fishing

Crappie Fishing Lures

2008-03-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

If you are ready to step up your fishing you will usually catch more fish using artificial baits rather then using live bait. Of course this statement is based on knowing what artificial lures to use. When you are fishing for pan fish smaller is better. Look for lures in the 1/4oz or smaller size.

List of pan fish fishing lures to use:

Curly Tail Jigs
Marabou Jigs
Weedless Spinners, (they have a jig attached) smallest you can find
Willow Leaf Blades: Silver Colorado Or Gold Blades

The above listed lures can be bought at any department store, bait shop, or online . Most of these artificial baits can be purchased for very little. Make sure when comparing prices that you compare prices for artificial baits in the 1/4oz or smaller range.

Suggested ways to use these crappie fishing lures:

When fishing a curly tail Jig, use a uniquely designed jig head with screw lock from Cabella's. It takes your bait to the bottom where the big ones are. It allows you to thread a plastic tube, or split tail onto the corkscrew and hook it through the tail. The innovative flat-bottom jig head helps the hook stand up at a 60deg angle. Your hooked bait stands up straight off the bottom and is free to move about. I recommend you use purchase and use a Karlins Lunker Curly Tail. This jig is a good choice to use when using a slip bobber rig.

When fishing Marabou jigs use the 1/8oz or 1/4oz size. A good way to fish this lure is use a slip bobber , place a split on the line so the jig falls to a set depth.

When fishing Weedless Spinner baits use the 1/16oz size . Use this bait when fishing low water visibility muddy or murky water.

When fishing the Willow Leaf Blade jigs, fish the lure very slow, again I repeat slow. If you use the 1/16oz jig, the hook will bend before you loose your jig, you can use over and over again. The larger sizes work well but they break the line when snagging. Also , put on a Karlins plastic tube Curly split tail 2" in length.

There are no guarantees that you will catch crappie with the lures shown above, but if you stick with purchasing small crappie fishing lures you up your chances of catching a good batch of crappie.

Well, good luck and good fishing!

Mark Fleagle is the owner of oldfishinghole.com Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Visit his site at oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed". You can also contact him his e-mail address admin@oldfishinghole.com

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By Mark Fleagle

Selecting Sunblock For Your Fishing Vacation

2008-03-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

No fishing vacation should ever be ruined by sunburn or sunstroke. No matter what the weather conditions are, exposure to the suns ultra violet rays can cause serious problems for anglers. The key is to be familiar with the sunblock products that are available and to know what kind of weather conditions you will encounter on your fishing trip.

Many people still get sunblock and suntan lotion confused. Sunblock is designed to actually block the suns harmful rays. This means that if you use sunblock, you will not be working on your tan. Save the tanning for another day. Instead work on having a safe fishing adventure.

For most outdoor activities a sunblock with a rating of SPF 30 or higher is recommended. SPF 15 will give you minimum exposure, but most fishermen will be out in the sun for an extended period of time and therefore should use a SPF 30 or higher rating.

Check the label to see which of the suns rays are blocked. There are two types of sunrays to consider. There are UVA and UVB rays and both can be harmful to your skin. Purchasing a sunblock that blocks both of these rays will of course give you maximum protection. The SPF rating refers to the UVB rays, so you will be looking specifically for mention of the UVA rays.

Another important thing to consider is whether your sunblock is sweatproof or waterproof. I would highly recommend you purchase a sunblock that is sweatproof, especially if your fishing vacation will entail much physical activity like walking streams or using a fishing charter. You won't know your protection has sweated away until it is to late, so take the extra precaution in a block that won't wash away easily.

Lastly I would recommend choosing the spray-on sunblock versus the traditional creams or lotions. It tends to be less messy and more importantly you won't get a large amount on your fingers and hands. This means less transfer of the sunblock to your fishing bait, spinning lure, or fishing flies. Keep in mind that fish have not been known to eat sunblock for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Your fishing vacation can be more enjoyable when you take the time to purchase and use a good sunblock. Also consider a light long sleeve shirt and wide brimmed hat for extra protection. In combination, these items will keep your fishing trip free of nasty sunburns.

Fishing vacations can be best enjoyed when the proper sun blocking precautions are used. This is especially true when you are spending much time on the water, like with a fishing charter. More fishing vacation information is available at http://www.thefishingbobber.com

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By Dean Carl

Spring Crappie Fishing

2008-03-28T22:56:00.001-07:00

Well folks now that the winter is near over and the ice is off most of the lakes, ponds, rivers and streams all we need to do know is wait for the crappie spawn to catch some big slab spring crappie. Wrong! You are missing out on some of the most amazing spring crappie fishing. The fishing pressure will be light because of the still very cold weather. If you can tolerate some very inclement weather you will experience some of the most amazing spring crappie fishing.

After ice out it is time to go out and start your spring crappie fishing. The crappie are still in deep water but will start their move into holding areas close to their spawning beds. They will be hungry and will their feeding in Ernest. The water is extremely cold, so you will have to use a very slow bait presentation. The trick is being able to locate the fish, there are some fundamentals you need to be aware of to find the big slab pre-spawn spring crappie. Oh you won't have to be out on the lake at first light either. It has been my experience , afternoon is better this time of year because there is some sun warming and the crappie feed on the moving bait fish more in the afternoon.

A good place to start your spring crappie fishing is at the last places the ice fisherman were catching crappie. If you don't ice fish contact some ice fisherman and find out their last fishing locations. The fish will be holding at these locations right after ice out. If your lake is shallow, head to the deeper boat channels around your lake, the fish will be locate here. In deeper lakes head to narrowing creaks and channels feeding off the lake the spring crappie will be located there. I rivers head for channels that feed off the main river.

When fishing In cold water I prefer ultra light equipment. When your fishing for spring crappie the bite will most likely be very light. You need to be able to feel the bite to catch fish Use 2lb test and an open face reel and a graphite rod, with a good tip. If you are breaking line and snagging a lot move to 4lb fluorocarbon.. I recommend you use 1/32oz or 1/16oz jig heads that have eyes painted on them. The color of the jig head can very, but my preference is chartreuse or pink. with split tail plastic tubes. with some glitter color. My preference is to use clear color tubes with some glitter color in them for clear water. In murky water use white or yellow. If the water is real muddy use chartreuse.

If you use these tips you will be successful. When you catch a giant slab crappie in early spring there is no better feeling. Well good luck with your spring crappie fishing.

Mark Fleagle is the owner of eaglesnestmarketing.ws and oldfishinghole.com

Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Visit his site at oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed" You can also contact him his e-mail address admin@oldfishinghole.com

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By Mark Fleagle

Deep Sea Fishing Orlando - Its All In The Weight

2008-03-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

Whether you fancy deep sea fishing in Orlando or anywhere else in the world, knowing a little about which weights and baits to use can make a huge difference when looking for that big catch.

Certain fish feed at different times of the day, if there is a particular fish that you are hoping to catch, then it is worth finding out what time of the day these fish are most active and timing your deep sea fishing trip to go out at that time of day.

As well as the right time, it is important that you use the right weights to meet the weather conditions.

You can't always tell what is happening with your line once you have cast it out into sea, but you can tell by the surface what kind of current you might expect underneath.

The way your bait moves underwater can also determine whether or not you are likely to get a bite, so using the right weights are important.

There are a number of different weights you can use, and here are just a few to give you an idea what to look out for.

Pear Shaped

Pear shaped weights are the more commonly used weights. These weights are great for normal weather conditions. They allow the bait to move around to help things look more normal to the passer by fish that are looking for a feed. However, these will not be much use in stronger currents.

Grip Leads

Grip leads are great for stronger tides when a Pear shaped weight just isn't strong enough.

Watch Leads

Watch leads are like flat rounded weights which are similar to Pear shaped weights but they won't roll around so hold the bottom of the sea bed better.

Ball Weights

Ball weights are not like the other leads. Ball weights slide onto the rod rather than being tied. As well as being used as normal weights, people also use them to give more weight to the rod.

When choosing the right weight for weather conditions you should also take into account how those weights will act underwater. It is always better to have a weight that is too heavy than a weight that is too light.

Weights that are too light will make the tackle move towards the river bank. This looks un-natural and will likely give you fewer bites than a heavier weight.

If you are on a deep sea fishing trip and you have cast out and you are not getting many bites, it is always worth experimenting with different weights as well as different bait.

You could cast out 2 rods and leave one static and experiment with the other. If you are not getting a catch in a long period of time, then it is definitely worth experimenting.

Using fresh fish as bait is always better and likely to get more bites. Bigger fish are attracted to fresh bait, so if it means you have to spend a little more on your bait, the reward that will come from it will be worth it.

