So, I will admit I have been looking forward to this blog for a little while now that Mud Hole has a fully stocked tackle center. I'm not kidding when I say fully stocked. It is all the good stuff. From freshwater to saltwater tackle, line, reels, tackle organizers, bags, tools, sunglasses, performance clothing...everything.
You have been reading for years about how I build a custom around the technique I am fishing as well as the size and style reel I will be using. Well, Mud Hole made that much easier. You can walk-in and pick out everything you need for your custom rod as well as complete the outfit. It makes a difference to feel the reel in multiple different reel seats along with the handle length and match the height and approach angle to your guides. We build a custom rod for it to be better than something just off the shelf right? Might as well take the extra steps since we have it all in house now.
In Store and Online
Wait, what happens when we are ordering? Well, out team has taken the time to put everything on our website under the Reels and Gear tab on our site. So, if you have any question, all of our customer service associates can help match components like never before. What is the right size reel seat for a 5000 Shimano Stradic? Our team will know. Plus, with free shipping on most orders over $99 you might as well shop the tackle section so you don't have to go to another website and pay additions charges.
The Complete Buildout
With our full library of rod recipes I am going to go back and pick some of my favorites and complete the outfit to get you on the water along with the lures and tackle that will catch you more fish.
Recently, I did a blog on our latest Back Country, Flats, and Inshore Rod Kits for those who fish coastal and tropical areas chasing snook, redfish, tarpon and even bonefish. A couple of my favorites are the L843 built as a spinning rod and the FP885 built as a casting rod.
L843 Slot Redfish Spinning Kit
The L843 comes from the MHX Inshore series and is great choice for DOA Shrimp, NLBA 3" paddle tails and even your favorite topwater walking bait. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the medium power allows for light line tactics when chasing wary backcountry fish. Don't forget this kit comes in 14 of the Metallic MHX colors but I am partial to the Metallic Seafoam!
Specifications: 7'0" | 10-17 lb. | 3/8 – 1-1/4 oz | Mod-Fast Action | Medium Power
Rig the L843 to Fish
My spinning reel choice for this L843 is a Shimano Stradic 2500. It is a proven reel, saltwater rated and I have caught a ton of fish over the years on my Stadics. This reel holds 150 yards of 10lb Power Pro. If you ever feel like the 150yds isn't enough the Shimano 3000 size is the same body as the 2500 but with a little deeper spool for extra capacity. My leader of choice is the Seaguar Blue Label in 15lb and I typically use about 5'-6' leader length. With a number of places this L843 can take you I have chosen a few different lures that will catch anything that swims in saltwater. The DOA Shrimp is killer around mangroves, sandy potholes, shell bars and even around docks at night. You can fish it alone or throw it in conjunction with a poppin cork. If you need something a little more weedless around cover or over grass flats the NLBN 3" Paddle Tail rigged with the BKK Titanrider 2/0 twist lock hook is a fish catching machine. Last but not least, we all love a good topwater eat. Whether snook, baby tarpon or seatrout, I will always keep a Heddon Spook close by when fishing in the backcountry.
The Right Knot
You can have all the right gear but if your weak link is your knot, you won't be landing many fish. For the braid to fluorocarbon connection with similar diameters, I use the Alberto Knot. I have used this knot for years with my light inshore tackle. It is strong, compact and flies through the guides with ease. I tie mine with 7 wraps down and 7 wraps back up. Pay close attention as your braided line tag end must enter and exit the same direction through your fluorocarbon.
FP885 Bull Redfish and Snook Casting Kit
The FP885 comes from the MHX Flippin’ and Pitchin’ series and is a top choice for popular artificial lures like the Z-Man Mulletron or JYG Pro SWYM Paddletail Swimbaits for big snook or free-lining a live mullet for bull redfish. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the heavy power allows anglers to control large saltwater gamefish. As one of my favorite bass rods, it only makes sense to build one for saltwater. I never leave home without an FP885.
Specifications: 7'4" | 12-20 lb. | 3/8 - 1 1/2oz | Mod-Fast Action | Heavy Power
Rig the FP885 to Fish
My casting reel choice for this FP885 is a Bates GOAT SWM 200. As a slightly newer arrival to the scene, Bates is building an incredible product. Unlike most baitcasters of today Bates doesn’t have cheap metal or plastic parts. Bates are built tough with CNC aluminum frames, brass gearing and titanium handle. I have a couple of their models and all have been excellent for inshore. I am spooling my Bates with the Diawa J-Braid 8 Carrier. I think the 8 carrier is smoother on casting reels and ties a better knots with heavier fluorocarbon. I run 40lb most of the time and would not reccommend going below 30lb for the sake of tying knots to heavier leader material and some thin braids can dig into themselves on a casting reel. For leader material I like the Yo-Zuri Pink Fluorocarbon in 50lb. I feel the yo-zuri HD is more abrasion resistant around cover and when fighting large snook that can cut you off on light leader.
The FP885 can handle lures up to 1-1/2oz so I choose it to throw my larger swimbaits. From 4"-5" paddle tails with 1/2oz to 1oz jig heads, these will get you down in the zone around bridges, channel drops and the jetties. The Z-Man Mulletron is my choice for a bigger bait but one fished near the surface as it is a "moderate sink" bait. It is great for tarpon, snook and redfish. Then when I fish at night or deeper water channels in the day time we need to break out the paddle tail with a jig head combo. That is when I use the JYG Pro SWYM Paddletail Swimbaits and the heavier jig head.
The Right Knot
As I mentioned before the right knot is crucial and with these swimbaits and heavier fluorocarbon I always tie a loop knot. For leader up-to 50lb I tie the Kreh-Loop or the Non-Slip Loop, depending on what you call it. As with many knots, they might have multiple names. One thing to be aware of with this loop knot is you will need to asjust the amount of wraps as the pound test gets heavier. With 20lb you might do 4 or 5 wraps but with 50lb three wraps is what I use. One key part of this knot that I like is the tag end will be facing backwards toward the lure so it does not catch any debris in the water.
Good luck and enjoy your new Flats and Backcountry Rod Kit and having it rigged and ready through Mud Hole's Tackle Center! If you are in the area, you have to come see this place.
