Page 8 - Fishing Report | 3-13-19

Who doesn’t like to win a prize?

For the last seven years, contributors to the NW PA Fishing Report have had the oppor-

tunity to win a tackle prize simply by submitting reports and/or photos for publication in
the newsletter. As we start a new fishing season, I wanted to give everyone a rundown on
the locally-based tackle companies which will be supplying prizes for 2019 Spring through
Winter Fishing Reports. If you run into these local owners, be sure to thank them. If you
want an opportunity to win a tackle pack or Gamma Line, send a report to
darlblack@windstream.net.

Galida’s Grubz -- John Galida started making the famous 4-inch ribbed grub about the

same time I started fishing tournaments back in the late 1970s, and I caught my first limit
of Lake Erie smallmouth with them during a club tournament. In short order his “Smoke
Grub” became legendary among bass fishermen. I, like many other anglers, have caught
untallied numbers of fish of all species on this grub. Today John offers his Grubz in a varie-
ty of new colors, with some tailored specifically to walleye and stripers. You can visit his
Galida’s Grubz Facebook Page and his website to learn more, see all the colors and order

what you need.

Dutch Fork Custom Lures – I met Keith Eshbaugh many years ago when he was fishing the
pro walleye tournaments; the FLW magazine assigned me to do an article about him – in
particular about his pastime of bow & primitive weapons making, and living in a hand-
made teepee during hunting season. A few years later he was making the rounds at local
sports shows with his homemade worm harnesses equipped with special blades. Next
thing he is doing custom paint jobs on popular walleye plugs. Today he is well-known for

his custom paint schemes on lures, catching big walleyes and guiding for walleye on Erie.
If fortunate to win a walleye pack, you will be impressed with Keith’s special worm har-
nesses.

Someday Isle Tackle – Like so many custom lure shops, the Hellmann bothers started off
making baits for personal use. But when friends tried the unique jighead, they wanted
more. Driven by angler success, Someday Isle started marketing to a few local shops. To-

day with high demand particularly among walleye anglers, the Water Puppet Jig is availa-
ble in different colors and sizes. It can be found in tackle shops from Vermont to North
Dakota. Here in NW PA, walleye anglers love to bait the specially designed head ¼ to 1-
ounce heads with a plastic body, tip it with a nightcrawler and drift the waters of
Pymatuning or Lake Erie. Smaller weight jigs are used suspended below a bobber for
perch, crappies, white bass and even smallmouth bass.