Author: Adam Back

hard teeth matadorZ™ baits last longer than Alaskan halibut

“Everyone thinks that halibut just sit on the bottom like a doormat, sulking and waiting for a swim meal,” says Z-Man pro fisherman Miles “Sonar” Burghoff. “But when you see them on an underwater camera, you quickly discover that these eccentric fish are anything but bottom eaters. In fact, they are one of the coolest predators you will ever come across, and if you want to experience an incredible bite from the halibut, broaden your focus with the multi-faceted ElaZtech® baits.”

Recently, during his 18th Alaska fishing expedition, which includes many years as a fishing guide, the Tennessee-based bass ace employed a rapid-fire halibut harvesting program that took advantage of the species’ little-known affinity for hunting in open sea.

“We put an underwater camera there, and all we saw was a halibut sailing along, actively swimming high above the ocean floor,” Burghoff recalled. “It made me realize that these fish are much more predatory than sedentary bottom feeders. We catch them all the time while salmon fishing. I believe they feed by sight first, although they certainly rely on smell to find prey as well. Heck, we’ve had a large halibut swim up to 100 feet just to catch a trolling lure.”

Drifting over the ground from deep-sea halibut, Burghoff noted that most anglers, including those in his own fishing group, typically field cut herring and squid. “But I think it’s much more fun, and efficient, to actively dance with a matadorZ™ – a super soft and lively, yet exceptionally durable ElaZtech bait designed specifically for large halibut and flounder,” he believes. “The big crooked tail of the bait never stops beating, beating; even a bit of tidal current can activate the tail of the bait, which also helps distribute its powerful scent.”

Infused with concentrated Pro-Cure Flounder Pounder Super Gel, DoormatadorZ tickles every sense of a halibut’s brain: action, vibration, color, and flavor. “There’s no question that natural, live baits attract a lot of ‘barn door’ sized halibut, but on this trip, given the efficiency and durability of the DoormatadorZ, we easily outperformed cutbait at least three to one.”

Rigged with 3 ounces Headlock Z HD™ and a brightly colored 6-inch DoormatadorZ, Burghoff quickly dropped the bite into 170 to 230 feet of crystal clear, halibut-rich water. He keyed in the latest times of outgoing tides and the earliest times of incoming tides to target the most active predators. “Release the bait and let it bottom out in free fall,” Burghoff instructs. “Halibut are really curious fish, and I think the sound the heavy HeadlockZ jig makes when it hits the bottom helps attract fish to your lure.”

From there, Burghoff performs a series of subtle jigging motions, bouncing the lure up and down to activate the smooth, curly tail. Gradually he raises the lure in the water column, several feet at a time, to float seductively in front of active, suspended fish.

“It’s amazing how aggressively they bite brightly colored baits,” he observes. “In just a few hours one day, I caught eleven halibut on the same bait. Those patterns of brightness demonstrate how much halibut feed by sight. Pink glow is great. But Nuked Chicken Glow is another fantastic pattern that I also think closely mimics the crustaceans they eat.”

Speaking of sustenance, Burghoff typically catches only a few smaller fish for dinner, releasing most of his larger halibut. “Those smaller 20 and 30 pound ones are perfect for my favorite recipe: macadamia nut encrusted halibut fillets made nice and crispy in the air fryer. Awesome.”

Which also describes the amazing durability of such a soft bait. The fish can chew them all they want. What really sets these ElaZtech baits Aside from other soft plastics, and it’s a big deal when repeatedly dropping the lure in hundreds of feet of water, there’s the durability factor. You have so many rock minnows and other hummingbirds down there; Halibut also have some pretty serious teeth. But you never have to worry that something has ripped your tail off, nor do you need to constantly go back to check, because ElaZtech is just stupidly tough.

“I finished my 18th trip to Alaska on the same DoormatadorZ, with at least fifteen halibut to its credit, and counting when we return next year. Try that with any other soft plastic bait and see what happens.”

About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits, and other lures. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of ElaZtech 10X Tough soft baits, quickly becoming the most coveted baits in fresh and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) kept busy on Saturday, September 17, 2022, as it hosted three special events between its facilities in Camp Perry, Ohio, and Anniston, Alabama.

The first was a Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military (GSMM) rifle match at the Camp Perry outdoor electronic target line on the Petrarca Range. The event was open to adults and youth, reaching almost 50 entries throughout the day.

Jeffrey Beierke, 58, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a score of 265-5X, led the Garand Match by only x count. Doug Staaf, 65, of Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, claimed victory in the Springfield Match at 263-3X, while Dean Davenport, 37, of Scio, NY, topped the Vintage Military field at 264-2X. Zachary Coffey, 31, of Manchester, Michigan, led the Modern Military event by more than 10 points at 289-5X. Find a full list of GSMM Match results at https://ct.thecmp.org/2022SeptPetrarcaGSMMResults.

