Antique fishing lure

Fly Fishing in Southern California

2008-03-18T13:21:00.002+08:00

Fly Fishing in Southern California. Fly fishing in Southern California is definitely a matter of finding the right spots. With all the urban sprawl, that isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to do. When one thinks of Southern California, many images come to mind. You might think of the perfect weather and white sandy beaches of San Diego.

The glamour and congestion of sprawling Los Angeles might be what you think of first. It is not very likely that fly fishing in Southern California will be your first thought. Unless, of course, you are a serious fly fisherman.

Fly fishing in Southern California is alive and well. The area offers a wide variety of locations that rank among the best in the country for fishing opportunities. The fly fishing community is well organized here also.

Fishing clubs are growing in popularity and they offer everything from training and information to organized fishing events.If you are planning a fishing vacation and have a family that does not share your consuming lust for the sport, Southern California is one of the best choices that you can make. What to do with the family is always at the top of the to-do list when planning such a trip. When you are thinking of a fly in fishing trip to a remote lodge in Northern Canada, this is admittedly a serious problem.

In Southern California, it is a very minor concern.Some of the best fly fishing in Southern California can be found a stone’s throw from Los Angeles and if you can not find diversion for your family while you fish there, you will not be able to find it anywhere. Unlike many other locations, weather is not a big concern and season is not quite as important in Southern California. The climate allows virtually year round fishing opportunities. The locals consider Spring to be the best fishing time especially for "fly fishing" for trout, but when they say best, they mean best and not only time.

This is one of the beautiful things about the sport of fly fishing. It has spread across the world and there is no one place where you must go to find the thrill of it. You can really take just the opposite approach to your trip planning. First, think of the part of the world that you want to visit. Think of that place that fires your own imagination and then investigate the "fly fishing" potential there. In the case of fly fishing in Southern California, a bit of a look below the surface past the many other sights and attractions will reveal opportunities that will stack up with fishing anywhere.
by: Richard Chapo

The Fishing Rod vs Vehicle War

2008-03-18T13:11:00.002+08:00

The Fishing Rod vs Vehicle War. As an angler, your fishing rod is obviously a valuable tool that needs to be maintained and protected. This means keeping it from the clutches of the predator known as your vehicle. Long ago in a parallel universe, a war was instigated between two groups that has leaked over into our world. The two groups, of course, are the fishing rods and the vehicles on wheels. Get the two in the same basic area, and bad things seem to happen. The fishing rod and car or truck are natural enemies.

The fishing rod is generally considered an inanimate object, but anybody who loves fishing knows this is simply not the case. Lean a fishing rod up against a vehicle and what does it do? It leans to one side until it begins to fall. This, of course, leaves a nice scratch down the paint of the vehicle. Score one for the fishing rods!

Your car or truck is no better. A natural predator of the fishing rod, it has evolved to create no end of angles where your rod can be bent, snapped or crushed. A classic is the tailgate of a truck or SUV. Who hasn’t rolled up the window on a favorite rod and snapped the tip off?

Who hasn’t slammed the tailgate closed only to here the grinding snap of the rod caught between the door hinge and body? Your vehicle, however, also has subtle ways of hunting rods. One of its favorite attacks is to fling the vehicle to the road at high speeds. This can only be accomplished, of course, by your putting the rod on the top of the vehicle and then forgetting it. The vehicle usually accomplishes this by hiding your keys.

After a frustrating search, you jump in the car, slam the door, fire up the engine and take off…with the rod lying on the roof. There is only one way to deal with this conflict and avoid paying for new rods and paint job repairs. The first thing you do when returning to the vehicle is to take your rod apart and store it. Otherwise, you assume the risk!
By: Richard Chapo

Places to Stay in Canada on Fishing Trips

2008-03-18T13:02:00.003+08:00

Places to Stay in Canada on Fishing Trips. Canada fishing is some of the best in the world with a wide variety of challenges. If you decide to have a go, you need to know about the best places to stay. Places to Stay in Canada on "Fishing Trips".

There are many different ways to plan your next "fishing trip" to Canada. You could plan to stay at a campground (in a tent or RV), in a rustic cabin or even in a small motel. Some people choose to have accommodations in a town or city nearest to their fishing area, so that they can have the amenities of an upscale hotel.

For many fishermen, however, a stay in one of the "Canada fishing" rentals located right on the lakes and rivers where they'll be fishing is the way to go. No matter which province you choose for your fishing vacation, Canada fishing accommodations will be there to provide you with a comfortable and authentic outdoor experience.

One of the most luxurious and well-known fishing accommodations in Canada is in the province of Ontario. The Kesagami Wilderness Lodge, located on Kesagami Lake in the northern part of Ontario, is a four star fly-in fishing accommodation. Being a fly-in location means that the only way to reach this place is by airplane, making it a truly secluded and wilderness filled area.

Kesagami Lake is perfect for trophy Northern Pike fishing, because it's relatively shallow and contains a number of weed filled bays. Fish here have been known to reach as big as 50 inches long and 30 pounds in weight, making this a truly world class destination for Northern Pike. With American Plan-style accommodations (three meals a day included in your stay) as well as recreation rooms and other amenities, a stay here at the Kesagami Wilderness is a great choice.Another great place to stay at in Ontario is the Lake Obabika Lodge.

Canada's only four diamond fishing accommodation (rated by the American Automobile Association/Canadian Automobile Association), this beautiful setting offers not only great fishing, but many other activities as well. From wine tastings to wilderness hikes and even a feng shui class, this lodge is a perfect destination for families that might have different vacation tastes. Fishing in the area includes Northern Pike, trout and bass.

There are many places to choose from for your Canada trip, and picking a location that will suit all of your needs (such as fishing guides, a great lake to fish on and even included meals) can make your trip very memorable. Fishing in Canada is a great way to return to nature.
by:Richard Chapo

Parts Of A Fly Fishing Rod

2008-03-16T19:18:00.002+08:00

Parts Of A Fly Fishing Rod. Fly fishing is absolutely never complete without a fly fishing rod. A rod has several specifications and parts as well so before you decide on taking a splash for the fish you just can’t wait to get your hook in to, be sure you have an idea what your rod is really made of.

First, although fly rods have different shapes and sizes; some are longer, heavier or more colorful than the others, the different parts of a rod doesn’t change at all. The important part of the rod is referred to the rod blank. It is the central shaft of the rod and it’s where everything, where the rest of the rod is attached. Rod blanks is also called the tip and then the heavy section is called the butt. Generally, blanks are made of graphite but there are still other materials that can be used.

Next is the reel seat. This is located at the butt of the rod. The purpose of this is for the fly reel; the rings found on this part are meant to lock the reel and the foot in place. The material used for reel seats can be either graphite or metal. Then we have the rod handle. This is located just right above the reel seat. This part of the rod also varies in different sizes and shapes. You can find different materials for this one. For more expensive rods, the usual material used on this part is made of rubber. But for the usual cases, (rods that are less expensive) cork is the more common material.

And lastly, the rod guides. These are attached to the rod blank. The purpose is to “guide” the fly line through them. As always, this part of the fly fishing rod varies in shapes too. You’ll also notice that the first guide is identical to the ones found on conventional fishing rods. What they are referred to as well is stripping guides. For the rest of the rod, the wire used is thin and it’s usually addressed as snake guides. The last guide found at the tip of the rod is called the tip top.
by: Shareen Aguilar

Purpose Of Fishing Rod Holders

2008-03-16T19:08:00.003+08:00

Purpose Of Fishing Rod Holders. Fishing is a sport designed for relaxation. It is where fish lovers pride themselves of the fish caught while celebrating it with friends and family.
The rod holder is a fishing tool that allows fishermen to multi-task easily. It was invented because fishing requires the use of both hands in the whole process of luring, hook clearing and removing the fish from the hooks. With all these tasks, letting go of the pole is difficult. The fishing rod holder was intended for anglers to be able to make use of both hands.

The first design of fishing rod holders had two parts. The first is a pole-binding device with a strap placed on the railing to tie up to the fishing pole. The second part is a Velcro strap that could be tied on your limb, arms or waist.

The first designs needed improvement because when the straps were placed on the waist, it is wedged into anything you hit. Therefore, a new design of rod holder was invented which has four parts – two pole clips and two straps.

Depending on what fishing position you are in, the short strap is used to be wrapped around your wrist or forearm and the long strap is wrapped around your ankle or leg.

There are also rod holders which come with a remedial solution for seasickness. This curative fishing rod is capable of providing the user with an acupressure stimulator. Providing that the strap of the holder be worn all throughout the trip, it would remain efficient since the pressure is exerted continuously.

The rod holder is best for fly-fishing. Fly fishing is done in locations with rocky rivers and it is impossible to use your other hand for any purpose other than the fishing tasks. Because of the clips wrapped around your lower leg, you have a choice of putting the rear of the fishing pole into the clip so that no water could go inside it.

The upper pole clips could rotate to 360 degrees. It allows the user to do any movement since the pole is more flexible. The fishing rod holder could be used in any location whether in boats, on land, or at the dock. It prevents the fishing rod to slip from your hands and it allows you to release the rod easily.

The best fishing rod holders are those done homemade. However, many fishing stores offer high quality rod holders that would best suit your kind of fishing.
by: Travis Clemens

Using A Fishing Rod

2008-03-16T19:01:00.003+08:00

Using A Fishing Rod. Rods are basically made from carbon. Plastic, composite carbon combined with Kevlar, which is a kind of material that is bullet proof, or just high carbon. Since the carbon's force and strength in connection to its mass is light, making it strong material that can allow thinner fabrication but still is able to keep the span and length. A rod that is lighter evidently handling will be easier, controlling it would be less tiring on ones arms and reduces resistance to air giving one an easier time accurately casting it, particularly on windy ways.

Rods come in silicon carbide, hard chrome or ceramic rings having a function of letting the line pass through. These are precisely used because of their smoothness having the function to minimize friction when passing through the line and keep the maximum strength. Silicon materials are a fact costly, so an alternative is bring into play ceramic rings like Zircon which when taken in to account, it is not as tough or as light, but is much cost effective. Rings made of chrome are better, although every season they require replacement, they do deliver excellent job of line running. At least thirteen rings are needed from the handle all through the tip, lesser near the handle, needing more close to the tip. The line can fasten itself to the rod, if you don’t have enough rings.

When determining length of the rod, you want to take into account exactly what kind of fishing you want. If you want far out fishing, in that case choose a larger rod as this will offer you better control when you are playing the fish. If you are planning to go fishing in an area that is enclosed, you will need a shorter rod. Normally, the safe rod size to choose is13ft (3.9m). This is lengthy enough for a waggler but does not cast out too far.

# Handles

Handles are made from either cork or foam. Whichever you choose, this is a matter of preference. Just try handling both materials so you can have a good “feel” before buying it.
Action

Action is the term used in describing how the rod will bend when it is placed under the lot of strain and effort of a fighting fish.

There are two types of tip on a rod, the hollow and spliced tips. Hollow tips are good in catching carp, tench and chub which have a progressive or developing action making it sharp for quick bites, yet proficient enough to manage long distance strikes. Spliced tips normally are normally spliced to the end with two feet solid carbon. This rod is sharper so it is a good pick for fast acting fish.

# When choosing a rod, these questions will help you pick the right one:

1. How frequent and where do you fish? Are you a beginner, a weekend warrior, or a tournament pro? If you are just starting out, you may need to budget and spend less money on your first rod. Once you learn the techniques and once you have decided that fishing is for you, that is the time to spend on more specific rods.

2. Freshwater or Saltwater fish? While there are a few rods that can be used for both fresh and saltwater fish, most rods are made for a specific purpose and application.

3. Spinning or Casting? The species you that you choose to chase will determine it.

4. Power, sensitivity, and your technique. The rod should match the way you enjoy fishing. If you like to fish with lures, then you should look for a rod that is comfortable enough to cast frequently all day long.
by: Travis Clemens

Fit The Fishing Rod To The Fishing Task

2008-03-16T18:35:00.004+08:00

Fit The Fishing Rod To The Fishing Task. See yourself standing on the bank of a swiftly moving stream in the shade of a gnarled willow, your fishing rod bent beneath the weight of an unusually large catch.

Whether or not you land that fish depends on the decisions you made at the shop -- primarily the type of rod.

"The ABCs Of Fishing Rods"

Your rod is the most important tool you will use while fishing, and you can chose from a wide range of types, styles and lengths.

A fishing rod is a shaft of graphite, fiberglass, steel, wood or bamboo used to catch fish (duh). Fishing filament (line), is threaded through the ferrules (eyes) along the rod. The ferrule at the tip directs the cast. 1 end of the line winds around a reel at the base of the pole. The other end of the line has a baited hook attached to it.

Fishing rods vary from 4 feet (for children) to 16 feet, with the average being 6 feet long. Rod length is chosen based on: the species of fish you target and the environment you will fish at.
Landscape

If your fishing hole is beside trees with overhead branches, you'll need a short, flexible rod. Flexibility -- the amount the rod can bend before breaking -- is determined by the diameter of the pole. Light rods are thin and flexible, while stronger rods are thicker and more rigid.
For open terrain, flexible, thin rods that are 10 to 12 feet long are good, unless it is too windy.
Fresh Water Or Salt Water?

Freshwater fishing occurs in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, while saltwater fishing is done in oceans and along the coast. Choose a rod appropriate to the environment.
Plan For Species Of Fish

Short, strong rods are best for landing game fish. Stronger and thicker rods should be used for large, aggressive fish. Such fish could break a lighter pole.

"Select Rod By Material"

Common types of fishing rods include bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.
Bamboo rods can be a basic, inexpensive pole with a line attached, to very expensive handcrafted rods that are used for fly-fishing. Bamboo rods run from $5 up to hundreds of dollars for handcrafted fly fishing rods. If you are not planning to do fly-fishing, fiberglass or graphite rods are best.

Fiberglass rods are good for beginners and kids and they're reasonably priced. They come in many lengths, flexibility characteristics, and require very little maintenance.
Many experienced anglers prefer graphite rods, because they are very lightweight and extremely strong.

"A Fitting Rod"

Your goal should be to find a rod that fits your arm and is comfortable. If you have trouble choosing, ask someone with experience to go along or just ask the staff at a fishing store. A few pointers will quickly get you on your way -- to a world of fun.
by: Ron king

Fishing Guides - Fishing Rod Casting Tips

2008-03-16T18:28:00.002+08:00

Fishing Guides - Fishing Rod Casting Tips. The action of a fishing rod is the behavior of the rod while being cast by an individual. The action of the rod may be the same for all the people who cast with it and it may be different for every person who casts with it. Very few casters cast exactly alike. Their hand, arm, muscular and nervous systems are never exactly alike and they con¬sequently perform a cast with a rod differently than any other hand and arm, etc.

The action of most rods will react substantially the same for all casters, however. When a rod does not react the same for one caster as another, the action of the rod for each caster is different. That is, a rod may be called a stiff action by one caster and a med¬ium stiff action by another, and both are correct. The action of a rod, then, depends directly on the particular caster using it and may vary from caster to caster.

We will discuss rod action as it applies to fly rods, only. The rod actions are only discussed in general terms.

"Wet Fly Fishing Rod Casting"

WEJT FLY ACTION: Years ago, a “wet fly action” fly rod was considered to be a rod that was very limber and which bent freely from the grip to the tip. The theory of such limber, soft rods was that they allowed the flies to fall gently into the water and the line to fall straight into the water. Either claim has questionable advantages under many conditions. Gradually, as the years have gone by, fisher¬men began to find out that these old “buggy whip wet fly rods” were actually poor rods for casting the wet fly and that rods suitable for dry fly casting generally cast wet flies much more satisfactorily. Act¬ually, wet fly rods are non-existent today except when a maker turns out a poor dry fly rod and sells it to some novice as a “wet fly rod.”

"Dry Fly Fishing Rod Casting"

DRY FLY ACTION: There are many ways to build a dry fly rod or dry fly action into a rod. Most of these methods produce good dry fly rods. I will briefly describe some of the better known methods of producing dry fly action in a rod.

HEWITT DRY FLY ACTION: Edward H. Hewitt, as you un¬doubtedly know, was considered the best fly fisherman for trout in the world. There are those who are prone to minimize Hewitt’s abil¬ities for personal reasons or self glory. However, I have never known or heard of anyone from reliable sources who could beat Hewitt for actually putting trout in a creel.

Hewitt used a rod with action or the bending in the lower or middle part but not as pronounced as in the standard Dry Fly action. On a three piece rod, for example, the upper half of the middle section and the lower half of the tip have “level tapers”, that is, the tapers are slight. This leaves these areas a little stiff. Such a rod has action all over but slightly more of the bending is in the butt section, the lower half of the middle section, and the top half of the tip.

Hewitt action is identical to the Standard Dry Fly action describ¬ed below, except that the variations in the “level tapered” areas are less from a straight taper than the Standard Dry Fly action “level tapers.”

In one of the last letters from Hewitt, he wrote me that he much preferred this type of rod to all others and that he never was able to wear one out or soften up the action of such a rod no matter how long he use it. This means something coming from Hewitt. He not only had used rods of various types for a great many years but used them a great deal ever year. As always, Hewitt had Leonard make his rods and he always had the highest praised for them.
By Willl M

Fly Fishing Rods, Getting The Right Action

2008-03-16T18:18:00.003+08:00

Fly Fishing Rods, Getting The Right Action. Choosing the correct fishing tackle rod depends on the type of fishing you intend doing, and is the first step in enjoying fly fishing. Fly fishing rods come in many different lengths and line weights and are matched to the environment you will be fishing in.

"Here are a few questions you'll need to ask yourself when choosing fly fishing rods."

1. Will I be spending most of my time fishing for fresh water fish such as trout and bass, or will I be fishing saltwater species like salmon, steelhead or larger ocean fish.

2. Do I intend fishing small streams, Rivers, Lakes or open ocean water? As a general rule, use shorter rods for smaller rivers and streams, longer rods for bigger rivers, lakes and saltwater use. The weight of the rod also depends on the location being fished.
Small trout fly rods can start with a line weight rod of 3 up to 6, for larger rivers and lake fishing, anglers generally use trout fishing rod weight 6 to 9, and for open water and sea fishing go for 9 weight and upwards.

3. What type of rod action do you prefer? The action of the rod will determine the line speed and the size of the line loop during casting, the faster the action the tighter the loop will be. As a guide beginners are best to use a slow to medium action rod.

"More on Fly Fishing Rod Action"

The action or bend of is a key factor. How far does the rod bend when using consistent effort?
Remember, the action of a fly rod is a measure of how flexible the rod is.

"Fast Action Fly Rods"

The lack of bend and the stiffness of fly fishing rods allow the angler to generate plenty of line speed in the cast. This allows very accurate distance casting than a slower action fly rod. A fast action fly trout rod is also good for using in windy conditions due to the line speed.
Fast action rods are more suited to experienced anglers who have excellent timing and casting ability, the size of the loop will cause all sorts of problems to the inexperienced, especially if weighted flies are being used. Many novice anglers have bought fast action rods only to have unhappy results when using them due to lack of experience.

"Medium Action Fly Rods"

Medium Action fly rods are the most popular of the fly rod. Medium action fly rods offer good flexibility and are the most versatile of fly rods. Medium action rods are great all rounder, and can be used in smaller streams, rivers and lakes. These rods are certainly capable of a long cast and require less perfection in motion and timing. Ideal all rounder.

"Slow Action Fly Fishing Rods"

Slow action fly rods; don’t generate high line speeds due to their flexibility. These rods are designed to make shorter accurate and delicate casts. Ideal for fishing small rivers and creeks. Slow action fly fishing rods are an excellent fly rod for beginners. Slow line speed and more flexibility gives a beginner more control over the fly line, allowing better accuracy in casting.
To summarize, slower action rods are for beginners to fly fishing, although experienced anglers also enjoy using them with very light gear for those hard to catch bass or trout. Medium action fly rods are the most versatile, and are adaptable enough to fish in most conditions. These rods ore for those who are into the fishing and being ‘out there’ experience rather than wanting total mastery of the art that is usually required with faster action fly fishing rods.
by: Noel Davidson

Halibut: Alaska Halibut Fishing For Barn Door Sized Fish

2008-03-16T18:06:00.002+08:00

Halibut: Alaska Halibut Fishing For Barn Door Sized Fish. Standing on deck allowing the wave action to bounce your weighted herring or plastic lure off the bottom a hundred or more feet below is called ringing the dinner bell. Halibut will travel hundreds of yards to investigate the thumping of your lead lure as it will swallow the noisy lure…

The recognized tug, tug, then a strong pull begins the underwater rodeo. The heavy one pound lead nose on a split tail white scampi bounces off the ocean floor actually calling the halibut to the lure. At 200 foot deep the ocean is totally dark. But a white lure seems to be the best color for halibut. A 20-pound “chicken” halibut fights likes a 60-pound salmon. The huge flat surface is added resistance teamed with muscle for a fish that is determined to stay on the bottom. The normal is three trips to the surface and two trips back to the bottom before you can land a 40-50 pound halibut.

Just as the halibut nears the surface where a net or gaff awaits, all that muscle turns the fish toward the bottom and the line screams off the reel. The Alaska halibut will not stop until it reaches the bottom again. Now you know what you have and you pray your equipment stays together.

Captain Jerry threw out the anchor on the lee side of a spit in 150 foot of water. The tide was just beginning to come in, the “Dancer” was bobbing as the tide began to race back in. With 18-foot tides, a lot of water is displaced every 12 hours. The sandy bottom was ideal for halibut to wait for the tide to bring in the next meal. The sound of the anchor hitting the bottom had rang the dinner bell. The 55-foot cabin cruiser had pulled the slack out of the anchor chain and lined out facing into the incoming tide.

Dan dropped his one-pound lead nose white scampi lure over the side and waited for the reel to unspool. The foot long plastic lure hit the bottom with a thump. The slack was taken out of the spider wire line so the lure could be bounced on the bottom to create an underwater thump that seems to lure halibut from hundreds of yards away. Alaska halibut fishing had always been a dream, too far away to even imagine. From the day of decision it had been over 11 months of planning, preparing and dreaming for this day of fishing for halibut off Prince of Wales Island.

A minute had passed then 5 minutes; Dan was thinking “the bite” hadn’t started yet. Then it happened. Small yank, yank then he set the hook. Dan had caught several “chickens” so he knew it was a halibut. Suddenly the short stubby deep-sea pole formed a “U” and Dan began to lift the rod and reel down. The familiar yank, yank, yank as the fish refused to leave the bottom did not deter the stout built 6’ 1”, 30 year old as muscle warred with muscle until the cry was heard from the skipper on the flying deck, “my God the boy has hooked a keeper!” The fish looked slightly greenish brown and appeared to be gliding at an angle towards the boat but 6 to 8 feet under the surface.

At 3 feet from the surface the addled fish saw the boat, bright sunshine and an excited angler all at once and did an about face heading back to the bottom. The Penn reel screamed as every bearing surface and brake rebelled as the 5 foot behemoth slipped out of sight. That foray had taken 20 minutes, Dan called for help. 6’ 4” brother Paul with arms as big as a man’s thighs said “let me have that!”

In the April Alaska cool, beads of sweat poured down Paul’s face, the yank, yank, yank, reel up and scream down had taken its toll. Weakly he said “I’m gonna need a break!” Dan grabbed the short stubby “U” shaped pole and began to reel. Paul had lasted exactly twenty minutes only to have a brief glimpse of a shadowed recluse before the line screamed and the halibut returned to the deep.

The fishing pole had fibers that were releasing long ways on the rod, the famous reel was making a strange squeaking sound as it reeled up and a disturbing grinding sound as the break squealed off line. The halibut was coming up but Dan gave out in 10 minutes. Paul grabbed the rod and manhandled the rod, fish and reel. 10 minutes later he hollered “it should have been to the top by now, what is happening?” The brake on the reel had completely failed and as the line was reeled in the fish took back at its’ leisure. Dan took the next watch. Within 5 minutes Dan yelled, “I see color!” Captain Jerry was standing on the bow with a 22 rifle. Just as the halibut broke the surface Captain Jerry fired and dispatched the 124-pound giant halibut.

Alaska allows the dispatching of large halibut on the surface due to the tremendous power a halibut has after coming on board. These fish have been known to break the fisherman’s arms and legs contributing to several deaths by the flailing powerful tails.

Alaska halibut fishing doesn’t get any better. From a “chicken” to a keeper the thrill is always the same. It starts with the same question “Have I hooked the bottom?”
by: James Zeller

Fishing Forum: The Fishing Connection That Enlightens Pros And The Novice

2008-03-16T17:39:00.003+08:00

Fishing Forum: The Fishing Connection That Enlightens Pros And The Novice. Why do fishermen catch fish and I come home empty handed? What do the fishing guides do to help insure success for a paying client? Fishing a new location while on vacation can be very difficult. Locations, baits, and gear are number one questions. Time of year affects fishing success. These questions are but a few answered at the fisherman’s second most favorite fishing destination…

Capt. Fisherall has made his weekly announcements on the fishing forum with little to no complaints. His reports always give the daily fishing conditions, including the fish caught and the bait and tackle used. Although he doesn’t give away his favorite GPS fishing locations, a fisherman could emulate his prescription and expect moderate success. Capt. Fisherall usually spices his electronic exchange up with a good ole fishing story and ends with an invitation to “Come fish on the USS We Use Tourist For Bait”. The fishing forum Webmaster doesn’t see any harm done, and Capt. Fisherall is welcomed and expected each week. Some newbie forum users chastise the exploitation of their chat sanctum while the Pros cheer him on and take notes furiously.

A totally new visitor pops a question “Can anyone tell me how to catch trout?” Well the forum has its’ seasoned granddads and smart-alecks who gently guide this fishing prospect through the paces of landing his first fish. The fishing forum has a general store atmosphere where the fire is warm all winter and the chin chatter is thin while the fisherman plies his art.
A new carp bait recipe has surfaced and a bass boat and trailer needs a new home, desperately. Another fishing video is for sale.

Check out the wintertime catfish fishing techniques on Cedar Lake.

The third week of May the lake is “turning over” and the sand bass are literally jumping into the boat chasing shad!

Coho are showing up just a mile off Noyes Island.

If the subject is of interest to fishermen it is listed on the fishing forum. The mix is: fishing reports, classifieds, bulletin board, how to tutors, and a camaraderie that is what makes fishermen around the world immune the language barriers.

The fishing forum has its’ regulars like Capt. Fisherall, fishing professionals, novices and granddads all with a mindset to learn as much as they teach. The best unbiased fishing gear reviews are recorded without fanfare or solicitation on the fishing forum. New ways to tie knots and different types of fishing line together are shared without more than a “thank you.”
The fishing family gathered at the fishing forum are well known to each other by their hand chosen “handles”. Capt. Fisherall could actually be Capt. Jerry, and the USS Dancer is probably the real name of the USS We Use Tourist For Bait, or not…

The fishing forum buddies may not ever meet on the same streambed or pass each other on the starboard side, but on a regular basis they hail each other on their second most favorite fishing spot, … the fishing forum!
by: James Zeller

Computer Fishing Games-how To Learn The Great Sport Of Fishing From The Comfort Of Home

2008-03-16T17:33:00.001+08:00

Computer Fishing Games-how To Learn The Great Sport Of Fishing From The Comfort Of Home. Computer fishing games are becoming more and more popular nowadays, as the sport of fishing in general is becoming more popular. As a greater amount of people become fishermen each and every day, due to the relaxation and fun that fishing offers, computer fishing games are becoming more widely played as well.

