Fishin'Gigs

Step by Step Fish Filleting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:30:00 +0000

This step by step tutorial is for the beginning fisherman who needs a few tips on the process of fish filleting. It is very important to know how to properly fillet a fish so you don't waste your meat or your time, that is why we have broken it down into simple steps just for you!

To begin with you will need a nice fish fillet blade. The blade should be long, thin and atleast 9-11 inches, depending on the size of the fish you are filleting. The most important thing to remember when cutting up anything is to keep your blade sharp. A dull blade will just tear the meat and become annoying.

Next you will need a fish fillet board. These look like large clipboards and are used for holding the fish when cutting it. Fish are best when cut up fresh, so if the fish is still alive use either the knife handle or a hammer to hit it sharply and quickly over the head. This will stun and kill the fish so that you can easily fillet it. After that place the head of the fish in the clip so that it is held fast and won't slide around when handling.

Once you have secured the fish, place your fillet knife behind the gill at a perpendicular angle to the fish spine, and cut down until you feel a slight resistance, this will be the rib bones. In one smooth cut, fillet from behind the gill all the way through the tail by holding and cutting flat along the length of the fish. This is why it is important to have a sharp knife, so that you don't have to fight with the fillet and hack at the fish.

Turn the cut over so that the scales are facing the board. With your free hand hold the tail end of the fillet against the board. Starting near the tail, fillet the meat from the skin in the same motion you used to separate the fillet from the fish. This will take a little practice, but once it is done a few times it goes very smoothly.

Once you have just a fillet of meat, run your hand over it to feel for any bones. To remove bones, simply slide the point of the knife under the bone and slice it out. Once again, practice is needed so that you waste as little meat as possible. Its a learning process though! Just remember to have fun!

Place the finished fillet in a bowl of cold water, flip the fish over and repeat on the other side. Fillet all your fish this way. When finished rinse the fillets once again in clean, cold water and place in a bowl filled with water and about a 1/2 tbsp of salt. Let stand for 20 minutes. The salt helps to draw the blood out of the fish fillets and helps to clean them. Lastly rinse your fillets again in cold fresh water, pat dry, and either fry 'em up or store them for later!

The leftover fish pieces can either be buried in a garden and make for great fertilizer (just be sure to bury atleast 18 inches deep so something doesn't decide to dig it up later) or, unless you want the whole house to smell like a dead pond, place in a garbage bag in the freezer until garbage day.

Have fun fishing!

The Poor Man's Lobster: Eelpout and Lingcod

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:06:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

A couple years ago when we were out west a friend of ours wanted to take us fishing. It was winter time, but the ice had not quite frozen over. Ice fishing was out of the question and so we asked him,"What are we fishing?"

"The poor man's lobster."

I found out that the poor man's lobster belongs to a group of fish including Eelpout and Lingcod. They are a little different to catch, but apparently, taste amazing. It is popular in the Midwest to go after these "lobster" and I found out the Missouri River is full of them as well. So we decided,"Why not?" And went after our "lobster."

These fish are long and eel shaped and can grow to huge lengths. They are bottom dwellers and like deep water. The thing about them is not the taste, (Many call it the poor man's lobster, but there has been more than one story about how unedible they are.) but the way they fight. They are known as a sport fish, and a big one at that. They put on a great fight, so be prepared to use a heavier duty line.

Bill Kinney Photography

Our friend took us out to the river and we actually fished for them in the slack water under the dam. You need a set line and heavy weight to make sure your bait stays on the bottom. We cut up pieces of frozen smelt, but any larger piece of bait will do the trick. They are bottom feeders and will toy with the bait a little at first so you have to wait a little to set the bait, but once you got them hooked, great fun!

The one thing we can say is that we have never tasted "The Poor Man's Lobster." We may have tasted Eel pout, but the lobster quality taste escaped ours. We weren't exactly sure how to clean it so that was probably the reason for our mud tasting fish, because we have heard over and over again that they are quite a feast! We since looked it up so no one else has to try and figure out what to do with them.

