Author Archives: Steve Pendergrass

News from Salt Strong

SALT STRONG INSIDER CLUB PRICE INCREASE (NEW MEMBERS ONLY!) https://www.saltstrong.com/fishing-tip/salt-strong-insider-club-price-increase/?utm_source=Isoft&utm_medium=Email-broadcast&utm_campaign=Insider-tip&utm_content=salt-strong-insider-club-price-increase&utm_term=insiders

Membership is not for everyone, but if it is for you, now is the time to avoid the 50% increase in the price of membership.

Digi Know ?

NCWRC and NCDMF seek comments 

Reach Out  
Wildlife Resources Commission & Marine Fisheries Commission Seek Comments on Proposed Temporary Rules   The N.C. General Assembly passed Session Law 2023-137 (https://ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/House/PDF/H600v8.pdf), Section 6 in the fall of 2023, requiring any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, Striped Bass, and Weakfish to report that harvest to the Division of Marine Fisheries. Additionally, anyone holding a commercial fishing license engaged in a commercial fishing operation is required to report all fish harvested to the Division of Marine Fisheries, regardless of sale. To implement these requirements, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission are proposing temporary rules (https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/licenses-permits-and-leases/mandatory-harvest-reporting) for mandatory harvest reporting. To submit comments on the Wildlife Resources Commission’s proposed temporary rule, visit the NCWRC Proposed Regulations (https://www.ncwildlife.org/Proposed-Regulations) webpage. To submit comments on the Marine Fisheries Commission’s proposed temporary rules, visit the NCDMF Public Comments (https://www.deq.nc.gov/mandatory-reporting-public-comment) webpage. A combined agency public hearing will be held virtually on May 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required.   Register Here (https://ncwildlife-org.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3nf_6aV8TseZYB_5Q215vQ#/registration) Public Comment Period Ends – May 20, 2024 at 5 p.m.  

April Run of Shad in the Cape Fear River

Our friends at Carolina Sportsman have published information about this Spring Shad Run up the River. https://www.carolinasportsman.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing/shad/smacking-cape-fear-river-shad/?utm_source=Carolina+Sportsman&utm_campaign=6cf1c2af86-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c41990a090-6cf1c2af86-290292534

Both the American & Hickory Shad might be caught.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtiy9KMHtE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_shad

Mono vs. Fluoro for your In Shore Leader

I asked MicroSoft Copilot AI “What is the difference between nylon mono and fluorocarbon leader?”

Nylon Monofilament (Mono):

Fluorocarbon:

  • Stiffness: Fluorocarbon is stiffer than mono.
  • Stretch: It has minimal stretch, which is advantageous for deep water jigging and bait fishing.
  • Abrasion Resistance: Fluorocarbon is highly abrasion-resistant.
  • Diameter: Fluorocarbon has a thinner diameter compared to nylon mono of the same breaking strain.
  • Density: It sinks in water.
  • Visibility: Fluorocarbon is less visible to fish.
  • Knot Strength: Fluorocarbon has better knot strength.
  • Use Cases: Use fluorocarbon for deep water jigging, bait fishing, and finesse luring with small soft plastics. It imparts action on jigs and lures, and its minimal stretch helps prevent fish from reaching bottom structures.

Copilot says “In summary, choose mono for shock absorption and ease of knot tying, and fluorocarbon for less visibility, better abrasion resistance, and specific fishing techniques.”

However, independent testing at Salt Strong (https://www.saltstrong.com/fishing-tip/mono-vs-fluoro-insider-only/?&utm_content=weekly-newsletter-4-7-24&utm_term=&utm_medium=Email-broadcast&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_source=Isoft) has a different opinion supported with data. (NOTE: only Salt Strong Insiders will be able to view this URL).

Which do you prefer for your leaders, mono or fluoro, and why?

Tight line.