With the recent blog I wrote about the Toyota ShareLunker Program, I thought I would share the article that was just released…..:0)

http://outdoornewsdaily.com/index.php/archives/13487

Hello friends, I promised a blog – so here we go!  :0)  I have received several questions from people on my website, Facebook page and from just being out there on the water with others who haven’t had the opportunity to fish as much as some of us have and just don’t know some of the things that we take for granted or just assume that everyone knows.  So, today I want to talk a little about ShareLunker programs.  I thought this was a good start because some of you may have seen the picture of my sister Amanda on my Facebook page recently who caught a great fish that could have very well been a double digit fish (a fish 10 lbs or more).  She was so concerned about keeping the fish alive (way to go Amanda) that she just took a few pictures and put her back in the water.  While this was great thinking on her part, my first question was – what did she weigh?  Well, she didn’t know because she didn’t weigh the fish and when she explained just how big the fish was, I told her she might have had a ShareLunker.  HUH??!! 

A Texas Toyota ShareLunker fish (this is only the Texas program – more on others states later) is a largemouth bass that is 13 pounds or bigger caught in Texas waters between October 1 – April 30 and must be weighed on certified or legal scales.  The fish must be transferred to a Texas Parks & Wildlife representative within 12 hours of capture for spawning purposes.  At the end of the spawning season, the fish will be returned to the angler for live release, or the angler may donate it permanently to the program.  Either way, the angler receives a fiberglass replica of the catch made by Lake Fork Taxidermy, ShareLunker clothing, and recognition at an annual awards banquet held at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC).  In addition, the Texas resident catching the largest entry of the season is a warded a lifetime fishing license.

The ShareLunker program was established in 1986 to promote the catch and release of large fish and to selectively breed trophy largemouth bass within the state.  Data collected by the program shows that it takes 8 to 10 years for a bass to grow to 13-pound size. Slot limits that protect large fish have been proven effective in increasing the quality of fishing. Science-based fisheries management has been shown to be the best method for managing Texas public waters.

There are five state fish hatcheries, one of which is located in Athens, Texas.  I have personally visited this hatchery and must say that it was a great experience.  It is an $18 million facility that is really nice to visit and very educational.  Largemouth bass production is the primary focus of the hatchery, which produces 3 to 4 million Florida largemouth bass fingerlings annually.  All of those come from fish donated through the ShareLunker program.

It also houses a laboratory, aquarium and education center focusing on underwater wildlife in the state’s freshwater streams, ponds and lakes.

Nearly 60,000 people visit the center each year, which is one reason the city of Athens pledged a financial package worth just more than 4 million in order to persuade TPWD to build the center there.  The 106-acre facility was completed in November 1996.  The main reason the center was build, however, was to hold the hatchery, which is specifically designed to the needs of the ShareLunker program. 

If you think you might have a Texas Toyota ShareLunker, there is a 24 hour pager number for TPWD which is 888-784-0600 (October 1 – April 30 only) or (903) 681-0550.

Other blogs coming soon:

What states have a ShareLunker program?

Texas ShareLunker v. Louisiana ShareLunker?

What is a spawn?

What is a slot?

How do I keep my fish alive?

Hello everyone!  WOW, with 2 recent hurricanes, no electricity for over 2 1/2 weeks, no internet connection for almost a month (deep breath) and a recent temporary move – things have been CRAZY!  I hope that everyone is doing o.k. from all of the devistating storms that we recently had – especially those of us in the Texas/Louisiana area.

I’d like to start by saying that I am so sorry for the delay in the newsletter, but here I am and we’re back in business!  :0)  This month’s newsletter will mainly focus on catching up, winners of our last newletter promotion and where we’re going from here…..

LET’S “CATCH” UP!

First, I am so proud to announce that Reel Girls Fish! was recently profiled in “The Email Diva’s” monthly blog!  The Email Diva is a fashion marketing expert – so needless to say, I was so honored when I found out that Reel Girls Fish! was mentioned on her site!  If you have a chance please take a moment to check it out at http://blog.emaildiva.net/2008/08/reel-girls-has-gumption

In October we had the Berkley Bass Tournament and as usual, a good time was had by all!  Even though I didn’t get to fish that one (I was busy getting products into stores – see below), I had the most wonderful “high” and then the fastest bubble burst, in about a 20 minute span!!!  See, my dad (I know this is supposed to be about us women but I was so proud) came in on the last day with 20 minutes left in the tournament with a $40+ thousand dollar fish!!!  Yes – talk about exciting!!  Then, just 11 minutes to go for the tournament to end another person walked up with a fish that was just hundreds of an ounce heavier!  WOW – talk about a quick bubble burst!!  But it was fun while it lasted!!  Those of you who fish tournaments know exactly what I’m talking about!

With all of the recent chaos, the website was put on hold for a bit, but changes will be up “REEL” soon.  We are in the process of incorporating a full saltwater line and I am so excited about the way it is turning out.

On another note, I’d love to announce that Reel Girls Fish! has been added to 3 new stores in the Texas – Lake Fork area.  If you are ever in the area, please visit them at:

Froggy D’s – Hwy. 17, Alba, Texas (903) 765-2513
Lake Fork Resort – 5004 N. Hwy. 17, Alba, Texas (903) 765-2987
Scenic 515 Cabins – 8372 W. FM 515, Yantis, Texas (903) 383-7885

AND THE WINNERS ARE: (drum roll please…..)