To cook "The Poor Man's Lobster" flip the fish on its stomach and cut out the back straps. As with any bottom dwellers you want to remove as much fat as possible to get rid of that "bottom feeder" taste. Take the back straps and cut them into cubes. These can then be placed in a pot to boil. You then eat the pieces in garlic and butter like you would pieces of lobster. Sounds good to us! Unfortunately we haven't gotten the opportunity to try it, so let us know how it turns out or if you've ever eaten it before and what you think!

Which Bait to Use With Which Fish

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:12:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Technique may be the most important part of fishing, but if you try catching small crappie with big crayfish, you might have a problem or two. For you beginning fishermen, we are going to lay out the basics for you to make it simple.

Live Baits

Worms
Worms are good for about anything, but you will find the best luck when using them on pan fish (such as sunfish, crappie, etc) trout, walleye, bass, and catfish. Worms are a live bait and are good for those fish that like moving things, they also have a very strong smell which helps to attract the fish.

Crayfish
Crayfish have the same great qualities as worms, but need to be used on larger fish. You will probably get nibbles on them if trying to use them for small fish, but they won't be able to take the hook. Crayfish are ideal when fishing for walleye, trout, catfish, and bass.
Grubs
Grubs move a little less than worms or crayfish, but have the advantage of being smaller and better for tiny mouths. Use them on trout and pan fish throughout the year. Grub are perfect when ice fishing and make good bait.

Artificial Baits

Spoons
Spoons are a very lively looking bait and are best used on large game fish such as northern pike and muskie.

Spinners
Spinners are also a very nice choice of bait because they give the appearance of moving through the water. Spinners can be used on about any type of game fish because they come in a variety of sizes.

Plugs
Plugs come in a variety of sizes, but are a little larger and used on larger species such as walleye, bass, muskie, and sometimes trout. Plugs are meant to mimmick small minnows and can be used at varying speeds for a number of effects.

Jigs
Jigs are used to create small, jerking, and quick movements. They are smaller and have soft bodies to attract fish. You will have the most luck with jigs when using them for walleye and crappie.

Flies
Flies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are specialized for fly fishing. Fly fishing is targeted mainly towards trout fishing, but can be used for other fish such as sunfish or bass.

The Best Methods for Keeping Your Fish Fresh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 05:16:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

You may be the best fisherman in the world, but without fresh fish, you aren't going to get very far. Here are a few tips on how best to keep your fish extra fresh!

Keeping Fish Fresh While Out in the Boat

The ultimate way to keep your fish fresh and healthy while out on the lake is to have a live well. This is basically a fish tank built into your boat that pumps air and water into the tank so the fish are kept alive until taken out at the end of the day. If you don't have a live well, a string is the next best thing.
A stringer is a line either hooked up to the boat or somewhere on shore and fish are strung along it. This keeps them in the water and alive longer. Important to remember when using a stringer is to not leave it in an extremely warm spot. If you are shore fishing in the summer and your fish are simply sitting in shallow water they won't last very long. If out in a boat do not forget about your fish! Going fast will drag your catch and probably kill them. Also be aware of the propeller and be sure to place your stringer far enough away that the fish won't get tangled up when you start the motor.

If you have neither a live well or stringer have a cooler with ice to preserve the fish in. The one downfall of this is that the fish will not stay alive in the cooler and you can only stay out as long as the ice lasts. If this is your only choice, it may be worthwhile to invest in a nice ice cooler.

Keeping Fish Fresh at Home

Once home, clean the fish as soon as possible. The fresher the fish, the better tasting they will be. Fillets can either be frozen or kept in the fridge. If freezing, place the fillets in a ziplock bag with water of use a food saver to get the best seal. Fillets from the freezer are best used within eight months. you can keep them in there longer (frozen fillets won't actually go bad for quite awhile) but for the best taste the sooner you use them, the better.

If you decide that you are planning on eating the fillets sooner rather than later, keep them in the fridge. Wash them thoroughly and place them in a dry, selaed container. .The best fillets are rinsed in a salty saline water solution. Supposedly this draws out the blood and keeps them extra fresh, but it is also a good cleaning and preserving agent. These fillets will be best if used within three days, the sooner the tastier!