If you are the kind of person who enjoys night fishing, then using a luminous bead with a torch will enable you to see where you have cast out for at least 20 seconds.

As well as this, using a head torch will ensure your hands are free when a big fish comes along.

It may sound a lot to take in for the new deep sea fisherman, but well worth taking note of to give you a better experience on your fishing trip.

Nicky Bullimore has been working in Search engine marketing and writing articles for a number of years. For more information about Deep sea fishing in Orlando and tips on Deep sea fishing, please visit the Pastime Princess website.

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By Nicola Bullimore

The Best Time Of Day To Fish

2008-03-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

As anglers, we want to be on the water whenever we can, right? What's interesting about this is that if you educate yourself a little bit and plan your fishing excursions accordingly, you can be a much more successful fisherperson. It seems like everyone knows that "mornings" are a good time of day to fish, but what is the best time of day to fish? Is there actually a best time?

In reality, there are times that are better than others, and these times of day can be predicted. They can be predicted by paying attention to Mother Nature, or more specifically the weather and moon. These two forces of Mother Nature play a big role in fish behavior, and thus fishing. As anglers, we can use this information to our advantage to make sure that we're on the water at the most opportune times.

As I said, the best time of day to fish can be determined by paying attention to the weather and moon, and then planning your fishing outings accordingly. Have you ever had one of those epic days fishing when you caught a ton of fish, and those fish were quite large as well? This probably had to do with you fishing at the "perfect time", rather than your prowess as an angler (sorry!). You were more than likely on the water when the weather and moon were both in your favor, and you didn't realize it.

In order to learn what you need to know concerning these subjects, it's not necessary to become a scholar either. All you need is the basics, and you'll be good to go. As a matter of fact, the information that's necessary can be gained in about an hour's worth of time. Becoming a meteorologist or astronomer isn't necessary.

The bottom line is that the best time of day to fish can be determined quite simply. Not only can it be determined simply, but the information is readily available. Even a simple search on the internet will yield the necessary information. The only problem with an internet search is that you'll have to wade through a lot of unnecessary and erroneous information.

The point is that the weather and moon hold the keys to the best time of day to fish. Begin using these two forces of Mother Nature to your advantage sooner, rather than later, and you will become a much more successful angler.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

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By Trevor Kugler

Underwater Fishing Lights - The Key To Night Fishing

2008-03-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Underwater lighting for fishing is not a new concept. The technology has been around for a few years. Anybody who goes night fishing on a regular basis understands the importance of these lights and uses them on a regular basis. Underwater fishing lights plain and simple attract bait fish, and we all know that bait fish attract game fish . Using underwater fishing lights can optimally up your chances for a successful night fishing trip.

Underwater fishing lights are not a catch all for night fishing. You still need to do your research on being at the right place to catch your particular species, but with the addition of underwater lighting you will increase your fish catch dramatically.

One of the main reasons underwater fishing lighting works so well to catch game fish is because most of the game fish have a distinct advantage over the "food chain" at night. The "food chain" is attracted by the underwater fishing lights but they cannot react quickly enough to escape the game fish.

The reason Game fish have an advantage ,is because most of them can detect color at night. This creates a distinct advantage for the game fish over the food chain because not only can they detect change in light intensity but also color contrast. It has been known for sometime that fish , shrimp, and insects are attracted to light at night , but you probably are asking yourself what color is best at night? The answer to this question is the color blue or green because they attract both the food chain and the game fish.

There is commercial underwater lighting that get there power source from a land based systems, but these systems are used primarily by shoreline landowners and will not be discussed here . When looking for a quality underwater fishing light look for the following properties in order,

1)high intensity

2)emit it's light color similar to the fishes space (blue or green)

3) powered by a portable electrical power supply

4) be submersible. Property number 4 is recommended because land based or boat mounted lights loose a great deal of their light energy to the reflection off the surface of the water.

Because of the power usage limitations of halogen and incandescent light sources, I recommend you narrow your search for a good portable underwater fishing light to florescent types, because there power consumption is a 10th of the power used by the other light sources. When comparing prices you need to look for the following specifications. The best florescent submersibles use 25-40watts of power , and they emit 1000 to 3000 lumens per tube. Remember from above, intensity of the light and color are key factors in attraction both the game fish and the "food chain" so look for these key elements when comparing pricing. The best underwater fishing florescent light units both blue and green, range in cost between 160$ to 200$ and go down from there, keep in mind , in most cases the cheaper the cost the lower the quality, and further you will be from the 1000 to 3000 lumens intensity.

In conclusion,Make Sure to check the quality of a listed underwater light before you purchase, remember , cheaper is not always better when purchasing a underwater fishing light. Well That raps up my article GOOD LUCK ! And good fishing!

Get Your free copy of "78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed" by visiting my site below.

Mark Fleagle is the owner of eaglesnestmarketing.ws and oldfishinghole.com Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Visit his site at oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed" You can also contact him his e-mail address admin@oldfishinghole.com

By Mark Fleagle

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Minnesota Walleye Fishing

2008-03-05T01:19:00.000-08:00

Minnesota is known for its outstanding walleye fisheries. There are thousands of lakes in this state and the one thing that remains constant throughout most of them is that the lakes have walleye swimming in them. There are plenty of other species to target in Minnesota, but no other fish gets targeted more in the state. Walleye are easy to fillet and they taste great which makes them a favorite of many anglers.

There are so many lakes in the state that have walleye, but this article will focus on the bigger lakes that are some of the best vacation spots for anglers. Some of the lakes that are targeted for walleye are Mille Lacs Lake, Cass Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion and Rainy Lake.

Mille Lacs lake is a huge lake with 132,000 acres of water to fish. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet, but there are plenty of shallow mud flats that on the north end of the lake that hold lots of walleye. There are tons of walleye in the 2 to 3 pound range, which are perfect size for eating. Once you find the walleye, you should be able to fill up the livewell with keeper fish.

Rainy Lake is located in the northern part of Minnesota and there are plenty of walleye to catch in this lake. Rainy Lake is a common lake that is featured on television shows. There are lots of walleye with tons of scenery to give you the ultimate outdoor experience. Crankbaits that resemble perch do very well on Rainy Lake. This lake is also very popular for houseboating in the summer time.

Leech Lake is a very popular lake for fishing vacations. The lake is a big lake and it may take some time to learn, but it will definitely reward you when you find the hot spots. There are plenty of weed lines to go along with some flats, and deep water humps that will hold walleye. It is very common to catch big perch and northern pike in the same spots that you will be catching your walleye on this lake.

Lake Winnibigoshish, also called Lake Winnie, is an excellent walleye lake. This is another big lake, but there are plenty of walleye and a very good northern pike fishery. Many anglers like to go out and catch their walleye for dinner and then fish for northern pike for action. There are a lot of pike in the 20 to 29 inch range with 30 to 35 inch fish being common.

The other lakes that were mentioned above are also very good places to plan a walleye fishing trip to. You can find more information on all of these lakes to go along with lodging, fishing guides and more on our Minnesota fishing page.

Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site

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Fishing

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By Kevin Sewell

Wisconsin Smallmouth Bass Fishing

2008-03-03T11:01:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin is a great state for catching smallmouth bass. There are plenty of lakes and rivers to fish where you can consistently catch these fish. This article will focus on some of the more popular places to fish for smallmouth bass.

Door County is the place to go if you are looking to catch a big fish. Fish in the 2 to 3 pound range are very common and there are many fish bigger than 5 pounds in the Lake Michigan waters that surround Door County. The most popular place to catch these fish in Door County would have to be Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay is known for producing some excellent results in the spring with experienced anglers boating 40 to 50 fish in day. When the fish move in shallow, you can catch them all along the shorelines. The nice thing about Door County is that this area is one of the top vacation destinations in the midwest so you can bring the family and everyone should be able to find something to do.

Lake Geneva is another great smallmouth bass destination in Wisconsin. This lake is very popular among boaters, so try to get out here in the spring and fall for the best fishing opportunities. If you do fish during the summer, don't be afraid to fish 30 to 50 feet of water. There will be schools of bass sitting in the deeper water and the local bait shop tells me that there are actually two thermoclines during the summer. In the spring and fall, more bass will be in the 12 to 16 foot range making them a lot easier to catch. Even though this lake is a great smallmouth bass lake, fishing can be extremely tough and most anglers choose to only fish with live bait. There is a ton of fishing pressure on Lake Geneva, but some of the locals know how to catch their limit consistently. Learn the hot spots and you will catch lots of smallmouth bass in between 16 and 20 inches.