Quite simply, fishing is one of the best sports nowadays for people of all ages and physical conditions, because no matter how old or young you might be, it is a sport that you can do. You don’t need to be in great shape to do it, and it doesn’t matter how old you are; you can fish no matter what circumstance you find yourself in.

Also, the great thing about it is that it can often times be a very relaxing sport, as it is generally done out in nature and away from civilization. If you enjoy the great outdoors, then there is no better sport to partake in them fishing. In fact, often times you can go places where the fishing is almost in the background compared to the awesome scenery that the place offers.

Of course, nowadays the Internet offers a lot of great fishing games help you to sharpen your skills and enjoy the great sport of fishing without even having to leave your easy chair. Bass fishing downloads are probably the most popular, since bass are the most widely sought after fish, but this certainly isn't the only fishing game available. Believe it or not, these computer fishing games are not simply a way to waste some time and have some fun; you can also learn a great deal about fishing in the process.

Quite simply, there are many free and paid games online, and depending on how much money you are willing to spend, you can find some great computer games at some very affordable prices. They also offer great graphics, it will teach you a lot about the sport of fishing.
With these computer games, you can decide what kind of fishing line go after, the kind of bait to use, the time of day when to fish, where you plan on fishing, etc. These will help to build up your analytical skills, because it teaches you critical thinking skills about fishing. When you learn how to analyze these things on the computer game online, you will usually be able to determine them off the internet as well. This will help make you a much better fisherman without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.

Very simply, even though they are just online fishing games, when you learn what kind of bait certain type of fish responds to online, it generally translates pretty well off the Internet as well. Therefore, you will know what can of bait to use when going after a particular kind of fish.
You can also learn a lot of differnet factors as well, such as the best type of weather to fish in, the best places to target certain types of fish, etc. Whether you enjoy freshwater fishing, deep sea fishing, fishing for sharks, bass, salmon, etc, these games will show you how. Hopefully these computer fishing games tips will be to find the right computer fishing games to improve your skills and start enjoying the incredible sport of fishing from the comfort of your own home.
by: Josh Neumann

Online Bass Fishing Games Are Really Amusing

2008-03-16T17:21:00.002+08:00

Online Bass Fishing Games Are Really Amusing. Most people have lots of fun and excitement persuading fishing. Bass is no longer consumed as food by the majority of anglers but has made a successful entrance in the world of sports and the Americans constitute the maximum portion of bass fisher.

Since bass is no more treated as food so they are making an excellent target for fishing sport. Anglers catch basses, and released in tanks as soon as it is caught. They are treated for stress and injury to their slime coats, and then released back into the water. Anglers are seriously penalized for dead fishes in a contests or competition offline. The increasing popularity of bass fishing offline is persuading the game developers to a bass fishing game online which can be bought or downloaded for free. Bass Masters Classic and SEGA Bass Fishing are the two tough bass fishing games that can be bought via the internet.

The online fishing expeditions are endless when you choose the lake, the hot spot, the species, and even the weather. You can get yourself completely engrossed in a fishing quest alive with splashing fish, jumping frogs, dancing water bugs, rippling water, bouncing rod tips and the largest, toughest fighting bass ever created on a computer. You are also free from any kind of penalty in case any fish dies and are also far away from the fishy smells. Online Bass Fishing Games are programmed with different species of fish to maximize your fun.

Browsing net you will come across numerous free downloadable bass fishing games online and also paid Bass fishing games that are extremely affordable. These games allow you to fish to your heart's content from the comfort of your home. Some of the games give you the chance to use LAN and vie against your friends or other acute cyber space anglers over the internet. You will also come across several websites that has the option to download a free version of a game that helps you make a correct decision.

Bass Fishing Games is sure to satisfy your craving for fishing both online as well as offline. But there is one plus point fishing online besides several other advantages and that is you can go for fishing even if it is not the season for bass. There are several exciting and realistic free bass fishing games available for you online that you can play from the comfort of your house. by: Flushman

Night Fishing For Catfish -Enticing Trophy Catfish Into A Feeding Frenzy!

2008-03-16T17:11:00.002+08:00

Night Fishing For Catfish -Enticing Trophy Catfish Into A Feeding Frenzy!. Equipment you will need :

# Boat
# Boat Anchors
# Separate 12v Battery To run lights
# Night Lights
# Submerged Lighting
# Live Bait Keeper
# Chum bag
# Rod Holders
# Heavy Bait Casting Or Spinning Rig
# Insect Repellant

Night fishing for catfish can be a very rewarding fishing trip .Trust me If you do it Correctly you will catch fish, not only will you catch fish but some will be lunkers! Catfish feed at night and are very active, and when they get into a feeding frenzy fishing action can be incredible! Catfish are attracted to submerged lighting And have a very keen sense of smell. So If you can locate their nightly haunts you can entice them on to your hook with some simple methods I will explain here. But first you must be setup and prepared for night fishing it is totally different at night then in the day. Things you take for granted during the day, don't apply at night.
Boat Setup for night fishing

Before you even think about going night fishing for catfish you need to have the following items:, lights for inside the boat ,either battery or Coleman fuel type lanterns with two mantles. Set up your lights so they distribute light evenly inside the boat. I personally fish from a 20 foot pontoon and I have 3 halogen battery powered lights hung 2in the front, left and right and one hanging from my canopy in the rear. (I have used my Coleman Lanterns but they attract a huge amount of insects)

You also will need a secondary light on your person. This light is used for re-rigging your fishing poles. Trust me , no matter how prepared you are before your trip you will loose some tackle, from line crossovers, or snags, or fish snapping your line. (you can limit this by using heavy tackle and making sure your line is fresh) I personally use a led light that clips to the visor on my ball cap.

You also will need a light to illuminate the water surface I recommend 12v halogen light that can be directed outside the boat. Mount it on the side of your boat, in the center. I personally use and adjustable halogen that I can clip to the railing on my pontoon. Direct the light at a 60 degree angle from boat to water. This will illuminate the surface.

You will need a submerged light source. You are probably asking your self right now why do I need submerged lighting? The submerged lights will generate plankton swirls that will attract bait fish. Once the bait fish start schooling The big cats will come. attract schools Submerged lighting rigs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the one I use is 36" long about 4" in diameter. Center the submerged light in the illumination pattern of the surface water lighting you just set up. Anchor your submerged lighting about 12 " off the bottom, (without an anchor they will float on top of the water).. make sure the light completely submerged under the water. I recommend you use a 5lb weight as an anchor. If possible, anchor the submerged light about 2 to 3 ft from the boat.

You will need a secondary power source for the submerged light, the water illumination light and to operate your aerator pump for your live bait or live well."do not use your boats power source" This will drain your battery."you don't want to get stuck on the lake at night right? If you take a well charged 12v marine battery as your second source it will last through the night.
You will need all Your poles pre-rigged If you have the rigs I would set up 3 poles , per person in advance of getting on the water. The reason I suggest this is because it's real pain the "blank" To re-rig at night. You will end up doing it anyway , but if you have spare poles already set up, use them first before you have waist valuable time with poles out of the water.
Locating the cat's nightly haunts

It has been my experience the bigger cat's roam the shore lines or back waters in search of food at night. Every body of water will be different. I highly recommend you do some research on the body of water you intend to night fish for catfish on. At Minimum Get a topographical map of the area before you attempt your trip. These can be attained at any of the local bait and tackle shops in the area. (I recommend you visit one of these shops to get the local scoop anyway, if you dig deep enough these guys can pin point on the map Where to start fishing. This will save you lots of time.)
"
Enticing the Cats to your boat"

Once you have your water surface lights and your submerged lights set up and ready to go you don't even need to do the next step, you are ready to start fishing. The submerged lighting will get the schools of bait fish coming , but I take it step one step further because if you play on the catfish's extra sensitive sense of smell you can drive the Big cats into a feeding frenzy! Ok You say how?

Well the answer is by introducing "chumming".Chumming releases a slick of dead fish smells and fish guts that the small bait fish and catfish feed on. There are many commercial chumming systems you can purchase and they work very well, but I use a simple very inexpensive method that anyone can set up. First you will need a nylon netted bag that you can close tight. (a good example would the netted bags that you put golf balls in that have a string closure adjustment) This is what I use, works perfect , very inexpensive. Next , get some good size freezer bags, 3 should do for one nights trip. Next , Purchase about 2 dozen good size chubs and cut them in 1" to 2" slices, make sure you do this in a pan that will not drain all the juices. Fill the freezer bags pieces and juice all together, and let them sit outside in the sun all day long. Yes it will stink to high heaven by the end of the day, but that is what you want! Now stick the freezer bag in side the meshed bag that can close. Close the bag tight and tie a line at the bottom of the bag about 2 feet long. Attach about a 2lb anchor to get the bag to the bottom . Now tie a line at the top of the bag with enough lead line to get the bag on the bottom. Now before you lower the chum bag to the bottom take an ice pick, or something sharp that will puncture the bag , but not tear the plastic. Punch the freezer bag numerous times, then lower to the bottom an tie it off on the side of the boat.

Now its time to fish! But before we go there lets re-visit Your catfish rigs. There are many catfish rigs you can use, and they all work in situations they are designed for. When you are fishing at night and you have submerged a lighting setup ,you want get your line about 2 ft away from the light source, approximated on the outer edges of the source's beam.You will be fishing only a short distance from the boat, so your rigs need to be set up to fish in close proximity to the boat. You could fish tight line with a basic catfish hook and a small sinker. Or use a slip bobber system. I prefer to use the slip bobber system. I use a rig similar to the one shown in the diagram below. I use the single hook rig. Both rigs shown in the illustration work fine but I just have preference for the single hook rig. I do use the double hook rig when fishing for other types of fish. I use all heavy duty, open face , and spin cast rod and reels with 30lb test. When you do get a lunker on your line you want the tackle set up to handle the fight. You miss some smaller cats, but it's well worth it when you catch your first 10lb plus catfish.

"Baits To Use "

both Channel and Blue catfish will eat just about any small fish like Suckers, small shad, or bluegills both live or dead. I use both live bait and dead "cut bait" I will normally set one pole up with a small live gill no more that 3 inches in length. My other poles will be baited with cut bait , normally LARGE suckers 6" or longer cut in 1" to 2" chunks.
by: Mark Fleagle

Family Fishing Holidays In France

2008-03-16T15:23:00.002+08:00

Family Fishing Holidays In France. France is a country that has a wonderful variety of fishing from the North through to the South and caters for fly fishing, course and game fishing on a wide range of rivers and lakes. Plus there is plenty of coast line for the sea angler to enjoy as well.

Carp fishing, cat fishing, not forgetting course and pike fishing are just some of the holidays that you can enjoy in France and whilst some places cater for the dedicated angler, others are more family orientated with accommodation and activities for the non fishers. There are several types of fishing holiday available and for trout fishing, you would need to book from around the middle to end of March up until around the first week of September, which is the only time frame you are allowed to fish for trout in France.

In certain areas of France, salmon fishing is prohibited all year, so it is always best to check on the area you are going, prior to thinking that you will be able to get a licence for fly fishing, just like that.

Every country has numerous different regulations and France is no exception, with specific rules in place for what type of fish you can catch, when you are allowed to catch certain species of fish and what equipment you are allowed to fish with.For some, this can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are not fluent in French, and although in some areas it will be easier than others to organise your fishing venue and licence, it is often easier to pre-organise your fishing holiday, so do try and get as much information as possible.

You must have a fishing licence to fish in rivers, streams and lakes throughout France unless these are privately owned or booked as a fishing holiday where the fishing licence requirements are normally included, but it is advisable to check this out before you travel!If you need to obtain your own fishing permit, these can usually be obtained from the local fishing tackle shop or alternatively from the local bar or tobac. But if you are not sure on what is required then you can get advice from the local tourist information board, which can also provide maps of where you can and cannot fish.

If you are only going to be on holiday in France for a short time, then you can get what is known as The Carte de Peche de Vacances, which covers an angler for up to fifteen consecutive days and can be used between 1st June and 30th November. However, outside of these dates an annual fishing licence is mandatory.

An annual permit may be used for the whole year but bear in mind that this will only be for one department unless you get it stamped for different areas that you may go to and this is something that you will need for all fresh water fishing.

When it comes to catfish and carp fishing, you can get a licence to do this in the local rivers or public lakes, but the majority of people will want to opt for a carp fishing holiday on a dedicated lake. And when you go to a dedicated privately owned lake for carp fishing, cat fishing, etc, then you will not normally have to worry about getting your own individual licence as this will already have either been sorted out by the travel agency or the owner under their regulations.

Boats are allowed to be used quite a bit in France, but you may need to have a separate part to your licence to enable you to use a boat, even if it is only for baiting. But be careful if you have an echo sounder in your boat, as you are not allowed to have both this and your tackle in the boat at the same time!

Also, night fishing is prohibited in a lot of places in France, but when on a private fishing lake, or if with the correct licence on certain waters, this can be allowed. If not, then you can only fish half hour after sunrise to half hour before sunset. Some places on the rivers seine, rhone, mosselle, oise, madine and rhine, etc do allow night fishing, but there are many places that do ban the use of a bivvy or tent even if night fishing is allowed and you may only get away with a brolly!Sea fishing off of the Atlantic coast is excellent and you will be pleased to know that a licence is not needed, and you can go out on a boat to catch bass, conger eels and even tuna or surf cast for sea bream to name but a few.

Fly fishing for salmon and trout is available in lots of public canals and navigable rivers but as with most countries, these will also contain other fish such as Pike, so beware! However some of the best places to try your hand at fly fishing are often owned by groups and in this case you would need to pay the owners for a permit to fish as well as having your licence. Some of the best salmon fishing in France can be found in the Pyrenees Atlantiques and the river Loire is also a major salmon fishery for France.Some of the best fishing in France is for course fishing where you will find lots of different species, but with carp, catfish and pike being in abundance, especially in areas such as the Dordogne, Lot and Charente Maritime. But if you like fishing for black bass, the river Rhone is known as a premier bass fishery, as is the river Saone.

The fishing dates and times do vary each year in France, so it is always advisable to check on these before planning your fishing holiday, and at the end of the day, forget about the headaches of the licences, just enjoy the whole experience and you too could be in with a chance of catching a fish that has never been caught before!
by: placesinfrance.com

Making Unique Fishing Baits For Catfish and Carp

2008-03-16T14:51:00.003+08:00

Making Unique Fishing Baits For Catfish and Carp. ‘Secret fishing baits’ abound and some are fantastically successful catching many more than their fair share of big fish for those fishermen who realise just how powerful and potent using a very unique bait can be. Simple or complicated baits all work.

You just need a little ‘working knowledge.’ It can be so exciting making your own baits when you just know your next session is going to be fantastic!Just knowing one little edge can transform your catches overnight. Although most baits end up getting ‘sussed’ by the fish and they can often respond to being caught and returned by becoming far more reluctant to pick up your baits without caution, they will very often still be eaten despite this.

Every weekend, the majority of carp and catfish being heavily fished for get away with a big free meal feeding on ground bait and free baits without feeling the pressure form a bend fishing rod!Even in situations where catfish and carp are caught for the table, it is often the bigger fish which are more rarely landed which have perhaps evaded capture for years having been hooked and lost on the regular baits and fishing methods most commonly used over the years...

Even on heavily fished lakes there is usually a head of big fish that usually evade capture on regular baits and methods often for years. Sometimes a can of corn or piece of luncheon meat, liver or fish produce the goods but this is not always the best answer as most of us have realised. Sometimes it really pays you to know just a bit more about how to design a bait not even especially to catch that lake record, but merely to get a ‘take’ in the first place!You might want to know about using of simple super store propylene glycol fishing flavours with corn syrup and corn flour. Or feel the need to explore isoenzymes, peptones, oleoresins, special fruit acids or fermentation bye-products for answers and ingredients, that’s the level to go.

Not everyone needs to know that hygroscopic substances like peptones, or lecithins, honey or malt extract or even mineral salts are outstanding bait ingredients for catching fish of many species. But then again, it can be a great benefit to be much more aware of more bait knowledge like knowing the ‘significant ingredient’ in lobster powder, or green lip mussel extract, or squid liver extract. This knowledge and its practical use can transform your bait from a good trusted bait into one that means ‘fill your boots time!’

The level of bait know-how you need really depends on what you want to know! Because bait making is more of an art despite all the application of scientific knowledge used in the bait making industry, there is so much that we do not know and which has not been verified or measured as conclusive in a dynamic fishing environment with so many constantly changing variables. I could stay on the narrow road of flavours and aromas, or venture into stimulators, enhancers, sweeteners, essential oils, ‘food oils’ and a vast array of specialist additives each with their particular benefits to the fish in regards to stimulation, nutrition, their method and pathway of detection and their uses and effects in the fish.

However, even a scrap of rubber, plastic or wood can all catch extremely big carp so things need to be taken a step at a time. If you’re more into catfish, the dietary requirements and some methods of stimulation by your bait are so similar to that of carp that the two areas of bait design almost merge into one. Fermented shrimp might be an ‘off the wall’ ingredient but it has been a significant secret ingredient for those fishermen aware of the potency of trying ‘different’ ingredients to improve their catches.

If you go so far as to realise some of the reasons why this ingredient, like ‘Belechan’ (which is popularly used in the UK) works so great for catfish and carp, then will be ahead even more.In the case of this ingredient, there is an impressive amino acid profile with significant levels of essential ones for these fish, and taste enhancing ones too, teamed with energy supplying palm oil, loads of highly stimulatory salts and even attractive bacterial enzymes too. Its high in protein which has been part broken down in the production, drying and its natural fermentation process which provides exceptional soluble nutritional stimulation ‘food messages’ to the fish. But thing do not need to be so involved at all for you yourself to make very successful baits.

In the UK boilies and fishmeal based pellets are very successful mainstays. In the States the trend towards the use of boiled dough paste baits is growing as they prove themselves for big fish more and more. It can be a real saving in time and money to learn how to make your own baits which work consistently. Even when competing against other anglers on well-proven shop-bought readymade baits your own home-made baits can be a fantastic edge and really produce the goods! The same goes for making very powerfully attractive ‘ground baits too.

It is a proven fact that catfish and carp can come on almost any bait by design or accident. But for a very long time now, literally thousands of fishermen have proven that baits that supply nitrogen and amino acids are very highly attractive and extremely consistent in the long term in tempting those bigger fish, many repeatedly.Baits based on the characteristic ingredients that are commonly used in carp and catfish farming do demonstrate good catches, but good a sound theoretical nutritional basis to making a bait is not that necessary all the time. In fact very simple baits can catch numerous bigger fish sometimes even perhaps due to their very lack of attractive ‘food signals’ in situations where fish get heavily fished for.

Baits that contain even one ingredient that initiates a feeding response or just simple curiosity can really produce. Almost everyone knows that simple corn, hemp, luncheon meat or cheese catch fish, as do live baits like bloodworm, worms, maggots, and a myriad of other protein rich natural organisms. The list of ingredients you can use in making a secret bait of your own is endless. Each one and its level of inclusion in your bait can influence your bait’s diversity from those that other fishermen usually use and that difference may be all you need for greater success. Of course whatever you can make up for yourself, can be adapted in some kind of liquid form to ‘adapt’ those baits you have bought as readymade baits.

To make your readymade boilies and pellet baits different and stand out more, or to reduce likelihood of fish being wary of them and so easier to tempt ‘doctoring’ your baits is an extremely good edge. Again there are thousands of ingredients and combinations and ingredients effects to exploit.There are thousands of variations on basic baits for catching catfish and carp which go beyond simply opening a can or meat or corn or opening a bag of pellets or boilies etc.

Although so many ingredients will catch these fish, if you simply follow the knowledge that these fish need a percentage of nitrogen containing food, protein and amino acids to survive, you will do well for the bigger fish. The smaller fish can always be caught using baits based on carbohydrate ingredients like corn meal, soya flour, semolina and so on in combination with any of thousands of added attractors and flavours to further stimulate the feeding responses.When it comes down to making your own secret homemade baits you need a simple starting point and everyone dreams of catching the bigger fish so why not aim high and make a bait intended for the giant catfish and carp by supplying for their basic needs?

The main most important ‘bulk’ ingredient to supply the protein and attractive amino acid content is massive. Some are better proven and easier to use than others. For many fisherman it makes good time and monetary economic sense to make a visit to the Wal-Mart or Tescos store for bait supplies. Proprietary fishing bait and ingredients are often much more expensive and can be inhibitive to your needs. Why buy a bag of boilies for £10 per kilogram when a homemade bait can easily be produced for £1.50 which catches your fair share of big fish and more?

A couple of decades ago making your own bait was pretty much your only option, and fishermen of this up to this era thought nothing of making up homemade baits as part of the challenge and satisfaction of their sport. Catching big fish on your own bait is much more satisfying anyway!Bait ingredients do not have to be expensive. You can easily start with cheap cat food, dog food, ground trout pellets or cheap sausage meat and add binding ingredients like flour and eggs. Experimentation using small quantities is the key to growing your confidence!

You may simply want to liquidize some lamb or pork liver and bind it up with enough corn flour to bind it into a dough and use it straight on the hook and as free baits. Such a bait is great for catfish or carp. Using eggs will improve its resilience in water and boiling rolled balls for use on the hook or on a ‘hair rig’ will much improve duration of practical use. However so many anglers go straight to the bait shop and grab the first bag of baits that seems the most attractive to their mind at that moment. In doing this behaviour your are in fact just copying what thousands and thousands of your competing fishermen are doing, and mostly your catch results will end up being the same too.

To put the odds in your favour if your are not at the level of a ‘professional’ or ‘name’ angler there is more than enough you can do with baits to level things up. Provided you can bait up regularly and are prepared to make the quantities of bait that will influence the behaviour of a good number of fish in the water you are fishing you will triumph in the long run with consistent big fish catches. It’s not all about angling ability. You do need to find your fish and ideally, identify those natural areas where your fish feed naturally. The routes to and from these areas are also of interest to you.

By introducing bait of any kind into these areas repeatedly over a period of a number of alternate days and after a few weeks, you may begin to observe a difference in the feeding behaviour of certain fish as they almost start to ‘anticipate’ your baits arrival.Catfish feed far less often than carp and tend to ‘binge feed’. Carp feed very regularly and can feeding cycles can be like ‘clockwork’ and be on a morning and evening basis for example demonstrating the natural bio-rhythms in fish concerning their feeding habits and patterns and usual digestive cycles all of which can be manipulated by your bait to different degrees and effects!

The smaller fish of both catfish and carp species may tend to feed much more regularly and are often much easier to catch because of this increased feeding frequency for one thing! It is interesting that often baits with higher flavor levels in your bait catches you more small fish, by far.Flavors are a very interesting subject on their own. What we may think of as a simple acid or alcohol or glycerol or glycerine type combination or pure flavor, may be far more ‘volatile’ and complicated a mixture of unrelated but extremely powerful substances, especially with the very best modern commercial fishing bait flavours. These can involve substances that can ‘excite’ the nervous system of the fish in different ways and even increase the metabolic rate and give it an ‘instant energy rush’ as in the familiar ‘hit’ from drinking a coffee, “Coca Cola” or “ Red Bull” drink.

Your bait can be used to initiate an immediate feeding response the moment a fish recognises it as a food item, even from great distance away. This can lead to many favourable chain reaction in the fish involving their nervous systems, and production and release of stimulatory hormones in the brain and release of amino acids and neurotransmitters among many other things which can result quickly being in an ‘excited’ feeding state well before it even finds your hook bait.

So the more you know, the more you can manipulate the fish more significantly more of the time and keep ahead of the fish and other fishermen too. Knowing more about how a shop ‘flavour’ combination really works is advantageous, but if you can make your own dips and ‘flavour combinations’ things can really get interesting because these liquids can instantly change a ‘normal standard readymade bait’ into something totally unique and different and potent enough to keep the big fish coming back again and again...
by: Tim F. Richardson

CARP FISHING BAIT FLAVOURS - Which is the best bait flavour

2008-03-16T14:39:00.002+08:00

CARP FISHING BAIT FLAVOURS - Which is the best bait flavour. Everyone seems fixated by fishing flavours. Commonly the question asked is “What flavour bait are you using?” For most fishermen, what matters is that they like their smell of their flavour, which is an interesting point for debate... The fact is among the diverse multitude of flavours used in fishing baits are some which stand out more than others, but few fishermen know how or why this is the case.

It is easy to buy a cheap flavour at Wal-Mart or Tescos and us it in your bait. However, what you are buying is very often inferior to more expensive flavours. For example, vanilla flavour has a myriad of grades or levels of purity, freshness and various solvents may be added (even water) and extraction methods will vary. Vanilla bean extract is expensive. The genuine extract depends on very many volatile components which help explain part of its success. But natural extracts also contain other very stimulatory compounds which are vital to a top quality flavour and are easily detected by humans and fish!

It is common practice for flavour producers to ‘cut’ pure extracts and natural flavours, using a solvent or solvents like glycerol or ethanol alcohol for instance. Many things can happen to a flavour! Indeed the ‘aroma profile of a flavour, and its taste can be altered many times in many ways before it is bottled and consequently unleashed upon your fish as part of your bait. One aspect that might surprise you is just how bitter tasting many ‘sweet’ or ‘fruit’ flavours truly are. (Many flavours produced for fishing baits include an intense sweetener like Talin, or concentrated lactose or fructose.)

Flavours for the food industry are not all ideal for use in baits; their molecules often behave dramatically differently in water than in air so their effects on the fish will differ. Can you imagine sniffing in natural garlic extract in water? For a start you would not smell that distinctive garlic aroma as you would in air, as this is the result of a reaction with the air, not water. This also points to a deeper level of how many flavours or natural extracts work. They may also have hidden properties that you may not have realised. They sometimes have metabolism and circulatory stimulation properties, significant antimicrobial properties, preservative properties (low pH and alcohol for example), immunity stimulation, or even simulate or closely resemble nervous system or brain chemicals. (Even betaine HCL has antioxidant properties and citric acid has been used in many baits for years.

Yes, there’s so much more to flavours than meets the nose! Leading bait manufacturers have had to get increasingly innovative and technical to keep the effectiveness and standard of their products high against fast expanding competition for market share from smaller companies.

Flavorists and food nutritionists, even marine biologists and fish scientists are employed for their skills. The use of fermenting sugars and esters is common. The addition of amino acid products, palatants, and oils of savoury and fruit extraction in combination with natural fruit extracts, with new generation flavour enhancers and sweeteners in combination make many modern flavours a different class to most from the food industry. Combining different fruit esters to produce attractive flavours is a common practice, these days other solvents and substances are often added. Among other ingredients, various acids, nature identical and synthetically produced flavour components identical to natural ones are combined with synthetic flavour components to produce a preferable profile and taste.