Basic Must Have Fish Fillet Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:46:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Everyone knows you have to have the right tool for the job or else life just gets frustrating... Filleting fish is no different, so we're going to share with you some of our fish filleting tools.

Fish Filet Knives

Obviously you aren't going to be a ble to cut up the fish without a good set of knives. When choosing a blade it is important to keep in consideration everything from fish size to knife material. Knives are made in different sizes to accomodate the different type of fish you may be filleting. A small fish is not going to need a ten inch fillet knife, and a six inch blade will be rather tedious when filleting a large salmon. It is best to have a set of fillet knive that you can choose from. Look for knives made of certain materials to get the most advantageous. Stainless steel blades are the most popular today because of their strength and durability. It is sometimes hard to tell how good the quality of the steel is, so go with a reputable brand. Also keep in mind flexibilty when choosing. A stout, unbending blade can be problematic and a very thin, long one can break. Be sure to test before you buy. The second factor when choosing a knife is the handle. A good grip is essential tpo getting a good cut and not hurting yourself. Plastic or rubber handles are best because of a better grip than wood ones, and the more sanitary quality. Also remember to test the knife grip before choosing. If it does not comfortably fit in your hand you may have trouble filleting and could potentially cut yourself. Rapala, Schrade, and Buck are all very popular fish fillet knife brands.

Knife Sharpeners

A good fillet knife is worthless without a good sharpener. When looking for a sharpener, one that is specifically for that particular knife is always a good choice, because it was meant to create the sharpest quality for that particular blade. There are a number of sharpeners available. Everything from electric and pocket sharpeners to sharpening stones can be found. The best one really depends on preference. If in doubt, go with a popular brand that is well known and reputed. We use ChefsChoice and find that it does everything we need it to!

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are a well conversed topic. Some like wood, some like metal, some like plastic, etc. This one really is personal preference. Choose what is best for you. Like handles, plastic or other man made materials are best because of their lack of slipping and easy cleaning and sanitation. While wood is becoming a little less popular. Also take into account the area you will be filleting fish in. We have often found the perfect cutting board only to bring it home and realize our counter tops are far too small. A good cutting board is worth looking into, because of its usefulness and how frequently you will be using it.

Gloves

This isn't a must have, but many people prefer them. Fish tend to leave behind a very strong odor and wearing gloves helps to make sure you don't smell like fish the rest of the week. Normal disposable rubber gloves can be found just about anywhere. Most people prefer to use Nitrile gloves because they are made of synthetic latex.

Bow Fishing Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 03:39:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Bow fishing is a popular sport for among today's fishermen. You can go after a wide variety of fish and it is very easy to get into if you have the right equipment. It can be done from almost anywhere and can be a ton of fun! If you are a regular bow hunter, this is also a good way to get some practice in the off season.

Essential Equipment

The basics of bow fishing are simple. You need a bow, reel, bow fishing arrow, and that is it! Make sure you have the right ones though! The bow is to personal taste and is whatever you like to shoot. You can either buy a nice new high quality bow or find a cheap, used recurve or compound for very little money. It is your preference. Recurves and compounds work best because they are smaller and more compact. This is better because you will often either be going through brush and weeds along the shore or fishing from your boat. A smaller sized bow is more versatile.

The next thing you need is a reel and bow fishing arrow. Reels can be a little tricky because you need to make sure they fit your bow. Most newer and compound bows can accomodate them nicely, but if using an older or more unique bow you may have to do a little mounting. To get the best experience, we recommend a high end reel. They can be bought for around fifty dollars and come with the line. A good reel is very important. If you have a cheap or homemade reel it will often tangle the line and cause problems when fishing. This can not only be frustrating, but also very dangerous.

The bow fishing arrow should also be of decent quality, keep in mind though that arrows are easily lost and broken when shooting to the unknown depths. It is best not to use your favorite prized arrow. The most important part though would be the tip. A good quality tip is something you definitely need to look into. Brands such as Muzzy or AMS are very popular bow fishing gear suppliers.