Smallmouth bass can also be caught in most of the lakes in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, although they are not as abundant as the walleye and muskie. There are trophy smallmouth in the 4 to 5 pound range in many of these lakes. Lake Winnebago has some decent fishing for smallmouth bass as well.

In my opinion, if you could only go one place, I would tell you to head to Sturgeon Bay of Door County for a week in the spring, early summer or fall. Hire a fishing guide and learn as much as you can, then try to hit the same spots or other similar areas with your own boat during the rest of your trip.

To find more information on fishing, guides, lodging and more, take a look at our Wisconsin fishing page.

Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site

Take a look at our most popular pages on our website. You will find everything you need from these pages.

Fishing

Fish

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By Kevin Sewell

The Best Time To Go Fishing

2008-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

The best time to go fishing is anytime you can, am I right? As anglers we're all well aware of this fact, but the bottom line is that there are times during the day, week, and month that are more productive than others. In this article we're going to discuss a couple of ways to figure out the best time to go fishing. When you figure out how to be on the water at the appropriate times, your catch rates will increase dramatically.

So, how do we figure out which times are the best times to be on the water? This is actually much simpler than you might have imagined. It has to do with paying attention to the weather and moon. These two forces of Mother Nature have as much to do with the best time to go fishing as any single two factors, even what type of bait or lure you choose to employ.

Many anglers don't realize this simple fact. The best way to determine the best time to go fishing is to learn the ways in which these two factors impact fish and fish behavior. Don't worry, there's no need to become a meteorologist or astronomer. All you have to do is learn the basics, which can be accomplished with an hour or so of study. The best time to go fishing is directly related to these two forces of Mother Nature.

The bottom line is that determining the best time to go fishing has a ton to do with both the weather and moon. For example, did you know that fish are much more active when the moon is in certain phases? It's true, and when fish are more active you (the angler) get many more bites. The phases of the moon are incredibly important to pay attention to. Just making sure that you're on the water fishing when the moon is in a certain phase will mean that you'll catch more fish.

How about the weather? Do you know what happens to fish when the weather changes? Or more importantly how the fish react to changing weather? Things like fronts passing through your fishing area have an incredible impact on the feeding behavior of fish, and understanding how this all works is integral to becoming a truly good angler. It really is incredible how the weather and moon affect the behavior of fish.

Have you ever had one of those epic days fishing, where it seemed like no matter what you threw into the water resulted in fish being caught? Most of us have, and I can tell you from experience that days like this have as much to do with the weather and moon as our prowess as anglers. Begin using the weather and moon to your advantage and you'll begin catching many more fish. And hey, what the worst that could happen? You wasted five minutes reading an article, and you catch the same amount of fish as you always have? Yep, that's the worst that could happen.

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By Trevor Kugler

Catch More Fish - The Simple, Free Way To Increase Strikes By 50% Or More - Guaranteed!

2008-03-01T05:27:00.000-08:00

You can double or even triple the number of fish you catch right now. It's easy and, best of all, free. You don't need to give a dime to any big tackle companies or to the big chain stores. The only thing it will cost you is a little time.

The secret is so simple and easy that it often goes overlooked by both beginning and experienced anglers. Don't waste years of fishing experimenting with costly fishing lures or gimmicks. In just a few minutes a day, you can instantly increase the number of fish you catch without spending a dime.

The Easiest Way to Catch More Fish

The secret anyone can use to catch more fish is improving casting. Many anglers never actually practice their casting. Improving your casting is such a simple way to increase strikes that it often goes overlooked by most anglers. Many anglers don't even think about casting until they are on the water. Inaccurate casting dramatically decreases your chances of catching big fish. Don't assume you are a proficient caster just because you've caught fish or because you've been fishing for a long time. Don't make the same mistake that I did-take this test now to see if you can cast.

The Test that Tripled the Number of Fish I Caught

The tackle companies and chain stores make big profits from unsuspecting anglers. In fact, according the the US Fish and Wildlife Service, sportspersons spent an estimated $34 billion in 2001 alone. The fishing industry spends a lot of money on packaging and sponsorships to try to convince anglers that they know all about what catches fish. They would like you to believe that their expensive "scientifically tested" lures are catching you fish, but it just may be where your lure or bait landed that actually caught the fish. Take the test in this article before wasting any money on overpriced lures or gimmicks.

Monster Bass are Lazy. You Can't Be!

Big fish are lazy. They are looking to gain the most amount of energy for the least amount of work. They are like a teenager sitting on a couch watching TV. If you put cheese doodles on the coffee table, they will be eaten in an instant, but if you place the cheese doodles ten feet away, out of an arm's reach, you will dramatically decrease the chance that they will be eaten. It doesn't matter if you substitute cheese puffs for cheese doodles. The closer the food gets to the teenager, the more likely it is to be eaten. It is the accuracy of the bait; it is the same way with fish. You've got to put your lure or bait where fish will not have to expend energy.

The biggest fish, especially bass, are smart and lazy. They have learned to stay close to cover where they can be protected while waiting to ambush prey. One of the best places to find fish is in structure. Structure could be any number of things: docks, boat ramps, rocks, trees, stumps, bridges, or any other place fish can find protection and still meet their basic needs. Not all structure holds fish, but if you can find structure located next to deep water, there is a good chance fish will be holding there. If you scare fish with inaccurate casts, they will often head to deeper water until they feel safe enough to return. This decreases your chances of catching them.

You May Not Get a Second Chance to Make Fish Strike

The first cast you make has the highest probability of generating a reaction strike. On certain days, only the first cast will catch fish. If you've ever cast and gotten a strike, but then didn't get any more strikes, the first strike was most likely a reaction strike. You may not get a second chance at a large fish. If your cast is off by even a foot, you might send a lunker into deeper water where it will wait for a more accurate caster to come along and catch it.

The Cast is More Important Than the Lure

An amazing lure that a fish never sees won't catch fish. You can generate reaction strikes with some simple lures and they do not to be expensive. Instead of wasting money on expensive lures that promise to catch fish, it is a better idea to put five minutes a day into developing a great cast.

Seven Ways You Can Catch More Fish By Improving Your Casting

When you can consistently and accurately cast a lure 20-30 feet, you'll catch more fish. Becoming a great caster can double the number of fish you catch. Pinpoint accuracy can be the difference between a fish in the boat or just a splash on the water.

• Most anglers don't get as much time as they would like to on the water, and without knowing it, many anglers are practicing their casting while they are fishing. This is not the time to practice casting! Imagine if the only time basketball players practiced shooting was during a game! Their shooting percentages would plummet. It is the same with fishing. Practice at home in the off season and your percentages will go up.

• Practicing casting is a great way to cure cabin fever in the off season.

• Practicing casting will help you become more familiar with your equipment as well as maintaining it for fishing trips.

• If you can't cast with pinpoint accuracy, you will not be able to access some of the best spots to catch fish, deep in heavy cover.

• If you can't cast with pinpoint accuracy you will get snagged. While you're snagged your lure or bait isn't in the water and you are decreasing your chances of catching fish.

• If you are releasing a snag, you will be scaring fish and adding frustration to your day.

• Increasing your casting ability creates instant confidence. Confidence is the most important factor in fishing.

You're TEN Casts Away From a Ten Pound BASS-Take This Test!

Here's the test every angler should take.

Take a lure or weight and rig it to your fishing pole. If you are using a lure, take off the hooks. Try to practice with a weight equal to what you would typically fish with.

Mark off 15-20 feet. Place a plate or frisbee on the ground. Step back and make ten casts. Keep track of how often you get the lure on the target.

Keep track of how many casts it takes you to hit the target? Imagine there is huge fish waiting under the target. Your chances of catching that fish dramatically decrease with each successive cast. The goal is to hit the target directly on the first cast, every time. If you can't do this, practice for a few weeks and it will become second nature. You'll catch more fish, guaranteed.

When Did you Hit the Target?

1st Cast: If you hit the target on the first cast, you can often generate a reaction strike. If you generate a reaction strike, almost any lure will cause a fish to strike. At this point the fish is often just reacting. Be ready to set your hook.

2nd Cast: You may be able to generate a reaction strike if you hit the target on this cast.

3rd Cast: You still have a shot at getting the fish, but you will most likely not generate a reaction strike.

4th Cast: If you haven't hit the target yet, you might be able to entice the fish to strike by using another method or lure.

5th Cast-10th Cast:

It is better to move on to a new location if you haven't hit the target by now. Although you may still get a strike, the fish is probably weary and will be harder to catch, even if it will take your lure.

