Art With Fishing

Fly Fishing Rods

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:52:00 +0700

Fly Fishing Rods
By Hartono R.B.

Fly fishing rods are lighter, tougher, and stronger. True to our commitment to research and innovation, we've leveraged technology previously reserved for the aerospace and defense programs-our breakthrough in carbon fiber technology gives the t3 a unique look and feel, and laser-like accuracy makes it the highest-caliber rod in the world.

Fly fishing rods are much more delicate and as making them requires substantial skill, they are pretty heavy on the wallet too. Great alternatives for bamboo fishing rods are graphite fly fishing rods and fiberglass fly fishing rods.

Fly fishing rods are manufactured and sold by length, the type of "action" (degree of tip bend), intended use, and line weight. They typically range from 7 to 10 feet in length, but 8 half to 9 feet are by far the most popular. Some specialty rods, like those for two handed spey casting, will fall in the 12 to 15 foot range. They are specialized to cast heavy line which allows an angler the ability to catch fish with light-weight artificial floating lures made to look.

Fly fishing rods are legendary for their magical properties, their propensity for placing flies just above the ripple. Sage may not be sure about the magic aspect, but they do know that every sage fly fishing rod is made by hand and sage make fly rods for anglers of every stripe.

Fly fishing rods are a lot lighter and the line used is a lot heaver than normal and is sometimes even tapered. At the end of the line is an almost weightless 'fly' in the shape of a dragon fly, which acts as the fish lure. The artistic element is created by the angler's efforts to cast his fly so gently, that the water is hardly disturbed by the line.

Fly fishing rods are longer than those used for baiting or luring fish. The average fly fishing rod measures between 6 and 13 feet in length. Categorize the rods you are thinking of purchasing by the line weight you are thinking of running.

Fly fishing rods are generally between 6 feet to 14 feet, however the material that is used in these rods varies. Several years ago these rods were made from some sort of bamboo but they are now made of mostly fiberglass and graphite. There are also experiments and research being done, with other materials like boron, with the intention of having the best materials for the fly fishing rods. Fly fishing rods are amazing pieces of modern engineering. Made of the most advanced composite materials, they can quickly disassemble and be placed into a regular carrying bag for transport.

The best rod manufacturers are on the cutting edge of rod design and construction. Not only do they couple the highest-grade materials with the greatest precision in rod making, but also they have achieved an unprecedented level of artistry in their rods. Fly fishers speak of a "soul" in a rod, a quality present in all great fly rods.

Fly fishing rods are designed to give the angler the edge he needs to catch his prey. A good fly rod (assuming it's well-chosen for the type of angling you're doing) will provide strength, durability and flexibility. But, to prolong its life, you need to keep your rod well-maintained. Take the time to clean the grip, ferrules (if your fly rod has joints) and the rod blank.

Fly fishing rods are made from graphite which make the rods much lighter than it used to be in the past. Of course there are rods that are made by other materials but since we are talking here about selecting rods for beginners, graphite is by far the recommended material for the rod; it is strong and light weight.

Fly fishing rods are still extremely popular, despite the fact that a plethora of fiberglass and graphite rods have appeared over the last half century.

Articles may be you interested in reading: Choosing the right fly fishing rod and Fly Fishing Reels

Bait Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:52:00 +0700

Live Bait Fishing Tips - Keeping Your Baits Alive
By Daniel Burgess

Obviously you can’t live bait if you can’t keep it alive, and this can often be quite a task. Keeping your baits happy, healthy and kicking can be approached in many ways, so I have put down a few key tips to remember; and some good alternatives to fully plumbed live bait tanks.

I will start with problems that affect even perfectly plumbed tanks and go from there.

COMMON PROBLEMS

If you have a fully plumbed, top of the line bait tank, then you are well ahead of the game but will still have fish dying. If the tank becomes overcrowded fish will start to die.

Remember the bigger the baits the less will survive in your tank. Baits so big they can’t freely swim around the tank will have a high mortality rate. Once fish have died make sure to remove them from the tank as it will affect the remaining survivors.

When you are catching bait make sure to handle them as little as possible. If possible catch bait with long shank hooks then hold the shank of the hook and shake the bait off and straight into the tank. That way you never touch the fish.

ALTERNATIVE TANKS

If you don’t have an inbuilt tank, or room for this, the next best thing is to use an esky. In a good sized tinnie I have even plumbed a good quality esky with great results, the next best thing to an esky is the good old fashioned ‘kill box’ the ones commercial fishos use for storing their catch.

Eskies work very well as bait tanks because one major problem for keeping fish alive is change in water temperature. Not only are fish very sensitive to temperature change but when water warms up it loses its dissolved oxygen killing the fish.

A 50 litre tank of water in summer warms up very quickly, this is very important to remember when you don’t have any circulation in your tank. The temperature problem also relates to colour, try and use white tanks so they don’t attract more heat.

FRESH WATER

Without having the tank plumbed you will have to use a bucket to constantly refresh the water in the tank, its hard work but often worth it. You can also purchase small bait pumps that will help but I’ve found that you still need to use the bucket but just not as often.

When you pour water into your tank don’t try to be gentle, this is a mistake, it is best to do it from a good height and create a lot of foam, this is oxygen mixing with the water and benefits your baits.

OXYGEN

Another key point is the shape of the tank. Ideally a high surface area is great which again is why most eskies work well and so do ‘kill boxes’.

