Fishing Kabayan

Winter Trout Fly Fishing

2011-07-26T09:43:00.002-07:00

by Cameron Larsen

It is winter time now. One step on the frozen porch steps first thing in the morning removes any doubt of that fact. Winter time brings on many thoughts, holidays, dark afternoons, football on TV and for me some of the best trout fly fishing there is. That's right, trout fishing. Winter steel head fly fishing has been around a long time, and gets more popular every season. But the truth of the matter is trout fly fishing can be excellent, the crowds are down to non-existent, the scenery and wildlife are plentiful, and it makes those long days of early spring with non-stop rain and overflowing rivers more tolerable.

When to Go

Winter fly fishing demands a little timing and planning on your part. One nice thing is, the weekends aren't crowded, so you really don't need to ask the boss for time off, to really get some peace and solitude. But other planning does need to be done. The first thing is checking your local regulations. Many, many places now offer year around trout fly fishing. A good portion of this is probably catch and release, but that only helps in further reducing the crowds. Some areas allow only lakes to be fished year round, some only allow rivers, but most places will allow something to be fished year round.

After you have your areas selected, you must really get an idea on the weather. Mild winter days, specifically afternoons, can provide some shirtsleeve fishing opportunities. Coastal regions that rarely get snow or ice, need to be checked more for river levels. Three or four days of steady rain can really put a river in at unfishable levels. It is also rarely enjoyable to fish in well below freezing temperatures. Even if you can dress warmly enough, the ice on the guides make casting nearly impossible, and the slickness of entering the river is extremely dangerous. Extreme care should be taken when wading in general, one slight misstep, can send you into the river, dangerous all year, this is multiplied by the cold air temperatures in the winter. Also light is much less, making it difficult to see the river bottom while wading. So step very cautiously. And always fish with a partner.

OK, enough of the warnings, when to go is what we are after. I prefer a nice period of dry weather, with mild afternoons. I rarely fish in the early morning, in the winter, but if you can get a fogged over morning with nicely rising afternoon temperatures that reach in to the 40's, you have a day to hit the water!

It is winter time now. One step on the frozen porch steps first thing in the morning removes any doubt of that fact. Winter time brings on many thoughts, holidays, dark afternoons, football on TV and for me some of the best trout fly fishing there is. That's right, trout fishing. Winter steelhead fly fishing has been around a long time, and gets more popular every season. But the truth of the matter is trout fly fishing can be excellent, the crowds are down to non-existent, the scenery and wildlife are plentiful, and it makes those long days of early spring with non-stop rain and overflowing rivers more tolerable.

When to Go

What to Wear

A few years ago I switched to breathable waders and I actually have never been more comfortable while winter fishing. I layer underneath with two or three layers of thermal wear, including one layer of fleece pants. I can move much better than in neoprene's, and there is no clamminess to bring on chills. Socks are also important silk liners with thick winter socks work for me. I have a roomier pair of wading boots specifically for winter to allow for the extra bulk. I also don't cinch my boots down too tight, as that seems to cut off circulation, nothing will ruin a fishing trip quicker than cold feet.

Many angler's wear fingerless fleece gloves. I like them only if there is a biting wind, otherwise I can't seem to keep them dry long enough to make them worth the effort. I can cast adequately with either hand, and will sometimes tuck my free hand inside my waders by my chest.

To me a hat is virtually as important as waders, and I layer shirts, remembering my vest will also provide some warmth. Don't forget the inside, a nice hot thermos of coffee, has brought many a sigh of satisfaction.

Fishing

Winter trout fly fishing requires some adjustments. Plan on sub-surface fishing primarily. The warm afternoons like I mentioned above will produce Blue Wing Olive hatches in many locations, and midges hatch year round as well. Some dry fly action can occur, especially on smaller streams where options are less for trout. But by and large plan on fishing nymphs. And plan on fishing them deep. Depending on the size of water, a split or two is mandatory, and perhaps a sinking tip line. I usually use two flies, one as a dropper. Good patterns include, imitations of food sources that are available year round like San Juan Worms, Chironomid Pupas, Disco Midge, and Wd-40's. General nymph patterns like Hare's Ear and Prince Nymphs, will work to imitate the occasional nymph that might come in the trout's path.. Streamers also make excellent winter flies, including Woolly Buggers, Muddler's and Mickey Finn's. Don't forget that like trout, small fish and nymphs metabolism is slow as well, and they are apt to stick to the bottom, and out of the main current.

Winter fishing usually means clear water. I use lighter tippet than normal, because fish seem more easily spooked. Trout's metabolism makes them want to seek out pools near the bank that are warmed by the sun, so they are more vulnerable. I usually forgo strike indicators as well. Also remember that due to the slower metabolism, the fish will be sluggish. They often will bite gingerly, hook-ups will be primarily in the tongue. As trout may often go after several small insects in one mouthful. So rigorous setting of the hook is not required.

They are not likely to chase food down, as this will burn more calories then they will take in. Especially when fishing smaller patterns. While small pattern are very effective, in fact the first choice of many winter angler's, they need to be fished deep, and in front of the fish. Dead drifting nymphs is my first choice. If no luck I will try swinging streamers, second. I mend my line as soon as it hits the water, to ensure a drag free drift, and wait for the gentle take. I let the fish do the setting.

Once landed the winter fish might need more that it's usual care before allowing it to swim free. Landing fish should be quicker do to their lower energy, and then one must make sure the fish is 100% revived before it's release.

Summary

There you have it, like all forms of fly fishing winter fly fishing takes a little practice, and a lot of patience. But the surreal beauty of winter combined the solitude it brings, makes this an especially rewarding time of year, to flog the water.

About The Author

Author: Cameron Larsen
Email: info@bigyflyco.com
Web Site: http://www.bigyflyco.com/

Lure Fishing And Coarse Fishing Accessories

2011-06-04T23:44:00.000-07:00

By : Stev

Normally the activity of catching fish is carried out in the wild. The most common techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping. The term ‘fishing’ can also be used for catching other aquatic animals like cephalopods, shellfish, echinoderms and crustaceans. Though the concept of fishing normally associates with the method of providing food, modern fishing is also a recreational sport. In present times it has become an art or a recreational activity. Boosting this art are many fishing accessories available in market.

Apart from the usual pieces (Rods, Reels, Line and Lures) of fishing tackle, there are some other accessories as well that can make your fishing experience enjoyable and memorable. These accessories are head lamps, sunglasses, scales, gloves, extra long needle nose pliers. Here we will basically discuss about the lure fishing and coarse fishing accessories. Before that let’s have a look on what is lure fishing and coarse fishing is all about.

In recreational fishing, a lure is an object attached at the end of the fishing line. It is basically designed resembling like a fish prey. The purpose behind, is to catch the attention of fish using movements, vibrations and color, making them bite the hook. Usually these lures are used with a fishing rod and a fishing reel outfit. The lures are equipped with one or several hooks, used to catch fishes when they attack the lure. Fishing lures has been in use since the prehistoric age. In those days they were made of bone and bronze. Gradually there came advancement in their shape and forms. Modern fishing lure was commercially made in United States during the early 1990’s. Nowadays the fishing lure is either tied with a knot or connected to a tiny device called a ‘snap’

There are many types of fishing lures, all manufactured in variety of ways with the same purpose of luring fish. Usually the lures are made looking like an injured, dying or fast moving fish. These include a jig, surface lures, plugs, spoon lures, spinnerbait, swimbait, artificial flies etc. a wide range of other fishing lures include fishing tackle, rods, line, fishing lures, spinners, reels and clothing.

Another type of fishing accessories readily available in market is coarse fishing accessory. The term coarse fishing is used in United Kingdom and Ireland for angling coarse fish. Actually the coarse fishes are the types of fresh water fish. The sport and techniques basically applied for catching these fish are particularly popular in United Kingdom and mainland Europe.

Again there are quite a number of coarse fishing accessories available in market. These include fishing tackle, rods, reels, rigs, weights, swivels and baits.

And today with the advancement of internet these products are just a click away. All you need to do is get hold of a good online store and buy the products that suit your purpose the best.

Three Main Trout Senses

2011-05-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

by Brett Fogle

An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main senses a trout uses. These are:

Smell

Trout have amazing powers of smell. For humans, trying to understand smell underwater is rather difficult since we can't do it. However, trout have no difficulty smelling underwater, so it is worth an anglers time to make sure that they aren't introducing foreign smells into a trout stream (which can warn a trout to a lurking danger such as a fisherman).

When fly fishing for trout, do your best to avoid any artificial smells that are completely foreign to a trout stream. Avoiding these smells, though, of often easier said than done, as the sources of these smells can come from many sources. Fly line cleaners, fly floatants, epoxies and glue can all contribute alien smells to a trout stream. Other things such as aftershave, deodorant and even the smell of your clothing can all tip off a trout that an angler is near.

Obviously, you can't get rid of all foreign smells you may introduce into a trout stream. However, there are a number of easy things a fisherman can do to reduce the likelihood of a trout getting wise due to smell. When using fly line cleaners and fly floatants, use the newer ones that are designed to "mask" the chemical smell. The cleaners and floatants are usually the same price as other "non-masking" chemicals, but can go a long way towards reducing the likelihood of a trout becoming alert to the fisherman due to smell.

Also, before hitting a challenging trout stream, it never hurts to leave the cologne and other fancy deodorants back in the hotel room. On a challenging trout stream, an angler needs every edge they can get, and avoiding strange smells to finicky trout is a good way to do this.

