Art And Fishing

Fly Fishing Rods

2009-05-23T13:52:00.002+07:00

Fly Fishing Rods
By Hartono R.B.

Fly fishing rods are lighter, tougher, and stronger. True to our commitment to research and innovation, we've leveraged technology previously reserved for the aerospace and defense programs-our breakthrough in carbon fiber technology gives the t3 a unique look and feel, and laser-like accuracy makes it the highest-caliber rod in the world.

Fly fishing rods are much more delicate and as making them requires substantial skill, they are pretty heavy on the wallet too. Great alternatives for bamboo fishing rods are graphite fly fishing rods and fiberglass fly fishing rods.

Fly fishing rods are manufactured and sold by length, the type of "action" (degree of tip bend), intended use, and line weight. They typically range from 7 to 10 feet in length, but 8 half to 9 feet are by far the most popular. Some specialty rods, like those for two handed spey casting, will fall in the 12 to 15 foot range. They are specialized to cast heavy line which allows an angler the ability to catch fish with light-weight artificial floating lures made to look.

Fly fishing rods are legendary for their magical properties, their propensity for placing flies just above the ripple. Sage may not be sure about the magic aspect, but they do know that every sage fly fishing rod is made by hand and sage make fly rods for anglers of every stripe.

Fly fishing rods are a lot lighter and the line used is a lot heaver than normal and is sometimes even tapered. At the end of the line is an almost weightless 'fly' in the shape of a dragon fly, which acts as the fish lure. The artistic element is created by the angler's efforts to cast his fly so gently, that the water is hardly disturbed by the line.

Fly fishing rods are longer than those used for baiting or luring fish. The average fly fishing rod measures between 6 and 13 feet in length. Categorize the rods you are thinking of purchasing by the line weight you are thinking of running.

Fly fishing rods are generally between 6 feet to 14 feet, however the material that is used in these rods varies. Several years ago these rods were made from some sort of bamboo but they are now made of mostly fiberglass and graphite. There are also experiments and research being done, with other materials like boron, with the intention of having the best materials for the fly fishing rods. Fly fishing rods are amazing pieces of modern engineering. Made of the most advanced composite materials, they can quickly disassemble and be placed into a regular carrying bag for transport.

The best rod manufacturers are on the cutting edge of rod design and construction. Not only do they couple the highest-grade materials with the greatest precision in rod making, but also they have achieved an unprecedented level of artistry in their rods. Fly fishers speak of a "soul" in a rod, a quality present in all great fly rods.

Fly fishing rods are designed to give the angler the edge he needs to catch his prey. A good fly rod (assuming it's well-chosen for the type of angling you're doing) will provide strength, durability and flexibility. But, to prolong its life, you need to keep your rod well-maintained. Take the time to clean the grip, ferrules (if your fly rod has joints) and the rod blank.

Fly fishing rods are made from graphite which make the rods much lighter than it used to be in the past. Of course there are rods that are made by other materials but since we are talking here about selecting rods for beginners, graphite is by far the recommended material for the rod; it is strong and light weight.

Fly fishing rods are still extremely popular, despite the fact that a plethora of fiberglass and graphite rods have appeared over the last half century.

Articles may be you interested in reading: Choosing the right fly fishing rod and Fly Fishing Reels

Bait Fishing

2009-05-20T13:52:00.001+07:00

Live Bait Fishing Tips - Keeping Your Baits Alive
By Daniel Burgess

Obviously you can’t live bait if you can’t keep it alive, and this can often be quite a task. Keeping your baits happy, healthy and kicking can be approached in many ways, so I have put down a few key tips to remember; and some good alternatives to fully plumbed live bait tanks.

I will start with problems that affect even perfectly plumbed tanks and go from there.

COMMON PROBLEMS

If you have a fully plumbed, top of the line bait tank, then you are well ahead of the game but will still have fish dying. If the tank becomes overcrowded fish will start to die.

Remember the bigger the baits the less will survive in your tank. Baits so big they can’t freely swim around the tank will have a high mortality rate. Once fish have died make sure to remove them from the tank as it will affect the remaining survivors.

When you are catching bait make sure to handle them as little as possible. If possible catch bait with long shank hooks then hold the shank of the hook and shake the bait off and straight into the tank. That way you never touch the fish.

ALTERNATIVE TANKS

If you don’t have an inbuilt tank, or room for this, the next best thing is to use an esky. In a good sized tinnie I have even plumbed a good quality esky with great results, the next best thing to an esky is the good old fashioned ‘kill box’ the ones commercial fishos use for storing their catch.

Eskies work very well as bait tanks because one major problem for keeping fish alive is change in water temperature. Not only are fish very sensitive to temperature change but when water warms up it loses its dissolved oxygen killing the fish.

A 50 litre tank of water in summer warms up very quickly, this is very important to remember when you don’t have any circulation in your tank. The temperature problem also relates to colour, try and use white tanks so they don’t attract more heat.

FRESH WATER

Without having the tank plumbed you will have to use a bucket to constantly refresh the water in the tank, its hard work but often worth it. You can also purchase small bait pumps that will help but I’ve found that you still need to use the bucket but just not as often.

When you pour water into your tank don’t try to be gentle, this is a mistake, it is best to do it from a good height and create a lot of foam, this is oxygen mixing with the water and benefits your baits.

OXYGEN

Another key point is the shape of the tank. Ideally a high surface area is great which again is why most eskies work well and so do ‘kill boxes’.

The higher the surface area the more oxygen can dissolve into the water, this is also why little kiddy wading pools are perfect when fishing from the shore.

THE BASKET CASE

One last useful tip for boat fishos is to have a laundry basket that is deep and narrow in shape. Put some weight in the bottom of the basket and flotation around the top of the basket.

When you are at anchor simply put this in the water and tie it of to the side of the boat. Transfer your livebaits from your tank into the basket while fishing at anchor and they will stay healthier than in any livebait tank. Always have a small net for transferring the baits so as not to damage your baits.

Remember the better you handle your livebaits the better baits they’re going to be.

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Fishing Hook

2009-05-17T13:51:00.000+07:00

When A Simple Fishing Hook Becomes Something Special
By Trevor Kugler

Everyone reading this article is aware of what a fishing hook is, right? Obviously, or you wouldn't be reading a fishing article. We all use fishing hooks to attempt to catch our quarry. When does a simple fishing hook become something special? When that simple fishing hook is transformed into a "gang hook", that's when.

So what the heck is a "gang hook" anyway? A "gang hook" is simply two hooks tied in tandem. Gang Hooks are primarily used in bait fishing. These hooks are the most natural way to present any worm that has ever been devised. With a little research, gang hooks are fairly easy to tie yourself, or you can go somewhere like JRWfishing and buy them. It doesn't really matter how you get them, all that matters is that you start to use them when you fish.

In most cases "gang hooks" are tied with much smaller hooks than you are probably accustomed to using. In the old days, anglers used to use a larger hook and try to 'thread ' a worm or worms onto said hook. This technique, of threading a worm or worms onto a hook, creates what has been called a "worm ball". A "worm ball" may be many things, but natural looking isn't one of them. Most of the gang hooks that I've seen are tied with either size 8 or 10 hooks, with 10 being the most popular. A worm baited on a set of size 10 gang hooks is as natural a presentation as you will ever see. The hooks are practically invisible.

And don't forget about using "gang hooks" for any dough bait that you might use (such as Powerbait and the like). In the case of dough baits these hooks enable the angler to present double the bait. You can have two chunks of bait floating off of a single line. Gang Hooks are very effective for dough bait fishing as well as live bait fishing.

This is precisely how a simple fish hook becomes something special……by making that simple fishing hook into a set of pre-tied gang hooks. Start using gang hooks and you will begin catching more fish, I guarantee it.

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Fly Fishing Reels

2009-05-13T13:51:00.001+07:00

A Guide to Fly Fishing Reels
By Anne Clarke

Are you wanting to know more about fly fishing reels? Here is some basic information on reels that is sure to satisfy you until your next “casting call.”

Is heavier better?

No, not necessarily. In fact, oftentimes, light fly reels are more expensive and of higher quality. If two reels are the same in all other respects, go with the lighter one. That said, when choosing your fly fishing reel line weight, the most important thing to consider is the weight of your rod and of your line.

These three weights (reel, rod, and line) should be equal and balanced. When you are considering the “weight” of your fly reel, you are not considering how heavy it is, but how well balanced it would be with your rod and reel. When shopping for a good fly fishing set-up, first consider what sort of fish you will be fishing for, find the right weight line to catch them, and then but a rod and reel to match.

Does size really matter?

The larger your spool, the faster your line retrieval can be and the better line handling you will have. Also, you want your fly fishing reel to fit your hand comfortably.

Single and ready to mingle?

Single action fly fishing reels are the most common and also the simplest. For every crank of the handle, you will get one turn of the spool. Single action reels are very easy to maintain. Multiplier fly fishing reels, on the other hand, can retrieve your line faster because for every turn of the handle, you will get two or more turns of the spool. An automatic fly fishing reel is the easiest to use but the hardest to maintain. You simply need to flick a lever to retrieve your line.

Fly fishing is not a drag!

There are a few different types of drag systems that you can choose for your fly fishing reels. Why do you want drag? Because drag applies friction to the spool, helping you in your casting and landing of fish

Spring-and-pawl drag systems is very simple and very affordable. This is a good system for lighter fishing. Look for a spring-and-pawl system with a knob that can increase or decrease your drag tension.

Caliper drag systems are a little bit more expensive. A caliper pad pushes against the braking surface of the spool, creating drag, slowing the spool spin. Be sure that your caliper drag system comes with an exposes palming rim.

Disc drag systems. If you are wanting one of the best and most expensive types of fly fishing reels, then you can go with a disc drag system. With the disc drag, you get increased control and much efficiency. Most agree that if you are fishing for large, powerful, fighting fish, a drag system is best. It will give you the most control and the most consistent drag pressure.

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Tournament Fishing

2009-05-09T13:51:00.001+07:00

Night Tournament Fishing - What a Rush!
By Barry Brasher

It's four o'clock and I'm still at work, what to do? Clock out and go home. The tournament starts at six o'clock. The race is on, nothing in the world like it. Forty minute drive home, scarf down a sandwich, and off you go. On your way home and to the lake. The only thing going through your mind is what are we going to do? Fish the points, humps, roadbeds, ledges etc. What a rush trying to figure a way to beat fifty other fishermen that you have known most of your life. This is what makes tournament fishing so great!

When you first get started fishing these nightly events they become addictive. You probably will lose a lot more than you win but that’s just part of the fun. In every tournament you have your local pros that are very hard to beat, but this is how you learn to be a better fisherman - if you can get them to talk. Sometimes this is like pulling teeth. They get lockjaw when they are catching lots of fish.

The main thing is to ask the right questions, like how deep are you fishing? and what time are you catching most of your fish? This will tell you a lot. Asking what bait they are using won't get you crap. They are not going to give this up. Be alert. Look around in boats to see what is tied on but most of time what they are really using is in the rod box. You are likely to learn more after the tournament so keep your eyes open and listen to what they have to say to one another. Every person has their own way of fishing and they deviate from this pattern very little. What I mean is you have pier fishermen, structure fishermen, bank fishermen etc. and you can learn a lot from each one.

Be observant when you are fishing to see which other fishermen are doing what. This will help you adjust to the type of fishing that seems to be best at that time. That doesn't mean fish their holes. Find your own! It goes a long way in making friends and they might have a faster boat than you when you have located fish. Hey it's dog-eat-dog when fishing so follow the unwritten rules of being your own man. Win or lose you will always learn something new and wonder what you did wrong to cause you to lose. Always try to congratulate the winners and be a good sport about it. These events will be the best times of your life. May God be with you during rehab because it is addictive! Its hard to stop once you get started. Have fun, be safe, and lots of luck! Maybe I'll see you there when they let me out!

Keep on fishin'!

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Canada Fishing

2009-05-06T13:50:00.002+07:00

Choose the Best Canada Fishing Trip
By Robbie Darmona

Fishing trips to Canada are becoming more and more popular as a family vacation. Except for the fish, Canada fishing trips can offer great opportunities to spend your time near the water, such as beachcombing or whale watching. The excellent hotel amenities can ensure your good time there. You can have breakfast near the lakes or go hiking, or visit some museums as well.

The town of Sookie is perfect for this aim, and its nearness to Victoria can offer you many more exciting things to do. Or you may as well visit Vancouver Island and experience all the delights of fishing that it has to give you. Another perfect destination for fish lovers could be the town of Port Renfrew. Canada fishing trips include all kinds of adventurous things to do, but most people still consider fishing the best way to spend the day. Here is a list of all the wonderful places that have suitable conditions for fishing.

Ontario Fishing Lake. If you dream of going on a Canada fishing trip and spending your time in oodles of fish, the Lake of Ontario can make your dreams come true. The Closs Lake bounds in Muskie and Smallmouth Bass. The Bass caught there are of extreme size: up to and over 5 pounds. The record states that 2 people in 5 hours have caught over 50 Bass, their body length varying between 16 and 20 inches. Muskie is also plentiful, a sum of 13 was boated once on a daily trip. Their size is between 25 and 30 pounds. Land portage is easy.

Ontario Northern Park. This lake is perfect to make a Canada fishing trip for pike. Pike can be caught there in oodles. The record made was 100 pikes caught in 4 hours. The modest quantity of pikes varies up to 50 Pikes for several hours. The best catches can be made on Terry Lake. Action for Northern Pike is extremely fast. Light tackle is also highly exciting here. Land portage is slightly difficult.

Booger Lake. The best place if you admire Northern Pike. In comparison to Terry Lake, smaller fish can be caught here (size between 3 to 8 pounds) , but a Pike fisherperson would admire the wonderful nature and the serenity that the narrow beautiful lake offers. The best record was put by three people having caught 165 pikes in 8 hours. Land portage to Booger Lake is slightly difficult.

Cedarbough Lake. The lake is very deep and cold-water. It can be reached by boating through a small creek. The fish species there are Northern Pike, Whitefish, Smallmouth Bass, and Muskie. Muskie fishing can be very fast at times. A visitor boated 13 Muskies at a one-day trip. Muskies are up to 30 pounds, while Northern Pike reaches up to 20 pounds. Smallmouth Bass are caught each year: their size being up to and over 5 pounds.

Little Vermilion. It is one in an eleven-lake system. The lake is prolong, it has a lower and upper section. Its length is about 16 miles. The water is deep and cold, with many bays and reefs. Nature has created the perfect fish holding structures there. Whitefish, cisco, suckers, perch and crayfish live in the perfect water conditions. Little Vermilion is known to be the best place for a Canada fishing trip.

George Lake. This lake is rarely visited by fishermen and it needs some more exploration. It is the smallest portage lake, but its size is compensated by its beauty and fishing quality. A stress reducing fishing trip can be made here. Northern Pike and a good size Pike can be caught there. The land portage is slightly difficult.

These six lakes offer great opportunity for going on Canada fishing trips. Choose the best place for you and your family and enjoy your Canadian holiday!

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Michigan Fishing

2009-05-02T13:50:00.001+07:00

Lake Michigan Fishing
By Trevor Kugler

Lake Michigan offers some of the best steelhead, Coho salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass fishing in the entire Midwest. Many of the tributary rivers and streams that flow into Lake Michigan provide excellent fishing as well. Of all the great lakes, Lake Michigan, and its tributary rivers may provide the best fishing in the entire Midwest. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the great lakes and the sixth largest lake in the world. Believe it or not, Lake Michigan is bordered by four states; Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Being bordered by four states, means that each state has their own fishing regulations, so depending on which state you may be fishing in, you'll need to review the individual fishing regulations.

Lake Michigan has over 1600 miles of shoreline and there are more than 100 cities located on its banks. Along these 1600 miles of shoreline, there are dozens of tributary streams and rivers that flow into Lake Michigan and provide excellent fishing. A favorite technique in many of these bodies of water is to use a set of gang hooks and various baits, to entice trout and smallmouth bass. Whether you enjoy fishing from the comfort of a boat or in the comfort of a good pair of waders, Lake Michigan and its surrounding waters have something for you.

With this many states surrounding Lake Michigan, and the excellent fishing opportunities that the lake provides, guide services abound. There are many guide services that are more than willing to take you out for a great day of fishing. If you prefer to fish from the comfort of a boat, hiring a guide service for a day or two is a great idea. There's no better way to get the lay of a lake than through enlisting the help of a guide. You could even hire a guide for just 1 day, get some local tips and techniques, and then strike out on your own. As a matter of fact, if you have no experience fishing in Lake Michigan, this is a wonderful idea. For the amount of time and aggravation a guide will save you, it really pays for itself.

