Fly Fishing Made Easy

Anyone who enjoys trout fishing knows that one of the keys to success is their bait. In this article I'm going to discuss trout fishing bait, and some tips that can help any trout angler catch more trout. A man I've always considered to be a 'trout fishing master' taught these tips to me more than 25 years ago. This man was able to catch trophy trout out of rivers and streams that other anglers didn't believe trout of that size lived in. The bottom line is that these tips are effective, and will help any angler catch more trout.

The first thing to keep in mind is that when we refer to trout fishing bait, we're referring mainly to one of two things. Either live bait or synthetic bait. Live bait is my personal favorite, with synthetic bait coming in a distant second place. The point is that they can both be quite effective, when fished in the proper manners. When we refer to live bait we mainly mean live worms, grubs, minnows, and/or insects. Synthetic bait would include any trout bait in a jar or any sort of 'extruded' material.

When fishing with live bait it's important to keep in mind any scents that might be on your hands. You see, these scents will transfer to your bait, and if the trout detect an unnatural odor they are much less apt to bite. An unnatural scent could include leftover gasoline residue from filling up or the smell of smoke from a cigarette. The point is that any unnatural odors that might be on your hands should be removed before baiting up. A good practice is to grab a handful of grass or dirt and rub it into your hands before baiting up. This will help eliminate any unnatural odors that might be present.

The next thing to keep in mind is how your trout fishing bait is carried. You need to have an efficient and effective way in which to carry your bait while fishing. This is where a bait bag comes into play. A bait bag is simply a small pouch that hangs from your fishing vest and holds your live bait (especially live worms) while you fish. This way your bait is always literally at your fingertips waiting to be used. With a bait bag, baiting up and re-baiting takes seconds, rather than minutes!

How about when you fish? What I mean by this is, no matter what type of bait you choose to use, being on the water when the trout are the most active is extremely important. This is determined by understanding the weather and moon, and the roles these two forces of Mother Nature play in the activity level of trout. Learn about the weather & moon and you'll always be on the water when the trout are the most active.

Lastly, when trout fishing with bait (either live or synthetic) gang hooks should be employed. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enable you to present live bait in a natural and effective manner, and twice as much synthetic bait. For the trout angler who uses trout fishing bait, gang hooks are a "must have" item.

Begin employing one or all of these tips sooner, rather than later and you will begin enjoying much more trout fishing success.

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!
Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp
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Choosing the Right Bass Fishing Lure

2008-04-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right bass fishing lure at the right time to catch the right bass can be one of the most difficult things to do. Let's face it there are hundreds of different lures in hundreds of different colors and sizes. What lure are you using to catch bass may be the most ask question when you are out fishing. At the very least we tend to keep one eye on what bass lure the competition has tied to the end of their rod.

If you are serious about catching bass you most likely have three or more rods already set up with your favorite lures ready to cast into that weed bed or drop off. One with your favorite spinnerbait, one with your favorite top water lure and your favorite crankbait and probably a fourth one with that favorite plastic worm rigged up in your favorite style. We choose these bass fishing lures because they are the basic year round successful bass fishing lures around.

Using spnnerbaits is easy and fast, covering a lot of water at many different depths to find and attract the bass. Keep in mind that bass are schooling fish and once you get a strike you can fish out the area using the other baits of your choice. Fish it fast with the spinnerbait and crankbait then drop in your plastic worm with a little finesse and wiggle.

Crankbaits is another easy and fast fishing lure to catch bass with and if I had to choose just one fishing lure for my tackle box it would be a lip-less crankbait. I would choose the rattle noise making kind of crankbait. I would also choose one of the basic food chain colors, chartreuse, chrome, crawfish brown, or shad lures. Know what kind of bait is common in the lake or river you are fishing in and go with those colors. I was just at the sporting goods store and cannot believe the myriad of different colors available. I have a hard time fishing with a hot pink or lime green fishing lure for bass. Give me a bait fish or crawdad color and let's catch bass. Make sure you have more than one color and a tackle box full of your favorite. Nothing irks me more than losing the one lure that is catching bass and not having a back-up.

My all time favorite lure is the Rapala 6 inch shad color floating topwater cigar shaped bait. I get overly confident with this bait and even though I catch a lot of bass with it I many times over fish it and miss bass I would have caught had I chosen a different lure. Of course having confidence in your selection of lure for the conditions you are fishing is an important aspect in catching bass. However, when they are not hitting on the lure you have chosen then by all means choose another bass lure until you find the sweet spot.

On a final note, choose the right bass lure for the conditions you are fishing. If the waters are muddy then the bass will be feeding by sound then use a rattle crankbait or Colorado blades on your spinner bait in a copper or painted blade. In clear waters a good bright silver is best. Don't just throw on any old lure out there but choose the best bass lure for the clarity of the water and the type of food available in other words, give some thought to where and what to fish with.

"Remember even a bad day fishing is better than any day working unless your work is fishing then every day is a good day!"

Dennis has been fishing mainly for bass for over 45 years. He has reviewed two books on bass fishing which can be seen at http://www.squidoo.com/bass_fishing_review Don't forget to check out his blog at http://www.bassfishingfundamentals.blogspot.com for some great articles on bass fishing.
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Smallmouth Bass Grubs - No More Jigging

2008-04-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

By Scott R

One of the most effective methods for nailing smallmouth bass in recent years has been swimming jigs. Many anglers have started to realize that jigs don't always need to be traditionally jigged; they can simply be reeled in, like a spinner bait. However, a lively looking grub is much more appetizing, and perhaps, realistic, than a spinner bait.

One of the problems of swimming grubs is that you may loose a lot of gear if you are prospecting in holes and snags, like most good anglers do. A solution to loosing gear is finding cheaper sources of quality tackle, so getting snagged doesn't sting your wallet as much. Manufacturers have long been charging astronomical prices on lead jig heads and plastic baits that most likely cost pennies to make.

With the ability to offer goods on the Internet at low cost, smaller, independent tackle makers have been flooding the market, reducing the cost of tackle, and making fishing more enjoyable. The cost differential is substantial. With access to parts from wholesalers, lure makers have shown what the true cost of some of these lures actually are. Lead heads for example, for tubes, are often 5 dollars or more for five, if you by name brand hooks.

These prices get way too high if you start fishing some fish infested snags. Some small manufacturers sell high quality jig heads at a price of $10 for fifty jig heads. All of the sudden fishing with quality tackle becomes much more affordable. And the plastic that can be used with these jig heads can also be had for much less than retail prices. Independent plastic pourers have mad some amazing creations for reasonable prices.

Check out some amazingly low priced smallmouth bass plastic grubs and great quality, low priced smallmouth bass jig heads
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Fly Fishing - 5 Types of Flies

2008-04-17T04:07:00.008-07:00

By Marilyn Roberts

Fly fishing is a sport that many people enjoy doing. It takes years to perfect but only minutes to love. One of the tricky parts of fly fishing is knowing which type of fly to use for a particular situation or type of fish.

Types of flies in fly fishing are also known as patterns. What exactly is being fished for and under what conditions determines the type of fly that is used. There are many different patterns that are used in fly fishing. They can be broken down into five main categories: wet fly, dry fly, streamer fly, nymph, and terrestrial.

Wet Fly
As the name implies, wet flies are a type of fly that resembles insects that are under the water. This includes dead insects and insects that are coming up and emerging from the water. This type of fly can also be made to look like bigger water creatures such as leeches or crawfish.

Dry Fly
Just as with the wet fly, the dry fly's name also gives away what it is imitating. Therefore a dry fly is meant to look like an insect that stays on top of the water. While fishing with a dry fly it is usually necessary to dry the fly several times.

Streamer
A streamer is a type of wet fly but it is meant to look like an injured baitfish. Streamers are larger than the other types of flies. They are used to catch larger fish that are predatory.

Nymph
A nymph fly is another type of wet fly. It is supposed to look like an insect that is coming out of it's cocoon or it's larval state. A majority of fish like to eat insects in this state.

Terrestrial
Terrestrial flies can be used as wet or dry flies. They are made to look like larger insects that mistakenly jump into the water and drown. These types of flies can either be made to look like an insect trying desperately to free itself from the water or as an insect that has already died and is simply sinking into the water without movement.

In fly fishing there are many different types of flies. While each type of fly has it's own type of fish it is supposed to catch, many anglers will use any type of fly that they think will work on the fish at a certain time. The main types of flies are wet flies, dry flies, streamer, nymph, and terrestrial.

For more tips and information on fly fishing please visit http://fishingabcs.com/
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Trout Fishing Hints and Tips

2008-04-17T04:07:00.007-07:00

By Jadran Z. E. Transcona

Trout fishing season will soon be around the corner. As an avid and dedicated angler you will want all the help that you can possibly obtain to catch those sly, devious yet always evasive trout.

It is always best to walk before you fish for trout. A lot of the anglers that you will encounter in your travels and experience as a fisherman just cannot wait to get into the water. Its almost like monkey see, monkey do. People seem to be attracted to where other people are, the avid inquisitive fisherman may well think that where other people are fishing is "where the fish are". It's strange and as if the fish seem to know this, and avoid these crowds of trout (or other species) of fish anglers. To be a successful trout fisherman all you have to do is avoid the crowds. Often all it takes is to walk a couple of hundred yards to less "pressured "water to have all those fish to you. Think of it - even if it is a less densely populated fishing area - 80 % of a smaller quantity of fish is greater than 2 % of many more fish.

If you are going to be successful as a trout fisherman you will have to take the time to "study" the water. Again those impatient anglers who simply take the plunge into the water, with little or no attempts at preparation will miss such telling clues as the mayflies that fall into the water and into the jaws of a huge lake trout. Overall it's far wiser and well worth the efforts to take the time to observe the water and water conditions. Look for those trout in the shallows, hatching insects and other wise indicators as what might be your best and wisest choices for your preferred lures or flies of the day.

You may well want to plan your casts. Take a few moments to figure out the best ways to effectively cover the stretch of area that you wish to fish. Instead of casting helter skelter, wily-nilly take the time and efforts to plan your casts. It has been said that overall a good rule to remember is to fish the near and nearby water first. Overall this will help you to avoid the most common mistakes of wading where you should really be fishing, or of throwing line over nearby lies of water that might yield one , several or even more elusive trout fish.

Lastly as an overall tactic is best not to "overreach". Just as in life many avid trout fisherman will overreach their abilities and innate talents. In general short, controlled casts catch the most trout in streams, rivers and lakes. For fly fisherman casts of 20 to 40 feet will allow longer, better drag free drifts. It is definitely the case that a short line, rather than a long one, is the easiest to manipulate and control in any current. You will also find that with experience, that you will "spook" or "put down" fewer trout fish with a short cast rather than a long one. Spin fisherman have an easier and less fish alarming casting range but even they can profit from those shorter, and more accurate casts that will keep their lures working in the very best prime water lies.

In the end it can be said that any day trout fishing is better than the best day working at the office on the job. Always remember that when you are planning your wilderness trout fishing expedition or just planning for a single day or weekend for that event of trout fishing.

Jadran Z. E. Transcona has many years experience as a fish as well as hunting guide and operator His best known area are in the Lake Manitoba Canadian wilderness regions
http://www.sellyourmanitobacottage.com http://www.fishlakemanitobanarrows.com
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Large Mouth Bass Fishing - It Is Just Around The Corner

2008-04-17T04:07:00.006-07:00

By Heather L Atkins

BASS FISHING is something lots of people enjoy because they get time to spend by themselves, with their children or even their whole family.
I like going bass fishing during the summer. There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting on a john boat in the middle of a hot summer night. Watching the fog roll off the pond while your slinging a jitter bug or hula popper in the water trying to catch a MONSTER BASS.
Personally me and my husband usually don't do to bad because his uncle is one heck of a fisherman. Well I guess that's enough about me. Lets talk about you.

I know that people do not always catch fish when they decide to go out, or if they have time to go out. But rest assured there is help. Go to my website and find out. This fishing guide could help you succeed. It has proven techniques that will guide you how to be a better bass fisherman.

Putting the negatives and the positives on the table.
First thing in the negatives is you go out get eaten up by bugs, have bats flying down to get your lure and maybe not even catch a fish. WOW this is really frustrating. Then you ask yourself is this really worth the aggravation. Believe it or not it is to a lot of people including me.

Some of the positive sides were listed above.
Realizing that Bass fishing is not for everyone you have to ask your self, is this something that I would enjoy.
I was once told like everything else YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD to get results.
So summing this up, it's like this, if you don't try bass fishing you will not know whether you like it or not. Once you get the hang of it and start catching fish there will be great rewards. Such as, you might have a good time like I do and I'M a women. HA!! imagine that.
Just think if you like fish, you're putting food on the table to.
Well that is all for now and thank you for reading my article.

Remember once you try BASS FISHING you too could be an addict like me and my husband.

Published By Heather Atkins 4-16-08 10:22 Am
Want to Learn More about bass fishing & other great products available. I also have TV on PC, Tattoos, Work at home & more. Check out my blog and you will see. I will be updating my blog constantly so feel free to come back any time you like. Bookmark my link because hey you never know, you might find what you are looking for next time you come back...
HTAtkins (URL) http://htatkins-seriousbuisness.blogspot.com
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Great Bass Fishing Tips!

2008-04-17T04:07:00.005-07:00

By Demo Article

Blades Make the Spinnerbait
The major concept to understand, the key to what makes a spinnerbait work is that blades make the spinnerbait. A spinnerbait without any blades is rather unappealing to bass. If you remove the blades from a spinnerbait wire, and fish with just the spinnerbait head and skirt but no blades, bass fishing you're not going to catch very much. If you just pulled the painted head/skirt past a bass without any blades on the arm, the bass may watch it go by, but may not take much action. Now put a blade or two on the arm above the skirt. The blades add the strike motivation in that the blades may appear as smaller fish being pursued by a bigger fish (the bulkier skirt).

Thanks to the blades, the skirt now appears as a bigger fish chasing smaller ones. Bass usually won't tolerate other fish feeding in front of them, especially not subordinate size fish brazenly feeding... and the bass may now take action to strike the out-of-pecking-order skirt chasing the smaller blades. That's one theory often recited about a spinnerbait, that with the blades, it imitates a small school of baitfish.
But whether that's true or not, the point is the blades add all the allure. The blades produce the strong vibration which runs through the wire arm, the head, the hook and down to the many skirt strands which all vibrate strongly. Due to the blades, the whole lure vibrates, which excites fish. Without blades, the lure wouldn't vibrate or flash.

Spinnerbait Blade Flash, Vibration, Spin and Motion
If you read the many articles on spinnerbaits, you are certainly likely to hear how a Willow flashes most but vibrates least, how a Colorado vibrates most but flashes least, and the Indiana flashes and vibrates in between those two extremes. That's all true to a degree. Bottom line is that all blades all flash and all vibrate enough to attract fish with both these properties. We wish to make neat and repeatable rules for when one blade type will work better than others, but truth is most blades will work most days, and the rare times when one blade does work better than others is often unpredictable. It often comes down to trial and error, successfully catching a few fish with a certain blade configuration, and gaining confidence in it. As long as a particular blade shape/color/size keeps catching fish, it is the right choice for that day.

In addition to flash and vibration, all blades spin and all blades are in motion. You don't hear a lot about spin and motion, but it is significant that a spinning blade has more and faster movement than any other bass lure. No crankbait wobbles, no soft plastic grub tail wiggles more or as fast as a blade spins. Even when slow rolling it, a blade is usually a blur it moves so fast. It almost creates a three dimensional shape hologram at times. Other times, as the blade revolves 360 degrees, it can look like several baitfish (one on top, one on bottom, to the right and to the left) at once - a school unto itself. Whatever it may look like to a fish, this extreme source of movement - a spinning blade in blurring motion - is highly excitable to a fish's eye. Whereas flash and vibration can attract fish from further away, spin and motion are close-in, visual attractions.

Those are two things:

1) that blades make the spinnerbait, and

2) spinnerbait blade, flash, vibration, spin and motion to understand first and foremost about a spinnerbait.
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Bass Fishing With Crankbaits - How to Retreive Crankbaits

2008-04-17T04:07:00.004-07:00

There are all kinds of bass lures on the market today. They come in all shapes and sizes along with every color imaginable. It may not be the color of the lure that attracts that bass you are searching for. How you retrieve your bass lure can make all the difference in what you catch. Let me teach you four ways to retrieve a crankbait whether it is a rattle trap or quiet.

Retrieval #1

Retrieve your floating crankbait in at a slow steady pace or your sinking crankbait at a fast steady pace allowing it to ride just under the surface a foot or so. You will have to adjust the speed depending on what your reel ratio is so learn the feel of your equipment it will give you a lot more confidence and confidence will mean more fish. The slower pace could entice some of those lazy lunker bass who don't want to work to hard to eat while the faster pace gets the attention of the bass.

Retrieval #2

Pull and Pause is a great retrieve alongside a submerged log or alongside of a dock or boathouse. I like to pull the lure about two feet then pause as I reel back the two feet keeping the line tight as I reel in. Then I pull another two feet and repeat all the way back to the boat. When using a sinking crankbait this allows the lure to fall a little bit simulating a minnow that is injured. Of course, the exact opposite happens if you are using a top water bait like the floating Rapala that sinks a couple of feet when pulled and then floats wobbly back up to the surface. Either way will entice the bass to strike and the fun begins.

Retrieval #3

If you want to fish a little deeper and still give your crankbait a little more action try the up and down method. I just use my rod tip to make my crankbait rise and fall. Even though this is similar to the pull and pause method of retrieval you will be getting a larger distance between the shallow and depth of the lure. You will want to get a 10 to 12 foot up and down ratio to get your crankbait down to where the bass are holding at to entice them to strike.

Retrieval #4

Simply try to incorporate two or more of the above methods and see what happens. Remember an injured baitfish is going to be all over the place. It is injured after all and I assume writhing in pain flopping around like a wounded fish. So if the bass are not biting try some variations on the above or if the crankbait is not catching them then change bait. You should have an arsenal in your tackle box. Remember that a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work unless your work is fishing than they are all good days.

Dennis has been fishing mainly for bass for over 45 years he has reviewed two books on bass fishing which can be seen at http://www.squidoo.com/bass_fishing_review Don't forget to check out his blog at http://www.bassfishingfundamentals.blogspot.com for some great articles on bass fishing.
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Get Lost in the World of White Bass Fishing

2008-04-17T04:07:00.003-07:00

By W Scott

White bass fishing is an extremely popular type of warm water fishing in the United States. They are beautiful, sleek fish that many an avid fisherman or woman enjoys pursuing. Not only do they make for a tasty dish, but they are also fairly easy to catch. The white bass is generally quite a ravenous species of fish; they are always eager to latch on to bait as soon as it crosses their paths. This makes white bass fishing an ideal companionship sport for beginners and experts alike; a fun way to spend quality time with friends and family.

Identifying White Bass
Although white bass are relatively easy to lure, the trick to a successful white bass fishing excursion is locating a school. White bass travel at various depths but always travel in schools. Once you find a school, more than half of your job is done. All you have to do is cast your line and wait for a bite.

The white bass is often mistaken for its immediate cousin - the striped bass (also known as the white striped bass). It is, however, quite easy to tell the difference between the two. One discerning characteristic of the white bass is that it is considerably smaller than the striped bass. A typical white bass weighs around two to three pounds, although there have been instances of white bass weighing up to four pounds.

White Bass Fishing Methods
To achieve optimal success when fishing for white bass, it is vital to ensure that you use the correct equipment. Suitable gear includes light spinning tackle and a five to six foot fishing rod. White bass are also attracted to polished and unpolished spinners, jigs, and even fake minnows.
Those who are the most gifted white bass fishers know how the fish are and how they react, as well as what attracts them in the water. They will take a bite off of most things if they look alluring enough, so be sure to modify your fishing technique to fit their feeding habits and you should be catching more fish than you ever wanted to.

Finding White Bass
There was a time when white bass were pretty centrally located. These days, they are plentiful in New Mexico, but are also found in Texas, areas in Canada, and even the Colorado River. White bass are also native to the northern Great Lakes.

Because white bass are found at varying depths, it is possible to fish from the shore or from a small fishing boat, whatever your preference. Whichever method you choose, you are almost guaranteed to reel in a few white bass. It is the flexibility of the sport which makes it so attractive to numerous anglers countrywide!

White bass fishing is a fun warm water fishing sport. Whether it is the ease of catching them or the tasty meal they make that attracts so many fishermen and women remains to be seen. If you live in one of the central areas or plan on visiting soon, why not try your hand at white bass fishing?

William Scott is the author of several helpful articles on bass fishing. For more information on white bass fishing, you can visit his site at http://BassFishingAdvice.com
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Lets Go For Fly Fishing This Weekend

2008-04-17T04:07:00.002-07:00

By Tony David Smith

Some people seem quite scared to attempt this type of fly fishing because logic states that fish live under the water and therefore the flies or other bait should also go under the water. However, this is not always true.

Trout do get most of their meals from under the water. Yet, about 10% is eaten from above the water. When insect eggs hatch, the baby insects are known as midges. Trout come up to the surface and eat the midges. Dry fly fishing uses flies that imitate these midges.

The very first step in dry fly fishing well is to have flies that re designed well enough that they actually look like midges. These flies need to be quite small. Common types of midges to imitate are the caddisfly and the mayfly.

Of course, a good rod is needed for fly fishing as well. The weight of the rod really depends on what each angler needs. If an angler needs a lighter rod to be able to cast, a light rod should be found. If an angler needs a heavier rod to be able to cast, a heavier rod should be found. There are rods made of many different materials. The rods can be bought from retailers or from custom makers. Advanced anglers may even enjoy making the rods themselves.

Tying the hook and the fly on correctly is very important. There are many guides to these on the Internet. Then, finding a good place to fish and learning to cast is very important.

Casting in fly fishing is not like casting in normal fishing. A line cannot simply be dropped into the water like when normally fishing. The fly has to imitate an insect. Insects do not just fall into the water. This is the reason there are fly fishing casting techniques. Of course, there are resources on the Internet and in books that can be read. These are sure to help. However, there is nothing like experience. Practice makes progress.

The waving of the line above the head is what lets the line out from the fly rod. This allows the line to lay gently on top of the water. The small midge then lands on top of the water's surface. This is many times when trout will try to come up and eat the midge. If everything falls into the place, the trout will try to eat the midge and then be caught on the hook instead.

Dry fly fishing can be quite exciting because the trout can be seen biting the bait rather than trying to see the fish underneath the water. Dry fly fishing is a great step up from fly fishing. However, fly fishing should be practiced before dry fly fishing is attempted in order to learn techniques and not get frustrated. Regular fishing is probably a good thing to try before even trying fly fishing to get the idea of how fishing feels.