Every time your cast lands off target, there is a good chance that you are scaring off wary fish. Instead of startling the fish and generating a reaction strike, you just scared it into not striking. Increase your accuracy, and you'll increase your confidence, and you'll catch more fish. Can you consistently hit a small target with a lure? Professional anglers know the importance of casting. They practice, and you should too!

Test #2 Catch Even More Fish

To dramatically increase the number of fish you catch, you will need to cast into structure, not around structure. This second test will simulate a fish holding in structure. If you hit any thing other than the target, you should consider yourself snagged. A snag that needs to be released by hand instantly drops your chances of catching fish in that area. If you have to unhook a snag, there is a good chance that you will scare of all the fish in a 20-30 foot radius. Work on your cast until you can hit the target without hitting the chair. Do this and you will catch more fish.

Take a chair and put it over the plate. Push the plate four inches back from the front legs of the chair. Cast ten times. How long did it take you to hit the target?

Most anglers practice their casting while they are fishing. If you want to increase your strikes by 50%, 60%, 70% or more, practice your casting at home and catch fish when you go fishing.

Michael Stead is the author of Fishing with a Fork: Secrets the Fishing Industry Doesn't Want you to Know. After being disappointed by countless lures and gimmicks that promised to catch fish, he started creating his own lures from ordinary household materials. He was shocked by his results. He is a teacher. He raises both trout and worms. For more information, he can be contacted at http://www.fishingwithafork.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Stead

By Michael Stead

Carp Fishing - Chumming for Carp

2008-02-28T19:39:00.000-08:00

Chumming is when you throw bait into the water to draw them to your bait. Many experienced carp anglers already understand the importance of chumming to catch more carp. While chumming is not legal in some states, it is legal in most and it can be very effective. Before you start chumming, make sure to check your state's fishing regulations.

There are many different baits to use for carp fishing, but most anglers in the United States prefer using corn while most anglers in the U.K. prefer using boilies. You can chum with the same bait that you are planning on using for bait or you can chum with many different baits.

I have seen people chum for carp with dough balls, boilies, corn, bread and dog food. I can't think of any other baits to chum with, but I am sure there are plenty of others to use. I personally prefer using corn to chum because I catch carp with corn. I think it is a smart idea to chum with the same bait because carp will enter the area and they will start eating the food that you laid out for them. If you chummed with corn, they might eat 10 to 12 kernels or more before they see your bait and pick it up. Your bait now becomes just another kernel of corn for them to eat. It just makes sense and it does work. You can definitely chum with corn and fish with boilies, dough balls, or nightcrawlers if you want.

There have been times that I chummed with corn and I fished with very big doughballs. The theory behind this is to hopefully catch a big fish with a big bait. Through my experience, corn mixed with a little vanilla extract gets a lot more bites though.

So, now that you know that chumming works, let's talk about a few tips that will help you chum more effectively. If you are fishing a new lake, pond or even a new area on a body of water, I prefer chumming a lot. I recommend using half a can to a full can of corn before you cast your lines out. There is a strategy to this though. I try to chum in a straight line along the shoreline or from shallow to deep, but I keep it a straight line. Then, I put a lot more in a smaller circle, which is where I will cast my lines. The goal is to get them to follow the trail of corn to get to the pot of gold basically. When they get to the big circle of food, they will hopefully stay long enough to take my bait.

If I am fishing a spot that has a lot of fish or a spot that I have chummed regularly, I only chum in the exact spot that I fish and I only throw a couple of handfuls. If they are in the area, they will find my chum, but the goal is to overfeeding them. I want them to take my bait. For more information on carp, take a look at our carp fishing page.

Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site

Take a look at our most popular pages on our website. You will find everything you need from these pages.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Sewell

By Kevin Sewell

Bass Fishing Tournament Etiquette

2008-01-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

Bass fishing in tournaments doesn't seem like a sport in which "proper etiquette" really means much. I've fished many bass tournaments in Florida and found out through experience that it is very important.

Let's look at this bass tournament scenario. You get up early in the morning preparing for your fishing trip. You then drink a couple cups of coffee, light up a cigarette and take care the 3 s's before you hitch up your boat. Once on the road you have a nice conversation with your "draw" partner on where you're going to start and what you're gonna throw so you guys can catch loads of fish in your favorite honey hole.

By the end of the tournament, you weigh in your fish and manage to get 5th place! Lucky for you, the tournament had enough entries to pay all the way to 7th place. You are real happy until a few of the guys give you the "bird" and say some unpleasant things to you. Then you think, "What's their problem?"

It isn't until you partner says he's getting a ride home with someone else and starts taking his tackle out of your boat that you start thinking it maybe something you did.

Let's replay the tournament day.

Early that morning you get up a little late 'cause you forgot to set your alarm clock. Once on the road, you swing by to pick up your partner. He asks why you didn't call him telling him you would be a little late and you respond: "I didn't have time!" You also tell him that your swinging by the gas station and he needs to fill up the boat and truck since you make the boat and insurance payments. You emphasis that it's normal for the "draw" partner to do this.

You finally get to the boat launch area and wait patiently in the line of trucks to launch your boat. You leave your lights on so anyone coming behind you will see you. When you get to the front of the line you and your partner exit the truck, and start boat launch preparation. You put in the drain plug, take off your transom saver, pull of your safety straps, put in your boat lights, etc, etc. About 10 minutes later, your partner finally start backing you and the boat down the ramp. The sky is starting to light up from the early morning sun. The two trucks behind you start to honk their horns! You shout back, "You shoulda got here earlier!"

The boat is finally launched, you beach the boat and pick up your partner. The tournament director had already started to call the boats numbers out as many of them were already going down the lake. Your boat number had already been called, and there were about 20 other boats still waiting, so you quickly take off leaving a huge wake right in the middle of the waiting boats.

As you approach your fishing hole, you see another boat sitting right on your spot! The spot is a bulrush line which is loaded with bedding fish, but it's only about 30 yards long. You are real anxious so you don't get off plane until your right on the weedline. You quickly lower your trolling motor, pick up your bedding fish rig and start pitching the pockets and points along the bulrush patch. Your partner is doing the same thing, in fact he get's the 1st fish around 2 pounds and you tell him to swing it in like a "real" man.

The other boat doesn't have an anchor down nor has his trolling motor up so you edge to within 20 feet of his boat and as you do you get your 1st fish on. You yell at your partner to get the net and he quickly scoops up your nice 2 pound fish. You give him a high five for a nice netjob!

On the 1st pass, you noticed that the fish were getting spooked from their beds as you approached, so you decide to try to keep the boat outside of the weedline, with the nose of the boat pointing towards the weeds, and the back of the boat out in the main lake. You figure this tactic will keep 'em from spooking.

By about 10 AM, you have your limit and the tactic of keeping the back of the boat out of the weeds paid off. Your partner still only has one fish, but you think that he just doesn't know how to fish. He then asks you if he can share the front deck of the boat with you and you tell him no, there's no room and he'll mess up your hookset.

About noon, you've culled a few fish but can't seem to get a nice kicker fish. You see the other boat land a nice one, so you put your trolling motor on high and take the inside track in the bulrush patch right in front of the other boat. Your about 30 feet from the other boat, but buried up in the bulrush patch, scouting for bigger fish. You see a nice one about 4 pounds on a bed. The fish doen't seem to want anything as you toss just about everything in your tacklebox at it. Finally, you tie on a tube bait and "Wam" the 4 pounder hits, your partner quickly nets it and into the live well it goes.

You only have 30 minutes to go and to play it safe you decide to go. You fire up the big motor right in the middle of the weeds and take off, sending a nice wake into the other boat.

You get to the weighin with about 25 minutes left and beach it. You kick back waiting for the director while your partner takes off for the nearest restroom.

OK, so my story is a little extreme but lets look at the missing etiquette:

1- Always leave on time. Your partner won't worry and you'll get to the ramp and not hold up anyone.

2- Turn off your headlights while waiting in the launch line. Keep your parking lights on. This will prevent you from blinding the person that is backing the boat down the ramp!

3- Prepare for boat lauch long before you get to the front of the line. This will speed up the entire launch process for everyone.

4- Never plane right in the middle of a bunch of boats. You need to get beyond the last standing boat before you take off on plane.

5- Always give some room to another boat even if they don't have their trolling motor up/anchor down especially if they are there 1st. In the scenario above, you should only respectfully fish the furthest bulrush from the boat that is there or maybe not even fish there at all until he leaves. At least ask if he minds if you do decide to share the spot with him. If he says yes, you are way better off in the long run to leave. Your day will come!

