January 2017 Archives - Mississippi Sportsman

Matrix Minnow results can put a smile on the face of anglers young and old.

The Matrix Minnow

January 26, 2017 Don Shoopman

One good hard bait deserves another, and that is what Chas Champagne of Slidell has done with the introduction this month of the Matrix Minnow. […]

This Quatix 3 is in “Clark Kent” trim with its default watch face and black leather band.

Marine electronics for your wrist

January 23, 2017 Allan Tarvid

An electronic watch can be as smart as Einstein and still be useless to fishermen if it isn’t waterproof.

Well, Garmin’s Quatix 3 ($449.99) can be submerged to 100 meters — about 178 feet deeper than the practical limit for SCUBA divers on compressed air — so this watch should handle anything a fisherman is likely to encounter. […]

The author on a 1970’s deer hunt. Note the old style “truckers hat.”

Late-season reflections

January 18, 2017 Bill Garbo

As we go into 2017, most of us have had the good fortune of sitting quietly alone multiple times this season in the Deep South winter woods. […]

Shearwater 260

January 15, 2017 Jerry Dilsaver

The Shearwater 260, the newest boat in Shearwater’s line, is a product of two years of development to establish a new standard in bay boats. Built by American Marine Sports in Groveland, Fla., the 260 includes more fishing-friendly and creature-comfort features than any other bay boat. […]

The Tideline 235 Hybrid is a catamaran that is at home offshore or in skinny water.

Tideline Boats 235 Hybrid

January 15, 2017 Jerry Dilsaver

As the only catamaran, the Tideline 235 Hybrid is the odd boat out in this review. Don’t take that to reflect anything negative; it may be a strong positive. The hybrid designation of the 235 is different, too. It was designed from the beginning to fish inshore and offshore equally well. Some boats make similar claims but are found to be lacking at one end of the spectrum; this one isn’t. […]

No. 1 key to duck success

January 15, 2017 Phillip Gentry

Duck numbers along the Mississippi River Flyway have fluctuated both up and down throughout history. […]

The Bulls Bay 2300 CC is a wonderful, no-frills center console that will fit a lot of anglers’ budgets.

Bulls Bay 230 CC

January 15, 2017 Jerry Dilsaver

Carolina Composites of Walterboro, S.C., make no bones about its Bulls Bay line. Several classic hull designs that have been popular for a while have been located, retooled and modernized to produce a line of affordable boats with the features needed for comfortable and successful fishing. The 230 Center Console is the latest addition to the line and continues the tradition well. […]

When inland areas freeze, even just overnight, many ducks will relocate to the Mississippi River and hold in the backwaters and sloughs.

When the Delta freezes, hit the Big Muddy

January 15, 2017 Phillip Gentry

While predictions for this winter’s weather tend to vary, one consistent tip for killing lots of ducks involves hunting on the Mississippi River. […]

The 36os is a bigger version of Cape Fear’s great line of
center-console fishing machines.

Cape Horn 36os

January 15, 2017 Jerry Dilsaver

The Cape Horn 36os is the excellent big brother of the company’s legendary 31-footers. One look is all it takes to realize mighty oaks grow from acorns and those acorns usually sprout right beside the family tree. The 36os is a boat for fishermen who have a passion for fishing big water and want to do it in comfort and style. And there is a lot of both, plus many built-in features. […]

Scent control is always important, but never more so that when stalking for bucks after the rut.

How to invade a buck’s core territory

January 15, 2017 John J. Woods

Once the primary and secondary ruts wind down, worn out bucks retreat to their main residence area and into the core center of that zone. This is their most secret, comfortable, safe, hiding sanctuary, where they can rest, recover, eat, and build their energies back to normal. […]

When stalking bucks in thick cover, a good tactic after the rut, switching to a shotgun with buck shot is often a good choice for a quick-shot opportunity.

Buckshot is a good post-rut deer-stalking option

January 15, 2017 John J. Woods

Clearly, the majority of deer hunters in the Magnolia State are geared toward using hunting rifles when it comes to firearms. Archery remains highly popular, as does the growing numbers of hunters using crossbows. […]

Nitro’s Z19 pro package bass boat features a NITRO Vortex Technology hull that carries a 10-year warranty.

Nitro Z19

January 15, 2017 Jerry Dilsaver

The Z19 is a latest offering from Nitro, a member of the White River Marine Group built in Clinton, Mo. Nitro specializes in high-performance freshwater fishing boats. At 19-foot-4, the Z19 is the smallest of their Z models available in the pro package for a package price that should be in the range of many budgets and exceed expectations. […]