The best times to dry fly fish are from May to October when most midges are hatching.
Tony Smith is regularly writing for http://www.gofishingshop.co.uk, a UK based website engaged in the sale of Fishing Tackle, Fly Fishing and Fly Fishing Rods and many other products for Fly Fishing.
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Fishing For Bass Is Getting Better

2008-04-17T04:07:00.001-07:00

By Bob Wright

Fishing for bass is getting better by the year. The best time to fish right now is early mornings. Fishing for bass is usually great on rainy days. Depending where you fish, large mouth bass can be caught anywhere from 1 pound to 20 pounds with the world record being 22 pounds, 4 ounces in Montgomery Lake, Georgia in 1932. Fishing for bass is generally better when conditions are somewhat stable for a period of days.

Fishing for bass is widely popularized by professional tournaments and speciality television shows, and thus, bass fishing equipment is produced and endorsed the same as Nike or Wilson. It's the thrill of catching that ten pound bass that makes this style of angling especially fun. Fishing for bass is best in the spring and for yellow perch in the summer. Fishing for bass is where things can get really interesting. Bass are the most sought after game fish in the United States and tournament fishermen have developed bass fishing to a very diverse art.

Fishing for bass is exciting and fun as this species typically puts up a huge fight making every fishing trip very interesting. The serious anglers enjoy joining in on tournaments for the opportunity to win cash and a variety of great prizes. Fishing for bass is a great experience. The American bass is part of the sunfish family.

Topwater is a good option during the morning hours; watch for bass chasing shad in the back of coves and even the middle lake regions. During the day go deeper with crawdad imitations and dark plastics. Topwaters are excellent right after the spawn and through summer to late fall. In warm-water months, spinnerbaits are quite effective.

Anglers should know that the specifics of fly fishing for bass depend greatly on the exact type of fish which is involved. The ecology and nature of every water body, and the ambient condition both above and in the aquatic surface also affect the successful deployment of appropriate tactics. Angling is particularly popular in Scandinavia where the percentage for this leisure activity for adults varies from 32% in Iceland to 50% in Norway. In these countries one out of every two or three adults goes fishing! The Scandinavians enjoy fish so much, they mainly eat it raw!

Bob Wright has some interesting and informative articles on Fly Fishing and can be found here > http://www.tryflyfishing.net/Fly_Fishing_For_Bass.html
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Catching When Going Fishing

2008-04-17T04:07:00.000-07:00

By Robert Repel

Fishing is one of the greatest ways to enjoy the outdoors and really connect with nature at the same time. But most people go fishing for the experience of the actually catching fish. That can be a lot easier said than done. With the right equipment, location, bait, and of coarse patience your chances of catching fish are greatly increased. But you also have to know something about how to make all of these vital tools work for you in order to have a trip that can provide those memories that can last a lifetime.

There are many books and actual courses that you can take to learn how to apply different techniques. But some of the best experience comes from actually doing it. I taught my self to salt water fish after being raised in Georgia and doing nothing but fresh water fishing all my life. A long process but very educational process.

There are many, many actual methods of fishing. Fly fishing for instance was once more of a technique for fishing along wide rivers or pods or lake where you have a lot of room. But nowadays, more and more fishermen and fisherwomen are fly fishing in really deep waters for larger species of fish. In the past this was unheard of. But not now.

Fly fishing has increased 10 fold around the world in just the last few years. I strongly recommend that anyone who loves to be outdoors in nature and around water that doesn't know how to fish to learn and make their outdoor experience more enjoyable. And don't be afraid, there are many good tutorials to learn from and in todays modern world it is even easier to acquire them.Click on the links below to see a few of the best. Tight Lines and good luck. I'll see ya at the fishing hole.

I am a true animal lover, especially dogs and have been a dog owner most of my life. To view some excellent dog training techniques I urge you to go to the link below. I am also an avid supporter of animal rights.
http://www.rncmarketing.net
http://reprob.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Repel

Favorite Fish of East Coast Saltwater Fly Fishing Enthusiasts

2008-04-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

By John C. Banks

Shad
American shad are among the most exciting fish to catch on a fly rod. Shad are beautiful fish and extremely tough fighters, known for their ability to run and make spectacular jumps. Most recreational fishing for American shad occurs in the spring, when the fish enter rivers to spawn. Due to a decline in shad populations, shad fishing is now a catch and release fishery.

Summer Flounder
Fly fishing for summer flounder can be done along the shoreline, along inlets, jetties and other places where fly fishermen can find shallow water access. Flounder can also be caught with fly fishing tackle from boats, typically along flats and grass beds or places such as sharp bends where fish will congregate in shallow areas.Flounder bury in the sand where it can ambush its prey, feeding on a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Saltwater fly fishermen use patterns that mimic small baitfish, squid, shrimp, crabs and other natural prey, presenting them in key locations where flounder lurk at depths shallow enough to be reached with fly tackle.

Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Croaker or "hardhead" are popular saltwater fish common along the Atlantic coast. The fish get their names because of the "croaking" noise the make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on a variety of fly patterns and are among the first fish that move into the shallows in the spring.

Striped Bass
Striped bass are among the most sought after fish by saltwater fly fishermen. Also known as "rockfish", these heavy bodied fish can test the limits of saltwater fly fishing tackle. Striped bass are active in cold weather, allowing fly fishermen to extend their season. Anglers seek out stripers along the shoreline, near inlets, from jetties, beaches, and in grass beds and tidal flats. Striped bass also chase baitfish to the surface, especially in the fall. This makes the fish very popular among anglers with boats as they can follow the birds to get in casting position of the school.

Bluefish
Along the USA east coast, bluefish can be found along shorelines, inlets, jetties, beaches and areas where rips form such as sharp bends or channel edges. Many of these locations are ideal for shorebound fly fishermen. Other fly fishing opportunities exist for boaters, including areas where bluefish congregate in large numbers. Bluefish often work bait the surface and their location given away by birds or when their backs or tails appear above the surface. Other fly anglers can anchor and chum with ground menhaden or mackerel in order to bring bluefish within casting range.

Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi, also known as dorado or dolphin fish are fast growing, pelagic fish. They are among the most beautiful of all fish.Younger fish school in large numbers, orienting to sargasso weed or floating debri. Larger fish are loners are travel in small groups, but sometimes still orient to floating structure.The males develop a blunt forehead and grow larger than the females.

Weed lines and floating lumber or other objects are excellent places to cast flies for dolphin fish . These fish sometimes orient to objects as small as a coffee cup. It's best to keep one fish hooked up at the boat until the next angler has one on. Anglers rotate so that there is always one fish hooked and swimming near the boat. This keeps the school at the boat. Fishermen can also keep the school enticed by chumming with scarps of skipjack tuna, false albacore or bonita belly. Frozen silversides can be another good bait.

The author maintains seafood related websites including Fresh-Seafood, Commercial Fishing and Chincoteague Island Virginia.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Banks

Crappie Honey Hole

2008-04-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Honey hole for crappie - easy to create your own
Crappie frequent structure . If you prepare correctly you can prepare your own crappie "honey holes" .The key is to create crappie holding areas that only you have the location. You can sink brush, plastic and even home made pvc brush piles. The very best brush to sink is "willow tree" braches. They seem to create month long crappie honey hole swarms, I am not sure why, it just my experience. Make sure you cut long cuttings with at least 7 to 10 branches at least 3 foot long with lots of small little branches. Sink you branch cuttings or any of the other artificial structure you plan to sink, with a cement block or something heavy so it sinks directly below where you put it in the water. Also , the brush won't shift if it is anchored down. I always use a cement block with a short rope about 2ft long, tied to the main cut branch. Crappie are just like bass they like to sit in cover structure and wait for their prey.
The best time to create your crappie honey hole is in the fall and very early spring (right after ice out).

For best results create your crappie brush farms in three different depth locations. Mark your locations to sink brush in the shallows, mid depth locations, and deeper water. Make sure you find a spot that is not easily fished. Make sure you drop your brush when no fisherman are watching. If your honey hole gets a lot of fishing pressure the crappie may move out to other fishing locations. I always look for places that would not interest casual boaters. You are probably asking why? Well by using three different locations you create crappie honey holes for different parts of the fishing season. I you can find a spot where the bottom starts deep and gradually goes to shallows you can build your three locations inline. Just mark each location with a GPS point, that way you can come back again and again without wasting any precious fishing time. If you have young children this is an excellent way to get them interested in fishing. Kids are impatient, but if you take them to a honey hole where the action is almost instant, you will nurture their interest in a wonderful sport.

This technique will work no matter where you are located at. Crappie love brush and structure as their habitat no mater what part of the country you live in. Make sure you check with your local laws to find out what is legal to sink for structure.

If you are ready to catch a regular batch of crappie whenever you go out fishing then get out and create your crappie honey hole now! Good luck with your fishing see you later.

Mark Fleagle Webmaster A well respected fishing specialist with 30+ years of fishing experience,who has published many fishing articles. Mark has been a online presence for fishing information for going on 4 years. my site: http://www.oldfishinghole.com Get your free copy of "78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed".
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Making Your Own Homemade Fishing Ground Baits For Big Carp Catfish Trout And Bass!

2008-04-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

By Tim F. Richardson

The art of effective ground baiting can make your results explode, period! In fact you could say that very often, those who catch the most big carp, catfish, bream, crappie, trout, tench and bass, do so because of how fish respond to their ground baiting! Winners of fishing matches and tourneys are usually the very best and most skilled at this art and skill. But what many forget is that often they also often have bags of bait knowledge in order to exploit it fully!

To get fish feeding in more natural ways often requires you applying a consistent regular supply of bait into your swim. This conditions the fish to keep returning for more! One of the best things you can do in fishing is get the smell of bait dispersed throughout your swim and concentrated where at the proximity of your hook bait.

I say 'smell,' because often what is used for ground bait in terms of flavours will fast dissipate and ultimately fully dissolve in water so after a short period the fish cannot so effectively track its source by seeking the source of concentration! (Less viscous smell sources are more effective in moving water for instance!)

When I first began carp fishing over 35 years ago I used the most common form of ground bait, which was bread crumbs made from old loaves. For years I used this effectively. I might add finely chopped luncheon meats and spam each with different fat and meat content and various rates of oil release and solubility's in water. Then sweetcorn and liquidised sweetcorn were added.

Hemp with aniseed oil, or maggots, yeast extract, spices and herbs, condiments and sweeteners from the larder, were added over time to add to the effect. Each new bit of information gleaned from other anglers or new ingredient found in the kitchen or supermarket was put to good use! I did notice that fish would certainly linger for longer, feed more intensively and competitively and less cautiously the more ground bait I regularly introduced.

Most often, the amount of ground bait I could afford for a days fishing was the actual limiting factor in the number of fish I could catch in a day. In those days Where I lived in Essex had few big carp waters and anyway, it was great fun getting great keep nets of fish of many species and learning 'the trade' as it were.

The is not much difference between fishing for smaller carp in the double figures and single figures and for fish over 70 pounds as certain waters I've fished. Although you can always use tiny dissolvable bags or nets of ground bait next to your hook or even just use over-flavoured 'single hook baits,' the fact is that huge bags of fish have always been captured due to constant application of the most suitable ground bait for the venue, swim and fishing situation in question.
There have been times when baiting with trout pellets and pet food pastes were the only method used. Others when boilies where used solely. These days carp get to learn all about the free food we anglers provide and are very skilled at isolating hook baits and rigs. Sometimes it seems like once one big fish sorts out the 'bad bait,' the rest seem to know by 'telepathy,' avoiding hook baits without even testing them! But I'm sure some of this is to do with their body language, movements in a swim and excretion of pheromones and substances and behaviours we have yet to discover.

One big point to make here is that the chemical nature of your bait can be discerned by fish from the dissolved substances impacting upon all its' receptors as well as by more obvious senses like sight, sound, feel etc. This means that fish can avoid your bait and know if they regard it as having 'dangerous previous associations' without ever touching the bait. This has great implications in terms of using new or alternative flavours substances and bait and ground bait ingredients. (Why keep flogging a 'dead or nearly dead horse' when you can find a 'race winner' with a little research!?)

When fishing for big catfish I do not fish live baits as that's for sadists. There are so many diverse species of catfish with different feeding habits and quite a number reach 40 or 50 pounds or far more. The use of ground baits in cat fishing cannot be underestimated! If your species of catfish spend their time in the top layers of water ambushing their prey, why not exploit ground baits to concentrate their prey in your swim? Soon you will have the pick of the biggest catfish in the lake!

You can even adapt your ground baits so they pull into your swim specific species like roach and rudd, tench, small carp and so on. An easy hint here is that many fish seem more able to detect certain bait flavours with a different pH and are even labelled as such like 'Bream Attractor' or 'Roach Attractor' etc. Hemp with aniseed oil has always been a favourite, although if you want carp, then fennel oil is even more effective and little used.

Flavouring and dying sweetcorn and tiger nuts for instance is only the start of what you can do with these legendary baits...
Catfish definitely are more attuned to decaying carcasses than carp and they seem more adapted to detect amines of various kinds, especially 'decaying amino acids' given off. Putresine is another amine which may or may not be repellant or attractive.
Certainly catfish will eat food we as humans would be ill if we ate! Part of the attraction of baits that are braking down with bacterial enzymic action is that both us and fish have such 'healthy bacteria' in our guts to enable us to more fully digest foods like certain proteins that our digestive juices can only break down to a limited stages.

For this reason, anything that we use as part of our ground baits for fish that enables better digestion and utilisation of food and use of energy is generally a good thing and multiplies feeding responses hugely. The use of enzyme treated fish meals in pellets and of fermented products and bye-products like those of fermented shrimps, corn steep liquor, fermented soya products and so on are well known stimulators.

Certain oils will remain in the proximity of your hook baits longer than highly soluble flavours based on solvents like alcohols, glycerol, propylene glycol etc. There is often debate as to the real effect of flavours on fish senses. Because flavor substances and components are so diverse, with literally millions of possibilities to be used thing get complicated fast in regards their use in fishing baits.

There are relatively few so-called 'true' fish feeding triggers which may be more specific to each particular fish species sensory cells. However, flavours work, whether impacting fish directly or by changing aspects of the water that fish detect acutely which draws their attention or stimulating internal feeding and digestive responses they work and in a myriad of effective ways. Very many flavours work far better in combination with others especially after being used as a single flavour in popular baits; so be brave and experiment it's so worthwhile!

The fact is that even 'base mix' powders like caseins and soya meals and other flour have innate flavours and smells. Even rubber or plastic baits are certainly not as free of 'signals' to various fish senses as many fist imagine, including that of a different pressure or 'feel,' which and can give you 'edges' in many different ways. In fact covering your hook in rubber to 'soften it' can work exceptionally well. This is especially so when using a soft bait, which more wary fish can play with and get hooked on more easily than standard harder baits which are may be very familiar with!

'Halibut pellet oil' tiger nut oil, krill oil, wheat germ oil, peanut oils, herring oil, tuna oil and so on are all proven. You can 'hedge your bets' on catfish and carp waters and design your hook baits and ground baits and methods for either species or for targeting the very biggest of both species. But don't be surprised if you get a personal best of a different species along the way too!

This fishing bait secrets author has many more fishing and bait 'edges.' Just one could impact on your catches!

By Tim Richardson.
For the unique and acclaimed new massive expert bait making 'bibles' ebooks / books:
"BIG CATFISH AND CARP BAIT SECRETS!" And: "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" (AND FLAVOR SECRETS ETC) SEE:
http://www.baitbigfish.com
Tim Richardson is a homemade carp and catfish bait-maker, and proven big fish angler. His essential bait making and bait enhancing books / ebooks are only at this dedicated bait secrets website now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_F._Richardson

How To Correctly Bait Your Fishing Hook To Catch More Fish

2008-04-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

By James Fletcher

So you are about to start fishing. First things first, you need to bait your hook. Do you know the correct way to bait you hook? Below are some tips that will help you attract and catch more fish by simply baiting your hook better.
Firstly, you need to use sharp hooks. Buy new hooks frequently and replace your old ones. If you keep your hook on the line for a long period of time you should sand the point to keep it nice and sharp. Try to buy the best hooks you can (if you buy the cheapest you may save a few dollars but in the long run is it worth it?).

Hooks vary in size, shape and color so go for the hook that is best for the fish you are targeting. If you're not sure, ask the people in your local fishing store. Some fish are supposedly attracted to red hooks (some sand varieties of fish target bloodworms and can be attracted to the red color of the hook) but a plain silver hook will usually do.

So you are ready to bait your hook. It sounds very easy but are you really baiting your hook correctly? Below are some common bait varieties and suggested ways to apply them to your hook.
1) Shrimp (prawn) should be put on the hook tail first and so the body of the shrimp curls up into the shape of the hook. Most people bait shrimp the other way (head first) but this will cause the shrimp to fall off more easily. Try to keep the hook entirely in the shrimp when threading through. Most fish species don't mind if the shell is left on. Some people believe in de-shelling the shrimp but this takes time and often makes them soggy and they may fall off the hook easier. You can take the head off the shrimp as this often makes the shrimp too big to fish with if left on (and as an added bonus you can add the heads of the shrimps to your burley bucket to attract more fish)

2) Octopus should be baited using the tentacles foremost so they cover the hook. As with the prawn the octopus should thread over the hook to disguise it.

3) Squid is a good bait as it is hardy, easy to place on a hook and is hard for nibbling fish to nibble off. Just thread the squid over the hook and once again try to disguise the hook with the bait. Also try to use the softer parts of the squid body as some fish may not like the harder parts found near the head.

4) White bait, Mulie or any other small fish really needs to be hooked with a gang of hooks (at least 3 hooks in a row) otherwise they simply slide off the hook.

So next time you are baiting your hook, take the time to try to disguise your hook and make sure that the bait sticks on your hook securely. This will help you catch more fish and save you time as you will not have to keep replacing your bait.

James Fletcher is a boating and fishing enthusiast. His website is a great source of boating and fishing knowledge. Find more useful boating and fishing tips at:
http://www.freeboatingtips.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Fletcher

Carp Fishing Techniques - Are Bait Boats Cheating?

2008-04-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

Izaak Walton's famous book 'The Complete Angler' was a celebration of our sport, based on the central theme that angling is an art that transcends the objective of catching fish.
Angling then is the technique of catching fish using a rod and line; it is called "angling" because of the angle formed by the two. It has been suggested that the quintessential step of making fishing into a sport, rather than just a means of catching fish for food, was the invention of the rod. It is considered a sport, then when practised for enjoyment. Anglers sometimes attempt to catch only one type of fish, in our case the Carp, often limiting their equipment to increase the sport - Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome.

Since the beginning then, angling's rules and traditions have been laid down to provide sport by imposing a certain level of difficulty. I think everyone would agree that there are far easier and swifter ways of extracting fish from a lake or river than by rod and line. Nets, deadlines, multiple hooked lines and explosives would all be far more effective than a simple hook, rod and line. (Admittedly the latter suggestion makes catch and release somewhat difficult!!).

Certain forms of fishing, such as fly fishing require a good level of technique to achieve any measure of success. Carp fishing too requires a considerable amount of skill to cast accurately and sufficiently far to be able to present a bait effectively to our quarry. The better anglers justifiably catch more fish. Setting the element of chance aside, I think most will agree a talented angler does do things differently from the average bod. If he catches more or bigger fish than his peers, he obviously has a greater aptitude for the sport than the average.

So I think then it is fairly easy to establish that we fish the way we do in the name of sport, and the intellectual stimulation and challenge, not just to pull the fish out of its natural habitat. I think we all get a great deal of satisfaction when we do it right and we catch well. You only have to look at an angling newspaper or magazine to see the number of cheesy grins behind leviathan carp to understand that we all get satisfaction in success. Modern rods and reels are better and perform better than at any time in the history of the sport, our understanding of bait, and fish behavior has increased over the last few centuries too. But when all is said and done, we are carrying out the same gestures and actions as our forefathers in the time of Izaak Walton.

Ok so this brings me onto the 'Bait Boat'.
Here is a gadget, pilfered from Model Making and turned to fishing. It has absolutely nothing to do with "angling", and takes any amount of skill, technique and talent out of the sport. It in fact takes us right back to before the Art of Angling became just that; an Art! - I have to ask the question; 'Where is the Art in using a Bait Boat?'

What it effectively does, and I don't dispute the effectiveness of these 'items' of tackle.. is give you loaded dice to play with. It evens up the field, so that if you are next to the mega long caster or the fine technician, who can drop a lead on a sixpence at 80 yards, you can play in the same league. Is this not deemed cheating in any other sport?

There are other non negligible aspects of these devices, such as the effect their presentation has on the fishing on waters that their see heavy use. It makes it very hard afterwards to tempt a carp by more conventional means. The fish get used to and wary of the fact that every pile of food they come across on the lake bed has a hook in it. For the carp anglers it becomes a case having to join the "pugwash club" if you want to be in with a chance. Furthermore, and this is what has lead to their being banned on many venues, is the abuse of certain users, poaching others swims or placing baits in areas and at distances where they have very little or no chance of landing the fish.

You will gather then I am not a fan, and I shall continue to hone my own angling skills to tempt the queen of our rivers; a stately, a good and very subtle fish... and hard to be caught." Izaak Walton - 'The Complete Angler' 1653.

by Gareth Watkins: For more Carp Fishing News, Posts, Tips and Articles Check out my own Angling Lines Blog at:http://www.anglinglines.com/blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Watkins

3 More Great Bass Fishing Tips

2008-04-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Bass Fishing in Shallow Water
We all know that in shallow water, stealth is the best approach for weary Bass, but have you turned off your sonar lately?
Your sonar sends and receives sound waves. That is how it reads the bottom and the fish. However, why have it on when cruising the clear shallow weed beds. Surely, you do not need to see if there are bass on a screen!

On a quiet approach I get the boat into position, glance at my temperature reading and then shut down the sonar unit completely! Now, at this point I am able to see bottom, therefore the sonar is irrelevant to me. Even in clear water depths of 6 to 8 feet my sonar is shut down at times. The only exception is murky water. If I can't see bottom then my sonar is on for monitoring depth while fishing, stealth or not!

Sometimes, the slightest sound in clear shallow water will deter Bass from hitting your bait and your sonar is no exception. Next time you hit your favorite weed bed turn off the sonar! You have nothing to loose!