The bottom line is that if you're looking for large fish, even trophies, in a variety of different species, Lake Michigan has them. Lake Michigan also provides the angler with the ability to fish from the comfort of a boat, with or without a guide service, and also excellent fishing in the tributary rivers and streams that flow into the lake. So whether you prefer a boat or a pair of waders with Lake Michigan fishing, you've got it, and with 1600 miles of shoreline, if you like sitting on the bank of a lake and still fishing, Lake Michigan offers the opportunity to catch true trophies in this manner as well. No matter what type of angling you enjoy the most, Lake Michigan and the waters that flow into it offers excellent angling opportunities for everyone.

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Fishing South

2009-04-30T13:49:00.000+07:00

Marlin Fishing South of The Border - Manzanillo Mexico
By Jeremy Lusch

Fishing south of the order

The sun is rising over the hilltop and the seas are calm, we are just out of the port and the talk of the big one dominates the conversation over our morning coffee. 4 guys from different parts of the world all here in Manzanillo Mexico in search of the elusive Marlin.

The morning starts out with a few small tuna, the adrenaline running wild when you here the scream of line coming off the reel. The captain is excited and we don't why, so we ask in our broken Spanish, and some how, through some sign language we concur that he wants those tuna for bait. Again, our adrenaline starts to flow as he hooks them up and lets them out behind the boat and throttles down the engine to a crawl.

The sun is rising over head, the morning coffee rush has worn off. A few of us are fighting the urge to drift off to sleep with the sway of the boat. And Then! In an instant the captain is screaming and the deckmate is rushing to the rod screaming Marlin!!

We all bounce up from our grogginess screaming and beaming. The fight is on! The Marlin tearing line off the reel and doing cartwheels 300 yards behind the boat. The reel starts smoking from the tremendous friction, the deckhand is pouring water on the reel to keep it as cool as possible. The captain has swung the boat around as the line on the reel is almost gone. Only three minutes has gone buy and this fish is about to take the line, hook and bait swim off in to the depth with moby dick laughing at us for giving him the free and easy tuna for breakfast.

We are gaining on him, he makes a quick turn and heads straight for the boat. Jack reels as fast as he can but can not keep up. The slack in the line is too much and the captain is again scared he might escape. And then an explosion right next to the boat as the marlin shows his muscles and soars out of the water. We are all in shock at the size of this ocean beast.

The fight has now been going on for over 1 hour, the fish is tiring and jack is pouring sweat from all parts of his body's. We just don't know who will tire first. It has become a tug of war between man and fish. Jack seems to have the edge, the fish is relenting and coming closer to the boat. We can see this monster of the sea just twenty feet away. He must of seen he is going crazy. Jack cant believe it. The fish runs another 50 yards out and makes another incredible leap.

Oh NO!! Jack says, has he holds the rod in his hands with it no longer doubled over and no resistance. We see the marlin jumping in glee behind the boat gloating if you will. He has escaped. Tears roll down the face of Jack he has battled to no avail. We all have this empty feeling in our belly and decide the only thing to do is crack open a cold corona get the lines back out and hope that we can do battle again with this magnificent creature again here in Manzanillo south of the border.

The marlin, the captain estimated was over 500 lbs and was a blue Marlin. We fished the rest of the day and landed a couple of Dorado or Maui Maui as some people call them. But, in the end we were just a couple of fisherman with a tall tell for the guys back home. Of course the big one got away.

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Fishing Magazines

2009-04-28T13:49:00.000+07:00

Saltwater Fly Fishing Magazine
By Eliseo Lao

If you are a fishing fan take advantage of those grocery store lines and grab a saltwater fly fishing magazine, while you wait. If you stand in enough check out lines and you will notice a few commonalties among what you have hanging around you while you check out. The check out line is always the place for the little things you might want, have forgotten, or just not be aware that the store carries. But one thing you will almost always find at the check out counters is a magazine.

Magazines about a variety of things from people's privates lives, celebrities lives, cooking tips and meal recipes, horoscopes, scopes on missed television shows, holiday party how to’s and so much more. Magazines are great ways to both get information, and be entertained. And it isn’t a whole lot different with saltwater fly fishing magazines.

Saltwater fly fishing magazines are not likely to tell you what your horoscope is for the day, or about missed soap opera information, but you find a lot of other things that catch your interest. Magazines are great for the angler looking for an angle! They are a great way to get tips, learn about hot spots, and even new products. If you are a saltwater angler of any kind, you will want to check out at least a few saltwater fly-fishing magazines. If you are a newbie, looking for tips, or the basic gear and fundamental about saltwater fishing, them a magazine is a great place to start.

They can provide information, show you pictures and give some good leads on the things you are looking for. Saltwater fly fishing magazines are great resources for seasoned angler too, not just novices. No matter how long you have been fishing, and what experiences you have had, magazines can give you glimpses into other peoples fishing moments that can certainly lend a helping hand to your adventure. Not to mention many of the saltwater fishing magazines review equipment, gear, and the latest technology for helping you with the type of fish you want to catch.

Saltwater fly fishing magazines are easy to find. You can usually find various ones at local fishing and sporting good shops. In addition, you can go online and check out the different fishing magazines, and they're various styles and information, and then pick whatever is best for you. Saltwater fishing magazines are not only a way to gain knowledge, and check out some great stories and pictures, but provide fishing tips. They also have great information about new gear and hot spots.

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Trout Flies

2009-04-24T13:49:00.005+07:00

Rainbow Trout And Trout Flies
By Lee Dobbins

Alaska is home to many wonders of nature not the least of which is the rainbow trout. Trout fishing is a sport enjoyed by many anglers not only in Alaska, but all over the world.

Rainbow trout are known to be quite aggressive and picky to boot. While it may take a long time to get them to bite, once you have them on your line you are in for quite a fight. These fish are quite spirited and can put up quite a battle, which of course, is one reason why anglers love fishing for them.

Trout are very picky eaters and many trout anglers tie their own flies in order to get the best presentation to tempt this finicky fish. Trout flies must be just so in order for the fish to bite so whether you tie them yourself or buy them, you must make sure they closely resemble the natural food source of the fish.

There are two types of flies - dry files and wet flies. The dry flies are supposed to resemble insects floating on top of the water or hatches just emerging. Therefore, they are designed to float. Conversely, wet flies are meant to sink. Either they should go right to the bottom or hang a few inches under the water depending on what insect they are emulating.

Streamers are flies that sink to just a few inches below the water. Their goal is to resemble a minnow swimming up near the top. Another type of fly that sinks just a few inches is called a nymph - this is supposed to resemble insect larvae floating in the current. The nymph can also sink to the bottom as it might in real life.

When selecting or tying flies for rainbow trout fishing, one should always find out what the natural food at the time you will be fishing is in the particular body of water that you want to fish. Make sure your flies resemble whatever the food of that time frame will be.

Fishing can be a great way to get the whole family involved in outdoor sports, you can even plan a fishing vacation and fish for rainbow trout in Alaska. You can find loding ant one of many wonderful lodges and enjoy the Alaskan scenery and culture while you are there. While fishing for trout can be fun for the whole family, you might want to make sure small children stick to something a little less challenging like sunfish!

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Fishing Baits

2009-04-23T13:48:00.005+07:00

How to Get the World's Best Fishing Baits for Free
By Larry M. Lynch

There are essentially three ways to catch fish:

• Use live, natural baits

• Use imitation or artificial baits and lures

• Use hardware such as traps, nets, etc.

One of the most efficient and productive of these three methods is to use live, natural baits. This is especially true if the waters and area you’re fishing are new or unknown to you. These live, natural baits are proven effective when acquired locally. Their price is right since they’re available for free. You “spend” only the time to gather them. Be sure to check local and regional regulations on the use of live baits.

Worms

The world’s all-time favorite. You can dig them up from your yard or garden or a wooded area near your fishing grounds. If you’re not that energetic, get some kids to do it for you. They’re available most of the year (winter might be tough), easy to find and gather. Leave the smaller ones. Use the larger earthworms or night crawlers.

Minnows

A technique I like involves using an old window screen. We used to walk along in the surf of the Chesapeake Bay with a framed meter-square piece of window screen to trap all kinds of small salt water fish, crustaceans, sand worms and even small crabs. It made for an interesting series of “catches” and provided endless hours of simple fun for me and my siblings. Minnows swim in fairly large schools so you can scoop up a bunch of them fairly quickly. Walk a few feet with the screen in the water. Lift it up quickly to scoop up your catch. Then dump it into a bucket. Repeat the procedure as you walk along the beach or shore. Keep them alive and fresh in a bucket partially filled with the same waters you collected them from.

Crabs

To catch crabs you can use a crab pot or home made traps. Be sure to check local regulations. These can be used in brackish and salt water shallows baited with a chicken wing tip or other bony meat. At a beach fronting a wooded area more than one kind of crab can be caught. I designed a simple “drop in” trap that I set into the sand near the edge of a coconut grove and caught hermit crabs, fiddler crabs and sand crabs. I even got a small snake once, but that’s another story.

Insects

Crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and other insects can be caught in a meadow, wooded area or park using a butterfly-type net. Lightning bugs (which flash their tail lights at night) are a good bet too. Crawling insects, grubs, maggots and larvae are good too. They are often found under rocks, fallen logs or other materials which have been on the ground for some time. Again, you could just get a bunch of kids to do it for you if you don’t have the time or need the exercise. Cockroaches make good live bait too if you can stomach using them. Not the small North American varieties that plague households mind you, but the large, three-inch long ones common here in South America and in Asia.

So, look into what live, natural baits are available locally near your favorite fishing grounds. It never hurts to have a variety of presentations for those “dog days” of fishing. Fishing with some new offerings can add an extra dimension to your next fishing trip. Getting them might even be a bit of fun too, especially if you “involve” the kids. On vacation, abroad or simply “away” from your usual fishing haunts, it’ll put more than an extra bit of enticement into your presentations. Good luck.

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Pier Fishing

2009-04-22T13:48:00.003+07:00

Pier Fishing
By Joshua Taylor

There are many advantages and disadvantages to pier fishing. If you do not have a boat, pier fishing is the next best alternative. Some of the advantages that you have while fishing from a pier is:

* The height advantage, you can target fish easily when you can see them

* Bait is normally very plentiful around bridges and piers, so you have the bait right under you.

* You save a tremendous amount of money on gas, especially today, with the gas prices like they are.

* Pier fishing is overall more efficient for the pocket book.

* Catching great game fish is a very common thing because where there is bait; there is always game fish of some kind around.

If you are trying to target certain species of fish from a pier, there are some things that you will need to know. Such as, the understanding of that specific species, how they feed, when they feed, what type of structure they are housing themselves in and the specific fishing tactics. For example, if you are going to fish for Mangrove Snapper, you do not want to fish the non structural sandy part of the pier. First, you should ask the people around you because believe it of not this is one of the most efficient ways to learn about the different areas to fish. If there are bait house employees ask them, they are usually very helpful. Now you want to try and find structure because snapper are structure loving fish! Usually where there is structure there is bait, so you should figure out what they are eating and the best way to do this is match the hatch. Therefore, in other words what type of bait that is plentiful in your area because this is most likely what the fish are feeding on. Now that you have location and bait figured out the only thing that you need now is the rig and technique. Following these steps for each of the different species will improve you odds for catching fish from a pier. To learn more about different techniques be sure to visit Pier Fishing Guide. You do have to become a little more creative when fishing from a pier because you are not going to the fish you have to get there attention and get them to come to you. There also disadvantages when fishing from a pier some of the disadvantages are:

* You have to be extremely patient, because you have to draw the fish to you.

* Boater sometimes has the tendency to spoil things by rudely going through your fishing lines in search for bait.

* Landing large game fish can be a tad bit tricky if a novice pier fisherman, you must learn to rope gaff your fish or use a drop net.

* You must learn to maneuver around pilings when you do get a good fish

As you can see there are many advantages and disadvantages to pier fishing with that being said all fishing is fun you just have to learn and be creative in order to be.

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Fishing Holidays

2009-04-21T13:48:00.006+07:00

Fishing Holidays - The Ultimate Fishing Experience
By Sabrina Johnston

If you want a fishing holiday that gives you the ultimate challenge with the hardest fighting fish on the planet or maybe you want world class trout fishing?

Well, India has it all and much more, amongst some of the most stunning and beautiful scenery on the planet. Fishing holidays in India have much to offer the adventurous angler.

The vast rivers of India supply a huge variety of fish and offer any angler a variety of superb fishing holidays.

A Wide variety of fish

The Indian water hosts a huge variety of fish, including the mighty Masheer, the ultimate freshwater challenge guaranteed to bring a tingle of excitement to any angler.

Fish in some of the worlds most stunning scenery

India’s rivers meander through the vast expanse of the Gangetic Plains and flow down the peninsular South India.

As most of the north Indian rivers originate from the Himalayas, the clear waters of these raging rivers and their tributaries offer excellent angling and fishing, in areas of great scenic beauty.

They also offer a breeding ground for a huge number of different varieties of fish. Fishing holidays can range from Himalayan mountains, to the coastal stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

The Masheer : The Ultimate Freshwater Fishing Experience

The Masheer is only found in India, it is renowned as the hardest fighting fish on the planet and the ultimate fishing experience for any freshwater angler.

The Mahseer is a fresh water scaly fish, which can attain a huge size and exceed 100lbs. It gives more sport for its size than a Salmon and is therefore considered the best sports fish in the world.

The Maheerer requires skill to test any angler

Mahseer of 70 - 80 lbs, are frequently caught in Indian waters and sometimes catches have been reported of Mahaseer of over 110lbs.

Angling for the formidable Mahaseer requires strength, determination, skill, practice and speed.

The Masheer is appropriately called the 'tiger of the water' so, if you are looking at fishing holidays then why not go for the ultimate fishing experience landing a Masheer?

World Renowned Trout Fishing

Two varieties of trout, namely the rainbow trout and the brown trout, exist in India.

Anglers from across the world take fishing holidays in India to trout fish in the rushing waters of the clear water streams and high altitude lakes of the upper Himalayas.

Trout fishing in India not only offers a wide variety of superb fishing holidays, but the chance to fish in some of the most spectacular scenery of India or, anywhere else.

India for the ultimate Fishing holidays

If you are looking for the ultimate in fishing holidays then, India offers a unique and thrilling angling experience.

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Fly Tying Materials

2009-04-20T13:47:00.003+07:00

Fly Fishing - Fly Tying
By Peter Halpin

Fly tying can be easy and fun. It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but to tie it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish. In this article, we discuss a few basic steps to follow when fly tying all knots for fly fishing, followed by some ingenious ways you can obtain free fly tying materials.

Three Basic Steps

Lubricate knots: Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it with saliva or by dipping it in the water. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which dramatically weakens monofilament. Heat is generated by the friction created when knots are drawn up tight.

Seat the knot: Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on.

Trim neatly: Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the fly tying knot.

Free Fly Tying Materials Around Your Home A quick browse around your house may yield some inexpensive and creative fly tying materials. If you need some glow ball material so you can tie a few eggs try the yarn you have in the house. Use some colors you think might work well. Pull a few strands off and begin tying your eggs. Mixed a few colors just to see what patterns you get.

These have been reported to work really well on the Colorado river. POW! Fish go for the egg. Cast after cast will yield some nice trout in the 16-24" range. The best pattern is an orange yarn with a pink strand.

Consider also some of the following fly tying materials:

Dubbing Dryer Lint - Choose the right color close to dry and then pull the lint out and use as common dubbing materials.

Brush the Dog - Several breeds such as Chows have thick undercoats. The fur makes a great natural material for dubbing.

Feathers A look around the yard or park can yield some interesting feathers to use for tying. Just a note however, wild birds are known for mites so take steps to insure you don't end up infecting your purchased features with these nasty critters.

Suggestions for avoiding mites:

Zap the materials in the microwave for 30sec. Put them in a plastic baggy and freeze them for a few days.

Stay away from dead birds. They could have been infected with a disease.

Foam body Packing foam commonly used for electronics work great. Just cut off a small strip and presto you have your body material. Need a different color than white, pull out a permanent marker such as a Sharpe and apply the desired color.

Furs Any old stuffed animals laying around? Some synthetic furs will work well on your hand tied flies.

Just take a look around the house and you will find items to substitute your traditional fly tying materials. Its a great way to save a few dollars and expand your creativity. You might even find that perfect combination to land that Fly Fishing trophy!

