All Around Angler

The Greek ordered up some weather we hadn’t expected…a beautiful day on the bay


Don shared his great catch and split this pig four ways…..what a guy!


Sal’ big Mexican Hat native Ho…..

If the name, Chris Vertopoulos, doesn’t mean anything to you….then that means one of two things: 1) You’re new here or from out of the area or 2) You’re just new to the game, in general.

Either way, if you haven’t heard of him then you aren’t paying a lot of attention to the pros who bang it out year after year….through tough times and bountiful harvests….it’s tricky to stay on top. That’s where Chris has been for quite a while now.

When Chris came into the store the other day and we discovered we had the same day off this week (Friday) I got real excited, real fast. As I had hoped, Chris asked me if I was into a coastal trip with him and couple of his friends. A “Buddy Trip”. I just nodded real fast and said “say where and when”. Of course I would still be a little late.

I contacted Chris right before our trip and informed him that Sal was available for the assault. Sal being a guy who hires Chris a few times a year jumped at the prospect of a bay-caught fall fish. The rivers would be far too low to plan for.

Chris “The Greek” Vertopoulos has been trolling spinners in some of our coastal bay fisheries for quite some time now. He runs G Loomis Salmon Series 1002C’s which are an 8’4″ 12-25lb rated rod with a lightening quick and extremely sensitive tips.

These features are important on a spinner trolling rod mostly due to the fact that “60 -70% of fish trolled in the bay with spinners are caught by setting the hook on slack-line bites” according to Chris’ estimations. What is a “slack-line bite” you ask? That is the same thing I asked, ignoring the obvious implications associated with the name.

The Greek went on to explain to the four of us, all experienced anglers, exactly what to look for on these troll bites. He described the intensity in which you have to stare at the end of your rod while always holding it at the same time.

He lessoned that we must try to detect any subtle change in the spinner action….following by a “tick” or a click. Running 65# spectra fiber line and reacting extremely quickly certainly helps to cement that treble in those tough mouths. Your set must be instantaneous from the tick or you’ll miss it. The majority of spinner fishermen are not fishing this way.

This is one of the trickier methods I’ve ever had to do from a boat. This isn’t the typical ‘beer drinking’ trolling…although I did manage to drink a few. The attention you must pay to these potential bites is extraordinary. Just ask me since I’m the only guy in a boat of 5 that didn’t bang a fish.

During a day when the creel check said we were the only boat to bring a fish into the port all morning….Chris’ boat stood out at a memorable 4 for 5 with one keeper king harvested (25lb chrome hen), one big high-jumping king lost at boat side (video coming soon of the aerials) and a bunch of big native coho hammering Sal’s Mexican hat.

I always learn a ton when talking to or fishing with The Greek. I’ve known him for seventeen years plus and he is a class act. One of the few people in his business to truly guide ‘full-time’ Chris is an inspiration that dreams can be made true. Please call Chris to book a trip today if you want an excellent experience.

THERE IS A MOVIE IN PRODUCTION FROM THIS DAY THAT SHOULD BE LIVE BY TONIGHT……

H3llcat