Bass in Rippled Water
Have you ever tried to spot Bass in rippling water? If you cannot see them, they can't see you, which puts you, the Bass fisherman in a good position! I have had many instances where the bite was off and all it took was a little ripple in the water to turn the Bass back on.
Think of it like a security blanket for the Bass. They start to roam around freely thinking the gulls and humans can't see them, thinking they are somewhat invisible to predators, but nothing stops them from hitting a finessed bait and chomping away until, oops! 'Gotchya'!
Another good advantage is creeping up with our electric bow mounts to get much closer without spooking them, which makes our offerings seem more...... genuine!

Bass Fishing - A Team Effort
Whether you're fishing tournaments or just Bass fishing, working with a partner to get fish in the live well is definitely a team effort.
When fishing good potential Bass cover with the first cast getting hung up don't be selfish by getting to it right away with the bow mount. Hold your rod as high as possible with your snag still intact leaving enough room for your partner to flip or pitch offerings in the same general area working it thoroughly before attempting to retrieve your initial snag.

Think about it. By attempting to remove your 'snag' will cause a ruckus so now the potential Bass cover lost the 'potential' and became just plain 'cover'.
Working together in scenarios like this is just 'smart fishing'!

Visit Nic DiGravio at http://www.probassfishing.ca
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nic_Di_Gravio

Where to Find Bass

2008-04-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

If I am fishing a new lake the first thing I do when the boat goes in the water is to check for clarity. How far down can I see that will make a difference on what lure I will be using and how I fish that particular bait. I then scan the shoreline and see if there are any points jutting out into the lake, perhaps a narrow or where a stream enters the lake. Bass love to hang out at these locations. Then as I begin fishing I always keep an eye out for bass structures like submerged trees or stumps sticking up out of the water I like to throw a spinner bait right along the length of any logs I see and perhaps a plastic worm in amidst the stumps.

Of course, you will always see bass fishermen casting up around man made docks and boat houses since bass love to hang out under the shadows of the structures. I have pulled many a bass out from under a dock or other wooden structures dotting the lakeshore. And don't forget about the fancy houses with their irrigation lines submerged four or five feet into the waters edge. Just be careful you don't hook a screen covering the opening because it is no fun getting them unhooked. These are some of the man made bass structures that hold a lot of bass waiting to be caught.

Small mouth bass seem to like the rocks a little more than largemouth do and you would do well to drop in a plastic worm hook up in a Texas rig. I tend to like the black/purple ones but a sandy pumpkin color works pretty good for the smallie. Small mouth bass like to set up their beds for spawning in the smaller gravel loaded bottoms. Large rocks or boulders are not usually good bass structures.

Perhaps the ultimate cover for bass is the oxygen producing weeds that are found in lakes and ponds. I especially like the lily pads and top water lures thrown into the holes and along side of a stand of pads. Rest assured that you will pick up a weed or two but then that goes with bass fishing. Any green weed bed has usually got a bass or two imbedded within. Remember that bass are schooling fish and where one is there are usually two or more hanging nearby. When you get to close to a weed bed you might easily spook the bass and you will see them skitter off but don't be too alarmed because they will sneak right back in.

Good luck and happy fishing. Always remember that "even a bad day fishing is better than any day working unless your work is fishing then every day is a good day!"

Fishing Secrets - Tips & Techniques

2008-04-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

By Alejandro Leguizamon

Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy nature. Fishing is considered a favorite past time among Americans.
Fishing is a 70-billion-dollar-a-year industry with deep roots in national pride and culture and an age-old tradition of freedom, but as governments struggle to solve the problems at sea, they inevitably create laws that challenge that freedom.Fishing is still tough even though there are fish around, this year the odd seams and slow water are producing fish and very soft bites.

Florida fishing is some of the best in the country. Flats fishing in the Florida Bay offers opportunities to reel in a variety of species, including snook, tarpon, redfish, trout, snapper and even sharks. Florida peacock bass fishing will certainly test an anglers light tackle skills. While anglers use all their experience to get a peacock bass to the boat the peacock bass will fight till the end in an all out effort to shake loose the hook in a quest to regain his freedom. Florida Everglades bass fishing will give you a fishing trip you will never forget.

Catching a feeding Bass at dawn or dusk is comparatively easy; catching a non-feeding Bass at midday can be almost as easy?, he is the biggest bully in the lake, and it's easy to get him to prove it! Catch and Release is the practice of releasing your catch back to the water. This is a MUST if we want to experience the joys of fishing. Catching big fish can be quite addictive!

Catching a trout isn't easy? In fact, there are many expert fishermen who have seen tough times because fishing is an unpredictable activity.Trout also have a neural transmitter than runs the length of their body which enables them to detect sound and vibration. Additionally, it's important to note that sound is amplified under water. Trout can be a very finicky fish and natural presentation is very important, you can use gang hooks , and once you use them, you will as well.

Redfish are lazy most of the time,Red Snapper can be prey amongst the rocks of the local islands. His favorite fish to eat is Halibut.
Jigs are great in cold water, when slow presentation is essential, or in delicate situations when bass are otherwise hard to catch. The smaller the jig the better, Jigging action does not have to be high and hard jerks-try different jigging actions if they are not hitting. Use a 6 or 8# test line.
Catch a batch of crappie every time you go fishing with ease! Make Sure you visit my website and get your copy of "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Fishing". Catching one of these magnificent fish is a team effort and a huge accomplishment.

Alejandro Leguizamon is successful entrepreneur, to read more tips about fishing,please go directly to the site: http://www.only4less.com/fishing
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Crappie Fishing While Trolling Quick - And Easy Technique To Catch Crappie

2008-04-10T04:26:00.011-07:00

The nice thing about having a boat is that you can troll to find the crappie schools. Some fisherman spend all day trolling weather they catch any crappie or not. I would like to show you a way to troll for crappie and actually catch fish. Once you start catching crappie stop your trolling and start having fun reeling in your catch.

Equipment you will need:
*Boat
*A trolling motor that will go as slow as physically possible.
*Jigs that have a red head and a white or yellow body.
The jigs should have a variety of different weights. The weight of the jig will determine how deep you are trolling. You want to have a variety of crappie rigs trolling at the same time at a variety of different depths.
This is called a shotgun effect.

Where to Start Trolling:
Crappie love structure so you want to start trolling near rock points, know stump areas, know sunken wreak areas, Think of any where a crappie could hide as a predator and dart out and return after catching his prey. I would start by identifying area's on a topographical map. This is a excellent way to create a game plan to start your fishing trip.

Initial trolling for crappie set up
You can start your troll using live bait. Hook the minnow through the bottom and top of his mouth. (this will prevent the minnow from drowning) Use ½oz or 3/4oz weight on the end of the line.
Once you catch the first fish stop the boat!

Know the secret tip to identify exactly where that school is located.
Use the crappie you just caught and use him as a scout fish to find that school of hungry crappie.
Step #1 Run a hook thru the back of the crappie make its not to deep so you don't kill the crappie by mistake. The hook needs to be attached to about 10ft of line with a bobber on the other end of the line.
Step#2 Let your scout fish lead you to the main crappie school. Just follow the floating bobber.
Step#3 VERY IMPORTANT stay far enough behind your scout fish so you cannot be seen by the schooled crappie.
Step#4 When he gets back to his home and all his buddies in the school and probably his favorite structure area, cast your line into the area from a safe distance. (If you spook the fish you will have to start all over again in a different area.
Step#5 Keep fishing the general area until you fish it out. If you don't have enough fish, start the trolling for crappie exercise all over again at a different spot.
Step#6 You would be surprised how many fishermen never do step 6 and it is probably one of the most important step for future fishing trips. Mark the spot on your topographical map . If you have a GPS enter the coordinates immediately so you do not forget. Remember you want to learn from every fishing trip.
Step#7 If you want to get real technical put a dot for every fish that was caught at this location. And if you want to get even more technical record the weather conditions .
Store this tip in your crappie fishing arsenal , then the next time you go out fishing you can plan your trip using this trolling for crappie fish technique. GOOD FISHING AND GOOD LUCK!

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

Top Crappie Fishing Tips

2008-04-10T04:26:00.010-07:00

As new or experienced crappie fisherman we are always looking for new information and top crappie fishing tips that will make our next crappie fishing trip more successful. I would like to share my top crappie fishing with live baits tips with you. The listing is in no particular order.

Live bait Tip#1

Use P-LINE a line that is as easy to cast as standard mono, but is as invisible as pure fluorocarbon. P-line is the manufacturer's name. P-line is the smallest dia. line you can buy and also the strongest. It is about 3-10 times as strong as the ave. fishing line. It is almost invisible because of it diameter.

TIP#2

Use shiner minnows as bait . These small fishing will reflect the sunlight off there small bodies. If you have ever reflected the light off a mirror , these small fish have the same effect in the water. Many time the crappie are attracted by the light reflection more then the bait.

TIP#3

Make sure you get some "oxygen saturated powder" for your shiner minnows. It kills the chlorine and oxygenates the water. I also use a small portable battery operated air pump. You want to keep your minnows alive as long as possible.

Top crappie fishing tip #4

Use a #6 hook that is "red" the red color makes it look like the minnow is bleeding . The crappie see the minnow is being injured an and a easy meal.

TIP#5

Whatever you do if you are not using a red hook, make sure you hide all the metal so nothing is showing. (recommend highly using the red hook).

TIP#6

Use a "true turn" #6 red hook. It works like a toggle bolt when you hook a crappie. It grabs hold of the tougher part of the crappie's mouth. Remember crappie's mouths are paper thin . It's easy to rip your hook right out.

Tip#7

Use a graphite jigger pole. I personally use a "uncle bucks" jigger pole but there are many more manufactures of jigger poles out there. The jigger pole is long has a very sensitive graphite tip, and it is durable but flexible.

Top crappie fishing tip #8

When you are using a long jigger pole you lesson your chances of a "snag" when you are reeling in. Put your line right in the think of the cover if you get a hit you can bring the crappie right up thru the muck and weeds with these poles. Don't hesitate to go into cover with these poles, they are designed to take the abuse.

Tip#9

Always mark how much line you real in. this marks the depth that you are catching fish. You can do this simply by counting your real clicks.

Tip#10

Hook your shiner minnow through the lower and upper lip.
These fishing tips should make your next fishing more successful . Don't hesitate to ad these top crappie fishing tips to your fishing arsenal. GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!

Crappie Instincts Learn Them and You Will Succeed!

2008-04-10T04:26:00.009-07:00

In the last 100 years a lot of things have changed. Computers...the Internet...Television....and the list goes on. But human instincts are the same now as they were a thousand years ago. Our instincts create our power to succeed or fail, and these same instincts are true when we crappie fish.

Crappie are just us they have inherited instincts just like us and they never change. They still swim around in schools, eating the same their ancestors did years ago. So some things just do not change. Knowing just a few of these basics instincts that drive crappie's habits will give you a huge advantage over other fisherman.

Fishing Habits

Crappies are not bottom feeders, and they are not top feeders either. They are more like "middle feeders" . Crappies are predators , and their crappie instinct is to school and hunt in packs. They school were there is cover and structure. Their crappie instinct to hide in cove allows them to hide from there prey and strike without being seen. This method also allows them to hide from larger predators.

Intelligence

You have to remember threat crappie are not stupid. If they cans see you they know the meal you have waiting for them will cost them your life. Try to be as invisible as possible when you are fishing. If crappie see enough of the brothers and sisters getting pulled of the water by your "big red lure" they will eventually figure out it is not something they want eat. Don't be afraid to switch baits if the crappie bite begins to slow.

Weather Conditions

Barometric pressure is not exactly a crappie instinct, but it does effect crappie and it is a good indicator when deciding what and how to present your bait.
Barometric tells you how heavy the air is over your location. The lower the reading ,the heavier the air. Two things cause heavy air: Moisture and temperature. So, the colder (and more moist) the air is, the more it weighs.

Crappie have to deal with the weight of the air on the top of the weight of the water. Heavy weight makes him move slower and also him more sluggish.
Keep track of the barometric pressure and where you find the crappie .... And how you catch the crappie. You'll notice how things change depending on the barometric pressure.

You can make adjustments depending on the conditions. Fish will move slower when its cold and so should your "jig"
You can also make adjustments when they're move faster . The nice thing about "live bait" is that it is self-adjusting.
Well Folks I hope the information on crappie instincts will help you catch your limit! GOOD LUCK!

Carp Fishing Tips - Hints That Will Help You Deal With Weed

2008-04-10T04:26:00.008-07:00

No one can be unaware these days of 'Global warming', with conferences held regularly by ecological groups, scientists and governments the problem is a genuine and serious one. It is also one of the main factors in the increase of weed growth in many of our carp fishing lakes across northern Europe and in my case northern France.

Add to this the intensive agriculture in many parts of France, with its heavy use of phosphate and nitrate fertilizers and you can soon see why weed is becoming more of a problem every year.
There are many types of common pond weeds that we can see proliferating in our waters. Some are denser and harder to deal with than others. They do though offer a safe haven for fish and abundant food store.

Accurate Casting:

So how do you deal with weed when you turn up to a weedy lake? Well first off don't panic carp can be caught in weed if you give it a little thought. The first thing I learned when approaching a weedy venue was the need to cast accurately. I am convinced that a major part of being consistent in carp fishing is presenting a bait in a way that a) the fish can find it easily & b) that your rig will work efficiently and get a good hook hold that will enable you to land the fish. I believe often when you get a series of hook pulls and lost fish, your rig is simply not working effectively or is ill-adapted for your swim.

Find the Clear spots:

So I like to fish in clear spots adjacent to weed beds where I am confident the fish can find my bait. Ok the fish will certainly feed with more confidence in the weed itself, as they have natural cover and food, as I mentioned above. But I am just not confident my rig will be fishing correctly and the thought of sitting for hours with a rod that is effectively NOT fishing is impossible for me. Casting is the trick. I like to over cast slightly to the hole in the weed and feel the lead down until it 'Donks' on the lake bed. If you hold the rod high you should feel a knock as the lead touches down. I follow the line forward a bit too to try and avoid as much as possible to inswing effect of a lead going in on a tight line. If I don't feel the donk I will recast until I do. This can mean a number of casts, which is why I stated at the outset accurate casting is very important. But I prefer to cast 20 times if necessary until I'm happy.

Fish Sensibly:

Some anglers will try to fish in right in the weed, but to my mind it is unwise to fish in thick weed where you have little chance of actually landing the fish. This includes fishing over weedbeds or to far margins and having to drag a fish through them to land it. Not only that it is this likely to result in a lost fish, a break off or mouth damage. The only way I have found to do this safely is in a boat. (These are not allowed on many waters however). I used a boat to get directly above a hooked carp and avoid the heavy ho of trying to pull it through weed.

Fish the Correct Rig:

The main item of your rig though that causes the problems in weed is the lead. Anglers must use a lead that can come off easily once a fish is hooked. The Korda safety clips are ok but I modify them for weed fishing by drilling a hole and trying them onto the swivel. This means, with a lightly fitting tail rubber that the leads popped off easily and the clip doesn't slide up the main line causing a 45 degree angle to the fish. Recently however I see other makes like Armaled have produced a safety clip that blocks the swivel in place. This is an improvement I believe.

Do not use in-line leads:

I would not recommend this type of set up in weed, not only will these plug you right in the weed if you a cast goes astray, but they will hinder you considerably while you play a fish and probably cause you to lose it. In this case the fish will probably end us towing the rig, I am not convinced of the saftey of in-lines in any case.

Do not use Backleads:

I would also avoid backleads like the plague in weed. To my mind they serve no purpose but can cause untold problems once you hook a fish. You need to think why you are using a certain item of tackle and adapt to the situations and not blindly fish in a stereotyped way.

Do use PVA:

PVA bags and tape are a great aid in helping your presentation when fishing in weed. You can cover you hook to avoid snagging weed. This is useful if you want to pull back gently after the cast to see if you are clear. It avoids the hook point picking up debris.
You can place your whole rig inside a bag and feel this down to the lake bed and know that once the PVA melts down you'll have a nice pile of bait, in close proximity to weed that is clear and fishing and baited up... There are lots of uses for PVA in these situations that will help you land more carp. You can use the tape to hold a break away lead in place on a safety clip for example, so you don't unnecessarily lose weights when you cast out.

Fish as close in as you can!:

In a previous article I mentioned all the advantages of fishing the margins. Well these are even more important in weed. Weed will offer you cover to fish closer in. you will be able to fish more accurately, cast more accurately and have a far higher chance of landing your fish.

by Gareth Watkins : For more Carp Fishing News, Posts, Tips and Articles Check out my own Angling Lines Blog at : http://www.anglinglines.com/blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Watkins

Long Distance Casting - Ten Things I've Learned To Cast Further!

2008-04-10T04:26:00.007-07:00

In modern carp fishing the ability to cast further is a definite advantage in the anglers armoury. The fact is, that despite what their estimated casting range is, most anglers will struggle to better 100 yards by any great margin.
Not all waters allow boats or bait boats, so being able to cast is a real plus, and can make the difference between catching and not catching. I remember all too well blanking on a lake in France because the fish were at 150 yards and I couldn't reach them. The Dutch guy in the next peg was casting there easily. Needless to say he bagged up... much to my frustration.

We can't all afford to go out and buy top of the range gear, which is what you 'll need to compete with the top casters.. that and loads of tuition and a modicum of talent. For us mere mortals a few hints and tips can get us up to the 140-150 yards range. I've done it measured, so as an average caster I can tell you it works. These tips were picked up from Mark Hutchinson and Mehdi Daho, but if you really want to get into the big league. I suggest you take lessons with someone like Mark.

Ok so here are 10 tips that will help you cast further with your regular carp gear.
1. Use a Large Spool Big Pit 'Type' Reel: These don't have to cost a fortune, the Shimano AERLEX costs as little as fifty quid. Okuma make excellent value big spool reels too.
The top flight reels like the Ultegra's from Shimano and Tournaments from Daiwa will set you back a few bob, but are excellent tools. The advantage of the wide spool on a big pit is that the diameter doesn't drop as quickly as you cast, thus less friction builds up on the spool lip, increasing your distance.

2. Fill Spool to the Rim: Make sure you fill your spool right up to the rim. Modern fixed spool reels used in carp fishing have pretty good line lay, compared to the awful things like Mitchell 300's and Cardinals. To make the most of the casting capacity of your reel fill it right flush to the lip. Don't overfill as you'll get bird's nests, but go as full as you can. Bear in mind that the line will bed down a bit.

3. Fill Your Spool with 10lb Monofilament Line: It stands to reason the finer the line you use the further you'll cast. You can't go mad in carp fishing as the fish are big and fight hard. In most open water 10lb mono is more than adequate. I use Daiwa Sensor 10lb for my long range stuff, but many of the quality monos on the market will do. Some anglers drop line strength even more...it's a trade off really between abrasion resistance and casting needs. A finer diameter line will naturally need far less chaffing to break it than heavy, thicker nylon. A few drops of Kryston Greased Lightening will also make the nylon flow off the reel better.

4. Use a Braided Leader: To get maximum distance with 10lb main line you'll need a shock leader. Here I'd recommend a 50lb braid for a leader material. Braid has no stretch so all your power is put into the blank and not into the stretch of a nylon leader. It will add distance to your casts.

5. Use A Helicopter Rig: The best casting rig is the 'Helicopter' rig. Set up right is is also the only rig that will leave the fish free of the line in the case of a crack off. Now these rigs DO have to be done right. The wrong set up and you have a death rig, as the fish trail line and the lead. There are several companies making either ready to use rigs or selling the various end rig items you need to make a safe set-up. Please pay careful attention to this! The poor set up of the helicopter rigs has seen it banned on my waters, which is stupid, as done correctly it should be the safest rig out there.
It lets the lead fly first and the bait follows, giving you a more aerodynamic set up and therefore more distance. Combine this with a short nylon stiff or combi-hooklink and it will go far...

6. Use a Zip Lead: A lead of the Zip type will cast further than any lead out there. Aerodynamic, these leads really come into their own when used with a bait. In most circumstances you may net see a huge difference between dumpy pear leads and zips, that is until you attach your boilie. The zip gives your rig far more stability and lets you get several yards extra distance on your cast. These leads fly straight and true and will be more accurate too.

7. Use a Small Bait: Inertia is one of the main problems you come across when looking to gain those precious extra yards. It stands to reason a large 22mm boilie not only adds weight to the rig, but also adds wind resistance and makes the set up less stable in the air and less aerodynamic. If you drop your bait size down to 14mm or smaller, it won't prevent a carp from finding and eating your offering, but it will certainly help cancel out some of the negative effects of the large bait.

8. Use a Fingerstall: This is primarily a safety issue. Braided leaders are like cheese wire, and will cut your finger down to the bone easily if you don't wear a fingerstall. These need to be leather Reuben Heatons offers a very good one. To my mind the fear of hurting myself and certainly the pain of slicing my finger would prevent me from really leaning into a cast without one. The use of a fingerstall, the safety issue aside, gives me all the confidence to go for the big one and not worry about injury. As I said above, you need strong fine braided shock leader with no stretch to transfer the energy of the lead compressing the blank on the cast. To use braid you MUST protect your casting finger.

9. Make Sure Your Rod Handle is the Right Length: Now here is a point I bet most people don't think about when they buy a rod to cast long range with. The length of the handle. So you can transfer the maximum of your bodyweight into the cast, you need to be able to tuck the handle under your armpit as you follow through. If the handle is too long, you'll need to push it to one side at the end of the cast. You'll almost certainly be losing yourself a few metres like this. You don't need full custom built rods, but you should get a rod builder or a good tackle shop to tailor your rod for your arm length.

10. Cast Off the Deck: You can gain precious yards by laying your lead on the floor and casting off the deck. You'll transfer all the force of the cast almost immediately as you lift the weight, compressing the blank and unleashing the full power of the rod. A couple of points to bear in mind, you might want to uprate your leader strength to 100lb or so, as the casts of this type are brutal to say the least. You also might want to lay the lead and the rig on an unhooking mat of some such thing to avoid catching the rig on the ground or vegetation as you cast. I'd probably protect the hook point with PVA also to avoid it pricking the material.

This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few tips and guide lines I've picked up to help you put extra yards on a cast. Don't be afraid of breaking a rod, although its always a possibility, modern carbon fibre is a hugely strong material and in normal fishing the risks are not too great. A fishing rod is a tool so use it to its full...

by Gareth Watkins : For more Carp Fishing News, Posts, Tips and Articles Check out my own Angling Lines Blog at : http://www.anglinglines.com/blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Watkins

Being On The Water When Fish Are Active

2008-04-10T04:26:00.006-07:00

Many anglers put little or no effort into being on the water when the fish are the most active. To most anglers any time that they can go fishing is the best time to be on the water, and there's truth to this statement, but with a little education an anglers success rates can be increased dramatically. I'm not referring to becoming a scholar on subjects live the weather and moon either; I'm simply referring to spending a little bit of time understanding how things such as the weather and moon impact out ability to catch fish.