The higher the surface area the more oxygen can dissolve into the water, this is also why little kiddy wading pools are perfect when fishing from the shore.

THE BASKET CASE

One last useful tip for boat fishos is to have a laundry basket that is deep and narrow in shape. Put some weight in the bottom of the basket and flotation around the top of the basket.

When you are at anchor simply put this in the water and tie it of to the side of the boat. Transfer your livebaits from your tank into the basket while fishing at anchor and they will stay healthier than in any livebait tank. Always have a small net for transferring the baits so as not to damage your baits.

Remember the better you handle your livebaits the better baits they’re going to be.

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Fishing Hook

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 May 2009 13:51:00 +0700

When A Simple Fishing Hook Becomes Something Special
By Trevor Kugler

Everyone reading this article is aware of what a fishing hook is, right? Obviously, or you wouldn't be reading a fishing article. We all use fishing hooks to attempt to catch our quarry. When does a simple fishing hook become something special? When that simple fishing hook is transformed into a "gang hook", that's when.

So what the heck is a "gang hook" anyway? A "gang hook" is simply two hooks tied in tandem. Gang Hooks are primarily used in bait fishing. These hooks are the most natural way to present any worm that has ever been devised. With a little research, gang hooks are fairly easy to tie yourself, or you can go somewhere like JRWfishing and buy them. It doesn't really matter how you get them, all that matters is that you start to use them when you fish.

In most cases "gang hooks" are tied with much smaller hooks than you are probably accustomed to using. In the old days, anglers used to use a larger hook and try to 'thread ' a worm or worms onto said hook. This technique, of threading a worm or worms onto a hook, creates what has been called a "worm ball". A "worm ball" may be many things, but natural looking isn't one of them. Most of the gang hooks that I've seen are tied with either size 8 or 10 hooks, with 10 being the most popular. A worm baited on a set of size 10 gang hooks is as natural a presentation as you will ever see. The hooks are practically invisible.

And don't forget about using "gang hooks" for any dough bait that you might use (such as Powerbait and the like). In the case of dough baits these hooks enable the angler to present double the bait. You can have two chunks of bait floating off of a single line. Gang Hooks are very effective for dough bait fishing as well as live bait fishing.

This is precisely how a simple fish hook becomes something special……by making that simple fishing hook into a set of pre-tied gang hooks. Start using gang hooks and you will begin catching more fish, I guarantee it.

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Fly Fishing Reels

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:51:00 +0700

A Guide to Fly Fishing Reels
By Anne Clarke

Are you wanting to know more about fly fishing reels? Here is some basic information on reels that is sure to satisfy you until your next “casting call.”

Is heavier better?

No, not necessarily. In fact, oftentimes, light fly reels are more expensive and of higher quality. If two reels are the same in all other respects, go with the lighter one. That said, when choosing your fly fishing reel line weight, the most important thing to consider is the weight of your rod and of your line.

These three weights (reel, rod, and line) should be equal and balanced. When you are considering the “weight” of your fly reel, you are not considering how heavy it is, but how well balanced it would be with your rod and reel. When shopping for a good fly fishing set-up, first consider what sort of fish you will be fishing for, find the right weight line to catch them, and then but a rod and reel to match.

Does size really matter?

The larger your spool, the faster your line retrieval can be and the better line handling you will have. Also, you want your fly fishing reel to fit your hand comfortably.

Single and ready to mingle?

Single action fly fishing reels are the most common and also the simplest. For every crank of the handle, you will get one turn of the spool. Single action reels are very easy to maintain. Multiplier fly fishing reels, on the other hand, can retrieve your line faster because for every turn of the handle, you will get two or more turns of the spool. An automatic fly fishing reel is the easiest to use but the hardest to maintain. You simply need to flick a lever to retrieve your line.

Fly fishing is not a drag!

There are a few different types of drag systems that you can choose for your fly fishing reels. Why do you want drag? Because drag applies friction to the spool, helping you in your casting and landing of fish

Spring-and-pawl drag systems is very simple and very affordable. This is a good system for lighter fishing. Look for a spring-and-pawl system with a knob that can increase or decrease your drag tension.

Caliper drag systems are a little bit more expensive. A caliper pad pushes against the braking surface of the spool, creating drag, slowing the spool spin. Be sure that your caliper drag system comes with an exposes palming rim.

Disc drag systems. If you are wanting one of the best and most expensive types of fly fishing reels, then you can go with a disc drag system. With the disc drag, you get increased control and much efficiency. Most agree that if you are fishing for large, powerful, fighting fish, a drag system is best. It will give you the most control and the most consistent drag pressure.

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Tournament Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:51:00 +0700

Night Tournament Fishing - What a Rush!
By Barry Brasher

It's four o'clock and I'm still at work, what to do? Clock out and go home. The tournament starts at six o'clock. The race is on, nothing in the world like it. Forty minute drive home, scarf down a sandwich, and off you go. On your way home and to the lake. The only thing going through your mind is what are we going to do? Fish the points, humps, roadbeds, ledges etc. What a rush trying to figure a way to beat fifty other fishermen that you have known most of your life. This is what makes tournament fishing so great!

When you first get started fishing these nightly events they become addictive. You probably will lose a lot more than you win but that’s just part of the fun. In every tournament you have your local pros that are very hard to beat, but this is how you learn to be a better fisherman - if you can get them to talk. Sometimes this is like pulling teeth. They get lockjaw when they are catching lots of fish.