Also held on the same day was the latest round of CMP monthly matches, which were shot at every indoor airgun shooting location in Ohio and Alabama. The event featured three position air rifle and ISSF (International Shooting Sports Federation) air rifle and air pistol competitions for adult and junior athletes.

In Anniston, SP4 Olympians Sagen Maddalena, 29, and SSG Sandra Uptagrafft, 51, earned victories in the ISSF Air Rifle and Air Pistol events, respectfully. At Camp Perry, the 3×20 athletes put on impressive battles in the precision and sports categories, each winner determined by decimal scores. Riley Dunn, 16, took the overall spot in accuracy and cruised to victory 0.6 points ahead of 17-year-old Katrina Demerle. In sporter, 15-year-old Brianna Benedetto edged out 16-year-old Santiago Camacho by just 0.4 points to win first place.

Other major competitors in the September monthly Air Gun Matches included:

CAMP PERRY:

ISSF Rifle (Adult and Junior):

1. Katrina Demerle, 17, Hamilton, OH – 626.0
2. Claudia Muzik, 16, Green Springs, OH – 622.3
3. Emme Walrath, 16, Kenosha, WI – 621.2

ISSF Pistol:

1. Katelyn Abeln, 21, Douglasville, GA – 573-14X
2. (TOP JUNIOR) Johnathan Dorsten, 19, Bryan, OH – 571-19X
3. Anthony Lutz, 34, East, OH – 569-10X

3×20 sniper rifle (plus final):

1. Riley Dunn, 16, Washington, Pennsylvania – 696.9-44X
2. Katrina Demerle, 17, Hamilton, OH – 696.3-45X
3. Emme Walrath, 16, Kenosha, WI – 695-42X

Sporter 3×20 rifle (plus final):

1. Brianna Benedetto, 15, Beach Park, IL – 616.8-17X
2. Santiago Camacho, 16, Zion, IL – 616.4-10X
3. Brayden Rich, 15, Winthrop Harbor, IL – 615.4-20X

ANISTON:

ISSF rifle:

1. SP4 Sagen Maddalena, 29, US Army Marksmanship Unit – 636.0
2. Sergeant Brandon Muske, 28, Fort Benning, GA – 625.5
3. (TOP JUNIOR) Emily Buck, 17, Alabaster, AL – 611.6

ISSF Pistol:

1. SSG Sandra Uptagrafft, 51, Phenix City, AL – 560
2. Stephanie Fryer, 38, Colorado Springs, CO – 558
3. Martha Hall, 31, Colorado Springs, CO – 544

3×20 sniper rifle (plus final):

1. Emily Buck, 17, Alabaster, AL – 687.5
2. Grayson Ellis, 16, Anniston, AL – 686.3
3. Madelyn Lee, 18, Dawsonville, GA – 682.0

Sporter 3×20 rifle (plus final):

1. Bethany Shirley, 15, Monroe, GA – 629.7
2. Joshua Shirley, 18, Monroe, GA – 604.8
3. Marley Bowden, 14, Harpersville, AL – 515.8

There are only two more monthly Air Gun Match events left for the 2022 season! The last monthly games of the year will take place on October 15 and November 19, in both Ohio and Alabama. Learn more by visiting https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/monthly-air-rifle-and-air-pistol-matches/.

A complete list of September monthly match results can be found on the CMP competition tracking page at https://ct.thecmp.org/2022SeptMMOhioResults (Camp Perry) and https://ct.thecmp.org /2022SeptMMAlabamaResults (Anniston). Photos from the event can be downloaded for free from CMP’s Zenfolio page at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p126134061.

CMP ranks are open to the public!

The CMP South Competence Center (Anniston) and the Gary Anderson CMP Competence Center (Camp Perry) host open marksmanship nights every week, where people of all ages are welcome to try their hand at the airgun. Camps are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 am EST at Camp Perry and 4 pm to 7 pm CST at Anniston. Guests can also visit the shooting ranges by appointment Monday through Thursday. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.

Also, Camp Perry’s outdoor Petrarch Range is open every Monday from 9 am to 5 pm EST through mid-November. Learn more about the range, including a list of approved firearms, at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-targets-at-petrarch-range/.

The Civilian Aim Program is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearms safety and marksmanship training and the promotion of competitive marksmanship for United States citizens. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log on to www.TheCMP.org.