Another alternative is too take a trip to the local craft store. They also are a great resource for Fly Tying materials such as feathers, furs, threads, beads, etc.

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Fly Fishing Flies

2009-04-19T11:47:00.001+07:00

Choosing Fly Fishing Flies
By Michelle Bery

Throughout the longstanding history of fly fishing, fisherman who practiced it - or anglers, as they are known - have always understood the importance of bringing skill, technique, and grace to the sport. But successful anglers have equally understood the comparable importance of superior equipment in order to be their most effective. And when it comes to fly fishing, some of the most important equipment is fly fishing flies - those small but significant items for which the sport is named.

The selection of fly fishing flies is extensive and is often broken down by wet and dry fly fishing. Fly fishing is considered “dry” when the fly is cast over the water. The angler works to make the fly dance above the water, hoping to attract the attention of the fish below it. Such fly fishing flies are designed to replicate mosquitoes and other insects to which the particular fish may be attracted.
Fly fishing is considered “wet” when the fly fishing flies are actually submerged under the water - where their design allows them to sink to the bottom if necessary - in order to entice fish beneath the surface. The wet fly fishing flies are made with the use of soft hackling which gives them mobility below the water’s surface. In the case of wet fly fishing, often the angler will use multiple fly fishing flies at once in order to improve their chance of success.

Some anglers choose to design and construct their own fly fishing flies - using a variety of materials of natural and synthetic origins. But still others choose to purchase their flies in accordance with the type of fish they are looking to retrieve. Fly fishing flies can be purchased at any number of different locations. For skilled, knowledgeable guidance regarding a choice of fly fishing flies, it is best to visit a retailer that is focused solely on fly fishing. There are also a number of Internet resources where anglers can browse and purchase their fly fishing flies online and have them shipped right to their door.

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Cod Fishing

2009-04-18T13:46:00.007+07:00

Cod Fishing in Canada Begins at Newfoundland
By Miodrag Trajkovic

Up in the north of Canada thrives a little community. It's not about the people; it's all about the cod fish.

When It All Started

Cod fishing in Canada, particularly in Newfoundland, started when the region was discovered before the end of the fifteenth century. Since then, all cultures from French, Portuguese, English, and Spanish came to its waters in order to search for cod. Hook and line was the manner of fishing, with herring, capelin, sea birds, and squid used as bait.

The Process of Cod Fishing

The people of Newfoundland were more into inshore fishing. They fish close to the shore using little boats with depths below 35 feet. They were also engaged in salting and drying codfish, their main methods of food preservation.

Male members of the family, consisting of the husbands, older sons, brothers, and fathers, would usually hunt for the fish while the female members such as the mothers, wives, daughters and sisters remained on shore. The younger boys were allowed to stay with the female group.

Once the males arrived at the shore, the women would then busy themselves splitting and salting the fish. Once this was done, they would begin the process of curing. The salted fish were gathered and spread onto racks and wooden fish flakes. They were left to dry under the heat of the sun. Taking care of the fish was the responsibility of the women, who would take turns guarding them during the night and on rainy days.

The Moratorium

During the early part of the 1990s, the cod, which roamed around the waters of Newfoundland for many years, suddenly disappeared because of years of excessive fishing. To solve the problem, the Canadian government issued a moratorium in 1992. Fishing communities in Newfoundland were deeply devastated with the closure. It hit the women the most. Before the release of the moratorium, there were about 15,000 of them who worked as plant workers as well as fishers in a number of fisheries. Others who worked in businesses related to the fishing industry also lost their jobs. An estimated 10,000 women were qualified for government compensation, but this also ended in 1998. Ever since the end of cod fishing, fisheries employed only a small group of people for shrimp and crab fishing. Processing jobs and competition for licenses was very intense.

Nobody can actually predict the future of cod fishing in Canada, and no one can anticipate if it will ever return. One thing is for sure, however. Cod fishing added to the pages of a colorful history of Canada.

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Fishing Jobs

2009-04-17T13:46:00.007+07:00

Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs
By Clare Calkin

The boats used for Alaska crab fishing jobs are between 12 and 75 meters (40 to 250 feet) in length and are equipped with hydraulic systems to lift the catch from the sea and onto the deck, the boats and the equipment aboard these vessels are designed to withstand the freezing weather of the Bering Sea. Each boat can stay out at sea for days or weeks at a time.

The traps or pots that are used to catch the crabs are a steel box-shaped trap consisting of a steel frame covered with a wire mesh, bait is placed in the inside, usually a herring or codfish, the pot is then sunk to the sea floor where the king crab reside. Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs vessels may carry up to 300 pots on a single trip which are all placed in a straight line to make retrieval easier.

The king crab in the pots are sorted once they are brought to the surface, and any not meeting the regulation requirements are thrown back. The king crab are typically stored live in a holding tank until the boat reaches shore, where they are sold. If the weather becomes too cold, the live king crab may freeze and burst. If they are left in the tank for too long, they will harm and possibly kill each other, as they can be cannibalistic.

Having Alaska king crab fishing jobs are probably one of the most demanding types of fishing around as the season is short and the hours are long, It has become a very popular industry through the popularity of the Discovery Channel programme "deadliest catch".

The entry level Alaska crab fishing jobs position is that of a Deckhand or Greenhorn, The duties of a deckhand includes loading and unloading supplies, fish and fishing equipment by hand or using hoisting equipment. Preparing and setting nets and other fishing equipment. Removing the catch from the fishing equipment, measuring and sorting it and returning undersize or unwanted fish to the water. Storing or packing the catch in the holds with ice and/or salt (brine). Cleaning the vessel and fishing equipment. Fishing deckhands need to be self-motivated and strong both physically and mentally. They need the stamina to be able to work in dangerous conditions, while being self-disciplined and alert to their surroundings at all times.

So if you are looking for excitement by securing one of the Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs, I would suggest you consider a number of important issues before you start applying:

What job will be suited to your qualifications and skills

What the working conditions are like

Whether you need any additional training before applying for work

Where exactly to look for fishing employment

How do you go about applying for a job

The types of licenses needed to captain a Fishing Vessel

Organizations you may need to make contact with

What obligations there are regarding licensing and paying catch royalties

The exact processes of the different methods of fishing

What equipment is needed to be part of the Alaska King Crab Fishing Industry

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Fishing Rigs

2009-04-16T13:46:00.006+07:00

How to Catch More Fish
By James Fletcher

Want to catch more fish? Below are 13 sensational tips that will help you get more fish when fishing in saltwater. These tips will work in the ocean, rivers or estuaries so have a read and get ready to enjoy more success when you go out for a day's fishing.

1) Use as small a sinker as possible. You want to feel the fish biting so you can strike on the line. If fishing with bait in water less than 5M deep you may not even need a sinker as the weight of the bait will cause the line to sink.

2) Target a particular species. Certain fish feed at different levels. Determine what species of fish you are after and set your rigs and choose your bait accordingly.

3) Fish around sunrise or sunset. Most fish prefer to feed during these times so you are more likely to have greater success.

4) Look for unusual or different terrain to fish around. Fish tend to concentrate around steep underwater drop offs (areas where the depth of the sea floor rapidly changes). Fish also tend to stay in areas with structures in them (rock formations, piers, jetty's, tree branches etc.)

5) Burley up. Burleying is a great way to get the attention of fish. Keep a constant supply or burley coming and you will keep a constant supply of fish coming over as well.

6) Fish with multiple lines to increase your chances. Try throwing 2 lines in per person and it will double your odds of catching that big fish you are chasing.

7) Learn when to strike the line. You need to strike the line (pull back fast on the line) to set the hook in a fish's mouth. Knowing when to do this is half the challenge of catching a fish. The best way is to experiment. Try striking immediately and if that doesn't work try leaving the hook around the fish a little longer before striking. Remember, the best time to strike varies from day to day, species to species and from one fish to another.

8) If the fish don't bite move on. This is easier on a boat but it is also true of shore based fishing. If they are not biting, reel your line in and try a different spot.

9) Look for where other people are fishing and join them. If there is a group of people fishing in one spot there is usually a reason why, so go and join them.

10) If your on holiday or fishing a new spot, ask a local for some tips. Local knowledge is invaluable and most fishermen will give you a few hints and tips to get you on your way.

11) Use technology to get more fish. GPS and Fish finders are great tools for finding good terrain to fish. If your fishing from a boat make sure you have these two devices installed.

12) Setup good fishing rigs before you go fishing. It is easier to make some good rigs on land rather than on a rocking boat. Even if you fish from the shore it is nice to have a collection of rigs that you can change over easily. Also remember to learn some good knots. You will regret not learning a good knot when a big fish comes and breaks your line.

13) Use the correct size hooks for the fish you are targeting. Everyone likes to think there going to catch a huge barramundi but in reality the fish you will catch will be much smaller than your imagination. Use as small a hook as you can.

These tips are sure to help you catch more fish. So get out there and have a go with these tips in mind.

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Fishing Waders

2009-04-15T13:45:00.007+07:00

Fly Fishing Waders - Which are Best For You
By Anne Clarke

Do you really need fly fishing waders?

You already have your fly rod, your line, reel, and lures… do you really need any other fly fishing gear? Do you really need fly fishing waders? If you only fish in warm climates or during the summer, you may very well want to avoid investing in a pair of fly fishing waders. You may, instead, decide to get a pair of felt-bottomed sandals or boots, and then simply tolerate the refreshing chill of the water.

If, however, you tend to do most of your fly fishing in colder water or you simply do not want to get wet, then it can be worth buying a good pair of fly fishing waders. Of course, before you go out and buy a pair of fly fishing waders, note that it is better to not wade at all. Yes, it is sometimes necessary to get to certain good spots. But, overall, wading can destroy aquatic life that an important part of the diet of the very trout that you are trying to catch.

Getting the boot? Or putting a sock in it?

You must decide between bootfoot waders and stockingfoot fly fishing waders. The benefit of bootfoot waders is that the boot is built right into the waders, and you therefore will not have to go out and buy a separate set of river wading shoes. Stockingfoot fly fishing waders, on the other hand, do require a separate boot to go along with them. The benefit of these waders is that you have much more flexibility in the types of waders that you wear with different types of shoes and vice versa. Also, they can be turned inside out to dry.

Goldilocks and the three styles of fly fishing waders.

There are three common lengths of fly fishing waders. There are chest waders, waist waders, and hip waders. Goldilocks may try on a pair of Chest waders and decide that they are just to high and hard to get on and off. Although, they are great for wading into deeper waters. Then Goldilocks may try on a pair of hip waders. For her, although these fly fishing waders are easy to get on and off and are very comfortable, she wants to move into slightly less shallow water. When Goldilocks finally tries on waist waders, she realizes that they are just right.

A material matter

One more consideration for buying fly fishing waders is “which material.” Neoprene is an excellent material waterproof material that is especially nice for colder waters. Of course, the problem with neoprene is that it is not very breathable. Breathable fly fishing waders are becoming more and more popular, made from high-tech materials like Gore-Tex. Such fabrics keep the water out, but allow your sw

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Oregon Fishing

2009-04-14T13:45:00.005+07:00

Oregon Fishing
By Trevor Kugler

Many times the great state of Oregon can get overlooked as a fishing destination is the United States. When you think of fishing states, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Alaska and even Montana come to mind, but Oregon? Not so much. But the great state of Oregon should come to mind when it comes to fishing, there's little doubt about that. The Columbia River summer sturgeon fishery is just one of many options an angler may choose to partake in. Oregon's fishing opportunities range from steelhead fishing the famed Deschutes River, wade fishing for spring Chinook on an Oregon Cascade Range fed river to saltwater fishing for big halibut, powerful schools of tuna or abundant rock fish species. Oregon fishing is some of the most diverse that can be found in North America.

Many anglers think of Alaska, when it comes to salmon and steelhead fishing, but Oregon's Columbia River sees returns of over one million salmon and steelhead annually. Throw in rivers like the Rogue, Umpqua and the John Day and estuary fisheries like Tillamook Bay for its famed huge fall Chinook and you'll begin to see what Oregon has to offer the average angler. Whether you are a beginning angler or very experienced, Oregon has something for you.

Don't think Oregon is only about big game fish like Steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, and Halibut. There are a ton of opportunities for fishing for everything from stocked trout to Largemouth Bass. When it comes to fishing, Oregon literally has it all. Oregon's fishing regulations are much like other states, and it's always a good idea to check to make sure the method you intend to use is legal. For those of you who use live bait (especially worms) gang hooks are completely legal, which is a good thing. This means that in the great state of Oregon, presenting your live bait (especially worms) with a set of gang hooks is the best way to go, because gang hooks are the best way to present your bait in a completely natural manner.

If you're a resident of Oregon a fishing license is very affordable, about $25. Non-resident licenses are under $65 and if you only plan on fishing for a short time, 1 through 7 day licenses are available. If you're planning on fishing for salmon, steelhead, or halibut a combination tag is needed, but it will only run you about $20. Not only is Oregon a great place to fish and is also very affordable. The bottom line is that Oregon and fishing most certainly go together, and the next time you think about fishing, you should think of the great state of Oregon.

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Fly Tying Tools

2009-04-13T13:44:00.010+07:00

Fly Tying Tools
By Shareen Aquilar

You can never begin using your rod for fishing unless you have learned how to tie your fly properly to the rod. But before learning how to tie the fly, be sure you have all the necessary tools secured for all your needs. You can start checking your local service fly or outdoor shops for the following supplies stated below.

Fly Tying Vise
Fly Tying Scissors
Thread Bobbin
Bodkin and
Whip Finisher

First on the list is the fly tying vise. It is important because it acts as “another hand” since it mainly holds the hook in place as you tie the fly to it. What you need to prepare for is your budget. Fly vises can become costly but there are still some that are sold for $20. But since this is an important tool for tying your fly, quality shouldn’t be questioned any longer. It is recommended for you to buy a fly tying vise in top quality.

Next is the scissors especially made for fly tying. Look out for cheaper scissors as they’re not reliable compared to the top quality ones. You need to get a good pair of fly tying scissors to cut delicate materials to its proper shape. Anyway, you wouldn’t be spending much on this tool since it isn’t too costly. The price ranges from $8 to $15; a reasonable price for fly fishing purposes.

Then there is the thread bobbin. A thread bobbin is good for holding the spool of thread from rolling out. The thread then goes through a barrel. Check for the edges of the barrel, if it has sharp edges, then it’s no good for the thread.

The bodkin is a large needle mounted on a handle. This small tool has many purposes. It can be used for separating fine strands you want to add to the fly, cleaning and even dabbing cement. You should never go fly tying without this tool.

And lastly, the tool called the Whip Finisher. This tool is used to tie the thread securely in a half inch knot. Beginners and intermediate flyers alike could make use of this nifty tool because it finishes off the tying job quick and clean. You can buy a whip finisher for a price of $14.

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Fly Fishing Rod

2009-04-12T10:44:00.004+07:00

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Rod
By Tyler Casselman

Choosing a good rod is a major decision for the fly fishing angler.
Shopping for that new rod can also be allot of fun. But how do we know what the right rod is? Here are some tips to help you make your purchasing decisions.

Fly rods are about the action, casting speeds, weights, and many more factors. You generally want a soft or slow casting rod. Softer is often better because the line will land in the water with less impact. The faster your rod is the harder the impact.

You need to purchase a rod that suits the type of fishing you do. If your into bass fishing you will need a strong rod and one that's longer. Fishing for more active fish will generally require a much stronger and longer rod.

Shorter rods are great when your around trees and objects. You need a much shorter length in order to avoid getting caught in objects.

If you like to fish where there is lots of action and rough waters your going to need something that is much heavier. This will provide a much faster casting speed. The only problem with this is that its not beginner friendly. If your new to fishing start by fishing for small fish in a calm environment.

These are just some beginner tips for choosing the right rod. Remember to ask the stores sales person when buying your rod. If you plan on buying one online most stores have guides to help you with your decision. Don't be afraid to email them with a question either. Most online stores will be happy to respond.

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Fishing Carp

2009-04-11T13:05:00.002+07:00

Who Says Costs of Fishing in Canada Is A Problem?
By Reina Raine

Canada has some of the best options to go for a fishing holiday. There a lot of other activities that you can do in Canada, but nothing beats fishing. If you think that cost is a problem, it definitely is not and all you need is some information to allay your fears.

1. Less Costly Fly Fishing

People are seeing reduction in costs of fishing particularly for fly fishing. For example, a 5-day trip for 4 anglers will cost about $140 per angler. This includes a river boat, complete with access pass, transportation to the river and back, riverside coffee, and a chance to explore the sceneries of Quebec, where fly fish are plenty. If you are planning for a similar trip with only 1 or probably 2 anglers, it will be more expensive. It will cost an estimated $200 for every angler per day.