The funny thing is that many flavours may be initially synthetically produced with synthetic and nature identical flavour components and then have the natural extract added to give it a more natural smell or taste. The cost of natural flavors can be extreme compared to synthetic and natural combinations. Volatiles like aldehydes and benzoates and hexanoates are included in many flavours. Some ‘volatiles’ you’d normally not dream of putting into foods of any kind except poisons! Many of the so-called ‘E-numbers’ are included and many are linked to mood changes in children with hyperactivity and so on.

Fishing flavours are all about your own personal confidence and real bait testing. If you think you have the very best of a type of flavour, you never know, there might be one that will catch you even more fish. Commercially available fishing flavours are evolving at an incredible rate. Even the ubiquitous “Tutti Fruitti” or “Scopex” or Strawberry variations are being challenged by cranberry and pineapple today with good reason. It is interesting to note that strawberry flavour ingredients can be reproduced synthetically using all the ‘volatile’ flavour components in natural strawberry, but which now can be synthetically reproduced. However, the additional aspects of natural strawberry such as its healing properties among others, will be absent.

The flavour possibilities in fishing are endless. For example, when you investigate flavours that are used in combination with ‘liquid food’ additives, to boost the nutritional value and ‘food’ signals of pellets, boilies, ground baits and even meats and live baits like maggots and worms... These days even sweetcorn, hemp, bread, worm and bloodworm flavours are available and used to even boost the taste and attraction of the real thing and may include real extracts of that food too!
by: Tim F. Richardson

Carp Fishing for Big Fish using Innovative Tackle and Bait

2008-03-16T14:24:00.003+08:00

Carp Fishing for Big Fish using Innovative Tackle and Bait. If you think that big carp are a worthy goal to catch, you are not alone and these days that can be a major drawback! Carp fishing is big business and new fishermen are more and more rapidly swelling the heaving ranks of existing ones making it more and more competitive and crowded.

We become a victim of our own success by the over-use of successively popular and successful tackle, baits and methods and carp soon ‘wise up’ to anglers’ familiar baits and tackle on many pressured big fish waters. ‘Food’ balanced nutrition baits will still be constantly eaten as they are often the ‘naturalised’ food supplementation supporting stocks of big fish. But fish are certainly aware of our fishing activities and tend to respond by changing their behaviours.

Anyone who disbelieves this obviously does not fish the busy ‘circus’ type waters in the UK (Or is that circuit waters?’) Carp anglers have historically had to heroically constantly overcome innumerable new challenges in their quest and this is one aspect of carp fishing that keeps us all going. however, the difference between the world of efficient modern carp angling and pressure on waters today compared to forty years ago have little in common. Today a complete beginner can buy everything instantly from baits, rigs, instructional books, DVDs, and so on; in fact everything but experience. He can buy ‘confidence in a bag’ by depending on ready made bait even though he has no idea how it works. The same goes for tackle.

Every item has been produced to solve a problem. Indeed, long range rods and reels, heavier leads, casting tutorial DVDs and even lessons are, to a great degree, the result of our own angling activities forcing fish to seek refuge further and further from the bank. Such distances anglers 40 years ago would be more than shocked at. I’ve hooked fish from 300 metres away and even though they were dream fish in every way I personally prefer a range where I can throw bait out myself! Fish do love to follow contours and edges with its variety of de-stressing bankside cover and natural diversity of food items.But it is noticeable that just because an inexperienced angler has never fished before but has a powerful rod and a big reel with lots of line, he will often cast as far as possible. Usually this is to the most obvious island, reed bed, gravel bar or water lilies or lacking a ‘target’ casting to the horizon.

There is so much fishing information now about watercraft skills, ‘correct technique,’ the latest ‘in’ methods and baits. The thing is, often the marketing although a great help, can provide certain disadvantages. For instance, in the days when casting 100 metres was not just unusual, but an angling ‘feat’ for most fishermen, the fish were far more often at marginal to 30 metres range. Free baits introduced would more than likely be actually counted! In fact those who remember the advent of the ready made bait boom will recall certain manufacturers actually stating how many baits were in a packet; 300 for example. Bait base mixes were more often in pound mixes.

These days it’s kilograms. I used to fish with 30 milk protein baits a day and that was very successful for me. I’ve know guys to catch fish over a bed of 100 kilograms of bait or much more, even treble that on some big fish waters. I remember the shock when I discovered at one water, that while I was free baiting with 6 pounds of homemade boilies and really felt I was controlling a lake with quality bait, I discovered somebody was unloading 40 kilograms of pellets from a boat regularly for which he had ‘special privileges’ to do being a bailiff. Such ‘gamesmanship’ and the completely disproportionate advantages those exploiting ‘power games’ have, definitely are far more prevalent today. Having to out-wit aggressively competitive anglers is one aspect of carp fishing I’ve not been impressed about.

The plain fact is that you can catch as many fish as a novice with endless bait and time on his hands as an experienced angler with limited resources who fishes a night or a day a week. Having said that, I used to fish a water where over 70 percent of new visiting anglers ‘blanked’ and these were the novices and the experienced alike. Their new ‘wonder baits’ were powerless to produce fish for them as the key to this water was knowledge of the fish behaviours formed in response to constant angling pressure, baits and tackle.

Standard round boilies of 24 to 21 millimetres became very hard to get takes on as were large ‘Marine halibut pellets.’ This was despite being very successful previously. The fact that the fish fed mainly on free baits that had been in the water 2, 3 or 4 days or more really showed how tricky they became. Any angler who just fished a day, night or even 2 days and 2 nights were very unlikely to catch fish.

On occasions, it would be an entire 5 days from baiting a swim to fish feeding on the bait, but such was their ‘angler danger’ conditioned preferences. Intriguingly, this applied to the big catfish as well as the big carp.The relationships between these two species feeding behaviours and which triggered one into feeding or prevented feeding was very subtle, but massively advantageous knowledge. This stuff was specific to the lake so the ‘instant’ anglers had no chance and their catches was very sad. Inevitably they had the latest magazines out and were raving about all kinds of deadly methods and rigs and so on.

I regard myself as a beginner in carp fishing and every other form of fishing I do, even after 30 plus years doing it, because every day is different. Just when you find an effective method, bait, flavour or bit of tackle, the fish adapt in response. ‘variable’ aspects of fishing such as air pressures, temperatures, winds, shifting feeding spots, bloodworm and other larvae hatches occurring and so on, impact on results. Even the effects of recent captures and heavy baiting on fish behaviour since your last visit to a water complicate matters.

You often now have to ask if you will even get a swim or get on fish at all. Sitting in fishless swims on pressured waters where the fishing is stitched-up by ‘mobile phone networked’ locals is not my thing either and these things make you question exactly what kind of carp fisherman you are and what waters offer best what you’re looking for. I’ve been very fortunate in the past in having been in syndicates and even a day ticket water that became extremely difficult for a few years, where I was the only person fishing at times. Where much more time has been devoted over both summer and winter, it is easy to see how the impact of anglers (and non-anglers) presence on the bank, their lines in the water and baiting behaviours change fish.

I’ve watched fish that were feeding like mad on bloodworm with no obvious lines in the water and only me fishing, suddenly ‘switch-off’ the minute another angler ‘barrowed’ his tackle from the carp park and stood by the water the water. None of these fish ‘showed’ themselves again until he left after 2 days. Also I’ve noticed both carp and catfish respond to leads and lines leaving the water and also to the effect of anglers packing-up their gear, walking along the bank, packing the car and driving off. Within 15 minutes, if I was left alone on the water, even after 3 fishless days and nights, the fish would ‘turn-on’ and feed like magic.

Even then, this feeding may be a very intensive half hour binge, before cautious ‘normal’ behaviour is adopted again.I’ve devoted exceptional amounts of time and sacrifice to developing a ‘bigger’ picture of the dynamics, effects and interrelationships between angling activities, tackle, methods and baiting and carp. This really narrowed down to the where and why fish can be caught at a particular time in a specific spot in a swim, consistently. When you realise just how adaptive fish of many species can be, it can give you a new way of viewing fishing.

For instance, the ‘text book’ recommendation to fishing a reed bed at a pressured water might be to ‘get right in there’ and fish inside holes in the reeds. Well for one thing this can cut your chances down, because depending on time of year and day / night temperatures and fish routine behaviours etc, your fish may not feed there at night at all, or just for a short period in the morning or evening. The orientation of the most productive reed beds to the sun and its heating radiation on them and surrounding water, can make all the difference and varies water to water.

Many pressured waters will produce more fish by fishing 3 metres perhaps off ‘pressured’ reed beds or even further. Bait boats can affect such swims massively. In such a situation, finding a spot that is slightly deeper than the rest of the bottom near the reeds seems a good option. Identifying the exact route the fish approach and leave the area is a massive edge to exploit.The past and present achievements of those anglers who have been innovative and adaptable apart from being highly talented, even obsessed or having that ‘golden bollocks’ effect are all inspirational to us. They all play their part in the scheme of things in helping our sport progress forwards in so many ways.

A great deal of us do it “Not because it is easy, but because it is hard.” Many anglers, who stand out as the most consistent big fish catchers at least on a personal level for me in my experience, are clever men. They all have very varied characters, temperaments personalities and so on, but they are thinkers. They are usually highly motivated and focussed individuals who are able to isolate the correct problem in their fishing and work towards refining a solution methodically.

Most of these guys are also generous in giving help to others. They not only realise helping others helps themselves in many ways (karmic and others) but opens up communication that strictly competing anglers would not enjoy the mutual benefits of. Sometimes the fishing is so difficult, that it takes the combined efforts of most of the anglers on a water to enjoy a modicum of success. Co-operation even open the door to enabling keeping tabs on competitors and even influencing their baiting and fishing activities in their favour and your own also.

Helping others is how the sport of carp fishing has been developed over the decades. There is no great angler who has not been helped by fellow anglers along the way.Most of us realise that the harder the challenge, the greater the rewards and personal satisfaction gained from our fishing activities. In fact, they can become part of us, changing our outlook on life for instance.I often think that so many kids could really benefit from the experience of going fishing and camping out at a water in wildlife rich surroundings, even if only the one time.

Many people have never even spent a whole single night outside of a building in their entire lives and this yet this is a great example of something this sport gives us that we take for granted. It may be that an old hunting instinct drives even compels us to go fishing. It may be that some of you find it addictive; shaping how you plan your weeks and months ahead, constantly thinking over fishing problems both new and old and preparing and refining everything in your preparations as much as possible to exploit any weakness in those pesky carp defences. Or you might just prefer to ‘chuck it and chance it.’

Carp fishing is such a personal thing and is about so much more than simply fishing. But because time is one of our most valuable assets, it does make sense to at least be prepared to adapt and think about how to avoid the usual ‘average’ fishing results average anglers get by copying each other and fishing in fixed stereotyped fashions. Why not go for catches of a life time; the rewards of thinking more creatively for yourself are free...
By Tim Richardson.

Florida Fishing Charters

2008-03-16T14:04:00.002+08:00

Florida Fishing Charters. Introduction - If you plan to go fishing in the Florida Keys area, the best option is to book a fishing charter. Forget about the complications and leave the job to an experienced captain and his crew.

They will take care of anglers, licenses, live bait, tackle and cleaning of fish. They will also filet, package, and freeze your fresh fish. You will only have to worry about food, drinks, sunscreen, and having fun.Rates - Rates for booking a Florida fishing trip go from $550 to $950. There are options for all budgets and schedules: half a day (4 hours either in the morning or in the afternoon) for $550; three quarters of a day (6 hours) for $650; or a full day for $750. You can also book deep bay or deep offshore trips for $800 or tarpon trips (either in the morning or afternoon) for $400.

If you want to catch some big tarpon and multiple species of fish but have limited time, your captain can also organize a trip tailored to you. For example: tarpon fishing in the morning, then a half day offshore, reef or backcountry, followed by tarpon fishing again in the evening.

Fishing Calendars - You can catch a wide variety of sportfish species in the Florida Keys, among them: amberjack, barracuda, blackfin tuna, blue marlin, bonefish, cobia, grouper, king mackerel, dolphin, permit, sailfish, shark, snapper, tarpon, wahoo, white marlin, and yellowfin tuna. Before booking your Florida fishing charter, it is advisable you check a Florida Keys fishing calendar in order to know about the best recommended fishing dates for your favorite sportfish species.

For example, tarpons are available all year long, scarce from October to March, but fairly abundant from April to June, while white marlins are available from May to August only.Boats and Equipment - The best fishing experience can be provided only by an experienced captain and his crew, an excellent vessel, top quality fishing tackle, rods, reels, onboard GPS and Depth Technology.

Fishing in the Florida Keys demands a extremely versatile vessel, one that provides an excellent performance, be it offshore, backcountry, or tarpon fishing. Look for a vessel that's able to fish both the bay and the ocean, able to fish all gamefish species in the entire Florida Keys region.When it comes to rods and reels, trust Shimano, and when it comes to fishing lines, trust Sufix. Expert fishermen usually choose Northstart GPS equipment for their geolocation electronics needs, and Furuno Electronics for depth finders technology.
by: Benicio Brown

Bass Fishing Tips - Bass Fishing In Cold Weather

2008-03-16T13:53:00.003+08:00

Bass Fishing Tips - Bass Fishing In Cold Weather. "Bass fishing" is a really popular sport that can be enjoyed by anyone with the knowledge of a few Bass fishing basics. All species of Bass are some of the most sought after fish, as they are great fun to catch, and offer some of the best sport, both from the shore and from a boat.One of the first Bass fishing basics to learn will obviously be the bait. This can be live bait such as peeler or soft back crabs, these are really fine baits for Bass.

A crab fishing is a peeler when it is in the process of losing its old shell, (to test if a crab is a peeler, try lifting the rear end of its shell; it should come away easily). A crab is a soft back when it has already discarded its old shell but before its new shell has hardened.Other good Bass fishing baits include sand-eels, lugworm, and rag worm. Sand-eels can be collected from wet sand where they lie buried on a receding tide. They can be used as a dead bait but are more effective as live bait. Both lugworm and rag worm can be dug at low tide and will keep for a couple of days wrapped in damp newspaper.

You could also try what is called a bait cocktail, which consists of both crab and worm on the same hook.Other popular baits are artificial lures, and these should be part of any Bass fishing basics kit. There are so many of these artificial baits available that you could spend a fortune on them. My best advice would be to take a trip to your local tackle store, and ask for the most popular types for your local area. Start off simple with just a handful, which should include a couple of (top water baits) a couple of (spinner baits) and a couple of (plastic or rubber lures).

As with the live baits these should all be retrieved slowly when fishing for Bass.The next of the Bass fishing basics is the cast. When you find yourself fishing from the shoreline, make sure to try and cover a large area. To do this you should cast in a fan shape, start with a cast to the left of where you are standing and retrieve your bait, slowly pausing every ten to fifteen feet. On your next cast aim slightly to the right of the last cast and repeat this process until you have covered a fan shaped area.

Try this a couple of times and if you have no luck simply walk twenty or thirty yards down the shore and start again.Night fishing for Bass can be very productive, some of my best Bass fishing has been at night. For this you will need a lure that makes a lot of noise in the water when being retrieved. You can get some great lures which bass find very difficult to resist - just visit your local tackle store. These are just a few of the Bass fishing basics, you will pick up more as you go along, but the best advice I can give is to get out there and have a go, I guarantee you will soon be hooked. by: Richard Legg

Big Carp and Catfish Fishing Tips on Thinking Baits and Tactics

2008-03-16T13:38:00.003+08:00

Big Carp and Catfish Fishing Tips on Thinking Baits and Tactics. I’m like any other passionate fisherman in that I love to be at the waterside as often as possible, not necessarily fishing, but simply taking in the energy of the surroundings. There’s much to be said for this kind of ‘tuning-in.’ Very often it’s the build-up of thousands of hours of experience at waters, that leads to development of instinctive actions and luck and following such intuitions in your bass fishing definitely go hand in hand.

You can read and read the carp magazines for instance, repeatedly and fill your head with everything under the sun from the latest rig ideas and commercial baits on offer to ‘sexy’ bait adverts! You can read how the prevailing ‘big names’ are ‘purportedly’ (as well as genuinely) catching their carp. You may be in complete ignorance of the many advantages over the humble ‘average angler’ many ‘profile anglers’ may have which in combination make a tremendous difference to consistency and big fish results. You can read and read but discover that what you read stimulates inner conflicts in your mind as different contributors pedal their ‘advertorials.’

Finding ‘unbiased’ media contributions is often like finding a needle in a haystack these days. Should I use a plastic bait? Should I use a ‘food’ bait? What about pellets? Should I use a ‘stiff rig’ or a ‘combi-link,’ this rod or that reel, this alarm or that one? ‘So and so’ puts out loads of free bait but then he’s sponsored by a bait company and gets free bait. So what’s best? Context and timing and being in the ‘right place at the right time’ really matter.

Getting the right formula of factors together is all part of the jigsaw that is carp fishing. Some say location and bait are the two most important factors. Well a very sharp reliable hook and loads of confidence help a little too.There is one thing I do know about carp and that is they can be very crafty. Nothing replaces carp behavioural observation in the presence of anglers and our boats, lines, rigs and movements on the bank, despite however much ‘camouflaged’ clothing and gear you buy.

Yes, carp are conditioned to survive and they have a considerable armoury and evolution at their disposal. But so have we. One of the keys to successful fishing, is to use the fishes own essential requirements, senses, behaviours and conditioning against them. We’re actively involved in their behavioural ‘programming’ anyway, by casting a line, baiting up, hooking fish and generally messing with their natural environment so ‘natural feeding’ is I’d say this rubs off onto many a fisherman too.

If these guys with a genuinely potent fishing edge go and tell thousands of competing fellow anglers, before it had been well and truly exploited? (Especially if any kind of ‘vested interest’ financially or otherwise is involved.) Many such anglers feel the requirement to maintain ‘above-average’ catch results in the public eye and to continue to appear consistently successful.All this is well and good; many anglers can keep catching above average catches because their ability and experience are greater than average.

There are some truly amazing anglers about. But the important point is they are not all ‘name anglers’ and indeed many wish to keep a low profile. This is especially useful on waters which get heavily pressured. Sometimes it can seem that the well-known anglers appearing in the papers and magazines every week are some kind of ‘elite.’ How do they get access to those syndicates and hard to join waters, how do they afford to live while fishing pretty much full-time, what about all the travelling costs, tackle and bait costs etc, etc?

The fact is, they mostly get there by their own efforts and if you are doing very regular fishing, then any extra money for articles, ‘consultancy’ or even in the form of free bait, can make a significant difference. It is very hard to succeed in carp fishing because it requires some degree of sacrifice of other aspects of life. For example, I was speaking to a friend of top carper Terry Hearn one time and he was saying how he had forgone girlfriends in order to be able to focus on becoming the best, or words to that effect. At 21 I planned most of my life’s activities around carp fishing after a near-death experience left me questioning what would be most important thing in my life if I lived.

My sacrifice was to have a markedly reduced income as a result of focussing on fishing not making money. However I think you’ll find that anyone who has a very real near-death experience will relegate money to the bottom of their list of valued things in life. It usually takes an unusual type of person to reach the ‘top’ in any endeavour and carp fishing is just the same. In most areas of life, it is often the ‘mavericks,’ ‘eccentrics’ ‘characters’ and ‘great minds of their time’ that reach the ‘top.’ In fact, what they do can actually define where ‘the top’ is.

There are very striking similarities between modern carp fishing and athletics. I’ve spoken with double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes. I’ve trained alongside Eamon Martin, London marathon winner in 1993. I’ve asked Tessa Sanderson, Olympic javelin gold medal winner in 1994, why she continued to train hard having achieved her dream. It seems to me that they ‘became’ what they do. Kelly signs her books with a stick figure drawing of a runner.

That is what she made herself become by repetitive practice even since her school days, refining everything including her mental attitude and confidence apart from just her times, physicality, running form and style.I was watching a programme about the 3 British sporting heroes, Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett and Steve Cram. These guys dominated middle-distance athletics from the late 1970’s to around 1985 and kept swapping world records over about a 7 year period. They all won BBC personality of the year awards, although their personalities were each very different.

For example, Sebastian Coe was a ‘reporter’s dream’ and made himself very accessible and giving loads of details about his training, times, races and other activities, while Steve Ovett was dubbed ‘the bad boy of athletics’ because he would not co-operate with the press. Like the pop star Madonna, Seb Coe was in the publics’ mind and awareness very consistently as a result of his abundant and continuous media exposure. The thing is, far fewer people have even heard of the name Steve Ovett. But does public perception based upon the many skewed and self-interested media pieces and pictures really match the truth of this man’s ability? I know for a fact that the genuine talent entering TV talent shows are most often rejected in favour of far less polished and able contestants for ‘entertainment value’ while the seasoned professionals and national competition winners can get rejected.

So, sure Seb Coe ended up with 15 world records and 2 Olympic gold medals, but Steve Ovett was far more interested in competition and winning races, not in leaving an ego fuelled legacy of a long string of world records. I guess you see the parallels in modern carp fishing?Steve Ovett would do a half marathon the weekend before a world class mile race as part of his preparation, an act which basically tears up the training rule book according to Seb Coe. Steve’s training regime was so extreme that many of those talented runners who trained alongside him ended up abandoning top level running owing to self-inflicted like stress fractures and so on. Steve Ovett completely annihilated the great Henry Rono in a race which made Rono look stupid even though Rono was in the middle of a run of shattering 4 world records over 4 widely different distances that year and was reigning supreme.

In fact, Seb Coe sated that Steve Ovett was the most talented athlete he’d ever run against. Ovett himself said of the much anticipated clash between the 2 of them at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, that which ever distance had been run first; the 800 or 1500 metres, he would have won the first final – that’s how sure he was of his ability, confidence and preparation. (He won gold in Seb Coe’s favorite distance with Coe being the world record holder.) When it came to the Olympic Games 4 years later in Los Angeles, the 3 British guys who were favourites in the 1500 metre race these 3 titles: world record holder, world champion and Olympic champion.

Not bad, but the relevant fact is that each of these guys wished to better the other and this truly ultimately drove them all to greater heights of success, the only significant obstacle to their personal success being the other athletes. The thing with fishing is that carp fishing is now very frequently competitive between anglers in this way too and not merely about competing with the fish’s natural instincts and angler trained danger associations. There are very many variables to get right too for consistent success which cannot be controlled, especially the weather and the question of actually getting on fish on a busy water. The romantic notions of a ‘tranquil lake relatively un-touched by fishing and holding monsters,’ is pretty much a dream and long gone for the majority of carp anglers now at least in the UK.

The increasing development of so-called ‘commercial fisheries’ to cater for the burgeoning influx of new carp anglers should not be criticised too much. Sure there are the lethal risks from foreign fish to consider, but then just how English were the ‘Leney’ fish to a purist’s thinking? They had a potential to affect the already resident ‘wild carp’ for instance. The point is that the commercialisation of carp fishing in the UK and parts of Europe has turned it into a creature with an insatiable demand.

There are not enough big fish waters accessible to so many keen anglers, so the banks get overcrowded to the detriment of all and competitive and inconsiderate behaviour has become an expected unfortunate phenomenon on many public waters. How many times have you set-off for your chosen water only to find the spots you were hoping for already occupied? How many times has an angler crossed your lines deliberately to try to poach fish from your swim? How many times have you gone to a water and found out a baiting team have recently ‘hammered it’ on subsidised bait and the lake’s carp have now ‘closed down’ refusing anglers baits and even going so far as to change their old behaviours and routines?The arts of goal-setting, consistent action and constant improvement are some of their skills.

The commercialisation of carp fishing means that specific products are promoted in almost every article written, making them ‘advertorials.’These carry very much influence with the carp fishing ‘masses’ as glossy magazines are all the rage these days and many are ‘connected’ in any of a number of ways to tackle and bait companies, for example. Advertising from bait and tackle companies are a very significant income, so it’s not surprising that the larger companies that most regularly pay for the most advertising space can seriously influence various aspects of magazines in their favour, not just to better the competition, but even in some cases to in effect being able to prevent new companies joining in ‘the game.’ So, often it’s what is not included in a paper or magazine (or web page) than can really matter.

In terms of how up to date an article or advertorial may be, often advertising copy and other material is submitted many weeks and even months in advance of the issue it will be finally released in. Again, if you are thinking of jumping on a ‘bandwagon’ this time lag needs some consideration about its implications and disadvantages too.

In fishing terms and catch terms a huge amount of very big changes can happen in just 2 days in carp fishing. Even on one particular water, a month or 2 months from the time an article is submitted can mean situations can become completely different when compared to those reported in the published article.

One good example is how a new bait that took very much effort and time to establish produces the big fish in a water for a select few individual anglers. But having achieved their goals, they change onto another new bait which has also been introduced along with the original bait. Introducing new baits while fishing tips a going bait is a very proven method of keeping excellent and highly consistent results coming. Such ‘secondary’ bait establishment can range in time from just a week perhaps to a whole season or more depending on the water.

The confidence you get from introducing a bait over a period of months without fishing the bait itself is very exciting, especially when you see fish ‘getting on it’ big time. This doe not mean other aspects of your fishing will also need refining or changing though! I remember reading about a couple of the of the ‘Mainline’ boys pre-baiting the ‘Grange’ in Essex over a number of weeks in the close season. They discovered the fish were really feeding well on the bait in the first half hour it was introduced, polishing it off very enthusiastically. Such confidence was amassed in the anglers that they expected to ‘slay’ the water and catch the biggest fish in the lake with ease.This is the real world however and these fish simply stopped responding in such a way when the presence of footfalls and lines and leads in the water announced the arrival of anglers on the banks.

It was some time before a fish was hooked on the bait despite the close season feeding with gusto and it proved to be one of the smallest in the lake. It took much more feeding of bait and intense regular fishing efforts in the end to catch that big fish. The bait had paid off eventually and in style and the big fish was caught repeatedly on the bait. This bait was released on the general public later. My point about some commercial baits and their ‘advertorials’ is that often, you just don’t know exactly how much of that bait has already been used to catch your water’s residents before. This is an important in regards time lags and publics results on newly released baits.

There often seems to be ‘field testers’ for various companies on many big fish waters often competing with each other for dominance and control of the lake and in such cases I’d really wonder about the ‘pros and cons’ of using baits they might conceivably have already used in the past.There are of course some commercial baits; ‘instant attractor ones’ and even some ‘food type baits’ that just do not get the fish going until a tonne of the stuff has regularly been put in. Many commercial baits just do not work the first hour, day or week for that matter. I remember doing regular 24 hour sessions on one water testing a selection of one big companies leading baits.

Each completely failed to catch. However at the same time, the old established bait still produced fish. Having said that, one of these baits worked instantly first time of trying on a large pit. Yes, it could well be down to factors like bait and water pH and so on that the leading commercial baits did not produce first time of trying. At many heavily fished waters carp can seem to get onto one particular bait and this is the one to be one simply because there is so much going in it is regarded as essential natural food.