6- Always net fish (if allowed by the tournament) and don't wait for the partner to ask you to get the net. If your partner prefers you not to net the fish, he'll tell you.

7- Always be considerate of your partners fishing position. In this scenarion, he didn't stand a chance because he was too far away to site fish! Offer him a chance at the front of the boat. In fact most tournaments (not the proams) state they have 50% share in running the trolling motor. At least ask, and if he refuses because he's not comfortable running it then fine.

8- Fish until the last possible minute with a slight safety factor unless you have a large limit of fish , especially if your draw partner isn't doing well. In this scenario, give you partner the full front of the boat and let him choose his spots.

9- Draw partners should only pay 50% of the fuel bill for both the tow vehicle and boat. If they drove to the ramp themselves, then they need only pay 50% of the boat fuel.

If you follow these bass fishing tips, you'll have a better relationship with all the fishing community!

by: Paul Bruessow

Articles source
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/recreation_and_sports/article_2969.shtml

Trout Fishing Tips

2008-01-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

In fishing, trout are the favorite “fishing friends” of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout. For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.
On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.
In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.
2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.
3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.
4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.
5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.
Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

Are Lures importants ?

2007-12-20T07:26:00.001-08:00

Jerk baits

Having no movement of its own when in the water, the angler gives life to this lure; whenever the rod trembles or shakes or jerks, this lure can appear to have life. This lure for the most part, mimics an injured or wounded fish that the prey fish find tempting, and be compelled to thrust or lunge at.

Surface lures

These lures are used on the water surface and considered to be the most explosively thrilling of all lures as one could actually see the fish taking the lure, and the anticipation and the expectation of one looking forward of the take is an exciting experience. The fish can be completely seen exiting the water when they send off at a surface lure. Since these lures are being retrieved on the surface of the water, they can be a good choice in areas that have a lot of weed.

Spinners

The spinner is basically a blade wherein it does a rotating action on a spindle when being retrieved or taken back through the water as well as it gives off a flash as light is being reflected on the revolving blade, characterizing the bait fish’s scales and movements. This is a lure that is flexible because only can one verify and know the retrieve depth by the period or time frame one leaves before one starts a retrieve, one can also alter the speed of the revolving blade around the spindle, by either speeding up or slowing down one’s retrieve. For the Trout and Mullet, a smaller size is recommended, and a larger spinner with the pike liking, along with the treble hook in a red wool.

Suspending plugs

Having neutral buoyancy and resistance, when the plug has dived or dropped to the required depth and left alone, it will continue on being suspended to that depth. For this reason, this type is perfect for pursuing your prey hidden near the weed beds, rocks or banks. When yanked in order to imitate life to the plug, it causes some crashing attack from your target.

Floating drivers

A necessity for all lure anglers, they cover a wide scope in diving depths; beginning from just beneath the surface up to fifteen feet or more. The diving depth is established on the point of view of the vane or fin to the body of the lure. The lesser the angle to the body of the lure the deeper it can dive. The shape as well as the size of the vane and the lures body contributes to the movement of the plug in the water.

Spoons

Considered the most simple of all other lures, they got their name because they look like the head of a spoon. They act for the bait fish by doing a flickering and wobbling movement or action. Spoons are excellent for starters in lure fishing; easy to use and very affordable.

Sinking plugs

These are excellent for deep water fishing, wherein the retrieve can start soon as the preferred depth is reached. This is accomplished by counting down before one starts the retrieval process. Therefore, the same depth will be reached whenever one casts. The distance that the lure has sunk down in a particular time, will give a suggestion of how deep or how far down the fish are situated when they strike; thus this is called the sink rate of the lure.

Soft baits

This is soft rubber bait that comes in various shapes and forms, with matching sizes and colors. These are commonly used for sea and fresh water fishing, which can be used on a weighted jig head handled in the same manner as the jerk bait, being managed as a plug is used.

Bass Fishing - More Fishing Skills By Going That Step Further

2007-12-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

More Knowledge more fish - want to know more...
Bass Fishing is becoming just as popular as a day out at the zoo or a picnic in the local park. Family day outings are now involving bass fishing. At this present moment in time Bass fishing is supposedly to be the number one freshwater sport in the USA and anyone who participates in this very self fulfilling sport will proudly tell you why. Approximate figures show that the bass fishing industry is between 65 to 70% higher than most other forms of fresh water fishing.

Over two decades - Bass Fishing has scaled to monetary heights reaching over the million dollar barrier which has now over these years become an industry worth 4.8 Billion dollars.
Bass Fishing is on the increase in numbers where the demand is phenomenal among new anglers. What is it about this freshwater sport - well this is an outdoor activity that is very relaxing as well as rewarding when the fish start to bite. Bass fishing can be a hobby taken to a pro level status where tournaments are entered to show off the anglers fishing skills.

Remember what ever sport you engage yourself in - practice makes perfect and that goes for bass fishing also. So the more time you spend on the water - the more knowledge intake on the dos and don't's.

When angling for bass it is a good idea to have an expert in this field to guide and give you instructions on your first couple of attempts - at least till you get to know the ropes. An experienced bass fisherman can educate you on the techniques, fishing tackle and lure and in some cases enlightens you on how the fish thinks. Believe it or not - it has proven to be successful for many bass fishing enthusiasts.

If competing in tournaments is your goal then remember to learn all the tricks of the trade. Bass Fishing can be very competitive - you need to be in the know to reach pro level. Depending on your dedication and passion towards the sport then why not consider making a career out of bass fishing by teaching other avid anglers what you know.

Fishing for bass is for every one of all ages - women worldwide are taking to the waters as well as the kiddies.

It is important that children should never be left unattended or unsupervised at any time. This is an outdoor sport which is enjoyed by people the whole world over and why not when the rewards are so great when the catch is bigger than you anticipated.

If this sport is to become a serious part of your life where you want to take it to the next level then you need more information under your hat. You need to know the best location, best bass lure/bait and what fishing equipment to use.

By going that step further and checking out Bass Fishing sites online will give your more intimate details on the skills needed for a sport that is spreading like an epidemic the whole world over.

Wade in and cast that rod to be the envy of all other anglers with your catch http://www.bassfishingskills.com. Don’t like smelling of fish http://www.bodyodoursmell.com

By Maisy Day
Published: 5/17/2006

Fishing Equipment.

2007-12-11T10:05:00.001-08:00

The main objective is to match the rod, the reel, the line and the lure. These will only cost a newbie around $25 to $40 and they could last for years. The 3 main issues when shopping for a rod are: Guides that are attached to the rod; Grip or handle holds the rod and could come in either cork or foam. They come in different lengths so the comfort to the user must be considered; and the reel seat where the reel is connected.

Dealers make a lot of fishing rods that could either be single or consist of two or more pieces when assembled. The connection is very simple; just connect the male and female ends together to make sure the guides are lined up. This would only last for a minutes. Sometimes, lubricants are needed. When shopping for a rod, slightly bend it to get the feel of it. Again comfort should be considered when using the equipment.

Rods of any type will work. It should be around 6' long and medium weight. Even a long stick will work. This should be long, straight and flexible so it will not easily break. The most popular rod is Graphite because it is so light yet so strong. Wispy rods should be up to 4m long to be used for long casts in moderate winds.

There are a lot of fishing lines to choose from and it can be very confusing to find the best. It is mostly made of nylon and "monofilament" that comes in spools of different lengths that are called Tests. The larger the fishing line the thicker it is in diameter. Find a piece of a 4lb. or 4 lb. Test that is almost 10' long for the basic rig.

The basic rule is that all the gears should match. To summarize your fishing kit, it should include other stuff as well: net, stringer, line clippers, fishing knife, first aid box, a pail of bait, sunglasses, fishing hat, and talking about the basics, don't forget your SNACKS!

Fishing is fun.

2007-12-11T10:02:00.000-08:00

Fishing is a fun sport that lets you spend quiet time with your friends, family and with Mother Nature. Fresh water fishing is a sport involving the catching of fish in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of acquired skill over time. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids.

To start, you have to check your State’s fishing requirements and make sure if a license is needed for you to fish. If it is required, you must acquire one by checking with a sporting goods store. They will help you how to get it, and some will even provide it for you.Knowing the line type and matching the right rod and reel to the fishing technique is just basic common sense. Match these tools appropriately and expect a more enjoyable experience for a more comfortable fishing. There are several things that causes the reel to turn into a bird's nest, don't worry, even experienced fishermen encounter this every now and then.