2. Interested in Carp Fishing?

If you are interested in carp fishing, getting a place to stay and to fish is solved by the Canadian Carp Club. They offer the best facilities and the cheapest accommodations. They can take as many as 30 anglers along with Trailer and Bivvy anglers. Thus, all of the charges are spread among all anglers. They can also provide affordable cheap, tackle, and bait. There are also instant freebies handed out.

Hiring of tackle will cost you about $50 a week. This includes leads, catapults, rigs, and hooks. You can also get your own fishing license for $12, which is good for one week. If you want to extend it for a month, you must pay $18.

If you're fishing carp, you may require numerous bait. It is because the more bait you have, the more carp you can catch. The property owner feeds the carp on a daily basis. The club can also take care of boilies. You only have to supply them at least 5 to 10 kilos each week for every person. Each kilo costs $5. They also offer mainline boilies at regular UK prices.

3. How About Walleye Fishing?

Lesser Slave Lake is one of the most perfect places for walleye fishing. You may not anticipate any huge walleye, but it can provide you the best form of action. Normally, walleye caught will be around 15 to 20 inches in length. Occasional catches can go beyond 24 inches and walleye can weigh as much as 5 to 6 pounds.

You can also choose different shorelines at numerous local lakes if you want a whole new kind of action. All this might cost $2,500, which is good for two people. This is also good for 6 days of fishing excursion in Alberta.

There are ways to enjoy that fishing holiday in Canada and not face cost problems. It is just a matter of getting the right information and planning accordingly.

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Fishing UK

2009-04-10T13:43:00.004+07:00

Fishing for Predatory fish in the UK

I have noticed from the Lure Fishing UK message board that we are getting a few visitors from across the Atlantic, so here is my personal description of the freshwater predator fishing scene in the UK, how it fits in with the whole UK angling scene, and how I think it compares to the North American picture.

Our freshwater predatory species can be divided into two categories "game" and "coarse": game fish are salmonids - the Atlantic salmon, brown trout, sea trout (anadromous brown trout) and rainbow trout (introduced steelhead from North America ); then our coarse fish: pike (northern pike in North America), perch (very similar to yellow perch), zander (closely related, and very similar to, walleye), chub (Leuciscus cephalus, an omnivorous rather than strictly predatory member of the carp family, no close North American equivalent), Danube catfish (Siluris glanis, introduced from mainland Europe) and the eel. This introduction will only describe the coarse species.

We have no muskies, freshwater bass, crappies or bluegill. Any mention of bass refers to the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) which frequent UK coastal waters in the warmer months, these bass are highly prized.

The aforementioned "game" and "coarse" distinction is a historical one, and rooted in the British class system. It sounds all too ridiculous in the 21st century that such distinctions should still exist, but they do. The game fish were highly valued for their sporting and culinary qualities, thus landowners - the wealthy and aristocratic a century or two ago - controlled the fishing for these species. Good quality salmon fishing is very expensive, a week on a prime Scottish river might cost several thousand pounds, and low grade local salmon fishing is not cheap, even with relatively few fish running. Trout fishing on a chalk stream for native brownies is also expensive and strictly fly-only. There are many water-supply reservoirs that are stocked with brown and rainbow trout and available on a day-ticket, they are restricted to fly-only fishing, and stocking levels are usually good, so everyone has a good chance of catching a few.

The coarse fish are those other species that were left for the commoners, usually not such good eating, and too abundant to have any exclusivity value. These include a lot of cyprinid species that predator anglers might consider only in the context of preyfish or bait for the pike - the top native predator.

The relationship between the game and coarse angling fraternity is not completely straightforward, and it is changing. Many of the best game waters contain big stocks of naturally-occurring coarse fish. Coarse anglers are not allowed to fish for them using the traditional methods for those species, mainly because the game fish would also be caught on those methods - and usually in much greater numbers than would be the case with the fly tackle that the game anglers use. Over the years many tons of prime coarse fish have been netted from the game waters and sometimes used to stock coarse waters but often simply destroyed, a waste of a resource that has justifiably invited animosity from coarse anglers.

From the predator angler's perspective the key coarse species is the pike, they grow fat and big in the game reservoirs and rivers. A few very big pike reputed to be larger than the current UK record have been netted from some of the reservoirs. Until fairly recently there has been no pike fishing allowed on these reservoirs, but things have changed, and are changing ever faster as the managements of these prime waters realise that they have a source of winter revenue - when trout fishermen are not on the water - from pike anglers who are prepared to pay premium prices (more than the trout anglers) for a chance to catch a monster pike. The current UK record pike weighing 46lb13oz was caught in 1992 from Llandegfedd Reservoir, one of the very first trout waters to see the potential to make a profit from the pike that had previously been viewed as a nuisance and predator on their trout stocks. The pike fishing with lures and fish baits is still very restricted, usually to the winter, for a fortnight perhaps but some anglers have realised that pike can be caught on suitable fly tackle, and some of the trout anglers themselves are now seeing the pike in a different light, as a worthwhile sporting target. This is leading to a gradual breakdown in the barriers between game and coarse anglers, but it is a slow process and there is a long way to go. For more information about the pike and pike conservation issues in the UK visit The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain website.

Anglers who fish for coarse predators are in a minority in the UK, by far the most popular fish is the carp (Cyprinus carpio), popular amongst specimen hunters who seek the very largest fish, or match anglers who compete to get the biggest weight of fish in a "match". A match will usually last around 5 hours, the anglers fish from the bank and draw tickets to be given their fishing spot (their "peg"). They can use one rod or pole at a time but will have several others set up ready to switch tactics, the basic tackle will be very fine line and small hooks to tempt the most bites, the fish are retained in a keepnet and weighed at the end of the match, total weight is all, the individual weight or length of each fish is irrelevant. All the fish are returned to the water after weighing, this results in fish that get a little wiser and harder to catch as the years go by, some fish get caught many dozens of times in their lives, this is why the fine line and small hooks are so important. In recent years more and more matches are taking place on stillwaters specially dug and stocked for the purpose, rivers are becoming less popular for matches for several reasons. Firstly rivers are "peggy" the same spot produces fish week after week and year after year, this results in the drawing of the peg number being the most important part of the day, any competent angler will win from the good spot. Then fish populations have changed in rivers over the last thirty years as they have become cleaner, with ever-tighter pollution control and improved effluent treatment, this results in fewer but larger fish as the fish grow older unaffected by the build-up of toxic chemicals as they age. Another key factor is the level of stocking in the artificial match lakes, everyone will catch fish, and even quite unskilled anglers will fill keepnets with hungry fish. River fishing is tougher and more rewarding if fishing for fun but not if you are competing for money.

There is no equivalent competitive scene for predatory coarse fish although fly fishing competitions for trout are common on the reservoirs. Predatory fish other than perch are not stocked into the match waters. On rivers and natural lakes pike are often viewed with considerable hostility by match anglers, not only because of the general "the pike have eaten all the fish" complaint on a hard day, but because the pike often take fish that are being landed by the matchmen. Having got the fish feeding well by the introduction of loosefeed and groundbait it is very frustrating to have a pike come into the area and scatter the target fish. Often pike are not allowed to be weighed in at matches, and fish bait or lures are illegal methods in matches anyway, so the pike are just hated and unvalued.

Now to fishing for predators in the UK. Look at a map of the UK and you will not see many large lakes apart from in the Lake District (Cumbria) or Scotland, all these are some way from most major centres of poulation so the majority of us fish smaller waters that are local to our homes. These local waters might be rivers, or canals (narrow man-made waterways originally built a couple of hundred years or more ago for cargo transport, before the first railways), gravel pits (where gravel extraction workings has left flooded pits, now very natural-looking), estate lakes (small dammed stream valleys built to provide ornamental landscapes on country estates, often constructed in the 17th/18th centuries), water-supply reservoirs, or drains (artificial shallow waterways built to drain agricultural land in low-lying areas).

One notable difference between anglers in the UK and those in North America is how few anglers over here use boats for our fishing. There are several reasons for this:- many waters simply do not allow the use of boats, many waters are too small for there to be much advantage in getting afloat, there are no boat launch facilities on most waters, many anglers living in towns and cities have nowhere to keep a boat, and historically the coarse angler was a poor man - it is only in the past couple of decades or so that our standard of living has risen sharply, and disposable income has become available for luxury items like boats. Much of the information you might read on UK websites will assume that you are fishing from the bank (= the shore), only the keenest predator anglers will own a boat and regularly fish from it unless they live in the Lake District or Scotland where a boat is esential for tackling such large waters.

The majority of anglers fishing for predators use dead or live bait, fishing with lures is still a minority interest although more and more pike anglers are using them. One of the reasons for this is that the trout reservoirs that allow piking do not allow the use of live bait, and deadbaits seem to be unsuccessful in those waters. The gradual increase in the use of boats also plays a part here, casting lures from the bank is hard work because of carrying the lures around and they tend to get snagged up and lost with no hope of retrieval, whereas from a boat there are various means at your disposal to recover a stuck lure. Lures (and just about everything else) are a lot more expesive in the UK than they are in the U.S.A., the price in US dollars is usally matched or exceeded in pounds sterling, meaning at least a 40% higher price, sometimes much more. The cost of lures certainly reduces the number of anglers using them, and further restricts those who do from using as many as they might and getting the best from them.

So if you see a pike angler as you walk around the bank of a lake he will usually have 3 rods set up in rests with electronic bite alarms and open bale arms on his fixed spool reels, his baits will usually be small (5" to 10") dead sea fish - mackerel, sardine, smelt, or something similar. This angler will usually be sat (or lying down) on a bed chair under a portable shelter called a "bivvy". He will have a camping stove and enough food and water to see him through the day or maybe into the next day if he is staying overnight. On most waters we all think that a double (a pike of 10lbs+) is a worthwhile fish, and a "twenty" a very good fish, many pike anglers would be pleased if they managed a twenty every season, whilst a few would think they had failed if they didn't get ten of them. It depends largely on the waters being fished and the amount of time available to keep the baits in the water. An experienced angler on a trout water might have his sights set a little higher than this with the real chance of a "thirty" to keep the lures flying!

Zander were introduced into a drain in East Anglia in the 1960s, they thrived, and between their own urge to travel and a little illegal help from anglers they have spread across the canals and rivers of the Midlands, although they are still commonest in East Anglia. Many pike anglers encounter the odd one, but to catch them consistently requires some refinement of tackle. Most zander specialists use small (3" to 6") freshwater fish as bait, usually live, and they fish mostly at night. Some are caught on lures but are very few anglers who would claim to be a real expert in this aspect of catching zander. The current UK record is for a fish of over 21lbs, and a double is a very nice fish.

Perch are very common, very few waters have no perch at all, and they are easily caught on the standard fine-line/small-hook/maggot-bait approach used by many casual anglers. They are caught regularly on lures, but their small size - 1lb+ is good, 2lb exceptional and 3lb+ very special - mean that few specialists target them, they often make up a mixed bag with pike if using small lures. The perch record is 5lb9oz, caught in 1935.

Chub are not generally considered to be a predatory species and very few, if any, anglers would regularly pursue them with fish baits, but for the lure angler on a river they are good sport, 2-3lb fish are common enough with an occasional 4lb+ fish. Again they often make up a mixed bag with pike and perch. They are widespread and abundant in the faster-flowing rivers of England. They are stocked into lakes sometimes and the biggest fish of recent years have tended to come from these waters, they sometimes take dead sea fish intended for pike, and a few anglers have caught them deliberately with scaled-down pike tackle from these waters.

Danube catfish have been introduced into many stillwaters in the southern half of England, it is only a matter of time before illegal introductions see them in our rivers, although they do not breed successfully every year or in every water. They grow big, with fish over 30lbs not exceptional, in the warmer waters of southern Europe they might reach ten times that weight! They are still very much of a minority interest in the UK, but as they spread they will gain followers. Nearly all of them are caught with baits, usually small fish, there is no deliberate lurefishing for them as far as I know, but one of just under 40lbs was landed in the summer of 2001 by a pike angler using an Odyssey Pig jerkbait! Many catfish anglers are more used to carp, rather than predator fishing and are unhappy about the use of treble hooks, so lure fishing is often banned on the best waters.

Eels have a small but devoted band of admirers but they are widely despised for their habit of swallowing bait and wrapping themselves around everything when landed, leaving a good coating of smelly slime on everything they touch. Many casual anglers encounter eels by accident, often small ones - these are the most trouble! They are common in all waters, even tiny ditches will hold them if they have permanent water. Best baits are small (2" to 4") dead freshwater fish, or worms (crawlers) and they are only very rarely caught on lures. An eel over 2lb is a good one but the British record is 11lb2oz.

Nearly all predator anglers in the UK would return the fish to the water but a very small number of pike and rather more zander are taken for the table. Perch are supposed to be good to eat, and chub almost inedible to a modern palate, I've no information about the culinary value of catfish, I cannot imagine anyone eating one. Up until the 1950s many more coarse fish were eaten by working-class families, my father ate chub, roach and perch he caught as a teenager in the 1920s, and most prized of all was the eel, still the coarse fish most likely to end up on the table, they taste nice and are very nutricious. In contrast, only a relatively small minority of game anglers return their catch, although it is slowly beginning to dawn on the salmon anglers that if they take every fish they damage the future of their own sport. On most rivers there are now restrictions on taking salmon and stocks do seem to be recovering well.

We are facing threats to angling, from outside bodies, on animal welfare grounds. At present relatively few of the general public are too worried about fish, but a ban on fox-hunting from 2005 means we can take nothing for granted. Anglers have a good defence in that they are the only people who pay to conserve fish, but that cuts little ice with the anti-anglers. More worrying perhaps are the number of anglers who would happily see bans and restrictions imposed upon branches of the sport in which they do not participate, the use of live bait is the most frequent cause of disagreement, but other topics get a regular airing, like barbs on hooks, or hook sizes on lures. Even within the ranks of predator anglers there are vociferous factions championing their pet causes.

Predator angling is thriving despite these small diversions, and the advent of the internet has allowed us to learn from all over the world, the biggest impact has been from North American sources. For instance, muskie techniques using large lures and jerkbaits with heavy baitcasting gear has become very popular, because these techniques work well for big pike, and are almost essential on big waters. Techniques for walleye and bass have also been copied and modified to suit British conditions, both for pike and for zander. There is a certain amount of envy about the number of predatory species available to the north American angler, and some attempts have been made to apply lure techniques to other British species, the occasional captures of these other species have not so-far led to any breakthrough in this respect, and I would be very surprised if there was much scope for expanding the number of species regularly caught on lures beyond those we already have.

The future does seem reasonably bright, increased access to waters and the downward pressure on lure and tackle prices due to internet competition bode well for the future of our sport, offering an optimistic counterbalance to the constant worry about the pressure on too few waters from too many anglers in this overcrowded land.

Rules and Regulations: what you need before you start fishing.

Firstly you need a national licence, which can be purchased at any post office or online at the Environment Agency website. The licence you require for zander is the Non-Migratory Trout and Coarse which allows you to fish for all species except salmon and sea trout. This is a legal requirement and gives you the right to use up to two rods at once. However, in addition to this you must also get permission to fish, landowners lease the fishing of waters running through their land to fishing clubs (who then bailiff the water and run it as their own), you have seen their signs on the riverbank. Sometimes you will see a phone number on those signs, most often though it's best to make a note of the club's name and go to the nearest tackle shop where they will usually have annual or day permits for local club waters. There are two sets of rules to note, the legally enforceable by-laws, which can be obtained by contacting the Environment Agency offices for your area, which apply to all waters in that area, and the club rules, which will usually be printed inside the little permit booklet that will also list the waters that the club controls. All coarse fishing is generally catch and release in the UK, not many of our species are very palatable, but zander are good eating. You will make yourself very unpopular among UK zander anglers if you go killing large numbers of their favourite species, taking an occasional small one for the table (say around 2lb in weight) will not upset too many of them, but you might get some abuse and unpleasantness if you are seen doing this. Most clubs will not have a rule about this except perhaps a maximum size limit so that specimen fish are all returned
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Shimano Fishing

2009-04-09T13:42:00.004+07:00

Shimano Fishing Reel Parts - Keeping Your Reel In The Best Shape
By Mike Singh
When it comes to Shimano fishing reel parts, you never really have to look very far to find the right parts you need to get up and running again. Shimano has long been synonymous with fishing and is well recognized around the world. Originally founded in Japan in Kansai in the early 1920's this company initially specialized the production of precision bearings and gearing.

