2015... Let's start blogging once again

Well for starters, since becoming manager of my favorite lure company, my fishing time has diminished. I've been concentrating on how to make Jackall's presence in the U.S. grow. Last year I introduced many lures that you guys love, especially the Pompadour that I tested a year before release.

Let's get this blog going once again. This year will bring lots of new opportunities. For one, I will be fishing as a Co-Angler for Bassmasters Central Open. I'm not really into tournament fishing but I am open to new things.

I will also be attending the fishing shows in Japan next month; both Yokohama and Osaka. I will then decide what lures I should bring in to the U.S. I'll post a few here and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

So let's get this year started!

Expect updates soon.

Sorry for the lack of updates again. But I will soon start posting all my adventures as well as techniques I use.

I will be flying out to Japan for Yokohana Fishing Show next week so I will be updating this with all the latest products from Jackall that will be out in Japan.

Updates that are to be up soon will include:

Jerkbait Techniques

Jackall I-Prop 75S and I-Motion technique

New lures for ICAST 2014

Recap of my experience at the Bassmaster Classics in Birmingham, Alabama

Yokohama Fishing Show recap.

and my first ever Double Digit fish weighing 11lbs 8oz.

Please be patient for updates.

Another on the Topwater Plug

Went fishing again today with the new Jackall Pompadour, and it sure is a winner! I caught one within 20 minutes. A decent 3.5 lb fish

Went back later in the day and again hooked on a fish, but this was a huge fish! This fish slammed the plug 3 ft. from me. As I was about to lip the fish, there were just too many trebles in the mouth. It ran once more, and then my line went slack. I saw my lure floating, and the bass casually swimming away. The fish was in the 8-9 lb range, easily would have been my personal best largemouth bass. As I lost the fish, the bait and waiter cat fishermen began laughing. Perhaps jealous that I actually use technique to catch fish rather than throwing bait and sitting down waiting for a bite.

I left the lake immediately with a crushed ego, but with the confidence that this lure can catch huge fish at highly pressured lakes. The Jackall Pompadour is hands down the best topwater bait I have ever used, and it's proof is in its ability to catch these fish at the city ponds, especially one known to be one of the toughest local ponds here in Southern California.

Jackall Japan's new topwater plug; the POMPADOUR

Today, Japan sent me two samples of their new Topwater plug and I was just too eager to try it out. My first impression of it when I saw the video was that it just makes too much noise, because there's a distinct noise it makes when it is retrieved.

I was too busy at the office so during my lunch break, my plan was to toss it for 15 minutes, then order pizza for the temp workers I hired. Well all it took was 10 minutes and about 20 casts when a huge fish just smacked it! Broke in my new reel from Japan, the Shimano Metanium which casts beautifully and has a very smooth drag as well. Went back to the office immediately and ordered pizza wishing for 5:00 to come soon so I could go back.

I did go back and had another fish hit it but missed the hook. I am now a believer of this amazing lure produced by Tsutomo Kawashima.

Rod: Jackall Poison Heritage "Master Stroke

Reed: Shimano Metanium

Lure: Jackall Pompadour

6.1 lbs

Fishing Lake Biwa

I'm not sure I made the news public on my blog since I haven't been updating this as much as I should, but in case you didn't know, I now work for Jackall as the Manager of the USA division.

I was invited by my boss, the President of Jackall Inc to attend the Yokohama Fishing Show in Japan and to fish Lake Biwa. It was a dream of mine to visit Japan and attend one of the shows, and also to fish Lake Biwa where the world record fish was caught.

Unfortunately, the week I arrived the weather became pretty bad for fishing. Slight rain, and the cold front made the fishing extremely tough but we managed one fish each and I could now say I've caught a bass in Japan (even though it was small).

Rod: Poison Glorious Wolfgang

Reel: Shimano Vanquish

Lure: Jackall I-Shad

Stay tuned for a post regarding the Yokohama Fishing Show, and a few goodies I brought back from Japan (^.^)

Just a Few Fish From a Few Weeks Ago

Nothing special. Just posting to show you guys I'm still here.

Also I was invited to Japan to attend the Yokohama Fishing Show, and fish Lake Biwa. Stay tuned for pictures from the Jackall Booth with new products.

Rod: Jackall Poison Heritage Super Inch Wacky

Reel: Shimano Ci4 1000

Lure: Jackall Flick Shake (Prototype)

Rod: Jackall Poison Heritage VCMCAST 68

Reel: Shimano Curado 200 E5

Lure: Jackall Squad Minnow 115

Fan Photo

Bill Lin recently sent me this photo of his amazing catch while staying in Florida. Check out this pig!