The winners of our last newsletter promotion are:

1st Place – Clarissa Rebollar
2nd Place – Kathi Gibson
3rd Place – Diane Murray

WHERE WE’RE GOING FROM HERE:

With the cold weather approaching and the holidays right around the corner, we fall into a “slow season” for fishing.  We are currently working on several new items for the upcoming season and 2009 is looking great.  Please keep your eye out for our line in stores around town and remember to check the website regularly as we are making significant changes!

Happy Holidays!

Denise

Hello again!

Wow it doesn’t seem like it’s been a month already!  We have been really busy this past month adding the new baby and infant items to our Reel Girls Fish! collection, along with two new tanktops.  We were also at the Dodge Mega Bass Tournament a few weeks ago and had a great time meeting new people and showing off the new items.  The baby collection completely sold out and so did the rhinestone tanks.

I enjoyed meeting all of the new ladies who came to the booth and signed up for the monthly newsletter.  Our membership list has grown to over 200 already!  In additition, I had the privilege of meeting an all time favorite – Fish FIshborne.  What a great guy – he was really down to earth and made the tournament a lot of fun.

We are still working on several graphics for you saltwater anglers, so please keep an eye out for that line soon.   In addition, we will be making some changes to the website and giving it a new look.  I will be moving some things around in the next week or so, so please bare with me while this is going on.  I hope that it will make the overall appearance better and make shopping easier for you ladies.  Please remember that this site is for you, so if there is anything that you’d like to see added or changed, feel free to shoot me an e-mail @ denise@reelgirlsfish.net and I will do everything I can to make it hapen.

Even though we will be making changes, please check the website periodically for new products, colors, sizes and (yes) the saltwater line!

I’d also like to mention that the Reel Girls Fish! line is now available at Shirley Creek Marina in Etoile, Texas and BJ’s Country Corner, also in Etoile, Texas.  If you are in that area, stop by and visit these locations and see what they have.

Thanks again ladies for all of your continued support and remember – This is for US – THE WOMAN ANGLER!!

Sincerely,

Denise

Did you know?
Did you know that flipping is a presentation technique that was developed in the mid-1970’s from a Californian?  It allows an angler using a jig or worm to make multiple short vertical presentations quickly and with extreme accuracy, and is especially deadly when bass are buried in thick wood or weed cover.  As so often happens with bass fishing techniques, flipping mutated into pitching, which was initially refered to as “long distance flipping.”  Pitching allows anglers to be farther from their target, an advantage in clear water.  Today, both are considered gold standard presentation techniques by serious bass anglers everywhere.

Tips, Tricks & Other Fun Stuff!

Crankbait & Spinnerbaits – When retrieving a crankbait or spinnerbait, try to bump it into cover such as a stump or rock during the retrieve.  Deflecting the lure off the object often triggers a strike because it looks like a frightened minnow to bass.

Welcome!

Welcome Everyone to our first monthly newsletter!  For those of you who signed up for our newsletter online – thank you!  For those of you that I recently met at the McDonald Bass tournament in Louisiana – it was such a pleasure!   And for the rest of my friends, family and supporters – thank you! for all of your support!

I would like to start by introducing myself, I am Denise Sustaita – founder of Reel Girls Fish!  I started this company because I personally felt that women anglers needed more choices for clothing and accessories when preparing for a fishing adventure.  Whether it be tournament fishing or pleasure fishing, women just do not have what men do when it comes to selection.

The response to the Reel Girls Fish! website and product line has been so wonderful that I have been asked by several of you saltwater anglers to start a saltwater line!!  I am happy to announce that I will be starting that line “reel” soon!

Please check the website periodically for new products, colors, sizes and (yes) the saltwater line!  I will be updating that site weekly as new products, etc. become available.

Thank you ladies for your continued support and remember – This is for US – THE WOMAN ANGLER!!

Sincerely,

Denise

Fish Did you know?
While at the McDonald Bass Tournament at Toledo Bend this past weekend, I had the opportunity to watch Ken Jones take a hypodermic needle to pierce the swim bladder and manually bleed excess gasses (called “fizzing”) out of a 10+ lb. bass that we initially thought would not make it.  You see, if a fish is caught from deep water (usually 30+ feet) they can get what is called the “bends” like humans when they are diving in water and ascend back to the surface too quickly.  At the air/water surface the pressure is less than when a person is deep under the water. If one spends enough time at a deep enough depth, more gases will be forced into the blood. If one returns quickly to the surface, these gases will be released out of the blood too quickly and form actual gas bubbles in the blood vessels. When these air bubbles form and block the flow of blood an air embolism occurs.  So, when it seemed as if the fish that was brought in to the weigh station wouldn’t make it, a hypodermic needle was used to pierce the swim bladder and manually bleed the excess gases from the fish.  It was very interesting to see how quickly the fish was able to adapt to the new water level in the tank immediately after the process!

Carolina Rig

The Carolina Rig has been around for a long time, but there is a new way of doing things.  I recently learned that the pros have started using a new technique involving a medium/heavy action 7 ft. rod with braided main line and two tungston weights back to back for added sound attraction that is attached to a swivel, with a 4 to 7 ft. mono filament leader and a 2.0 light wire hook with your choice of unweighted soft plastic bait.