Remember, trout have very powerful senses of smell. It is only logical that they will use this sense to identify flies presented their way to determine whether or not is something that is good to eat. A funny smelling fly, due to either chemical floatants or inadvertently smelling like Old Spice, is a good way to send a trout away from your fly and onto more "naturally" smelling food.

Sight

Sight is of crucial important to trout, which is not surprising. After all, it's the sense that they use when determining whether or not to eat something that comes their way. Trout, in particular, have excellent close-range vision although they lack in long-range vision. This close range vision by the trout is why so many imitation flies may fail to grab the interest of a trout - the trout can easily determine if given time if the fly looks like something it is accustomed too.

A trout sees the world through what is known as the "trout's window". This window is a cone shaped view that extends up from the eye at an ever-increasing diameter. Thus, the deeper the trout is, the more the trout can see.

A trout will only eat something that passes within this cone of vision since this is where they can see it and inspect it. Due to their other excellent senses, trout may very well be aware of something on the water that is outside of this cone of vision. But a trout consider eating it if it sees the fly in their cone of vision.

This knowledge leads to one strategy all anglers should use when fishing to rising trout. When fly fishing to a rising trout, it is very important to drop the fly not where the rise was but upstream of where the rise was. By presenting a fly upstream from the rise, the fly will float down the river naturally, not just suddenly appearing in the trout's cone of vision, which is likely to seem suspicious to a cunning trout.

Trout also have the ability to determine color, including subtle shades of color. This is why the same fly in two different colors can produce remarkably different results when fishing, the trout may simply be eating one color insect and avoiding others.

Lastly, trout also have the ability to see the profile of a fly. Of all the characteristics of a fly, this is perhaps the most important. A fly that does not have the same profile as seen from underwater compared to what they are accustomed to eating, is not likely to be very successful. For this reason, it is always important to make sure that your flies float properly, especially when dry fly fishing.

Moreover, even if your dry fly is a spitting imitation of the real thing, it is not likely to draw strikes if your fly floats awkwardly (or partially sinks).

This is a good reason to avoid the real cheap flies you may see - the colors of these cheap flies may look right, but the profile is likely to be wrong when on the water.

Sound

Trout have an acute sense of hearing that is well worth understanding. Trout have two sound receptors. The first one runs along the length of the fish's body. This receptor picks up frequency vibrations - such as the banging of rocks or oars against a boat. A second receptor, located inside the trout's ear, is used to detect the movement of aquatic insects which the trout eats. This receptor is extremely acute, allowing the trout to hear sound frequencies well outside the human hearing range. This hearing receptor of the trout is what allows the fish to find food even in very murky water.

Because trout have such acute senses of hearing, anglers need to keep several things in mind when fishing for trout.

First, trout can't hear human voices outside of the water. Thus, having a loud conversation about something along the bank of a river will not spook the trout.

Second, trout are acutely aware of vibrations and sound that occur in the river. Banging oars on the side of a boat is a wonderful way to alert the trout to your presence, thus spooking them. Likewise, great care should be taken when wading. Wading loudly, either caused or by the splashing of the water or the movement of rocks beneath the angler's feet, is easily heard by a trout - especially in slower moving water. In fast water, these vibrations tend to get drowned out by the current and rapids. But in slower water, such as runs or spring creeks, it is crucial that an angler take care when wading.

Third, trout are easily able to hear things that fall into a river, especially in slower water. A nearby trout can readily hear a grasshopper or other bug that falls into the river. Because of this, care must be taken in casting to prevent the fly line from making a splash in the water or from having the fly itself strike the river at full force. A gently dropping fly is far more likely to attract the attention of a trout than one that gets slammed into the river due to a bad cast or too heavy of a fly or fly line.

About The Author

Author: Brett Fogle
Email: sales@macarthurwatergardens.com
Web Site: http://www.fly-fishing-secrets.com
Details: Who else wants to pull in a bounty of big fish, every time? Here's how to AMAZE your friends (and maybe even make them a little bit jealous). Read "Fly Fishing Secrets" where we show you how. To get your hands on these amazing insider secrets, visit our Web site.

Fly Fishing Secrets for the Novice As Well As the Seasoned Angler

2011-04-14T17:44:00.001-07:00

by Brett Fogle

Fly fishing is an exciting and fast growing sport in all over the world, and especially here in the U.S.A. The reasons for the increasing popularity of fly fishing are obvious. Fly fishing is enjoyable, relaxing, and rewarding in many different ways.

Perhaps the most rewarding element of fly fishing is the variety of beautiful natural surroundings in which anglers often find themselves; a secluded stream up in the mountains, a peaceful meandering river deep in the forest, or a tranquil blue lake somewhere out in big sky country. For some, it may be the opportunity to test ones" individual skill against nature - in an intricate game of cat and mouse (but in this case, man against fish.) These are just some of the compelling reasons why many thousands of people enjoy the challenges of fly fishing every year.

For beginning fly-fishermen, however, learning fly fishing can be difficult. We have compiled this e-book to give anglers, especially new anglers, some guidance on how to get the most out of the exciting sport of fly fishing. While there are many other resources available about fly fishing on the internet, few of them touch on the techniques, tactics and strategies commonly used in fly fishing. If these topics sound interesting, then you're in the right place because this e-book was written just for you.

We'll explore in detail the various fish most people fish for, we'll cover casting basics, how to read the water, how to take care of your gear, how to tie knots, dry flies, and fly lines. We'll also explore hatches, cover insect entomology and much, much more. In short, this e-book will teach you everything you always wanted to know about fly fishing (maybe even more than you've ever wanted to know)!

Fly Fishing: Trout and Their Habitat

Successful fly fishing involves lots of things, including having the proper fly fishing gear, using the right flies, being able to cast correctly, and many more little things that often determine whether a fly fishing adventure is successful or not. However, one thing that many anglers frequently neglect to learn about is the fish that they are fishing for.

A strong knowledge of the various types of trout is of critical importance. Knowing more about the various types of trout that you are fishing for, their habits, tendencies, and characteristics, can help tremendously in improving your catch.

In our next article we have covered the primary types of trout, their senses, and other important traits unique to each variety.

About The Author

Author: Brett Fogle

Email: sales@macarthurwatergardens.com

Web Site: http://www.fly-fishing-secrets.com

Details: Who else wants to pull in a bounty of big fish, every time? Here's how to AMAZE your friends (and maybe even make them a little bit jealous). Read "Fly Fishing Secrets" where we show you how. To get your hands on these amazing insider secrets, visit our Web site.

The Fishing Loft Newsletter - Bass On The Scene

2011-03-15T15:48:00.001-07:00

In This Issue...

Fresh Water ExPress!
What's New on the Website
Featured Website Visitor
Promotional Offers
Fish Recipe of the Month
Quote of the Month

Fresh Water ExPress!

Have you ever been fishing for a specific species of fish, but ended up catching a different type of a prize fish by complete surprise? Well, it recently happened to me and my two boys. We went fishing for largemouth bass and ended up catching a nice striped bass. The kicker is that we were fishing in an area of water that hasn't been known to have stripers migrating through there for quite a few years now. Read the full story on the website about our Striper Fishing Adventure.

What's New on FishingLoft.com

Have you checked out the new 2011 fishing photo contest yet? Stop by today and get your pictures and stories entered for a chance to win. Contest prizes include Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards.

Aside from the contest, there have been quite a few other notable anglers showing off their catch, such as...

Largemouth On Jigs In November

and this would be a North Carolina white crappie record...

Monster White Crappie

and this slab of a bronzback...

Live Minnow Smallmouth Bass

Feel free to have a look at those and add your comments there too.

We have also been updating information about smallmouth bass fishing with various tips, techniques and tactics. You can stop by there at any time to see what we have available so far, and be sure to keep an eye out for more stuff as we continue to update and expand that section, just as well as other topics.

Featured Website Visitor

This months featured visitor is Nelson Ocampo, from Sacramento, California of the USA.

You may recognize him as last years fishing photo contest winner. He also likes to be called the "Striper King" because of all the big striped bass he has managed to land.

He has offered his striper fishing tips and techniques that have helped in his striped bass fishing success, such as his "Dream Come True... article. And also how he Created His Own Destiny by doing his striped bass fishing homework before knocking it to those big stripers.

Would you like to know how you can become a featured visitor too? It's easy. Simply by participating on the website. Maybe other fishermen can learn something from your contributions. Regardless of how simple or little it may seem to you, it can make a huge difference to somebody else. Some things you can consider might be to submit some of your fishing pictures, share a story, write up a quick review, use our questions and answers section to offer tips, or send in a recipe...

Promotional Offers

Subscribe to some of your favorite magazines through Magazine Agent today. They are one of the largest internet based magazine subscription agencies on the world wide web with 1,000's of titles to choose from.

Click on the image link below to find awesome deals with up to 90% discounted prices for the magazines that you enjoy reading...

Fish Recipe of the Month

Easy Asian Tuna Salad

12 ounces albacore tuna (canned or fresh)
2 limes; 1 juiced, the other cut into wedges
1 papaya; peeled, seeded and cut into 2 inch thick strips
1/4 cup chopped jalapeno
1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts
1/4 cup finely chopped basil
2 scallions, sliced thinly

Combine all of the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl and toss gently. Salt and pepper to taste if desired. Serve immediately with a lime wedge per serving.

This tuna salad tastes delicious on toasted bread, with crackers, or even in a crisp lettuce wrap. Enjoy!