Awesome Catch Bill!

Fishing With Jackall Staff Day 2

Toshiro Ono left for Japan but Chikara and Taiki stayed for a few more days. I was able to go pond hopping with Chikara and Taiki last Saturday. I met them at the Jackall USA office and got both of them a few gifts from Bass Brigade.

We started off at Legg Lake at around 12:00. The rain made the day cold and the fishing slow. Chikara was able to land a small one. My friend Hideto decided to join us and once he arrived, we hopped into my car and went off to Puddingstone.

We fished the East Shore for no bites. We decided to move to the dam area but Taiki was far away so we drove to pick him up. Funny thing is that when we drove to the other side, Taiki walked far away to the opposite side!

We arrived at the Sail Boat launch area and we managed a few small fish. I caught a tiny bass off Jackall MC60, while Taiki caught one off Jackall Waver Shrimp.

Chikara rockin' his new Bass Brigade shirt

After a long day of fishing, I took them to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. We all enjoyed a few potato skins, hot wings, and deep dish pizza. It was their first time having potato skins, and a deep dish pizza. Of course we ended it with BJ's famous Pizookie for dessert.

It was a great day filled with fishing, and just an amazing day for me as I rarely fish now due to me working full-time. Chikara and Taiki leave for Japan this week, but will come back for business once again in November. It was a pleasure to fish with a few employees of Jackall Japan. I hope to fish with them again!

Taiki and I

Chikara and I

Fishing With Jackall Staff Members

The other day, I got a message from Ty Ono asking to fish since he was visiting California once again. Well what do you think I did? I took him and his staff fishing... URBAN FISHING.

Here's Chikara schooling me at what I do best.

And here's Jackall's very own Toshiro Ono showcasing why he's one of the elite anglers in Japan, but doing it in Southern California.

It was a pleasure to finally fish with the CEO of my favorite fishing lure company. I hope we can continue this again.

So I apologize for the lack of updates, but at least this one was a great post!

Zappu's Trike Head

New Features Coming Soon...

Again, I apologize for the lack of updates but it looks as though I have free time to start fishing once again. This year I plan on bringing on new features to the blog; most importantly, a feature called "Urban Angler Spotlight".

The purpose of "Urban Angler Spotlight" will be to promote urban angling around the globe. This feature will include selected anglers (probably once a month) who will be featured on the main page of my blog, along with a quick bio, interview, and photos of their catches.

For those interested in being in the "Urban Angler Spotlight", shoot me an email at:
abiley84@hotmail.com
Subject: "Urban Angler Spotlight"

Please provide your name, location, and a quick bio along with a few photos of you fishing, and//or your catch. I'm sorry if I can't include everyone who emails me, but remember there is the fan photo section also.

Can't wait to see some submissions!

New Year; New Gear

Check out the nice stuff coming out from my friends at Warbaits, and Pitch n' Strike!

Very excited to try these out once I get a chance.

Go renew your fishing license and remember to always catch and release!

Also since it's the new year, get some exercise in! I biked 40 miles to begin the new year. You know, when you fish all day, you're not getting a workout.

"Stay Fit To Get Bit!"

The Year is Almost Over

The year is just about over, and what a year it has been.

Highs: Finally graduating college; visiting Australia, being in a fishing magazine, and catching my personal best fish.

Lows: Finding out I have a brain tumor, and the surgery which basically kept my nose somewhat bloody all year.

Also found a new hobby (cycling) which got me to lose 10 lbs. My fishing blog also hit over 20,000 views, which allowed me to meet new contacts from all around the world.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you that's been there for me, and especially those who wished me well during my surgery, which was worldwide; from my family in Canada, Texas, and Australia, to my fishing friends from France, Germany and Japan.

Thank you all and I hope you have a great 2012.

Ariel Biley.

R.I.P. Ray Murski of Strike King Lures

Today, the fishing industry has lost an icon in Strike King Lure Company's own Ray Murski. Ray Murski is the owner of Strike King Lure Company and has been awarded the Lifetime Sportsman Award in 2011. Ray Murski will be missed.

Sometimes it's good to tweak plastics

Bass get accustom to everyday lures, but when you don't want to spend money on new lures, what do you do? The answer is to tweak them:

I did more to it, but that's a secret.