Have you ever had one of those epic days fishing, where it seemed like you could do no wrong? When it seemed as if no matter what you threw into the water resulted in fish being caught? Not only were a lot of fish being caught, but they were quite large as well? Well, days such as this are a ton of fun, and happen because you're on the water when the fish are the most active. And the fish being active has to do with the weather and moon.

These incredible days fishing are because you're on the water when both the weather and moon are in your favor, rather than just one of them. When you understand how these two factors really affect fishing, you can begin to plan your fishing trips accordingly. This way you can be on the water when the fish are the most active as much as possible.

Many anglers simply think that fish biting is due to the type of bait or lure that they're using or worse, that fish bite or don't bite based on dumb luck. The truth is that the bait and/or lure that you employ obviously have an affect, but the fish being active has a larger affect. This is why familiarizing yourself with the weather and moon and the way they impact fish behavior is so important.

To a certain degree, through gaining this knowledge you can make sure that you're on the water when the odds are in your favor and the fish are the most active. The easiest thing to do is make sure that you always plan your fishing trips during full or new moon phases. Fish are always more active, and thus bite more readily during these two moon phases.

My point is that there are some times of the day, week, and/or month that are better for fishing than others, and as anglers we should be aware of such information. The more knowledge we gain, the better anglers we become, it's as simple as that. And besides, what's the worst that can happen? That I'm full of crap and you continue to have the same amount of fishing success as you have always had? That's the worst that could happen. On the other hand, maybe there's truth to what I'm saying, and you'll begin to catch more fish. Employ this information and see what happens? You won't be disappointed.

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

Large Mouth Bass Fishing Resources

2008-04-10T04:26:00.005-07:00

By Chris Dreyer

Imagine yourself at the top of the charts for the yearly Texas bass fishing tournament with a big bass, the size of your arm just hanging there, ready for the judges. Well I can say this right off. If you don't know what you're doing, it will never happen. I don't mean that you will never catch a bass in your life; I mean the odds are in your favor. If you try enough you're bound to catch a bass. It may just be a small 4 pounder, but it will be a bass none the less. What you want though, is to be a champion, you want the hall of fame and you want it now. Well I have good news and bad news. You can do it. But it will take research and it will take time. You don't become a champion overnight, unless of course you have a fairy god fisher around here somewhere with awesome large mouth bass fishing resources available.

Doing your research before practicing is like taking extra clothes with you on a vacation. You will always be ready for whatever is thrown your way. Don't just settle on questions like where do they feed at the most. Ask yourself questions that should really be considered, and have everything to do with your expedition. Think about all the supplies you use and the options you have. If you use lures then think about the kinds you can buy. They have ones in a variety of colors and sizes, but do bass really see in color?

Some certain foods they eat only reside in water that is a certain temperature. Do the fish know this and can they tell the temperature s of the water. It's been said that some certain fish are smarter than others and they have even gone so far as to research this. They can tell the difference in "personality" of other fish so much that they seem to have friends within there species.

One thing to look into is there travel habits. Do they travel in schools or by themselves? This is a good question since it will determine what type of chances you will have. On one hand if you're tracking a particularly big fish, then it will be easier if they travel alone, but you have a better chance of catching one if they travel in schools.

Another thing of importance would be to see if they are territorial in a way that they will travel to others space to claim it. If so then you may wind up tracking the wrong fish. Can you imagine what would happen if you got a great big catfish at a bass tourney?
You also need to know what types of food they eat at what times of the year. If they are used to a certain food in the summer and you have there winter food on your hook, you more than likely wont be fooling anyone and it may even just scare them away.

That is why you always need to be up to date on your large mouth bass fishing resources.
Check out Large Mouth Bass Fishing Resources for an extreme bass fishing guide.
http://www.squidoo.com/large-mouth-bass-fishing-resources
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Dreyer

Homemade Fishing Lures - What Are The Benefits?

2008-04-10T04:26:00.004-07:00

By Darryl Hunter

If you have been fishing for any length of time you will know that the difference between catching the big one or going home hungry sometimes comes down to the lures you are using.
There are many variables to take into consideration when choosing your fishing lure for the days fishing. You need certain lures for different fishing areas, lighting conditions, seasons, salt water vs fresh water and also what type of fish you are trying to catch, to name just a few.

There are many types of fishing lures these days. Go to any sport or fishing shop and you will find a huge array of lures for all types of fishing. Some work and some don't. Some look realistic and some don't.

If you could make your own homemade fishing lures you could design them to be exactly how you want them, they could have all the features that you know work and you could optimise them to the conditions mentioned above.
How much more satisfying would it be if you caught your fish using your very own homemade fishing lures?

Its not difficult to make your own lures, all you need are the necessary tools and the right parts.
There are a range of benefits if you make your own fishing lures.
1/ You save money-- It will cost you far less to purchase what is needed to make your own lures than to buy commercial fishing lures.
2/ Satisfaction-- Catching "The BIG one" will be far so much more satisfying if you catch it on a lure you have made yourself.
3/ Earn money -- You could sell lures that you have made.
4/ Tweak and modify-- If you see areas to improve the lure you can tweak or refine it.
5/ You know what works -- If you have been fishing for any length of time you know what lures work best for the type of fishing you do. Have you ever thought to yourself "if only there was a lure that..." well, you could make that lure.
6/ It's an enjoyable hobby designing and making fishing lures.

Would you like to be able to make your own fishing lures and enjoy the benefits above? It's easy to learn and you can't beat the feeling of catching a big fish on a lure you have crafted with your own hands.

Darryl is a keen fisherman and enjoys the art of homemade fishing lures. Do you want to feel the thrill of catching fish on your own Homemade Fishing lures? If you want to learn step by step how to make fishing lures Visit: http://homemadefishinglures.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darryl_Hunter

A Few Good Ways to Fish for Bass

2008-04-10T04:26:00.003-07:00

Talk to any bass fisherman and he or she will tell you that there are hundreds of different ways to fish for bass. The purpose of this article is to give you five simple but very effective ways to fish for bass that anyone can do. No kidding, whether you are just beginning to fish for largemouth bass or have fished them for years these five tips will be of help to you.

Tip # 1

For years my brothers and I fished either out of a canoe or a small flat bottom row boat. There is more than one way to fish for bass you do not need a $20,000 high speed bass boat to catch bass we caught plenty and some pretty nice ones at that. I vividly remember reeling in keeper bass while all the fast bass boats flew from spot to spot going fast but NOT FISHING! I for one like to fish out a spot before I move on.

Tip # 2

Growing up fishing out of those small boats we learned to stay up in the weeds and away from the waves and wind. After all we did have to row the boat or paddle the canoe. We discovered how to toss our lures up into the open pockets in the weeds and fish right up to the edge and jerk the bait out before we snagged a weed. We caught many bass with plastic worms dropped into those holes and slowly twitching the worms until we hooked the bass. It is a good way to fish for bass. Sometimes you can catch that lunker in a foot of water.

Tip # 3

The top water lure is my favorite to fish especially late evening right as the wind dies down and the sun is only up for another half hour. The water is smooth as glass and every ripple shows. I just find myself a large set of weeds that jut out from the shoreline 25 feet or so and then flip the top water twitch bait right to the edge of the weed bed and slowly and I mean slowly twitch jerk the lure two to three times and let it sit for a second then repeat all the way back to the boat. Nothing is more thrilling than when that largemouth comes out of the water and kisses that lure. I have caught some huge bass with this method.

Tip # 4

Another good way to fish for bass is up near the docks and boat houses along the lake shore. It is amazing how close you can cast your spinner bait to those fancy ski boats tied up to those docks. Bass like to hang out in the shade of the docks hiding in the shadows waiting for a delicious meal to hobble by. Bam! The fight is on when that little spinner shines past his hiding place. Flip your spinner as far under the dock as you can get it and let it sink three quarters of the way to the bottom then retrieve just fast enough to spin the blade give it three or four tries and if no hits then speed up your retrieve. You might want to throw a shallow running crank bait under or right along side the dock or boathouse. Just be careful some people get really upset when you get your hook into their canvas boat cover (personal experience speaking).

Tip # 5

Perhaps one of the older ways to fish for bass, and one not used very often anymore, is with a weed less Johnson Silver Minnow tipped with a green spotted pork rind. We used to slay the bass over thick weeds using this tactic. Find a thick weed bed with few if any holes in it and simply toss the silver minnow onto the top of the bed and reel it just fast enough to keep it from dropping through the weeds. It is amazing how those bass can get through those thick weeds and latch onto that lure. Don't use a swivel you should always tie your line directly to your lure or you will pick up weeds on the swivel.

I sure hope these five tips on ways to fish for bass have helped you as you go out and fish. Remember even a bad day fishing is better than any day working unless your work is fishing then every day is a good day! Check out my reviews of two fantastic books on bass fishing.

Dennis has been successfully bass fishing for over 45 years. You can find out more at his blog at http://www.bassfishingfundamentals.blogspot.com and find a review of bass fishing books at http://www.squidoo.com/bass_fishing_review
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Snyder

On A Dare - Fly-Fishing From A Woman's Perspective

2008-04-10T04:26:00.002-07:00

By Kathie Hynes

On a Cruiser in the Sea of Cortez I have brought in a 40- and a 50-pound Dorado, about 20 Tuna (15-25 pounds each), and 2 Marlin (100 and 150 pounds each). Now that was fishing!!! No messy hands, bathroom on board!
It all started when I was bragging to Mike, my fanatical fishing cousin, about my fishing prowess in the Sea of Cortez. Mike said, "You call that fishing? Try catching a trout on 1-pound test." Never letting a dare go, I scheduled my first fly-fishing lesson at the Kern River. Located in the Southern Sierra Nevada range the Kern River is a total of 151 miles long and a favorite among many anglers. The terrain is rocky with poison oak scattered throughout.

At the Kern, as the locals call it, you stand in the middle of the river and cast your rod. This is new for me. No boat, no bathrooms, just me in the river. Let the fly-fishing lesson begin!
I arrived at the Trout Fitters to meet my fly-fishing guide, David, and was given a pair of waders and boots. The waders were too big for me; the crotch fell between my knees. I had always heard that fishing would clear my mind, test my agility, and make me one with nature. I was anxious to find out what all the fuss was about.

I was driven to a section of the Kern River where my guide and I proceeded to climb down to the river, over rocks and past poison oak! One with nature! We arrived at the river's edge where I gently laid my camera, in its case, on a large rock. We walked into the river where David showed me how to cast my fly rod. I watched intently, thinking to myself, "that doesn't look too hard." My first cast caught my camera and I proceeded to land it expertly in the river!!! David retrieved it for me. "I'll bet you can't do that twice!" he said. For the safety of my camera, I chose to ignore that dare!

David began showing me the "finesse" of casting. I watched attentively, trying to cement the information into my brain. My turn. I tried a few short casts. David said I was doing very well. Then I put all I had into the next cast that sent my line out into what I thought was the river. However, it caught David's arm, causing him to bleed. I had more lessons and cast my line again. My husband, Chris, was fishing down river. He and I both thought we caught the "big one", however, I caught my husband's line and wound up in a tangled mess.

David decided we had better go to another place where I would have better luck landing my line without obstruction. We waded across the river. I held tightly to David's arm, as the rocks in the river were very slippery. Upon reaching the other side, we began "rock climbing." Try climbing up and down rocks, holding a rod, with your waders at your crotch. Not happening. I decided to hold my waders up by the crotch giving my legs a broader span. At that point, I went sailing into the river. I thought David was reaching out to help me, but he grabbed the fly rod out of my hand instead. Only after securing the rod did he ask if the water made it inside my waders! I guess I was lucky, the inside of my waders were dry.

After climbing rocks for approximately twenty minutes, we came across a pool where water flowed over the rocks. I was told this is where the fish "hang out." David double tied my line with 2 flies. He said, "When you feel a bite, gently pull up on your rod to secure the hook in the fish's mouth." When I felt the bite I pulled up on my rod and that 4-inch trout went sailing through the air into the bushes. David had to retrieve the trout and get the fish back in the water before he died! I guess I tugged a little hard.

Previously the smallest fish I caught was about 20 pounds! David said I had caught a "natural". Sure didn't feel natural to me!
We continued rock climbing and casting - no more catching. I suppose that is why everyone calls it "fishing" rather than "catching." I think the rock climbing wore me out.
After about 4 hours of fly-fishing, I decided to call it a day! Now I had more rock climbing and wading before we reached the area where we had parked. More poison oak to be wary of, once again testing my agility. I spent the better part of that day doing physical exercise, climbing, hanging on, casting, and swimming. Clear my mind? I admit my mind was totally focused on staying alive and therefore clear of all other distractions.
I also have to admit, I slept great that night! Of course, the Bloody Marys with dinner probably helped a little too!

All in all, I would say it was an adventure I would like to try again. This time - NO rock climbing. I enjoyed standing in the river with water swirling around me, watching the fish. I can see the enjoyment of fly-fishing and why it has become a popular sport.
I now have my own boots and my own rod. Next up.... waders that fit!

Kathie Hynes is an aspiring writer living in California. When she isn't writing, Kathie enjoys helping her husband Chris in their custom fly rod business. St. Clair & Hynes builds handmade bamboo fly rods that are simply unmatched in quality and beauty. For more information, please visit http://schflyrods.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathie_Hynes

Fishing Baits, What Bait Do You Use? Live Bait or Artificial Lures?

2008-04-10T04:26:00.001-07:00

By Joe Roman

Live bait can be fun even though it can be a bit messy. Live bait can be minnows, worms, grubs, frogs, crickets, grasshoppers and all insects. You can also use pork rind, chicken, hotdogs, cheese, bread or any store bought foods.
Fish like food that tastes good, just like us humans, so if it stays on a hook give it a try Now if you want to catch fish fast and not try all day then live bait is the best way to go. I will usually give the kids some worms or a pork rind to fish with as they enjoy fishing more when they catch something.

My granddad taught me to fish back in the 60's and we used cheese and pork rind at the reservoir to catch many large fish. I remember these pork rinds had hairy legs and the fish really jumped on them. As I grew older I liked to try artificial baits to catch fish. This took a bit of learning as it was harder to get the fish to bite. Today I can catch fish with just about any lure or bait.

Artificial baits are plastic worms, jigs, spinner baits and lures and metal spoons. There are way too many to list and I am sure you have tried many yourself. One advantage to artificial is they are clean and don't smell. But to make them work well, you must make them act like live bait.
To fish with live bait all you really need is a pole with a string and bobber attached and a hook. Kinda like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. You don't need a raft as you can catch fish off the bank. Just toss the line out and watch the bobber until it goes under. Pull your fish in. Have fun...If it is too small use the catch and release technique of fishing. Great for new fishers or kids.

The more experienced fisher person will want a better rod and reel. With different hooks and lures to make finding the right combo of the day easier. Cast and retrieve with a spinner bait till the fish are located. Find what they are biting and fish with that the day thru...You will fill your limit while the kids have fun too.

Scent can play an important part in catching fish. Hairy pork rind can add to your fish catch, as you can add scent to this bait and also with a jig it can make sound. (rattle) This helps fish smell and feel the vibrations as it is worked thru the water. Hairy pork rind can come in many shapes and sizes. I like to use 3 to 6 inch lengths. One I have found to work quite well is the hairy hog siren lizard. A little over 5 inches long and shaped like a lizard it swims well and also looks very real gliding along the bottom of the lake or river.

The other reason to use pork rind is when a fish strikes it he bites hard as it feels like a real live bait to the fish. He tends to hold on longer and then the fish is in the boat or on the shore. Larger fish like this large bait. Also a 3 inch crawfish bait works well.

To read more articles on fishing and learn more about pork baits visit the web site. fishyfishstuff.com Write a fish story and win a prize in the fishy story contest. See more below.
Have you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about fishing, read more stories and receive delicious recipes, then drop by: http://www.fishyfishstuff.comJoe Roman Author, Fisherman and Outdoorsman: for fishing articles, delicious fish recipes and fishing ebooks and courses. Join the fishy fish club.*It's Free* Enter the fishy story contest. Fishing is fun for the whole family, Take the kids.

Best Bass Fishing Secrets

2008-04-10T04:26:00.000-07:00

By Troy Nantais

Many say that a bass fisherman is only as good as his Bass Fishing lures. Well, this is really only fifty per cent true, the other fifty percent is in knowing and understanding bass habitat. Combine these 2 elements together and you have the best bass fishing secrets. Learning how to catch more bass isn't really a secret but rather a solid understanding of these principles and how they apply to any given body of water. By understanding what lures apply to what situations and knowing and understanding bass habitat like the back of your hand will go along way to keeping your live well full while the other guy struggles to stay in the bass tournament.

The best way to take a look at how these 2 principles combine is to look at some scenarios we often face as bass fisherman. For example;
Suburban Bassing: This is what I call it when waterways are surrounded by residential development, manicured lawns and corporate build up. You know what I mean bass fishing in the city. Many of the best basswaters in the country are not those large reservoirs that get most of the bass fishing attention. But rather the small, suburban waters like golf courses, country clubs, housing developments creeks and channels in our cities. While many of these small waterways will be off-limits to the general public, you can often get permission to fish in some of these areas just simply by asking.

The benefit is less fishing pressure and you may find that some of your sweetest bass fishing holes may be found right under that culvert behind factory X. Of course learning and practicing what techniques work here will require experimentation but don't be afraid to test it out. Often these suburban waters will be snag fests, so I usually like to tie on a plastic worm to find that 10 lb bass lurking below.

Fishing from the back of the boat. Ok you finally got a break into a bass fishing tourney by being invited by your friend only to discover you've been relegated to fishing from the back of the boat. Oh the humanity. Yes we all love fishing from the front of the boat, but what happens when we are relegated to this lowly spot. No problems just adjust your tactics a bit. Try to set up a system where the guy in the front doesn't hog all the first casting opportunities, try and set it up so the guy in the front casts to every other good spot, leaving you the poor guy in the back some good opportunities as well. The result you'll actually be able to cover water faster finding those sweet spots a lot faster.

But what if your not getting those kind of opportunities, and you feel like your getting the short end of the rod so to speak. I've been in this situation many times, and sometimes it's not a bad idea to give the guy in the front a subtle message by casting up ahead of him. Nothing says hey gimme a chance then squeezing in a few "hey don't forget about me casts". Hopefully, that help break the ice and give you the chance for the "hey were a team, so let's fish like a team" opportunity. But then again, if not often being the driver and fishing from the back gives you some subtle control, keeping your eye on the fish finder and positioning the boat just so, might give you some opportunities as well.

These are just a couple frequent scenarios that often bass fisherman face, but even when the pressure is on there are lots of subtle best bass fishing secrets to be told. Just like in this article one tip pertained more to a given urban situation and one had more to do with what goes one above the water. Both are important and can spark ideas to find your own bass fishing secrets. Just learn and discover and you never know what you might find.

Now obviously there is a lot more to bass fishing then understanding a couple little tips. For more information on bass fishing and bass fishing secrets check out http://www.squidoo.com/basshabitat
My name is T Nantais and I am an avid fisherman who loves Bass fishing and you can find a lot more bass fishing tips on my page.
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Fishing Lake Texoma Texas - Cabins for Rent, Fishing Reports, Guides

2008-04-09T07:24:00.003-07:00

By J.D. Tatman

Lake Texoma was impounded in 1944 and is located on the Red River in North Texas on the Texas and Oklahoma border just northwest of Denison and Sherman Texas. It has 74,686 acres of water with a maximum depth of 100 ft. and a pool level of 615 ft to 619 ft. msl
The lake holds the following species; Blue & channel catfish, White & striped bass, Largemouth bass, Spotted bass, Smallmouth bass, Black & white crappie, and Bluegill.

Lake Texoma fishing report that Largemouth Bass are being taken in shallow water during the spring and early fall on a variety of artificial baits and worms, Since the lake straddles both states, anglers come from Texas and Oklahoma to fish Lake Texoma. Be sure to get the latest Lake Texoma fishing report when planning a your trip.

Lake Texoma cabins for rent are very abundant on both Texas and Oklahoma sides of the lake. Check with various marinas and private campgrounds for availability. As on all Texas Lakes, be sure to make reservations well in advance. Also make sure you understand what is included with the cabin rental. The cabin can come complete with everything you need, or it can be more of a wilderness camping where you must bring your own linen and kitchen utensils.

Fishing Guides on Lake Texoma are all licensed and can put you on the fish. Their prices are from $250.00 to 350.00 per full day, with everything included. Like most Texas Lakes, most marinas have fishing guides that work exclusively at that marina. Again, booking well in advance is a must, especially during the spring and fall fishing season.

In Conclusion: Lake Texoma is a popular lake and its size makes it a great fishery that has not been over fished. It has produced some state trophy bass and I will be returning soon with an update. Remember to book everything well in advance and be prepared for a great fishing trip.

John Tatman is a avid fisherman who reports on popular Texas Lakes and lake fishing. He is also the owner of Great Texas Bass Fishing http://www.greattexasbassfishing.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.D._Tatman

How to Make Fishing Lures

2008-04-09T07:24:00.001-07:00

By Troy Nantais

How to make fishing lures is one of those hobbies that is extremely fun to learn and very satisfying. There's no feeling that can describe catching your first bass or trout on a fishing lure that you made all by yourself. The problem is there isn't a lot of information out there in learning how to make fishing lures. Most people start off in the hobby through a lot of trial and error. I was no exception to this. Back when I was a boy I used to marvel at all the fishing and experience for a 12 year old boy, trying to carve out fishing lures out of your mom's lures in my tackle box and wonder at how fishing lures were made.

My first few early attempts at making fishing tackle didn't quite turn out. In fact the results were down right hilarious. Back then there wasn't hardly any information about how to make fishing lures at all, so everything had to be learned through experience broom sticks and painting them with your car modeling testor paints. I still remember running down to the water with my first fishing lure that I had made. It didn't wobble, I think the paint job only lasted a few minutes before starting to peel and hang off my lure like wet noodles. But it sure was a lot of fun.

Today learning how to make fishing tackle doesn't have to be like back when I was boy. Even though there isn't a ton of information available the art of making fishing lures has come a long way to helping the beginner.

The first step is having a basic knowledge of fishing tackle, design and function and knowing of what lure making supplies you really need. After that the fun can begin as you try your hand at making fishing lures. Here are a couple quick tips to help you out in making wooden fishing lures.