Shozaburo Shimano had a vision at the time when he first started his company, and that was to produce the best product possible at a good cost to the consumer. With the Shimano fishing parts division that is currently considered one of the finest departments in the world, this vision has found its way to its expected and anticipated destination. Shimano fishing reel parts can be found in just about anywhere fishing reels are being sold, and they also offer an extensive list of replaceable parts for your reel so chances are you will not have to replace the reel all together.

Should you need fishing reel parts, there are actually a few routes you can go to get yourself back on the lake quickly. You could go to an authorized Shimano reel parts department in your favorite local sporting goods store, or you could go online and deal with them directly. If you are looking for quality reel parts at great savings, going online to their site is definitely a step in the right direction. Shimano has a great group of knowledgeable staff on hand to help you find what you need for your reel, and they carry a very large stock of parts for just about all of their lineup of fine fishing reels.

This company prides itself on the fact that it can offer you quality reel parts, for some of the reels that may not even be in production today. This will allow you to save on that favorite reel, should you not want to purchase a new model. This makes for a great service department, and you will never have to be disappointed with the online ordering that is provided from the sight. You can look online today and find the right parts for your prized reel, should you not be able to find what it is you are looking for, they will be happy to recommend a replacement reel that will be the closest match to what you currently own.

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Farm Fish

2009-04-08T13:42:00.004+07:00

Farm Fish

Product Detail : Place of Origin : Norway
Brand Name : Aquarius International AS
Model No : Aquarius International AS manufactured

Detailed Product Description

A modern fish farm with a production capacity of 300 tons of fish per year spanning an area of 4.500 m2(indoor facility). Designed and executed by aquarius international of Norway. Only 2%(30 m3) of water is replaced everyday and the rest is recycled. Water quality, oxygen and feed are monitored and controlled by a computer. A detailed list of equipment and parts will be provided for bid as per request.

Lake Fishing Report

2009-04-07T13:41:00.003+07:00

Florida Lake Talquin Fishing Reports
By Mark Fleagle

Lake Talquin holds good populations of black bass, Striped bass, white bass, black crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Lake Talquin is one of the best black bass lakes during the winter, But if you want to catch specs, bream, and redear sunfish Lake Talquin is the place to be! The Florida Fish And Wildlife Commission Maintains the population of Stripers by stocking. The striper ave. catch size is between 10 and 15lbs but very few stripers over 20lbs are ever caught. The good months for Stripers are normally caught during February, March and April.

Lake Talquin has an abundance of natural bait fish that keep the predator fish population very active. You can find Golden shiner, seminole killfish, sunfish, crayfish, threadfin shad and gizzard shad are the most common forage. Minnows such as sailfin mollies, pot-guts and a variety of others. You can also find Insect larvae, clams, mussels, frogs, tadpoles, leeches, sirens and water dogs that keep the fish on the move.

Largemouth bass can be caught in drop-offs and channels. Anchor your boat in 6 to 8 ft of water and fish into the deeper channels using Texas- or Carolina rigged plastic worms. In the spring fish the grass flats in 4 to 7 feet of water. Make sure you search along the river and creek channels for spawning habitat. Minnow imitations and plastic worms are effective where the creeks empty into lake Talquin.

You can catch Stripers all year round on lake Talquin, but one of the funnest times for fishing is in the fall. The striper school in open water and feed on vigorously during the fall and winter. You can spot them by watching the birds. If the birds are diving on bait the open waters, chances are the there are strippers schooling and feeding on threadfin shad. Fish any artificial bait that imitates these shad. Some suggestions would be to fish Minnow imitations and chugger-style topwater lures. They seem to work well on stripers that are feeding on Shad.

The best live bait for shellcraker and bream is grass shrimp. Shellcraker and bream are very active during from april through may and you can get some great catches. Catch Black crappie in the winter months by drifting or slow trolling open water. spider rigging is most effective. Make sure you vary depths until you find the schools of crappie. They will be suspended.

Area #1 Talquin Fishing Lake Report Picnic Point is a sandbar in one of the widest sections of the Ochlockonee River. There is heavy cover on top of the bar and 5-foot depths along the edge that drop to about 22 feet at midchannel. A jig or crankbait like a Big N worked down the drop is most effective.

Area #2 The Smokehouse area off the mouth of Hunter Creek is a flat about 4 feet deep with good spring bass fishing. Stumps and vegetation along the channel provide great cover for both forage and largemouth bass. When the water is running, use deep-diving crankbaits. Plastic worms are also good bets throughout the year. There is good spring fishing when rainfall allows access to the shallows.

Area #3 Lake Talquin Fishing Report The Iron Post, also known as the Talquin flats area, has a deep hole at the end of an old submerged channel. Work auger tail and paddle tail worms along the ledge of the adjacent flooded flats for big bass. Topwater stick baits such as the Bomber Long A take smaller, schooling bass during summer and early fall.

Area #4 A bend in the river channel directly across from Coe's Landing is a prime largemouth spot during the winter months. The water drops from 5 feet to 18 feet in the channel. Cast plastic worms and deep-running crankbaits in the stumps and nearby flats. Be careful of stumps.

Area #5 This minor creek channel on the Coe's Landing side is at the southern tip of what local anglers call the Iron Curtain. Bass hold on sandbar drop-offs along the tiny creek. Using plastic worms along the creek drop-offs, which runs almost to Williams Landing, is effective for winter bass. Target schooling bass here in the summer.

Area #6 The deep channel at High Bluff provides excellent winter fishing for striper and largemouth on live shiners or deep-diving crankbaits. Fish the creek channel that runs from Double Creek to the old wooden pier. Fish the creek channel and pier pilings for big bass and striped bass. For stripers, cast small crank baits, vibration lures, plastic worms, and stick baits in pockets of open water surrounded by lily pads.

Area #7 A 20-foot drop-off near the small island holds winter largemouth that will take plastic worms dragged along bottom and down the drop. In the heat of summer, if bass are not schooling on the surface nearby, a jigging spoon can sometimes entice fish from the depths. A plastic worm, rigged Carolina style, is effective along the edge of the river channel. Bend the hook back into the worm to prevent snags, then drag it back, imparting no movement, through the stumpy drop-off. This is one of the most productive big bass spots on the lake.

Area #8 Lake Talquin Fishing Report Fish this delta-shaped inlet with old docks for black bass. Work the shallow drop-off into the cove, a small spring-fed channel called Cootermill Creek, and the nearby Ochlockonee River channel, which averages about 22 feet deep. Fish plastic worms and jig spoons in the holes and drop-offs, and toss crankbaits along edges of the channel. A floating worm snaked through the lily pads in areas with cypress trees and stumps may draw a strike.

Area #9 Plenty of shellcracker beds, sometimes more than an acre of them, are found just off the High Bluff area around mid-April. The sandy flats remain loaded with beds for about 3 months. Move in carefully over the stumpy-area. Fish the edges of the flats with spinnerbaits and floating worms for bass. In close, cast small Beetle Spin lures or switch to shellcracker rigs and use crickets or worms.

Area #10 Talquin Lake Fishing Report The mouth of Mews Creek is a good year-round area for schooling bass. Work plastic worms for largemouth where Mewes Creek and Ochlockonee River channels merge. Cast toward the bank then work the creek channel

Area #11 The bends on Little River average about 12 feet deep and hold crappie during winter. One method is to use a rake or paddle to scoop a hole in the floating hyacinth, and then check for minnows. If bait is present, crappie are generally below. Drop a live minnow or small jig through the hole in the weed canopy. In the summer, bass and striper school are here, feeding on thick populations of shad. Near here an old boat house collapsed into the water, creating a good spot. This is also a spawning area, from February through May.

Area #12 Pre-spawn bass provide excellent action in the back of Little River Arm. The depth varies from 12 feet in the river channel to 7 or 8 feet along the edge. Work shad-colored crankbaits along the channel during early spring. When there's a flow, move up the creek and work likely areas with a plastic crayfish or 1/4-ounce, lipless crankbait.

Well I hope the 12 areas identified in this Florida lake Talquin Fishing Report will help on you plan your next freshwater fishing trip to Florida. Lets Go Fish'in!

Penn Fishing

2009-04-06T13:41:00.003+07:00

Penn Fishing Gear - Best Ever For 80 Years
By Abhisek Agarwal

For almost eight decades PENN Company has devoted itself to be the topmost manufacturer of fishing equipment. Since 1932 this company has been churning out and also designing extremely durable and log lasting gear for fishing. People now weigh the fishing equipment with the standards set by the PENN angling gear as required quality criteria for the market.

Founding of PENN Company
Otto Henze is the founder of PENN. He left another organization to starts his own company which he founded in 1933. Initially Otto Henze manufactured two kinds of reels which came to be known as the best and most popular saltwater reel at that time. From the start of the company PENN angling tackle has been known for the ingenuity, durability and quality of its goods. To this day this reputation is carried on for all the equipment produced by PENN.

Diversified into many kinds of equipment
Now PENN is into producing several kinds of equipment for fishing. Their main focus is to make more durable rods and a higher quality of reels, but their ingenuity does not end here. They also offer a range of trimmings as well to maintain the reel and rod in good working condition. This apart PENN also makes a line of particular trill reels which are used for fishing operations on a large scale and commercial rigs. The equipment that is made by PENN Company is not just durable and effective; it is also very stylish and sleek in its finish.

The customers well being is also kept in mind while manufacturing the fishing gear on one side by PENN. They have also started a clothing line and other personal protective gear for the customer, so that the person will get maximum protection while out in difficult weather conditions. For wet and stormy weather the protective wear is made from materials that are resistant to water and will keep the person dry and warm. Like all their other equipment these items are also strong and can stand the test of time.

Besides this, PENN also produces fishing lines, reeds and rods. The research and development department has done them good and their products are easily the best in the industry today. Most of the products manufactured by them are keeping the salt water angler in mind, as even the fishing line that is made by PENN is particularly for big game and fishing in saltwater. So in case you are thinking of fishing in the sea, the fishing line made by PENN would be perfect.

To ensure that the customer can take good care of all the equipment that they have bought from the, PENN has also collaborated with other companies to develop lubricants and cleaners that will take care and maintain all the equipment in perfect condition. As saltwater can cause the equipment to rust they have worked on developing a rust inhibitor that is of a special kind to make sure that the reel you have got from PENN stays new with proper maintenance. With the customer being their primary concern, PENN has become the most renowned name as a manufacturer of fishing equipment.

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Fishing Maps

2009-04-05T11:15:00.002+07:00

Fishing Unfamiliar & Fly-in Lakes
By Bill Rivers

There is a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment - the pride of craft - that comes with a successful day's fishing on a new, unfamiliar or fly-in lake, whether it is a limit of bass, a few walleyes for shore lunch, or a trophy pike. Not because putting fish in the boat is the measure of a successful outing, but because that success underlines the fact that the angler has effectively adapted to the existing fishing situations and conditions, making necessary changes in bait / lure selection, presentations and locations. That, in itself, is no small feat, even at fly-in lakes which supposedly teem with naive fish. Let me assure you that we always breathe a sigh of relief (even on fly-ins) after having caught a few fish for that first shore lunch. Once that initial success has been realized, the rest of a fishing trip takes care of itself.

Plan to succeed

Pre-trip Research & Planning
Upon Arrival
A Working Map
Productive Tactics

On new lakes, you need a systematic approach that will greatly improve the chances of near-immediate success and good catches, even when fishing an unfamiliar lake - given the fact that time is almost certainly a limiting factor. To maximize your time and enjoyment of a day's fishing or a remote trip, you need a system. Here's the Ontario Fisherman's oft-tested and proven approach.

Pre-trip Research & Planning

In spite of the fact that most fly-in and many road-accessible lakes offer great fishing opportunities, anglers should develop and execute a plan for fishing any unfamiliar lake. Without such a strategy, too much time on a short trip can be spent searching for fish or prime locations. Notice that I did not say "wasted". No systematic survey of a lake should be considered a waste of time - even when fish are not caught.

One key to finding fish consistently is to quickly eliminate "empty" water, and one way to do that is through trial and error. Better, though, to spend as much time as possible actually fishing a promising or proven location. This can be best accomplished with a two-pronged, strategic approach - one prior to the trip; the other on the water.

Before putting the boat in the water, "explore" the destination lake on paper through the examination of available maps and charts. Many times, gaining a thorough knowledge of the lake and the identification of potential hotspots can be accomplished without even getting in the boat.

Check available map & chart sources, including:

MNR-produced "fishing maps"
lodge / camp fishing & navigation maps
MNR stocking lists & maps
resource management plans
topographic maps
hydrographic / lake-bottom contour maps
resources maps & plans (e.g. logging)
maps prepared by previous groups
canoe / hiking route maps
maps prepared by local clubs
sanctuary maps & notices
aerial photographs & satellite images

Speak to others with experience on the lake, including:

local anglers
MNR district fisheries personnel
guides / charter operators
suggested references (by phone)

Immediately after booking a trip work through the above lists - a task easily managed if your group shares in the research. Besides, it is actually fun trying to figure out the lake, sight unseen and even better when you discover that some of your assessments were correct. And, having done some of the "leg work" prior to the trip, you will have considerably more time for a thorough "on-the-water" survey once you reach your destination.

Upon Arrival

Arriving at your departure point or fly-in airbase, the work begins again. Now is the time to ask others about the destination to which you are headed, including:

outfitter / air service personnel
bait & tackle shop proprietors
cottagers, campers, canoeists
fishing / conservation club members
lodge operator / guides
camp clientele (especially repeaters)

A Fly Over

If your group is flying into a remote outpost or lodge, ask the pilot to do a "fly over" of the lake(s) you will be fishing. With a rough, photocopied outline map in hand, look for and mark any:

congregations of boats
adjoining back lakes
inflowing / outflowing streams
shoals, sunken islands, points
large weedbeds / weedlines
log jams / shoreline cover
rapids, dams
lodge / cabin location

Previous Party Info

Upon arriving and unpacking, with map in hand, talk to departing anglers about the lake, the fishing, and the camp, including:

fishing hotspots
proven baits & tactics
reasonable expectations (numbers, size)
boating hazards
boats & motors
camp gear & appliances
portages / trails to back lakes
shore lunch site(s)
bait availability / minnow traps
sanctuary areas

A Working Map

By now, that rough outline map could be pretty marked up, hopefully with useful bits of information and locations that will make those first outings on the lake safer and more productive. Take a few moments to re-draw the map more precisely , and give each "boat" in your party their own map to record useful findings. As the map develops, it won't be a pretty sight, but its value will be inestimable later and on subsequent trips. As you fish and explore the lake or river over the course of your stay, mark on the map:

fishing hotspots
landmarks / hazards
current flows & direction
good shoreline stretches
prime cover areas
mid-lake weedbeds
structural elements

Never be without a portable depthfinder when fishing an unfamiliar lake or river. Depending on its capabilities, the graph (apart from displaying the bottom contours and water depths) can provide other important data to help you in your survey, including:

breakline
deep-water basins
fish / baitfish
bottom "content"
structural specifics
water temperature
trolling speed

Productive Tactics

Hey, we are fishermen, not cartographers - so let's go fishing ! At the risk of oversimplifying the strategies used to explore and fish an unfamiliar lake, break down your approach as follows:

prepare the "working map"
parcel the lake into manageable sections
cover water quickly
use a variety of lures / techniques
eliminate unproductive water
pinpoint fishing "hotspots"
update the map continuously

Parcel Up the Lake / River

It's easy to be overwhelmed on a new lake, especially larger ones. Instead, divide the lake into more manageable sections, and treat each as if it were a separate lake. As each boat explores, fishes, and maps a section, information is shared and. Later, checked out by the others to verify the findings. Even very large lakes can be quickly cut down to size using this approach. However, if there is only one boat and five lake sections, start with the most promising or highly recommended section in order to get on fish quickly and to avoid wasting valuable time checking out "empty water" for half the trip.
On rivers, this system is especially easy and effective. Devoting a half-day to each stretch provides diversity, yet still allows for more time to be devoted to the "best" spots later.

Cover Water Quickly

In a relatively short time you will want to explore, fish and map a designated portion of the lake with hopes of locating the most productive spots in that section. To do this, move quickly - trolling fast-breaking shorelines, casting exposed shoals, working along weedlines with spinnerbaits, spinners or spoons. If fish are caught, it may be an area deserving of a slower, more precise attack later. First, however, finish the surveying task you set out to accomplish. Mark it on the map and come back later.