I’ve seen it with instant baits, food style baits and pellets too. I guess carp are wired to take advantage of abundances of foods. In baits terms it may seem illogical that a bait with a very well designed nutritional value, mineral and vitamin content etc and pumping out attractive substances like amino acids and oils, would not be an instant winner. This is certainly one to ponder.

Carp feeding behaviour and preferences can certainly alter in response to fluctuations in abundances of natural food supplies and anglers’ baits, seasonal temperature and pH changes and so on. It is noticeable how many big fish get caught in the winter months around December and January if at all in a season, when natural food is often harder to reach, like bloodworm buried lower down in the deeper water silt. It may well be that at such times, the lowered metabolism and energy intake of the fish and frequent immobility, leaves them more vulnerable to parasites, infections, diseases and so on.

At such times anglers’ baits supply nutrition and even movement stimulation which is more beneficial to them in boosting activity of their immune systems even if very little bait gets digested. There’s loads more to this stuff.Along the time-line of bait establishment however, where does your use of a particular commercial bait fit in? Is it at the beginning (ideal!) In the middle, or the ‘tail-end’ (not recommended!) You could judge this by the new adverts for a new bait along with a new bait being promoted in a magazine mean using the new bait is a ‘safe bet’ and be successful. Have field tester ‘done that bait’ already on your water without your knowledge? Anglers change allegiances to baits and companies frequently.

If you do know, were their flavour levels, concentrations and components the same as the publicly available version? Homemade baits easily dismiss this dilemma.But one simple point might ‘cloud’ things a little more in some cases. It might surprise many that due to effects like the advertorial and advert lead-in time ‘lag’, much of what is ‘doing the business’ and catching outstanding fish currently, is not always accurately portrayed in the papers and magazines (through no fault of anyone’s.) There is mostly a time lag, by which time, the prominent anglers will have moved onto their next edge or edges. Some people are far more talented than the majority and often this is the ‘edge’ in itself. Their perception of the current changes and most likely opportunities caused by what has just passed is often the key to their correct actions and thinking leading to their continued consistent success.

Having said that, of course, many of these anglers have far more time or money or opportunities at their disposal and can leverage their insights to the maximum. It’s well-known that very many big fish captures have been as a result of sitting on waters for exorbitant lengths of time on big beds of bait. Leading anglers like Dave Lane can do it, but other talented anglers get their share by their excellent watercraft and angling skills fishing ‘attractor baits’ just at a week-end. I’ve fished alongside many great anglers who are not in the magazines or any adverts and their generosity in sharing their enjoyment of this great sport is to be commended.

Having looked at another hugely competitive arena, that of pop music ‘from the inside,’ it is very obvious that who you know ‘in the know’ is a pivotal factor regardless of talent, training and experience. I’ve practiced with the professionally trained opera singer and coach of the number one group ‘sugababes’ and had some hilarious staged antics in ‘reality TV’ as well as had training with other professional vocal coaches on that show and others like it. Appearances especially in the media, really are deceptive my friends. Even TV competition ‘auditionees’ can pretend to be idiots for effect. Many of my friends perform professionally and play at being an amateurs on such shows because they know how to ‘play the game.’

We fishermen tend to exploit whatever we’ve got to get an ‘edge,’ because more often than not we are not really competing with the carp so much as the impact of other anglers on their natural senses and defences. The secret is in the 'becoming what you do, ' where fishing becomes an instinctive process. It makes you think!The author has many other ‘edges’ to reveal...
By Tim Richardson.

Utah Fishing Report: Burbot Is An Unwanted Resident In Flaming Gorge Reservoir

2008-02-26T22:22:00.001+08:00

Utah Fishing Report: Burbot Is An Unwanted Resident In Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This Utah fishing report is all about Burbot: they're ugly and they're not wanted in Flaming Gorge, but they're feeling quite cozy in their new home. Burbot, a fish angler's generally consider as a "junkfish" is a freshwater fish related to cod and looks a lot like an eel, with a mouth full of very tenacious teeth.

It is commonly found in streams and lakes of North America above the 40°N latitude. And Burbot were recently illegally introduced into the Green River drainage in Wyoming, which is how they've recently made their way into the Gorge.

Although nearly every sport fisherman consider them "trash", there was a day Burbot were in demand. In the 1920's, a Minnesota druggist, Theodore H. Rowell and his father Joseph Rowell were using the Burbot to fee the foxes on Joe's blue fox farm. The Burbot contained some mysterious element that improved the quality of the fox's furs. Testing proved that Burbot oil is 4 times more potent in vitamin D and as much as 10 times more potent in vitamin A than cod liver oil. And Ted discovered that the oil is more rapidly digested and assimilated than most other fish oils. This led Ted to establishing the Burbot Liver Products Company, which later became Roswell Laboratories, Inc.

Despite all of that, anglers know Burbot compete with other game fish, feeding on insects and other invertebrates until they are old enough to feed on other fish. Because their diet is the sam as sport fish, it's unfortunate they are now in the Gorge. Most of the Burbot in Flaming Gorge are in the upper end of the lake. The Division of Wildlife Resources is requesting anglers to catch their bag limit of 25 and kill them if they don't eat them.

Here's how to catch them. Use spoons and jigs that have some type of glow on them. Don't be afraid of their appearance if you catch one. Their teeth are sort of like catfish or bass teeth and they won't bite. But they are slimy.

Surprisingly they are very tasty. Bread and fry them, or boil them lightly for 4 minutes then dip them in butter. You'll find they taste a lot like lobster.

To clean Burbot, cut the skin behind the head and peel it off with pliers. Then fillet the meat off around the rib cage and down the tail, leaving you with nice boneless fillets.

Take advantage of a bad situation and try fishing for Burbot at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The fish taste very good and you'll be helping the lake by fishing out these non native squatters.

Bass fishing boat

2007-09-09T18:45:00.000+08:00

Bass fishing boat. If you are looking for a nice Bass fishing boat, how about the great new unique folding Foldcat with a unique folding frame that only takes a staggering five minutes to get assembled.It has a full floor so you have a lot more space than an ordinary pontoon fishing boat, plus it acts as a safety net to catch whatever you drop. In addition, you will have the space you need with the boat that will allow you to carry a lot more tackle, and supplies.

Your "fishing boat" can boast the two pontoons that are wide apart to make her super buoyant, and the 4ft 6 beam gives you great stability compared to the hard hull.The bass boat should be a really lightweight boat, with very little drag. It motors very well with its electric outboard, with a 3hp gas engine, she goes flying at 8 knots, fast enough to beat the winds and make great headway.If you fancy a bit of luxury from your bass fishing boat you need look no further than a boat with her own swivel seats, which have plenty of back support, with lovely soft cushions that are generous in size.

Giving you the feel of true "luxury", on every fishing trip.Up to 4 Rod Holders these top-quality rod holders mount into pre-drilled holes on two benches. Each rod holder accepts all rods, lock-in ring holds rod safe and secure, rotates 360°. Then when you have had enough fishing and its time to put your great boat away, you might find that she comes with 2 durable nylon carry bags, and you get a hull bag as well. Once packed it fits neatly in your car trunk.The bass fishing boat will definitely get your seal of approval saying that it offers quality, durability, toughness, manoeuvrability giving it an all round excellent value.

The "best bass fishing boat" has a patent pending folding frame, 2 super strong oarlocks, extra long 8ft rowing oars, front aluminium footrest tube built in motor mount for gas and electric motors, a nylon carry bag, and a repair kit. If you fancy something a bit more easy to handle with a touch of class, this would be a great fishing boat.One sort of bass fishing boat is a small boat. It is only 78in long and 40 in wide light and economical. With its 2hp engine it is an ideal bass fishing boat for the solitary angler. When you want to keep the world at bay and concentrate on your bass fishing this little bass boat will certainly live up to your expectations. by: James Kronefield

Bass fishing - More than Just a Relaxing Hobby?

2007-08-24T14:11:00.000+08:00

Bass fishing - More than Just a Relaxing Hobby?. Throughout the evolution of mankind, there are not many things that have remained still facing thousands of years, which have stubbornly refused to change and morph into something else. One of these few things are fishing, an aspect so familiar and common that it is often disregarded by such categorizations. What started off as a means of food providing has become over the centuries one of the world’s favorite pastimes, attracting people of any age and from any corners of the planet.

Fishing is a very ancient practice that dates back at least to the Mesolithic period which began about 10,000 years ago. Archaeological features such as shell middens, discarded "fish bones" and cave paintings show that sea foods were important for survival and consumed in significant quantities. During this period, most people lived a hunter-gather lifestyle and were, of necessity, constantly on the move.

However, where there are early examples of permanent settlements (though not necessarily permanently occupied), that are almost always associated with fishing as a major source of food. The Neolithic culture and technology spread worldwide between 4,000 and 8,000 years ago. With the new technologies of farming and pottery came basic forms of all the main fishing methods that are still used today.

In addition, "fishing" has always been a part of our evolving process, helping our ancestors survive through harsh times and feed their families, thus playing a crucial role in what we are today. Surprisingly or not, the industrial boom in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries has not managed to shake fishing from the place it occupies in our conscience. So what is it about this practice that makes us enjoy and feel drawn to it even in the twenty-first century, an era of absolute “laziness”, where we can eat fish just by buying it from a local grocery shop? Scientists believe that we feel the urge to relate to nature, to feel free in it, and that our instincts pull us into trying to communicate with nature once more. And what better way to do this than by going on a fishing trip? Another similar theory tries to demonstrate that man continuously searches to reassure himself that he is in control of nature, and that nature is merely a means, an ally into man’s fight for survival. Clearly the two theories are bold and innovational but do make sense and explain many aspects of the matter, gaining more and more adepts worldwide.

The skeptics however, think that it’s nothing more than an exaggeration and that fishing in the present day has nothing to do with its meaning in the past. They claim that it’s only practiced for relaxation and that people have finally managed to find the entertaining aspect of fishing. To some extent, this theory could seem more “down to earth” but it also
raises some questions. Why haven’t we found modern means of relaxation? Why are we keen on keeping alive a practice of thousands of years? Can it only be our need to relax in a natural décor from time to time?

As it is the case with all of mankind’s mysteries, the truth refuses to come out, come clean with us, and it is probably somewhere in between. What we know for sure is that we love fishing and that it has always played an important role in our becoming. Who cares about the reasons? Let that to the scientists’ concern, grab your angling rod and enjoy fishing.

by: Andrewphilip

Going Back To Antique Fishing Lures

2007-08-19T11:44:00.000+08:00

Going Back To Antique Fishing Lures. More and more anglers are moving away from all the high tech fishing equipment and supplies available on the market today and going back to the roots of the sport, finding and learning about antique fishing lures.

The beauty of finding these antique fishing lures is that they truly do have a history, as well as being tried and true tackle. There are also a growing number of anglers and fishing enthusiasts that enjoy collecting antique fishing lures and displaying them in sporting and fishing fairs and trade shows, as well as selling them online or through various websites set up for collects.

Collectors, whether for display and historical interest or for actual fishing equipment tend to focus on one or more companies or manufacturers. The most commonly collected of the antique fishing lures include Pflueger, Heddon, South Bend, Shakespeare, Jamison, Creek Chubb and Moonlight. There are other smaller manufacturers that are also highly collectable with enthusiasts meeting at conferences and shows all across North America and even internationally.

The antique fishing lures are considered even more valuable if they are still in the actual boxes that they were sold in. Unlike current plastic packaging, these boxes are often beautifully designed and printed, with the history of the lure, date of production and even fishing tips and strategies printing on the individual cardboard or metal boxes.

The lures themselves are still very valuable, even if they are not kept in their original containers. When collecting "antique fishing lures" there are a few key points to consider:

• Estate sales and garage sales are often a great place to find a rare lure or old tackle box that has been tucked away for years. Many people are willing to sell the whole tackle box rather than just wanting to part with lures one at a time.

• If you are planning on getting into the hobby be sure to read books, study actual "antique fishing lures" and learn about how they are valued and appraised within the collectors group.

• Join the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club or other organization and get good background information on how to trade and value the antique lures that you manage to find and collect.

• If you are planning on using "antique lures", be sure you know what they are worth before you decide to use them on your next fishing outing. Finally, remember that any kind of restoring, tampering, repainting or repairing of the antique fishing lure is likely to decrease it's value, so the best advice is to leave them as they are, rather than try to fix them up before they are sold or traded.

By: Eliseo

Need A Good Bass Fishing Tip?

2007-08-19T11:36:00.000+08:00

Need A Good Bass Fishing Tip?. Have you ever been sea "bass fishing" before? Have you ever wanted to try it? Are you ready to learn more about bass fishing? Do you have any knowledge of bass fishing or are you a seasoned bass fisher? Whatever level of bass fishing you are at, a bass fishing tip can still be of benefit to you. After all, the age old adage “the more you learn the less you know” still rings true.

A bass fishing tip can be an invaluable piece of information for anyone who is interested or currently goes "bass fishing". There are countless locations and details that can make a great difference in one’s sea "bass fishing" experiences. Simply knowing that you need to change your sea bass tackle in order to catch different types of sea bass species is an invaluable "bass fishing tip".

Another invaluable" bass fishing tip" can be knowing that certain times of day can make the difference in being able to catch more bass or not. This can be a difference between a great sea bass meal for your family or for a lucrative fishing endeavor for your business. Depending on your stakes, a bass fishing tip can make a world of a difference in your life.

Another "bass fishing tip" can advise you when the next great sea bass fishing competition takes place. This might give you enough notice to join in and possibly win a substantial cash prize. If you are competitive by nature or make most of your income from your sea bass fishing endeavors, this bass fishing tip can help pay your bills.Maybe you want to find out the best places to go bass fishing.

A "bass fishing tip" can give you some recommendations for the very best places to go. This can give you insight into a location that you might never have heard of before opening up another great place that could become a regular place you love to go visit. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.

Why not explore all those that interest you? Why not leave yourself open to the advice and tips others offer? If nothing else, they can be food for thought getting your mind thinking about other possibilities that you might never have thought of before.And, most importantly, give yourself time to pick and choose options that sound best to you. Give yourself time to weigh tips and their sources. You do not want to make huge changes or decisions based off just a single tip that might not be from a credible source. Use your head, but keep yourself open to what these tips can offer you.

By: Eliseo

Hooking A Bass Fishing Lure

2007-08-19T11:27:00.000+08:00

Hooking A Bass Fishing Lure. Have you always wanted to try bass fishing? Or do you already love bass fishing? Is it a hobby that you have never had much time to become better at, but suddenly you have more time to? There are several things that can help you become better at bass fishing or at least help you as you get your feet wet, entering the new world of bass fishing.

One such helpful and good beginning point would be to learn more about a "bass fishing lure". A bass fishing lure is essential to being able to execute the bass fishing sport. While there are many lures that you can choose from, you want to find the best bass fishing lure for your needs and expectations.

To help you find the best bass fishing lure or lures to fit your needs, there are many avenues that you can take. You can find a wealth of publications that will give you tips and advice on what the best bass fishing lure or lures available are. You can ask bass fishermen their opinions. You can visit "bass fishing lure" shops. You can join a bass fishing club or association. And, you can turn to the internet.

The internet will give you voluminous pages of material to read through, enough to become an expert on the subject. On the internet, you can find the best stores and manufacturers and you can read reviews and ratings on what the customers are saying about a specific "bass fishing lure". You do not have to depend solely on what the company says about its own product because, it will of course always try to put it in the best light possible.

Reading a variety of reviews will give you a good idea of what the actual use of any given "bass fishing lure" truly produces. What results you are likely to get when you use it. Again, this is just one way to get an idea, but the true test will be when you use the bass fishing lure. The only way to know for sure what works best for you is to try it firsthand. In addition, resources and asking questions can help you find the best "bass fishing lure" or lures for given times of day, locations and types of bass fish species you want to catch.

Each variable makes a difference on the lure that you will need and that will be most effective or give you results, if any. So maybe for that bass fishing lover in your family or circle of friends you might want to think about purchasing an informative book or publication on bass fishing, or maybe even a video game that can help them brush up on their skills and learn a thing or two while they are at it.

By: Eliseo

Get To Grips With Your Fly Fishing Lures

2007-08-19T11:19:00.000+08:00

Get To Grips With Your Fly Fishing Lures. You use lures to catch fish, however, in "fly fishing", the word lure only marginally applies. Of course you are trying to lure the fish to your bait, hence the name, but when you are "fly fishing", you are really using flies to entice the fish. So when we talk about fly fishing lures, we are really talking about flies.

Fish rely on flies, bugs, and other insects for food. When you are fly fishing, you are attempting to mimic the look and movement of their food. There are many kinds of fly fishing lures, or flies, that you can use depending on the area you are fishing and the type of fish you want to catch.

It is advisable, when getting on the river or stream to observe the types of insects that are around you. Skim the top of the water with a small net, see what you collect and then use a lure that looks like the bugs in the net.Many lures are available at commercial retail outlets, but you can also make them yourself.

The key is to have several different lures available to you so you can adapt to the surroundings you are fishing in.Whatever type of fly or insect that is predominantly in the area is what the fish are feeding on, so you will catch more fish when you lure them with what they already recognise as food. Your fly fishing lures should be simple.

Regular "fishing lures" can be very big with lots of bright and shiny danglers. They are also supposed to mimic food sources, but the idea is to catch your fish using the natural food that is always available. That’s why flies should be simple and small.When you are "fly fishing", your lures are most important, so using the right lure, or fly, can make a big difference between catching lots of fish or just a few.Choose your fly fishing lures carefully and reap the benefits!

By:John Gatens

Deciphering Bass Fishing Reports

2007-08-19T11:10:00.000+08:00

Deciphering Bass Fishing Reports. Maybe you currently are an avid bass fisher. Maybe you just enjoy bass fishing every once in awhile. Maybe you have always wanted to try, but just never set aside the time to look into it further. There is no better time to explore this interest than the present. Bass fishing reports can help you every step of the way.

"Bass fishing" reports can come from a number of different sources. They can come from people who are fishers themselves and range in all different backgrounds and fishing skill levels. They can come from professional fishers. They can come from people who have simply read about a "bass fishing" newsworthy piece of information and they can come from you.

If you have something that you feel is worth sharing with others that you believe will be helpful to their "fishing" pursuits, why not share it? You could be making a big difference in someone’s fishing experience for the better. Such a possibility is priceless.

Bass fishing reports are pieces of information that report just about anything that has to do with the sport of bass fishing. They can relay facts about weather, locations, tips and best advice practices. They are for your benefit and they can help make your "bass fishing" experiences the best they can possibly be.You can find bass fishing reports through the internet and various websites that cater to "bass fishing" topics. You can also find them in bass fishing publications like newsletters and magazines. You can even find them at bass fishing stores.

Bass fishing reports can be invaluable sources of tips and advice that you might never have been able to find out had it not been for the report. People give their personal accounts of their experiences with specific areas and this can end up giving you insight that no other publication can give you in quite the same way. Bass fishing reports can also key you in to local or nationwide "bass fishing" tournaments that you may be interested in joining.

Maybe a couple’s tournament is just around the corner, or even a family tournament that sounds like a wonderful, perfect option to share quality time with your loved ones. Or maybe there is one that you know you could win on your own. Take the time to see if you can.Taking the time to check out "bass fishing" reports can truly be invaluable to you and your bass fishing goal pursuits as well as enriching your life with new, fun, exciting and interesting activities to experience and or share with other people in your life. So many options and so little time, better get started now.

By: Eliseo

Go Fishing With Your Family

2007-08-19T10:48:00.000+08:00

Go Fishing With Your Family. Fishing is a sport and recreational activity you can spend with your family and friends to de-stress and relax. It is so popular in the United States that there are more than 50 million of American going fishing. In fact most of them prefer fishing to playing golf or other sport.

This is their "favorite" ways of spending their afternoon and weekends.If you want to spend quality time with your children, fishing is one of a good and effective way to get connected with them. It can provide them a lifetime of enjoyment .Not only can you teach your children how to fish, it can also let them experience the fun, excitement and adventure of "fishing". If you teach them the correct way of fishing, it can also help them to become more disciplined in their lifestyle.

If you can remember the very first time you caught a fish and how excitedly you were as you showed your parents who taught you how to catch it, your children will feel that the same too. They can gain enjoyable and learning experiences from "fishing" that makes it a great family activity. The experience they get by catching fish is what makes it wonderful to enjoy and that is the important part of fishing.For instance in Alabama, lakes and open banks are promotes as places best for fishing.

Fishing represents a substantial impact in Alabama, in fact it represents hundreds of millions of dollars. While many has listed fishing as their source of livelihood, most people there treat it as a form of relaxation. You may bring your family with you and the time of being together and enjoying the fun of fishing is the best family activity you could have. Generally, fishing is a lifestyle option for most of them.

By: Alex Steven

Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

2007-08-18T17:26:00.000+08:00

Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods. Fishing Tips - Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods. Beyond a doubt the best fly fishing rod material is good bamboo properly selected, cured, split, glued, and correctly proportioned. It possesses strength combined with lightness, resiliency, pliancy, power and balance in greater degree than either steel or solid woods.

Formerly anglers and rod makers could draw fine distinctions between male and female Calcutta and Tonkin " canes," but under present conditions good Calcutta is very rare and the word " Calcutta " is be�coming merely a trade term. Good bamboo of all kinds is more difficult to obtain and a good piece of Tonkin is better than an indifferent one of Calcutta. Male Calcutta, however, is supposed to be superior to either the female or Tonkin. The cheapest split cane is known as steel vine or African cane. It is light colored and makes up into good, inexpensive bamboo fly fishing rods.

Six Strip and 8 Strip Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

We assume that you know that bamboo is split and then glued together in order to utilize the hard outer enamel and reduce the diameter of the pieces. Some rods are made of bamboo split into six sections (hex�agonal) and some in eight (octagonal) but the six strip construction is more often used. Some makers claim that the eight strip, being more nearly a true cylinder, possesses better action but this seems to be more theoretical than practical, while the tiny tips of an eight strip rod are likely to be " soft" due to the comparative amount of glue necessary to hold the pieces together. Eight strip rods cost more than the six strip and if the angler wants a round bamboo fly fishing rod they are preferable to the six strip planed down as planing certainly must injure a rod. As a general rule a well-made six strip rod leaves little to be desired.

Special Feature Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

A novelty in bamboo fly fishing rod making is what is known as the " double built " rods which are made of two layers of split and glued bamboo, one within the other. They are heavier and strong, and it is claimed, hold their shape better, than ordinary rods and are popular for sea and salmon fishing but unnecessary, I believe, in single hand fly rods. An English innovation is the steel center rod which consists of a fine piece of well-tempered steel running as a core through sections of regular split bamboo. The makers claim this construction gives a rod of superior casting power with only of an ounce added weight. Friends who possess rods of this kind are enthusiastic admirers of this construction for heavy fishing.

An American maker supplies a rod of " twisted bam�boo " which he claims equalizes the strain and pro�duces better action. I have never tried a rod of this type so am unable to pass on its merits, but Perry Frazer, in his " Amateur Rodmaking," speaks well of it.

by: John Tiger

Fishing for Trout at night

2007-08-05T13:35:00.000+08:00

Fishing for Trout at night. Have you ever tried trout fishing at night? If not, you may wish to consider this as a whole new experience which can be exceptionally thrilling and fruitful.Most people prefer to fish in the day where they could see a lot better. However, if you are familiar with the surrounding area or the stream/river that you are going to fish on, have a go at night trout fishing.

The technique used may need to be modified slightly as you sight is limited when "fishing" in the dark. Unlike in the day, it is believed that during the night is one of the best time to catch more fishes and especially the big ones. At night, the waters are quite and undisturbed. This means that the water has a whole different look and smell. Once your eyes adjust to the dimness of the night and you distinguish the different sounds, then you will begin to see the difference the night makes.Fish tend to hide from shadows they see in the daytime and all the surrounding noise sends them into hiding as well.

At night they feel more comfortable and they move more freely about. This puts in them in areas that make it easier to catch them. They are more likely to take the bait that you are producing because they are ready to feed. What this means for you is that "trout fishing at night" will give you more access to the fish. Even open places can be filled with trout during the night hours.

When fishing, remember to always approach the water quietly. Move slowly and gently if you are wading in the water. Always avoid letting your light shine directly into the water as this will scare the fish away. To help keep you from getting your lines tangled up when night fishing you can use short casts and very slow strokes.

If you are not familiar with "fly fishing technique", practice first in the day until you are good at it before venturing out at night.Fishing at night can be a little more treacherous than the day and may not be a good idea as a night family activity especially if you have small children. Besides the noises they make can scare away the fish.Go with likeminded people and as long as you are careful and know the area in which you are fishing you should be safe. One thing is for
sure trout fishing at night is undoubtedly a whole new experience that you will not soon forget.

by: Fancymask

Alternative Fishing Styles

2007-08-05T13:22:00.000+08:00

Alternative Fishing Styles. There we were, me and my new fishing apprentice at the lake. I was teaching him the rudiments of handling the rod and putting the bait and we were trying to catch a lake trout while discussing everything from sports to the most effective technique to escape from boring clothes-shopping with our wives.

I got some good ideas, I must confess.At some point he asked me if there were some other fishing techniques or alternative styles. "Is it always just a fishing rod, reel, bait, and waiting in sport "fishing?" he asked.Of course it is the most common way to fish but it is not the only way to fish.

In sport fishing, there are different "techniques" and tools for "fishing" depending on the type of fish you want to catch. There are even games you can play with friends or family.One of Murphy's laws says that if something can be used for something else besides its original use, someone will do it.

Some" techniques" or methods are more dangerous or fun than others.Before I could explain him about some fun ways to fish as well as others too dangerous to practice for a starter, I don't know why it came to my mind a piece from the New Testament that says that Jesus is reported to have said to his disciples: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19). Then I said that in those times, fishing with a net in a group was considered an honest effort to make a living. I don't know if he is a religious man, but he agreed with that idea.

Some of you might not like the "techniques" discussed here. Others will love them; it is a mater of diversity and sportsmanship.One of the first fishing techniques we discussed and one I like, is Hand Fishing, also known as Trout Tickling or Noodling if you are fishing catfish. Noodling doesn't require any kind of fishing tool but your handand it is fun, just try it sometime. It is also possible to fish lobsterswhen you are diving or "Pearl" Fishing.

A variant of it is the Hand-Line "Fishing". You just need a line and a small piece of wood or something to roll the line. I've seen this done at some beaches in Mexico but, as far as I know, this is illegal in Kansas.Another "ancestral" way to fish is Spear Fishing. Traditional SpearFishing is restricted to shallow waters, but the development of the speargun has made this method much more efficient.

Fishing can be done with anordinary spear or a specialized variant such as an eel spear or with along or short trident. You can be at a river shore or in the water withbasic or complete scuba equipment. A variant of this is "Bow Fishing"which might not be fun if you keep losing arrows!!Net Fishing is another method of" sport fishing". All fishing nets aremeshes that are usually knotted by a relatively thin thread. Modern netsare usually made of nylon, although nets made of wool or silk thread werecommon until recently and are still used in certain areas.