During the time that you are in your favorite sporting goods store, you can look around and buy the right fishing equipment that you will be need for your trip. Considering that you are a beginner, make sure that you budget well the cost and your spending on the equipment, not deciding on expensive equipments; buy only the basic things you will need.

When in doubt as to what is needed, ask the help of the store keeper, but do keep in mind that you need to stick to a budget. Take your time and don’t hesitate to ask how to use each piece of equipment that is offered to you. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your back yard.

An inexpensive fishing rod and reel will be enough along with a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. A polarized sunglass is also essential, as it will help to see clearly through the water and lessen the glare.

Then if you don’t know the good locations to fish, ask about local “hot” spots, or check your State’s fishing regulations for information about fishing locations around your State.

The time will surely come when you will be a better fisherman; then you may decide on upgrading your equipment. In the meantime, keep things simple.

It is always advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help.

It is wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Aim your cast in shady or rocky areas where the water is deep, as this is where the fish is expected to be found. Keep in mind that this is all practice first.

As your skill level develops and increases, you can then attempt into deeper waters. But before going, take the time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your rod and your reel.

What better place to practice than your back yard. To do so, mark off an area using a rope and use this as your guide in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you. Bear in mind, cast with your wrist, and not with your arm.

Fishing hooks are very sharp and needed to be handled with care to avoid injury. Before casting, it is important that you should look around you and stay unobstructed to avoid hurting other people with your hook.

When the right time has come and you go fishing for real, keep in mind to cast your line always ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish will see well at a close point, but cannot see behind.

If your casts are going in a disorganized manner, move closer to the water so you can gain better accuracy.

Watch the bobber closely for any movement. If and when a fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. Don’t get too excited. Remain calm.

Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. Place the net near and use it to bring the fish out. Remove the hook from the fish with great care.

If you got an undersized fish (as noted in the state’s regulation book), quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it and return it to the water. Releasing the fish will supply the water with more fish, giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.

Lastly, look around you and feel the calm, restful and serene view of the river.

The Bass Fishing Tackle Guide

2007-12-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

The hobby of bass fishing has become so popular a pastime that if you happen to go near a river or lake then chances are you are going to find a group of people who are serious enthusiasts. The tackle and techniques used for bass fishing are a little different from the norm, but in my opinion bass fishing is the most fun.

Of course bass fishing tackle involves the usual weights and swivels and these tend to be bigger than those used in normal freshwater fishing. If you are planning on going bass fishing it pays to find specialist bass fishing tackle. Your preferred technique has a heavy influence on your choice of tackle, for instance. If you want to fish with a plastic worm then you are going to need a hook and weight set up that will keep the plastic worm on the bottom.

The particular size and type of weight is wholly dependent on the depth of water in which you are fishing and it's worth noting that the water and weather conditions also make a difference. Faster flowing water requires a heavier weight than still water and if there are many obstructions in the water you may also want to use a heavier line just in case of snagging.

In less clear water you may like to use fourteen to twenty pound test but it is important to take in the situation as there will often be changes to make to your set up. If for instance you are fishing with a plastic worm Carolina style, it is best to use a thicker line up to the weight and swivel then use a lighter line on the hook side, this allows the plastic worm to float around two to three feet off the bottom.

The Carolina rig is best used when the bottom of the lake, river or pond you are fishing has lots of grass and weeds on the bottom. This enables the worm to float just above the level of the grass. As you can see there is a lot more to plastic worm fishing when using bass fishing tackle.

Other Reasons For using Bass Fishing Tackle

If you are planning to go bass fishing it is important to know what type of fishing you are planning t to do. It is often a good idea to take along more than one rod rigged for the differing situation you may encounter. This means that if conditions change while you are out fishing you can just pick up another rod and continue to fish.

There is an extensive choice of bass fishing tackle available on the market today so it is easy therefore to cater for the many differing situations you many encounter. When considering bass fishing tackle it is important to consider the type of reel that you will be using. The common choices are used for spinning tackle or an open faced reel. Bait casters can be hard to use if you only use them every once in a while as they need practice. However with practice bait casters are the most reliable for hitting a specific spot time after time. With all this said the most important choice is to choose a rod and reel combination that you feel comfortable with.

By Blake Stuart

Antique Fishing Lures

2007-12-06T05:11:00.000-08:00

Fishing is hobby that is enjoyed by various people. These myriad numbers think of fishing as being a test between themselves and the fish. To prove their superiority over these kings of the water many artifices are employed. Among these will be fishing lures. Both the new breed and the antique fishing lures will be employed.

While the new fishing lures are designed to look sleek and reminiscent of live bait the antique fishing lures don't have that particular look. In fact the general look of these olden fishing lures is that of stiffness and a partial look to the insects that they are trying to replicate. You will find that it is somewhat difficult to actually find and buy one of these antique fishing lures.

By keeping your eyes open for this information you can be assured that you will be able to participate in your favorite pastime without needing to worry about factors like reduced numbers of bass varieties. The antique fishing lures can reveal interesting information like where you can get the bass fishing.

There are other types of antique fishing lures that you will find in bass fishing. These antique fishing lures can be bought in a variety of places. The best place to get these bass lures is on the internet and auction houses. These antique fishing lures are perfect for a successful fishing trip.

These places where you can get these antique lures will have different varieties of fishing lures. The prices of these lures can be seen to be different. There are times when you can find these antique fishing lures in the shops where you can buy lures, live bait and even tackle.

In Bass fishing the antique fishing lures you allow you to fish is a style that is reminiscent of yesteryear. The lodgings where you can stay while allow you to relax while you prepare these antique fishing lures for your fishing trip. You can ask other anglers where the best places to get antique fishing lures are.

Some of these bass antique fishing lures can be found in bass fishing magazines. These magazines will sometimes allow their subscribers to post digital pictures about the antique fishing lures they have found.

The various sites that you can find about antique fishing lures will provide you with a clear idea about the wonders of bass antique fishing lures. Armed with this information from the bass fishing reports you can plan an exciting trip looking for the perfect antique fishing lures to indulge in some great bass fishing.

Visit New Bass Fishing Resource full of great tips at http://www.fishing.extrafindouts.com

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By Uladzislau Suski

Boat Fishing Tips and Tricks

2007-12-02T08:19:00.001-08:00

Take fishing to another level - in a boat. But what kind of boat and where to fish? That is the question! Find out about the various ways you and your family can enjoy boat fishing.

Boat Fishing

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

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

Freshwater Boats

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

Offshore Saltwater Boats

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

Inshore Saltwater Boats

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

Bass Boats

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

Float Tubes

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

It's always a good idea to speak to experienced anglers who either have their own boat or use one regularly. They can give you lots of help in deciding which type of boat is right for you. Read magazines, guides, and talk to your local boat charter service. Fishermen generally love to talk about boats, and you can learn a lot to help you select the perfect fishing boat for your needs.

Steve Dolan is an experienced and keen fisherman, who enjoys the outdoors almost as much as catching the fish! Click on Boat Fishing and Boat Fishing Trips to find more articles and information
By Steve Dolan
Published: 11/29/2006

Glow Fishing Lures Catch More Fish

2007-12-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

Learn how glowing lures are simply catching more fish.
The foundational art of fishing will forever be the same but these days some fishermen are using new methods and equipment to reel in more fish. Advanced technology has improved traditional equipment markedly over the last number of years. Rods, reels, lures, and any other type of equipment is steadily improving making it easier for fishermen to catch more fish. One improvement that has proven itself advantageous is the glowing lure.

The secret behind a glowing lure is the light it is able to produce underneath the water. There are two types of glowing lures: those with photoluminescence, like a glow in the dark stick, and those with fluorescent pigments. Many fishermen are claiming great results with these lures from the attractiveness a glow type lure creates. Catching fish is exciting, so when casting out, everyone likes to have every advantage possible in order to be the fish's choice for a snack.

Why does a glowing lure produce better light than any of the colorful lures already in your tackle box you ask? Well, the answer lies in the basic principles of light. The colors that we see, regardless of the object, is the reflection of the sun's visible light rays. Thus, when we are looking at a red lure, the lure's pigments are absorbing all wavelengths except the red portion of the light spectrum. How does this apply to fishing? Well, the sun's rays are mostly reflected off of the surface of the water. The rays that are able to penetrate water diminish quickly and are sparse at regular fishing depths. Therefore, instead of a typical flashy lure at the surface, you are in reality fishing with a grey lure deep in the water; not a very attractive meal to most fish. The good news is that glowing lures are able to capitalize on the minimal light available to them by using ultraviolet light.

