Last-Minute Additions for Your Spring Arsenal

After what seemed felt like a longer winter than usual this year, spring is finally banging at the door for real. No doubt the next few weeks will see thousands of Long Island anglers kick-off their saltwater season with the arrival of striped bass along our shores, porgies paving the bay bottoms, weakfish stalking the channel edges and big-headed “racer” blues wreaking havoc from the inlet to the back bays.

We can’t wait to get started here at White Water Outfitters, and we’re sure you’re chomping at the bit as well. Hopefully, the holiday season past saw you receive a few gifts to restock your fishing arsenal because there’s nothing that beats heading into a new fishing season with a full gear bag. Even those who think they have everything covered, however, often find that a few last-minute additions can further boost confidence levels as they let go those first few casts of the new year. Following are a few suggestions for rounding out your tackle options as the season bursts wide open in the days ahead.  

Reel Deals: Still looking for a real deal on a sweet reel? Consider the Daiwa BG MQ if you are an inshore fan. It’s tough-as-nails, ergonomically designed, features a super-smooth drag, and it won’t bust your budget. The series is designed to cover everything from freshwater and inshore to surf and offshore fishing. For the inshore crowd, the 3000 size is ideal. Light, strong and able to carry gears 20- to 40% larger than similar sized offering thanks to its monocoque body technology, this reel is a true work horse. It matches especially well to school stripers, has the guts to outlast big fish, and excels at handling fluke, weakfish and the biggest of scup whether you target them with jigs or bait. You’ll love its superior saltwater resistance, too.

Price, BG MQ: from $199.99.

Surf fans looking to step things up a level should consider Daiwa’s Saltist MQ. Redesigned and upgraded, it still features a heavy-duty aluminum frame for max durability but also incorporates a Monocoque Body design that increases its power while allowing the body to be more compact. This powerhouse comes with a Zaion Air rotor for effortless rotation that will keep you casting and retrieving all day long. With a MagSealed main shaft , it’s also extremely well protected from the elements guaranteeing years of enjoyable and reliable use. The 5000 and 6000 sizes match-up great with an 8- or 9-foot surf rod. 

Price, Saltist MQ: from $299.

Sweet Rods: Speaking of rods, Tsunami’s new Forged series features some sweet entries. We just received our first shipment of these recently and we are impressed. With models designed for inshore, snap jigging and surf fishing, there’s a rod in this selection to fit most needs.

The blanks for these rods are made with proprietary 30 Ton Tensile Strength Halo Carbon with 100% nano-carbon scrim tip-to-butt construction. Their advanced materials and unique design greatly reduce overall blank diameter and weight, optimize blank wall thickness, and provide  superior lifting power plus rugged durability. Pick one up and instantly feel the combination of sense and power.

Both one-piece and two-piece models are available. The ferrule/connection of the 2-piece models feature a tip-into-butt configuration for the ultimate in strength and smaller diameter taper with a 70/30 split. This connection yields increased joint stability, balance, strength, and a one-piece feel. The ferrule design also provides performance tuned actions and tapers that load easily and transfer energy into the cast with amazing efficiency for greater casting distances with less effort. Nice.

Price: from $199

Draw More Topwater Bites: Are you ready for some springtime surface fun? You will be if you sneak a couple Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore Top Knock Pencil Lures into your tackle box or plug bag. Deadly in back bay situations, it’s available four- and five-inch sizes. two sizes. An ingenious play on pencil popper design, the Top Knock has a unique action. It sits flat on top of the water instead of the tail pointing down, which makes it incredibly easy to “walk-the-dog.” This allows anglers to use different retrieves and cadences, and in turn catch more fish!

We also really appreciate single one-knock cadence rattle. It’s located in the tail, gives off a very loud knock, and also allows the lure to fly tail-first so it slices through the wind for extreme casting distance. A quality item all-around, its equipped with #2 size saltwater grade treble hooks, and stainless steel split rings. Priced less than a sawbuck, the Top Knock is definitely worth the investment. Pick up a couple.