The casting net is circular and the diameter varies. The way to use it is sinking it at the same time you make a forward motion from surface-down to bottom and then up. There is a chance that you catch something else, but hey, some coracles are as good as fish, besides this is also the way they are caught.Trawling is a "fishing" method that involves pulling a fishing net throughthe water behind one or more boats.

In Mexico there is a place where thenets simulate butterflies wings and fish like this. A gill net catchesfish which try to pass through it by snagging on the gill covers. Thustrapped, the fish can neither advance trough the net nor retreat.I find Kite Fishing very exotic. It was invented in China and then learned by people in New Guinea and other Pacific Islands. It is a verynon-traditional way of fishing for a newbie getting into the fishingworld. It was used by people who did not have a boat to fish, but also was very handy when fishing conditions were difficult or the fishing places were inaccessible or dangerous.

Ice Fishing, do I have to say more? Just get a line, a hook and open ahole in the ice, just don't put your hand in it!Fish Trapping is another way for fishing. There are two types of traps: the semi-permanent and the permanent. Depending on the type of fish youwant to get, the traps can be several feet long to relatively short. Anexample is dam fishing by building a temporary dam in such a way thatmakes it easier to catch the fish.

Other types are the tripods used in the Congo and the weir structures or baskets used in medieval times. Thebaskets or weir structures are built according to the fish to catchAnother "natural" way to fish, involves trained animals like cormorant,remoras and dogs."Fishing" using toxins is not a healthy way for catching fish.

There aresome natural toxins found in some plants, and the main idea is to paralyze the fish so you can easily catch it by hand. The fish either dies right after suffocating or later in transport. This is not only dangerous because you can get poisoned too, but it is illegal.In my opinion, using explosives are not only dangerous for you if youdon't know how to handle explosives, but also for the environment. It kills by direct hit or shockwave. The worst thing about it is that it is not selective.Another dangerous practice is electro-fishing. It sounds like a new dance,but actually is a "fishing technique" that involves electricity.

Dependingon the type of fish, you can select the voltage (a bit of electricalknowledge would be good) to stun the fish. The problem is that you canalso injure a diver and he can get really mad at you. The device is supposed to be secure for water usage since it has a dead-man-switch in case you fall in the water.So my Padawan learner might want to get into other fishing techniques. And I hope he does as long as he doesn't blow up a lake or electrocute someone else, after all, fishing is a gentlemen's sport based on honest effort.

by: Tonny the tuna

Quick Guide to Flies Used for Fly Fishing

2007-08-05T13:10:00.000+08:00

Quick Guide to Flies Used for Fly Fishing. Fly fishing is a niche area for the overall sport of fishing. Unlike niches in other sports, it is very unique when compared to the more popular angling. The mere name of fly fishing suggests something very different. No, it doesn’t have anything to do with elevating yourself. Instead, the “fly” in the name refers to the thing used to tempt the fish to strike. While hooks and bait are important in all forms of "fishing", the nature of flies for fly fishing has taken on a life of its own.

For beginners, it can be downright intimidating, so here is a quick primer. A fly is a combination of a hook and bait. In this case, the bait is usually an artificial mish mash that is designed to look delicious to the particular fish being targeted. To you and me, it often just looks like a ball of fur and color, but who are we to argue with the fish? In reality, the idea with the fly fishing is to mimic the favorite bait of the fish in question, which is often a bug of some sort. There are many ways to categorize flies. I prefer to go with simplest first.

The first categorization is the dry fly versus the wet fly. What is the difference between them? The wet fly is intended to sink under the water once you have cast it into the water. The dry fly is intended to sit on the top of the water, much like particular bugs do. While this may sound like a fairly simple and logical explanation, it often becomes problematic in the real world. With the continuing evolution of flies, some dry flies actually are intended to end up under the waterline. That being said, let’s not confuse things too much!Now things get messy.

Long ago, the actual names for particular flies were logical and made common sense. A steelhead fly was obviously to be used for catching steelhead fish. Many flies still carry the name of their intended bait, but a vast new line of flies does not. Fortunately, many of this new group carry at least some portion of the fly or bug they are supposed to imitate. Such names include nymphs, mayflies and caddis to mention a few. As to the rest of them, the names appear to come from the Star Wars version of "fly fishing" and your guess is as good as mine.

So, how do you select your flies? The best method has been around for over a hundred years – ask! The best fly depends on the fish you are going after and the conditions during that time of the year. The only way to get this information is to talk with people familiar with the area or by chatting up the locals at the closest fishing equipment store. The chaps issuing fishing licenses can also be very helpful.

by: Richard chapo

Fishing - Equipment For Novices

2007-08-05T12:54:00.000+08:00

Fishing - Equipment For Novices. One of the most favored past times of Americans is fishing. It has the ability to deliver the great outdoors with a family occasion and the bestowed benefit of rendering excitement, tranquility and eventually if you are lucky, nutrition for the table.If you are a novice, before you start there are a couple of things to bear in mind. For instance, it is a good idea to ascertain with your government agency "fishing requirements".

Some prerequisites are permits and licenses, and of course a knowledge of the lower limit catch sizes and species permitted to be caught. A great place to begin asking questions is your local sport fishing supply store. You should find the staff there well versed in what you should look out for, plus they can ordinarily supply handouts from the government agencies as to what they expect from anglers in their locality.

Novices need not equip themselves with all the countless amounts of equipment that is available for fishing. But there is of course a bare minimum of bits and pieces you would want. How about a fishing line or fishing rod and reel worthy of the kind of fish that you will be hunting. What kind of bait will draw in these fish is a inquiry you should ask the locals or "fishing store" staff. Sinkers, hooks, lures, nets, floats, tools such as pliers, knives, buckets.

The equipment in your "fishing life" can and will increase in numbers and quality the further your interest increases in the sport. But for the novice the rudiments are all that is essential to get a taste for this wonderful recreational activity.So where to commence? What about some much needed practice with that shiny new rod and reel. You may be a little reticent to show off your lack of skills at this stage, so some rehearsal casting in your back yard would help build confidence in your ability to execute the action. You will gain the skill of casting faster than you think within just a couple of short sessions of casting that sinker at a target.

Now you know how to cast, and your confidence is high you will be keen to get out there where the fish are. And that is the next challenge. Keep in mind. You spend time and money finding out how to fish and where the fish tend to bite, why then would you give that valuable information away to some wet behind the ears newcomer who will more than likely frighten the fish away or just vie for the available stock in your favored locations.

So if you really want to know where the fish are you will have to discover them for yourself, and Ill bet you will hold onto that information for yourself.A clever thing to do would be to concentrate on a certain type of "fishing" or target a species of fish you would want to catch and then engage and apply this as far as possible. Your achievement rate would be heightened this way.

In conclusion, when all is said and done the sport of fishing can be a stimulating past time with the thrill of the hunt coupled with the excitement of hooking that prey there is another element attached that some find much more pleasing, the feeling of being at one with the world and taking the time to allow the atmosphere to permeate, see the wind drawing patterns on the waters surface, listening to the auditory sensation of water, that feeling of being alive. Successful fishing.

by: Steve Knowles

What Bass Fishing Equipment To Use

2007-08-05T12:27:00.000+08:00

What Bass Fishing Equipment To Use. One of the most important things in the world of bass fishing equipment is being prepared and having the right, correct equipment for catching some of the biggest fishes ever seen! "Bass fishing equipment" is a business but a very rewarding one as it can prove very helpful to have the proper rods and reels when you're out on the lake searching for that huge catch to help bring home the big fish.

"Bass fishing equipment" can get down to specifics that often throw off the novice fisherman. However, if you are a real fisherman even specifics will bring you joy. Knowing some of the specifics of "bass fishing equipment" will help save a lot of time and trouble in the long run. Line guides should be checked with a Q-tip to insure that the holes fit your line properly and won't tear it in half when you're reeling in a big fish.The rods and reels are expensive and important pieces of your fishing arsenal.

Making sure that your rods and reels are properly maintained is as important as buying the most expensive and reliable brands because without proper maintenance even the best reel can prove to be faulty when it comes down to the raging battle. A joyful raging battle between the fish and you. You wouldn't want to lose that battle because you neglected proper reel and rod maintenance.Check the rod itself, especially if you are using a two or three part rod.

If you will find line cracks, they should be investigated and dealt with properly by yourself or your bait and tackle store. This is usually fairly inexpensive and certainly a whole lot less expensive than purchasing an entirely new rod.If you fish every weekend, or twice a week (like I do) you should probably change your line every three months because of the stress put on it.

Anything is better than losing a fish because you didn't check a line properly for breaks or tears. This type of checking up on your "bass fishing equipment" is integral to any success you want to have as an fisherman.Make sure you bring along proper clothing and attire. You could find yourself in some pretty intense battles with some fish and this could require you to spend a lot of time outdoors without shelter (don't forget about the weather...).

Make sure you have the right jackets and pants for the right seasons.Inspect your fishing gear for any problems and then hit the lake for an exciting afternoon of bass fishing!But first check your "bass fishing equipment".

by: Tomas Labas

Best Fishing Boats

2007-08-05T12:12:00.000+08:00

Best Fishing Boats. There are two types of water that boats are built for, saltwater and freshwater. When you are getting ready to buy your "fishing boat", it is important to know what type of boat is made for each type of water. Whether or not you want a new or a refurbished fishing boat also depends on the type of water it will operate in. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages in salt and freshwater.

Knowing what they are, can make a big difference in your boating success.In addition, the engines in new boats are in first rate condition. However, new engines, require a breaking in period. It is a good idea to let your new engine have the time and special maintenance it needs to adjust. This will enable the new engine to have a longer life. A refurbished engine, is not likely to need this, since it has already been used and broken in the engine parts to function well together.

Below are more suggestions to help you learn how to choose and care for your boat.Types of "Fishing Boats" As of recent accounts, there are at least eleven types of "fishing boats". With all these choices, you should easily be able to find the perfect boat that fits you. You might be planning to get a luxurious cruising boat with sleeping quarters. Or, you may prefer a simpler, two to three person craft. Finding the right boat may take a bit of time, but it is well worth the time spent, so you can figure out what you need for the type of fishing you want to experience.

Insurance for BoatsWhat is boat insurance? How can boat insurance effect your boat purchase? Depending on what size of boat you buy, what kind of water area will it be used in and who will be on board, directly effects how boat insurance can help. If you know what type of boat you are looking for already, boat insurance can be easier to understand. Even so, it is wise to check out exactly what the policy covers. When you are towing your boat trailer on the street should be covered as well.

Since buying a boat is a major purchase for most people, it is a good idea to get the boat insurance at the time of purchase, if possible. Once, you are towing your boat home on the busy roads, boat insurance protection becomes imperative.Trailers for Boats A "fishing boat" trailer is a critical piece of equipment that you can not own a boat without. You will want to learn how to do several things; attaching the boat to the trailer, driving a truck while pulling a trailer,launching the boat, and placing the boat back on the trailer. Anyone that loves to fish should learn more about these essential skills.

Helping HandBuying a boat can be stressful if you don't know what you're looking for. But, it does not have to be. Just make a decision on exactly what type of "fishing" you want to do, and simply find a comprehensive guide. A good fishing ebook can provide you with complete details on current types of boat insurance, types of boats built and other items you will need to enjoy your "fishing adventure".

By: Tom Sraub

The Best Bass Fishing Tips

2007-08-03T15:08:00.000+08:00

The Best Bass Fishing Tips. Bass fishing might appear to be pretty easy when you watch someone else do it, but without the proper bass fishing tips it can actually be quite hard for beginners. Utilizing proper 'bass fishing tips" can make be the deciding factor between coming home with zero fish out and catching a record setting fish. Regardless of the kind of bass fishing you hope to catch, take these helpful suggestions into consideration to make your trip even more successful.

Cover and STructure Cover and structure not the same thing. The term cover refers to an element that fish use to hide from fishers. Structure refers to an actual change to the terrain at the bottom of water.

Location is important when thinking about structure and cover. Additional factors that impact what you need to know and do in terms of cover and structure are the location where you are fishing, when you are fishing, and yur approach to fishing.
Conventional wisdom in "bass fishing tips" usually indicates that it is advisable to work with a little of each. You can using electronic devices to detect structures that are obstructing your vision and matching the structures up with good cover like fallen trees or submerged plants. It is in these areas that the highest density of bass fish are likely to be found. Common sense says that the more fish lurking in your fishing spot, the more likely you are to be successful in your fishing ventures. It's never a bad idea to equip yourself with better bass fishing odds for success on the water.

*Casting

Casting is also hugely important to successful "bass fishing". By taking the time to practice and perfect your casting technique, you can greatly improve your chances for success. As with most casting methods, remember to focus on your wrist instead of your arm when casting your line. You will be a lot more likely to have a good time if you have worked with your casting until it is second nature. That way you won't have to think about technique. Instead, you can concentrate on having a great day in nature.

Making a quieter approach to the bass can be accomplished by casting beyond your target whenever it's possible. Since bass fish tend to prefer quieter areas, this is a very important habit to develop. It's also good to locate yourself as far away from your target as possible while still being able to effectively cast your bait. A smoother release can be accomplished by loading your rod tip in such a way that it bends backwards. This will also help ensure a quieter approach to the bass fish.

By: Wade Robin

Lake Fishing

2007-08-03T14:54:00.001+08:00

Lake Fishing. Fishing is one of the greatest pleasures which you can have, and when you add "lake fishing" to this mix, you have all the makings for a great day’s fishing. Of course, if you are new to the game of fishing you might find that there are a few things about "lake fishing" which are unfamiliar to you.

If you are truly interested in "lake fishing" however, there are many avenues in which you can explore this fascination you have. And one of these avenues to becoming fully conversant with lake fishing is to join a fishing party. They come in many forms and varieties, for example such as bass fishing parties, and they can be extremely educational for the beginning fisherman about the world of "fishing".

If on the other hand you find that you are ready, willing and able to go"lake fishing" on your own, instead of going with a "lake fishing" party, you should go with this instinct and go "lake fishing" on your own.

Before you go and find yourself the nearest body of water in which to go "lake fishing" however, there are a few things that you might want to look into, like that of where you can get your boat. And more to the point, you will want to learn how to pilot a boat beforehand, if you don’t already know how to do so!

The other thing that you will want to look into is finding a fishing partner, if you don’t already have one. Although fishing can be a great way to get some quality time for yourself, it is always good to employ the buddy system. This is the system that divers use, and one that is incredibly useful in case of unwanted injuries.

You never know when accidents will happen, and you never know if you will be able to deal with it yourself, and this is especially true if you are going "lake fishing" where you will more than likely be in the middle of the lake, alone in a boat with not a soul in sight.

This is when having a fishing partner comes in handy as he /she will then be able to summon for help if needed. It also behooves me to point out that no matter how much you want to get away from your mobile phone, it is always best to take it along with you, fully charged, but turned off if you want. You never know when these annoying reminders of our hectic lives will come in handy.

You will also find that lake fishing is decidedly more fun when there is a person along with you who shares the same passion you do for fishing. This can help to make the hours go by faster when the fish aren’t biting. Besides, a fishing buddy is always good for the excuse to tell your life-partner that you didn’t catch any fish because your "fishing buddy" caught them all instead!

By:Bakhru

Mississippi River Bass Fishing: Super Site In The South

2007-08-02T20:34:00.000+08:00

Mississippi River Bass Fishing: Super Site In The South. There's a reason why "bass fishing" in the Mississippi River is so popular. There are tons of bass fish available to be caught for one thing, but you'll also have a great time catching them. It's just a wonderful place to go for the best bass fishing. If you've never fished the Mississippi, you should make sure to get out there soon. There are things to take into consideration when you plan a Mississippi River bass fishing trip, though, so be sure to read on to learn more about it.

One very important thing to be aware of is the huge number of bugs around the "Mississippi River", particularly mosquitoes. It is crucial that you make sure you're well prepared for this before you go. Bug repelling spray is an absolute must, and plenty of it, to help you avoid the discomfort and annoyance of being stung. It's not just annoying, though, but it can actually be a health hazard as well because of the diseases that these bugs carry. You must take precautions to prepare yourself as effectively as possible.

Stocking up with plenty of food and drinks is also quite important. A "Mississippi River" bass fishing trip will usually be for a full day out on the water, and some people go out for several days at a time. It is obvious that the longer you are gone, the more food and drink will be necessary to sustain you. Weather conditions are often quite warm, and so even if you won't be gone long enough to need food, make sure that you have good drinking water available on the boat (and at least a snack is not a bad idea either).

It's also important to do some research on the particular part of "Mississippi" that you are planning to visit, including a map that you have printed or even drawn for yourself. This will help you know your way around better, and help prevent you from getting lost on your "Mississippi River" bass fishing trip. This is particularly important if you've never been there before, but still important even if it's not your first time. Your memory might not be completely reliable, or things could change from one visit to another, and so arming yourself with a decent map might be the best thing of all that you do to prepare for this trip.

By: Wade Robins

Trout Fishing - A Simple Joy

2007-08-02T20:26:00.000+08:00

Trout Fishing - A Simple Joy. Rainbow Trout can be one of the most enjoyable freshwater fishes to catch, especially if the water you are "fishing" on happens to be moving. Although rainbow trout can be found in most lakes, and ponds. However I think that God intended for them to be caught in the running water of a river or stream. There are a number of effective ways to catch Rainbow Trout, when you are "fishing" for them in the flowing waters of rivers and streams.

The fishing technique that you will use is really very simple and it only requires a couple of things. First of all you are going to need: a small barrel swivels, some split shot sinkers, a few gang hooks, along with some live worms. You should bring along a bait bag to carry the worms in. The great part about this "technique" is its simplicity. The fact that this technique is so simple is what makes it so effective.

Your goal here is to bounce your live bait off of the bottom of the river or stream, as it is flowing naturally down the stream. To accomplish this you are going to want to tie a small barrel swivel to the end of your line. Then you are going to take a set of size 8 or 10 gang hooks and put them on your line. Now At this point you are going to want to add just enough split shot to get your bait to sink to the bottom. You should start with 2 and see what happens from there. Remember that there is always going to be some experimentation involved until you are able to determine the correct amount of weight. Now, just add a live worm to the hook, and you are all ready to go. Just cast the rig parallel to yourself, and simply let it flow naturally downstream with the current as it bounces off the bottom. You might end up getting snagged from time to time, it's inevitable. Just remember that when this happens you're not fishing in the right place.

This is the most effective way to catch rainbow trout in running water. Also using the same rig, along with an egg sinker instead of split shot, will work just as well for lake "fishing" too. The great thing about gang hooks is that they allow you to present the live worm in a completely natural manner to the fish, the way that God intended it to be, this gives the angler a huge advantage.

By:James Kronefied

Planning A Fun Family Fishing Trip

2007-08-02T15:08:00.000+08:00

Planning A Fun Family Fishing Trip. How do you plan a family fishing trip? An simple way to begin, is to find out when is the right time to go. This can be easily done by learning a couple of things about fish and the various "fishing seasons". When you have picked your dates, you will want to decide where you will be sleeping, traveling, and the food menu.

The following text below, will help you figure out how to plan your fishing vacation and others. To help celebrate a special event, a fishing trip with family and friends can be a great option. An important aspect of this is to make sure everyone has a good time. So no one person has to do all the planning, it is a good idea to have each person share in the responsibilities. Each individual can give their part, by paying for their share of the expenses, bringing equipment, boats, and other "fishing" necessities, and deciding on what place to go. This is another way to share the fishing experience and connect with family and friends.

To make things more practical, you might consider dividing up the planning into unique tasks, in relation to what your friends and family would like to do. Your cousin may enjoy looking over the travel guides for a pristine area. Your aunt may have fun choosing a cabin. Your friend might love to go shopping for fishing rods. Knowing what your companions like to do, can make dividing up the planning a lot more fun for you and the whole group.

Campground Or A Cabin Lodging

Also, you have the option to rent a cabin or go to a campground, if you prefer not to stay in a hotel. There are many close by lakes, streams, and the ocean. A comfortable place to take in nature is by renting a cabin. You can be close enough to the water, to get an early start in the morning to go fishing. However, cabins are desired by a lot of people and it is wise to make a reservation in advance.

Another option is to stay in a campground. There is nothing quite like laying under the stars on a pitch black night to get close to nature. In addition, by staying in a tent, you will spend less on lodging and be able to change locations more easily.

Planning Your Equipment And Supplies

It is important to know what supplies to take with you on your "fishing trip". You might want more equipment including cook stoves, blankets, and utensils, depending on where you will be staying. You can take a lot of the potential stress out and relax, by finding out how to be ready for your vacation, long before your trip starts. Keep in mind, that the supplies required for lodging in a cabin or campground will not be the same as when you are staying in a hotel. Try asking yourself, "what would I like to do each day?". The answer will greatly determine what supplies and "fishing equipmen"t you will want to bring. What will my friends or family enjoy doing? By letting your friends and family answer this question, they can help make your decisions on what to bring.

More Help With Planning

To learn how to properly plan a fishing vacation you can use the Internet, to quickly find a comprehensive fishing ebook, that has more details on "fishing equipment" and "supplies".

By: Tom Straub

Tying Fly Fishing Flies ? The Frankenstein Fly

2007-07-29T11:19:00.000+08:00

Tying Fly Fishing Flies ? The Frankenstein Fly. You can buy flies for fly fishing, but you'll want to tie your own at some point. Undoubtedly, your first fly will be the Frankenstein Fly. Of Flies?There is a particular fly for every fish, location and situation. There are basic flies like the Woolly Bugger and millions of exotic ones. You can buy thousands of them, but it will set you back a pretty penny.

So, it's time to tie your own. The first step in the fly process is getting some educated advice at the bookstore. You'll need to browse the fishing section for the hundreds of books on the subject. You'll see books like "Flies for Idiots", "Be One With The Fly", "I Fly, You Fly, We All Fly" and other mythical titles. Pick the one that seems tailored to your needs, buy your tools and supplies and head home. One of the first flies most people try to tie is the Woolly Bugger. It can be used for most situations and seems fairly simple to tie. Since this is your first time, you'll actually be tying the Frankenstein Fly whether you realize it or not.

This is true regardless of the specific fly you try to tie. With the Woolly Bugger, you'll use a jam knot, a fluffy piece of marabou, lead wire and so on. You'll follow the directions in detail. You'll wind. You'll strip fuzz. You'll wrap like you've never wrapped before. In the end, you will have followed every step in agonizing detail. As you finish the last step, whip finishing your fly, you'll step back to admire the best Woolly Bugger.

At this point, you'll look at the book and your masterpiece. Then you'll jump on the Internet and pull up pictures of Woolly Bugger flies. Then the neighborhood will shake with a piercing scream. Yes, you've created something that faintly looks like a Woolly Bugger, but strikingly like Frankenstein. Congratulations, you've tied a Frankenstein Fly. Welcome to the league of mad tie scientists. Have FaithTying flies is definitely an art. You will almost never get it right the first time. Don't be discouraged. Keep at it. Who knows, maybe the fish will find your Frankenstein Fly to be a tasty treat.Rick Chapo is with Nomad Writing Journals. Writing journals are the perfect fly fishing accessory or gift for fly fishing trips and fly fishing vacations.

Add Extra Space to Your Car with Roof Boxes

2007-07-29T11:14:00.000+08:00

Add Extra Space to Your Car with Roof Boxes. Roof boxes are among the most important accessories that one needs to add to his car. They provide him with extra space and make room for the luggage that the boot of the car cannot accommodate. So, they come in good stead during the time when carrying extra suitcases or other accessory is exigent. They are largely used when one goes out on a journey to far off place. Another accessory that one can affix on the top of the car is roof racks.

People fond of adventure sports like biking or mountaineering need to carry some kits that they cannot squeeze inside the trunk of a car. Simple pastime like fishing also necessitates carrying some such apparatus that the boot falls short to house. The very physical structure of these things also does not allow them to be accommodated inside a roof box.

So, there occurs the necessity of one new accessory, roof racks. Unlike roof boxes, this item has no limitation of space. It can take the load of bikes, fishing rods and other such kits that are not collapsible. Physically challenged people use the roof racks for the purpose of carrying their wheel chair. Specially crafted racks are there that help such people put their chairs on the racks by themselves, without the help of anyone else.

Like all other car accessories, roof boxes are also made by a number of manufacturers. Some of them are less known while others are of high reputation. MOMO Corse is one of the famous brands in the field of car accessories. Boxes of this brand are flashy, chic and durable. They are available on the internet. The virtual shops on the internet have almost all the car accessories in their store. One can buy roof boxes or roof racks from these shops minus the hassles of physical movement.

by: Alexus Devon

Fishing the Fall Salmon Run in Michigan - A Beginner's Guide

2007-07-29T10:27:00.000+08:00

Fishing the Fall Salmon Run in Michigan - A Beginner's Guide. I decided to write this guide because a couple of years ago I was the "beginner." I don't claim to be a master at it, but I have lost my fair share of fish and have put a few in the freezer each year. Let me start by saying that, to the best of my knowledge, Michigan has the best Salmon fishery in the United States except for Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest (which is where our Salmon were originally stocked from). I also have to say that once you hook one, you will be "hooked" on the experience. I have broken this article into several parts to keep it organized, and from time to time the article will be updated as I learn more about it. This year I am going to try fly-fishing for the Salmon as well as bait fishing.

*About the Fish*

Salmon stocking started in Michigan in 1967 to combat the excessive Alewife population. The first species to be stocked was the Coho. As time went on the Chinook was added to the mix. Since that time they have taken off, and between the naturally reproduction that occurs and the DNR stocking we now have one of the best salmon fisheries anywhere. For pictures of the fish please refer to the Michigan Fishing Regulation book for the current year. In addition to the Coho and Chinook salmon you may also occasionally catch a Pink Salmon or "Atlantic Salmon", but to the best of my knowledge it doesn't happen often. Maybe someone reading this can correct me if I am wrong.

*Where to Go*

We are lucky to have access to a state that has such a diverse fishery. Very few states have as many lakes and rivers as we do, or have the variety of fish that live there. For our particular purposes we need rivers that drain into the Great Lakes, since that is where the salmon spend their adult lives. If you search the internet you will find many rivers that have "salmon" such as the Muskegon, Big Manistee, Little Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Betsie, just to name a few. Some of these rivers have naturally reproducing populations of Salmon while others are stocked by the DNR. There are also several rivers in the Upper Peninsula that play host to salmon in the fall. In all the rivers you have to pay close attention to the fishing regulations because certain sections of the rivers may be closed to fishing to protect the spawning fish or have limitations on the gear you can fish with.

*When to Go*

The main salmon run occurs every fall. There is no set start date, but you can usually start to see fish in the river in early September, and expect the run to be pretty much done by the end of October. A lot of this depends on the weather. A lack of rain and/or warm weather can make the run start later, and extra rain with cooler temperatures can cause the run to start a little earlier. I guess it all depends on when the fall rains and cooler temperatures hit the area. If you go to the rivers during September and October you are going to eventually find fish, it's just a matter of timing it to catch the big run.