Other Equipment to Consider

We've discussed the basics of bow fishing equipment, but if you plan on going out there, you may want to think about a few other things as well.

A pair of polaroid sunglasses is almost a must when bow fishing. You need to be able to spot the fish and, with glare, it can be almost impossible without polaroids. We wouldn't recommend your best pair though. You tend to get very dirty when wading through the water and pulling in and fighting carp, especially if there are a lot of them! Bring along an old pair to get the job done!

Also remember to bring sunscreen, water proof is best! Bring a wide brimmed fishing hat too or that day of fun will be just miserable the next morning. Don't forget to wear an old pair of shoes either. If you do it right, you're going to get wet. Bring old tennis shoes or water shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. We have participated in bow fishing competitions before and believe us, after that many fish in the boat with you, you aren't going to want to do anything but throw those shoes away!

And there you have it! You know everything there is to begin bow fishing! Well, you have the essentials down. Hopefully this will help get you started. Ask around to find where thee best bow fishing is in your area and then go try it out! It can be a lot of fun! Let us know how it goes, be careful though, bow fishing is very addicting!

Bow Fishing With the Kids>

How Weather Affects the Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:46:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Know When the Fish are Biting

It is a well known fact that weather determines a days fishing. Check the weather in your area and clear your schedules!

Sunny Weather

Fish are less active on hot summer days. Because of the increase in temperature they can behave somewhat sluggishly. For fish that do not prefer extreme heat, they will retreat to deeper, cooler water. The best time for fishing in sunny weather would be around dusk or dawn because of the temperature change and increase in insects.

Cloudy Weather

Cloud cover generally has an increase on fish activity because of a change in water temperature and the fishes feeding habits. If there has been a warm spell and a cloud rolls in, cooling the water down, the fish will be more likely to go to the cooler water. However, on cold days such as in winter, they will drift towards the warmer water. Predator fish also change their hunting tactics depending on cloud covers and shadows and may swim closer to the shore on a cloudy day where they are less visible.

Rainy/Stormy Weather

When there is a dramatic change in weather conditions, such as a storm, the barometric pressure will change, and this has a huge effect on the fish. Atmospheric pressure effects everything from temperature to water flow. The fish follow their food sources and changes in the water can cause food sources to change. This often causes noticeable fish movement. Fish are often active before the arrival of a storm because of a change in pressure.

To check your local weather Click Here

How to Fish for Sunfish

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:28:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Sunfish are found throughout the U.S. and are a very popular sport fish. They are abundant and easy to catch making them the perfect fish for anyone from a first time fisherman to an advanced angler. A Sunfish will take almost any bait, put up a good fight, and taste great in the frying pan.

Sunfish is actually a term for a broad group of fish including Bluegill, Crappies, Pumpkinseed and many more. They come in a variety of colors often giving the fish their names, such as the Bluegill who has a small distinguishing blue colored gill on his side and the Red Breasted Sunfish who has a noticeable red breast, to name a few. They can be found anywhere from small pond to lakes and rivers and are commonly used as a stocking fish. Having been introduced in a number of areas, some are considered an invasive species.

Sizes can range from very small to quite large, some reaching a length of up to 12 inches. The Sunfish also has a very distinctive set of spines running along the edge of its body which can cause injury to an unsuspecting fisherman if not handled properly. These spines are meant to discourage predators, but should be handled with caution. Hold them gently, with gloves, or let someone experienced take the fish off the hook so you aren't rewarded with a sunfish prick.

Sunfish are schooling fish, meaning they are often found in groups. If you find a hot spot it generally means you will find more Sunfish. They can be caught anytime of year, but are the easiest, and perhaps most fun, in the spring and summer time when they are nesting. A male sunfish will use his fins to brush away a sandy bottomed area creating an indentation that can be up to a foot or two wide. Here the female will lay eggs and the male will viciously protect his nest until they hatch. The Sunfish nesting period is between May and July and defensive males not only bite at most passing food, but they build their nests in the shallows that can easily be seen from shore. A nest of Sunfish can be easily spotted and the fishing can begin!