Similarly, if a promising or recommended area comes up empty, switch tactics or return to it late in the day (as you re-visit the hotspots identified over the course of the day). Fishing live baits, drifting approaches, backtrolling, float and still fishing are too slow for this part of the hunt but will serve you well later as you probe key spots more slowly and thoroughly.

Eliminate Unproductive Water

It's said that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear", so don't waste precious fishing time on "empty water". On the working map, cross out shallow back bays choked with weeds, areas with "ooze" bottoms or less than six feet of water. Abandon shorelines which slope gradually to deeper, regular bottoms. Forget most of the lake's deepest basins (more than 25 feet). Forget casting to reeds growing atop sand bars under just two or three feet of water. This approach will effectively eliminate more than two-thirds of most lakes and will not only save you time and frustration, but will also assure that most of your precious fishing time is spent in more productive areas.

Of course, there are exceptions to every example stated above - bass in the slop, early season pike in the shallows, lake trout in the depths, but most are seasonal movement patterns, which, in turn, help to eliminate other areas which might be better during a different part of the fishing season.

Pinpoint & Mark Prime Spots / Cover / Structures

With much of the lake already eliminated during the initial scouting process, keying on the lake's prime spots and structural features should be much easier now. Fish promising or recommended spots slowly and thoroughly. When a good spot and good catches come together, accurately mark the spot in your GPS unit, with a floating marker buoy or carefully triangulate the exact location using nearby and obvious landmarks. Immediately mark them on the working copy of the map (in colour).

Update the Map

Either for your own use on subsequent trips, as a favour to groups that follow, or as a courtesy to the outfitter, keep the map up to date as it has considerable value to all parties involved. Mine come in handy when I summarize fishing trips for magazine articles and for the countless inquiries I receive each year via e-mail. Show me yours, and I'll show you mine !

Arranging and planning the annual fishing trip for the "boys" or your family is an important and demanding task at the best of times. When daring to venture to unfamiliar destinations, the uncertainties regarding the details and the fishing opportunities are accentuated still further. This season, when the time comes to head out to that unfamiliar lake or river, have your homework done, a "working map: at the ready, and a strategic approach for surveying and fishing the lake in mind. Anxieties will be lessened, the chances of success heightened. And, as you have, no doubt, heard and read many times, confidence plays a very large part in any successful fishing outing. But now you are ready! Enjoy your trip.

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Carp Fishing Tackle

2009-04-04T14:30:00.002+07:00

Special Winter Carp Fishing Tackle and Bait Tips!
By Tim F. Richardson

Winter carp fishing can very often be more productive in many ways with less anglers on the bank and more possibility of multiple catches of fish in a very short space of time. Prepare well for big rewards in winter and spring and some of the biggest fish can be yours now so read on!

When water temperatures drop to under about 16 degrees Celsius carp metabolism and feeding is markedly affected leading to changes in behaviours that differ to summer for example. We can exploit such changes and make winter catches much easier. For instance, the first winter I seriously winter fished almost no carp were caught during certain months, but the syndicate members on this lake were just getting started.

While at Agricultural College in the early and mid-eighties I recall using the UK meteorological office data from the previous 30 years on winter temperatures. I used this to help me chart winter temperatures and pressures and spot current patterns to exploit in terms of best probable fish feeding conditions.

In doing this I guess I may have been described as one of those who accidentally noticed the effects of global warming but the sudden rise of winter temperatures I noticed at that time and ever since that time really had me puzzled. When global warming was being discussed as an issue and not yet accepted as fact back in the early nineties I already knew a cover-up was taking place!

In fact as I worked outside for my living for majority of the past 30 years and rain patterns, dry spells, extremes of temperature and these effects on plants and animals just cannot be ignored. I began seeing the warmer seasons extending, starting earlier and ending later with some winters with such little frost that certain deciduous trees and shrubs actually kept some of their leaves on all the way from summer to late spring.

Much as I thought warmer winter temperatures for carp fishing was a good thing at the time, it has in fact meant for many that winter fishing has become harder due to various factors. At many waters, the traditional late autumn feed in preparation for the onset of winter seems now to be much less noticeable, or much earlier than before. September can be even more productive now and Late April and May are 2 periods I am especially keen to exploit now.

Everyone is now aware of altered migrations of birds now and to see roses in full bloom in the UK and geraniums lasting outside in sheltered microclimate positions for instance are now more common signs we are moving towards a more Mediterranean climate. Some common birds species are not even wasting energy by migrating for the winter and are remaining in various locations in the UK all winter!

The mass use of high oil highly nutritious fish meal boilies and marine halibut pellets for instance definitely has provided UK cap with far higher levels of stored energy reserves. This can mean reduced requirement for many fish to feed during the colder months. Despite the possibility of reduced feeding due to such enormous mass use of high energy pellets for instance at most carp waters, incredible winter catches are there to be had for everyone and every fish is an individual with different needs.

It is not uncommon to catch winter and spring carp covered in leeches and with leeches inside their mouths that have build-up as a result of very low carp activity levels. You will notice too that often the colour of winter carp are fantastic. It perhaps is no coincidence that antioxidant additives and substances that contain colour pigments that boost the immune system are very successful in winter time.

In winter you need bait that will not fill fish up prematurely and stop them feeding. What you need is food that is very highly digestible with excellent soluble nutritional attraction. (I include in the attraction of highly potent antioxidant substances.)

Spices and herbs and many other natural products packed with bioactive and antioxidant substances are really well proven in low temperatures, and a whole new generation of baits and bait and ground bait-making ingredients are now available and especially good for winter use.

Milk powders have always been great in winter and products like supermarket milk powders and also Vitamealo for example are great in hook baits and ground baits, spod and stick mixes and paste etc. Although many anglers discuss the advantages or disadvantages of milks in terms of how far carp digestion might actually deal with their elements, milk ingredients have been in use in most of the leading readymade carp baits for decades for very good reasons. (Some of these have nothing to do with nutrition at all!)

Soluble nutritional attraction is vital and the predigested additives and ingredients in winter baits can make all the difference. Summer boilies designs that are high in predigested protein ingredients that last just 3 hours on an immersed hair-rig in warm water, might well last 6 hours in winter conditions. A mixture of 50 percent whole egg powder with Vitamealo, and fermented shrimp powder (European) from Ccmoore for instance, makes a great bait especially with their Marine Amino Compound at the rate of 30 millilitres per kilogram of bait for instance.

Fish can move so slowly and so little in winter it is amazing we get any bites at all sometimes. Moving your baits every hours on a water searching out every possible spot, is often much better than casting out and waiting for bites from fish that may be in the vicinity, but just will not move!

Even 30 years ago it was common for me to catch fish in winter on rigs I knew were probably tangled (this was before the predominant usage of rig tubing, lead core leaders etc.) I was unwilling to move these rigs however, having cast them exactly onto known tight feeding spots. Many of these tangled rigs were effectively only 2 or 3 inches long at best but they more often than not caught fish.

It reminds me of the short length of the now popular so-called helicopter style chod rigs for example, where the hook link is very short. Years ago I used light leads mostly under 2 ounces in weight and I found the fluted flat-bottomed Arlesey bomb types of 2 ounces or under to be great fish hookers. These would end up in a tangled rig frequently, but would often not bury themselves deep in bottom silt and the short tangled rigs teamed with 5 bait stringers really worked!

I recall cutting special roller wheels for my Optonic bite alarms that had about 24 slender arms to trigger the light beam inside and indicate the least possible lime movement from very shy biting carp in winter. Using the higher vibration and sensitivity settings on modern digital alarms for example and exploiting new refined bite indicators with adjustable line pressures etc, all add up to more winter fish!

Location is of paramount importance and that is all about knowing your lake at all times of year and only personal experience can give you an instinct for this and sometimes you are right and other times wrong, perhaps due to changes in fishing pressure on a particular area, pre-baiting by other anglers, or slightly different prevalent autumn winds building-up silt and carp food items in different locations to previous years.

Fish location is an art form that requires extremely sharp senses sometimes but you can leverage bating and lines and bite alarms to locate your fish. Often in winter you might get not a single bite sound from your bite alarm. Casting around until you do get some kind of feedback is very useful indeed and from this you might locate fish, or fresh silk weed, green Canadian pond weed, or even bloodworm.

If you know your swims in very great detail and keep this knowledge very regularly up-dated, then you will also notice changes in the bottom silt and in leaf and other detritus or chod deposits. Use of a braided line and specially grooved feature-finding leads to feel for clay, gravel and silt characteristics that indicate positive changes made by carp activity are invaluable.

The lake bed hardness and textures and even depths and consistencies and smells of silts can very frequently be caused by feeding carp and be identified and exploited. Some of the changes in the bottom of a lake caused by carp activities can be far beyond the belief of the average angler! Location of certain of these features have lead to great breakthroughs in winter and early spring fishing results for me for sure.

One prominent example of the nature of winter fish location was while fishing an exposed and apparently featureless clay lined reservoir. I remember fishing 2 baits on a particular spot in a swim in early February following a period when there had not been a single carp caught for 5 weeks. This spot was only place discovered to produce fish on the whole lake for quite a while so it was kept very quiet! Using a knowledge of the food-rich thick weed beds that existed in warmer months, I could locate the edges and channels made by the old weed beds that fish used to navigate and feed along.

Much repeated casting was required to get the baited rigs tight up against the old dead weed on the bottom were the fish would feed. Often of 2 rigs cast out (less than 3 feet apart,) only 1 rod would consistently produce fish 99 percent of the time indicating the fish travelled to this spot from one angle and on a very tight path. On one occasion this spot produced 4 fish in just under an hour for me, which was a very rare winter achievement at this time on the water.

As an experiment a friend cast his rod into the spot from a different swim having blanked for days and had a take before even putting his rod in rests. Such is the nature of winter fishing!

Winter fish can feed like clockwork in various spots habitually, and inducing and exploiting this behaviour with pre-baiting is a massive edge if you have the discipline to do it regularly enough! Pre-baiting holding areas and areas that you have observed fish visiting and feeding in winter such as snags and reed beds, and swims that are warmed by afternoon sun for instance, can really make catches very much easier.

Using particle type baits and finer ground baits can be a great option in winter and you can soak them in all kinds of additives and liquids you would use for boilies. Some substances are ideally suited for maximum effective water dispersal and fish feeding stimulation in low water temperatures.

Using your own creative thinking is a very big edge most especially in regards to bait and its application at this time; when some of the biggest carp in your water are most vulnerable to capture...

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Bass Lures

2009-04-03T17:50:00.007+07:00

The Overrated Imortance Of Color For Bass Lures
By Ron Kruger

The longer I fish the more I’m convinced color is our least important consideration. Long-time Barkley and Kentucky lakes guide, Malcolm Lane, and I discuss this often. I guided for years, but Malcolm has been at it for over three decades, and he admits that the main reason he doesn’t care to guide bass fishermen is they often drive him crazy by constantly switching baits and asking what color he thinks they should try.

We agree wholeheartedly: The action of a lure is most important. Some of this is built into a lure, but much of it is controlled by the way the fishermen manipulates the bait and is loosely referred to as presentation. Often the difference between catching a bunch of fish and none is a very small variance in presentation.

This is why one guy in a boat might be catching fish after fish, while another in the boat, using exactly the same lure, catches little or nothing. I’ve seen this happen often. Most of the time, the guy not catching fish is simply fishing too fast, especially with soft-plastic baits for bass, but also with most crappie lures.

I’ve seen it happen just as often with spinner baits and crank baits. With these lures, much of the presentation is built into the bait. Most people think all you have to do is throw them out and crank them back, but the speed at which they are retrieved can make a big difference. Imparting pauses or twitches add many presentation elements as well. Always try to pay close attention to exactly what you were doing and how fast you were reeling when a fish hits.

Sometimes fish mess them up. If they become bent or somehow slightly out of tune, their presentation qualities can be altered drastically. We may get the impression that the fish “just quit biting,” when in fact they just quit biting what we were throwing because it stopped displacing water or wobbling or flashing in a way that invited bass to eat it.

The vast majority of the time, the difference is simply in the speed of the retrieve, which is influenced by the equipment as well as the guy cranking it. When I was guiding crappie fishermen, I always carried a couple of extra rods with very slow reels, and I tried to get clients to use them instead of the fast and fancy models they usually brought. It was much easier to slow them down with equipment than to get them to crank slower.

Nine times out of 10, I’ve noticed that the guy not catching fish is fishing just a little too fast, but the opposite can occasionally be true.

One fall a couple of clients and I were throwing Rattle Traps to schooling fish. We were all fishing the same model, color and size and ripping them back as fast as we could. John and I were catching fish on nearly every cast, but Jim wasn’t catching any, even though he was cranking just as fast. This seemed strange, so I tried to determine why. First I closely examined the lures, then the lines. I considered the difference in rods briefly, and then looked at the reels.

John and I were using fast reels with 6-to-1 retrieval rates. Jim’s reel was 5.1-to-1. John had another outfit with a fast feel, and we both insisted that Jim try it. He was into a fish on the first cast and began matching us fish for fish.

Next in importance, I believe, is size and general shape. I’m convinced that a lure that resembles the general dimensions and outline of a food form fish are most accustomed to eating will get many more strikes than one that is too large. It doesn’t hurt sometimes to go a little smaller, but bigger seldom is better. The more abundant a particular forage, and the more accustomed bass become to feeding on them, the more selective they become to size and shape.

That’s why I harp so much about the pervasive “big bait, big fish” attitude that I believe has misguided so many of today’s bass fishermen. Size and shape are more important than color. I’ve often seen two guys fishing the same size of a particular bait, but ones with radically different color schemes, with no appreciable difference in the catch rates.

A lot of fishermen think color makes a big difference, and they can site examples, but that’s because color is the only thing they ever consider. The difference of color scheme between one guy who is catching and one who is not may be most obvious to the human eye, but presentation is probably what the fish sees. The general size and shape, and especially the body language, or action, of the bait is what trips his predatory trigger.

These, and many other instances, have lead me to believe that color is of least importance. Color catches fishermen, that’s why manufacturers are always coming out with new combinations and dazzling paint jobs. It makes very little difference to the fish beyond visibility.

Fishermen pick out various colors of lures because they think particular hues look lifelike, but by far more fish are caught on various lures that have a bright, sometimes florescent, shade of chartreuse. There is absolutely nothing in the aquatic environment that is chartreuse. Chartreuse, however, is very visible at various depths and in waters of various clarity.

Chartreuse is not popular or very effective with slower baits, such as jigs and worms, indicating that the slower a bit is presented, the more important color becomes. That may be true. The consistently productive colors of jigs and worms are of the darker or more natural hues. This may, however, have something to do with the increased depth at which jigs and worms are fished, and the muting effect of low light penetration upon the various colors. Black is black at any depth, and blue doesn’t change much either, while red, which is most visible to fish at full light, fades quickly in relation to light penetration.

I don’t mean to imply that color is of no importance whatsoever. My point is that the average bass fisherman pays so much attention to it that he almost totally ignores the much greater importance of presentation, size and body shape, and he’s certainly not examining the subtle differences in presentation that really separate the top fisherman from the average.

Before changing colors, try changing the speed or cadence of the retrieve. Try retrieving you lures and baits deeper or shallower. Try a different type of structure. Try using a smaller version of your favorite lure. If you still feel you must change, try changing to a completely different style of bait with completely different presentation qualities, not just another color variation of the same thing.
During years of guiding, I noticed that the guys who always had the most trouble catching fish were the ones who spent a lot of time fishing in their tackle boxes instead of the water. Invariably, they were always searching for the perfect color. Like Malcolm, it kind of drove me crazy, too.

But you don’t have to take the word of a couple of old, worn out guides. There’s plenty of scientific evidence to back it up our assumptions.

In the first place, it probably is a mistake to judge a bass’ vision by our own, because bass see everything a bit differently than humans, not just because they live in a totally different environment, but because their eyes function much differently than ours.

For one thing, their eyes are placed on the sides of their heads, affording them monocular vision, which means they can see well on both sides of their heads at the same time. Each eye has the ability to see over a 180 degree range, so their only blind spot is a narrow area directly behind them where the bass’ own body obstructs vision. We, on the other hand have binocular vision, which restricts our field of view to the front, but also allows us great depth-of-field perception.

Like some of us, they are nearsighted, which means that unless a lure makes noise, it needs to be cast closely to the fish to be detected. They also have limited binocular vision similar to ours in a narrow band directly in front of them. Their binocular vision, however, is really just an overlapping of their monocular vision, so although they can see things at a little greater distance, these objects are blurred and depth perception is impaired, sort of the way we see if we cross our eyes slightly.