1. Most wooden lures in your tackle box are made of a few different types of wood. Balsa and Basswood are the most common woods used to make fishing lures. However you can make some really great fishing lures out of more common wood found in you local home improvement store. Cedar makes some great fishing lures and you can use both red and white cedar. I have had great success using both. They carve and shape fairly easily and due to the woods water resiliency finish up nicely.

2. Easy Ready to Go Painting Patterns. Did you know you can use your wife's or mothers used nylons to get some great patterns on your fishing lures without a lot of fuss. By using an airbrush you can take advantage of some of the patterns on used nylons to make some great subtle patterns on the sides of wooden fishing lures just make sure to use an old pair or you just may find yourself in the dog house if you use your wife's best Sunday nylons.

3. Always seal your wooden plugs before painting. This was something I didn't even know to do when I was a boy during my early fishing lure making attempts. It may sound like a small tip, but it goes a long way to making some nice fishing lures. Just use some wood sealer from your local home improvement store but here the crucial tip. After doing so sand down the fishing lure once more using very fine sandpaper, or even a brown paper bag. Wood sealers have a tendency to raise to raise the grain in wood, and this would result in an un-even paint job. It doesn't take a lot of time to do, but it helps to create a better looking fishing lure.

There's a lot more that can be shared about how to make fishing lures, and for most the best way to start learning is to jump in and start having some fun. I would suggest however to get the most from your fiest few tackle making attempts is to learn a little more about this fun hobby.

I created a little web page for people wanting to learn more about tackle making and I review various books and information available so you get started off properly. There's also some videos that show some little tips as well.

T Nantais is an avid fisherman and enjoys the hobby of tackle making. For more information about how to make fishing lures can be found at http://www.squidoo.com/tacklemaking There he goes over more tips and reviews on the best books on how to make fishing lures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Nantais

Beginners Guide To Tackle Making

2008-04-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

By Troy Nantais

Tackle making is one of those secret art form hobbies where there isn't a lot of information to assist the newcomer. A quick search online or through your local bookstore doesn't reveal a ton of information to help someone just starting out. I remember when I was a boy I used to enjoy going through my tackle box admiring all the lures, wooden crankbaits, spinners and spoons and marvel at how they were made. Back then there wasn't the internet and I didn't even know anything about the fun hobby of tackle making at all. I do remember however, wanting to figure out at how lures are made, so in my own way I sat down to try and make my own wooden lures.

My early results at tackle making were a complete disaster. The wooden crankbait lures that I made were really rough, not very streamlined at all plus they didn't wobble like the ones I marveled at in my tackle box. My paint jobs were even worse. I didn't know anything about sealing wooden plugs, airbrushing etc, I was just a 12 year old boy trying his hand at making fishing lures without any help or prior experience. So I landed up using my car modeling testor paints and when I ran down to the lake to try out my early wooden lures, well let's just say it didn't quite turn out what I had hoped. I think the paint only lasted a few minutes and began to peel and hang off the wooden plugs like soppy wet noodles. But you know in hind sight what a great memory. I had a lot of fun in my early attempts at fishing lure making and so I share this story to show that even without any assistance you can learn and have a lot of fun even as a beginner in the art of tackle making.

I've come a long way from those days and have definitely improved my abilities in fishing lure making. While there still isn't a ton of information out there to help the beginner to learn tackle making, thanks to the internet there is a lot more then when I was a kid.
So I decided to make little webpage to help the beginner in learning tackle making by reviewing the information that is found online.

T Nantais is an avid fisherman and enjoys the lost art of tackle making. His webpage can be found at http://www.squidoo.com/tacklemaking where he reviews and shares information to help those interested in learning more about the hobby of tackle making.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Nantais

How To Rig Powerbait To Catch More Trout

2008-04-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in knowing how to rig Powerbait to catch more trout? I assume so, or you wouldn't be reading this article. In this article I'm going to reveal the best way to rig Powerbait to catch more trout, and the best times to use said trout rig. These two valuable pieces of information will help anyone catch more trout on their next fishing outing.

When talking about trout and Powerbait I think it's important to describe what it is we're fishing for. When you use Powerbait for trout the bottom line is that you're fishing for stocked fish, rather than 'native' fish. These are trout that have been raised and 'planted' by the government. There's nothing wrong with this, it's just the way it is. For the most part the rig that I'm going to describe is used for still fishing in lakes. This can be modified as you see fit, but for me, Powerbait is only used when still fishing is lakes for stocked trout.

Many people ask what color Powerbait is best. I've always said that I've never believed that it matters. If one color isn't working, try another color, it's as simple as that. Stocked trout are no very sophisticated (to say the least) and I simply don't think that color matters much. The important thing to remember is that whatever color you use, make sure that it floats. Flotation is the important aspect this type of trout bait.

Begin by taking the end of your line and slipping on an egg sinker (1/4 to ½ ounce). Now tie on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). The barrel swivel acts as a "stopper" for the weight and helps to prevent line twist. Now tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks, size 8 or 10 is usually best. Now add enough Powerbait to each hook to completely cover each hook. In other words, when you're done you'll have two balls of Powerbait hanging from the end of your line. This is how to rig Powerbait to catch more trout.

Now cast this rig into the lake, let it sink, and slowly reel in the slack line. Now prop your rod against an immovable object and wait. Your line should be completely taught. The rod tip will bounce when you start to get a bite (it shouldn't take long). Now how do you make sure that you're fishing at the best time?

The best time to be on the water fishing is determined by the weather and moon. All you have to do is pay attention to the weather and moon, and plan your fishing trips accordingly. Seriously, the weather and moon have an incredible impact on the feeding activity of trout and the better you understand this phenomenon the better. This might sound strange, but it's nonetheless true.

Begin using these tips sooner, rather than later and you will begin catching more trout. Albeit stocked trout, but hey sometimes an anglers got to do what he or she has to do.

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!
Get Fishing Tips & Techniques For Pennies - http://www.lulu.com/jrwfishing
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Accuracy - Five Tips to Carp Fish with More Precision

2008-04-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Accurate casting is an essential part of modern Carp Fishing. I looked in a earlier piece about distance fishing, but at all ranges precision is crucial for consistent results. You need to be able to place your baited rig on the same spot with great accuracy if you wish to have any real level of regular success in the sport. Below are five tips that will make this easier, whether you are fishing to a gravel bar on a pit of to an over-hang on a small Estate lake, these tips will help you put your bait in the money easily.

Use a Marker Float - A marker rod is for me a totally essential piece of kit. I couldn't imagine turning up at a new venue without one. Yet is staggers me the number of anglers I see who don't use a Marker float set up. Its main use for me is to plumb the swim in front of me in an attempt to discover what is there. Set up correctly you can get a good idea of the depth, and the nature of the lake bed. With experience you can get a feel for which areas are most likely to produce a fish. More importantly it allows you to find that productive spot on every occasion you need to.When you find a likely looking spot you can pop up your float, and you have the perfect target to cast to. You can clip, or mark the line of this rod so you can accurately find the feature whenever you need to replace your bait. Naturally it also gives you a target to fire your free baits at also, so you really are fishing effectively.

Clip up - Modern fixed spool reels used in carp fishing from the likes of Daiwa & Shimano. Shimano all have a small line clip on the side of the spool. Now the manufacturers intended you to use this clip to avoid line spillage when the reel was not in use. But many anglers have discovered that this little device serves a much more useful purpose - It allows you to trap you line before you wind in at exactly the distance you were fishing. When you come to recast you can therefore drop your bait on virtually the same spot at the same distance. Easy! But there are a few precautions you should take if you want to practice this technique. The clips on most spools are not very line friendly, and can crimp or chafe your mono, damaging it enough to weaken it and risk a breakage when you are playing a fish...There are two things I do avoid this, one is to place a piece of Powergum or Pole elastic in the clip first before the nylon. This acts as a buffer and helps protect the mono. Secondly I wrap a piece of electrical tape around the line as I place it in the clip.The last thing I make sure I do when I use this technique is to feather the cast, so the line doesn't tighten violently against the clip at the end of the cast. This not only helps prevent line damage; it stops the rig shooting back" bungy" style, through the elasticity of the nylon, on the cast. This is a great technique if you are fishing to far margins or overhanging trees where you really can't afford to over cast.

Mark Your Line - When you have found your spot and cast your baited rig to it, mark your line so you can recast to that spot each time.There are a number of things you can use, some people use electrical tape and trim it down, and others use Powergum, tied in a loop. Personally I prefer Pole Elastic. It is soft enough to trip easily through the rod rings without impeding the cast. It stays in place yet can easily be removed if you no longer want to fish that spot. You can even use different coloured elastic for each rod so you know immediately which rod is for which spot. This can help in the dark or after multiple takes when you have more than one rod out of the water at once.I tie it on with a double over hand loop just after the buzzer. It is a simple matter after the cast and if I don't clip up, to wind the marker knot back to the right spot so it sits in the same position.

Aim at a Feature on the Far Bank - Once you've found your spot, and are able to place your bait in a likely area at the right distance, you're going to need to put back in the same spot every cast, while you wish to fish it. This means casting in the right direction too. It is pointless going to the trouble of locating a decent area where you either catch a fish or feel you will catch, and then to cast your rig off the mark. The easiest way to make sure you get the right direction is to pick a feature on the far margin and use that. A tree, a telegraph pole or some sure item is the best bet. It really needs to be up above tree line, or you'll probably find that once the sun goes down you can no longer see it. If you are lucky there may be a light, or lit up feature for you to aim at. So once you've found a suitable far margin feature you should be sorted for both accuracy and distance. It is then a relatively straight forward task to re-place your baits even in the dark. Ok it will take practice, but this way at least you know you are in the area. This is all the more important if your underwater feeding area is very small.

Measure Your Casts - One way of making sure on a given swim you always fish at the right distance and can set up your rods even at home is to measure your casts and note the distances you need to fish for each rod. To do this there is a really useful little 'Line Counter' made by Shakespeare. You simply clip it on your rod and when you wind in it tells you exactly the distance your fishing. If you want to set up to fish that swim again, you can pace out your line along the bank and know that you'll be fishing a productive area right away.This takes all the guess work out of your casting as you know exactly the distances you are fishing.

by Gareth Watkins
http://www.anglinglines.com/blog
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Fly Fishing California Saltwater

2008-04-03T03:59:00.011-07:00

By Jeff Spira

Fly fishing ocean waters in California has not caught on as much as it has for some other parts of the world. This may be because there aren't broad expanses of shallow flats, like you might find in the Caribbean or Eastern US, but California saltwater is definitely fly fishable, as many an enthusiast has come to discover. A variety of species, both native and pelagic can be induced to hit a fly.

The California underwater seascape, like the landscape is filled with deep canyons, large mountainous sub sea banks and rocky reefs. Obviously only the shallower areas can be fished, or the deeper areas for surface dwelling fish. Actually I used to tie flies and fish them deep back when deep-water rock cod fishing was legal. This of course gave fly fishing purists the vapors when I suggested baiting the flies and sending them deep with a sinker. The sarcasm flew when reviewing my book, The Saltwater Angler's Guide to Southern California, and can now be seen all over the Internet. Of course, no one seemed to offer any alternatives to getting a fly down 600 to 1000 feet deep, so I just chuckled at the pompousness of the reviewers.

The first general category of fish that can be fly fished are the reef dwelling ambush feeders. The king of these is the calico bass. This is a common, popular sportfish that is relatively easy to catch and is excellent eating. Calicos live near or in structure, whether rocky outcroppings, man-made seawalls, or the kelp forests. They eat small baitfish and hunt by waiting for prey to come by, then making a quick dash and gulp. Sand bass, living on the bottom near structure, Sheephead, a kind of wrasse, and ocean whitefish, are a few other types of reef dwelling ambush feeders that share that habitat with Calicos and may be incidentally caught when fishing for calicos.

Fly-fishing for calico bass required fairly heavy tackle because of their habitat, near structure. You will get caught in rocks or kelp occasionally. An 8 weight fly rod should be considered minimum, and a 9 or 10 weight preferred. Saltwater reels with built-in adjustable drags are important. You can't simply "palm" most ocean fish, and the possibility that your hooked fish will get taken by a shark or seal always exists. Trust me, you don't want to be palming a spool when a 1200 lb. California sea lion snatches up your catch and takes off. Sinking fly lines are a must and most fishermen use shooting heads.

Reef dwelling ambush feeders usually take baitfish imitating streamer flies the best. Lefty's deceivers and Clouser minnows are the standard, in blue and white to imitate anchovies, or green and white to look like sardines. These can be quite large, three or four inches isn't too big. Squid imitating flies also can produce quite well, especially during the winter months when the squid runs are on in California.

To fish for these species, you need to get as close to the structure as you dare, and present a nervous, twitchy action to the fly. This will stimulate their strike instinct and they pounce on your presentation.

In the summer months, the Southern California coast often has runs of what are called surface fish. These species, the Yellowtail, Bonito and Barracuda feed an entirely different way than reef dwellers. These are fast, powerful fish of the open water that use their blazing speed to chase down their prey. Baitfish gather in huge schools that these surface fish slash through gorging themselves.

Schools of bait are fairly easy to spot. They attract sea birds that gather in great flocks frenziedly diving and gorging themselves on the feast of fish. Underneath are the predatory fish and above are the predatory birds, and so the baitfish have nowhere to go except into the maws of the predators. Fish the edges of these bait schools for best results.

Again, anchovy or sardine imitating streamer flies are the ticket, but the method of fishing them is different. Long ripping, high-speed retrieves will produce better than slow twitchy ones, as these fish are used to chasing down fleeing prey. A 10 to 12 weight fly rod is appropriate for these species, and adjustable drags are a must. Again, shooting head, sinking lines make the most sense when surface fishing.

These techniques can also be used for the offshore species like Albacore, Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado (dolphin fish) in the seasons when these are running. A 12 weight should be considered minimum for these species as they are very fast and powerful.
If you want to bring your trout rod out and give California saltwater fly fishing a try, you might want to fish the beaches for such surf fishing species as corbina, yellowfin croaker and barred surfperch. These denizens of the shallow white water can be easily caught on flies. Green wooly buggers work fine, and in the local coastal fly shops you'll find sand crab imitating flies also. Fish the high tides in water knee deep or so for best results.

Many local fly fishermen target halibut from the shore as well. Stream and river mouths seem to be the favored spot for these ambush feeders. They take baitfish and shrimp imitating flies.
White seabass, the big croakers highly esteemed in Southern California, can also be taken with flies. They come into shallow enough water only during the winter squid runs. They voraciously feed on squid egg casings, so that's the ticket to trick them into striking. I'd say that most big whites are caught within an hour of daybreak in shallow rocky bottom water. Squid egg casings don't swim fast but are moved by the action of the surf and tides, so take that as a clue to how to fish them. Whites also eat whole squid and baitfish, but it's the egg casings that get them really excited.

Jeff Spira is a fishermen and writer of fishing and seamanship books. His web site Jeff Spira's Guide to Southern California Ocean Fishing offers further insights into this fun sport and has links to online sources for his books on the subject.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Spira

Fishing With Live Bait - Why Do It?

2008-04-03T03:59:00.010-07:00

By Gary Morgan

Anglers now have a choice of bait - live or non-live? So why use a poor worm to fish with? Find out more in this article.
Maybe you have a phobia of worms? Some people do - even though they don't have a problem with handling and killing a live fish, they may not like "slimy" and "wriggly" worms. Well, I would advise that they get over this phobia because using live bait is simply the best way to go when fishing. Let's see why and get some great tips.

Live Bait Is More Natural
Using live bait is simply more natural. You might use non-live bait and try to trick the fish with movement and colors but if you use the real deal - a wriggling piece of bait, then the fish will see it and not be able to resist it!

Use A Bait Bag
When you buy your bait it will normally come in a box or container of some kind. This is all well and good but if you plan on going fishing more than once then I highly recommend investing in a bait bag or worm bag. This is a small bag that you can wear so if you need to "retool", then your worms are close to hand and easy to access.

Experiment With Different Hooks
The smaller the hook, the less visible it is to the fish but also it can mean less chance of a catch. You should experiment with different types of hook which were invented for different conditions. For instance, gang hooks are small but because there are two of them on one line then you could say that they nearly double your chances of a catch from a single cast.

Thread The Bait Properly
There are many different ways to thread bait onto a hook. It depends on a lot of factors such as how strong the water currents are. What you don't want to do is to make a "worm ball" which is just a lump of worms. You want your worm to be able to wriggle a bit in the current so it looks more natural.
Learn from the pros. Get free fishing tips and reviews from http://www.ecoursesforyou.com/fishing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Morgan

How To Catch Trout

2008-04-03T03:59:00.009-07:00

By Gary Morgan

There'll be no more coming back empty handed when you learn how to catch trout with me in this article.
Keep coming back with a bucketful of nothing? Are you even buying or begging for trout from fellow anglers so your wife and family don't know that you can't hunt? Well worry no more because here are some great tips for coming back with some tasty morsels and big catches for the family.

Use Gang Hooks For Best Catches
Gang hooks are like two hooks tied back to back. These are considered the best way to catch trout and you will get the most number of bites using this method.

Use Live Bait To Get The Most Trout Catches
You can use non-live bait if you wish but you simply won't get the best results if you do. You are better off using live worms as your bait. Just be sure not to load the hook with too many and end up with a "worm ball". Trout aren't stupid and they know when something doesn't look natural.

Know When And Where To Fish
Lake trout will spend the colder months in shallower climes but move to deeper waters when the summer months come. Rainbow trout, on the other hand, will eat a lot of flies and mosquitoes in the summer months. Knowing how the fish behaves is critical to successful fishing.

Use The Right Line
Don't use too heavy or too light a line. For trout fishing, you should look to use around between a 4lb and a 6lb line for best fishing results.
Keep coming home empty handed? Get great free tips on how to become a better fisherman today at http://www.ecoursesforyou.com/fishing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Morgan

Catfishing Holidays - When and Where

2008-04-03T03:59:00.008-07:00

By Tony Savour

There are so many different types of fishing holidays but one of the best is to go for a catfishing holiday. There are some brilliant catfishing holidays out there in some brilliant destinations. One of the best destinations to go to is the river Ebro in Spain. This is the largest river in Spain and contains catfish that weigh up to and over 200lbs, it sees some of the best catfishing in the whole of Europe with so many fish being caught you will want to return for more as soon as you have finished.

If you are going to be go catfishing then you must go to the Ebro, you will find that the fishing is different every single day and you will never have a bad moment. You can sit in the sun all day with your rods in the water and you will catch so many catfish it is unreal, so many people return here for their holidays due to the fact that the fishing is so exciting here
Another good thing about catfishing holidays is that you can get to the best fishing areas in Europe for relatively cheap. There are always flights out from London that are going cheap leaving you to have more fun on your holidays.

The wels catfish which are found in the river Ebro are going to give you the time of your life when you start your fishing for them on your holidays, these fish can be huge and the fact that there are so many here can not be bad.
If you are now thinking, "Great I want to go now", think about it first. You will want to know what time of year is best for you to go on your holidays. Even though fishing for these kinds of fish can be done all year round, and is considered pretty good all year round, you will want to think about weather, time of fishing, who is going with you etc. I have found that the best time of year to go is round early June, just after the catfish have stopped spawning. The weather is also brilliant at this time of year so if you are taking kids or your other halves etc on your catfishing holidays, you may wish to go in the summer months for a better family experience.

If you are taking kids on your holiday then the summer months will definitely be the best time to go as we are always seeing some amazing fishing, with huge catches all the time. Also you can have a nice relaxed day in the sunshine and then hit the river in the evening or early morning where you will find some brilliant fishing with a lot of big catches.

All in all I would recommend going on holiday on the Ebro if you like hot weather, a chilled out holiday (until you snag one of these fish, where everything goes mad) and great accommodation then go for a catfishing holiday in the river Ebro, you will love it!
Catfish Connections
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Savour

For Largemouth Bass Try A Florida Fishing Vacation

2008-04-03T03:59:00.007-07:00

By Dean Carl

Bass fishing the Florida Everglades should be on every fisherman's top ten list. This is one of the great fishing vacations that an angler will enjoy and remember for years. It has everything a fisherman could ask for including sunshine, the Everglades, and vast amounts of water that are teaming with large mouth bass.

There are fishing charters available that are set up to accommodate everyone from the beginner fisherman to seasoned anglers. If you would like to take a fishing trip with a group of friends, there are also multiple boat trips that could be arraigned too. In addition to group trips, most Everglade charters are set to go out in a wide variety of craft. Canoe, small boat, large boat, or airboat can be found and which watercraft you take out depends upon where and how deep within the Everglades you go to fish.

The duration of the fishing charter is entirely up to you. After all this is your fishing vacation. You can choose from half days to full days and even an entire weekend of Florida fishing. As with most guides you will find bait and tackle are taken care of, but be sure to inquire about license, meals, and beverages.
If your wondering what works for those big lunkers, artificial and live baits are both successful. Top water lures are a big ticket in the swamps, much like you would expect in most marshy bass habitats. Crank, buzz baits, and worms are also widely used. With such natural bass environment and a wide range of bait that you can use, it is easy to say that your fishing vacation to the Florida Everglades will not be dull.

As always, when it comes to a fishing charter, take your time to do some research. Check with several charters and make sure you are comparing the same geographic area. The Everglades are large and the cost of going to one area versus another may vary. Especially for those fishing trips that go deeper into bass country.

A good rule of thumb when taking any fishing vacation is to check the weather conditions and have the appropriate clothing for your trip. Sunblock, sunglasses, wide brim hats, and a light long sleeve shirt will help protect you from the sun and allow you to focus on catching a new state record bass.

Planning a fishing vacation to the Florida Everglades takes just a bit of research. You can enjoy the largemouth bass that the area has to offer and access some nice fishing spots by using a fishing charter. More fishing vacation information is available at http://www.thefishingbobber.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Carl

Fishing Lake - Livingston Texas

2008-04-03T03:59:00.006-07:00

By J.D. Tatman

Impounded: 1969, Lake Livingston is located in Texas on the Trinity River in Polk, Walker, San Jacinto, Trinity and counties. The dam is located in Polk and San Jacinto counties, just west of Livingston Texas and approximately 50 miles north of the city of Houston Texas. Lake Livingston has approximately 90,000 acres with a maximum depth of 77 feet.
Normal Pool level is 131 ft. msl with a fluctuation of about 1-2 feet per year. The water clarity is moderate to highly turbid.