The main thing is to ask the right questions, like how deep are you fishing? and what time are you catching most of your fish? This will tell you a lot. Asking what bait they are using won't get you crap. They are not going to give this up. Be alert. Look around in boats to see what is tied on but most of time what they are really using is in the rod box. You are likely to learn more after the tournament so keep your eyes open and listen to what they have to say to one another. Every person has their own way of fishing and they deviate from this pattern very little. What I mean is you have pier fishermen, structure fishermen, bank fishermen etc. and you can learn a lot from each one.

Be observant when you are fishing to see which other fishermen are doing what. This will help you adjust to the type of fishing that seems to be best at that time. That doesn't mean fish their holes. Find your own! It goes a long way in making friends and they might have a faster boat than you when you have located fish. Hey it's dog-eat-dog when fishing so follow the unwritten rules of being your own man. Win or lose you will always learn something new and wonder what you did wrong to cause you to lose. Always try to congratulate the winners and be a good sport about it. These events will be the best times of your life. May God be with you during rehab because it is addictive! Its hard to stop once you get started. Have fun, be safe, and lots of luck! Maybe I'll see you there when they let me out!

Keep on fishin'!

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Canada Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 6 May 2009 13:50:00 +0700

Choose the Best Canada Fishing Trip
By Robbie Darmona

Fishing trips to Canada are becoming more and more popular as a family vacation. Except for the fish, Canada fishing trips can offer great opportunities to spend your time near the water, such as beachcombing or whale watching. The excellent hotel amenities can ensure your good time there. You can have breakfast near the lakes or go hiking, or visit some museums as well.

The town of Sookie is perfect for this aim, and its nearness to Victoria can offer you many more exciting things to do. Or you may as well visit Vancouver Island and experience all the delights of fishing that it has to give you. Another perfect destination for fish lovers could be the town of Port Renfrew. Canada fishing trips include all kinds of adventurous things to do, but most people still consider fishing the best way to spend the day. Here is a list of all the wonderful places that have suitable conditions for fishing.

Ontario Fishing Lake. If you dream of going on a Canada fishing trip and spending your time in oodles of fish, the Lake of Ontario can make your dreams come true. The Closs Lake bounds in Muskie and Smallmouth Bass. The Bass caught there are of extreme size: up to and over 5 pounds. The record states that 2 people in 5 hours have caught over 50 Bass, their body length varying between 16 and 20 inches. Muskie is also plentiful, a sum of 13 was boated once on a daily trip. Their size is between 25 and 30 pounds. Land portage is easy.

Ontario Northern Park. This lake is perfect to make a Canada fishing trip for pike. Pike can be caught there in oodles. The record made was 100 pikes caught in 4 hours. The modest quantity of pikes varies up to 50 Pikes for several hours. The best catches can be made on Terry Lake. Action for Northern Pike is extremely fast. Light tackle is also highly exciting here. Land portage is slightly difficult.

Booger Lake. The best place if you admire Northern Pike. In comparison to Terry Lake, smaller fish can be caught here (size between 3 to 8 pounds) , but a Pike fisherperson would admire the wonderful nature and the serenity that the narrow beautiful lake offers. The best record was put by three people having caught 165 pikes in 8 hours. Land portage to Booger Lake is slightly difficult.

Cedarbough Lake. The lake is very deep and cold-water. It can be reached by boating through a small creek. The fish species there are Northern Pike, Whitefish, Smallmouth Bass, and Muskie. Muskie fishing can be very fast at times. A visitor boated 13 Muskies at a one-day trip. Muskies are up to 30 pounds, while Northern Pike reaches up to 20 pounds. Smallmouth Bass are caught each year: their size being up to and over 5 pounds.

Little Vermilion. It is one in an eleven-lake system. The lake is prolong, it has a lower and upper section. Its length is about 16 miles. The water is deep and cold, with many bays and reefs. Nature has created the perfect fish holding structures there. Whitefish, cisco, suckers, perch and crayfish live in the perfect water conditions. Little Vermilion is known to be the best place for a Canada fishing trip.

George Lake. This lake is rarely visited by fishermen and it needs some more exploration. It is the smallest portage lake, but its size is compensated by its beauty and fishing quality. A stress reducing fishing trip can be made here. Northern Pike and a good size Pike can be caught there. The land portage is slightly difficult.

These six lakes offer great opportunity for going on Canada fishing trips. Choose the best place for you and your family and enjoy your Canadian holiday!

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Michigan Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 2 May 2009 13:50:00 +0700

Lake Michigan Fishing
By Trevor Kugler

Lake Michigan offers some of the best steelhead, Coho salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass fishing in the entire Midwest. Many of the tributary rivers and streams that flow into Lake Michigan provide excellent fishing as well. Of all the great lakes, Lake Michigan, and its tributary rivers may provide the best fishing in the entire Midwest. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the great lakes and the sixth largest lake in the world. Believe it or not, Lake Michigan is bordered by four states; Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Being bordered by four states, means that each state has their own fishing regulations, so depending on which state you may be fishing in, you'll need to review the individual fishing regulations.