This is why you will most often see a bass make a little swoop to the side at the last second before they strike a lure they have been following from behind. This little side-step at the last second allows them to see the bait most clearly the instant before they take it. Short strikes, or complete misses, could mean they saw something distasteful upon close inspection. Under their clearest vision, during that last-second swoop, they sometimes changed their minds like a batter’s half-swing.

Scientists believe that bass receive about five times more light through their eyes than humans. This, of course, gives them better vision in deep or dark areas, but it doesn’t mean that they can see five time better than humans. It means, simply put, that they are five time more sensitive to light. They have a fixed lense and the cornea is of uniform thickness. They don’t have eye lids or pupils to dilate and compensate, so they make up for this by seeking shade or moving deeper.

They need this extra sensitivity because water absorbs light quickly. The deeper the water, or the more turbid the water, the less light there is to reflect off objects. Plus, when the surface is broken by ripples, some of the light is refracted, so the diffusion of light is rapid. Often just a few feet or the shade of a fallen tree are enough.

The most confusing aspect of their sight is the fact they have two types of receptor cells in the retina. Their “cone” cells perceive color and are used mostly during the day. Their “rod” cells see only in black and white and are used at night. These receptor cells reverse themselves every 24-hour period, so bass are actually color blind about half the time. Consider that the next time you’re trying to pick out the perfect color.

Sometime before sunset a bass’ internal senses trigger the advance of black-and-white vision in preparation for darkness. Completion of this process takes hours, so it is believed they have a sort of color fade as the rod cells advance. Then, just before daylight, the cone cells begin to advance, causing a gradual recognition of colors. For most of the morning, and for most of the evening, their ability to distinguish different hues of the color spectrum is limited. Ironically, that is usually when we do best with our lures of many colors.

We often think that the color of a lure was why a bass hits this or that model, when in fact, most of the bass we catch are fooled during times when they can’t actually distinguish between colors very well. If what you’re using is catching them well during the middle of the day, color might be the key. Early and late in the day, however, they may be hitting that “latest and greatest” model not because of the fancy finish that caught your eye and emptied your pocket, but in spite of it.
Again, I will say, presentation is all important.

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Wholesale Fishing

2009-04-02T17:42:00.004+07:00

Wholesale Fishing Tackles - What You Don't Know
By Arindam Chattopadhyaya

It is very easy to be hooked in fishing and that can happen in the blink of a reel. People get motivated in fishing for various reasons. The peace and calmness is very relaxing and stress buster. Catching the fish is also an excitement and an angler feels the flow of adrenaline whenever he is on a fishing boat. Main excitement in fishing lies in fishing tackle, the science of design and engineering, and in locating that perfectly balanced fishing rod.

Anglers are always on search for top-rated fishing tackle and accessories. For a beginner, the collections of fishing tackle and related paraphernalia can look daunting and might be costly. With the advent of technology, anglers also long for something like a Garmin fishing tackle finder to point you in the right direction. Fish finder is now an important part of all fishing trip.

Here you will get some simple advises on fishing equipments.

You need to choose fishing gear based on types of fishing trip. Clothing for bass fishing, ice fishing and deep-sea fishing are different and you need to select appropriately.

Fishing boats and other accessories differ for different fishing trips.

If you plan to go Alaska for salmon fishing, you need to plan for terminal tackle in all shapes and sizes, tempting treats in the form of worms and the like, the best-designed rods and reels, and fishing maps. Many prefer to go for fishing using a fishing charter service and this is most probably a best decision to make your trip successful.

You can visit Bass Pro shops for bass fishing tackle. Similarly, you need to visit a proper shop for saltwater fishing tackle or carp fishing tackle. Remember you can't really select the perfect one unless you hold that perfectly balanced fishing rod for the first time, knowing it fits your angling style like glove.

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Carp Tackle

2009-04-01T17:33:00.003+07:00

Carp Fishing Tackle
By Rachel Hutchinson

Carp tackle is an expensive business. There are so many products on the market, from the mildly priced to the ridiculously expensive. The thing is, everyone is lead to believe that when it comes to buying carp tackle, the more expensive and better quality, the better the experience. This is not always the case. To be able to buy the top of the range carp tackle, and I mean all of it, you will need to invest a small fortune. So, that's either selling your house or winning the lottery! Carp fishing means compromising a little, and having some of the best and then some cheaper options. Otherwise you may find your habit taking over not only your life, but your bank balance as well!

It pays to look around when considering buying the correct carp tackle. Compare prices and look everywhere. The internet is a great resource when it comes to buying many things and fishing stuff, particularly carp tackle is no exception. You should also consider buying second hand things, and looking at online auction sites is a great idea. You can get some really good carp tackle for a fraction of the price in the shops and a lot of the things you can buy is in great condition!

Fishing for carp is a long and rather boring process. Many carp fishers will have two or three lines on the go at once, and this is perhaps why buying carp tackle is expensive! Buying one of everything is a lot of money, but going for two or three is practically bank breaking! The reasons behind having more than one line is because it increases your chances of catching carp by doubling or trebling the surface area that you can cover. As I have already said, this type of fishing is a waiting game, and the more rods, the better the chances of you actually catching something. You do need to remember, however, that if you are planning on having multiple lines, that you should check the amount you can legally have on the license you have. Some of the licenses will only allow one or two rods or lines, so you may need to obtain more than one license!

Carp tackle tends to be more expensive because you need more durable things. Carp are heavy fish and therefore small lines and hooks just won't cut it. A thicker and more durable line is needed; otherwise you will end up losing parts of your line and also your hook if the fish gets away. Better quality hooks are needed, and this means more expense, and don't forget, more than one line means more than one reel of line, hooks etc.

At the end of the day, carp fishing can be a very enjoyable experience for so many. Just don't let your head run away without you and spend a fortune on carp tackle that you may not have. Be sensible and try to check out second hand tackle and you won't have to break the bank!

Sea Fishing Tackle

2009-03-31T16:50:00.003+07:00

Sea Fishing Tackle - Heavy Thinking
By Frazer Mellis

We all have used lead weights of different shapes and sizes and yet many Sea Anglers don't know the proper use for them, they just grab any old weight out of the tackle box and sling it out. This is a big mistake as you are not increasing your chances of catching. In this article I will go through some basic leads and their uses and also ways to improve your catch rate!

The Designs

Starting with the basic "Beach Bomb Lead" or known as a Pear Lead. This fishing weight is used by a lot of anglers it's fairly aerodynamic and has smooth sides and has multiple uses. Most common use is for sticking on the end of a set of feathers in the summer! This style also has the great advantage of not holding ground or gripping. When bottom fishing with a basic ledger rig from a pier or beach this lead can be one of the best leads for covering ground. Covering ground by means of not having static bait pinned to the sea bed whilst you wait for the fish to pass! By allowing your bait to move along the sea bead it will drop into gully's or sand formations that you can't see, this is where fish hold tight too, normally because its where food deposits and easy snacks end up due to the currents or underwater features.

The classic Grip Lead is the complete opposite to a beach bomb because it comes with grip wires which dig into the sea bed. There are a few variations of the "Grip Lead" you have Standard, Long Tail, Short Tail, Long Wire, Softy and Breakout but they all do the same job. These are great when you want to hold ground especially when there is a strong tide and you want to pin your bait down next to a feature or stop your rig getting dragged into a snag! A good size for a grip lead would be 3-4oz however when I went on a fishing week in the Isle of Scilly even a 7oz+ lead won't hold the bottom there due to vast amounts of water pushing through the islands, so remember to take a good selection of weights with you, especially if you have never fished the venue before.

Watch Lead or Clock Leads. It's the lead weight you get with a crab line when you were a child, yes they are used for crab lines however they are fantastic leads for anglers that like to target Flatfish. For Estuary fishing and Beach fishing this lead is a good choice to use as it is a fairly flat lead and partially grips the sea bed with its lead bumps. The bumps provide just enough resistance to guide your rig on the bottom but also to stir up the sandy seabed attracting curious bottom dwelling fish. With this lead design you will have more control than the Beach Bomb method however it won't cover the ground as quickly which can be an advantage and a disadvantage depending on your methods. Also there are leads that are very close to the watch leads in their uses. These are the Breakaway Flattie Leads with built in Impact Bait Clips, Coffin Leads and Star Leads which look like a medieval club.

Egg Leads, Bullet Leads, Ball Leads! Most anglers refer to them as Float Leads; it's a simple weight with a drilled center, they can be used as said before with Sea Floats but also they are very handy for extra weight when lure fishing by placing them behind a trace line or they can be used for basic ledgering for Wrasse when you just need that little extra weight. I always have a selection of egg leads ranging from 1-3oz which covers most needs when I'm out fishing new marks "very handy". The great advantage with these is they are probably the cheapest lead weight on the market so if you lose some it's not a problem!

Thinking outside the lead box!

Here are some useful tips for lead weights that I have picked up over the years and recently.

Paint the leads

That's right paint the leads a colour of your choice with a can of spray! Some angler's recon that painting the lead acts like an attractor or lure which they believe helps the fish locate the bait. A method that is defiantly worth trying out.

Soft baits at range

There is a lead design which some of you may have already used or have heard of, it's the new "Dvice", a hook bait delivery capsule with the lead built in. This is becoming a popular choice for anglers around the UK. We sell them here at Monster Fishing under Rig Components or the Lead Weight Section.

Dipping

Some anglers dip there lead weights in Rag worm or Lug worm oils that you can get on the market as a attractant and then place the weights in the freezer, they repeat the process until they have built up two or three layers of frozen oil around the lead. Bit like dipping a candle. Then they place their lead weights into a thermos flask to take to the venue. The idea is that when the lead is cast out with your rig attached of course, the oil defrosts under your rig thus releasing the oily scent trail which fish lock onto to locate your bait quicker. Maybe worth a try!

Conclusion

Next time you walk into you tackle shop or purchase tackle online, take the time to think about what lead weights you really need and how they could improve your chances. Yes there are no hard and fast rules about choosing leads but each lead weight design has its own special features which can be tailored into your individual fishing style and needs.

Fishing Bag

2009-03-30T15:46:00.003+07:00

Rigging Bag - 100 Fathom Series
Tired of using a toolbox and multiple lure bags to manage all your offshore rigging gear and tackle? So are we. Our OHO Development Team and Pro Staff jointly designed our bag specifically to carry your rigging equipment, terminal tackle and gear. The ultimate bag made to carry all your rigging tackle.

Features:
+ Waterproof PVC Exterior
+ Waterproof Exterior
+ 100% Washable
+ Wide Mouth Opening
+ Eight Removable Internal Dividers
+ Two Permanent Internal Dividers
+ Two Tackle Boxes Included
+ Tackle And Rigging Needle Tubes
+ Separated Hard Plastic Bottom Compartment

Dimensions:
21.7" x 17.7" x 13.8"

Price:
About $139.95

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Fishing Tackle Boxes

2009-03-29T15:26:00.003+07:00

Fishing Tackle Boxes - Don't Forget the Essentials

By Phil Penn

A tackle box is a vital piece of fishing equipment as it keeps all your fishing gear in place. A tackle box is essential to keep your lures functioning well and ordered. There are many different varieties of tackle boxes that you might consider such as, a trunk-type box, satchel box, drawer box, or hip roof box.

A trunk tackle box is the primary type of box that the majority of anglers begin with. Many people fancy a tackle box in which to systematize their fly fishing equipment. Fishing tackle boxes contain various small compartments, a tight-fitting lid and a well-situated carrying handle. The major function of a fishing tackle box is to hold fishing tackle, hooks, extra line, sinkers, bobbers and bait. Fishing tackle boxes are excellent for storing and classifying lots of undersized items. Even if you are not going to fish, you can still you can make use of a tackle box.

A fishing tackle box plays an important role in the victory of a fishing trip. Most fishermen yearn for their tackle boxes as they stand for a lifetime of trials and troubles concerning what procedure work for which fish. If you are a beginner in the world of fishing, you might be at a loss as to which equipment to buy, including your tackle box, but follow some basic rules and you can get something that will do the job.

The first thing that you have to do is to choose a box. A Fishing tackle box must be well-built and durable. The plastic tackle boxes are generally wide and come with tough handles making it easier to drag back and forth between boat, river, and pier trips. The most significant thing when choosing a box is the latch. The tackle box must contain strong latch as you do not want all the contents to spill out on the floor or in the water.

Before making your purchase, pull on the latch and check it to ensure that it is working well. Several things such as hooks, lines, and sinkers need to be kept secure. Hooks are very important in fishing as you will not be catching many fish without them.
Of course, in your box you need lures, hooks and all the usual stuff you'd expect, but there are some additional things you might not have thought of. These items include:

Needlnose Pliers (required for getting hooks out of fish and usually contains cutters that will snip line and even hooks if needed)

Knife (can be used for cutting bait, opening cans, cutting line and all the other jobs that require cutting while fishing) File (can sharpen hooks and even your knife)

Hand Cloth - (For wiping blood and general mucky stuff from your hands)

Sunscreen (as they say prevention is better than cure, therefore use sunscreen to protect you from harmful rays)

Fingernail Clippers ( Ideal for clipping line, some also contain a tiny file that will sharpen hooks whenever you lose your file)

Cigarette Lighter (You might want a fire. It could also soften plastic worms to patch up scratch if you run out of the only color they are striking at the same time it melts the end for nylon rope to keep it from fraying)

Headtorch (So you can keep your hands free for baiting up when the light gets low)

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Free Fishing Games

2009-03-28T14:57:00.007+07:00

Enjoy Free Fishing Games Online

By Craig Petersen

Are you an angler who loves video games? Do you work somewhere that allows you an extreme amount of time on the computer? Whatever the reason, you now have the opportunity to hone your skills in cyberspace. Sure, you might have seen some of the old pc games with bad graphics, but with today's technology, they now look like the real thing.

Experiencing The Animation

When you're out in the real world, you never know what may be lurking all around. With free fishing games online you get to build everything into the program. If you want animals sipping on water, it can be done. Want cabins and boats sitting around lakeside? It can happen. Trees, grass, hills, mountains, planes, choppy waters, and much more are all at your disposal.

Inventing A Game Of Your Own

In today's world, many of these free fishing games are more then just fishing. Here, you literally have the opportunity to purchase RVs and roam across the country from tournament to tournament. Want a weekend to yourself and enjoy the surrounding scenery that has engulfed you? Then stop and relax for a day or so. Bring the family along on a trip that can turn your dreams into online reality.

Interactive Play

Once you get the hang of everything, it's time to tackle the rest of the online anglers out there. See just how good you've become by entering yourself into tournaments that others from around the world will be in as well. Earnings can bring you into the realm of new gear, new boats, new tackles, and substantial amount of sponsors. It's the closest thing we've ever seen to real life fishing.

Owning Your Own Business

Sounds crazy right? Once you become a national icon and there is nothing else for you to win it's time to move on to bigger and better things. Whether you find partners or go out on your own, it's extremely fun to build your own fishing business. Charge whatever you want, just remember if the prices don't compete then no one will come to visit.

Fill the waters with whatever fish you choose to have and bring other anglers from all around the world. It could be a fly-in fishing destination, lake or streams but whatever it is, we know you'll have a good time and so will they. Best of all, these are free fishing games so you won't be spending an arm and a leg to enjoy the experience. Have fun!

I think you'll be interest with this article: Boat Charters & Boats For Sale Fishing

Boats For Sale Fishing

2009-03-26T20:47:00.008+07:00

Orlando Boat Dealers
By Joshua S

There are quite a few boat dealers in Orlando selling various types of boats. When purchasing a boat it is important to create a mental checklist of what your needs are. Will you be using it mostly for fishing? Skiing or wake boarding? Or to bring the family out for nice leisurely cruise now and again. The options are limitless and these days boats are breaking free of being classed solely into one category. These crossover boats provide the best of all worlds; be it skiing, fishing, speed, etc. When choosing the brand of boat to buy quality is key. We have presented here a list of Orlando boat dealers and the types of boats they carry. Hopefully this will provide a bit of insight and make your buying experience more informed.

When you have decided what kind of boat you might want to buy you must then determine your budget. Don't go to any boat dealers until you know exactly what you are willing to spend - Buyers remorse is never fun. Decide if you will finance the boat or pay cash? If you decide to finance your boat, check out the various financing options in advance. The boat dealer might have financing available, but at what interest rate? A boat financing company can provide you with a quote and help you determine what you qualify for.

Now you are ready to go shop and possibly demo a few boats. Take a look at the boat dealers listed below to give you a point to start from. We have not included every Orlando boat dealer but these are the major players.