**********

This fish recipe is not featured on our website. It is intended for you to enjoy and as a thank you for being a subscriber to our newsletter. You can visit our freshwater fish recipes section for even more delicious tasting fish dish ideas.

You can also share your fish recipes while you're there. We might even feature it in one of our future issues of The Fishing Loft newsletter...

such as this Canned Shad Fish Recipe sent in by Jeremy from North Carolina. This shad recipe more or less lets you know how to easily can shad, much like sardines and salmon, in order to break down the boniness contained in the fish.

And here is a Pan Seared Striped Bass with Citrus recipe that I quickly put together after a recent outing.

Quote of the Month

"Fishing is the sport of drowning worms." ~ Author Unknown

Do you have a hobby? What's your passion? Ever wondered how to build your very own website? Click the image link and get started today...

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Black Bass Species

2011-03-04T20:01:00.001-08:00

Eight Species of Black Bass

By Ronnie Garrison

Most bass fishermen are familiar with largemouth and smallmouth bass, and southern bass fishermen know about spotted bass, too. But there are other kinds of black bass out there even if not well known. Some of these species are restricted to a few streams but others are more widespread. Not all are recognized by the International Game Fish Association but biologists say they are distinct species. All are of the genus "Micropterus" and can interbreed, producing hybrids of the two species. Some, like the largemouth, have distinct subspecies.

Black bass are related to sunfish and are not true bass. True bass like stripers and white bass are in the genus Morone.

Largemouth Bass - Micropterus salmoides - World record - 22 pounds 4 ounces - Original habitat eastern United States and northern Mexico and southern Canada, has been transplanted by man to all 50 of the United States, all of Mexico and Central America and many other countries. Jaw extends past the rear edge of the eye when closed, dorsal fins are separate. Divided into Florida and Northern strains. Most popular game fish.

Smallmouth Bass - Micropterus dolomineu - World Record 11 pounds 15 ounces - Native to the eastern half of the United States and sotheastern Canada, has been widely transplanted to almost every US state and many countries. Jaw does not extend past the back of the eye, dorsal fins connected.

Spotted Bass - Micropterus punctulatus - World record 10 pounds 4 ounces - Original habitat central and lower Mississippi basin to the Gulf of Mexico, from Texas to Florida panhandle and in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and other nearby states. It has been introduced into other waters near those, too, as well as California. Jaw does not ex tend past the eye, has lines of spots on lower body and a rough patch of "teeth" on its tongue. Divided into Kentucky, or northern, Alabama, or Coosa, and Wichita subspecies, the Wichita is found only in West Cache Creek in Oklahoma.

Shoal Bass - Micropterus cataactae - World record 8 pounds, 12 ounces - Natural range is the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River drainages of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, has been introduced to nearby waters expecially the Altamaha River in Georgia. Jaw does not extend past the eye, no teeth on the tongue.

Redeye Bass - Micropterus coosae - No world record, Alabama state record is 3 pounds, 2 ounces. Shoal bass were included under this species and all listed records were for shoal bass so they transfered when they were separated. Very similar to shoal and spotted bass and occur in many of the same areas, usually do not get over four pounds.

Suwannee Bass - Micropterus notius - No world record, seldom gets bigger than 12 inches long. Looks a lot like a spotted bass. Natural range is parts of the Suwannee and Ochlockonee Rivers in Florida and Georgia.

Guadalupe Bass- Micropterus treculi - No world record, Texas Parks and Wildlife says they grow to 3.5 pounds. Naturally found only in Texas in parts of the San Antonio, Guadalupe, Colorado, and Brazos River drainages. Some have been introduced outside these rivers.

Bartram's Bass - Micropterus bartrami - No world record - A bass very similar to the shoal bass but limited to the upper drainage of the Broad and Savannah Rivers in Georgia. There is still some question if it is a different species.

In Georgia I can catch seven of the eight subspecies. That would make quite a fishing trip, trying to take all seven.

Google Maps A Boon to Hunters, Anglers, and Other Outdoor Enthusiasts

2011-02-12T10:04:00.001-08:00

by Jeremy Henricks

How many times have you wondered what's on the other side of that mountain or what's beyond the next river bend?

Sure, topo and road maps provide part of the picture, but to get a real sense of a particular area, I find it easier to use a combination of topo and aerial photography maps. For hunters, anglers, 4-wheel, camping, hiking, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Google Maps provides a great perspective on the outdoors with its new satellite imagery maps.

On April 5, 2005, Google announced the integration of its Keyhole digital mapping service with the popular Google Maps service (http://maps.google.com). In addition to a great overhead view, Google Maps allow you to click and drag maps with your mouse, zoom and pan, search for specific locations, get detailed driving direction, and more.

How It Benefits Outdoor Enthusiasts

Google Maps benefits outdoor enthusiasts for a number or reasons. The main benefit is that Google Maps allows you to see what you couldn't see before, at least without spending money on aerial maps, as they provide free access to their satellite imagery.

I live in Springfield, Oregon near the McKenzie River and Willamette River. Both rivers are great for fishing trout, steelhead, salmon, and more. With so much river frontage passing less than half a mile by my house, you'd think it easy to find a new spot to fish. The only problem is that the area is riddled with housing and farm tracts, with no easy way to access the river without traveling a couple of miles near the edge of town or several miles outside of town.

Plus, topo and road maps only tell part of the story. In regards to fishing, what about current, trees, weeds, rocks, gravel, and other structure? We all know that aerial maps answer a lot of these questions. With Google Maps' satellite imagery, I've already determined several locations that I'll be trying this year. With deer hunting season around the corner, I'll also be using these maps to scout out some new hunting locations.

I also recently visited Moab, Utah for the 2005 Easter Jeep Safari, and could have benefited greatly from the use of such detailed maps while traversing many of the offroad trails in the area. 4-wheel and offroad enthusiasts, bikers, hikers, and scenery buffs will notice the trails, trailsheads, and landmarks such as Lion's Back, Arches National Monument, and other spots of interest.

The Good and Bad

Google Maps provides both detailed street level and satellite imagery maps. While the street level maps cover the entire United States, Canada, and the UK, the high resolution satellite images seem to cover only more populated areas. For outdoor enthusiasts visiting urban areas, this is great. But for those visiting rural or wilderness areas, Google still has a ways to go before more detailed imagery is available.

Images seem to be pretty up-to-date, at least within the areas I checked. For example, my house is located near a new housing development, and I can see houses that were started within the last year on the map.

With Google aiming to expand its reach, I'm sure that we'll see maps with greater detail and higher resolution in the future. That's good news for outdoor enthusiasts.

Things to Note

Image resolution varies by distance. At the lowest resolution/farthest distance, you can identify large landmarks such as mountains, rivers, and large lakes. At the highest resolution/closest distance, you can locate specific cars, buildings, trees, hills, creeks, and more.
Satellite images are current within a year or so, but they are not in real-time.

About The Author

Author: Jeremy Henricks

Email: info@henricksoutdoors.com

Web Site: http://www.henricksoutdoors.com/

Details: Jeremy Henricks is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Henricks Outdoors network, which includes FishTheOutdoors.com, HuntTheOutdoors.com, and SurviveTheOutdoors.com.

How To Fish A Jig and Pig

2011-02-12T09:51:00.001-08:00

Fishing a Jig and Pig

By Ronnie Garrison, About.com Guide

One of the best baits for big bass is a jig and pig. Check the results of most any tournament and many of the top finishers will have used a jig and pig. For a quality bite, they are great.

You can also catch a lot of fish on a jig and pig, but it is a bait that is generally fished slowly, so it is hard to cover a lot of water quickly. Flipping and pitching are the usual methods of fishing them, but they can also be cast or jigged. They are great for largemouth and smallmouth as well as spotted bass.

The jig of a jig and pig is usually a lead head jig with a fairly big hook. It is normally dressed with either a rubber skirt or hair. The pig is a trailer, often of pork rind, hence the name, or plastic. The concoction imitates a crawfish, and plastic trailers are often made to look like a crawfish.

A fairly stiff rod and heavy line is the norm for jig and pig fishing since you are after big fish and are usually fishing heavy cover. I fish mine on a six foot casting rod and use 17 to 20 pound line, usually Stren or Trilene tough lines. The "Mean Green" Trilene works well around cover.

Tie on a jig heavy enough to keep on the bottom. If the wind or current is strong, you will need a bigger jig but go with a light one if you can. I like 1/4 or 3/8 best, but will go to half ounce when necessary. I like a jig that sinks slowly, giving a big bass time to hit it. For that reason I am fishing hair jigs more - the air the hollow hairs in a bucktail jig makes it sink slower than a rubber jig.

Add your favorite trailer. A pork rind frog is always good but they will dry out. Match the pig to the size of your jig - a 101 for a 1/8 ounce jig up to a #1 or #10 size for half ounce jig. The curly tail versions are best when the bass want more action, and they make the jig sink even more slowly.

Plastic trailers like the Zoom Super Chunk or any of the crawfish imitations are also good, and they don't dry out. Twin curly tail trailers like the Yamamoto Ika are also excellent. Rig them so the claws or arms stick out from the jig skirt.

The general rule of thumb is brown in clear water and black in stained water. Many people go with a black/brown combo and others match the jig and trailer. Black/blue is also a good combination. I suspect the color is more important to the fisherman than the bass, so choose the one you like best.