"How to Fish For Them"

This article is only going to cover techniques for the fisherman who wades. Most fishermen use either a spinning rod or fly rod and do the Chuck-and-Duck method. I believe this "fishing" method was named by the fly-fisherman because of the extra weight involved and the problem of getting hit in the head (Been There-Done That). You can also cast flies, such as Wooly Buggers, egg patterns, streamers, nymphs, and probably others I don't know about yet. Yet another method is to suspend spawn, flies, or jigs below a float of some type. Whatever rig you choose you will need some waders, a net of some type, a head-lamp or other light source for night "fishing", rain-gear, and some warm clothes.

The Chuck-n-Duck method usually involves a three-way swivel, some type of weight, and a hook with salmon eggs or yarn balls. I have also seen anglers use flies or plugs instead of the hook and spawn. A diagram can bee seen at Figure 1 which is listed at the end of the article.I personally prefer to use about a 3' leader when I fish this method but you will have to experiment and modify it to fit the conditions.

If the fish are spooky you might need to lengthen the leader a bit more. You can also do a modified version of this without the three way swivel by using rubber-core sinkers for weight. To do this, tie the hook directly to your main line and then connect a rubber-core sinker above the hook about 18" for weight. This will get your lure into the current but not necessarily bouncing on the bottom. Again, you will have to experiment with the length of line between the weight and the hook, but I would keep it at least 12" from the hook. A diagram of this rig can be seen in Figure 2 which is listed at the end of the article.

Fishing flies for "salmon" is gaining in popularity. I have not tried it yet, but plan too this year. I understand that the usual flies are either egg patterns, woolybugger variations, big streamers, and egg-sucking leaches. I am going to try them all and see if I can get a hit. The nice thing about fishing the flies is that you also run the chance of hooking other trout species while searching for the salmon. If you want more professional instruction on fly-fishing for salmon there are several outfitters that are offering the service now. Do an internet search on it and you should have little difficulty finding one.

by: Gary Higbee

Introduction To Fishing

2007-07-27T14:05:00.000+08:00

Introduction To Fishing.

The Thrill Of The Catch

If you haven't fished before, you don't know what you're missing. If you did, you would be a fisherperson.

Not only does it bring you closer to nature, there's the thrill of the catch. Imagine standing on the bank of a stream on a beautiful day, your rod bending under the weight of a good catch. This one's a fighter and you take your time, allowing the fish to tire itself out before reeling it to shore. When you finally land it, you realize you've just caught the biggest fish of your life. It's a great feeling and 1 you'll never know until you give fishing a try.

Learning How To Fish

Now that I have your interest, perhaps you realize that you don't have a clue how to go about fishing. Well, that's what I'm here for. If you want to learn to fish, here are 5 easy ways:

* Ask a family member or friend who is an experienced angler to take you along the next time they go fishing -- they will be thrilled to have a new fishing buddy

* Research online -- there are hundreds of websites with instructions on "fishing gear", bait, and fishing tips

* Go to your local library and check out how-to "fishing books" and magazines

* Check your local conservation or wildlife service -- they often hold a fishing day where beginners can learn the basics of fishing.

* If you go on vacation in fishing country (which is darn near anywhere), check with local fishing stores -- they often know local professionals who will teach you how to fish.

When To Go Fishing

Anytime is a good time to fish; you never know what you might catch.

Some species are more active near dawn and dusk when they are feeding, while others will bite any time of the day.

Certain times of the year are best for certain species. Fishing is a pastime you can enjoy all year round.

Getting Your License

Fishing licenses are required in most places, which you can buy at "fishing tackle" stores or Conservation and Wildlife Centers. The cost varies by location. Licenses for children are usually not required.

If you want to fish on private property, be sure to get permission from the owner. Otherwise it is trespassing.

Pack Up And Head Out

If you've read this far, it may be a sign you're getting interested in fishing. Just follow the above instructions and soon you will be enjoying your favorite new hobby.

Visit Fishing to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

by: Ron King

Ice Fishing Tips For Beginners

2007-07-26T20:09:00.000+08:00

Ice Fishing Tips For Beginners. Copyright 2006 Not Just Fishing!

Did you hear the one about the guy who went "ice fishing" and came back with 50 lbs. of ice?

Well, if you found yourself here your at least one step ahead of this fella, that is unless you intended to bring home some ice. Ice fishing is actually a very simple sport but must be practiced with some caution.

# WHAT you say?

Seriously before you set out to catch any fish on "hard" water there a couple of things you should be concerned about. Firstly, make sure you are equipped with the proper attire. Setting out from home on a nice sunny day is fine but once you approach your destination things may have drastically changed or may change without notice. This would also be a good time to check the weather channel or newspaper for the up to date weather forecast.

Secondly, remember to check the ice conditions wherever you go, there are local ice hut operators or locals who are willing to help make your trip safe.

A friend of mine told me once, "You can always take it off, but its pretty hard to put it on if you haven't got it!" My advice, purchase a good floatation suit. They are warm and if you happen to break thru the ice it will probably save your life.

A warm dry set of gloves, preferably without fingers is a must. This way all the fingers share the warmth. A full face belaclava is also required as well as sunglasses. Scarfs can help but be cautionary of the vehicle you are using to get you out to your favorite spot. You don't want to have it get tangled up in a chain or track.

Several layers of clothes are a benefit for when you have the luxury of taking them off. Another good idea is to have a fishing buddy. They are not only there to enjoy the day with you and help make the fishing story a real tale but if an emergency arises they are the only support you've got.

We still have a few small things to do before setting out. Make sure your transportation is trustworthy, a general maintenance check will do, tell someone where your going and how long you expect to be gone and last but not least, a simple thing like a compass, so you don't get lost.

Okay, are we having fun yet. Now that we have got all the scary stuff done, its time to leave, right .... WRONG ! You forgot the gear.

A general rule of thumb regarding gear is to choose the equipment you will need to match the fish you are seeking (e.g. the larger the fish, the heavier the tackle).

Of course you won't be able to get to them if you don't have a hole. So depending on the ice and your wallet or both, you are going to need an ice spud or handgas auger. You can purchase both but if you just happen to have a friend that welds you can get him to make the spud up for you out of a 6' x 2" piece of flat steel and round bar. Don't forget to weld a "T" on the top and grind the flat bar down to a chisel point.

If you are in good shape and have the time the hand auger is great but if you intend to fish several spots and don't want to tire yourself out making "holes" get a gas auger. Look for an auger with at least a 6" cut just so you can get the big ones thru the hole.

Next, you'll need an ice skimmer. I suggest the aluminum one because if you are in a hut with a stove just warm it up a little and touch it to the hole and voila ... instant skim! Also, tie a light chain or rope on it just in case it falls down the hole.

Well, your almost there. You can't catch anything without some type of "jigging rod". They come in all types, sizes and styles but look for one with which you will be comfortable with. This may take a few outings to discover, so see if you have a buddy who will lend you his or hers. Another general rule of thumb, a light rod for perch and panfish using 2 to 4 lb. test, medium action for trout, walleye, whitefish, etc. and 6 to 10 lb. test.

If you are energetic an have a second hole you can also use a tip-up. They range in price from several dollars to around twenty-five bucks. Well, this should get you started. The rest you can learn from patience and experience.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

P.S. One last thing... remember to take a light lunch with you, just in case they decide not to bite or your fishing technique is off for the day. I can remember a few times when we had to have "fish lip soup", it wasn't very filling.

Well, seeing as you have made it this far. I guess an obvious question would be "When is the best time to go "ice Fishing" ?" Everyone I know wants to get out there as soon as possible. It is probably because the fishing seems to be a little better or more likely they just want to be the first one to haul one out of the hole.

It is true that the fish are relaxed and in the best feeding spots because they haven't been hassled for several months. Trout in particular spawn in the fall and can be found in deep water at this time. You can find them on bars, shoals, rocks and fingers. Perch, pike and walleye tend to look for shallow , weedy lakes because the oxygen level tends to be a lot higher.

Once the little villages spring up and the anglers take their toll the catches tend to decrease but don't despair they are still out there. You just have to work a little harder.

So you need a few pointers because your just not catching your limit.

Well what is it that you do in the summer time, whether you are fishing from shore or boat if your not getting the bites ?... You move.

I do it all the time, it's not hard if you've got your own sled and make sure you've got a power auger, you'll need it. In order to be mobile you really need to be prepared. This includes a portable shelter, flotation suit, auger, sled or 4x4, fish finder and GPS. Give yourself about 10 to 20 minutes per hole. That's enough time to find your depth, scratch the bottom for debris, rocks, sand, etc., set up your fish finder and locate fish and at what depth. It also allows you to try your technique to see if they are interested. If you happen to have the hydrographic map of the lake or fished it before it helps. Try making calculated moves, such as holes, shoals, weedbeds.

If you can afford it, get yourself several rods and rig them up with different presentations. Not only do you become a quick change artist but it saves tying on different lures when the weather isn't friendly.

Jigging is really an art form. Not to fast and not to slow, kind of a rhythm thing. Keep in mind it is okay to jig hard at first, you want to attract them, get them interested. Once you've done that slow down to a twitch by using only your wrist or trolling from one side of the hole to the other. Alternatively you can raise the rod tip a few inches and lower. Stir up the bottom a little.

Make sure your rod is short, stiff and with big eyelets. It's hard to fish in a hut that's only 4 x 6 with a 3' rod. You only get one chance to set the hook, so if it moves you don't want the rod to bend. Having your line get frozen because of clogged eyelets just isn't any fun.

PAY ATTENTION! No, I'm not trying to wake you up from your daydream but feeling a hit is not the only way to get fish out of the hole. If you see the slightest movement, either side to side or up or down, set your hook! Remember, if your sending your lure down and it stops and your not where your suppose to be, you probably have one on the line.

Now, if you want to get them up the hole your going to need to hook 'em, so keep your hooks sharp. The easiest way to test is when you push the point thru the minnow, if the point doesn't go in easily either sharpen it or replace it. Speaking of hooks, size is important. The smaller the bait the smaller the hook. Also, If your using a large hook on a small bait you restrict it's movements and could possible even spook your game.

Timing the hook set is crucial when using minnowbait. It is well known that most fish attack from the side, so don't try to set the hook at the first sign of movement or tug. Allow the fish time to swallow the minnow. Okay, so you lost your patience, had him and lost him. Don't be in a hurry to change your bait, put the line back down the hole. Remember, he just lost supper and if he's hungry he'll be back. Wait a couple of minutes and if you don't get a response your welcome to change your bait.

by :not just fishing

Cast Off on Some Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing

2007-07-26T20:00:00.000+08:00

Cast Off on Some Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing. If you love to go fishing, then you will certainly love a Lake Michigan salmon fishing trip. You can get in touch with nature and with some salmon through this outing. This great getaway is a dream trip for all serious fishermen. People who love to enjoy the outdoors will be attracted to Lake Michigan "salmon fishing". If you go on this trip, then you will definitely have a time to remember and you may find that you want to return year after year. You won’t scratch the surface with just one trip because there are miles and miles of lake to explore.

My husband was able to convince me into taking a trip with him a few years ago, even though I am not much a big fan of fishing. I figured that this would be a great opportunity to see one of the Great Lakes and I do love the water. It turned out that I do not only love water but I also love Lake Michigan "salmon fishing" as well. However, taking to the process was difficult for me and I was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. I think that fish is wonderful after it has been properly cleaned, cooked and served but the idea of handling a live salmon wasn’t very appealing to me.

I knew that fish swim away when they realize that they have been snagged and that they like to bite. However, I didn’t know that they were strong creatures. My husband failed to warn me of the strength that a relatively small species can have when we were on the Lake Michigan "salmon fishing trip". We were set up on a lovely area right on the harbor. It was much earlier in the morning and colder than I would have liked. You can expect to be a little cold every now and again when you venture on a Lake Michigan "salmon fishing trip".

I expected the chill but I did not expect the super-fish. I announced that I “got something” when I felt a tug on my line. I suddenly felt that the something I got was not an ordinary salmon because it was pulling so hard that I thought it was going to pull me over the edge. There was nothing for me to do but to simply let go of the entire fishing pole and watched it take off into the water. I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t a salmon, even if I may never know what was on the other end of the pole during this Lake Michigan "salmon fishing trip".

by: Morgan Hamilton

Salmon Fishing: The Basics You Need To Know

2007-07-26T19:51:00.000+08:00

Salmon Fishing: The Basics You Need To Know. You will find that there are several types of salmon that you could be after. You'll find them in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans too. In the Atlantic, you will find the founding father of all "salmon". This is the original fish name of a "salmon". You will also find a wide range of salmon that are in the eastern North American areas that in lakes of all sorts. These don't migrate as they like freshwater better.

The brown trout is one of the most well known of "salmons". Yes, he is a "salmon" even though most think he's a trout. Red "salmon" is also known as Sockeye salmon. These are found off of the coast of California and into the eastern pacific. You will find them off the shores of Japan as well as in the Andayr River in Siberia. Pink salmon is another option and is found in California, Canada and in Korea.

Another common type is Chinook salmon. These are known as spring salmon as well as blackmouth, and King Salmon. You'll find them from the southern Californian coast to the Bering Strait. You can also find them in Alaska, Russia and in the Yukon Territory.

Baits For Salmon

You can use many varieties of baits on "salmon". In freshwater varieties, go with plugs, worms, lures and flies. In saltwater, go with flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.

Gear For Salmon

For fly fishing, you'll need a twelve to sixteen foot graphite or fiberglass rod. You will need fly reel and line too. In bait fishing, you'll need a ten foot spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to a twenty pound test line. For Chinook's, you'll need a boat or a trolling rod. As you know, the Chinook are the largest of the salmon so you will need twenty to forty five pound test line.

When you are after Atlantic's, go for a fly fish or use spoons, natural baits and plugs to help you. On the Pacific side, use trolling just off the shoreline and use estuaries.

No matter which of the mighty salmon you are after, you are sure to get a good fight. Be prepared with a full tackle box and a large cooler when you are after King Salmon!

by Ns Kennedy

Popular Bass Fishing Lures

2007-07-26T17:01:00.000+08:00

Popular Bass Fishing Lures.Every angler has his or her opinion about the best "bass fishing lures" for catching those trophy fish. While there is no definitive magic "bass fishing lure" that is guaranteed to work at all times. Different lures work for different places, but that being said there are some specific types of bass fishing lures that seem to be the most popular among the general bass fishing anglers, and with many of these lures there is even occasionally a general consensus on what works from best down to acceptable.

The best "bass fishing lures" will be ones that resemble food frogs like to eat. This means in a place with tons of lily pads you may want to try a rubber frog, while in areas with lots of minnows rapalas and other related crank baits may be the right choice. Here is an overview of some of the most popular bass fishing lures:

• Rapalas and crank baits. These mimic the movement of minnows both on the surface and under water, giving the bass a moving target that looks like lunch. Another advantage of rapalas is having multiple treble hooks, which increases your chance of hooking the fish after a good hit.

• Plastic worms. These generally find some degree of success almost anywhere since the worm is a major part of a bass fish’s diet. If the locals in an unfamiliar area swear by these, then heed the advice. Preferred over live worms by many since some degree of movement continues with the plastic.

• Jigs. There are several different types of jigs, some more specifically geared towards bass fishing than others. Some are made to look and move like specific types of "bass food", such as crawfish, or other fish. Take a look at your specific fishing hole to figure out the best type of jig set up.

• Spinners. These are somewhat similar to rapalas, in that they are supposed to look like a bait fish and are especially popular for going after larger bass.

• Spoons. Spoons can also be used for bass fishing, and on certain lakes are killers, though they tend to be less popular than jigs, worms, and rapalas.

All of these lures in the right circumstances can be used to catch bass. The reason there are so many "bass fishing lures" is because different lures work in different locations. Bass fishing in Florida is different than "bass fishing" in Texas, which is different than bass fishing in Iowa. Each area will have its own popular "bass fishing lures", and the key to success is matching the perfect bass fishing lure with location and weather conditions. Do that, and you’ll be hauling a healthy stringer in no time.

by: Carl

12 Tips For Largemouth Bass Fishing

2007-07-25T15:56:00.000+08:00

12 Tips For Largemouth Bass Fishing. Enjoy fishing for those largemouth bass? Here are some largemouth "bass fishing tips" that should come in handy the next time you are ready to do a little angling.

(1) Worms or tubes bought in bulk could get smelly, even outside of the bag they're stored in. You should seal these worms in smaller vacuum sealer bags like those you purchase for food storage. Keeps the largemouth "bass" bait airtight and fresh, so they can be stored anywhere for any length of time.

(2) Fish seem to gain leverage with hard baits such as top waters, jerk baits or crank baits and can easily throw them. One solution to this is to add a split ring, putting it between the ring that is already there and the hook. This reduces the fish's leverage, which puts a greater number of fish in the live well.

(3) Begin a fishing excursion before you ever reach the water. Largemouth fishing tips include formulating a plan. After executing the plan for a few hours, decide how it's working and if it's not go to plan "B".

(4) Are those largemouths not cooperating? Switch to a bait you have confidence in.

(5) Change fishing spots, even if you have a favorite, be sure to try new spots often.

(6) You should also be willing to study a lake map and consider the season and current weather conditions even if you are fishing on a very familiar lake. You may have missed a great fishing spot.

(7) Use a personal computer to discern lake levels, weather forecasts, and wind and wave conditions.

(8) Be willing to change your game plan. Pay attention to your instincts.

(9) Don't get ahead of yourself and set the hook as soon as you see the strike. You need to feel the fish.

(10) When the largemouth short strikes behind top water bait and you don't connect you should not give up. Cast a different bait very quickly.

(11) If you have been using larger lures and you have experienced only a few nonproductive bites it may be time to try something smaller.

(12) Remember to take into consideration the root system when fishing a stump. The root systems may hold more fish than the main part of the stump.

Now that you have these largemouth bass fishing tips, head for the water and bring in a big one.

Fishing On River Teith, Scotland

2007-07-24T17:39:00.000+08:00

Fishing On River Teith, Scotland. This year we had the pleasure of "fishing" for sea trout, trout and Salmon in callander in Scotland on the river Teith.

The water quality and clarity is excellent, the area beside the car park in callander town centre provides excellent wading. The wading is easy going, with a smooth sandy bottom to the river.

Fly Fishing

Brown Trout Fishing

All though most angles visit this river for it's runs of "salmon" and sea trout the "growing brown" trout population is often overlooked. We had a number of small brown trout on the dry fly and one or two on small nympths.

Equipment

9ft 6-7 Fly Rod on Dry fly Line

Sea Trout

This perhaps my favourite type of "fishing, in the dark", up to your waste in water. We found that on this water you need a decent downpour of rain to get any kind of run of sea trout.

The pools, at the meetings and just at the bridge is where we found most of our action, casting our fly just below the tree's on the far bank. We lost (I know terrible but it happens to us all) two or three decent fish and landed one 4lb fresh run sea trout.

Equipment

We were using 10ft 8wt single hander Airflow sls fly rods, these provided excellent casting and bite detection

Salmon

We had little luck on the fly with the salmon but did not anglers with two handed fly rods and heavy brass tube flies seamed to have more luck. In desperation we switched to spinning tactics using Flying C's we landed two 10lb "salmon" that were rather coloured.

Upon speaking to the Balif we discovered that this is the norm for this venue. However it was good sport.

Equipment
10ft Spinning rod, Braid Line and Flying C's

Our Opinion

The venue is relatively cheap for "salmon fishing", everyone is happy to help the more novice angler. Wading is easy and safe. Good choice of sport from trout fishing to salmon fishing. We would give this venue 4/5.

by: Tony smith

Indiana Bass Fishing Is Ideal

2007-07-24T14:11:00.000+08:00

Indiana Bass Fishing Is Ideal. It stands to reason that the location you choose for bass fishing will have a lot to do with your level of success in catching the fish, and "Indiana bass fishing trips" are among the most successful in all of the world's locations for bass fishing. There are a lot of reasons for this success, as more and more "bass fishers"are discovering.

First and foremost, "Indiana bass fishing" tends to be successful because the water that runs through Indiana is full of bass fish. The world's best "bass fishermen" have made it their custom to come here for that very reason. There's nothing like catching a ton of great bass fish to make your bass fishing trip a success, after all.

Indiana's mild weather is also a factor in its success and popularity as a great "bass fishing destination". The weather conditions are seldom too hot or too cold, which certainly offers very comfortable "fishing conditions" to the bass fishermen. More importantly, though, it is a big part of the reason for the abundance of bass fish in these waters as the fish seek more moderate conditions for themselves. Avid fishermen are always on the lookout for great "fishing locations" and those that have ever visited Indiana will almost definitely return.

The state of Indiana is filled with a variety of great bass fishing destinations. Those who are planning an "Indiana bass fishing" trip will have many great options to select from in planning your trip. Although there are a lot of other great bass fishing locations in the world, Indiana near the top of any experienced fisherman's list. Any dedicated bass fishing enthusiast should at least check it out once.

Lots of great research information is available about Indiana and its "great bass fishing" possibilities. This will help you to scope out the details of your own trip while learning more about the great opportunities for successful bass fishing in Indiana. The Internet will supply volumes of information with great speed and efficiency, to let you look around at your own pace and find the information you need.

Remember to be patient and thorough as you sort through the incredible amounts of research information available as it will lead to a much more productive trip with greater opportunities for fun and enjoyment. By learning and preparing on the front end, your Indiana "bass fishing trip" should be phenomenally successful and fun.

By: Wade Robin

Freshwater Fishing For Fun

2007-07-24T13:43:00.000+08:00

Freshwater Fishing For Fun. If you ever think about a blue, sparkling lake, river, creek, pond or stream, you have just pictured what "freshwater fishing" is all about. By living in the vicinity of any these gorgeous water areas, you can try out freshwater fishing.

If what you really would like to do is to be able to go fishing as often as possible, freshwater will give you plenty of "fishing" areas that are usually just several traveling hours away or less. This leaves you with more hours spent on actually fishing then traveling, which helps to find the vacation time to go much easier.

Types of Freshwater Fish

In different lakes and rivers, several types of fish can be discovered. Because fish live in a number of water temperatures, various species cohabitant in a single area. By asking about what kinds of "freshwater fish" are in the spot you have chosen, you will know ahead of time what to expect to be able to catch.

Fishing for "freshwater fish" is different than fishing for saltwater fish for a few reasons. It is important to recognize these reasons so you don't use them when freshwater fishing. The Internet is a great starting place to find an easy guide on "freshwater fishing".

Freshwater Fish Boats

You can find boats constructed for "freshwater fishing" in particular, with several boat dealers and retailers, even ones that offer larger vessels. However, before you begin to look, it is a good idea to find out exactly how the two kinds of boats are different, so you may understand what is important to look for. For example, freshwater boats are usually built smaller and with different materials.

Moreover, freshwater fishing boats have different engines, fuel and how the fuel is consumed. If you go fishing in deep waters or by the shoreline, directly affects how much power you will require by how far you will travel, speed limits, and any plants living in the water.

Types of Freshwater Fishing

How would you like to freshwater fish? When you are bass fishing, salmon fishing, fly fishing or yet another kind of fishing, controlling the casting rod is critical to any fishing. You will also want to find out how to use lures, flies, and various other items to capture the attention of the fish. Bait that is attached properly will add to your "freshwater fishing" success as well.

Once you have chosen your favorite fresh water "fishing spot", even in just one area the water currents can differ, and change the way you will fish. The currents in a pond, for example, will flow much differently than a stream or river. A "fishing guide" can show you how to practice applying your casting rod in various bodies of water.

You have thousands of freshwater areas, ready for you to enjoy "freshwater fishing". Since "freshwater fishing" usually means bringing a smaller boat and travelling a short distance, it is no surprise that many folks love this sport.

By: Tom straub

Alaska Fishing Lodge - A Trip To Remember

2007-07-24T13:01:00.000+08:00

Alaska Fishing Lodge - A Trip To Remember. When "fishing in Alaska" timing is everything. In other words each species of fish has a time when they are most available and when there is an abundance of that particular fish. When booking a reservation with one of the resorts, check to see if the fish you want to catch are available during your visit.

Besides seeing the sights and experiencing seasonal changes in weather there is just plain relaxing. Consider stopping at the nearest Alaska fishing lodge. There are so many packages available and so many offers that you surely will find one for your family.

A great Alaska fishing lodge is one that offers all the amenities with easy access to the water. Any package should include close proximity to the oceanfront lodging, great meals, guide services and fish processing. So you get everything you need all in one trip. There are many choices in fishing lodges.

Alaska also offers a great "variety and quantity" of fish to be caught. They can be caught in different regions of the state and at various seasons. Alaska most popular fish is the salmon and the runner up is halibut. In the South central region there are various choices of fishing lodges. First, Alaska Tree Tops Fishing Lodge.

Then there is Alaska Accommodations and Fishing Charters, Alaska Adventure Company, LLC Wilderness Place Lodge. In the southeast region there are several selections in lodges such as Alaskan Advantage and Shelter Cove Lodge and Salmon Falls Resort. The southwest offers the Alaska Rainbow Lodge. There are many more selections of Alaska fishing lodges that are available. By searching the web or logging onto cleverfishing.com you may find out which lodge is best to suit your needs and who offers the best package and pricing.

"Alaska Fishing Lodges" are perfectly located in areas where the waters are abundant with the different species of fish. Usually, these lodges are situated in a place where trout, northern pike, and grayling mostly inhabit the waters.

Moreover, some types of lodge also house a place where king salmon are abundant especially during the months of June and early part of July. Most lodges also provide a wide variety of fishing equipment, from rods to tackles and lines.

Most fishing lodges offer valued deals on shelter, food, and "fishing equipment rentals". How can you select what is best for you? Decide on what region has the fish you are looking to catch. Pricing varies on lodges, regions, seasons and packaging. A package can start from $75 and range up to thousands of dollars. Guides are included in these packages to show you the region and where the fish reside, how to catch them best and when is a good time to go fishing.

"Alaska fishing lodges" are fully staffed with professional fisherman who have been guiding on fishing subjects for many years. They love fish and will give the best fishing experience to maximize your chance for success. This should keep you coming back for more. Alaska fishing lodges offer stays from four to seven nights and offer a variety of options to meet the clients needs and desires. Most of the lodging are owned and operated by "Alaskan residents".

Most Alaska Fishing Lodges are built big enough to occupy 16 guests, in which each guest can avail of personal and individualized services. In addition, because it carries the true Alaskan heritage, "Alaska Fishing Lodges" offer services and products that can be afforded by anyone. With its affordable rates, the place is inhabited by people, who mostly want to enjoy life and fishing but cannot afford to buy the pleasures in expensive beaches and lodges.

Normally, "Alaska Fishing Lodges" are made up of logs; sturdily build to provide each angler optimum convenience and comfort. It is known for its spacious interiors, creatively decorated with the right embellishments, thereby, setting the mood for fishing and wilderness.

