BOUZ Line Cutter II (B LINE CUTTER II) - Butane FUELED PE Line cutter - Fall Gear, 2013

New ADDITION to the gearbox.
I've been hawking this butane lighter for a while now and recently was able to pick up the BOUZ Line Cutter II and use it for tying FG knots on PE & Mono.  Being a model 2, I figured there is alot of improvements over the pilot model.   I've never seen the original so I cannot comment.

The lighter is a refillable butane lighter made in China by a Japanese brand.

PROS: 
- Single feature that makes it worth it is the black flame shield that allows one to place a barrier between the flame and the rest of their line system.  This will probably save a few fingers from being burnt and also create more confidence in your knot.
- The black shield pictured here doesn't heat up until after constant usage for over 10 seconds. 
- Accuracy for both PE & Mono & Fluorocarbon braid and leader. 
- It comes with a handy manual which describes the different usage and steps for refill.
- There is a nice slotted "hole" at the bottom left corner where someone wanted to attache a lanyard. 
- The PE line cutter is the actual flame that stays ignited (from electric spark) as long as you wish.
- There is a nice spring loaded lid that meets an O-RING seal at the base of the cap.
- Also exist is a lid lock, where you can swing the lever over the quick release button for a lock-down of the lid to prevent water penetration or whatever. 
- The BOUZ also has a radio dial on the bottom to adjust flame height (denoted -/+).

Other colors are: Black, Red, Blue, and I've heard CLEAR is available but have never seen one.  Perhaps that's the original model. 

The color Yellow was chosen so that I can find it at the bottom of my gear back/pouch. 

Enjoy!

Long Beach Island (LBI) New Jersey Banana Bass Report, Fall (Banana trip 1 of 5) - October 16, 2013

My Dream re-lived, this time a reality, with a caveat... 

I was prepared 60% for this one.  As the previous Saturday was planned for a trip off Long Island, NY or Rhode Island, this one was for Long Beach Island aka Barnagat Light, New Jersey.

Based on previous years the report for bass signaled for a Halloween bite.  This year being a late season we encountered alot of warm weather with much more warm water.  The air temperature was 64 degrees by nightfall and that isn't anywhere close to the 51-54 I was hoping the water would be.

Oh I can't complain.  I was living out the dream as written in my last post.

We left NYC around 5pm got to Fisherman's Headquarters promptly as the sun was touching down on brant beach and grabbed some items for evening.  Two sinking Super Strike needles (one pink & one black), 2 bunker (my first time using bunker for bait on a beach or jetty), hooks and weights, knife, and some fish finders...

Wawa, for an amazing chicken sub, then off to BL aka jetty aka the lighthouse.

Okay, so this was a fishing trip where we lost to the ocean, to the surf, and to being only 60% prepared.  I had FIVE bananas in the car about a week earlier that had been left on the commute beforehand.  We threw them out before leaving the city but YES, the reverse effect of the banana's came to realization.  (Remember, Bananas usually work FOR me, not against).  Well, it came to be that for each banana in their banana stock, there would be FIVE, yes 5....1,2,3,4,5 bad trips altogether for the future. 

Being un-prepaired I only had 2 FG knots tied for three rigs.  I couldnt make my mind up during the ride down on which third setup but as we pulled into the lot (where we were greeted by 4 other vehicles, and a few cats), I decided on the Stradic 5000FJ and Daiwa Saltiga Jigging rod (see, totally unprepared for a jetty/surf trip).

I spent the next 30 minutes rigging line systems, re-rigging hooks, and organizing all the gear into my backpack in complete darkness.  I don't know what it is but I like the fact we are fishing for stripers and that means fishing at night and not using lights.  I think this part took me more like 45 mins.  oh lala...

Got to the water to see a late incoming tide.  hmm, shall we fish the slack?  how long will we stay?

About an hour earlier I called Greg and Yonnie.  Seems Yonnie was fishing Loveladies through two day tides and slack without much love but short bass.  Better than zero.  Guys at Fishhead were up in Montauk the weekend before and from reports were slaying mini bass non-stop.  Couldn't meet up with Dante and Greg was snoozing so it was just gonna be us.  I knew there was bass where we were but there would be no way we hook into them.