Cast or pitch the jig and let it hit bottom. Let it sit there for a few seconds and imagine the legs on the jig waving and wiggling, enticing any nearby bass to eat it. if you don't a strike, shake the jig with your rod tip and move it with short hops. Think of a crayfish scuttling around on the bottom and then jumping backwards when scared. That jumping motion may make a bass think his dinner is leaving and draw a bite.

Keep working the jig and pig as long as you are in the cover. Brush, rocks and clay bottoms are all good since they are the type places bass look for crawfish. Repeated casts to good, isolated cover is always worthwhile to make a reluctant bass hit. Big bass often do not hit a bait quickly but repeated casts often will irratate them enough to make them bite.

Set the hook at the slightest indication of a bite. Watch your line and set the hook if it moves at all. If you feel weight, don't wait until you feel the bass spit out your jig and pig to set the hook.

Try a jig and pig this fall and winter. It is a good cold water bait. Don't give up on it too quickly - wait on that hawg to bite!

The Fishing Loft Newsletter - Contest Announcement

2011-02-10T10:04:00.001-08:00

In This Issue...

New Contest Announcement
What's New on the Website
Promotional Offers
Fish Recipe of the Month
Quote of the Month

New Contest Announcement

We were going to wait until March to announce this, but it's been long overdue. The 2011 Fishing Photo Contest is now underway. Here is the direct link to the contest page: http://www.fishingloft.com/fishing-photo-contest-2011.html

You, and all of our newsletter subscribers, are the first to hear about the contest. So, get your cameras ready, take the shot of your catch, and enter it(up to 4 pictures per entry, the more the merrier) and your story about it in the contest.

What do you win? You'll have to go to the website to get the details. (Check the promotional offers section below for a hint.)

By the way, we might decide to increase the prize amounts depending entirely upon how many entries we receive. The more the merrier.

Stop by and enter the 2011 Fishing Photo Contest today.

What's New on FishingLoft.com

We received a few submissions in our fishing pictures sections. If you were one of those people, and want to have your submission entered into the contest, then let us know. Go to our contact page and briefly describe which submission is yours that you want to enter. Be sure to check the contest guidelines first. Thanks.

Promotional Offers

Since we are awarding gift cards from bass Pro Shops as prizes to the winners of the fishing photo contest, I thought it would be a good idea to quickly inform you to check out their website to see what deals they have going on. Grab a couple Gift Cards or shop around on their site to find exactly what you're looking for. Remember, Valentine's Day is just around the corner... hint, hint.

Fish Recipe of the Month

Pan Fried Tilapia

I cooked up a quick and easy tilapia dish a while back. I took a few pictures of the process and then sent it over to an internet friend of mine for them to post it on their website. You can check out the tilapia dish here at Susan's seafood recipe site.

Quote of the Month

"The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad." ~ A.K. Best

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The Fishing Loft Newsletter

2011-02-02T13:53:00.001-08:00

In This Issue...

Fresh Water ExPress! - In The News
What's New on the Website
Featured Website Visitor
Promotional Offers
Fish Recipe of the Month
Quote of the Month

Fresh Water ExPress!

Back in early December, I was contacted by a journalist from the UK by the name of Ed Baker. He was doing some research for an upcoming article he had planned to write about for handfishing for catfish. He came accross my website and read a few things about the sport of catfish noodling and told me how much he liked it.

We had a nice little interview on the subject and then he launched his article for his local newspaper. Variations of the article were also released onto the internet by online news websites like the TNT Magazine, Metro, Independant Online, and News Lite, just to mention a few. Here is one of the rehashed articles that was spawned onto the Metro site.

And just to quickly point out for those of you who might not know, "Cook" is not my last name. Ed used that as sort of a pen name for me. Never the less, credit was still given by way of showing a link of our website for the quotes.

What's New on FishingLoft.com

We just launched an entire section dedicated to fishing books and magazines. We've put in a lot of time on the research, and written a review for each book to help it become much easier for you select the ones you like. And we plan to add more reviews to the list.

We've all read a fishing book or two, and even some magazines, right? Why not take a couple minutes and share a fishing book review with us.

Here are a couple samples that we have received from visitors just like you...
Fast Fish Recipe Cookbook Review
Bass Fishing In California Book Review
...you can read my responses and give your feedback there too.

Have you got your fishing calendars for 2011 yet? This bass fishing calendar is one of my favorites that can be found at Amazon. What's yours?

Do you do much travelling to get to and from your favorite fishing spots? Are your fishing rods protected? Check out our reviews for these fishing rod cases.

Featured Website Visitor

C.B. Pritchard has been a frequent visitor to our website. He has submitted many fishing pictures and has shared quite a few cool stories of his adventures out on the water. You can see some of his stuff like this one titled Barkley Dam, KY Striper Fishing From The Rocks.

Would you like to know how you can become a featured visitor too? It's easy. Simply by participating on the website. Maybe other fishermen can learn something from your contributions, regardless of how simple or little it may seem to you, it can make a huge difference to somebody else. Some things you can consider doing is to submit some of your fishing pictures, share a story, write up a quick review, use our questions and answers section to offer tips, or send in a recipe...

Promotional Offers

Under Armour is offering Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more with this code H7TW75. You can check out their New Arrivals to get started. Or see what they have in the Under Under Armour Fishing section. Offer expires on 2/28 and is good on standard shipping only.

Fish Recipe of the Month

Green Thai-Curried Salmon

You can substitute the salmon with black cod, trout, striped bass, tilapia, catfish, pike or a firm-textered fish of your choice.

4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons sliced fresh ginger
1 cup packed basil leaves, or mint leaves, or cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup peanut oil
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets or steaks
Asian chile sauce
1 lime cut into wedges

Add the garlic and ginger into a food processor and process until minced. Add the basic and mince. Add the coriander, caraway, and cumin and process until incorporated. Slowly add about 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil until a paste forms. Tranfer the paste to a bowl, add the coconut milk and fish sauce, and stir well. Set the sauce aside.

Working in batches or using 2 large saute pans, place the pans over medium heat. When the pans are hot, add the remaining 1/4 cup of oil. When the oil is hot, add the fish. Cook for about one minute on each side until lightly browned. Pour in the sauce. Cover the pans and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, just until the fish begins to flake when prodded with a fork.

Transfer the fish to dinner plates. Spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with a few dashes of the chile sauce and serve with the lime wedges.

**********

This fish recipe is not featured on our website. It is intended only for you to enjoy as a thank you for being a subscriber to our newsletter. You can visit our freshwater fish recipes section for more delicious tasting fish dish ideas. And you can also share your fish recipes while you're there. We might even feature it in one of our future issues of The Fishing Loft newsletter.

Quote of the Month

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day." ~ Author Unknown

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Boating Tips

2011-01-31T12:01:00.001-08:00

By "The Bass Coach"

Roger Lee Brown

rlbrown@capital.net

Watch the Weather

I would like to give you a few tips on boating that I have had to
learn the hard way over the years. Hopefully these tips can make a
difference for you one day and not ruin a good day of bass fishing.

Tip-1

Always have either a spare battery (charged-up) or a heavy
duty set of jumper cables on board. The reason for this is because
I've been in 2, 3, and 4 day tournaments or have been with clients or
students and not running the main gas engine very much (which usually
charges the main battery) while running my livewells and electronics
all day long (which usually run off of your main battery), not
realizing this at the time I go to start my boat up and there isn't
enough juice in the battery to turn my main gas motor over to start.
Believe me! it happens to many anglers..........

Tip-2

Always let someone know where you are going and an
approximate time for your return. Situations in the past that I have
encountered were anglers that didn't know how to handle their boats in
rough water, or they broke down (stranded without communication), or
for what ever the reason didn't make it back to where they launched
out of at their designated time. Try to carry a 2-way radio, cell
phone, flares, and emergency flag in your boat and always expect the
unexpected!

Tip-3

When running up or down the water and you come to these large
25'+ boats that leave these huge wakes behind them and you want to
pass, trim your nose (or bow) downwards and slow down while turning
your boat slightly angled into the wakes. Once you get past the wakes,
"keep on truckin"'! (I mean boating)..... Oh yeah, there is one other
small little thing I need to add to this tip: KNOW YOUR SPEED LIMIT!
Most bodies of water don't have speed limits but the ones that do
watch out for the law because you will get a ticket, and that can
surely ruin your day of fishing. A good angler will always follow and
obey all Federal and State Laws and Regulations... as well as always
being courteous and thoughtful of others.

I hope this article will help not only bass anglers but all boaters!
Each year the bass boats keep getting bigger and faster and I just
hope the drivers use their good judgment and always, always, think
safety as a number one (numeral uno) priority.

If you may have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you.

Until next time, Take Care & God Bless!

"The Bass Coach"...Roger Lee Brown"

How To Catch Trout

2011-01-19T06:00:00.001-08:00

By Trevor Kugler

Three Things To Remember When Hooking A Worm For Trout Fishing

If you want to learn how to catch trout it's important to know that

one of the best trout baits that can be used for these beautiful fish

are live worms. By "live worms" I'm referring specifically live worms

such as red worms and night crawlers. And when you use live worms as

bait there are a few things to remember when you are hooking a worm to

use it as fishing bait. In this article I will outline three important

things to remember when you are hooking a worm, specifically for trout

fishing.

It's also important to point out that when worms are used as trout

bait, in most instances they are most effective in river fishing

scenarios. Live worms such as red worms and night crawlers fished in

the flowing water of a river or stream containing trout is an

excellent trout fishing technique and definitely a great way to learn

how to catch trout. As a matter of fact this technique has been my "go

to" trout fishing technique for more than two decades, and has helped

me to catch a ton of trout.