Lake Michigan has over 1600 miles of shoreline and there are more than 100 cities located on its banks. Along these 1600 miles of shoreline, there are dozens of tributary streams and rivers that flow into Lake Michigan and provide excellent fishing. A favorite technique in many of these bodies of water is to use a set of gang hooks and various baits, to entice trout and smallmouth bass. Whether you enjoy fishing from the comfort of a boat or in the comfort of a good pair of waders, Lake Michigan and its surrounding waters have something for you.

With this many states surrounding Lake Michigan, and the excellent fishing opportunities that the lake provides, guide services abound. There are many guide services that are more than willing to take you out for a great day of fishing. If you prefer to fish from the comfort of a boat, hiring a guide service for a day or two is a great idea. There's no better way to get the lay of a lake than through enlisting the help of a guide. You could even hire a guide for just 1 day, get some local tips and techniques, and then strike out on your own. As a matter of fact, if you have no experience fishing in Lake Michigan, this is a wonderful idea. For the amount of time and aggravation a guide will save you, it really pays for itself.

The bottom line is that if you're looking for large fish, even trophies, in a variety of different species, Lake Michigan has them. Lake Michigan also provides the angler with the ability to fish from the comfort of a boat, with or without a guide service, and also excellent fishing in the tributary rivers and streams that flow into the lake. So whether you prefer a boat or a pair of waders with Lake Michigan fishing, you've got it, and with 1600 miles of shoreline, if you like sitting on the bank of a lake and still fishing, Lake Michigan offers the opportunity to catch true trophies in this manner as well. No matter what type of angling you enjoy the most, Lake Michigan and the waters that flow into it offers excellent angling opportunities for everyone.

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Fishing South

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:49:00 +0700

Marlin Fishing South of The Border - Manzanillo Mexico
By Jeremy Lusch

Fishing south of the order

The sun is rising over the hilltop and the seas are calm, we are just out of the port and the talk of the big one dominates the conversation over our morning coffee. 4 guys from different parts of the world all here in Manzanillo Mexico in search of the elusive Marlin.

The morning starts out with a few small tuna, the adrenaline running wild when you here the scream of line coming off the reel. The captain is excited and we don't why, so we ask in our broken Spanish, and some how, through some sign language we concur that he wants those tuna for bait. Again, our adrenaline starts to flow as he hooks them up and lets them out behind the boat and throttles down the engine to a crawl.

The sun is rising over head, the morning coffee rush has worn off. A few of us are fighting the urge to drift off to sleep with the sway of the boat. And Then! In an instant the captain is screaming and the deckmate is rushing to the rod screaming Marlin!!

We all bounce up from our grogginess screaming and beaming. The fight is on! The Marlin tearing line off the reel and doing cartwheels 300 yards behind the boat. The reel starts smoking from the tremendous friction, the deckhand is pouring water on the reel to keep it as cool as possible. The captain has swung the boat around as the line on the reel is almost gone. Only three minutes has gone buy and this fish is about to take the line, hook and bait swim off in to the depth with moby dick laughing at us for giving him the free and easy tuna for breakfast.

We are gaining on him, he makes a quick turn and heads straight for the boat. Jack reels as fast as he can but can not keep up. The slack in the line is too much and the captain is again scared he might escape. And then an explosion right next to the boat as the marlin shows his muscles and soars out of the water. We are all in shock at the size of this ocean beast.

The fight has now been going on for over 1 hour, the fish is tiring and jack is pouring sweat from all parts of his body's. We just don't know who will tire first. It has become a tug of war between man and fish. Jack seems to have the edge, the fish is relenting and coming closer to the boat. We can see this monster of the sea just twenty feet away. He must of seen he is going crazy. Jack cant believe it. The fish runs another 50 yards out and makes another incredible leap.

Oh NO!! Jack says, has he holds the rod in his hands with it no longer doubled over and no resistance. We see the marlin jumping in glee behind the boat gloating if you will. He has escaped. Tears roll down the face of Jack he has battled to no avail. We all have this empty feeling in our belly and decide the only thing to do is crack open a cold corona get the lines back out and hope that we can do battle again with this magnificent creature again here in Manzanillo south of the border.

The marlin, the captain estimated was over 500 lbs and was a blue Marlin. We fished the rest of the day and landed a couple of Dorado or Maui Maui as some people call them. But, in the end we were just a couple of fisherman with a tall tell for the guys back home. Of course the big one got away.

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Fishing Magazines

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:49:00 +0700

Saltwater Fly Fishing Magazine
By Eliseo Lao

If you are a fishing fan take advantage of those grocery store lines and grab a saltwater fly fishing magazine, while you wait. If you stand in enough check out lines and you will notice a few commonalties among what you have hanging around you while you check out. The check out line is always the place for the little things you might want, have forgotten, or just not be aware that the store carries. But one thing you will almost always find at the check out counters is a magazine.

Magazines about a variety of things from people's privates lives, celebrities lives, cooking tips and meal recipes, horoscopes, scopes on missed television shows, holiday party how to’s and so much more. Magazines are great ways to both get information, and be entertained. And it isn’t a whole lot different with saltwater fly fishing magazines.

Saltwater fly fishing magazines are not likely to tell you what your horoscope is for the day, or about missed soap opera information, but you find a lot of other things that catch your interest. Magazines are great for the angler looking for an angle! They are a great way to get tips, learn about hot spots, and even new products. If you are a saltwater angler of any kind, you will want to check out at least a few saltwater fly-fishing magazines. If you are a newbie, looking for tips, or the basic gear and fundamental about saltwater fishing, them a magazine is a great place to start.