Lake Livingston Vegetation: Native plants are few and are mostly found in the north part of the Lake Livingston with some vegetation located in the coves. Floating water hyacinth is found over the entire lake.
Lake Livingston is known for its white bass fishing. The white bass are plentiful and are above normal sizes. The catfish are channel and blue catfish. Where habitat is available Largemouth bass and Crappie can be caught but are less plentiful than on most Texas lakes.

Lake Livingston Fishing Tips:
Mostly caught in the early spring, White bass can be found in the many creeks on Lake Livingston. Try the 190 bridge for Striped Bass, with trolling and jigging spoons being your best option, also try live shad.
Largemouth bass can be caught in the creeks, from Kickapoo northward. Fish Spring and fall for largemouths. Lake Livingston has Channel catfish and blues which can be caught throughout the year on live baits in the main river channel and in creeks.

In Conclusion:
Lake Livingston is a good place to fish due to its location. Easily accessible from Houston and other area cities makes fishing Lake Livingston an easy day trip.

John Tatman is a avid fisherman on Texas Lakes
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.D._Tatman

Small River And Stream Fishing Tips

2008-04-03T03:59:00.005-07:00

If you're anything like me, there are few things better than pulling on your waders for a fishing trip on a small river or stream. The sound of the water, the smell of the air, just being in the presence of Nature, I'm not sure what draws me to small river and stream fishing, but the point is I love it. In this article I'm going to outline some tips and techniques that will help you become much more successful when fishing in small rivers and streams.

The first thing to discuss is the clothing you wear. When fishing in and around small river and streams it's very important not to "stand out". The fish in these types of waterways are very cognizant of their surroundings and if they notice you, they are much less apt to bite. In fact, you can easily "spook" an entire area fairly easily which means that nothing will bite. For this reason, you want to make sure that you wear drab clothing that doesn't make you stick out like a sore thumb. When fishing in small river and/or streams, don't wear "loud" clothing.

The next thing to consider is you hands; yes I said your hands. Fish that swim in these types of waterways a also very aware of anything unnatural, which includes scents. If you have any unnatural scents on your hands, this will transfer to your bait/lure and fish such as trout will detect these scents and tend not to bite. This is why you should always make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors. This can be accomplished by grabbing a handful of grass or dirt and rubbing it into your hands every hour or so.

The next consideration is when you're fishing. There are times of the day, week, and month that are better than others for fishing. Making sure that you're on the water when the fish are the most active will make a big difference in your catch rates. To make sure that your fishing when the fish are the most active all that you have to do is pay attention to the weather and moon. The weather and moon hold the key to being on the water when the fish are the most active, there's no doubt about that.

A great technique when fishing in small rivers and streams is to allow a live worm to flow naturally with the current, bouncing along the bottom as it travels. If your worm is rigged on a set of gang hooks the results can be incredible. Gang hooks are the most natural way to present a live worm while fishing. When you start using gang hooks to present live worms, you will never again use a single hook. It just won't make sense any longer.
Begin employing one or all of these tips sooner, rather than later and you will start catching more fish. How am I so sure of this? Because I've personally been using every one of these tips with a great degree of success for more than 20 years, and I know how valuable they are.

The Best Fishing in the World

2008-04-03T03:59:00.004-07:00

By Thomas Henricks

People living around the Western Basin of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St Clair area are "arguably" situated in the heart of the best freshwater fishing in the world. It's is difficult to surpass the smallmouth bass fishing in this great region with all it's rocky shoreline, open water reefs and islands and great spawning areas. The yellow perch population has made a significant turnaround in the past 5 years.

Now we get to the really good stuff. The walleye fishing in Western Lake Erie lays claim to huge numbers of walleyes and several year classes are currently represented. This signifies a better chance to maintain breeding year classes in the future. To the un-educated, a day of fishing that produces big boxes of all large fish, may seem a good thing. However to the knowledgeable fisherman that is alarming. Big fish are immensely satisfying to catch, but if you aren't seeing small fish, the future of the species is in danger. Fortunately recent years have given up good numbers of young fish that speak well for a few years at least.

The walleye run in the Detroit River during spring warming is kind to the fisherman that masters it and starts the fishing for the year with large numbers of walleyes ranging from behemoth monsters during the early part of the season to large numbers of yearling fish in late April and May. The key to this game is conquering wind and current. Boat control is KEY to success. When you learn to manage your boat so the perfect vertical jigging is possible, a number of baits will spur the fish into action. Nearly of equal importance is water clarity. It is extremely difficult to pull fish from dirty water. The angler should search out the cleanest water of the day and work it to fin and catch fish. This water color is generally most affected by wind direction and wind strength. Typically one side of the river will be clean and one side will be dirty. On days when the water is crystal clear everywhere in the Detroit River. prepare for a fun day.

Walleye fishing in the main part of Western Lake Erie really picks up steam about Mid June, although weather conditions determine the speed and direction of the movements of the large schools of post spawn walleye, In General these large schools move out of the spawning areas of the south and west part of the basin. They move north in large schools and they turn east when nearing the Canadian shallows. They prefer to nose into the current so extended winds in any particular direction do influence the speed and movement of these schools. For a great day by one of the most knowledgeable and successful walleye fishermen on western Lake Erie, you might contact John Sims who has operated Chante Charters out of Kingsville Ontario for a zillion years.

We aren't finished yet with the good news. Musky fishing in Lake St. Clair is rated at the top of the pile worldwide. Numbers are very good and many big fish are caught by the good anglers on nearly a daily basis. If you want a good day fishing and you want to fish with a charter captain that understands these fish, contact Bob Devine who operates Chartertalk Fishing Guide Service.
Let's finish this up with arguably the most addictive fishing we have the opportunity to experience. For several years running now, deeper waters east of Point Pelee have offered us simply unbeatable rainbow trout fishing. These fish are exciting to catch and available in large numbers generally beginning to crank on good about mid July. Methods of fishing range from wire line, downriggers and using dipsy divers. Fish will even be taken utilizing planer boards and crankbaits. They feed heavily on baitfish. Look for a big school of baitfish and then work that school. You will catch fish when the fish are on and you work the bait fish.

Well this scratches the surface of the fishing available in the Wheatley to Windsor fishing zone. Much more can be said and usually is.
For more info on Walleye Fishing Charters for the area discussed please visit http://www.tomsvirtualmall.com or http://www.improvement-centers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Henricks

Secret Fishing Ingredients - Original Thinking On Big Carp And Catfish

2008-04-03T03:59:00.003-07:00

By Tim F. Richardson

'The big fishing rip-off; 'how second-hand' recommendations of anglers using over-used baits and tackle and methods and many which have been 'over-sold' are often very possibly costing you fish, big-time and maybe giving you a limiting 'herd mentality!'
The biggest part about fishing is being different, everyone appears to say they 'know' this there is a vast difference between understanding a concept and having actually being prepared to constantly takes those incredibly valuable and productive 'risks' with baits methods and items of tackle to keep ahead of the herd ('majority') and be different!

What I mean is, the whole modern bait and tackle industries are supposed to be geared towards providing the modern angler with every 'edge'. However the paradox here is that those very 'edges' become the very reason anglers often DO NOT catch fish; since fish can very quickly adapt to changing baits and tackle and techniques!

Many items are even 'red herring' type short-term gimmicks without really being intended that way. Products tend to follow a sales life-cycle and baits and items of tackle and associated methods and techniques in regards to fish themselves are no different. At first introduction, excitement and demand for the new product can be the highest as anglers want the easiest instant edge to keep them ahead of the crowd. (I hope you see how these often do not!)

The fact is that after enough exposure to the fish, by use of the majority of anglers, what is sold to keep you 'ahead' can lose its edge incredibly quickly. In carp and catfish fishing this might mean a genuine edge may only last a matter of weeks if it is very highly successful and hit the fish hard in catch results!

Virtually any part of tackle and bait and fishing activity like casting in leads to 'spodding baits' to utilising baits that have nothing but well-recognised ingredients and flavors, can all be associated with danger by fish.
The tackle and bait industries are forced to give angler what they want. It is the marketing and advertising and sales departments' jobs to ensure the majority of anglers use their products and will do almost anything simple to very highly sophisticated, to make this happen. If the greatest edge in fishing is being different, then it is certainly being under-sold. For instance, how many anglers fish 3 rods with 3 different baits, with 3 different rigs?

Now I'm not saying this is a beneficial thing in all circumstances, but there are obvious benefits of not doing things like the majority. In fact it pays you back very much sometimes, to fish commercial baits with different flavours because one will almost certainly cause a better response than others, in some spots in swims, at any particular time of year (compared to another baits and flavor pH.)

Many products are not well-known commercial successes, even commercial 'failures' because the vast majority of anglers seem to actively resist being individual in their approach and thinking. Many miss out on the gigantic benefits of using alternative methods or techniques or using much less products which are massively superior in very many situations but perhaps take more time or skill or patience to use or apply and so are largely ignored!

From rig materials which tangle very easily to extremely soft totally digestible baits, anglers so often seem to be drawn to easy quick solutions, which in fishing can often result in a limited successful life of many products due to them being over-used and losing that 'competitive edge!' I guess it really makes you think what homemade or kitchen table or garage or garden shed designed baits and techniques, tackle and methods are waiting to empty your water.

But unfortunately, the 'herd mentality' has been intricately interwoven into many aspects of fisherman's' psyches by the conditioning effects of so many advertisements, 'advertorials' and so on over the years. (I hope not in your case; but reading this will help you be more aware of its detrimental effects on your fishing results!)

I'm sure that the innovators who design new products have your best interests at heart but often using things just because they appear the next best thing can turn out to be of limited use or effect or even eventually 'anti-productive.' If you find everyone else is raving about them remember it is generally the 'herd' and what they use and how they use it, that conditions the fish! As someone with a great perceptive mind once said to me: "Most of the problems and their solutions in life are found between your two ears!"

So if you want to 'think differently' and get more edges over the fish and the crowd then, 'seek and you will find' thought-provoking books and articles to help you develop this skill in your very own mind...
This fishing bait secrets author has many more fishing and bait 'edges.' Just one could impact on your catches!

By Tim Richardson.
For the unique and acclaimed new massive expert bait making 'bibles' ebooks / books:
"BIG CATFISH AND CARP BAIT SECRETS!" And: "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" (AND FLAVOUR SECRETS ETC) SEE:
http://www.baitbigfish.com
Tim Richardson is a homemade carp and catfish bait-maker, and proven big fish angler. His bait making and bait enhancing books / ebooks are at this dedicated bait secrets website now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_F._Richardson

Enjoy Some Fishing Fun In The Sun In Paphos

2008-04-03T03:59:00.002-07:00

By Andrew Regan

Anglers from all over the world have come to Cyprus to enjoy the unique fishing experience that Paphos and other areas offer, with stunning scenery giving way to the expansive, bright blue waters of the freshwater reservoirs. Cyprus has twenty reservoirs open to freshwater anglers, six of which lie just north of Paphos and are stocked with an array of freshwater fish including trout, largemouth bass, carp and pikeperch.

For travellers visiting Paphos to enjoy the fishing, it is important to remember that sport fishing in the dams and reservoirs of Cyprus is regulated by the government and, therefore, a license is required from the offices of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, but these can be obtained for a small fee. These licences are valid for a year but cannot be shared or loaned out.

These fishing licenses require that holders adhere to several regulations, including only fishing during daylight hours, only fishing with a single rod, line and hook without any fishing aids or chemicals and only fishing from the banks of dams, and being careful to protect the bank side soil and plant environment. There are also catch and size limits on certain species as well, with fishing forbidden until the reservoir you've chosen has been declared open by the Director of Fisheries and Marine Research.

There are various ways to make sure you make the most out of your fishing trip to Paphos. One of the most popular trips with foreign tourists is a guided angling day, whereby angling enthusiasts are picked up at their hotel, provided with tackle and bait, and then driven to the best fishing spots in the area. Each fishing trip is accompanied by a local angler and the fees, including the license, can all be pre-paid, leaving you to enjoy the fishing.

Of course, fishing trips in Paphos don't have to be guided. If the more independent and adventurous anglers go with the option of car hire in Paphos, then its various excellent fishing spots can become their oyster. Hiring a car and visiting the reservoirs of your choice at your own pace can be the most relaxing way to enjoy Paphos, with the awe inspiring scenery, adding to the serenity that many fishing aficionados have enjoyed on their trips to Cyprus.

For a perfect mix of sun, sea and sights, as well as a healthy dose of fishing, Paphos and the various freshwater reservoirs that lie scattered throughout the region really makes a prime catch.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Regan

Fly Fishing Is a Lifelong Passion

2008-04-03T03:59:00.001-07:00

By Dean Novosat

Any serious fisherman loves to try the newest and hottest "secret" fishing hole. So, if you are tired of fishing the same old spots and elbowing for position along over fished stream banks, why not plan a fishing trip to some exotic fishing location. You can fish almost anywhere in the world (although I wouldn't necessarily eat some of the fish I'd catch in some polluted areas) and can either go it alone or hire a local fishing guide. You could stay at fishing vacation rental properties, resorts, cabins, cottages, homes, houseboats and campgrounds. The choice is yours. And you can even find fishing resorts that cater to non-fishing family members so you can take the whole family along.

There is no excuse not to plan a fishing trip. You can plan a saltwater fishing trip in the cold ocean waters and fish for tuna and other fish. Or perhaps you are more inclined to a warm water ocean trip angling for trophy marlin or swordfish. In either case, you will find marinas full of expert guides willing to take you on a fishing adventure of a lifetime for as long as you want.
If freshwater fishing is more your style, you may want to head out to a secluded lodge resting on the shores of a lake or the banks or a faraway creek. You will find guides and lodges to take you spin casting or fly fishing.

And if you have never fished before, you can still take a fishing trip. All you need to do is find a lodge or resort that offers a fishing school. Many fishing schools, especially fly fishing schools, offer all inclusive packages that give you the use of all the fishing gear you will need including rod, reel, flies, and even a nice fishing vest. They will teach even the beginning novice how to fish and then take you to a beautiful stream or lake to try out your new angling skills.

Just remember, fishing is not a simple day-long or week-long vacation. It is a lifelong skill that can hook you and make you a fisherman for life!
Dean Novosat writes about fly fishing on http://www.therodandreel.com/ Fly Fishing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Novosat

Carp Fishing Tips - 10 Reasons Why You Should Fish The Margins

2008-04-03T03:59:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have been carp fishing both in France and the UK I have lost count of the number of carp I have caught fishing the margins. I would go as far as to say it is my number one choice of feature on any water. The less pressured the venue to closer in I would chose to fish. So here are ten of my reasons why, when you turn up at a new venue in France you should not over look the margins.

1. Largest Feature: The margins on any lake are the largest feature. Stretching all around the perimeter and that of any islands they offer a natural barrier where food will accumulate either by wind action or water movement. Food will fall or be thrown in the margins, and aquatic and semi-aquatic life will often lay eggs, hatch larvae or nest in the vegetation lined area of a lake.
2. Fish are Drawn to Feed in the Edge: Pleasure anglers nearly always fish close in, bait close in and throw spare bait in the edge; this in turn attracts fish and conditions them to patrol the margins of a lake. How often have you seen walkers, children etc feed the ducks in the edge? It stands to reason that any food thrown into a lake will also attract and be eaten by the fish. This includes carp, and is all the more true in Spring with flood water entering lakes and the run off from the land being important.

3. The Margins Offer Shelter: The margins of lakes often have overhangs & covering vegetation. Overhangs can on occasions stretch back several feet under the bankside, due to water erosion. Shaun Harrison proved this during a video shoot in December, when he banked a 20lb mirror on inches from the bank. This area, will offer a natural trap for food and shelter for fish species. Most margins are also rich in vegetation such as reedbeds, trees, lilies etc. These plants naturally grow along a margin where they are carried by the wind and currents. They offer a larder for the fish and help reinforce why margins are such a good place to fish.

4. Easy to Bait Up: It is far easier to bait up in the margin. You can do this with a simple catapult for pellets and particles or by hand for boilies. I remember in the 80's when I was fishing all sorts of particles to provide a blanket of bait, that the furthest we could fish was the catapult range of our bait. Fishing close-in increases the variety of baits you can use and avoids the use of baitboats, spods or feeders.

5. Easy to Fish Accurately: The ease of baiting means you can fish more accurately. Accuracy is so important in carp fishing. The margins are far easier to explore with a marker float, and once you have baited an area, to get your rig bang on the money. If weather conditions are against you, you have no worries about reaching your spot. Often a simple under hand swing is all that is needed.

6. Easier to land the fish: Fishing at long range is always more awkward and full of danger. However hooking a carp under the rods top gives you far more control. You are straight away in command. I have on occasions scooped a big lump into the net before it has realised its been hooked. Even if the first rush can be full blooded and brutal, the amount of line in the water and the reduced chance of getting snagged means that fish are more often than not easier to land when hooked close in.

7. Don't need big reels and long cast rods: Fishing the margins precludes the need for stepped up heavy, long distance carp rods. You can use softer more forgiving gear, lighter leads and smaller reels. You don't need big pits to cast 100 yards plus. Some of my friends still fish on the pin...now theres pleasure in fishing!!!

8. Far Margin is often quieter: If you chose to fish the far margin, and how many of us have ignored that sexy overhang on the far bank or the reed bed opposite? Then you will almost certainly be fishing the quieter part of the lake. Probably and area that is less accessible or inaccessible to other anglers or dog walkers. On waters that see a bit of pressure the carp will move away from this and the far margin is often an area they will hold up in.

9. Most people overlook this area of the lake: Curiously enough, despite all the reasons I have evoked above, the simple fact is most people don't fish the margins. I remember a question from and angler once 'Do you have any a long range swims on your lake?- because I've got rods that can cast 120 yards plus'. This type of question amazed me and my reply was that he'd be better off fishing where the fish were.
Equally even if anglers fish a close-in rod it is often at 20 odd yards, to me the margins are just that, inches off the bank.

10. If you're Too Drunk to Cast Out, Chuck it in the Edge: Finally the great Rod Hutchinson once said in 'A Carp Strikes Back', if you are too drunk to cast out, chuck it in the edge!!!
Gareth Watkins
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Watkins

Fly Fishing Versus Spinning Fishing - For All Levels of Fishermen and Women

2008-03-29T20:39:00.001-07:00

By Jon A Lutz

The fly fisherman's objective is the same as the spinning fisherman, but both his lure (or bait) and tackle (rod, fishing line, reel, and more) are quite different than spinning fishing. The lure is made up of a hook dressed with tinsel and feathers (that may look like a real fly, insect, or other type of real live bait, but is actually an artificial imitation of any of these baits just listed). The tinsel is wound around the straight part of the hook, forming a shiny "body" that reflects light in imitation of a minnow's silvery scales. The "wing" of the fly is made up of two chicken feathers. These feathers have black centers with white edges, and are an impressionistic view of a minnow's black medial stripe. This is called a Streamer Fly, and it would take a couple dozen of them to equal the weight of the spin fisherman's balsa wood version.

A fly has virtually no weight, so it lacks the momentum necessary to draw line off of the front of the spinning reel. Even if you take a fly in your hand and heave it as far as you can, it will barely reach effective fishing distance. You can always hang the fly off the end of your spinning rod, as the primitive ancestors of ours did with their fishing tackle, but there are more efficient ways to present a fly.

The fly fisherman (or fisherwoman) relies on a weighted line to deliver his fly, rather than a long, level piece of nylon, like the spinning fisherman. This line may float or sink once it hits the water, but it has enough weight to deliver the fly over a hundred feet away (although the average cast is more like thirty feet, or much less than one hundred feet). The thick fly line is separated from the fly by a leader of tapered nylon monofilament, which is basically the same material the spin fisherman's entire fishing line is made of. The leader gives a flexible, almost invisible connection between the fly line and the fly.

Here's a description of a fly fisherman in action. He (or she) ties the fly to his leader, then pulls ten feet of fly line out beyond the tip of his (or her) fly rod. After this, he (or she) pulls thirty feet of fly line off the reel and holds it, coiled, in his left hand. Then with a quick back-and-forth flicking motion, using his right forearm and wrist, he moves the tip of the fly rod from straight out in front of him to just past the vertical. So when the fly line moves through the air, it looks like a tight, elongated arc. As the fly line moves in this tight, elongated arc, it eventually flattens out, parallel to the water, both behind and in front of the fisherman. The fisherman does this three or four times, not letting the fly or line hit the water, and releases some of the coiled fly line in his left hand every time he finishes a forward stroke of the flicking motion. When he (or she) finishes the fourth "false cast" as they are called, his fly, leader, and line settle gently to the water, forty feet away.

Then the Streamer, a type of wet fly, sinks slowly below the surface of the water, pulling the leader along. The fisherman (or fisherwoman) then begins to retrieve the line, moving the fly through the water instead of using his reel to retrieve the line, as the spin fisherman does, and then he (or she) hooks the fly line over the index finger of the hand that is holding the rod and pulls the fly line with his other hand. By doing this, each pull of the line makes the fly dart through the water like a minnow (a type of small fish). And then each length of line is carefully coiled in the fisherman's left hand, ready to be worked out on the next cast. When the fly is about ten feet from the boat (or shore), the fisherman (or woman) will start another cast, repeating this process again.

As described above, it looks like the fly fisherman has to go through a lot of effort to make one single cast. The spin fisherman (or fisherwoman) only has to flick the tip of his or her rod once to deliver the lure (or bait) to the water, while the fly fisherman has to move his or her rod a few times before his fly reaches an effective fishing distance. However, fly fishing has its advantages over spin fishing. One advantage is that if a fly fisherman suddenly sees a feeding fish, he or she can pick up the entire forty foot length of line, change the direction of his cast in midair, and lay it down right in front of the fish. On the other hand, a spin fisherman must reel in all his fishing line before he can even think about making a cast to another spot. And there are other advantages.

Fly fishing may be the most enjoyable way to fish for trout, but it is not always the most efficient. For instance, in early spring, when the water is cold, the trout are not inclined to move for a drifting fly. A worm put right in front of their noses is much more appealing.
The source for all of the above information is found in Chapter One of the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide, located at: Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Chapter One. You can also read other chapter excerpts from this Orvis Fly Fishing Guide at Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Chapter Excerpts.