So, if you want to catch trout, keep these three things in mind when

you are hooking a worm. If you are a spin fisherman who likes to catch

trout, this article will be one of the best trout fishing tips that

you ever receive.

* Your Worms Must Be Alive - The worms that you are using must be

as lively as possible when they are rigged for trout fishing. There is no

trout bait that is less effective than dead or dying bait. Keep your worms

in a cool dark place as much as possible so that they stay as "lively"

as possible. A great way to easily carry your worms on the river when

you are trout fishing is a bait bag. With a bait bag your worms stay "in the

dark" and if they start to get hot the bait bag (containing your

worms) can be dipped in the water to keep the worms cool.

* Small Hooks Should Be Employed - When hooking a worm, most

anglers tend to use fishing hooks that are entirely too large. They then

"wrap" their fishing worm around the hook that is entirely too large or they

hook the worm over and over again creating what I like to call a worm ball.

Neither of these methods are an effective way to hook a worm for fishing.

By using something called gang hooks, small hooks such as size 8 and 10

fishing hooks can be used for hooking a worm. By using gang

hooks your worm appears much more natural to the trout you are attempting

to catch and the two ways of hooking a worm mentioned above can be avoided.

By using small fishing hooks the hooks themselves are all but invisible to the

trout as well.

* Light Line Should Be Employed - When you are hooking a worm for fishing

you want the focus of your offering to be the worm and not the line that your

hook is attached to. For this reason, light line should always be used when you are

fishing with live worms. When it comes to trout fishing tips this tip is excellent,

but the tip is just as true anytime that you are hooking a worm for any style of fishing.

The bottom line is that anytime that you are fishing with worms, hooking that worm

is of the utmost importance. Keep these simple tips in mind the next time that you are

hooking a worm and you will experience much more fishing success.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He
has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and
15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his
five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Pike Fishing Techniques

2011-01-13T11:24:00.001-08:00

By Medha Godbole

Want to get a spike in your pike fishing endeavor? Well, obviously you
just cannot go there and expect to catch how much ever fish you want,
right by just putting the bait! For getting a good catch, you need a
lot of things going in for you. Along with correct fishing, you need
good baits and lures and loads of patience. Pike fishing is nothing
different. Pike, as most of you might be knowing is a brackish and
freshwater fish from the northern hemisphere and it is carnivorous.
Akin to lets say bass fishing or trout fishing, pike fishing or
northern pike fishing too, needs specific pike fishing techniques.
Chances of a good catch increase if special pike fishing tips and
techniques are used.

Northern Pike Fishing Techniques

Fishing techniques for pikes vary according to the season and the area
where they are found, which is mostly near weedy waters. So, there are
different techniques used when fishing for pike in summer and
different techniques used when fishing for pike in fall.
Early Bird Season Techniques
By early bird season, I mean that it is the time when winter has got
over, but the water is still cold from winter. At this time, the pikes
are not as active and aggressive as they are in warm water periods. So
to take things slowly, rather than large crank baits or spoons, using
a 1/8 oz or 1/4 oz jig tipped with a sucker minnow or twister tail
will be a good idea. Moreover, fishing on drop offs close to weed beds
will be perfect. You can also consider setting a large sucker minnow
or two beneath the bobber. Also know about fishing bait tips.

Plugging the Pike
When it comes to pike fishing, all types of plugs are useful. Shallow
plugs, surface plugs, medium to deep divers and shallow running plugs.
Shallow running minnow style plugs for pike are good, but there are
other options too, like larger minnow shaped plugs (which are used for
striper and muskie trolling) are great for catching pike, when it
comes to both casting and trolling applications. You may also like to
read about lake fishing tips.

You Fall or Pike Falls?
Fishing with jugs tipped with minnows reasonably deep is one of the
useful late fall pike fishing techniques. This is because the fish
have slowed down their activity. In addition to this, fishing about 3
feet or less from the bottom will do the trick and you will catch the
bait! When it is just the onset of fall, the pike is at the peak of
its activity. In such a season, as per the pike fishing techniques,
you can use large crank baits, spinners and spinner baits. For casting
the crank bait, slowly drift along the shoreline. Don't forget to cast
as you drift!

Rod with the Pike
Talking of pike fishing tips and techniques, another effective
technique for catching pike is to ensure that the fishing rod has
medium to medium heavy action. In case you are casting or trolling, a
rod that can handle a heavy lure will be required. Also check out if
the overall fishing pole set up is suitable for pike fishing.
Pike Fishing Tips
Pike fishing techniques cannot be replete without some quick,
'alluring' fishing tips and tricks to ensure that the rod doesn't
remain in the water sans any catch. Take a look at some tips.

* The best time to catch pike is either early morning, early
   evening or just prior to a rain storm.
* Just by varying your pike fishing technique and method, you can
   get a nice catch.
* Avoid using the same bait and the same kind of lure.
* If you get a pike on your bait and it goes off or fiddles with
   it, have patience, it will come back. They play with the bait.

Last, but not the least, when you go pike fishing, make sure you are
fishing in the right area and that is where pike is! Otherwise, even
the best pike fishing techniques are going to come to a naught! That
was all about pike fishing tips and techniques! Have I 'lured' you
enough into pike fishing! All the best!

Published: 12/4/2010

Christmas Gifts for Fishermen Are Easy to Find

2010-12-02T15:09:00.001-08:00

By Ronnie Garrison,
Shopping for a Christmas gift for a fisherman is easy. There are lots of items, from small and inexpensive to big and budget breaking, that every fisherman would like to have. I will offer some suggestions for things that I have and use and like, and a few that I can only dream of owning.
If you know what you want to get but can't find it, check wth the manufacturer for a local dealer of to see if you can order directly from them. Looking for a rod or reel? Visit the web sites of Abu Garica, Daiwa, Penn, or Zebco. The discount houses are good sites for lots of different kinds of gifts, from rods to lures. Bass Pro
Shops and Cabellas both offer mail order service. For something a little different, try the HoldZit Dual Tool Saver, something that will keep your pliers and file from rusting. A good set of needlenose pliers, a file for sharpening hooks, or one of the universal sportsman tools is a good gift.
Battery powered hook sharpeners are also nice to have.
Hooks, leads, line and other terminal tackle would be a good gift, especially for the beginning fisherman. Get a small box with compartments and give them several sizes of each. Tackle boxes are always nice but make sure you know what the person you are getting it for likes in tackleboxes!
In the realm of dreaming, how about a nice bass boat? Ranger, Stratos, Skeeter, Triton and others would be a real dream come true! A lure or pack of worms is always appreciated, and they make great "stocking
stuffers." Fish counter software would be nice and the fisherman could start the new year keeping up with his catch. Fishing games are good for any age fisherman. A filet knife is a good gift if you ever clean fish, and a fish cooker would come in handy for many folks. No fisherman ever has enough flashlights, and you can choose from small to huge, rechargable or battery powered.
A depthfinder would be another top end gift for the fisherman, but make sure you know their preferences.
A trolling motor or deep cycle batteries would also be useful but expensive.
Still having a hard time thinking of a gift, or need some more suggestions? Check out the list of tackle and fishing equipment sites listed in my library and visit their sites for more ideas!
When all else fails, check with your local tackle shop and get a gift certificate. Or maybe do that in the beginning! That way your favorite fisherman can go to the store and pick out exactly what they want.

The Thrill of Trout Fishing

2010-12-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

by Ken Austin

The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't it? No matter where you plan to go trout fishing, you know you are more than likely going to enjoy your trip. The sport is a sport of its own, set aside from other types of fishing.
Some believe trout fishing is the most difficult of any type of fishing. Regardless of if you believe this or not, there are many reasons to love trout fishing. To begin with, trout fishing is all about being smarter than the fish!
You need to know how that fish is going to react long before it does. How do you know this and do this?
For one, you need to know about the animal itself. Trout are very smart animals. They know that they are prey, so they will avoid anything they think is going to harm them. So, you, the fisherman, need to be smarter and catch the trout unaware. That is why when you are trout fishing, you will more then likely cast from quite a distance. Trout come up to the surface to feed. If they lay their eyes on you, they are gone. No hope of catching it. Instead, casting from a distance is important to keep you out of the picture.
Trout fishing is also a demanding sport because it takes knowledge. It's not enough to know about how the trout react, but you have to know what equipment you need.
When you go to your local sporting goods stores or tackle shop, you will find that there is often a large line of products designed for trout fishing.
The lure that you use will need to be something that will enter the water unnoticeable and without causing a splash. The trout fishing line you use will need to be pretty much clear, but strong. There is much more equipment specific things you can invest in to help you with your trout fishing. Simply look around the store to see what jumps out at you!
Some of the best things about trout fishing are the trips you can enjoy. You can plan a trout fishing trip to last a day, a weekend, or a week. You can book your trout fishing trip to be in a nearby lake or river. But, think about booking a trout fishing trip out of the country! If not, perhaps you would like to consider an out of state trout fishing trip. Not only are these the best ways to enjoy the sport and all types of trout fishing, but you get to see some of the most beautiful places in the world!
It goes without saying that trout fishing is one of the best sports out there. If you are a beginner looking to learn, the best knowledge you can obtain is experience. Yes, you can purchase all that equipment Free Web Content, but nothing will teach and help you more then experience in trout fishing.