They can provide information, show you pictures and give some good leads on the things you are looking for. Saltwater fly fishing magazines are great resources for seasoned angler too, not just novices. No matter how long you have been fishing, and what experiences you have had, magazines can give you glimpses into other peoples fishing moments that can certainly lend a helping hand to your adventure. Not to mention many of the saltwater fishing magazines review equipment, gear, and the latest technology for helping you with the type of fish you want to catch.

Saltwater fly fishing magazines are easy to find. You can usually find various ones at local fishing and sporting good shops. In addition, you can go online and check out the different fishing magazines, and they're various styles and information, and then pick whatever is best for you. Saltwater fishing magazines are not only a way to gain knowledge, and check out some great stories and pictures, but provide fishing tips. They also have great information about new gear and hot spots.

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Trout Flies

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:49:00 +0700

Rainbow Trout And Trout Flies
By Lee Dobbins

Alaska is home to many wonders of nature not the least of which is the rainbow trout. Trout fishing is a sport enjoyed by many anglers not only in Alaska, but all over the world.

Rainbow trout are known to be quite aggressive and picky to boot. While it may take a long time to get them to bite, once you have them on your line you are in for quite a fight. These fish are quite spirited and can put up quite a battle, which of course, is one reason why anglers love fishing for them.

Trout are very picky eaters and many trout anglers tie their own flies in order to get the best presentation to tempt this finicky fish. Trout flies must be just so in order for the fish to bite so whether you tie them yourself or buy them, you must make sure they closely resemble the natural food source of the fish.

There are two types of flies - dry files and wet flies. The dry flies are supposed to resemble insects floating on top of the water or hatches just emerging. Therefore, they are designed to float. Conversely, wet flies are meant to sink. Either they should go right to the bottom or hang a few inches under the water depending on what insect they are emulating.

Streamers are flies that sink to just a few inches below the water. Their goal is to resemble a minnow swimming up near the top. Another type of fly that sinks just a few inches is called a nymph - this is supposed to resemble insect larvae floating in the current. The nymph can also sink to the bottom as it might in real life.

When selecting or tying flies for rainbow trout fishing, one should always find out what the natural food at the time you will be fishing is in the particular body of water that you want to fish. Make sure your flies resemble whatever the food of that time frame will be.

Fishing can be a great way to get the whole family involved in outdoor sports, you can even plan a fishing vacation and fish for rainbow trout in Alaska. You can find loding ant one of many wonderful lodges and enjoy the Alaskan scenery and culture while you are there. While fishing for trout can be fun for the whole family, you might want to make sure small children stick to something a little less challenging like sunfish!

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Fishing Baits

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:48:00 +0700

How to Get the World's Best Fishing Baits for Free
By Larry M. Lynch

There are essentially three ways to catch fish:

• Use live, natural baits

• Use imitation or artificial baits and lures

• Use hardware such as traps, nets, etc.

One of the most efficient and productive of these three methods is to use live, natural baits. This is especially true if the waters and area you’re fishing are new or unknown to you. These live, natural baits are proven effective when acquired locally. Their price is right since they’re available for free. You “spend” only the time to gather them. Be sure to check local and regional regulations on the use of live baits.

Worms

The world’s all-time favorite. You can dig them up from your yard or garden or a wooded area near your fishing grounds. If you’re not that energetic, get some kids to do it for you. They’re available most of the year (winter might be tough), easy to find and gather. Leave the smaller ones. Use the larger earthworms or night crawlers.

Minnows

A technique I like involves using an old window screen. We used to walk along in the surf of the Chesapeake Bay with a framed meter-square piece of window screen to trap all kinds of small salt water fish, crustaceans, sand worms and even small crabs. It made for an interesting series of “catches” and provided endless hours of simple fun for me and my siblings. Minnows swim in fairly large schools so you can scoop up a bunch of them fairly quickly. Walk a few feet with the screen in the water. Lift it up quickly to scoop up your catch. Then dump it into a bucket. Repeat the procedure as you walk along the beach or shore. Keep them alive and fresh in a bucket partially filled with the same waters you collected them from.

Crabs

To catch crabs you can use a crab pot or home made traps. Be sure to check local regulations. These can be used in brackish and salt water shallows baited with a chicken wing tip or other bony meat. At a beach fronting a wooded area more than one kind of crab can be caught. I designed a simple “drop in” trap that I set into the sand near the edge of a coconut grove and caught hermit crabs, fiddler crabs and sand crabs. I even got a small snake once, but that’s another story.

Insects

Crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and other insects can be caught in a meadow, wooded area or park using a butterfly-type net. Lightning bugs (which flash their tail lights at night) are a good bet too. Crawling insects, grubs, maggots and larvae are good too. They are often found under rocks, fallen logs or other materials which have been on the ground for some time. Again, you could just get a bunch of kids to do it for you if you don’t have the time or need the exercise. Cockroaches make good live bait too if you can stomach using them. Not the small North American varieties that plague households mind you, but the large, three-inch long ones common here in South America and in Asia.

So, look into what live, natural baits are available locally near your favorite fishing grounds. It never hurts to have a variety of presentations for those “dog days” of fishing. Fishing with some new offerings can add an extra dimension to your next fishing trip. Getting them might even be a bit of fun too, especially if you “involve” the kids. On vacation, abroad or simply “away” from your usual fishing haunts, it’ll put more than an extra bit of enticement into your presentations. Good luck.