NEW HAVEN, Mo. – Seasoned hunters understand that the big ones lurk in the kind of rugged terrain where most people don’t dare tread. It is for these dedicated few that ALPS OutdoorZ created the Commander + Pack Bag system.

With a generous 5,250 cubic inches of capacity, the top-loading Commander Pack has the space you need for multi-day backcountry hunting expeditions. In addition to the main compartment with a drawstring closure, the Commander Pack includes four external pockets to help organize small essentials. There is a large side pocket suitable for a spotting scope, a medium top front pocket perfect for a first aid kit, lights, snacks and other essentials, and two side pockets for small items. All pockets include heavy-duty zipper closures to keep contents secure while also being quickly accessible. For convenient access to the lower pack, the Pack Bag comes with a zippered lower door.

Paired with the Commander Pack is the ALPS OutdoorZ Cargo Rack. This strong yet lightweight aluminum frame also doubles as a pack support and as a stand-alone frame for carrying meat, cloak and antlers at the end of a successful hunt. Adjustable via anodized cotter pin and clevis pin design, the frame has a drop-down shelf and integrated tie-down panels with webbing straps with quick-release buckles to keep heavy loads secure and stable during grueling packs. Flashlight and knife pockets are included in the tie-down system so your essentials are always close at hand.

To enhance comfort, the Freighter Frame features thick padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt that includes two side pockets. You can even secure a holstered pistol to your belt for convenient weapon access.

For more information on this and other innovative ALPS OutdoorZ products, visit http://www.alpsoutdoorz.com/.

About ALPS brands:

Beginning in 1993 with the establishment of ALPS Mountaineering, ALPS Brands is a continuously growing and expanding group of companies dedicated to the development and manufacture of high-quality, performance-driven outdoor products. Today, the ALPS Brands family of companies consists of ALPS Mountaineering, ALPS OutdoorZ, Cedar Ridge, Browning Camping, and Hunting Blinds. ALPS OutdoorZ, the hunting gear moniker for ALPS Brands, made its mark several years ago by offering packs specifically designed for remote wilderness hunting. Today, ALPS OutdoorZ products cover everything from day and expedition packs to waterfowl blinds and turkey vests, plus furniture, gun cases and sleeping bags. ALPS OutdoorZ items are sold and distributed at the best camping, backpacking and outdoor retailers throughout the US and Canada. For more information, visit www. alpsoutdoorz.com.

The Nebraska Parks and Games Commission will consider approving a five-year plan to recruit, retain and reactivate outdoor enthusiasts at its Oct. 21 meeting in Broken Bow.

If approved, the 2023-2037 Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation Plan would provide goals, objectives, and strategies that would help Game and Parks engage outdoor participants in outdoor opportunities.

The staff-written plan has goals to increase and revive participation in boating, fishing, hunting, parks, and shooting sports, retain current participants, and maintain support for conservation and recreation.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. in the Broken Bow Public Library Meeting Room, 626 S. D St.

Commissioners will also consider a recommendation to change wildlife regulations that:

• add the Pine Ridge Mule Deer Conservation Area to the draw unit list, add the non-resident antelope archery permit to the antelope draw permit list, and allow archery antelope hunters non-residents apply for a preference point or archery permit;
• add turkeys to the list of animals that must be checked within 48 hours of capture; Y
• add text to allow hunters, starting in the spring 2023 season, to cancel and verify their electronic turkey permits on their mobile devices immediately after harvest.

Commissioners will consider a recommendation to change fishing regulations to simplify the application process for special fishing permits for disabled anglers and allow annual renewals to be purchased through the online permit system.

They will also consider changes to sportfishing orders that:

• add Ansley Lake, Flanagan Lake, Alda DOT, Birdwood WMA, East Sutherland WMA, and remove Victoria Springs Lake SRA from waters that require a minimum length of 21 inches on black bass;
• change the designated location on the Republican River above the Harlan County Reservoir for channel catfish bag limits and size limits for walleye, dachshund, and dachshund;
• remove the catch-and-release designation for Lake Flanagan, establish a no-take restriction on northern pike, and create maximum length limits on bluegill, red-eared sunfish, and crappie; Y
• add walleye to prohibited species in Lonergan Creek at Lake McConaughy and add Otter Creek to restrictions and set the deadline April 1-June 30.

Commissioners will also consider proposed changes to a variety of boating regulations regarding references to personal flotation devices, vessel weight limits, and updating body of water lists for wake/no wake rules. wake up and boating hours, towing and other boating safety restrictions. Learn more by reading the Notice of Public Hearing at OutdoorNebraska.gov/pubicnotices.

In other business, commissioners will hear reports on the Parks and Games Capital Maintenance Fund, an update on the fall season at state parks and a report on a Kearney fishing project.