Jon Lutz, an outdoor enthusiast, is currently recording a series of digitally downloadable audio interviews with fishing and hunting experts. In these interviews, his "below radar" experts will reveal underground techniques the big boys don't want you to know. If you'd like to get a free sample of one of these expert interviews go here and check it out: http://www.biggerbassebook.com .
Jon is also putting together a series of fishing related videos. If you consider yourself to be an "Underground Expert" and would like to be considered for an interview, please email Jon at: support@promoter-power.com
Also, if you are interested in an expert home remodeler contractor, with reasonable prices for all of your home remodeling needs, go to: http://www.yourhometoday.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_A_Lutz

Best Places for Fly Fishing in Colorado

2008-03-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

By Jon A Lutz

Some of the places to fish in Colorado are: Arapaho National Recreation Area, located near Granby, Colorado. This recreation area includes Lake Granby, where you can catch Rainbow, Brown and Lake Trout and Kokanee Salmon, Willow Creek Reservoir, where the best fish to catch are Rainbow and Brook Trout, and Shadow Mountain Lake, best known for Rainbow and Brown Trout through July, and Kokanee Salmon later in the summer. Another place to fish in the Arapaho National Recreation Area is Grand Lake, which is considered one of the best lake trout fisheries in the state with fish caught weighing 20 pounds or more. Rainbow and Brown Trout and Kokanee Salmon can be fished for in this lake. Rainbow fishing is best in the spring.

Another good place to fish is Blue Mesa Reservoir, located near Gunnison, Colorado. You can catch Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout and Mackinaw here. Another great place to fish in Colorado is Eleven Mile State Park, and Eleven Mile Reservoir. It is located west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fisherman can catch Brown, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, Mackinaw, Kokanee Salmon and Northern Pike at this reservoir. Another great place to fish in Colorado is Spinney Mountain State Park, located near Eleven Mile Reservoir, also west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Species of fish that can be caught here are Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brown Trout and Northern Pike. Another place to catch Rainbow Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Wipers, Walleye and Perch is Horsetooth Reservoir, located northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you are interested in finding out more places to fish in Colorado, call your local library or outdoor recreation stores, such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Gander Mountain, or other similar outdoor stores. Ask either the library or your local outdoor store if they have a book called Colorado Lakes and Reservoirs, Fishing and Boating Guide, Copyright 1983-2004, from Outdoor Books & Maps, P. O. Box 519, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.
You can find out more information on fishing in Colorado at Colorado Division of Wildlife Fishing Information. To find actual guides for Colorado Fly Fishing, so you can get them to show you how to really fly fish, if you are a beginner or novice, go to Fish Explorer Colorado and then click on Field Editors on the horizontal menu at the top.

To find out in depth information about flies for fly fishing, you may visit the website Umpqua Fly Gallery and then click on either the Freshwater Flies or Saltwater Flies Links. This is a good site to find see pictures of both Freshwater and Saltwater Flies, but Umpqua Feather Merchants, located in Louisville, Colorado, don't sell directly to the public, but only to merchants, like sporting goods stores and outdoor stores.

Jon Lutz, an outdoor enthusiast, is currently recording a series of digitally downloadable audio interviews with fishing and hunting experts. In these interviews, his "below radar" experts will reveal underground techniques the big boys don't want you to know. If you'd like to get a free sample of one of these expert interviews go here and check it out: http://www.biggerbassebook.com
Jon is also putting together a series of fishing related videos. If you consider yourself to be an "Underground Expert" and would like to be considered for an interview, please email Jon at: support@promoter-power.com
Also, if you are interested in an expert home remodeler contractor, with reasonable prices for all of your home remodeling needs, go to: http://www.yourhometoday.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_A_Lutz

Trout Fishing Hints That Will Help You Catch That One You Can Brag About!

2008-03-27T05:10:00.002-07:00

By Sam Phillips

Fishing is something I have always enjoyed, and over the years I have picked up many trout fishing hints and safety tips. These have all been learned through my own experience, along with what others have shared with me, and they have saved me many a heartbreak. May I now share them with you so that your fishing pleasure will know no bounds, and you will excel with the fishers dream of utopia.

A - Hooks catch fish. They can also catch your own body or your eyes - even someone else around you. This can happen to a long time, well experienced fisher. Mistakes can happen to anyone, and carelessness can be dangerous so please be careful.
B - A wide and long cap or hat can save you much discomfort from glaring sun on the water, as well as a good pair of sun glasses.
C - Fish evidently have both very good hearing and eyesight. They probably see you long before you see them, and no doubt hear you as well. Some recommend pulling your boots or shoes off, but please don't be that foolish. Glass, sharp rocks, snags, rusted cans, as well as snakes and other things along with common sense forbid this.
Simply walk slowly, and as soft as possible on land or wading in water. Shoe soles can make sounds against gravel or rock, so just tread slow and easy to your destination, and try to hide behind bushes and debris as much as possible.

D - For more successful fishing, watch what you wear. Never wear bright clothes, or clothes that contrast with the surroundings. Fish can see you much better when you help them with loud or contrasting clothing.
E - Decide before you leave home what fishing equipment you'll need to take. Take a pen or pencil with a notepad, and first write down everything you want to go with you. Then, as you load up these things, simply mark them off as you load. This not only assures that you don't forget an important item, but many times you'll realize you don't need that unnecessary weight and you can mark it out leaving it behind.
Writing stuff down before hand has caused me to often realize I was way overboard on what I really needed, and have left as much as half the things that were not needed behind. Your list can be your most important item even before you begin loading.

F - One of the most important trout fishing hints I can give you, is to remember to take two of all fishing equipment, such as a tackle box, rod and reel, and water or refreshments when going on a fishing trip. How many times have you gone fishing, way out in the middle of nowhere, only to drop something in the water, watching it disappear down the stream or to the waters bottom?
G - Summer and warm weather brings out the pesty creatures. These little demons can make life miserable for a fisherman, no matter how high his fishing fever is. Some people use natural remedies and others the strongest thing they can find, but whatever you use, don't forget to bring a double supply in case one has gone bad.

Well, I truly hope these trout fishing hints will help you to catch so many fish, your boat starts to sink, and you have to give half to someone else who hasn't caught any. That way, both of you can go home and brag about what great fishermen you are. Happy fishing!

If you are passionate about fishing, be sure to click through to my site for even more articles and information - including a review on a great guide which offers even more incredible trout fishing hints that can help you have the time of your life on your next fishing trip!
Click here to go to our main site, http://www.smoky-mountainvacation.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Phillips

Big Carp And Catfish Fishing Essentials And Fish Meal Bait Ingredients

2008-03-27T05:10:00.001-07:00

By Tim F. Richardson

High protein fish meal baits catch big catfish and carp, period! But there is far more to making these baits get the results you dream of in winter, spring, summer and autumn! Both big catfish and carp respond to fish oils partly because they are rich in powerful nutritionally stimulating fish feeding triggers. Use these baits right and you will catch big fish as consistently as you like. Find out how!

Fish oils and other fatty acids provide over twice the energy in kilocalories than carbohydrates or proteins and are vitally important stimulating high energy sources in fishing baits.
Fish meal baits often contain a high level of fish oil in the meals used and adding excessive fish oils can lead to unhealthy fat accumulation around vital energy and metabolic area such as the heart and liver and reduce their functioning potential.

Fish oils in baits provide a 'protein-sparing' effect allowing valuable protein (nitrogen and amino acids and peptides etc) to be fully utilised for fish growth and repair; not wasted as energy.
Fish meal ingredients in combination with fish oils in fishing baits when consistently applied to a fishery can really produce fish with high growth rates!

Some fishmeal products are comparatively indigestible having a relatively lower biological value compared to others especially compared to 'low-temperature' treated fish meals.
Some fish meals are very high in oils and some are much lower (total oils content in fishing baits is recommended to not exceed 5 to 7 percent over all; much depends upon the analysis list from the manufacturers and any other oily ingredients used like crustacean meals.)
Fish meals contain many other lesser know but extremely effective, potent 'true fish feeding triggers' other than just amino acids and fatty acids. (Which induce bait ingestion; not simply inciting search and location and initial 'testing' behaviours.)

Many fish oils have hidden potent antioxidant effects which boost their fish stimulation and bait attraction and metabolism and resulting energy levels in fish.
Fish oils are fatty acids which are proven fish feeding stimulators.
Fatty acids (oils,) from fish sources and vegetable sources when combined, produce a more balanced fish food and energy source.
Fish oils are potent anti-inflammatory substances which in fish physiological, energy efficiency and metabolism rates are highly beneficial when used in fishing baits.
Some fish meals are finer than others and processing varies between plants and fish meal types from different fish.

Many species of fish used as fish meal products, are either a trawler 'by-catch' or bye-products of fish processing like many poultry products also rich in many similar fish nutrients and stimulants etc, (others are caught specifically for use as fertilisers or as animal foods.)
Some of the most well-proven and nutritionally stimulating fish meals are composed of small fish high in oil and with many bones and are rich in phosphate and calcium among other essentials for fish.
Smaller oily bony fish which are popular in fishing baits or as fishing baits include: Herrings, mackerels, menhaden, sardines, anchovies, sprats, pilchards, sand eels, smelts (capelins) shads and horse mackerels etc.

Adding fish meal to baits containing other ingredients add palatability, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, proteins and soluble proteins among other things.
The salts in fish meal baits act as taste enhancers for other ingredients and flavours and 'potentiates' the taste and effects perception of amino acids and other substances in fish receptors used to 'detect' food.
Adding fish meals can improve the digestibility and biologically valuable and stimulatory nutritional profile of other baits, especially popular carbohydrate ones like carp baits based initially on soya flour and semolina for example.

Often carp are caught on small fish 'live baits' meant for predatory fish and demonstrates they have a predatory side to them in certain conditions, (I've also caught carp which coughed-up live fish fry in the net!)
Dead baits for pike, eels, zander, catfish and others predators and scavenging fish have a record of catching carp and fish chunks used on a hair-rig are a well proven bait for many species of fish, but is comparatively rarely used.
Mass baiting using 'mass free baiting with herring chunks and fishing a different bait above such an 'alternative' bed of bait has resulted in some great catches of many species for me including big tench of around 10 pounds!

The very popular 'Marine halibut pellets' are both high in rich nutritionally stimulating oils, but also in enzyme treated highly soluble and digestible fish proteins.
Too much use of high fish oil baits like halibut pellets and 'fish oil-glugged' fish meal baits, can lead to vitamin E deficiency in fish.
Fisheries where high oil pellets are used predominantly can end up with many fish with vitamin E deficiency.
Wheat germ oil and cod liver oil are extremely rich in vitamin E which is one of the most potent antioxidant vitamins as is ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which is also essential to fish, (Both are beneficial in not just fishmeal baits!).

Fish oils and others can 'oxidise' and go rancid when warmed-up, or when stored past their recommended use by dates. (So store your oils in the fridge!)
Enzyme-treated fish protein called 'LO30' can be in both powdered and liquid form and have 'hygroscopic' (water attracting and absorbing) properties.
The ability of a bait to hydrate efficiently in water both enables it to open up and release triggers and attractors, but prepares it better for fish digestion as fish food ideally needs to be initially hydrated.

Fish meal and their derived ingredients are about the closest to the most suitable natural highly digestible biological nutritional value food, to provide add nutritionally stimulating fishing baits.
Fish meals great nutritional profile and attraction can be incorporated at any levels in any other fishing bait whether hook baits or ground baits, base mixes or 'PVA' bag and 'stick' mixes, method mixes, pastes or dough baits.
The author has many more fishing and bait 'edges.' Just one could impact on your catches!

By Tim Richardson.
For the unique and acclaimed new massive expert bait making 'bibles' ebooks / books:
"BIG CATFISH AND CARP BAIT SECRETS!" And: "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" (AND FLAVOUR SECRETS) SEE:
http://www.baitbigfish.com
Tim Richardson is a homemade carp and catfish bait-maker, and proven big fish angler. His bait making and bait enhancing books / ebooks are even used by members of the British Carp Study Group for reference. View this dedicated bait secrets website now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_F._Richardson

Crappie Fishing Lures

2008-03-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

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

5 Tips For Making Your Own Burley For Fishing

2008-03-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

By James Fletcher

Rather than buying your own burley why not make it? Burley is essential for attracting fish when you are fishing. A constant stream of burley ensures a constant stream of fish.

Here are 5 tips on how to make your own burley...
1- Buy a food processor to blend any old bread that you have into a fine bread crumb mixture. This is the perfect base for any burley. Remember to process it nice and fine otherwise it will be more like a meal for a fish rather than an appetizer.
2- Add fish oil to the mix. Fish oil can be bought from most supermarkets or fishing stores. You can also make your own fish oil but this takes a bit of preparation and time.
3- Add your old bait to the mixture. Rather than disposing of your old bait, process it into a fine paste and add to the mixture. Old shrimp heads, octopus, squid, whitebait or the remains of any fish product you have eaten are perfect (even the remains of any fish that you catch and eat).
4- Add any other food you have. Most foods are great for attracting fish. Once again be sure to process it into a fine powder or paste. Foods like salami, ham, chicken etc. are ideal. Even the carcass of a whole chicken can be added to a burley mixture (just don't try to blend this in the food processor).

5- You can then place the burley mixture into a container and freeze for when you need it. You don't need to defrost the mixture before using it. You can simply put the ice-block into a cage and throw it directly into the water. Some people like to freeze the mixture in an old plastic milk container and either leave in the water with the lid off or cut it open when they need it.
This mixture is great for attracting hundreds of fish and saving hundreds of dollars. Why not try it today?

How To Catch More And Bigger Trout

2008-03-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

As trout anglers, this is what most of us are looking for right? How to catch more and bigger trout? Well, in this article I'm going to reveal some proven tips and techniques to help you do just that. These tips have been proven through more than fifty years of combined trout fishing experience, and were first taught to me more than twenty years ago by a man who I've always considered a "trout fishing master". This man has since moved on to another plane of existence, but his ideas live on, and will now help you catch more and bigger trout.

Let's begin with your hands. How much attention do you pay to your hands, or more specifically the scents that are on your hands? When fishing for trout your hands are worth paying attention to. You want to make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors, because these scents will transfer to your bait and cost you bites. A great tip is to grab a handful of grass or dirt before baiting up and rubbing it into your hands. This will eliminate any unnatural odors, such as gasoline or nicotine that might be on your hands.

How about the presentation of your bait? When trout fishing (especially for larger or more experienced trout) having your bait appear as natural as possible is very important. This is where gang hooks come into play. Gang hooks enable live bait (especially live worms) in a totally realistic and natural manner. With gang hooks, you'll never again be using a "worm ball" for bait. This makes a big difference, especially when it comes to larger, more experienced trout. When live bait is rigged on a set of #8 or #10 gang hooks and allowed to flow naturally with the current, the results can be deadly (for the trout that is).

If you want to catch more and bigger trout the next thing to do is make sure that you're on the water when the trout are the most active. How is this accomplished? Simply by paying attention to the weather and moon, and planning your fishing trips accordingly. The weather and moon hold a key to catching more and bigger trout.

Lastly, if you want to catch more and bigger trout there is no substitute for spending time on the water. This sounds simple, but it's nonetheless true. It also a great idea to learn new tips and techniques, but there is no substitute for spending time on the water practicing your craft. That's a good thing though, for those of us who would just as soon be on the water anyway, right? The more time that can be spent on the water, the better off you will be, there's simply no doubt about that.

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!
Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

Alaska Float Fishing Trip - The Beauty And Tranquility Of Wild Alaska

2008-03-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

By Gary Morgan

There's a good reason why Alaska float fishing tips are so popular. Read this article to find out more about the great fishing experience that you can enjoy.
Imagine casting a line and being able to get a bit from some of the biggest and healthiest and tastiest fish in the world. This is the experience of fishing in Alaska, one of the greatest fishing havens in the world.

These sojourns attract fishers from the world over. Nowhere else in the world can you find such an abundance of different fish all untouched by modern pollution and overfishing.
Just some of the varieties of fish that you can find there include rainbow trout, grayling, as well as five different species of pacific salmon. And there are more fish besides just these.
The best runs of pacific salmon can be found on two main rivers - the Alagnak and Togiak, although you can find some of the other varieties there too.

Late summer and early fall are when the Togiak river is prime and you can find the much sought after salmon.
Typically a good tour will provide spacious tents - there really is no better way to enjoy the beautiful vistas of wild Alaska.

I highly recommend visiting this part of the world for this kind of trip. Shop around and try to get a second opinion to ensure that you have the fishing experience of a lifetime. Most operators are pretty good but you might as well be careful.

Want to improve your fishing and find out how to become an expert angler? Visit http://www.ecoursesforyou.com/fishing now to make it a reality.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Morgan

Large Mouth Bass, How And Where To Find Them

2008-03-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

By Ted Koppel

Living here in South West Florida, I always hear people say, "there is no where to freshwater fish anymore". That is entirely false, truth is, they underestimate the small bodies of water that they pass everyday on their way to work or the store. There are many ditches, small retention ponds, canals, and other smaller bodies of water that hold Large Mouth Bass worthy of mounting and sticking on your wall.

Large Mouth Bass don't need a lot of water.
Large Mouth Bass can live and thrive in as little as 2 feet of water. My general rule of thumb is, if the body of water is not fenced or otherwise posted by a sign, it is fair game. The worst thing that can happen if the water is not fenced or posted by signs is that there is a slight possibility that someone could ask you to leave.
Golf course ponds are the place I have found to hold many keeper Bass. Please exercise caution and common sense when deciding whether to eat these fish as there is a lot of controversy over the chemical run-off that ends up in these ponds due to the extensive use of fertilizers and other chemicals. I have caught stringers full of delicious Large Mouth Bass in many small bodies of water that most people wouldn't even consider attempting to fish. Even if you are not going to eat them, they are still just as fun to fight.

Scout to find new holes.
When I go out scouting for new "holes," I like to go as light as possible. My "weapon" of choice when looking for new spots to fish for Large Mouths is an ultralight rig. This ensures that I will not tire easily getting in and out of my vehicle several times during a day searching for the right small body of water that is holding the hungry Large Mouth. It is also small enough to carry in my vehicle all the time, that way if I have an extra minute or two during my travels, I can hop out of my vehicle and make a couple "test" casts.

Be versatile when hunting Large Mouth Bass.
If you get a monster Bass that breaks you off with this rig, you can always come back with some heavier tackle. My present ultralight set-up is a Shakespeare Ugly Stik SPL1100 that is only 4'8" long. (doesn't get the tip caught in the door of my vehicle as much) The reel is an open face spinner, a Quantum XR10F. I use Power Pro line because you can put more of it on the spool than regular monofilament and it lets me get my sometimes expensive, smaller lures back (most of the time) if they happen to get hung up in the weeds or trees.

Versatility is key when hunting down the elusive Large Mouth Bass. I have found that you can fit almost every type of artificial lure you will need into a small, lightweight, soft side tackle box outfitted with a couple of plastic lure tray boxes. My ultralight tackle box holds many types of small top water lures such as, Rapala, Devil Horse, Heddon Tiny Torpedos in one lure box. I have worm hooks, bullet weights and several types of plastic lures such as, Culprit worms and jerk baits in another box. Small spinner baits and a couple of top water "weed walker" type lures are a must as well.

Take the time to try several of these in one "hole" using different methods of retrieval. Try slowing down or speeding up the lures, I have found this to be the first method to try before wasting valuable fishing time tying on a different lure. With a little practice and technique, you too can reap the benefits of the many fabulous smaller bodies of water that often times go unfished because they just don't look like a prime fishing spot to the majority of fishermen.

Go to efishbox.com for your complete line of tackle for fishing the elusive Large Mouth Bass in your neighborhood's small body of water.
For help choosing your fishing tackle or electronics go to http://www.efishbox.com Visit our fishing Forum/Blog at http://mytacklespace.com for an all things fishing social network, hope to see you there.
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Fort Lauderdale Sport Fishing

2008-03-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

By David Karlson

One of the most popular activities in Florida is Fort Lauderdale sport fishing. Sport fishing enthusiasts from all over the world go to this location to enjoy their favorite activity. This place is particularly famous for its large marine life and great visuals of dolphins, sharks and many other large fish. For anglers, this location is a Godsend and with many easily available facilities and services, people flock to the area to go fishing. Moreover, the balmy climate is the ultimate attraction, as are the excellent water conditions. You can get calm waters here that are ideal for fishing.

Fort Lauderdale sport fishing is especially popular in this area due to the deep waters in many areas that allow access to some of the largest fish. For anglers nothing can be more exciting than hooking some of the big game fish. This place, definitely, offers fishing like nowhere else in the world. Many people are so hooked that they pre-book the coming seasons to be able to fish in the fantastic waters here. The numerous types of boats available here can take you far ahead into the water and help you locate the best spots for fishing.

Many charters offer reasonable rates for your adventure trip. Not only do you get very low prices but also great service from the captain and the crew in most cases. They will help you fish for the best sailfish, marlin, tuna, dolphin, barracuda and many other species. You also get to relax, party and enjoy while in the charter. Therefore, you get double value for your money. Other useful points with the charters here are that even if you are not a seasoned angler, the crew will help you select the right equipments and teach the how to use them.

If you get a good Fort Lauderdale sport fishing charter, you may even be helped with the accommodation and restaurants in the area. Thus, all you will need to remember is to take a suitably long trip to be able to catch fish. Six to eight hours is the normal recommended time if you are serious about this sport. Most operators will help you with the licenses, ice to keep the fish and the fishing equipment. You have to remember to apply enough sunscreen, take a hat and camera and be ready to soak up all the sun while fishing in Fort Lauderdale.
So go ahead and have a great trip!

We provide information on a variety of travel destinations such Oregon Coast vacation rentals, Sunriver vacation rentals, Fort Lauderdale sport fishing, and vacation rentals in Florence, Italy.by D. Karlson
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Bass Fishing Lures - The More Realistic The Better

2008-03-19T04:29:00.011-07:00

When it comes to bass fishing lures the potions that are available to anglers seems almost endless. Bass lures come in what seems to be every shape and size, and mimic everything from shad to crayfish. Not only that, but bass fishing lures also seem to come in more colors than a box of crayons.

With all of these choices, what is it that makes one lure better than the others? There are many things that make one bass fishing lure better than the next (obviously), but the most important is how realistic the lure appears to the bass underwater. One important thing to keep in mind, is that all are sold to fishermen, not fish, so the marketing is designed to sell the fishermen the lure.
This is obvious, buy worth keeping in mind, because what we want is for our lure to look as realistic as possible, and standing is a store, it's impossible to tell how it is going to perform. That's why sticking with a manufacturer who you know makes a quality and realistic lure is important. Or sticking with a manufacturer who can show you what their lure will look like underwater.

That's right, some fishing lure manufacturers can show you what their lures will look like (through the use of video), so that you can se for yourself what the lure looks like under water. This is obviously a good thing, and some of these companies will even offer you money back guarantees of you aren't satisfied with your purchase.