Article Tags: Trout Fishing Trip, Trout Fishing, Fishing Trip
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ken Austin
http://www.1stdiscountshopping.com http://www.1stinroses.com

Perfect Small Stream Fly Rod

2010-11-25T13:23:00.001-08:00

By Steve Robbins

Fly fishing for native trout on a small stream in the back county can
lead to one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Getting
off the beaten path to find finicky fish in untouched waters is what
the pioneers of the sport truly intended. On the other hand, some
small streams are just off the roadway but are just as willing, or
unwilling, to give up their inhabitants to the skilled angler. The
proper clothing, flies and equipment can help you make the absolute
most of your adventure. The fly rod may be the most important aspect
of your small stream set up.

One question that I often hear is, "what is the perfect small stream
fly rod". Well, allow me to clear this up right now… there is no
perfect small stream fly rod. There, now you have it. I should stop
here and leave it at that, but you know that I won't.

Be careful, there are many self proclaimed fly fishing experts that
are all too eager to give their opinion on the ideal rod for the
smaller streams. Don't be too hasty to accept their remarks as gospel
and run out and buy a rod simply base on their opinions. I wish I
could give you a cut and dried, etched in stone, answer and identify
the specific rod that would be perfect for any small stream you may
encounter in your fly fishing lifetime… but I can't do that. Neither
can anyone else.

Most folks simply do not realize the factors involved in making a
small stream rod selection. There are several things to carefully
ponder before dropping the bucks for a new rod. That's exactly what
we're going to do here. We'll discuss several important rod and stream
factors that govern a small stream rod selection. After arming
yourself with the proper information, it is you who will end up making
the ultimate decision as to which rod is best for you.

What's a Small Stream?

First things first… we probably need to identify exactly what
constitutes a small stream. So, what type of water will you be
fishing? Is it a small stream, a spring creek or a narrow river? Are
all three of these really the same thing? All fly fishers are not on
the same page here.

OK, look up "small stream" in the dictionary. What do you find?
Nothing, right? There is no formal definition of this term. I know
what I mean when I say "small stream". But do you see in your mind the
same thing that I see? Maybe, maybe not.

The Cimarron River in, New Mexico is no doubt a narrow river but don't
let the word "river" fool you. It consists mostly of small stream
attributes. Most of the public water is lined with willows,
cottonwoods and alders and provides anglers with undercut banks,
riffles, runs, bend pools and pocket water. I fish this river as a
small stream. The St. Vrain River in Colorado is another great
example. There is no place on its banks where you can't comfortably
roll cast to the other side. When the water is clear, there is no
place where you can't see the bottom. On the other hand, Young's Creek
in Montana is about the same size and in some areas it is much wider
than many stretches of the Cimarron and St. Vrain Rivers. I fish all
three basically the same way.

Let's just say that a small stream is one that you can cast across
easily just about anywhere on it, that you can wade, often cross in
hip boots, that is way too small for boats, and has most of its
structure exposed to view. Also, most importantly, we'll assume it has
trout in it.

Back to the Rods

So now, what about the rod and stream factors? I will break things
down by discussing each factor. As you study these bits of
information, you should begin to develop a picture, in your mind, of
what type of small stream fishing you'll be doing and what rod you'll
be needing. You may find that, for you, one rod simply won't get the
job done. You may discover that you need two or more rods to satisfy
your small stream desires. How bad could that be? You have now given
yourself an excuse, and hopefully permission, to buy more rods.

Our rod selection factors include weight, length, action, material,
sections, color and several stream characteristics. We must also spend
a little time on fly lines because this may also impact our rod
choice. Also, there is no need to get fancy with a small stream rod.
Terms such as modulus, IM whatever, titanium, and other high-tech
sounding terms frequently make their way into the fly rod shopping
process. The good news is that these are things that should not worry
you during you selection process. You don't need the X15 Super
Modulated Ballistic Fly Rod designed to cast a quarter mile on any
small stream. Let's just keep it simple.

Rod Weight

Anything from a 0wt to 5wt will work well depending on the situation.
The ultimate choice of the rod weight has a lot to do with the size
fish you'll be after. Many small streams only support small trout.
Some streams, of course, have larger fish. I've caught some healthy 16
inchers in streams, like Bear Creek in Southwest Colorado, which you
can almost jump across. Generally though, you're probably looking at
catching fish from 6 to 10 inches. You'll get an occasional 12 incher
and several Jack Fish. Oh… what's a Jack Fish you ask? These are the
fish, generally called fry, that are so small that when you set the
hook you jack them up out of the water and they sail back over your
head.

So, the fight of a small fish feels better to the angler if they're
using a lightweight fly rod such as a 2 wt. The 16 inchers will feel
great on a 2 wt rod also but there are some distinct disadvantages
with this scenario. One is that by the time you get the big fish
landed, it may be exhausted to the point of no return and may soon die
after its release. If you're going to eat it then that is really mute
point. Secondly, you run the risk of breaking your rod from the
strain. If you're deep in the wilderness fishing a delightful little
stream, the last thing you need is for your stick to break.

Another thing to consider is hook set. The lighter weight flimsy fly
rods offer you little help in setting the hook. I have a 1wt rod that
is a joy to use. The problem is that I lose a good amount of fish
within two seconds of the hook set (or lack there of). If you're using
this type of rod you had best make sure your fly hooks are debarbed
and honed needle sharp. I can use my 2wt with little problems of
getting the hook set properly.

I am a 2 and 3wt fan when it comes to small stream rods. I like the
lightweight feel of these rods. I like to feel the fish fight. For me,
there lighter weight rods allows me to present a fly more delicately.
The play in the rods offers me some leader protection on days when I
must use very fine tippets. Unfortunately, I don't catch many
behemoths on the small streams that I frequent, so over fighting the
fish is usually not a problem.

Castibilty is another issue with rod weights. A 5wt rod is much easier
to cast than a 1wt rod… period. So, for the beginner, I would not
recommend and extremely light weight rod. Perhaps a 4wt would be a
better choice at this stage of skill level. But then, on the other
hand, many small streams are so small that you're really not casting
anyway. You're only flipping and dapping with an occasional roll cast.
If you look at it that way, first class casting skills are not overly
important. It depends upon the size of the stream, brush, trees and
even wind as to how much real casting you may or may not be doing. For
example, a typical small meandering stream that snakes through a
valley meadow will likely have no trees and minimum brush to contend
with. However, the wind may create a problem when trying to cast a
2wt. You may actually need a 4 or 5 wt in order get the fly where you
want it.

You can see that when it comes to the ideal rod weight for small
streams opinions vary. One single rod weight is not going to be ideal
for every small stream application. I will venture to say that most of
the anglers that I know use a 3 or 4wt rod in this situation. These
are good all-around rod weights that will handle a large variety of
small stream applications.

Rod Length

My very first small stream fly rod was a 2/3 wt, 7ft rod. I once took
a fishing trip to the Cimarron River where I booked Doc Thompson of
High Country Anglers. We fished the Cita which is a private stretch of
the Cimarron just bellow the Cimarron Canyon State Park entrance. This
section is a classic small stream just loaded with hungry Browns. I
met Doc at the trail and started to assemble my gear. He patiently
watched as I assemble my 7ft rod. He then calmly said, "Why don't you
leave that rod here, we'll take my 9ft 4wt instead". I was bit
confused and my feelings were a little hurt. I was taught that you
need a short rod for small streams and this is definitely a small
stream. However, I figured he was the expert on this river so I'll
take his word for it. We were soon on the bank and Doc pointed out a
nice pool to cast to. After I made a few drifts, he said, "Here, let
me see your rod for a minute". He then taught me how to properly high
stick. I then saw the advantages of a long rod on a small stream. Doc
had me to cast out with only about 1 or 2 feet of fly line hanging out
of the end my rod. He then had me lift the rod high while keeping it
parallel to the ground. I was trying to keep all of the fly line and
as much of the leader as I could off of the water. This was creating,
of course, a perfectly drag free drift. Occasionally I was able to
lift the entire leader from the water so that the only thing touching
the water was my dry fly. This took a lot practice but I finally got
the technique down pat and caught a lot of fish. I made very few
overhead casts. I mostly flipped and rolled so the brush and trees
were really not much of a problem.

Rod length is a very important consideration and, in some situations,
maybe even more important than rod weight. As you can see, there is
more than one school of thought regarding the proper rod length for
small streams. The short rod advocates are steadfast in their beliefs.
The long rod proponents are equally convinced there technique is
superior. I can see that both rods have their place. This is where the
character of the stream itself will help you in determining the best
length for you in a given situation.

Shorter rods, 5 to 7ft, may be ideal for the tightest and brushiest of
creeks. Best of all, these short rods are so cute and so sweet. On the
opposite side we may find the need for that long rod. An 8'6", a 9ft,
or perhaps even longer rod may be the best choice for the meadow
stream that offers little casting impediments. Maybe you'll be high
sticking to finicky trout and you need that extra reach. The Global
dorbeR Group in Flippin, Arkansas now produces a 10ft 1wt fly rod
blank for this type of fishing.

Rod Action

If your time is going to be spent chasing Brookies s on a smaller
stream, then a fast action may not be the best choice. Medium and slow
action rods are better suited for small streams. They offer better
control, more accuracy, more tippet protection and softer
presentations. I know there are some fast action fanatics out there
and that's fine. If a fast action rod feels good to you, then by all
means use it. Myself, I prefer a medium action rod. The medium action
just feels good to me. They offer more forgiveness of my sometimes
lazy casting stroke. They really do offer the accuracy and the
delicate presentations that I often need on these small creeks. The
medium action rod slightly out performs the slow action in the hook
set, yet the slow action remains another great choice for fishing for
small fish.