Lures that have been painted with photo luminescent paint are able to produce good contrast and bright flashes with a minimal amount of visible light. In fact, the photo luminescent paint is only seen in lower light conditions. In the boat these types of lures are not noticed, but under water they thrive because of the very low light conditions. The best glowing lures also have fluorescent pigments mixed into them when they are manufactured. This technique is used to produce flashes of color in higher light conditions. Thus, any way the light shines, a good glowing lure is going to be doing just that: glowing!

Fish are always on the look out for food that stands out or looks vulnerable. As previously mentioned many normal lures lose their color under water and become grey. This tends to blend in with the darker underwater conditions making that lure somewhat ineffective. However, glowing lures capitalize on low light conditions and tend to stand out and say, "Bite Me!" The bright oranges, blues, violets, yellows, and even greens create a huge contrast between the lure and its surroundings. This helps a fish take notice, and entices it to attack. In fact, many fish species have eyes that select these colors when searching for prey.

The bright colors and ability to stand out under water in dark conditions make glowing lures advantageous over a traditional lure. Those fishermen who have tried glowing lures tend to agree that they plain catch more fish.

John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service. Sign up for the newsletter and get weekly specials on fishing poles and various fishing equipment to fill up your tackle box and have the right equipment to catch more fish.
By rob tendick
Published: 12/2/2006

How to make custom fly fishing leaders

2007-11-30T05:21:00.000-08:00

The fly fishing leader is a vital connection between fly line and the fly. The fly leader must be properly constructed for each fly fishing condition to present the fly to the strike zone in an effective manor
A properly designed and well-made fly leader serves as a vital connection between the fly line and the fly. When fly-casting, the energy of the fly line is transferred through a tapered leader to turn the fly over in a presentable manor into the strike zone. Of course, the long fly leader also keeps the fish from seeing that there is a fly attached to the fly line.

In the modern world of fly-fishing, there is a need for specialized weights and lengths of fly leaders for the wide variety of fish species that are now being sought. For example, if you are dry-fly fishing a clear lake on a calm day, you may want to have a very long leader; one that is perhaps 12 to 16 feet long with a very fine tippet that does not scare off feeding fish. However, if you are fishing a river or a lake near the bottom, using a sink-tip line or sinking fly line with a nymph or streamer, you may need a 5 to 6 foot leader that will help to hold the fly down longer in the strike zone. Dry fly fishing rivers for trout usually requires a 9-foot leader with a soft mono tippet section and a soft mono tippet. Dry line, or grease-line steelhead fishing requires a stiff butt section, and stiff tippet section, to help turn over larger steelhead flies. Most saltwater fly-fishing requires special, hard stiff monofilament, leaders that are designed to turn over salt-water flies in very hot and humid climates where abrasive sand and warm salt-water conditions exist.

There are many leader formulas to be found in the fly-fishing community, and the following is one that was given to me by my friend Mr. Ramón Aranguren, a past Argentinean fly-casting champion. I have used this leader formula over the years, and it has also worked well for many of my fly fishing associates. This leader has a long stiff butt section that will turn over those big bushy dry flies, weighted nymphs, steelhead flies, and will help you to drive a fly into the wind. I call it the 60/40 and here are a couple formula variations of it for different fly-fishing situations.

First, take a piece of notebook paper and draw an 8-inch line. This will be used for writing down your marks and figures for the layout of the 60/40 tapered fly-leader and should be saved for future reference. Starting from left to right at the 5" point or about 60 %, make a short vertical line that is above and below line. Therefore, everything to the left of this vertical line will be the butt section or 60 percent and everything to the right of the vertical line will be the tippet section or 40 percent of the 8" line.

Lets say you want to make a 9 ft. leader or 108": Take 60 % of 108 and you get about 65", that is how long the butt section will be, so write 65" above the 8" line and left of the vertical line on the paper. The butt section will consist of two sections. Take 60 % of 65" and you get 39"; this is the length of the first butt section, which will be, .019" diameter leader material. Make a short vertical line below the 8" line to separate these two sections. The second section is 65 minus 39 or 26" of, .018" diameter leader material. Write down these figures under the line on your paper for the 1st and 2nd butt sections.

The tippet section is also broken down into the 60/40 formulas: Subtract 65 from 108 and you get 43". This is the tippet section; so write 43 above the line on the right side of the vertical mark on your paper; this is 40 % of the line. Now take 60 % of 43 and you get approximately 27", which is the length of the first section of the tippet section. Mark this with a short vertical line below the 8" line. The first section will be divided into three 9" pieces of leader material .015" diameter, .014" diameter and .012" diameter. Write in these figures under the 8" line for reference. The second section is the tippet, which will be 17" of .010" diameter Write these figures under the 8" line. If needed, you can add extra length to the tippet, or tie on an additional 20" of a smaller size tippet if so desired.

If you need a leader that will present a smaller fly very nicely, here is variation of the 60/40: Draw out the 8" line on your paper but this time, make your vertical mark at the halfway point.

In this example we will make a 10 foot or 120" leader. Therefore, each half will be 60", write this figure on each side of the vertical mark above the line. Now, the 60/40 for the butt section: 60 % of 60" for the 1st section will be 36" of, .019" diameter leader material. The 2nd section or 40 % will be 24" of, .018" diameter leader material, write these figures under the 8"line for reference.

The tippet section will be slightly different; divide it into the 60/40. The first section of the tippet section or 36’ will be divided into three segments: one 12" of .014" diameter, one 12" of .012" diameter and one 12" of 010" diameter leader material: these are the three segments of the 1st tippet section. Mark and write these figures under the 8" line on the paper. The tippet will be 24" of.009", mark and write these figures under the 8" line on your paper.

Now that you have some leader formulas, what is next? The rule of thumb for making a leader is that the first section of the butt section should not be any stiffer than the end of the fly line. Don’t put a 40-lb butt section on a 4 or 5 wt. fly line; it will not turn over properly. However, a 40-lb butt section would most likely work on a 9 or 10 wt. fly line. Your goal is to make a tapered leader that will smoothly and effectively transfer the energy of the fly line to turn over the fly.

Select the sizes of leader material you will need depending on the number of sections in the leader and tippet size for your type of fishing. Try a discount sporting goods store for bulk spools of the heavier monofilament in different sizes and colors and your local fly shop for a wide range of sizes and types of tippet materials that you will need to make your own custom leaders.

There are many different types of knots that can be used to connect the leader sections together, but perhaps the most popular is the blood knot. It is quick and easy to tie, and you will not waste a lot of material tying the knot.

If you are going to use fluorocarbon leader material for your leaders or tippets you may find that the triple surgeon’s knot will give you better knot strength than the blood knot. I also recommend using the Double Uni knot to tie fluorocarbon tippets to your fly.

Use a nail knot to make the connection between fly line and the leader butt section. If you want to make a loop-to-loop connection, cut the 1st. butt section about 8" below the nail knot and tie a perfection loop knot in both cut ends and loop them together. This will give the angler an easy way to change leaders or replace broken or damaged leaders quickly while on the water.

The following is a list of leader material breaking strength and thickness in thousandths of an inch, because each manufacture’s product varies, these values are only approximate: 4lb.= .005", 6lb.= .009", 8lb.= .010", 10lb.= .012", 14lb.= .014", 15lb.= .015", 20lb.= .018", 25lb.= .019", 30lb.= .020"

By Stanley Stanton
Published: 2/17/2007

Fly Fishing For Beginners - How to fly fish

2007-11-30T05:16:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing is a fascinating sport. Here are a few pointers for fly fishing beginners.
Fly fishing as a hobby has been growing in popularity by the day. Anybody can learn the techniques of fly fishing, regardless of their age. In fact, fly fishing has been around for a long time. According to historians, there are records of it dating back to the 2nd century AD, in Mesopotamia, a region which lies between the Tigris and Euphrates, a part of which is now known as Iraq. Rooster feathers were used to make the flies which were cast using a pole measuring six foot in length and a line about as long. Fly fishing today has not changed very much basically, although, of course, there has been progress in terms of the materials that the rods, lines and flies are made of.

So what is so unique about fly fishing, you might well ask. No, it is not about catching flying fish and neither is it about catching flies! When you fly fish, in contrast to other types of fishing, you do not use any bait that is organic, whether dead or live. Instead, artificial flies, such as string, ribbon, feathers, hair, etc., are used as lure to catch fish. First, the fly fisherman attaches the artificial flies to the hook and line. Then he/she casts the line into the water and shakes the fly in jerky movements on or just above the water's surface, making the fly mimic the movements of an insect. The first and most important factor, if you want to learn to fly fish, is knowing the different kinds of artificial baits that are used.