Some companies who have wonderful reputations for manufacturing realistic bass fishing lures are Rapala, Yo-Zuri, and Bill Lewis Lures. Any of these companies, make quality lures that can be trusted to perform quite well. If you're; looking for a manufacturer who makes a realistic lure, and will prove it by showing you, check out NGC Sports.
NGC makes a very realistic shad imitation that you almost have to see to believe. These lures truly do look just like a real shad under the water, and are amazingly effective. Check them out and see what you think.

No matter what type or style you choose to go with, it's also very important that your spending your time fishing when the bass are the most active. How do you get your hands on this information? Simple, by doing a little research. I'm telling you, planning your fishing trips around the weather and moon will pay huge dividends in your catch rates. And the information that you need to know is simple and easy to understand. Use a realistic fishing lure when the weather and moon are in your favor, and you'll begin catching many more bass.

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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Precision Pitching for Bass

2008-03-19T04:29:00.010-07:00

A precise first pitch into cover usually spells BASS! But we all know that distinct pockets in heavy cover, or adjacent to, are hard targets to hit given only one chance. Many of us seem to forget that all important parameter in our pitches! And that is, focusing on our targets not our swings. How the bait gets there is already mastered by practicing in our backyards! By the way, my neighbours think I am ready for medical help! Anyway, concentration when we are on the water should be on the target and the target only in my opinion.

Consider this...Some of you will find this hard to believe, but I compare my pitching to my golf swing. "What?" You say! In golf I know that if I take my eyes off that ball it goes wild, if I hit it at all. Obviously, you can tell I am not an advanced golfer! If any of you do golf then you know that keeping your eye on the ball is the first and most important lesson taught! Well, pitching with precision is much the same in that we should keep our eyes on the target rather than the bait. By doing so I know it brings confidence to the table. With concentration, believe it or not, the hands and arms will follow through, putting that bait where you want it just like in golf.

Set up the pitch, stare the target down, then follow through. Try not to concentrate on your technique too much, but rather the target. By all means, we should practice our pitching 'swing' because with practice the swing of the pitch will become second nature allowing us to keep our eyes fixed on the target.

In pitching there are many variables indeed. From the rod length and action, to the height of the angler, distance to target, weight of the bait pitched, reel settings, the list seems endless. Some anglers probably already have all these mentioned down pat. Remembering that all important 'keep your eye on the target' factor we can finish our perfect swing with an, "oooohh, aaaahhh, "NICE PITCH!"

But Bass fishing is not Nic's only love. In the Spring his passion turns to downrigging for salmon, where he competes in Salmon Derbies. Already, he has a first place win under his belt. And if that's not enough to keep him busy, you can find him chasing Walleye, Pike, and even Muskie. You name it, Nic will fish for it.
http://www.probassfishing.ca has fulfilled a life long dream for Nic. Not only because of his active tournament angling and multi species fishing, but because he gets to share t
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Smallmouth Bass Fishing - Streams And Smaller Rivers

2008-03-19T04:29:00.009-07:00

Fishing for smallmouth bass can be very exciting, especially if you are fishing for them in smaller rivers and streams. In my experience, you can catch some very nice fish on these types of water and many good fishing spots receive very little fishing pressure. I'm sure there are plenty of popular streams and rivers that receive a ton of fishing pressure, but I have been lucky enough to be able to fish some streams and rivers without seeing another person in sight.

To find some of these places to fish, you can easily search your state's fish and wildlife websites to find what rivers have smallmouth bass in them. From here, I like to pull up a Google map to see if there are any of these rivers or streams within a short drive to my house. I have a few places to fish near my house, so I grab the waders, jump in the car and try to find some places to fish. This type of fishing seems to be more of an adventure than fishing in a pond or a lake because you will usually have to walk a long way on land and in the water just to find some of the best spots. If you like a little adventure, then this type of fishing is for you.

For this type of fishing, I usually bring only one rod and I like to throw lipless crankbaits early in the morning. I will typically fish during the first 2 hours of daylight and try to cover as much water as possible. I will mark the very good fishing spots with my gps to make sure to come back to them another day and slow down with a jig or even some live bait. On my first time out to cover some new water, it's all about the crankbaits and I do expect to lose a couple of them, but it's worth it to catch a few bass.

In streams and small rivers, the best fishing spots for me are big bends, behind large rocks and boulders, overhanging trees, dams and deep pools provide a lot of bigger fish for me in the summer. My top lures are lipless crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, plastic worms as well as live worms, creek chubs and fathead minnows.

If you have a dam near you, try to get out there in the spring and fall. You should find a lot of fish up near the dam. On some mornings, I will catch 6 to 8 bass within the first hour in the morning during the spring and fall at the base of the dam. Most of the fish I catch on small rivers and streams are usually smaller than what I catch in the nearby lakes, but I usually do get one nice bass in the 2 to 3 pound range each trip to go along with many 12 to 14 inch smallmouth bass.

For more information, take a look at our smallmouth bass fishing page.
Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site
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Florida Spring Bass Fishing

2008-03-19T04:29:00.008-07:00

It's the middle of February and that means it's about that time when largemouth bass begin spawning in Florida. Some lakes will already have bass on the beds and other lakes may be a few weeks away. This is the time of year that you can catch a lot of big bass. Some experienced anglers will boat many bass 5 pounds and up in a single day. So what areas should we be targeting during this time of year.

Well, we are not going to cover every place that has good bass fishing in Florida, because it would take all day to list all of the good places to fish. We will discuss some of the more popular lakes as well as the areas that are visited by tourists in the spring.

The Florida fish and wildlife management has a great website that shows the top 10 bass fishing lakes every year. It's worth taking a look at. Just do a quick online search for Florida fish and wildlife and you'll find their website. Let's go ahead and take a look at some of our top fishing destinations for Florida bass fishing in the spring.

Orlando, Florida - Move over Mickey Mouse. This is the time of year for big bass and there are plenty of places to fish in the Orlando area. Our website at Ultimate Fishing Site, and many of the hotels and resorts have information on fishing guides in the Orlando area. Turn to them because they will know which lakes are producing best.

Kissimmee, Florida is one of the best destinations if you are looking to land a big bass. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes produce many bass in the 5 to 7 pound range and some over 10 pounds. Kissimmee is also close to Disney World, so you might want to hire a guide if you can get away from the theme parks for a day.

Lake Okeechobee is known by many anglers for its big fish possibilities. Many fishermen believe this is the best lake in Florida for landing a 10 pound bass. There will be plenty of anglers that will disagree because they have found other lakes that produce many 10 pound bass. While Florida offers many quality lakes with the potential of landing a 10 pound bass, you definitely won't be wasting your time by spending a week on this lake trying to get a 10 pounder.

Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site
To find information on the areas listed above or other areas in Florida, take a look at our Florida fishing section. Now, go get that 10 pound bass.
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Bass Tackle - Tiki Monkey By Wave Worms

2008-03-19T04:29:00.007-07:00

When Mother Nature causes Bass to get tight lipped I am very confident they will open wide for the 3" Tiki-Monkey from Wave Worms! When I have to fish small and slow the Tiki-Monkey has proven its worthiness in my Bass fishing. It is good bait that will impress even the heartiest of Bass anglers with its hook-up abilities.

I recall a particular Bass outing this past season where a friend and I were fishing a local reservoir to hone up on some upcoming tournament skills and the only thing we were catching was the 'empty well' syndrome! We decided it was time to go small! We reworked the same run of weeds and lumber with the Tiki-Monkey. The Bass suddenly appeared! It's no wonder with its small 'tasty' appearance and hypnotizing fall!

When you find it hard fishing try the Tiki-Monkey out for yourself. It is a good weapon to have on hand. I rig it according to conditions. Shallow water calls for light weight and deeper water, heavier weight. In deeper water it can be just as effective rigging it Carolina style. A 20 Owner rigging hook is a perfect match for the Tiki-Monkey with just enough hook to get the job done no matter how you rig it.

The Tiki-Monkey from Wave Worms has that distinctive 'MOLOPO' scent that is very strong and lasting. I can smell it for hours even after the fact and that is a good indication of its potency.
Wave Worms' Tiki-Monkey sure makes a good remedy for that 'empty well' syndrome! It cured me and it should cure you too!

http://www.probassfishing.ca has fulfilled a life long dream for Nic. Not only because of his active tournament angling and multi species fishing, but because he gets to share t
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nic_Di_Gravio

Bass Fishing Ponds

2008-03-19T04:29:00.006-07:00

Nowadays, it seems like every bass fishermen wants that brand new bass boat that can get them across the lake in a few minutes. I have to admit that I am guilty of this as well. With all of the great bass fishing tournaments on television showcasing some of the best bass fishing boats that money can buy, how could you not want to fish on one of those boats every time you go fishing. If you have ever been on a bass boat with a 250 horsepower motor, you know that by just taking off, you can get a rush of adrenaline. It is fun to go fast unless it is forty degrees outside.

This year, I am going to take more time out to go bass fishing in ponds than I did last year, especially on weekends when I know the nearby lake is going to get pounded by way too many fishermen. I have caught some enormous bass in ponds over the past few years and there are a few things that I do to find the best ones in my area. Depending on where you live, google may have a satelite image of your area that allows you to zoom in and find ponds. Go online and search google maps, then type in your zip code. In some areas, you may not find much, but if you do have a bunch of ponds nearby, check them out. You might be missing something.

So go ahead and take a look at the google map in your area. Select the satelite view so you can actually see the water. Find a few ponds that you would like to fish and I will show you how to weed out the bad ones. When spring hits, wait until you get a week or so of warmer weather. I'm talking about weather in the 60s and maybe even the low 70s. This will turn the bass on and they will move into the shallows to feed. Make sure to check out the ponds during good fishing conditions. I never try to find a new pond after a cold front or during the middle of the day during a 90 degree heat wave.

Fish the peak times. During the late spring, mid afternoon through the evening will be best because the water will have time to warm up. Now, if you're fishing during the best times, you should catch fish. I don't just try to catch fish though. I target big fish. I know that in the spring, smaller baits work best, but I am looking for ponds that have big bass. It's not fun for me to catch 10 to 12 inch bass with no hope of catching a big bass. I am looking for ponds that have some bass in the 2 to 5 pound range, although, in my area, a 5 pound bass out of a pond is not common, so I would consider a pond that has 2 to 3 pound bass in it a good bass pond.

To target big fish, I use one bait: a live chub. I catch live chubs out of a nearby creek with a small hook and a kernel of corn. I will catch 12 to 18 chubs in the 5 to 7 inch range and head out to the pond. I will take the biggest chub I have and cast it out with just a big hook attached. These big chubs will swim all over the place if you don't have a bobber or weight attached. Just let them swim freely and give them some slack line. Make sure to keep an eye on this rod or you can lose your fishing rod. With my other rod, I will take a smaller chub and cast it along the shorelines. I use the same setup as my other rod: a big hook and a chub with 12 to 17 pound test line. I will work this live chub along the shoreline just like I would use a plastic worm. A slow lift and fall retrieve works best. The live chub will only last about 10 or 12 casts if I am careful, then it will die. It will work just fine dead so keep working it like a plastic worm.

I will give each spot about 5 to 10 minutes and I will try to fish most, if not all of the pond in a couple of hours. If I catch one fish in the 2 to 3 pound range, it becomes one of my ponds to fish in the future. With big chubs, you won't catch many small bass, but if I do catch a couple of smaller bass less than 2 pounds, I will come back and fish this pond. If I don't get a single bite after 2 hours of prime time fishing with my favorite big fish bait, I will never go back. There isn't enough time to mess around with average to below average ponds. After a couple years of this, I found 2 excellent ponds in my area and in one pond I have caught over 10 bass over 5 pounds with the biggest bass weighing in at 7 pounds. In the other pond, I catch mostly 2 to 3 pound bass and one at 5 pounds in 2 years.

With both of these ponds, I know that if I have an hour and a half to 2 hours, I will get 3 or 4 bites from fish in the 2 to 3 pound range every single time. (this is with live bait though, but it is consistent). I probably fished 7 or 8 ponds before I found these ponds, so make sure to do your research and do it during late spring. This is how I find big bass in ponds. If you enjoy using lures, that's fine, but save yourself some time and get some big creek chubs. By the end of the spring, you should have at least one pond worth fishing throughout the rest of the year.

For more information on bass, take a look at our bass 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.
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The Secrets To Bass Fishing - 3 Tips To Help You Catch More Bass

2008-03-19T04:29:00.005-07:00

By Jay Allan

How nice would it be to go fishing with your friends and at the end of the day have them asking how you caught all of those fish? Well here are 3 tips that should keep you a couple steps ahead of your fishing buddies.

1. Where To Find The Bass: This tip alone will give you an advantage over your friends, considering the fact that most people tend not to know where to find the fish ( a lot of people just cast and hope a fish will find the bait). Whether you are fishing in a lake or a pond, you probably will find stumps, logs, or grass near the shoreline. This is often referred to as 'cover' and bass love to hang out there. Fish these spots early in the morning and in the evening before the bass move to deeper waters during the afternoon heat.

2. Lures: If any of your friends are like mine, most of them will come prepared with a pole, some worms, and a bobber. Nothing wrong with that, but there's definitely a more effective way to catch bass. Since bass are predatory fish, using lures will increase your odds of making more catches. Here are a few lures to keep in your arsenal:
-Soft Plastic Worm: Most professionals will tell you that the soft plastic worm is your best bet in catching big largemouth bass. These are effective in clear to stained water and are great when presented slowly through cover.
-Spinner Baits: Another favorite among bass fishermen is the spinner bait. Spinner baits work wonderfully during cloudy/rainy days. Arguably the most effective spinner baits have two blades, one being large and leaf shaped.
- Crank Baits: Crank baits are very popular lures that resemble a live minnow. They are effective all day, especially in the early morning. All crank baits have a plastic 'lip' that give it the swimming effect. Crank baits with are longer/larger lip are made to dive and should be used in deeper water.
3. Setting The Hook: The reason a lot of people miss out on catches is because they don't know how to properly set a hook. Keep in mind that a bass's mouth isn't exactly soft on the inside and a weak set can cost you a lot of fish. In most cases you can never set to the hook too hard. If you're ever unsure if a fish is biting or not, set the hook anyway!

4. Go put these tips to use and have a great time!
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Bass Fishing with Topwater Lures

2008-03-19T04:29:00.004-07:00

Bass fishing can be very exciting, especially when you can catch them on the surface. My favorite time of year for fishing topwater lures is early summer. This is the time that you will start seeing a ton of bait fish in the lake and bass become aggressive enough to feed on the surface.

While many anglers use topwater lures with a chop on the water, I am looking for a calm surface during the last hour or two in the evening or in the first hour of daylight. Evenings seem to work best for me, so I use topwater lures more in the evening, but there are many anglers that fish them hard in the morning or even with a light wind. I recommend getting out there and fishing them in a variety of ways to see what works best for you on your lakes, but I will give you some information that has helped me land more bass on the surface.

Most evenings will have some wind on the water, but it seems to die down about half an hour to forty five minutes before dark. Ideally, I'd like more time than this, but I will gladly take half an hour of topwater fishing if I can get it. When the water flattens out in the evening, there will be a lot of bass that begin feeding in the shallows. I am going to target weed edges, near lily pads, docks or any other type of cover that I can see. I am not using electronics at this time. For me I have a little bit of time to target these active bass and it's easiest if you fish obvious targets. One thing you want to make sure to look for is bass feeding on the surface. You should see minnows being chased on the surface and this gives you an idea of where to cast, but it's that big strike by a bass on the surface that gets my attention. If I can get a torpedo in that exact spot within 5 to 10 seconds, I get a strike. I get bit almost every time if I make a good cast within this time frame.

As far as working the cover with topwater lures, I prefer using a torpedo with an erratic jerk and pause retrieve. The bite will almost always come on the pause, so be ready. Make sure not to set the hook too soon. As a rule, I try to count one - one thousand when I see the fish come up and hit my lure. I've heard other anglers recommending waiting until you feel the fish. Either way, just make sure not to set the hook as soon as you see strike. You will miss so many fish this way. Pause for a second, then set the hook.

Some of the other lures that I like when fishing on top are chuggers, crawlers, rapalas and buzzbaits, although I am not pausing the lure when I use buzzbaits. To get more information on the types of lures that work for catching bass on the surface, take a look at our topwater lures 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.
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Top Water Bass Fishing

2008-03-19T04:29:00.003-07:00

By Stephen Long

It's 5:30am and you're already on the water. The water is like glass and all is quiet around you. Next to you in the boat is a cooler filled with your favorite beverage (whether it's beer or Pepsi is up to you!). As you approach your favorite hole, you pick up your rod and tie on a surface lure. You cast your line toward the shore and present your topwater offering.

All of a sudden, the water explodes and you are in the battle of your life with a lunker largemouth! He feels like he goes maybe 3 or 4 pounds. As you get him boat side, you reach down and lift him out of the water. Larger than you expected, around 5 pounds! You turn and drop your prize into the live well and prepare for the next cast...

The thrill of topwater bass fishing is addictive. There is a BIG difference between catching that elusive largemouth off the bottom, from the middle or from the surface. Topwater bass fishing is a more visual experience than other types of fishing. There are specific types of rods and lures for topwater bass fishing.

Rods
Most anglers will tell you that a 6 to 6 ½ foot rod with a medium action will suffice. If the action of the rod is too stiff, you will yank your bait right out of the fish's mouth when you set the hook. A medium action rod is the best fit for topwater bass fishing.
These rods are available in a price range of about $20 to over $200. Do you need to spend a bunch of money on a rod? Regardless of the price tag, medium action is medium action. On the other hand, if you go with a $25 rod, you can expect $25 worth of performance. Find yourself a rod somewhere in the middle and you won't go wrong.

Lures
When it comes to lures, there are a great many to choose from. Here is a list of the top ten that I have had success with:
1. Heddon's Zara Spook

2. Custom Bait's Senko

3. Yum's Floating Worm (with a Texas style rig)

4. Zoom's Superfluke

5. Heddon's Torpedo

6. Lazer Eye's Buzzbait

7. Smithwick's Stick Bait aka Hard Jerk Bait

8. Rebel's Pop-R bait

9. Snag Proof's Tournament Frog

10. Any spinner bait. These are manufactured by numerous companies.

All these lures have their own unique presentations. When presented properly, these baits are historically known to produce quality bass. This is true across regional boundaries, weather conditions and water temps.

A big tip
Now you have the rod and the lures you need for topwater bass fishing, there is one more thing you should know. Here it is: Since topwater fishing is a visual type of fishing, most anglers will set the hook too soon and jerk the lure right out of the fish's mouth. To prevent this, do NOT set the hook immediately when you see the strike! Wait a second, reel in some slack and when you feel the pressure of the bass on the line, THEN set the hook. You will boat more lunkers that way and be a much happier fisherman to boot.

Stephen Long is an author for Sportsmans Article Resource, providing you the latest fishing and hunting tips and techniques for the outdoorsman. Sportsmans article resource is an article resource directory for free online articles.
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Wisconsin Smallmouth Bass Fishing

2008-03-19T04:29:00.002-07:00

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.
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5 Great Bass Fishing Tips

2008-03-19T04:29:00.001-07:00

1. Keep Your Engine Looking New
You should see the stares I get when I pull out of the water. Oh no, it's not the engine or the boat that people stare at, it's me wiping down the engine.
By doing this to your engine with a dry cloth while it's still wet you can eliminate embarrassing exhaust and water marks before they dry up and become hard to remove. Not only does it save you time cleaning it at home with chemicals, which could harm your engines outer shell, it also helps keep it looking brand new.
Whether you have a small, medium, large or a high performance engine on your boat why not keep it looking new!

2. Prevent Rust
Tackle now a days doesn't come cheap so why let rust ruin your investment. The trick to stopping rust from forming is letting the lure or hook dry on its own before storing it back into its rightful place. Rust spreads from one hook to the other if stored damp and when its time for your next outing, well you know!
When changing up tackle I keep a dry little plastic container in my tackle storage compartment in the boat. I drop the tackle in the container so that it has plenty of time to dry. At the end of the day I sort through them all making sure that they are all dry before putting them back in their rightful place.
It may sound tedious to some, but when you consider a good quality hook costs a dollar and up then why would you put damp tackle in with the dry tackle letting rust spread like the plague!

3. Catch More Than One Bass
When you notice a Bass quickly swimming off with your bait chances are there is more than one! I strongly believe that when competing for food Bass will take the bait and swim away with it in one quick motion when schooled together! Keep working the same area....what can it hurt! I have been rewarded time and time again!

4. Go Deep During Cold Fronts
During Tournaments I have been confronted many times by cold fronts and believe you me it can be frustrating! One thing that I have learned through the years is that when cold fronts come in I go deep!
The reason we do better in deeper water during cold fronts, in my opinion, is that the Bass down deep aren't as susceptible to the sudden climate change as the shallow Bass are. The only thing dictating what depth to fish is the wind. When a strong wind is a part of the front then I go even deeper simply because deeper water will 'turn' later than shallow water.
We don't have a crystal ball to see the Bass fishing future, but at the very least we can try something that has worked in past outings!

5. Clear Water Blues
Clear water calls for different; well you might say unorthodox methods of catching weary Bass. Hey, if you can see them in the clear water amongst the weeds then they can surely see you!
Now remember, you see them so, the good thing is you know darn well they are there! So what I do is cast or flip my bait, combined with a fluorocarbon leader, a good far distance from the boat and let it hit the water with the loudest splash I can muster. Stealth, in this case, is irrelevant. Think about it...if the Bass are in there and not spooked by natural noises such as Cray fish, wounded bait fish, dropped minnows from fighting gulls or just a frog, they will come and see what made the ruckus. Better yet, if the bait just happens to land in the Bass's line of view, it will smack it thinking that it's just Mother Nature in the vicinity and not a Bass Boat!

Born In Guelph, Ontario, Nic, his wife Lawney and their son Lorenzo now call Kitchener, Ontario their home.
Even though Nic has thirty years of fishing experience, he still feels that you can never stop learning. His love for Bass fishing has brought him to the Pro Bass Tournament trail. In his first year going professional, Nic has two top ten finishes and was a Classic Qualifier in the C.S.F.L Bassmania Pro Bass circuit, placing eighteenth over all.
But Bass fishing is not Nic's only love. In the Spring his passion turns to downrigging for salmon, where he competes in Salmon Derbies. Already, he has a first place win under his belt. And if that's not enough to keep him busy, you can find him chasing Walleye, Pike, and even Muskie. You name it, Nic will fish for it.
http://www.probassfishing.ca has fulfilled a life long dream for Nic. Not only because of his active tournament angling and multi species fishing, but because he gets to share t
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Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trips

2008-03-19T04:29:00.000-07:00