On an overcast day you can see directly into the water, when it is sunny Polaroids should be warn to reduce glare and spot the fish. To spot them, slowly sneak up along the bank and search the shallows during their nesting period. Fish can feel vibrations close to shore such as loud stomping and talking. The bending of light on water also causes them to be able to see movement from the shore line, because of this do not stand directly over the water or at a higher viewpoint where the fish may easily be scared away by your presence.

Once spotted move a small ways down the bank and cast directly across the sunfish nesting area so they cannot see you. If it is deeper water, you can cast directly over them catching the females further out or the protective males, that have not been scared away, as your hook passes through their territory. At this point the fish are likely to bite at anything in their nesting territory so trying different types of jigs and spinners is fair game. If using a bobber try live bait, but be sure to set the hook quickly or it will be completely swallowed by the time you reel the fish in.

Fly fishing can also be very fun during the nesting season. (Just for fun) If you spot a nest, wade out adjacently on the bank and cast towards the area. The fish will not see you, but being warmed up in the shallows makes them lively and ready to bite at anything.

Some Sunfish also re-nest later on in the summer and the same techniques can be practiced. Though in the colder months the fish will become more sluggish and live or slow bait works best. Ice fishing is also a very popular time to catch Sunfish. Use a simple bait and a bobber with the hook not too deep in the water to lead to a successful catch, but be bring a friend to chat because it is very much a waiting game.

Sunfish are a great fish for anyone and require very little skill if you fish when they are biting. They are a great fish for small children to go after, especially since they can spot them in the shallows and, even better, they taste great in a frying pan!

Carp Fishing with the Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:55:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

Carp fishing is a great sport, well, carp bow fishing to be more precise. Most people don't prefer eating them, but it can be a ton of fun! For one, they are big, and who doesn't like pulling in a big fighting fish? Secondly, they are everywhere in such abundance that people want them gone... Easy pickings!

So we decided to take up carp fishing. If you live near water then you are more than likely to find carp, and that is exactly what we had. Even better, there was a small bridge going over a drainage canal to the lake and, let me tell you, there was an endless supply of carp to go after!

After discovering bow fishing a few months earlier we were hooked and had rigged up our bows with fishing reels and arrows. The bridge provided the perfect carp viewing (and hunting) platform, so I brought my daughter along and we impatiently watched the carp swim just out of our reach. She excitedly exclaimed every time she spotted one, "There's a carp Dad! Is it close enough? Can we get it?"

Not long after we got the opportunity as a carp swam a little too close to our side of the shore, and I took a shot. The arrow immediately disappeared along with the carp, a miss, but this only made us more eager to get one and try we did! When bow fishing at an angle the important thing to keep in mind is the way water refracts an image. What may look to be just below the surface is in reality a few feet or more underwater, just remember to aim low, cross your fingers, and that's how you'll get a fish.

An then we did! The carp sped off, but this time with the arrow in it, and the line began to unravel. Once the line was out I began to feel it pulling me...it was a big one! My daughter was as excited as could be and before the line had had a chance to really take off she'd grabbed it and was pulling with all her weight. The carp struggled away while swimming back and forth at the end of its line, and she continued to pull back just as hard slowly bringing it in.

Finally the carp slowed as it tired and she pulled it up to shore. It was big, especially for a little girl to be pulling in, and as we pulled it in she had the biggest smile and was so excited. "Dad we got it! Look how big it is! We got it!" Who cares that it was just a common carp and there were thousands more in the lake? Despite her hands bleeding from the rope burn that smile stayed on her face the rest of the day and the last thing she asked before bed was,"Dad, can we go again tomorrow?"

Jug Fishin'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:02:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

There are a lot of ways to catch catfish. You can try noodling, putting some really stinking bait on the line, or just hope one swims into your hook and you get lucky, but have you tried jugging?

A friend told us about it, and why not? It sounded pretty fun! Kids aren't exactly the best candidates for noodling and they wanted to join in as well.