Boat Dealers In Orlando

Boat Tree - Authorized seller for Regal boats. They have pleasure boats and a decent selection of fishing and sport boats. Other carried brand names are Nautic Star, Clearwater, Hydra Sports, Key Largo, Silverton, Tige, Rampage, Weeres and Carver. Boat Tree has dealerships in Orlando, Port Canaveral and Sanford.

Parker Boats - Pleasure and fishing boats. They carry Boston Whaler, Triton and Sea Ray. Parker Boats has dealerships in Orlando and Daytona.

Southeast Correct Craft - Top notch ski boats. They carry Nautique and they also sell Sea-Doo.

Velocity Powerboats - Have the need for speed? Velocity has top of the line racing boats as well as crossover fishing boats. They are located in Sanford.

Boats-N-Such - Diverse selection of new and used boats. They have Century, Bryant, Monterey and Key West fishing boats.

Boat Tune - Various pleasure boats, power boats, fishing boats, and deck boats as well as parts. They have Stingray, Sedona, Sea Fox, SouthWind and Azure.

BMC Boats - Wide variety of new and pre-owned boats. They sell Cobia, Baja, Bayliner, Chapparal, Hurricane, Maxum, Polar, Sea Pro, Trophy and Sweetwater.

Happy hunting!

I tought You'll be interest with my recent article :Boat Fishing Tips And Tricks & Boat Charters

Boat Charters

2009-03-26T20:23:00.008+07:00

Tips When Picking Boat Charters
By Mike Selvon

David Hackert, president of Prestige Yacht Charters, says nothing beats boat charters when it comes to celebrating your special day, whether it is a birthday, an anniversary or a wedding. "Think about the weddings you have attended in the past. You celebrated, danced and went home," he explains.

"A wedding on a yacht, however, could offer panoramic views, imposing skylines or even an exploration of serene inlets and coves. It would be an occasion your guests would remember for the rest of their lives." There are many decisions to make when it comes to selecting from the diverse pool of luxury yachts but the benefits far exceed the initial effort.

Do you want to be a skipper? This is one of the first decisions to make when considering private a boat charter. If the answer is "yes," then be prepared to hand over your boating resume to the charter company, which includes several years of experience sailing the size and type of boat you intend to charter. At Ebare, you can take an assessment to see if you are ready for smooth sailing and to see what your options are if you are not quite prepared.

You may need to take a few boating and safety courses before being allowed to hold supreme power aboard your private yacht. On the day of your charter, some companies may take you out on a demo cruise, where you will demonstrate your knowledge. If you flunk the demo, then the company will place a captain aboard your vessel. If, on the other hand, you pass your demo, then congratulations! You will be commanding your first bareboat charter.

If you are not sure about sailing the high seas on your own just yet, then a flotilla is one of the better intermediate boat charters you can take. In a flotilla, a fleet of 8-10 private yacht charters band together on an unforgettable adventure. A captain, chef, engineer and activities planner will sail on the lead yacht, offering assistance to anyone in the fleet who needs it.

You will essentially sail your own ship for the most part. Each morning you will be briefed on optional activities and group meals for the day, as well as where to meet for nighttime docking. Many travelers say this is the ultimate party, offering some of the best off-the-beaten-path experiences, with none of the anxiety of going it alone. Greece and the British Virgin Islands are popular places to link up with a flotilla.

The cost of boat charters is entirely up to you. Many beginners choose to hop aboard sailing yachts with a handful of other couples to offset the cost. Affordable trips can also be taken in a flotilla fleet, which offers a good middle-ground for relatively inexperienced sailors who still crave the privacy of their own boat. Smaller boats, sailboats and off-season trips all offer deep discounts.

Choosing an all-inclusive sailing vacation is a good way to prevent overspending on port stops, food or other unanticipated expenses. As you travel more and more, you will soon be ready to command your own boat, sail on luxury yacht charters or throw an extravagant party aboard a crewed yacht charter!

I tought You'll be interest with my recent article : Boat Fishing Tips And Tricks

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

2009-03-09T04:03:00.004+07:00

Deep sea fishing is a wonderful and extremely enjoyable activity. Here are some tips that will make your salt water fishing adventure even better.

1. Watch the signs

If you see birds e.g. Seagulls that are feasting on small bait-type fishes, there are probably larger game-type fish below the surface of the water. Also, look for floating wood or debris. In most cases when you chance upon a large floating wood, you would find a large game fish in the area even encountering dolphin.

2. Stop, Snook and Listen

Fishing for snooks is quite similar as fishing for bass. Snooks like to be around ledges, posts and rocks.

3. Crabs for full moon

During full moons use soft crab imitations as bait. That's the time when crabs shed their shells and stripers come looking for them.

4. If you're looking for tunas, find the dolphins

Yellowfin tuna are usually found schooling with dolphins. So if you see a group of dolphins, chances are there are some tuna in the area.

5. Cut and Burn

If you have trouble cutting through a spiderwire braid, try using a lighter or a match.

6. Good Reef

The best place to fish is near reefs since big game fish feed on fish that live on reefs.

7. The Circle Hook

Use a circle hook if you would like a higher hook up ratio. These hooks guarantees more catch, because of the minute gap, and the reverse point. They are generally better for the fish since they do not hook in the gut just the lip.

8. Don't have sea legs

Watch the horizon and stay on deck. These would generally help you if you're having trouble with sea sickness: Stay away from the boat fumes, breathing it only exacerbates the problem.

9. Anchors away

When your anchor is stuck at the bottom, try attaching a float to it. Return after the tide has changed in direction. This should be enough to loosen the anchor.

10. Fish where the fish are

A lot of fisherman have the idea that they should be catching their live baits over the reefs before going to deep waters. If the live baits are not in the area you're planning to catch the larger games, then why would you come up with the idea that the large fish are there. Wouldn't they be in the area where the bait fish are?

Planning A Perfect Fishing Trip

2009-03-09T03:56:00.003+07:00

Planning a perfect fishing trip isn't as easy as loading your tackle box into the car and setting off in the direction of water. You need to really define what exactly you want in your fishing experience and plan accordingly.

There's lots to consider when planning your trip and even more so if you are planning a trip with buddies or for your family. Not everyone has the same idea when it comes to the perfect fishing trip and a little bit of planning can help make it a trip everyone can enjoy.

Here's some things to consider for your next fishing trip:

Catching That Perfect Fish

Before you can catch the perfect fish you have to decide which species of fish you want to go for. While some people love trout others might be avid bass fisherman. Since bass are found in warm waters and trout in cold waters, someone might be disappointed if you did not consider the type of fish before picking a location.

Deciding on what type of fish you want to catch narrows down your destinations for you a bit which can help in further planning. Don't worry though, there's plenty of places to go no matter which type of fish you are angling for!

Size Or Quantity?

Some anglers like to catch fish after fish after fish. They aren't happy unless they are reeling them in and size isn't really that important, although there's always that hope that the next nibble could be a big one. Others are only interested in catching the big fish in the pond and will sit patiently all day waiting for him to give a nibble.

While there are many places that offer an opportunity for both types of fishing, this should be discussed beforehand so that each member of the trip can be sure they are getting the type of fishing they enjoy.

Fishing Style

One other thing to consider is the method you will use to catch the fish. Will you be wading into streams? Trolling? Deep sea fishing? Each one is a different experience and many people have their preference. Make sure your group agrees on a method of fishing and that the destination you are thinking about offers that type of fishing.

Cost

As with anything, what you can afford will largely impact what you can get for your fishing vacation

You need to get together with your group and decide what you can spend. Perhaps you will have to make some compromises such as sleeping in a tent instead of a cabin so you can afford a couple days with a good local guide.

The hard part here is getting everyone in the group to agree on how much to spend and where to put the bulk of the money. One way to save money is to do your own cooking or have everyone in the group bring a frozen dish along (enough to feed everyone) and you'll have free meals for several nights.

When planning your trip, don't forget about shower and bathroom facilities - especially if this is a family trip. If you have opted for camping, the showers and bathrooms will be community so you will have to share. A cabin on the other hand will provide some privacy.

So, if you really want a great fishing trip, start by planning just exactly what you want out of the trip and how much you are willing to spend. Do it right and you can have the fishing trip of a lifetime.

I tought you'll be interest with this article: Fishing-Just The Basic

Do You Enjoy Fishing?

2009-03-03T02:37:00.000+07:00

If you enjoy fishing here is some great information on popular fish, both fresh water as well as saltwater.

Freshwater:

1. Trout: This is a very delicious fish. Because trout are considered a predator in their environment is important to leave plenty of them behind. They come in several different varieties including: Brown, Rainbow, Brook and Lake Trout.

2. Bass: This is probably one of the most popular fish in America. While belonging to the Sunfish family come in several different varieties including largemouth, white, and smallmouth.

3. Pike: Pike are also known as northern and have very sharp teeth and a surly attitude. They prefer the weedy shallows and wait to ambush their food. They are never in a hurry to strike.

4. Walleye: Walleye is one the best tasting fish of all. They often can be found in schools located near drop-off. Fishing for walleye is challenging but lots of fun.

5. Panfish: Panfish are especially fun and often quite easy to catch. They taste good at a very easy to catch. Different varieties of Panfish include: Bluegill, white crappie, black crappie, and Sunfish.

Saltwater:

1. Bluefish: These fish can be very strong fighters but the same time are not that hard to catch. If you are looking for a fight this can be an exciting finish. They tasted too when eaten fresh.

2. Striped bass: This can be a difficult fish to catch. They are finicky about what they strike on and when. When fishing for striped bass you might try using bait fish such as bunker or herring. Spoons and plugs also well work well on a fly rod.

3. Cod: this is probably one of the most important commercial fish. Cod can be caught in cold months. These fish often weigh more than 30 pounds and so you will need some heavy line.

4. Flounder: Flounder is another Sunfish to catch that taste very good. If you have a small boat and a fish finding unit you will have a great time.

5. Redfish: Redfish are also called channel bass or red drum. You can catch redfish from New Jersey all the way the Houston. These fish enjoy shallow water and fight hard.

If you enjoy fishing all of the above fish provide great opportunities for a day of fun and good food.

Fishing - Just the Basics

2009-03-03T02:35:00.001+07:00

I've been fishing for over 50 years and even more frequently in the last 10 years; during this time I have learned a lot of countless things about fishing in general. The most important is that you can never know it all. Even a novice can show an old timer a trick or two.

Over the years I've seen hundreds of anglers come to the areas I fish full of enthusiasm and determination and they end up leaving frustrated and confused. With just a little advice this could have made for a better experience and more than likely created another fishing addict like myself. It may take some time to turn you into that pro, but the enjoyment of the sport would be more easily realised.

When starting out the very first thing you want is just basic information on where and when to fish. Sounds easy and generally just ask other anglers, lodge owners, bait store owners, heck just ask.

Now for the fishing equipment, the rod and reel. Sounds simple enough, but maybe not. As in most other sports, cheap or poor equipment will result in poor results. As an example I met a fellow from southern Ontario (Toronto) while fishing here at home for Northern pike and asked him how the fishing was. His remark was that he was going to rent a boat and give it a try. So I asked him if he would like to go out with me that evening and he accepted. I met him at the dock and told him to load his gear in the boat and offered him a life jacket and away we went. I did not notice what he had loaded at first except he had a nice big new tackle box, as we moved away I asked where is your rod and reel. He went on to open his new tackle box and proceeded to pull out one of those pocket fisherman rigs. Of course I had a hard time from not laughing out loud, but went on to offer him one of my other rigs already in the boat.

Once we hit the area I intended to troll he went on to politely say he wanted to use his own rod but asked what one of his lures he should use for northern pike. He had one large red and white spoon and I told him to use that and made sure he let out enough line for what we were doing. I believe I was praying for him to get the first strike and sure enough he did after about 15 minutes or so and the fun began.

Now this pike he had on was I guessed about 15 pounds, not that big but the struggle with that little, short toy he had was hilarious to watch. I did not believe he would get the fish to the boat but he did although to fast, I had the net and told him to slow down, he did not hear me as I leaned over to net the fish he had it reeled up to about 2 feet from the tip of that little rod, all that pike did was lean on the line and he was gone.

I must add here that he also had no leader on that rig. After that he was so excited and of course wanted to keep fishing, but asked if he could use one of my other rods which was fine because I wanted to see him really hook and land a nice fish. To shorten this story he did land 2 more northerns and a small walleye. Oh yes I did catch a fish, one walleye and one pike, but we had a new fishing addict here. The next day he went into town to the Canadian Tire store and got properly equipped.

I imagine that young man from southern Ontario had some great tall tales to tell when he got home. I wonder how big that one that got away is Now!

A light action graphite spinning rod and reel will handle most fish you will want to catch, plus it is light enough for the beginner to feel even the light hit of those walleye.

So just get out there relax, take your time. Bring some coffee or lunch or even better catch your lunch and cook on one of the many small islands all over these northern lakes. Mostly just enjoy it all the fresh air, wildlife and scenery. Enjoy it all while your watching that loon, deer or even a moose feeding, a big walleye might just swim up and inhale your bait sending that twitch up your line through your rod to your fingers. Set the hook and there's lunch!

Well that's enough from me time for supper and a 5 minute stroll down to the river and make a few casts and see what happens.

I tought you'll be interest with this article: Boat Fishing Tips And Tricks & Tips for Planning a Perfect Fishing Trip

Boat Fishing Tips and Tricks

2009-03-03T02:28:00.001+07:00

Boat Fishing

If you're keen to find a fun family activity, then give boat fishing a try. There's nothing better than heading off on your boat with the wife and kids, talking about the fish you plan to catch that day.

It's important to realize, though, that there are lots of different types of boat fishing, and each one has specialized boat requirements. You can do everything from dangle some bait on a string over the side of a canoe, right through to high-tech rods and a powerful cabin cruiser. It just needs to be seaworthy - the rest is up to you! But if you're keen to buy a boat, you need to do some homework first. It can be very confusing walking into a boat show or dealership and seeing so many choices. You need to think about what you're planning to do with the boat before you can decide which one to buy. Here are some popular boat fishing choices.

Freshwater Boats

If you enjoy fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers or streams, then you don't need a massive boat. Instead, choose an aluminum or fiberglass boat. Make sure it's easy to transport and lightweight. Popular choices include bow riders, runabouts or walley boats, with either a small or dual console. These boats are fine for family freshwater boat fishing outings.

Offshore Saltwater Boats

Fishing out on the open sea is the most common thing people think of when you mention boat fishing. Most people enjoy fishing offshore because they get the chance to catch huge fish and use heavy tackle. It's important to have a dependable, heavy boat for this type of fishing. You'll encounter plenty of different weather and situations on the open sea, so you need to be able to rely on your boat. You can choose twin or single outboard motors, and you definitely need a cuddy cabin or a center console. If you want to spend a bit more, you can start to look at the more luxurious boats, including a bluewater or convertible with luxury quarters, and maybe even an elegant living area. Bigger boats generally have powerful inboard diesel engines as standard.

Inshore Saltwater Boats

If your tastes run to tarpin, snook, trout, bonefish or redfish, then you will want a boat suitable for inshore saltwater fishing. It's best to have a light boat that is smaller than a 25-footer. All you need is a single outboard motor. You're likely to be in shallow water at least some of the time, so something like a flat or baby boat works well. These have a spacious deck you can use for casting, and are still float well in shallow water.

Bass Boats

This type of boat is generally suitable for tournament and sport fishing. They're colorful, fast, and ride low in the water. It's preferable if the bass boat has a trolling motor mounted on the bow. Generally they have a platform at both the bow and stern ends, which makes casting much easier. You can choose from aluminum or fiberglass.

Float Tubes

These don't really qualify as boats, but fly anglers find them very handy for fishing in mountain streams, ponds and lakes. A float tube is simply a flotation device containing a seat. The angler is partially submerged when seated in the float tube, and uses fins on his feet to navigate around on the water. They're tricky to handle, and fly-casting requires lots of practice. You can choose between round float tubes, which are similar to an inner tube, and pontoon float tubes, which have an air chamber either side of the fisherman. The pontoons are slightly eiasier to maneuver, as their v-shaped design reduces the amount of water resistance.

It's always a good idea to speak to experienced anglers who either have their own boat or use one regularly. They can give you lots of help in deciding which type of boat is right for you. Read magazines, guides, and talk to your local boat charter service. Fishermen generally love to talk about boats, and you can learn a lot to help you select the perfect fishing boat for your needs.
I tought You'll be interest with my recent article : Fishing-Just The Basic