Material

I suppose our basic choices here are bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.
Most rods sold today are graphite. Overwhelmingly so. Graphite rods
are lighter in weight, more sensitive, and have a faster response than
a bamboo or fiberglass rod. More than likely you'll end up with a
graphite rod and your decision to do so will be sound and safe.

It is important though to not overlook fiberglass and bamboo. With
glass and bamboo, you have a solid structure consisting of fibers with
varying densities. With graphite you have a hollow tube of
uniformmaterial. The result is that glass and bamboo is smoother,
closer to natural action and a little less tiring.

You may hear that bamboo rods are heavier. This is true, however, this
relatively small increase in weight is also one of its advantages, for
this additional weight gives these rods an inherent loading
characteristic that makes them very smooth casting. Split bamboo rods
are also a fly fishing work of art. They certainly have an aesthetic
advantage over glass and graphite. One problem is that they're usually
quite expensive.

Glass rods may be a better alternative to bamboo. Doug Macnair, long
time casting instructor and fly fishing writer, says "In the short rod
format, fiberglass handles very much like bamboo and in my opinion
beats graphite every time. I would suppose that my all time small
stream favorite is the Little Betts fiberglass 6-footer from 1963."
You'll probably not find many 1963 Little Betts around but you can
still get good fiberglass rods today. Diamondback's Diamondglass rods
are a perfect example of modern fiberglass fly rods at their best.

Sections

I have a 7pc 3wt fly rod that packs down into an 18" rod tube. I
thought it would make a great small stream rod because it disassembled
into such a concealed package. I could store it anywhere. The last
time I used it I was with a friend who had a 2pc rod. We drove up to
only a few yards from the creek. We started rigging up for the fish.
In a matter of what seemed like seconds, my friend was catching fish
while I was still assembling my fly rod.

So, how many sections should your new small stream rod break into? It
is a matter of preference as well as functionality. A 2pc rod is so
convenient. You only have two sections to worry about. Aligning the
guides during assembly is so simple. A 7 or 8pc rod is also convenient
in its own way. Their tubes are very short which makes for a great
travel or pack rod. If you are hiking or backpacking any significant
distance to the back country stream then these rods are ideal. It just
takes a little longer to assemble them in a manner so that the guides
are all lined up. It's probably safe to say that the largest selling
rods come in 4 sections.

It's a good idea to consider how you will usually be traveling to you
fly fishing destination. Will you fly or drive? If you fly, well, that
opens up a whole other can of worms. We're not talking San Juan worms
either. This can get pretty nasty sometimes. Generally there is no
problem flying with a four piece rod, without reel, as carry on. But
like a lot of carry on rules today, a lot depends on who is working
the security check point at the time you pass through. Trying to carry
on a reel is a big no-no today. Airline officials have said there is
enough fly line and backing to tie up a whole flight crew. The thing
to remember is that the enforcement and interpretation of these rules
are very inconsistent.

One very good solution is to purchase one of the new rolling duffels
that have a dedicated space in the bottom to hold several four piece
rod tubes and check it as luggage. Fishpond, Orvis and Cabela's have
luggage with this feature. Just check the luggage and hope for the
best. It should arrive safely. On the other hand, if you try to carry
it on and get stopped at the terminal and are requested to check your
fly rod tube, the chances of never seeing your rod again have just
increased

One other solution is to FedEx or UPS your equipment to the lodge or
hotel ahead of your arrival and arrange for a prepaid pick up after
you leave. This also offers better insurance coverage than hassling
with an airline if something is lost.

Fly Line

Now that I have enlightened you on some factors and characteristics to
strongly consider when purchasing your new fly rod I am finished,
right? Well, in all good conscience, I can't just turn you loose right
now without at least mentioning fly line and how it will affect your
small stream rod.

First of all, let me make this perfectly clear, I usually advocate
staying with the manufacturer's suggested line recommendations or, in
the case of the heavier weights 6-9, underlining by one weight
depending on the circumstances. Wait a minute… did I say underline?
Yes I did. Macnair opened my eyes to this concept. You see, it's in
the amount of line you aerialize in making the cast. Consider for a
moment that while you and I now know the weight in grains for the
first 30-feet of our line, we don't know the weight of the remainder
that typically includes the rest of the head, its rear taper, and the
running line ... An interesting thought? It should be, because for
every ten to fifteen feet we add to the initial 30 hanging in the air,
we effectively add another line weight to the load carried by the rod.
Said another way: a 5-weight line becomes the equivalent of a 6-weight
when 40-feet of line are aerialized, a 7-weight with 60 to 65-feet in
the air, etc. At some point, of course, our 5-weight rod will overload
resulting in either a collapsed cast or worse, a broken rod. Then, as
Doug would say, the Ancient Fishing Gods will be laughing.

OK, so what does this concept of underling a 7wt fly rod have with a
small stream rod? Plenty… the same concept applies but in reverse.
Let's say you're using a 3wt rod with a 3wt line on a small stream.
Most of your casts are going to be less than 15 or 20 feet. Take away
the leader and you only have about 10 feet or so of fly line
aerialized. Well that's not enough line weight to allow the rod to
perform as designed. So, in this case, its makes perfect since to
overline your rod. Ten feet of a 4wt line might give you enough
aerialized weight to allow the rod to perform better and thus improve
your casting. So think about it. You may want to overline your new rod
depending on how far you think you'll be casting.

Conclusion

OK... there you have it. Now, have I covered every possible aspect of
selecting the ideal creek rod? Probably not… but you know have enough
information to assist you in selecting the best stick for your
specific applications. I think you now realize that no single rod will
do.

This article is courtesy of Steve Robbins. Steve is the owner of
The Full Creel Fly Shop at http://www.thefullcreel.com &
http://www.ebayflyshop.com He is also the owner of Aztec Anglers at
http://www.aztecanglers.com... the premier guide service for fly
fishing the San Juan River in New Mexico.

Fishing for Blue Fish

2010-11-18T16:09:00.001-08:00

by Todd Lehr

Bluefish (Potatomus salatrix) is a tenacious saltwater fish that
provides some of the best angling thrills on light tackle. They are
mainly thought of as an Eastern United States fish, although they are
found in most temperate waters throughout the world, except in the
cooler waters of the northern Pacific.

Bluefish are schooling fish built for speed and power. They are a blue
green shade along the top of the body near the dorsal fins, and have
silvery sides and a whitish / silver underbelly. They have relatively
large heads that feature powerful jaws and rows of very sharp teeth.
Their tapered bodies end in deeply forked tails that allow them to be
powerful swimmers and fighters.

The average fish weighs between 4 and 10 pounds, with any fish over 20
pounds being considered a real quality fish. The recognized IGFA
record is 31 pounds, 12 ounce fish caught off the coast of North
Carolina in 1972. Unconfirmed monster fish have reportedly been caught
in the 40-pound range.

Population numbers of bluefish have been documented to follow cycles
lasting about forty years. A recent disappearance occurred during the
1920s, and anglers are still enjoying a high for the fish which began
in the 1970s. They are migratory fish, following schools of baitfish
such as menhaden shad and mullet, heading north from Florida in
spring, all the way to Maine by the end of the summer.

When fishing for blues, anglers should remember they are primarily
schooling fish. Schools the size of football fields have been
witnessed, with the fish creating a feeding frenzy of roiling water
and leaping fish. Many anglers often troll for the fish, as this is
one of the most consistent methods of catching bluefish. Once a fish
is caught by trolling, anglers should stop the boat and throw out
casts to try to locate the school. Putting a lure at the proper depth
in areas where bluefish schools are hanging will usually result in
large catches. Fish can often be caught on any type of fast-moving
lure that resembles a baitfish, including metal spoons, jigs, and tube
baits. Wooden baits are not popular because of the bluefish's powerful
teeth, which will quickly destroy wooden plugs.

Casting into a school of fish requires the use of moderately heavy
tackle and wire leaders. It is important that black wire leaders and
swivels are used, as the fish will often strike shiny leaders,
weakening and in some cases severing them. Anglers casting into a
frenzied school of bluefish can often catch a fish on every cast.
Therefore, it is important to retie lures and leaders often, because
they will undoubtedly become frayed. The best results are found by
casting along the outer edges of the school, decreasing the chances of
spooking any fish, and also preventing line breakages. Feeding
bluefish have been known to even attack each other; it is not uncommon
for a four-pounder on the line to be cut in half by a twenty pound
blue.

Bluefish can also be caught from the surf at certain times of the
year. Shiny spoons such as the Hopkins brand are consistent favorites
for fishing in surf due to their visibility and enticing action.

Anglers that use live or cut bait, such as eels or fish, often catch
blues from the surf or from piers simply by letting the bait sit and
waiting for a strike. This method can be useful when there are no
apparent schools of bluefish biting.

Flyfishing for blues has become more and more popular in recent years.
Many of the same techniques and lures used for striped bass can be
applied to bluefish. Bluefish of course require an extra-strong leader
and mostly strikes larger flies which closely resemble the most
popular regional baitfish.

Fly anglers often catch blues incidentally while fishing for stripers,
but some fly and light tackle anglers target blues specifically,
especially when stripers are absent.