Price, Top Knock Pencil Lures: $8.99

The Personal Best Spook is another great topwater option that we highly recommend you give a try. A unique “spook” design allows this striper and bluefish candy to be worked with a zig-zag walk-the-dog retrieve that drives surface feeders nuts! Featuring a heavy epoxy sealing for durable finish and improved longevity, these wooden lures are available in 4-, 5- and 6.5-inch sizes to represent a wide range of baitfish profiles. Patterns include bunker, banana, blood splatter and more. The 4 inch size is an early spring back bay favorite. We suggest you start with the Wonder Bread and Bunker colors.

Price, Personal Best Spooks: $45 - $55.

Submerged Attack: Looking for a lifelike offering that swims below the surface? You can’t go wrong with a pack of 5-inch Z-Man Diesel Minnows. Rig these on 3/8- to 1-ounce Z-Man HeadlockZ jigheads and they’ll stay in place all day long while allowing you to select the hook size option that will best tailor your bait to its prey. The 6/0 hook size works especially well with the 5 inch Diezel Minnow, and can be used with most any other soft-plastic swim baits, grubs. or straight tail offerings when fishing our local waters.

Price: From $6.99.

Tired of stepping on your fly line and getting it caught on hangs around the boat? Keep it under control this season with a Carbon Marine LineHut 2.0 Line Management Bucket. This basket has a weighted bottom which helps it stay upright while running (or drifting in choppy seas). It allows you to strip your line out, and stand your rod in it, so you’re always ready to cast when needed. This bucket easily slides up and down to adjust the height when casting off of a raised platform, or to accommodate anglers of all sizes. This bucket will keep your line from becoming a tangled mess on the deck of the boat, or over the side. Most of us here at the shop don’t leave the dock without one now with a fly caster on board

Price: Starting at $299.99

Weigh 'Em Up: You never know when that personal best striper, weakfish or fluke is going to strike. Wouldn’t it be nice to get an accurate weight instead of playing the guessing game? Using BogaGrip™ Fishing Tools is an easy way to handle your quarry, and also get the answer without over-stressing your trophy if you play the catch and release game. They’ll weigh fish up to 60 pounds while also keeping your fingers away from sharp dentures of species like gorilla blues and doormat fluke. You can operate these scales with one hand, and you’ll be happy over the long run with their stainless steel corrosion-resistant finish.

Price:  Starting at $149.99

Foul Weather’s No Problem: Most anglers have basic foul-weather gear for fishing in the coldest months of the year, but something a little lighter is sure nice as the weather warms up. Grunden’s Tourney Jacket and Tourney Bib are ideal for this. 

The Tourney Jacket is lightweight and engineered with an athletic fit. It features an adjustable hood, hem and cuffs plus a smartly positioned chest pocket and two hand pockets. Lightweight and designed for ease of movement it provides serious protection but doesn’t make you feel as though you are in a greenhouse. 

The Tourney Bib is lightweight, 100% waterproof and durable without being overbuilt. It features a double-layered seat and knees, a chest and cargo pockets, and is exceptionally durable. Team the Tourney Bib and the Tourney Jacket together and you’ll be all set through mid-fall. 

Price: From $134.99 for Tourney Jacket

From $124 for Tourney Bib. 

Gotta Have Shades: Yes, you will look great in our Bajío, Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim polarized sunglasses, but they’ll also protect your eyes from sun damage, as well as flying hooks and terminal tackle. Of course, our top-of-the-line selections will improve your vision both above and below the surface for closer encounters with stripers, bluefish, weakfish and more. If picking up sunglasses, be sure to grab a couple of sunglass retainers, too. Few things on a local fishing trip are more annoying than watching your shades slowly sink out of sight.

Prices: Sunglasses from: $209.99 Retainers starting at $8.99. 

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