Another distinguishing aspect of fly fishing that differentiates it from other types of fishing is the way in which the line is cast. While in other types of fishing you need to cast the line and rely on the bait to attract fish, in fly fishing you will need far more expertise in order to lure the fish. It needs a lot of skill to cast the line and mimic insects, skimming just the top of the water, even sometimes dipping it under the water's surface, and then finally managing to entice a fish to take a bite at it. And this is also a major part of why fly fishing is so engrossing and such fun.
The fishing rod is the most important tool for fly fishers, as this is what is used to cast the fly line and then to control it. In the beginning, it is recommended to use a hollow fiber glass rod instead of a bamboo rod. Fiberglass rods are lighter and far more flexible, and require less maintenance. Plus, they are relatively cheaper and do not need to be stored as carefully as bamboo rods. Once you gain in experience, you could switch to a graphite rod. Not only is a graphite rod stronger, but being thinner and lighter it is far more maneuverable, hence the line can be cast far more swiftly and much further away.

Usually, fly fishing rods are longer than the usual fishing rods. The reel is also fairly simple, as it is usually used only to recover the hook and the lure – perhaps with a fish caught at the end of it! Before they cast the line, fly fishermen generally loosen it, pulling some of it from the reel, to create slack. This helps in casting the lure freely to the area the fisherman has targeted.

The fishing line used in fly fishing is also quite different compared to those used in normal fishing. The fly fishing line is larger in diameter and is therefore completely visible. Some of them are designed to float on the surface of the water, while others sink under the surface. A tippet is attached at the fly line’s end, which is what actually does the fishing. This is about 6 feet in length with the lure being tied to the end of the fly line. This contraption is the reason the fish are unable to catch sight of the fly line and fools them into thinking that it is a real insect that they are seeing.

The next thing that fly fishing beginners need to familiarize themselves with is the lure. While it is true that the lure is supposed to mimic insects like flies, but these days, they have become much more specialized. With the evolution of this sport, fly fishing buffs now are going in for lures that mime the exact prey of the fish they set out to catch. Hence, once you learn the basics of casting and using the lure, in order to refine your skill even further, it would be helpful to learn about the specific feeding habits and baits of a variety of species of fish. The main kinds of flies that you will find in a shop dealing with fly fishing gear are emerging bugs and dry flies, wet flies, streamers, nymphs, saltwater flies, panfish and bass flies, and steelhead and salmon flies. However, modifications can be made to the basic flies according to any kind of fish, and there can be nearly endless combinations and color patterns that can be designed.

As is quite evident, fly fishing is a fascinating sport. They best way to gain expertise in it is to seek instructions from an experienced master. He/she will not only tell you more about lures, reels, rods and lines, but also give you information about the best spots for fly fishing.
By Rita Putatunda
Published: 9/12/2007

Ice Fishing: Great Winter Recreation

2007-11-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

Ice fishing can be a fun way to break up those cold winter days and enjoy a taste of nature.
Eskimos do it. So do polar bears and seals. People in Norway, Sweden, New York and Minnesota do it too. What is it? It's ice fishing! Wherever there's a lake with ice thick enough to walk on, you will find people ice fishing. This charming sport has entertained fishermen in the 'off' season for ages. Putting on layers of warm, dry clothes, you can't help but feel a part of the long line of ice fishers before you.

So you think you can plod out onto the ice, drop a line and start hauling in the fish? Think again. There are many small details involved in ice fishing that the novice might not have thought about. There is so much more to this sport than waiting and trying to keep warm until 'the big one' tugs on your line! There are a few steps in the process, from the moment you make the hole in the ice to the moment you release the fish from your hook. Your goal is to have a successful day, not sit out there shivering in the wind because you have nothing better to do.
The first thing you should do when arriving at the lake is to make sure it is completely frozen over and thick enough to withstand the weight of you and your equipment. The next step is to begin drilling. The pros say that you should drill your holes first because the noise of the drill can frighten the fish temporarily. If you drill early the fish should have returned by the time you are ready to drop a line. It is smart to drill at least ten feet from shore. Begin by drilling a number of holes in a line and repeat, making several lines.

Once your holes are drilled and structure is set, it is time to start fishing! For beginners there are two different approaches to take when ice fishing, active or passive. When most think of ice fishing they imagine the passive method, where you set a few lines and relax, trying to stay warm while you take part in something else like cooking or listening to the game. On the other hand the active approach, as the name implies, is well, active. It is considered active because you fish by jigging by hand or with a wind-operated tip-up.

Using a set line is the most common way to ice fish. A set line will usually be rigged with a single small wire hook tied to the end and a split shot attached six to eighteen inches up the line. After hooking a minnow to the end the line is lowered to near the bottom or in the optimal strike zone. You may also use bear paws to add dropper lines to your main line. A dropper line makes it easy to fish at multiple depths with one line. Once the lines are set all that is left to do is sat back and enjoy the winter weather while you wait.

You've caught the fish, now what? When bringing in the line by hand, you have got to make sure the line doesn't go slack. As you are pulling with one hand, grasp the line with the other before letting your first hand go. You are going to also have to judge quickly how green the fish is before it reaches the surface. If it's too active, the fish will be harder to bring up through the hole, and you will run the risk of losing what you have worked so hard to catch. Once you do have the head through the hole, the fish is all yours. Now that you have the basics, what are you waiting for? Get out on the ice and start fishing!

John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service. Sign up for the newsletter and get weekly specials on fishing poles and various fishing equipment to fill up your tackle box and have the right equipment to catch more fish.
By rob tendick
Published: 1/24/2007

Quality tip-ups are necessary for Ice fishing success

2007-11-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

When ice fishing you need the right equipment, especially the right tip-up.
Fishing on the ice can be pleasant and rewarding with the right equipment. Using the right ice auger, fishing pole, tip-up, line, reel, and wearing the proper clothing is all part of ice fishing success. Let’s face it, if are not comfortable, you will not enjoy the ice fishing experience. If you don’t have the proper equipment, or good working equipment, you may not have success or very much fun!

The Tip-Up is necessary in my mind because it allows you to fish in numerous spots all at the same time. I start with three holes in the ice and three tip-ups all positioned about 30 to 40 feet or more from each other so you are fishing different areas of the lake at one time rather than sitting at one spot with a fishing pole. I like to sit in one spot jigging with a fishing pole while keeping an eye out for all the tip-ups, so I’m actually fishing 4 spots all at the same time, increasing my chances of catching fish greatly. Be careful not to place the tip-ups to far away from where you are going to be. You need to make sure you are able to get there quick enough when you get a bite.

As far as tip-ups go, use good quality equipment because you don’t want problems out on the ice after going through all the trouble of drilling holes and getting your gear all together not to mention the walk to your favorite spots. I use the Beaver Dam tip-up from the Arctic Fisherman. This tip-up has been around for more than 60 years! Its quality is second to none. I have discovered that fisherman and women who buy a Beaver Dam tip-up are educated about the sport of ice fishing and aware of its quality craftsmanship, traditions, and fish catching ability. Unlike most other tip-ups the Beaver Dam tip-up is totally repairable if something does go wrong with it. Everything is repairable on the Beaver Dam Tip-up. The Arctic Fisherman company, who makes the tip-up re-grease about 1,000 tip-ups per season with a freeze proof lubricant that is still a family secret to this day. This lubricant works better than anything else on the market.

The Beaver Dam tip up is a solid brass, flag-holding, spin-trigger that is tapered on one end to release the flag rod after the lightest of bites, which means you want to make sure you are not to far away so you can set the hook quickly. Plus it also features anti-wind slots for breezy conditions, and to slow down the action for heavier strikes. The spin trigger rod is supported by an aluminum bearing and a seamless steel tube filled with freeze-proof lubricant. The underwater mechanism consists of a snag-proof free running spool topped by a heavy duty solid brass line guide designed to eliminate drag by swinging into the direction of the strike and yet heavy enough to prevent unwinding by the live bait.

This may sound like an endorsement of this product because it is. This is the best quality tip-up on the market and with factory support! Go Ice Fishing and take a child with you. Here is a DNR website that gives you a list of everything you need to go ice fishing.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/icefish.htm

Jeff Bausch has been fishing for over 40 years. He started a lake map business with the best fishing spots marked plus a fishing newspaper many years ago. Fishing has always been a passion, now he is sharing his fishing knowledge about how to use lake maps and how to fish any lake with great success.

Fishing Tackle Supply store with all your fishing needs.
Ice fishing Tip-ups

Ice fishing gear and tip ups
By Jeff Bausch
Published: 10/1/2007