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Pier Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:48:00 +0700

Pier Fishing
By Joshua Taylor

There are many advantages and disadvantages to pier fishing. If you do not have a boat, pier fishing is the next best alternative. Some of the advantages that you have while fishing from a pier is:

* The height advantage, you can target fish easily when you can see them

* Bait is normally very plentiful around bridges and piers, so you have the bait right under you.

* You save a tremendous amount of money on gas, especially today, with the gas prices like they are.

* Pier fishing is overall more efficient for the pocket book.

* Catching great game fish is a very common thing because where there is bait; there is always game fish of some kind around.

If you are trying to target certain species of fish from a pier, there are some things that you will need to know. Such as, the understanding of that specific species, how they feed, when they feed, what type of structure they are housing themselves in and the specific fishing tactics. For example, if you are going to fish for Mangrove Snapper, you do not want to fish the non structural sandy part of the pier. First, you should ask the people around you because believe it of not this is one of the most efficient ways to learn about the different areas to fish. If there are bait house employees ask them, they are usually very helpful. Now you want to try and find structure because snapper are structure loving fish! Usually where there is structure there is bait, so you should figure out what they are eating and the best way to do this is match the hatch. Therefore, in other words what type of bait that is plentiful in your area because this is most likely what the fish are feeding on. Now that you have location and bait figured out the only thing that you need now is the rig and technique. Following these steps for each of the different species will improve you odds for catching fish from a pier. To learn more about different techniques be sure to visit Pier Fishing Guide. You do have to become a little more creative when fishing from a pier because you are not going to the fish you have to get there attention and get them to come to you. There also disadvantages when fishing from a pier some of the disadvantages are:

* You have to be extremely patient, because you have to draw the fish to you.

* Boater sometimes has the tendency to spoil things by rudely going through your fishing lines in search for bait.

* Landing large game fish can be a tad bit tricky if a novice pier fisherman, you must learn to rope gaff your fish or use a drop net.

* You must learn to maneuver around pilings when you do get a good fish

As you can see there are many advantages and disadvantages to pier fishing with that being said all fishing is fun you just have to learn and be creative in order to be.

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Fishing Holidays

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:48:00 +0700

Fishing Holidays - The Ultimate Fishing Experience
By Sabrina Johnston

If you want a fishing holiday that gives you the ultimate challenge with the hardest fighting fish on the planet or maybe you want world class trout fishing?

Well, India has it all and much more, amongst some of the most stunning and beautiful scenery on the planet. Fishing holidays in India have much to offer the adventurous angler.

The vast rivers of India supply a huge variety of fish and offer any angler a variety of superb fishing holidays.

A Wide variety of fish

The Indian water hosts a huge variety of fish, including the mighty Masheer, the ultimate freshwater challenge guaranteed to bring a tingle of excitement to any angler.

Fish in some of the worlds most stunning scenery

India’s rivers meander through the vast expanse of the Gangetic Plains and flow down the peninsular South India.

As most of the north Indian rivers originate from the Himalayas, the clear waters of these raging rivers and their tributaries offer excellent angling and fishing, in areas of great scenic beauty.

They also offer a breeding ground for a huge number of different varieties of fish. Fishing holidays can range from Himalayan mountains, to the coastal stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

The Masheer : The Ultimate Freshwater Fishing Experience

The Masheer is only found in India, it is renowned as the hardest fighting fish on the planet and the ultimate fishing experience for any freshwater angler.

The Mahseer is a fresh water scaly fish, which can attain a huge size and exceed 100lbs. It gives more sport for its size than a Salmon and is therefore considered the best sports fish in the world.

The Maheerer requires skill to test any angler

Mahseer of 70 - 80 lbs, are frequently caught in Indian waters and sometimes catches have been reported of Mahaseer of over 110lbs.

Angling for the formidable Mahaseer requires strength, determination, skill, practice and speed.

The Masheer is appropriately called the 'tiger of the water' so, if you are looking at fishing holidays then why not go for the ultimate fishing experience landing a Masheer?

World Renowned Trout Fishing

Two varieties of trout, namely the rainbow trout and the brown trout, exist in India.

Anglers from across the world take fishing holidays in India to trout fish in the rushing waters of the clear water streams and high altitude lakes of the upper Himalayas.

Trout fishing in India not only offers a wide variety of superb fishing holidays, but the chance to fish in some of the most spectacular scenery of India or, anywhere else.

India for the ultimate Fishing holidays

If you are looking for the ultimate in fishing holidays then, India offers a unique and thrilling angling experience.

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Fly Tying Materials

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:47:00 +0700

Fly Fishing - Fly Tying
By Peter Halpin

Fly tying can be easy and fun. It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but to tie it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish. In this article, we discuss a few basic steps to follow when fly tying all knots for fly fishing, followed by some ingenious ways you can obtain free fly tying materials.

Three Basic Steps

Lubricate knots: Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it with saliva or by dipping it in the water. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which dramatically weakens monofilament. Heat is generated by the friction created when knots are drawn up tight.

Seat the knot: Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on.

Trim neatly: Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the fly tying knot.

Free Fly Tying Materials Around Your Home A quick browse around your house may yield some inexpensive and creative fly tying materials. If you need some glow ball material so you can tie a few eggs try the yarn you have in the house. Use some colors you think might work well. Pull a few strands off and begin tying your eggs. Mixed a few colors just to see what patterns you get.