It all kind of started because we had some ponds on our property. Whilst fishing we had once in a while snagged a carp on our hook and had a good sport of fighting the big guy for an hour or more, then letting him go till next time. One day while thinking about the catfish that were in there and thought, you know, that could be fun! We'd often had people tell us about the catfish they'd had the other night for supper and wanted to try some. Then they suggested jugging.....

Jugging is interesting, and perhaps widely known, but we'd never heard of it. Basically you get an empty plastic bottle (such as a milk jug) and tie a nice long bit of strong fishing line to it. At the end you fix a fairly large sized hook and the stinkiest bait you can find (we were told to use cat food). That night you throw it out into the pond...and that's it.

Upon waking in the morning we excitedly went to see if anything had happened. We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but were surprised to find the white milk jug seemingly swimming by itself around the pond. The kids were way ahead of us. They'd already pushed their little canoe to the edge of the water and were headed out after their jug. This is one of the funniest sites to see...two little girls paddling around a pond in a little boat, yelling directions at each other, and chasing a milk jug. The one in front says to go right and the second they get turned the jug changes course and speeds away. It was amusing to say the least.

Finally after about a half hour of this amusing spectacle they caught up with the jug....and it immediately began to pull them....That was one strong catfish! After pulling the girls and the canoe around for a while it began to tire and headed in. Finally reaching the shore we pulled them up along with the guy at the end of the jug. He wasn't huge, but he was mean, especially after having played a game of cat and mouse for the past hour!

The girls were very proud of their catch as they held him up all muddy and mad. That night we ate our first and last catfish, because we found out that not only do they eat pond scum, they taste like it too! We were later told the correct way to cook a catfish and get rid of that pond scum taste, but never bothered with trying it again. (Sunfish and Bass are easier to catch and cook.) That fish wasn't wasted though! Any time someone asks about catching catfish we tell them the story and teach them how to go juggin'!

Deep Water Fishing, Boats, and Sea Sickness

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:03:00 +0000

Bill Kinney Photography

When I was younger my family and I had the opportunity to go fishing on the Great Lakes. Friends of ours had a boat and offered to take us out for the day and have a good time. We gladly accepted! It isn't everyone who has a boat you know! The one stipulation was that we had to take Dramamine before going out. (Dramamine is a drug taken as a relief for nausea, motion and sea sickness, and other related symptoms.) We informed them we'd been on plenty of open water and had never before had a problem with sea sickness. Nevertheless, they asked us to take it just to be sure no one would have to be cleaning up any "messes." It seemed fair, no one wanted to spend the day "sick at sea."

None of us got sea sicknesses that day, however, I remember nothing of that fishing trip but laying in a chair and not being able to move. I'm telling you this story first off so that you are aware of the possibility of sea sickness and its unpleasant side effects. Secondly, I'd like to share alternative tips to avoid being "sick at sea."

Not everyone experiences sea sickness in the same way and it can vary by trip. Here are a few tips for those of you who know you are prone to becoming sea sick or just wanting to have an enjoyable trip without having to worry about getting sick.

Obviously over the counter medication can be taken (such as Dramamine) just be aware that side effects such as extreme drowsiness may occur. Another more extreme way to go is purchasing an anti sea sickness wristband. These wristbands are made specifically for those who suffer from motion
sickness. It works by targeting a certain pressure point that alleviates nausea.

Do not go out on an empty stomach, but be aware of the foods you eat beforehand. Avoid greasier foods or other foods that aren't as compatible with you. Eat fresh fruits to keep you hydrated and "neutral" foods such as bread. It has been suggested that taking ginger before the trip can help because of its soothing effects on the stomach.

Furthermore you should avoid drinking alcohol because it can increase the effects of the motion sickness. Instead drink plenty of water and stay hydrated before and during the trip.

If during the trip you do experience motion sickness focus yourself on a fixed point on the shore. Stay facing forward towards the center of the boat, the edges will have the most extreme motion. Try to stay on deck in open air. Below deck can worsen your motion sickness and laying down will increase the effects.

The most important thing to remember when if you are out on open water and suffering from seasickness is to get plenty of water, fresh air, and keep occupied. Stress can only worsen the effects of motion sickness.