry top. The sleeve cuffs are sealed with waterproof rubber gaskets that keep your arms dry even if you completely submerge them in water. This comes in handy when you’re landing big bass in the surf in 55-degree water. It also prevents water from running down your sleeve while you’re fishing. In addition, the Phantom features adjustable neoprene skirting at its base, which works out great when you’re wearing it over waders. Even if you venture into water up to you’re shoulders, you’ll stay relatively dry. The neck is equipped with an adjustable neoprene gasket, and although I’m not a big fan of having anything tight around my neck, this jacket didn’t bother me much. I like having the option to open and close the neck gasket as needed. Like everything else, the hood on this top is excellently designed. There are three straps to adjust it, so it stays firmly planted atop your head and doesn’t slide down over your eyes.
Overall, this is a very comfortable dry top that can be used in several different ways. It’s perfect for fishing from a kayak, it can be worn over bibs, and it makes a great foul-weather jacket for boaters. Surfcasters will stay warm and dry, even on those frigid November nights. This dry top will allow you to continue fishing, even on the coldest, wettest, windiest nights. I’m looking forward to wearing it over waders while scalloping this year.
If you plan on picking one of these up, I would advise you to check out the sizing chart on the Aquaskinz website. I ended up getting a top one size larger than I normally wear, and I’m glad I did – it fits great.
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