These have been reported to work really well on the Colorado river. POW! Fish go for the egg. Cast after cast will yield some nice trout in the 16-24" range. The best pattern is an orange yarn with a pink strand.

Consider also some of the following fly tying materials:

Dubbing Dryer Lint - Choose the right color close to dry and then pull the lint out and use as common dubbing materials.

Brush the Dog - Several breeds such as Chows have thick undercoats. The fur makes a great natural material for dubbing.

Feathers A look around the yard or park can yield some interesting feathers to use for tying. Just a note however, wild birds are known for mites so take steps to insure you don't end up infecting your purchased features with these nasty critters.

Suggestions for avoiding mites:

Zap the materials in the microwave for 30sec. Put them in a plastic baggy and freeze them for a few days.

Stay away from dead birds. They could have been infected with a disease.

Foam body Packing foam commonly used for electronics work great. Just cut off a small strip and presto you have your body material. Need a different color than white, pull out a permanent marker such as a Sharpe and apply the desired color.

Furs Any old stuffed animals laying around? Some synthetic furs will work well on your hand tied flies.

Just take a look around the house and you will find items to substitute your traditional fly tying materials. Its a great way to save a few dollars and expand your creativity. You might even find that perfect combination to land that Fly Fishing trophy!

Another alternative is too take a trip to the local craft store. They also are a great resource for Fly Tying materials such as feathers, furs, threads, beads, etc.

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Fly Fishing Flies

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:47:00 +0700

Choosing Fly Fishing Flies
By Michelle Bery

Throughout the longstanding history of fly fishing, fisherman who practiced it - or anglers, as they are known - have always understood the importance of bringing skill, technique, and grace to the sport. But successful anglers have equally understood the comparable importance of superior equipment in order to be their most effective. And when it comes to fly fishing, some of the most important equipment is fly fishing flies - those small but significant items for which the sport is named.

The selection of fly fishing flies is extensive and is often broken down by wet and dry fly fishing. Fly fishing is considered “dry” when the fly is cast over the water. The angler works to make the fly dance above the water, hoping to attract the attention of the fish below it. Such fly fishing flies are designed to replicate mosquitoes and other insects to which the particular fish may be attracted.
Fly fishing is considered “wet” when the fly fishing flies are actually submerged under the water - where their design allows them to sink to the bottom if necessary - in order to entice fish beneath the surface. The wet fly fishing flies are made with the use of soft hackling which gives them mobility below the water’s surface. In the case of wet fly fishing, often the angler will use multiple fly fishing flies at once in order to improve their chance of success.

Some anglers choose to design and construct their own fly fishing flies - using a variety of materials of natural and synthetic origins. But still others choose to purchase their flies in accordance with the type of fish they are looking to retrieve. Fly fishing flies can be purchased at any number of different locations. For skilled, knowledgeable guidance regarding a choice of fly fishing flies, it is best to visit a retailer that is focused solely on fly fishing. There are also a number of Internet resources where anglers can browse and purchase their fly fishing flies online and have them shipped right to their door.

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Cod Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:46:00 +0700

Cod Fishing in Canada Begins at Newfoundland
By Miodrag Trajkovic

Up in the north of Canada thrives a little community. It's not about the people; it's all about the cod fish.

When It All Started

Cod fishing in Canada, particularly in Newfoundland, started when the region was discovered before the end of the fifteenth century. Since then, all cultures from French, Portuguese, English, and Spanish came to its waters in order to search for cod. Hook and line was the manner of fishing, with herring, capelin, sea birds, and squid used as bait.

The Process of Cod Fishing

The people of Newfoundland were more into inshore fishing. They fish close to the shore using little boats with depths below 35 feet. They were also engaged in salting and drying codfish, their main methods of food preservation.

Male members of the family, consisting of the husbands, older sons, brothers, and fathers, would usually hunt for the fish while the female members such as the mothers, wives, daughters and sisters remained on shore. The younger boys were allowed to stay with the female group.

Once the males arrived at the shore, the women would then busy themselves splitting and salting the fish. Once this was done, they would begin the process of curing. The salted fish were gathered and spread onto racks and wooden fish flakes. They were left to dry under the heat of the sun. Taking care of the fish was the responsibility of the women, who would take turns guarding them during the night and on rainy days.

The Moratorium

During the early part of the 1990s, the cod, which roamed around the waters of Newfoundland for many years, suddenly disappeared because of years of excessive fishing. To solve the problem, the Canadian government issued a moratorium in 1992. Fishing communities in Newfoundland were deeply devastated with the closure. It hit the women the most. Before the release of the moratorium, there were about 15,000 of them who worked as plant workers as well as fishers in a number of fisheries. Others who worked in businesses related to the fishing industry also lost their jobs. An estimated 10,000 women were qualified for government compensation, but this also ended in 1998. Ever since the end of cod fishing, fisheries employed only a small group of people for shrimp and crab fishing. Processing jobs and competition for licenses was very intense.

Nobody can actually predict the future of cod fishing in Canada, and no one can anticipate if it will ever return. One thing is for sure, however. Cod fishing added to the pages of a colorful history of Canada.

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Fishing Jobs

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:46:00 +0700

Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs
By Clare Calkin

The boats used for Alaska crab fishing jobs are between 12 and 75 meters (40 to 250 feet) in length and are equipped with hydraulic systems to lift the catch from the sea and onto the deck, the boats and the equipment aboard these vessels are designed to withstand the freezing weather of the Bering Sea. Each boat can stay out at sea for days or weeks at a time.