 Banana Effect 1-  We settle at the base of Sir Barnagat's lighthouse after taking fotos.  After a short tutorial of casting from myself it's time for FanFan.  First cast for FanFan and it looks like she has caught something.  I was like "YES Homie!"  She says "Whatt's going on?" and I see her rod bent over snagged to a rockpile.  Yes, awesome.  I take the next three minutes walking up and down the rockpilage and without luck eventually break off the black needle.  (sigh, sinking model.................)





Okay, move on.  We have bait and Bayaar pitches an 8oz and bare hook to practice.  I must not forget that he has experience.  From childhood to the last two boat trips out of Rhode Island & the Peconic.

 We move.  past the walkway where I tell the story of non-stop Tautog and dropping right into the rocks during high tide.  No toggies for us as the sun is already down.

Headlamp on and trekking forward into the dark.  I realize there is something missing.  It's the drone of that tower at the end of the jetty.

We find a rock and slash up the bunker.  head, one-inch pieces, guts & glory.  twenty minutes later I lose the pink needle.  We retire bait setups, with a short lesson on how it's done for FanFan and decide to move further to the surf.  Bait & a sunken jetty sound promising at the end of an incoming.

Sometimes as I walk on this jetty there comes a time when I realize walking the surf would be mucho easier.  Fan & I jump down and take ease as the sand is lenient on our legs compared to the jetty.  Bayaar commits to the rocks and we move on.  Now, I can't believe what happens next would actually really happen.  as the tide on the surf side heightens propose to Bayaar to come down on a sandy notch so we can walk the beach.  He does but doesn't approach the notch from the flat sloped piece we recommend by headlamp.  SLIP, SLIDE and SPLASH! ~~~ Bayaar is swimming.  Butt first with jeans and sneakers, left elbow on the algae and an eventual plomp of his body and face into the water.  I freeze, I take a mental snap shot, and then run over.  Fan is already halfway and in a moment of reaction time Bayaar pops back up and spits out saltwater and sand at the same time!  LOL, this isn't funny but as I watch he jumped out of the water as fast as he slipped in.

(Before)
Soaked.  and in dismay.  I make the choice to head home.  215fishspot crew 0, Banana 1.

(After) - Still enjoying his time.  If it would happen, it would happen to him. :-)

Waking from your dream of fish - life as fishermen

Sorry I 'haven't blogged and taken the time to post fotos or a report lately.  It's like what they say about fishermen having that passion for life and it never leaving them.

Are there times like this for yall where you can't get on the water.  The bite from any species doesn't feel fresh and the last time someone asked you when you went fishing you really had to think....

I dream of the lack of sleep I will lose over being excited to fish.  That never leaves me and neither does the drone of the alarm I set for myself and others so that we can make good to our spot before the tide brings in the bounty. 

I dream of the night drive from spot to spot while on the NJ coast and at the same time deciding the next best location based on tide, location, water clarity, temperature, wind, and your gear.  The mule of your trucks engine turning off while you dismiss the beam of your headlights in order not to spook the fish and other fishermen.

I dream of that sod smell while trekking through head high brush and hearing the crackle of clam shells underneath my boots.  The greeting from fellow backbay angler that has been putting time into the spot for the last hour and is still as excited to see my arrival as when he first arrived.

I dream about that long walk on the jetty to the first sandbar casting access spot...that smell of salt, sand, and slime between the rocks when landing the night striper... The lonesome walk on the beach out front when you know there are fish out there but the tide is slack, the companionship of your buddy walking up and saying dude, fish are not biting but man, it's a beautiful night.

I dream about it, jigging and setting the hook on the upswing after said species has my lure for it's taking...

I dream about it, stepping on board before that first grey light and that rush it gives you when you prepare your gear for the day of fishing...That irresistible excitement when the engines roar up and you know it's time to leave the slip. 

I dream of the smell of menhadden oil, makeral, butterfish, & bluefish being chopped up ready to be part of the chumslick that will attract the greysuit at the Misty blue.  That consistent rock of the boat before the drag clicker sets off on a terrible run.  Nothing beats that international when it comes to gifting adrenaline.

I dream about that sail back into the marina and the warm autumn glow of the sky around us as the flags are flown and the wake is slowed right before we are greeted back by smiling faces and outstretched voices of delight. 

Above all else, I miss the hunt of whats on the other side of the next wave, the experience of it all that lets me know I have been like others, one man that is fully appreciative of the beauty and awe of our
great earth and the lifetime experience we not only long for but indeed chase after. 

Thank you for reading.


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