Among all "fishing lodges" available in the industry today, the "Alaska Fishing Lodges" are among the most treasured and most popular fishing lodges in the United States. With all these beautiful features present in every Alaska Fishing Lodge, there is no better place to enjoy fishing and the wilderness like what this particular lodge can offer. Staying in an Alaska Fishing Lodge is, indeed, an ultimate fishing experience.

By:

Does Your Fishing Net Have Holes In It?

2007-07-22T14:48:00.000+08:00

Does Your Fishing Net Have Holes In It?. Finding borrowers is a lot like fishing. You throw out your offer and see who bites.There is a lot of debate at the moment as to which bait is best. A-paper borrowers and sub-prime borrowers each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the bait you're using, it's all worthless if you can't get them in the boat once you got them to bite.

In other words, your fishing net has holes in it.The most successful companies in the world spend a large part of their revenue building systems to develop and nurture a relationship with their customers. For example, Amazon sends regular emails with coupons and purchase suggestions and American Express uses membership upgrades. Why should a mortgage company (or individual) be any different?A mortgage office that desires to exist long term should seriously consider implementing systems to develop relationships. Consider the profit margin on each closed loan.

Then consider that most Americans refinance once every 3-4 years. Even if you spent $5 a month per person, keeping your relationship with your borrower is infinitely cheaper than finding a new one.At a bear minimum, a monthly newsletter or postcard will keep your name in front of past customers. There are many excellent companies on the net.

I recommend www.hotleadmachine.com because of their low cost and 50 customer minimum requirement. The newsletter comes in full color with your picture or logo included.More advanced marketers would benefit from a short term system designed to ensure the customer moves forward with their home financing.

The costs of finding new qualified borrowers is increasing daily as competition increases. With the availability of trigger leads, the need to keep marketing even after the sale is undeniable.My Lost Borrower Campaign, which is fast becoming standard operating procedure in many offices, provides a multi-step marketing campaign designed to eliminate borrower fallout. As of this post, there is no other program like it available anywhere.

by: Brian Diez

Make Your Dreams Come True With An Alaska Fishing Vacation

2007-07-12T20:41:00.000+08:00

Make Your Dreams Come True With An Alaska Fishing vacation. When thinking about vacation destinations this year, why not consider an Alaska Fishing Vacation? One of the most beautiful states in our country, and in addition to so many other fun activities, Alaska offers fantastic fishing! Trout, halibut and of course, the ever famous Alaskan salmon are just a few of the varieties you will be able to angle on your trip.

They say that "fishing in Alaska" is different from fishing anywhere else in the world and that an" Alaska fishing vacation" is an angler's dream come true. And it can be as easy as obtaining a fishing license. Did you know that Alaska fishing offers twenty-one different species of sport fishes including five kinds of wild Pacific Salmon? You can head out on your own for one of the awesome lakes or streams, or take a charter boat out to some remote backcountry waterway. Most "fishing" locations are accessible by road, but those more secluded settings are still easy to get to by air taxis or charter services. Some destinations even include local tour guides that can be hired to lead you through your exciting journey.

One way to plan your trip is with a vacation package and there are many available. The "Alaska fishing" experience offers day trips and extended stays as well. Think about how relaxing it would be to end your day of abundant fishing in some great, rustic lodge in the woods. Enjoy a hearty meal and then kick back on the porch and listen to the peacefulness of the wild and soak in the beautiful surroundings. Talk about stress relief!

Different areas of Alaska provide different types of "fishing". A stay in the South-Central town of Anchorage will give you the opportunity to catch some of the world's best King Salmon just a few hundred yards from your hotel. In the middle of Alaska, known as the Interior, the Grayling, Pike and Lake Trout are plentiful in its waters.

Check out Alaska.com for great "Alaska Fishing Vacation" packages and also tips on how to plan your trip. There is also a link to purchase your fishing license online. It doesn't get much more convenient than that. So do yourself a favor and make sure to visit one of America's most bountiful and majestic destinations, and have yourself the fishing adventure of a lifetime!

alaska fishing vacation Planning that once in a lifetime fishing trip to Alaska? Then your search is over. Let us do all the work for you. With a bevy of useful information that will make your alaska fishing vacation unforgettable. by: Nathan Lynch

Top Tips For Planning The Ultimate Alaska Fishing Vacation

2007-07-12T20:32:00.000+08:00

For Planning The Ultimate Alaska Fishing Vacation. Alaska salmon "fishing" tours were started on a simple premise. A need was spotted in the fishing market, and several folks decided that if no one else was going to satisfy this need, well, heck, they sure would do it. More than 30 years later, many of these businesses have created huge empires for themselves.

If you're a fisherman, and you haven't really given much thought to planning a fishing vacation for yourself, then there's no better time then the present.

Imagine yourself in Alaska, far from the urban sprawl of everyday life, standing in a clear, crisp river that's loaded to the brim with trophy salmon and healthy, beautiful arctic char. A short 100 yards from the rivers edge is your private "Alaskan fishing lodge". All around you is the pristine wilderness of "Alaska", and no one to interrupt the view, and no one to disturb your concentration as you attempt to land "the big one".

Every fisherman dreams of the day he or she can make the pilgrimage to the fabled Alaska Salmon "Fishing" Mecca. Living your Alaskan dream doesn't have to wait any longer. It's actually much more affordable than you realize. There are many "Alaska Salmon Fishing" packages available that are designed to fit just about any budget.

It takes a special breed of angler to flock to this nook of the world, where many a fishing lore is born. "Alaska fishing" legends are home to salmon runs so thick you can walk across their backs, halibut so big they're called barn doors, and bottom fish so plentiful, fishing for them is called "catching". Historically, Alaska's fishing bounty has been so rich that it could feed a hungry world, and continues to do so to this day.

If you plan an "Alaska fishing trip", you will definitely want an experienced, well-seasoned guide. Ideally, you need to find someone who can pinpoint the best time, place and specific areas to fish. The best fishing guide is one who knows these waters thoroughly. Many companies have seasoned and friendly Alaska fishing guides and charter captains who will make your Alaska fishing trip a very pleasurable experience.

If you want to experience great "Alaska fishing", the Kenai is the only place to be!

While other parts of Alaska are experiencing increasingly limited salmon runs, this area has experienced predictable solid runs of each species. Many times, operating in small groups not only adds to a guests' experience, but more importantly it limits any interference in the natural processes of the lands being utilized.

You can choose to fish with award winning guides who specialize in big fish, who have the best equipment, and you can just about guarantee yourself a great experience. Whether you're considering "fishing" for a single day, whole week, river or fly-in "fishing" these guides can hook you up. And it is often surprisingly affordable no matter what you budget might be.

Mike Long is the webmaster and publisher of The Easy Fisherman's Newsletter, a weekly publication giving anglers tips, secrets, insights, articles and other information cover the sport fishing.

by: Make long

Fishing in Lake Texoma

2007-07-02T16:47:00.000+08:00

Fishing in Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma is located on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. It is considered to be one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southwest. Though poor in aquatic vegatation, it's rich in fish and attractive destination for fishers from across the US. With 10-12 million visitors a year, it's considered second most attractive lake in US.

What can you catch in "Lake Texoma"? Mostly blue and channel catfish, white and striped, largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, black and white crappie and bluegill. Each of those require different approach to find and catch, like white bass is best to be found when they migrate upstream on Red and Washita rivers or other streams around the Lake. Rest of the year it's concentrated on the lake's surface, to catch it you should use silver spoons, minnows or small surface baits.

Channel catfish are more shy and usually hide in the mouths or creeks and shallow waters where they can be found after the rain, to catch it, you would need shrimp, cut bait or blood bait – other fish could do the tirck – don't even think about artificial baits. They typically don't exceed 10 pounds. Large minnows are also pretty much effective for this kind of fish. But it's the best to use minnows when you are fishing for crappie.

Crappie can be found in concentrations near boat houses, water trees and brush piles. Striped bass recognized by its 7-8 continuous stripes along sides like to eat gizzard and threadfin shad. Stripers here can be as big as 35 pounds. There was a 121.5 pounds blue catfish caught in the lake in 2004 setting the World Record at the time.

Bluegills, identifiable but its blue gill flap, weight up to 5lbs but still a worthy catch in "Lake Texoma". The fishing method for this fish is from the shoreline, they concentrate in sheltered waters. Worms, flies and crickets can make a great bait for this fish.

Fishing regulations for "Lake Texoma" allow you to catch 5 to 25 fishes of different types. You can use your Texas or Oklahoma fishing license, but only on the correct side of the lake, or you can buy inexpensive license to fish in all the lake.

Plenty of guide services are available for fishing in in Lake Texoma, to make your vacation an unforgettable day on the wonderful place for fishing for your kids and whole family. by: Josep Brown

Beginner Fishing

2007-07-02T16:33:00.000+08:00

Beginner Fishing. Fishing is probably one of the most popular forms of recreation in the world. You can find people of all ages and gender, from all walks of life, enjoying the sport from shore and from boats. Fishing equipment, called tackle, is simple. The basic tools are a rod, a reel, fishing line, and hooks and lures. Because tackle is inexpensive and finding a place to fish is easy, almost anyone can fish. For others, it can be another source of food; for many, it’s a chance to go out into the outdoors and spend time alone or with like-minded friends.

Sportfishing may be done in fresh water or salt water. When you fish in streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds, then you’re going freshwater fishing. You can catch trout, bass, and several other species this way. On the other hand, saltwater fishing takes place in tidal rivers, oceans, and estuaries. Game fish found in these waters tend to be larger than average freshwater fish. These include tuna, flounder, marlin, sailfish, and tarpon.

You’ve probably heard about bait fishing, spin fishing, and fly fishing. These are the most common types of angling used both in salt water and fresh water fishing. But what exactly are the differences between these three?

When you go "bait fishing", you use live or dead bait to catch fish, plain and simple. The bait is placed on a hook and then cast into the water, where the bait sinks. The fisherman may then jiggle the bait up and down to attract fishes by the action, let the bait sink to the bottom, or reel the bait in to attract fish swimming near the surface of the water.

Plastic or metal lures are used to attract fish in spin fishing. As the fisherman reels in the line, the lures spin. Fishermen using this technique always pay close attention to the speed by which they reel in the lure, as well as the depth, or how deep is the lure in the water. These actions, along with the spinning of the lure, are needed in order to imitate the motions of common game fish prey. A fish that bites the lure will hook itself, and then the fisherman just has to reel it in. When the fish is close enough, a net or gaff is used to land it. When fishing for smaller game fish, lighter rods are used, and bigger rods are reserved for larger ones.

The most difficult method is generally considered to be fly fishing. A typical fly fishing rod weighs less than the rods used for spin and bait fishing, and longer, too. This type of fishing uses feathered lures especially made to be similar to the appearance of insects or small fish. When casting, the fisherman whisks the rod forward then back with only the forearm. The line is then cast into a specific spot in the water with a sharp and smooth flick of the wrist. Depending on the type of fly, it can then float or sink in the water. What makes "fly fishing" so difficult is using a smooth, precise motion to introduce the fly into the water as naturally as possible.

The best seasons for fishing are considered to be spring and fall, since these are when the fish are most active. Summer and winter can still produce good fishing, although the fish are generally a bit more sluggish and less inclined to chase lures or bait. The water temperature also plays an important part in deciding the best time to fish, since different temperatures are preferred by different types of fish. If their natural prey is around, you can also expect game fish to be more active. by: Azlan

Sucker Fishing - Learn the facts that can help you catch the trophies

2007-07-02T15:57:00.000+08:00

Sucker Fishing - Learn the facts that can help you catch the trophies. he sucker fish family of the Cypriniformes order, also known as Catostomidae, is a family of freshwater fish with 80 species, native to North America, eastern Siberia and east central China, particularly in rivers but also in any other freshwater environment. Catostomidae is abundant in northern Minnesota, where they are harvested and smoked.

"Suckers feed" on insects, dwelling organisms such as worms and crustaceans and worms, as well as small fish for the larger suckers. All species are characterized by their mouth, located on the underside of the head, having thick, fleshy lips that give them their name because it enables the fish to attach to rocks in the quicker flowing waters.

Sucker species include the Genus Carpiodes, with the River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio), Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus), Carpiodes dialuzona, and Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer). The Genus Catostomus include Utah sucker (Catostomus Ardens), Yaqui sucker (Catostomus bernardini), Cahita sucker (Catostomus cahita), Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis), Mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus), and Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius) among others.

Suckers of the Genus Chasmistes species include Shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) and June sucker (Chasmistes liorus). Genus Cycleptus with Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) as the most representative, Genus Deltistes with the Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) and the Lake hubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta).

There are many other species such as the Genus Hypentelium, Genus Ictiobus, Genus Minytrema, Genus Moxostoma, Genus Myxocyprinus, Chinese sucker, Genus Thoburnia, and Genus Xyrauchen. All of them less than 2 feet (60 cm) in length, with the largest species reaching nearly 40 inches (1 m) in size.

Sucker is not fished for recreationally in North America and not highly prized for their flesh; however, there are some of them appreciated by fisherman and anglers, including the Quillback, Highfin Carpsucker, Lake Chubsucker, Sharpfin Chubsucker, Spotted Sucker, River Redhorse, Blacktail Redhorse, and Grayfin Redhorse.

Quillbacks live in large streams and creeks if permanent pools are present, although in Florida they are restricted to the larger rivers avoiding entering into the smaller tributary streams. Quillbacks can be caught at the Escambia, Choctawhatchee and Apalachicola rivers with no danger of population decline.

Carpsuckers are basically commercial fish in some areas of the central United States, because they are good to eat, although basically bony. Small species are important food items for game fishes. Large variety of suckers can be found in north Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin, northward from Louisiana to the Texas-Oklahoma border and particularly along the Gulf Coast, from Louisiana eastward to the Choctawhatchee River of Florida.

by: Robert W benjamin

Tarpon Fly Fishing in Florida

2007-07-02T14:33:00.001+08:00

Tarpon Fly Fishing in Florida. Fly fishing for trout? Salmon? Bah! For a different experience, it is all about tarpon fly fishing in Florida.

There are a lot of different types of fishing experiences. There are also many ways of gauging the success of any "fishing trip". To many anglers, the number of fish that you have in your live well, cooler, or stringer is the way you measure a successful trip. To others it is the enjoyment of the external surrounding environment and the immersion into nature that makes the experience successful. To others, it is the sport. It is the challenge of taking a large fish on light tackle. "Fly fisherman" understand the idea of challenge.

Tarpon fly fishing in Florida is a good example of the idea of sport. Many people have compared this form of fishing to hunting. The tarpon is a saltwater fish that comes to the shallow offshore flats and coastal rivers to feed. Many tarpon grow up to 8 feet long and some can weigh as much as 200 pounds. The top of their mouth, where the hook must be set, is covered by a bony plate that some have described as being a bit like concrete.

The tarpon is usually sought in the coastal waters of the Florida Keys in a small skiff. The fisherman stands in the front of the skiff and the guide positions it to intercept schools of tarpon that are moving in from deeper waters to feed. The fish are "swimming" fast, bearing down on the skiff in small schools of giant fish. The fisherman must make an expert cast to drop a fly in the path of the oncoming fish and hope one stops to strike it. Then the hook must be set in that bony upper mouth. In most cases, the fish will throw the hook rather quickly.

If the hook is set, the challenge has really just started. The tarpon is a feisty fish. It may be one of the hardest fighting fish pound for pound anywhere. It will make long wild runs and then suddenly pull with stubborn bull dog tenacity. And they will jump. The tarpon is known for their high arching jumps that can set the fisherman’s heart to racing wildly. In fact, it is common to ask the returning fisherman how many fish he “jumped” rather than how many he caught.

It is really not the catching that is important in tarpon ~fly fishing~ in Florida or along the coastal waters of the other Southern states in the tarpon’s range. It is the hunt that is the thing that draws the fishermen. The flesh of the tarpon is bony and not good eating and in many places the fish is protected and catch and release is the norm. It is the human being against the denizen of the sea that this is all about, not putting food on the table.

by: Richard chapo

Fly Fishing in Southern California

2007-07-01T19:44:00.000+08:00

Fly fishing in Southern California is definitely a matter of finding the right spots. With all the urban sprawl, that isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to do.

When one thinks of Southern California, many images come to mind. You might think of the perfect weather and white sandy beaches of San Diego. The glamour and congestion of sprawling Los Angeles might be what you think of first. It is not very likely that fly fishing in Southern California will be your first thought. Unless, of course, you are a serious fly fisherman.

"Fly fishing" in Southern California is alive and well. The area offers a wide variety of locations that rank among the best in the country for fishing opportunities. The fly fishing community is well organized here also. Fishing clubs are growing in popularity and they offer everything from training and information to organized fishing events.

If you are planning a fishing vacation and have a family that does not share your consuming lust for the sport, Southern California is one of the best choices that you can make. What to do with the family is always at the top of the to-do list when planning such a trip. When you are thinking of a "fly in fishing" trip to a remote lodge in Northern Canada, this is admittedly a serious problem. In Southern California, it is a very minor concern.

Some of the best "fly fishing" in Southern California can be found a stone’s throw from Los Angeles and if you can not find diversion for your family while you fish there, you will not be able to find it anywhere. Unlike many other locations, weather is not a big concern and season is not quite as important in Southern California. The climate allows virtually year round fishing opportunities. The locals consider Spring to be the best fishing time especially for fly fishing for trout, but when they say best, they mean best and not only time.

This is one of the beautiful things about the sport of "fly fishing". It has spread across the world and there is no one place where you must go to find the thrill of it. You can really take just the opposite approach to your trip planning. First, think of the part of the world that you want to visit. Think of that place that fires your own imagination and then investigate the fly fishing potential there. In the case of "fly fishing" in Southern California, a bit of a look below the surface past the many other sights and attractions will reveal opportunities that will stack up with fishing anywhere. by: Ricard Chapo

YOUR FAVOURITE CARP FISHING BAITS – Being Different Counts

2007-06-19T18:07:00.001+08:00

YOUR FAVOURITE CARP FISHING BAITS – Being Different Counts. Everyone has their favourite fishing baits and this is especially so when it comes to carp baits and flavours. But in the far more competitive carp fishing scenarios, the big question is, “Are your ‘favourite baits’ actually costing you more or bigger fish?!”

It costs most carp fishermen quite a sacrifice in time and money to go carp fishing these days. You really want to put the odds as high in your favour as possible. Unfortunately this does not always mean simply buying the successful anglers bait from the last session on a water. But why is this? Surely commercial carp baits are the best option for your success and confidence, having been rigorously tested and proven and almost inevitably having already caught the big fish from your water.

Did it ever occur to anglers that one guy’s favourite bait may indeed be exactly the same bait as another guy prefers to use also? But perhaps he’s not alone and there are very many other anglers all fishing the same water with the same ‘favourite bait.’ Now are all anglers equal? No. Therefore somewhere along the line one or a handful of more talented, experienced, driven and motivated or time rich anglers will be befitting the most from the use of all the other anglers using and baiting up with the same bait.

Feeding a swim with ground bait or ‘chum’ (where allowable,) at the start of a fishing session, is the universally used ‘method’ for the majority of carp anglers these days. However, much of this bait does not necessarily actually contribute to the capture of fish by any particular angler who has baited up at that time. In fact, this baiting-up will almost certainly benefit the angler who follows him into that swim if he does not catch and has fished sensibly. Timing and conditions play such a large part in fishing too. Carp cannot always be caught ‘to order’ as it were!

Some anglers catches will certainly suffer as a result of fish getting caught by other anglers and this is very obvious where a commercially made ‘going bait’ like those from bigger bait companies like “Nash,” “Mainline” or “Nutrabaits” are used.

On most well stocked carp waters, almost any bait that has effective feeding triggers, appetite stimulators or other means of exciting carp into feeding, will work. Not only this, but it has been shown that even on many waters where the latest high protein or modern ‘nutritionally balanced’ boilie baits have been used for years, low quality carbohydrate baits can still dominate catches, if enough quantities are applied.

This may seem like a strange occurrence given the theoretical ‘superiority’ of balanced nutritional baits. However, there are variables of many kinds in actual carp fishing reality, aquatic situations and nutritional dynamics which most average anglers are not aware of. For example, how much of a carp diet actually benefits from the energy provided by cheap carbohydrate baits used in quantity, when compared to lesser amounts of nutritionally superior baits.

How much does carp stock density and availability and benefits of natural food affect fishing results. How much does anglers daily baiting-up with high carbohydrate baits and protein or other balanced nutritional baits affect the feeding behaviour of carp in pressured watered where angling activity seriously impacts upon ‘natural’ carp behaviour?

Baits of even low quality can dominate a water for periods of time for particular reasons. Think of the success of particle baits composed mainly of starch or low protein nutritional value for proof of this phenomenon, even against the use of modern popular ‘commercial quality food baits.’

Whatever you do, it is best to keep the odds of success in your favour. You may even be one of the first anglers on your water on a new bait. But this does not insure you against failure if your target fish gets caught first by another angler on the same bait!
For example, I can think of one prime example where famous big fish angler, Dave Lane baited up for months in an area of a large lake that was easily accessible to all anglers fishing the lake. He was in pursuit of another fifty pound carp at the time.

He did the work, did the watercraft, and prepared the swim, feeding in a commercially made “Mainline” boilie bait, regularly, to get the big fish feeding confidently in the swim. Then just when conditions were ideal to catch the fish in the swim, another angler caught that fish on the same bait Dave had been worked so hard to establish.

That devastated Dave’s hopes of catching that fish that season. But carp fishing is like that when you are dead set on using a bait which anyone has access to and in a swim anyone has access to. The next season, Dave resorted to fishing in a very carefully prepared swim, carefully cut out of the bushes so forming a ‘hidden’ swim. Again he baited up for months as before and did succeed in catching that fifty pound carp.

But in your fishing, why should you bait up for others to catch fish on the bait you are using? Surely this is going to affect your results. Catching fish on a bait that anyone can use is like a lottery because you could do all the work putting in loads of bait and time to catch the biggest fish. Then anyone else who happens along using your commercially available bait can exploit the situation perhaps inadvertently and totally ignorant of your efforts and catch the biggest fish.

As you can see, this can happen all the time in carp fishing. You do not always know if you are fishing over other anglers’ boilies, pellets, particles or other baits and how that may have affected your catches, or fish activity and behaviour, or even presence in your chosen swim. But if your aim is to catch the biggest fish in a water, it can really make sense to absolutely ensure that your bait is totally unique. Even to the extent of using ingredients that the average fellow angler fishing your water would never think of using.

If you simply make homemade pastes or dough baits and your normal fishing session results in even just one fish rather than a ‘blank’ session, surely the attention to detail with bait is worth it.

The greatest ‘edge’ of an angler’s bait is the fact that ideally, it has not already caught or hooked the fish you are aiming to catch. Sure big fish get hooked on the same bait on repeated occasions, but this is not putting odds in your favour and you do want the odds in your favour right?! by: Tim F. Richardson

How To Successfully Choose Bass Fishing Lures

2007-06-16T18:11:00.000+08:00

How To Successfully Choose Bass Fishing Lures. Careful bass fishermen, those who think about what they are doing and why, know that they can use the lures in their tackle boxes to work for them and that each one has an optimum range of service.

Each kind of lure has certain times and places in which it is most effective. Some lures work deep and some stay on the surface; some baits should be retrieved slowly and others should be burned along. So when the fish are deep, don't (in most cases) go with a surface lure. And when the bass are lethargic, don't make them chase a speeding bait.

Choose The Right Color

As each "lure" has a job to do, each color has a purpose, too. While some research indicates fish respond better to some colors than to others and that water clarity has a lot to do with what color lure might work best, it ia beyond the realm of most fishermen to obtain a device that indicates the best hues to use.

So stick with crawfish colored "lures" when working close to the bottom around rocks, stumps, and willows. Use a fish colored bait, such as one painted chrome or silver or gold or like a shad, when working around deep points or around schooling baitfish.

Try bright colors such as hot pink or chartreuse when the water is stained to the point that visibility is less than 18 inches. But chartreuse also works well in water that is fairly clear, and it is an excellent choice in spinnerbait skirts.
Some bass anglers prefer chartreuse spinnerbaits around weed beds (and many like black there), while others go with white shirted lures around wood structure.

When To Use Spinnerbaits

These are the most versatile of bass lures. They can be worked deep or shallow, slow or fast and in a number of motions. They are generally snagless, which makes them a top choice around weeds and submerged trees and willows. Use spinnerbaits generally this way:

Try the inline models only in fairly open water, although they can fished among rocks with only a slight chance of snagging. Stick with the safety pin spinnerbaits around trees, willows, weeds, of all varieties, boat docks, stumps, flats, and long tapering points.

A spinnerbait is one of the absolute best baits to use if the water is very dirty, especially in the summer and spring. The blades on the lures send out a lot of vibration as they rotate through the water and the action gives fish something to key on as they seek the disturbance in muddy water.

Try a big cupped Colorado style blade when you seek to make the most underwater noise. On the other hand, when vibration isn't too important but plenty of flash is, try a willow leaf blade. The most popular sizes of willow leaf blades are No.4 to No.8. Since you'll be fishing a spinnerbait mostly around heavy cover such as weeds and wood, be sure to knock the lure into the cover regularly. That is, bump a stump or tree trunk with the lure and then let it settle a foot or so.

Strikes from ambushing bass often will occur just after a spinnerbait hits a piece of wood then tumbles down. Too, you can slither the lure over snags that are out of the water and let the lure slip quietly into the water below the tangles to sneak up on lurking bass. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are generally used to cover water quickly. Generally use a spinnerbait if the water is shallow and a crankbait if the water is deep.

When To Use Crankbaits

Crankbaits are especially productive on "active bass" that are willing to run down a meal. When the crankbaits are working to their potential, they are digging their big plastic bills into the sand, gravel or rocks on the bottom, deflecting themselves off objects and bouncing tantalizingly in front of hungry bass. They should be used when you want to quickly prospect for bass along an underwater hump or reef, down a steep or tapering point, along the sides of a road bed or around a launch ramp.

Some expert bass fishermen use crankbaits in heavy cover such as trees and stumps, but those are places where a "beginner" should take considerable care. Because they mostly are floaters, crankbaits will bob back to the surface if you stop retrieving them; but if a hook is stuck in a branch, the lure will be stuck and perhaps unretrievable.

Try a crankbait in heavy wood only after you've had lots of practice in walking one along a lake bottom so you can learn how the lure works. Many fishermen use three color patterns in crankbaits: chartreuse or firetiger, shad or chrome, and crawfish or reddish orange. These colors will mainly get the job done whenever a crankbait will do it.

Another selection of many anglers is the deep diving models over shallow runners because the big plastic bills on the deep diggers serve several purposes. They deflect off snags and they dig puffs and furrows as they nose down into the lake bottom. The result is an added attraction that might draw attention of a hungry bass.

by: Carl

Free Bass Fishing Games: A Quick Way To Get Your Fishing Fix

2007-05-28T17:11:00.000+08:00

Free Bass Fishing Games: A Quick Way To Get Your Fishing Fix. Satisfy your craving to fishing not only through the waters but with your home PC too! Do not fret if it’s not the fishing season or the weather is not good for fishing. You can experience the rush and fun of bass fishing anytime and at the comfort of your own home. Free Bass Fishing Games are available for you in the internet.