About The Author
Author: Todd Lehr
Email: captain@1stfishing.com
Web Site: http://www.fishingadvantage.com/
Details: Todd Lehr is an avid angler. He runs the Fishing Advantage, a
site for American anglers.

What's Better Than Free?

2010-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

This message has been forwarded by kang.kabayan600@gmail.com.

Original message

Can't view this email? Click here to see the graphics.

November 15, 2010

What's Better Than Free?

In case winning a free 2011 Ford Explorer XLT wouldn't be enough, Ford decided to sweeten the pot with a $2,000 shopping spree to outfit what could be your next fishing rig.

Sound cool? Your chance to win starts at the Ford Explorer Facebook page. The cost of entering is 2 minutes of your time to fill out a form with a few basic questions. While you're on Ford's Facebook page, click the "Photos" tab to see tons of pictures of the new Explorer, including shots from a media trip "somewhere down south."

There's also an all-access Ford Explorer tour going on, at least for the next week or so. Click here to find out if the tour is coming to your town.

In the meantime, check out the Explorer's features online.

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		To a friend			A friend to Fishin' Informer

		The Club			To Fishin' Informer Now!

supported by:

What's It Cost? See what pricing options are available near you.

Another Facebook Page to "Like" Check out the North American Fishing Club Facebook page.

Are Vintage Fishing Rods Worth Buying?

2010-11-12T13:01:00.001-08:00

By Mike Sleddon

With all the fantastic advances in fishing tackle technology in recent
years, is it really worth buying a fishing rod from a bygone era? This
is the question that many anglers have asked themselves, particularly
fly fishers. Is there value in seeking out and purchasing an antique
or vintage rod?

The short answer is that it depends on the type of fishing you do.
There is no doubt that cf (carbon fiber) has revolutionized the
fishing rod industry, and is much, much better than fiberglass. So
buying an old fiberglass rod would be a waste of money. Also, many old
rods that have been used extensively have invariably sustained damage
of one kind or another, and such damage may have compromised the
strength and integrity of the rod. So basically a damaged rod is
useless for fishing.

However, when it comes to bamboo rods, and in particular split cane
fishing rods, the answer is not so clear. There are many anglers that
say that even with the latest progress in modern fishing rod
manufacture, a state-of-the-art carbon fiber rod cannot match the
action, flexibility and durability of a split cane fishing rod. In
particular, where accurate and long casting of light weights is
paramount, cane rods seem to have the edge. Also, there is the
aesthetic value of a bamboo rod, which lends it to be seen as more of
a work of art than a tool for fishing.

Suitability for Fishing

So it seems that if you are into fly fishing or spinning, especially
in estuaries, rivers, lakes, ponds and streams, or even from coastal
shorelines, a quality vintage split cane fishing rod could be a
worthwhile investment. Of course, the same rule applies: a damaged rod
is no good for fishing. Therefore you must check the bamboo sections
carefully. Be on the lookout for water stains, discoloration, dents,
splits, cracks or anything else that seems suspicious. If the bamboo
is sound, and the price is right, the rod could well be worth
purchasing. Most of the other fittings on a cane fishing rod can be
restored to their original condition for a modest sum, so do not panic
if the whippings are frayed or the ferrules are a little loose.

One of the most renowned brands of bamboo rods is Milwards of England.
Vintage Milwards split cane fishing rods are sort after due to their
exquisite craftsmanship, superb action and quality fittings. The
fittings were bronze, brass, silver, agate and silk, while the bamboo
was usually Tonkin cane. Milwards manufactured both fly fishing and
spinning rods that were often specially designed for certain fishing
niches. For example, the FloatMaster was perfect for casting float
rigs, while the SpinVersa was magnificent at casting extremely
lightweight baits and lures. Milwards split cane fishing rods are
highly valued but occasionally come on the market. Your best chance of
locating one is to check periodically online auction sites like eBay
or the online inventory of vintage rod dealers.

Collecting Vintage Rods

Most of what is written above concerns the use of a vintage fishing
rod for fishing. But how about collecting? Well, from current trends
we can see that antique and vintage rods are increasing in value year
by year. However, for collectors, the vintage rod must be in pristine
condition, which makes collectible rods quite scarce and hard to come
by. Not only does the fishing rod itself need to be in very good
condition, all the extras it was originally sold with need to come
with it too. For example, Milwards split cane fishing rods usually
came with an extra tip section, and also came with a custom cloth bag.
They also had various transfers or engravings on them. So for a rod of
this kind to be considered a collector's item, it would need to
include all of these additional things. But if you were to come across
a vintage rod in original condition and kit, it would be well
worthwhile buying, as it would no doubt increase in value over time.

In conclusion, while fiberglass rods have been surpassed by carbon
fiber rods, bamboo rods are still very effective pieces of fishing
gear that are unbeatable in their particular fishing niche. They also
have considerable value as collector's items and as pieces of art. A
good vintage split cane fishing rod is definitely worth buying!

Mike Sleddon is a self-confessed fishing nut who has only just
recently discovered the delights of fly fishing, and in particular,
saltwater fly fishing. This has inadvertently led to another addiction
- collecting antique and vintage split cane fishing rods! Of course,
his wife is not too impressed with his new money-sapping hobby! His
website http://www.milwardssplitcanefishingrods.com/ has lots of great
information about.....well, Milwards Split Cane Fishing Rods! He also
has another website with lots of general fishing tackle information,
product reviews and the like: http://www.fishingtacklegear.net/ (a
work in progress!) He hopes you enjoy his articles and leave some
comments! :)

Bass Fishing Article

2010-11-01T12:19:00.001-07:00

Bass Fishing in Florida; A multi-million recreation Bass fishing
represents one of the most popular fishing sports practiced today. Its
popularity has yielded a multi-billion dollar industry unto itself,
aside from the business of other modes of sport fishing. There are
boats on the market designed specifically for bass fishing. Clothes
and gears are also very popular. Freshwater sport fishing in Florida
provided recreational opportunities for over 1.32 million people, over
age 16, and generated an economic output of $2.0 billion in 2001.
Aside from that, Florida freshwater recreational fishing generated
19,519 jobs with earnings of $484 million in 2001. Florida freshwater
fishing provided 20.8 million angler days of recreation (92% resident)
based on 14.5 million trips. (A trip is from the time someone leaves
home until they return and may include many days; a day is defined by
an activity on a specific day.) Bass habitats include a variety of
environments, from rivers, lakes, streams, and even ponds. Rivers
provide one of the healthiest habitats, due to the highly oxygenated
waters from the rapid current. In order to fish bass from rivers, it
is best to seek out breaks in the current, perhaps from a fallen tree,
a stump, or rocks. The fish that bass feed upon will normally school
below a dam, thereby making these spots ideal for bass fishing. There
are at least 32 species of fish commonly caught in the numerous lakes,
ponds, canals and rivers throughout Southwest Florida. The anglers
pursuing the most popular of these freshwater game fish are locally
referred to as either bass fisherman, "perch jerkers", pan fisherman
or catfishermen, depending upon the object of their pursuit. The most
common and popular of these are Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Panfish,
Chain pickerel and Crappie. Largemouth Bass without a doubt is the
most sought after game fish in Florida. It is the main target of the
majority of anglers. Many of these lure busting monsters in the 10 to
12 pound range are taken every year in local waters. The yellow and
brown bullhead, followed by the channel catfish, is the most abundant
in the area. They are favored by sportsman for the delicious table
fare that they provide. Also harvested commercially, mainly on Lake
Okeechobee, and their tasty fillets are served as an "all you can eat"
favorite in most area restaurants. But it is still the bass fish that
promises the challenge of the sport. Every freshwater river, canal,
lake and pond in South West Florida is abundant with what is locally
referred to as "panfish" for the thick tasty fillets they provide. The
term actually covers a wide variety of pan sized fish in the sunfish
family. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
bluegill, bream, warmouth, and the most sought after, redeared
sunfish, locally referred to as a "shellcracker" for its diet of
aquatic snails. Another favorite is the exotic oscar, which has
flourished in the hundreds of miles of canals in the area. An angler
needs only to arm themselves with a cane pole and a can of worms or
crickets for guaranteed success in catching supper. However, most
anglers opt for the ultra-light spinning outfits with tiny spinners
and spoons, or the fly rod with popping bugs. Catches of fifty or more
a day are common. While not particularly sought after, the pickerel
must still be considered a game fish for its savage attacks on the
lures most commonly thrown by bass fisherman. They are fast, tackle
busting acrobatic fighters. While edible, they are usually released
due the many pesky little bones in their fillets. Also locally called
speckled perch or "specks" and considered as the favorite of the
"perch jerkers" or crappie fisherman that pursue them. These quick
striking fish fall for a variety of lures. They congregate in large
schools and once located, provide the angler with plenty of action and
a great fish fry. There are innumerable techniques and types of tackle
available to practice the sport of bass fishing. For a beginner, it is
advised to gather some more basic tools to get started. Some
suggestions point towards acquiring a 10-pound line, suitable for the
average sizes and weights of this species. Also, it is suggested to
start with artificial bait until the angler has a better understanding
of the unique characteristics of the bass fish. The Spinnerbait is
common artificial bait used by both amateur and seasoned anglers. The
catch and release method was first introduced in the 1950s. It was
designed to reduce the rising costs of restocking hatchery-raised
fish, and was normally used for fish not meant for consumption.
Popular consensus does not consider bass as a food fish, and thus this
technique is widely used.