Here are some bass fishing games and downloads you can come across on the Internet. They are free to download or play online, just make sure you check the system requirements included with the bass fishing games or software summary. Plug in and connect, here are some of the most exciting and realistic free bass fishing games for you.

1. Fishing Expert 4.0. Fishing Expert contains a database that queries your fishing conditions, and then provides you with one of over 400 proven fishing methods or patterns. It takes into account weather, time of year, types of water, wind conditions, spawning conditions, high/low pressure systems, and much more.

2. Pro Bass Fishing. Plunge yourself into a "fishing adventure" made more alive with splashing fish, jumping frogs, dancing water bugs, rippling water, bouncing rod tips and the biggest, hardest fighting bass fishes that ever landed on a PC. The fishing adventures are endless as you choose the lake, the hot spot, the species, the tackle - even the weather, its your game and your rules.

3. Rapala Pro fishing by Activision. Rapala Company is well known to every avid fisherman as they are taking in big bucks for the products and accessories and now a game is bearing their name. Drive fast on your bass boats and even air boats. Take the ultimate online bass fishing high with this free to try bass fishing game.

4. In-Fisherman Freshwater Trophies by global Star Software. Get the big boys out of the boat and be the In-Fisherman. Take the day off virtually and be the big man in the lake. Bag that trophy fish then strive for more. This free bass fishing game provides the bass fishing high that the real thing offers.

5. Pro Bass Fishing by Atari. LAN play and do fishing challenges with your friends and beat the popular on-line gaming portal, Game Spy Arcade. Enjoy the scenery of the northern and southern lakes. What’s up ahead will always be a surprise. Have that wonderful weekend get away with the boys anytime of the week and at the comfort of your own home.

6. Outdoor- Life: A Sportsman’s Challenge. the Sim – city meets the backwoods yokel cousins. Your ultimate hunting and fishing destination is right in your fingertips. Take those big bucks and monster bass flourishing as you market your outdoor paradise. You have complete control and power of everything you want in "bass fishing" all at the click of a mouse.

7. Championship Bass by EA Sports. This game provides computer anglers with small selection of lakes and rivers but have an extensive selection of lures and colors to choose from. Clean and simple play methods and not overly complicated. Good quality graphics with a huge amount of fun factor, something you can definitely expect from EA sports

.8. Trophy Bass 4 by Vivendi Universal games. Dubbed as the mother of all PC Bass fishing games, this game sets the standard of playability and “fishability”. Trophy Bass 4 is a game that provided tons of fun and demonstrated classic control of any fishing game. It has a large library of fishing tips thus you will learn real life fishing while playing this exciting game.

9. Flysim Fly fishing Game by http://FlySim.com. these incredible game portrays real life physics that you can feel as you practice your fly casting. Practice flycasts at fish that demonstrate realistic behavior.10. Trophy Bass 3D by Vivendi Universal Games. This game came up after Trophy Bass 2. This game came up with new and improved 3D rendered game engines. You must be familiar with the game series and make up with the speed of these game. The rush of adrenaline is like a jolt and the experience is breathtaking. Strap on for the ride of a lifetime!

by: jack Mitchell

Fishing rod

2007-05-20T19:24:00.000+08:00

Fishing rods are a classic tool for catching fish, dating back at least to ancient Egypt, and possibly even further back than that. They can be easily made from all sorts of different things, ranging from plants like bamboo to modern man-made materials.

While fishing rods were once essential for catching food, today nets tend to be used instead, with fishing rods being used more often as a hobby or for sports fishing. Although the specifics are different depending on the kind of fish that is being fished for, the general idea is to put some kind of bait on the end of the line, throw it into the water, and then use a wheel to pull the line up again once a fish has been hooked. More sophisticated lines can float in the water for hours on end, waiting for a fish to come by, without having to be thrown down and pulled up again.

A fishing rod has more parts than you would expect, including the rod itself (the 'stick' part), a grip (where you hold it), a line, guides (to hold the line in position), a wheel (to pull the line back in), and finally a hook (to hook the fish). When you add the bait to this, you can either use live bait (for example, worms), or artificial bait, which is designed to resemble a small fish that the other fish will want to eat.

Having a good quality rod is important, as poor quality ones may snap (either on the rod or the line) if they are used to catch a large or particularly aggressive fish. The best modern rods have been tested over and over again to find the precise configuration that will best catch the fish � although skill still plays a part, it is not too difficult to master modern fishing. Eager to make the sport more challenging, many fishers have turned to fly fishing or ultra-thin rods to make competitions a little more difficult. By: John Gibb

Essential fishing accessories

2007-05-14T18:02:00.000+08:00

Essential fishing asccessories. In order to truly enjoy the art and sport of fishing, you'll need a few basic essentials as well as some of the various other accessories that just make fishing enjoyable.

You will find that this is a great time to learn about what options you have in fishing and to gather up your tools so that you can set out to enjoy the day.The rod and reel are the most fundamental of all fishing equipment.

You can go with a basic set if you are buying for children or are just the casual fisherman. You'll also choose basic tackle including hooks, sinkers, fishing line and as bobbers. You'll need needle nose pliers too. You should consider purchasing a net as well.

Make sure to choose the right size of net as a small net can easily lose you the catch. If you fish for a number of different fish, then look for one larger and one smaller option to consider.Consider the electronic alarm. This wonderful contraption will allow your fishing line to thread through the slot in the alarm head.

When you get that bite, the alarm goes off and the LED display flashes. You know there is something waiting for you then! There are a wide range of options to consider here.Your clothing choices are also important to consider. You'll need a fishing hat and sunglasses, to protect you from the sun's powerful rays.

A vest is another option especially if it has lots of pockets in it. Waders are idea for thigh or chest type fishing excursions. A good waterproof jacket is almost a necessity in the fall or spring months. Gloves are essential as well. You can select rain suits to help keep you dry as well.Other things to consider include forceps, flashlights, wading shoes, scissors and a fishing belt.

For game fish, consider a gaff. The tackle box or bag, pliers and pocket thermometers are important as well. Think about angling pliers and a good quality fishing knife and sharpener too. Of course, you should take with you a "floatation" vest or life jacket if you are heading out onto a boat.

Before you run out and spend a considerable amount of money, though, make sure that you take into considerations the type of fish you are after as well as the skill and preferences that you have. Not sure what you need? You can always ask a family member or friend for help but more than likely your "information" can come from the staff member at your local bait shop.

Fishing only gets better when you have more than enough "fishing accessories" to help you get the job done correctly. Most of these accessories can be purchased through the web or in any of the best "fishing" tackle shops near you.

By: Ns Kennedy

Fishing vacation

2007-05-12T15:16:00.000+08:00

Fishing vacation. Going on a fishing vacation can bring relaxation to you and your family. Not only will you be able to enjoy nature and spend time with those you love, you will also be able to get a free meal.

There are a number of different vacations that you can participate in. While some vacations can last a weekend, others can come in the form of extended tours that can last for days or weeks.

There are a large number of remote areas around the world where you can fish in an environment that is serene and comfortable. When you are planning a fishing vacation, you will first want to decide what type of "fishing" you're interested in.Fishing can basically be divided into two types, and this is saltwater or freshwater. You will also want to decide what type of fish you're interested in.

There are many species of fish, and you may want salmon, trout, or mackerel. To get the the right fish, you will need to make sure you choose a location that contains the fish you're interested in. Another thing you will want to look at is your budget. The options will range from local lakes or ponds to luxury hotels where you can fish while staying at a resort. Your vacation can be simple, or it can be complex.

The choice is up to you. Some people are independent and will want to travel alone, while others will want to use a travel agent.Fishing vacations can be taken during any season of the year. Depending on where you travel during the winter, you may be required to cut a hole in the ice if you wish to fish.

If you plan your "vacation" carefully, you can have the same experience that is achieved by expert fishermen. One thing that you will need to acquire is a fishing license. All the other equipment can be rented, and this is generally a much cheaper option to use instead of purchasing it directly from the manufacturer. Some of the equipment you will need for your trip is a reel, rod, and a boat. A life jacket and first aid kit should be purchased as well.Fishing vacations are excellent for families.

They can give you time to spend together that won't be distracted by the many things you will have to deal with on standard vacations. You don't have to be a master fisherman to enjoy your "vacation". There have been cases were novices were much more successful than seasoned professionals. Even if you don't like fish, or are a vegetarian, you can still practice catch and release methods for handling fish.

While there are many packaged fishing tours available in the United States, they can also be found in foreign countries. With the number of available options, some people mave have a hard time deciding where they want to fish. One of the best advantages of taking an organized tour is that everything you need is readily available.

Depending on how far you want to travel from home, you may need to take a plane, and carrying around the necessary equipment will be difficult. At the same time, those who are independent may not want to be stuck in organized tours, and will enjoy planning the entire trip themselves.

By: Michael colucci

Changing Pace: Striped Bass Fishing

2007-05-11T15:42:00.000+08:00

Changing Pace: Striped Bass Fishing. Striped bass, the targets of striped bass fishing, which are often referred to by the more common name of “stripers,” are one of the most popular types of fish among fishermen, especially among bass anglers.

Striped bass are unique compared to their freshwater brethren in that striped bass breed in fresh water, but somewhat like salmon they spend the adult part of their lives in salt water.

Despite this, if the environment changes in such a way as they can not reach salt water, they still have the ability to live solely in fresh water, like smallmouth and largemouth bass.Striped bass can be found nearly everywhere now, from Chesapeake Bay and Cape Cod down to the reservoirs of Florida.

This fish is extremely popular because of its ability to grow to large sizes and put up the type of fight that makes all bass very popular with anglers. Another reason striped bass are popular is the challenge of catching them.

Striped bass are notorious for being finicky about which baits they will show interest in taking. Because of this, when fishing for striped bass there is no specific favorite technique or strategy that is fool proof. Fishing for striped bass can require many different types of bait. This can include including clams, chicken livers, eels, night crawlers, grasshoppers, and minnows.

Many anglers do prefer live bait of some type over something factory produced, though this doesn’t mean that actual lures can’t have success. If you find something that works in striped bass fishing, then by all means, don’t change a thing!Striped bass fishing is a great change of pace for those bass fisherman who desire a fish that can break well above the twenty pound mark.

In fact, stripers can easily grow up to an amazing four feet long and weigh over fifty pounds. The world record is 125 lbs, but don’t get your hopes up too high—that’s a record that has stood for over one hundred years. Still, there are huge striped bass out there, and if you are committed to striped bass fishing, you many find some dandies.

So which methods work? It depends on your strategy. If you don’t own a boat, then from a shoreline you would want to look at a technique known as “surf casting.” Surf casting is the process of casting into the surf while you stand near the shore of the ocean. This type of strategy requires special gear that usually involves heavy test line an a series of lead sinkers to actually anchor their live bait of the ocean floor, since having the bait floating back to you is obviously not a good idea!If you have a boat, then trolling is a great method for going after striped bass. You will definitely want a strong test line, and in this situation artificial lures are ideal.

This is a successful technique for striped bass fishing because the striped bass is very aggressive and is willing to attack a moving bait. This allows a fisherman to use lures they may already have, and use a familiar technique as trolling is a great strategy not only for striped bass and largemouth bass, but even other fish such as muskie, pike, or walleyes.Striped bass fiction is likely to continue to grow in popularity.

These are big aggressive fish that put up a huge fight, are a challenge to catch, and taste great in the frying pan or on the grill. With qualities like that, how can striped bass fiction not be popular among any avid fisherman?. By: Carl

Fishing - Equipment For Novices

2007-05-11T15:34:00.000+08:00

Fishing - Equipment For Novices. One of the most favored past times of Americans is fishing. It has the ability to deliver the great outdoors with a family occasion and the bestowed benefit of rendering excitement, tranquility and eventually if you are lucky, nutrition for the table.If you are a novice, before you start there are a couple of things to bear in mind.

For instance, it is a good idea to ascertain with your government agency fishing requirements. Some prerequisites are permits and licenses, and of course a knowledge of the lower limit catch sizes and species permitted to be caught.

A great place to begin asking questions is your local sport fishing supply store. You should find the staff there well versed in what you should look out for, plus they can ordinarily supply handouts from the government agencies as to what they expect from anglers in their locality.

Novices need not equip themselves with all the countless amounts of equipment that is available for fishing. But there is of course a bare minimum of bits and pieces you would want. How about a fishing line or fishing rod and reel worthy of the kind of fish that you will be hunting. What kind of bait will draw in these fish is a inquiry you should ask the locals or fishing store staff.

Sinkers, hooks, lures, nets, floats, tools such as pliers, knives, buckets. The equipment in your fishing life can and will increase in numbers and quality the further your interest increases in the sport. But for the novice the rudiments are all that is essential to get a taste for this wonderful recreational activity.

So where to commence? What about some much needed practice with that shiny new rod and reel. You may be a little reticent to show off your lack of skills at this stage, so some rehearsal casting in your back yard would help build confidence in your ability to execute the action.

You will gain the skill of casting faster than you think within just a couple of short sessions of casting that sinker at a target. Now you know how to cast, and your confidence is high you will be keen to get out there where the fish are. And that is the next challenge. Keep in mind.

You spend time and money finding out how to fish and where the fish tend to bite, why then would you give that valuable information away to some wet behind the ears newcomer who will more than likely frighten the fish away or just vie for the available stock in your favored locations.

So if you really want to know where the fish are you will have to discover them for yourself, and Ill bet you will hold onto that information for yourself.A clever thing to do would be to concentrate on a certain type of fishing or target a species of fish you would want to catch and then engage and apply this as far as possible.

Your achievement rate would be heightened this way. In conclusion, when all is said and done the sport of fishing can be a stimulating past time with the thrill of the hunt coupled with the excitement of hooking that prey there is another element attached that some find much more pleasing, the feeling of being at one with the world and taking the time to allow the atmosphere to permeate, see the wind drawing patterns on the waters surface, listening to the auditory sensation of water, that feeling of being alive. Successful fishing. By: Steve Knowler

Crappie Fishing Techniques

2007-05-11T15:25:00.000+08:00

Crappie Fishing technique. One of the most popular fish to go out and catch, or should I say attempt to catch, is the "crappie". People from all over the country fish for these little beauties, mostly because they provide such great table fare. Of all the fish swimming is freshwater, "crappie" are in the running for the best tasting.

Their light flaky meat is much like the flesh of a walleye, only a bit "sweeter". There are many techniques that can be used to catch "crappie", but two of the most popular have to be live minnows and/or small jigs.

I'll give a brief synopsis of both in this article to give you an overview.Live Minnows - The most popular way to catch "Crappie" is probably through the use of live minnows. Most anglers use a size 4 or 6 hook, hook it through the minnows back, place this live minnow under a bobber and fish for "Crappie".

Although this technique works, there are better ways to present you live minnow to the fish. The easiest way is through the use of gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply 2 small hooks tied in tandem. So, in the case of "Crappie", the angler should first tie a small barrel swivel onto their line. Then tie a #8 or #10 set of gang hooks onto the other end of the barrel swivel.

Now, take a live minnow and hook it through the lips of the top hook (I always leave the second hook "floating free", but hooking the second hook into the minnows' back works as well). Now place your bobber onto you line and your good to go.

Hooking the minnow through the lips does little or no damage, and the minnow lives for a very long time, which is good because live minnows can be a bit pricey. The longer you can keep your bait "alive", the better.

The gang hook technique is very effective for catching crappie. Small Jigs - Small jigs are also a very popular technique for catching Crappie. The twister tail that you place on the jig is the important part. There are no hard and fast rules as far as color is concerned, so experimentation is the key.

One thing that I have found is that Berkley's "Power" version of twister tails work quite well. In some cases these "power tails" will even out fish live minnows. Again, as far as what color to use, experimentation is the key. Another very effective technique when it comes to jigging for Crappie is to tip your jig with a live minnow. Simply hook a minnow through the lips onto the hook of your jig, and your jip is "tipped".

The two techniques mentioned in this article are the most popular and most effective way to catch "Crappie". Are there other ways to catch these delectable fish? Of course, but these two are the most effective. I recently saw a "crappie rig" in the local tackle shop, and thought I should mention it. It was a contraption with like 3 large hooks coming off of it, with a sort of wire that kept the three hooks from getting tangled. It looks somewhat like a "tree", for lack of a better way to describe it.

I was flabbergasted by this thing, and quite frankly a bit scared. Please, I beg of you, never buy or use a contraption such the kind I'm attempting to describe. Remember what Steven Wright said of fishermen, "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot." Using rigs like the "crappie rig" make us look like idiots!Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler.

He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana!. By: Trevor kugler

Fishing equipment and accessories

2007-05-11T15:13:00.000+08:00

Fishing equipment and accessories. The sun is shining. The air is cool and crisp. Yes, this is a great time for *fishing*. As you come to the edge of a swiftly moving stream, you see a great fishing adventure beckoning.

You set down your tackle box and your rod and reel, slip off your waterproof jacket, and slip on a pair of hip waders over your fisherman's vest. The abovementioned are just a few of the many fishing accessories that are available to you from stores, catalogs and the internet. Read on to learn more about the accessories you need to make fishing even more fun.

The *Fishing* BasicsThe backbone of your fishing equipment is your rod and reel. For the casual fisherman, the basic rod and reel is all you need. Once you are more experienced, you will better know your tastes and can upgrade accordingly.Tackle ranges from simple to extremely complicated. Basic tackle includes hooks, sinkers, bobbers, *fishing* line and needle nosed pliers.

A net is also a good addition. Choose a net size based on the fish size that you are after. High Tech ToolsElectronics have, to the alarm of purists, invaded the *fishing* arena. There are devices that help you locate where the fish are located. And there are alarms to alert you when you have a fish on your line.

Those poor fish won't have a chance. Clothing For AnglersFishermen's clothing necessities include a *fishing* hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. A *fishing* vest with lots of pockets comes in very handy.

A good waterproof jacket is essential for keeping you dry when the weather isn't. Waders, in thigh or chest height, help extend your reach by getting out into the water.Other Useful Accessories You should also consider: a tackle box, forceps, fishing knife, scissors, flashlight, wading shoes, and a *fishing* belt.

If you are *fishing* from a boat, you will need a flotation vest. Get Advice Before BuyingBefore choosing expensive accessories, be sure it is right for the job and right for you. There are many factors to consider, so don't hesitate to talk for help.

Someone with experience, either a friend or a salesperson, can quickly help you assemble a set of *fishing* accessories that will maximize your fish catching odds.The right accessories will make your *fishing* experience more successful, and hence, more enjoyable.

By: Ron King

Bass fishing lure

2007-05-10T17:30:00.000+08:00

Bass fishing lure. What are the different types?Bass fishing lures are probably the most highly purchased of all "fishing lures" today. Bass fishing today has become one the hottest sports among anglers. Like golf, Bass fishing tournaments are common and becoming popular as tournament stakes are high.

There are many manufacturers of bass "fishing lures", companies such as Heddon, Rapala, and Bass Pro Shops offer anglers sponsorship into tournaments for the serious angler that can prove his or her level of professionalism.

These aggressive fish can be found in nearly any body of water throughout the United States. Both large and small-mouth bass are habitually warm water fish, and are likely to hide in cover in hopes of attacking their prey. Bass "fishing lures" come in many shapes, sizes and colors to help the angler mimic this prey.

Spinnerbaits are one of the most popular and adaptable bass fishing lures ever invented. These effective "fishing lures" can be fished fast or slow, in clear or murky water, at variety of depths.Crankbaits are another commonly used bass "fishing lure" that come in all shapes and sizes covering a full spectrum of colors.

Crankbaits are comparatively simple to fish and can be very efficient when used in the right situations. Diving depth is determined by the size of the lip or bill the longer the lip the deeper this bass "fishing lure" will dive.Buzzbaits produce a splashing, sputtering, and gurgling commotion which bass find hard to resist.

This deafening line of "bass fishing lures" when fished on the surface will often persuade bass to come out of deep cover.Artificial worms and minnows are also common bass "fishing lures" and will produce great results when others may fail.Trolling for bass another excellent technique that works best in large rivers or lakes that have long stretches of deep water with slow to moderate current. While trolling, "bass fishing lures" should remain in the water at all times.

Try varying depths until desired results are achieved. Trolling is a relatively easier technique as compared to casting, and enables the amateur angler to cover more water thoroughly. Any of the bass "fishing lures" mentioned in this article can be trolled effectively.

Choosing the right bass "fishing lure" depends on many conditions. Color plays an important role of duplicating the baitfish in the particular body of water you are fishing. The size of the lure number of blades etc, are just many things to consider when choosing your lure. With spring justaround the corner, bass fishing is sure to be a sport enjoyed by many.

By: Dennis driscroll

Fly Fishing Catch and Release Yourself

2007-05-09T16:22:00.000+08:00

When fly fishing, many anglers prefer to catch and release their fly fishing prizes. Still, what should you do when you're the prize?That's Gotta HurtIf you become a fly fishing fanatic, you will inevitably hook yourself one day.

Of course, this has never happened to me, but my "friends" have done it repeatedly. Being a thoughtful and observant person, I've seen how they go about unhooking themselves from a fly. Again, this is never happened to me. Ever. No, I won't take a lie detector test. The BarbThe best hook removal method depends on the location of the hook barb.

The barb is the part of the hook that keeps the hook from simply sliding back out of the fish or, in this case, you. The essential question is which direction will result in the least damage from the barb. A "friend" of mine once managed to hook himself through the flap of skin between the thumb and forefinger.

The hook penetrated from the top of this hand through to the palm. The barb had gone all the way through the skin. In such a situation, the best method is simply to cut the line at the base of the hook and push it the rest of the way through the skin.

This technique will result in a minimum of damage. Another "friend" of mine once slipped on a rock and hooked himself something fierce in the meat section of the palm about an inch below the pinkie.

There wasn't anyway to push the hook through, so it had to be pulled back out the way it went in. The problem, of course, is the barb could have caused a lot of damage on the way back out. So, what's the solution?There are two solutions [excluding the hospital] to avoiding barb damage. The first requires two people.

The hooked individual should press the hook slowly toward the curve of the hook. Put another way, you want to compress this curve of the hook. This sounds brutal, but actually should cause the barb to retract from the meat of your hand. The second person then applies pressure to both sides of the entry point to pull it open.

The hooked individual should then GENTLY slide the hook out trying to follow the curve of the entry path. Sounds painful, but it works. If you're alone, follow the same instructions but you'll have to do without the pressure. Just go slow and easy. If the hook doesn't slide, don't force it. Just head off to the local emergency room. By: Richard Chapo

Fishing Supplies For Your Fishing Needs

2007-05-08T21:41:00.000+08:00

Fishing Supplies For Your Fishing Needs. One of the most preferred nature-friendly sports is fishing. Many people love fishing because it is that recreational activity which relaxes the mind.

But not everyone who wishes to experience fishing is an expert when it comes to choosing the appropriate supplies for their adventure. One can find a number of fishing stores, but most of such stores sell unnecessary and expensive fishing accessories, just to make more money.

They take advantage of innocence of the fishing novices. Below, you will find information on the basic fishing supplies which are needed for any kind of fishing in any location.1) Hooks: These are one of the most important parts of your fishing gear.

Hooks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, majority of them being shaped like a letter "J". Fishing hooks are affordable, so you could stock an assortment of hooks for every type of fishing. 2) Rigs: These are used for catching different kinds and species of fish.

The two most common rigs are the Bobber and Crappie. Bobber rigs are suitable for catching Bluegills and are best for beginners. 3) Sinkers: As the name suggests, this fishing equipment is used to cast lighter lures and to quickly drop the bait to the bottom of the water where the fish are located.

Together with the bobbers, you can use the sinkers to hold your line (fishing cord) at any given point. In fishing stores, you will find numerous variations of sinkers that come in different sizes, weights, and shapes. The current speed and the water depth would determine the weight of the sinkers you will need for your fishing trip.4) Bobber: It is also called a cork or a float.

The bobber's purpose is to let you know when a fish bites your bait. The commonly used bobbers are pencil, slip bobbers and buttons. They come in different sizes to fit all kinds of baits and sinkers. The best bobbers are those that are smaller. The wind would blow the bobber back to you if it were too light and would scare the fishes off when it is too big. 5) Swivels: Some kind of baits, such as a spinner or a minnow, tends to twist and turn, which would likely your line deformed. This kind of fishing equipment is used when you are fishing with baits like this.

By using the swivel and connecting it between your line and bait, it would allow the lure to spin around without tangling up the line. Swivels are usually not expensive and they come in different sizes to fit the bait and hooks you use.The tackle box and your bait are the other important supplies.

You will need to use different baits for different kinds of fish and it will also vary depending on the kind of fishing you wish to accomplish.These basic fishing supplies and accessories should help you enjoy your fishing activities without incurring too much cost. Have fun fishing! by: John Tiger

Old fishing lure

2007-05-06T19:33:00.000+08:00

Old fishing lure. Some thing that look old and it include traditional, but now a day a lot people looking some thing are old, as old fishing lure.

With the old fishing lure are quiet antique can bring you to go to the best fishing than anything else, old fishing lure is now a day was very famous on the professional fisherman.

Fishing education program

2007-05-01T16:30:00.000+08:00

Fishing education program. To be the good fisherman for first time might need to have fishing education is really the goo way, where with the fishing education you can know more a bout how to be best fisherman.

The fishing education also can support your fishing hobby to go done in fishing hobby, What fishing education program that you are taking is does good, and the education going to be the most perfect if the teacher is have the real experience on fishing and while you having education also can go to practice as well.

On line fishing education or off line fishing education that you are take and learn it is does not matter as long the fishing education is fully support you to go become the best fisherman. Resource more on fishing education on the most related page on the site.

Resource the most best fishing trip

2007-05-01T15:12:00.000+08:00

Resource the most fishing trip. The fishing one hobby that a lot people like it, and the fishing might can doing some things are interest as having the most proud to catch the big fishes.

Canada is one country are have the place are very nice to go fishing, and doing fishing may so many people knew if the fishing need to have fishing trips to go fishing by done.
The pristine water of on the british columbia's vancounver island that now a day offer in canada.

By enjoy the fishing and get the fishing trip as well before your fishing going on is the better way than not even have any trip at all.

The antique fishing lure

2007-05-01T14:01:00.000+08:00

The antique fishing lure. On the fishing site is being brought forth to help share the knowledge and information about collecting antique lures, vintage fishing tackle, rods, reels and other pieces of angling history and memorabilia.

With personally believe that the antique fishing rule is great specially who are have the fishing hobby of collecting antique lures is filled with as much history as any other hobby or collect able out there.

Whether it be stamps, artwork, pottery, or political memorabilia you certainly will from time to time run into a fishing, angling or lure based theme item in your fishing hobby. Certainly if not but for any other reason, the sport of angling and need for fishing spans the decades of time, history, and has no cultural, ethnic or religious gaps.

Using the antique fishing lure can be the fishing become the most interest to having catching the fishes and your fishing hobby cane giong on as what you can do and you dream.

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