The traps or pots that are used to catch the crabs are a steel box-shaped trap consisting of a steel frame covered with a wire mesh, bait is placed in the inside, usually a herring or codfish, the pot is then sunk to the sea floor where the king crab reside. Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs vessels may carry up to 300 pots on a single trip which are all placed in a straight line to make retrieval easier.

The king crab in the pots are sorted once they are brought to the surface, and any not meeting the regulation requirements are thrown back. The king crab are typically stored live in a holding tank until the boat reaches shore, where they are sold. If the weather becomes too cold, the live king crab may freeze and burst. If they are left in the tank for too long, they will harm and possibly kill each other, as they can be cannibalistic.

Having Alaska king crab fishing jobs are probably one of the most demanding types of fishing around as the season is short and the hours are long, It has become a very popular industry through the popularity of the Discovery Channel programme "deadliest catch".

The entry level Alaska crab fishing jobs position is that of a Deckhand or Greenhorn, The duties of a deckhand includes loading and unloading supplies, fish and fishing equipment by hand or using hoisting equipment. Preparing and setting nets and other fishing equipment. Removing the catch from the fishing equipment, measuring and sorting it and returning undersize or unwanted fish to the water. Storing or packing the catch in the holds with ice and/or salt (brine). Cleaning the vessel and fishing equipment. Fishing deckhands need to be self-motivated and strong both physically and mentally. They need the stamina to be able to work in dangerous conditions, while being self-disciplined and alert to their surroundings at all times.

So if you are looking for excitement by securing one of the Alaska King Crab Fishing Jobs, I would suggest you consider a number of important issues before you start applying:

What job will be suited to your qualifications and skills

What the working conditions are like

Whether you need any additional training before applying for work

Where exactly to look for fishing employment

How do you go about applying for a job

The types of licenses needed to captain a Fishing Vessel

Organizations you may need to make contact with

What obligations there are regarding licensing and paying catch royalties

The exact processes of the different methods of fishing

What equipment is needed to be part of the Alaska King Crab Fishing Industry

Fishing Rigs

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:46:00 +0700

How to Catch More Fish
By James Fletcher

Want to catch more fish? Below are 13 sensational tips that will help you get more fish when fishing in saltwater. These tips will work in the ocean, rivers or estuaries so have a read and get ready to enjoy more success when you go out for a day's fishing.

1) Use as small a sinker as possible. You want to feel the fish biting so you can strike on the line. If fishing with bait in water less than 5M deep you may not even need a sinker as the weight of the bait will cause the line to sink.

2) Target a particular species. Certain fish feed at different levels. Determine what species of fish you are after and set your rigs and choose your bait accordingly.

3) Fish around sunrise or sunset. Most fish prefer to feed during these times so you are more likely to have greater success.

4) Look for unusual or different terrain to fish around. Fish tend to concentrate around steep underwater drop offs (areas where the depth of the sea floor rapidly changes). Fish also tend to stay in areas with structures in them (rock formations, piers, jetty's, tree branches etc.)

5) Burley up. Burleying is a great way to get the attention of fish. Keep a constant supply or burley coming and you will keep a constant supply of fish coming over as well.

6) Fish with multiple lines to increase your chances. Try throwing 2 lines in per person and it will double your odds of catching that big fish you are chasing.

7) Learn when to strike the line. You need to strike the line (pull back fast on the line) to set the hook in a fish's mouth. Knowing when to do this is half the challenge of catching a fish. The best way is to experiment. Try striking immediately and if that doesn't work try leaving the hook around the fish a little longer before striking. Remember, the best time to strike varies from day to day, species to species and from one fish to another.

8) If the fish don't bite move on. This is easier on a boat but it is also true of shore based fishing. If they are not biting, reel your line in and try a different spot.

9) Look for where other people are fishing and join them. If there is a group of people fishing in one spot there is usually a reason why, so go and join them.

10) If your on holiday or fishing a new spot, ask a local for some tips. Local knowledge is invaluable and most fishermen will give you a few hints and tips to get you on your way.

11) Use technology to get more fish. GPS and Fish finders are great tools for finding good terrain to fish. If your fishing from a boat make sure you have these two devices installed.

12) Setup good fishing rigs before you go fishing. It is easier to make some good rigs on land rather than on a rocking boat. Even if you fish from the shore it is nice to have a collection of rigs that you can change over easily. Also remember to learn some good knots. You will regret not learning a good knot when a big fish comes and breaks your line.

13) Use the correct size hooks for the fish you are targeting. Everyone likes to think there going to catch a huge barramundi but in reality the fish you will catch will be much smaller than your imagination. Use as small a hook as you can.

These tips are sure to help you catch more fish. So get out there and have a go with these tips in mind.

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Fishing Waders

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:45:00 +0700

Fly Fishing Waders - Which are Best For You
By Anne Clarke

Do you really need fly fishing waders?

You already have your fly rod, your line, reel, and lures… do you really need any other fly fishing gear? Do you really need fly fishing waders? If you only fish in warm climates or during the summer, you may very well want to avoid investing in a pair of fly fishing waders. You may, instead, decide to get a pair of felt-bottomed sandals or boots, and then simply tolerate the refreshing chill of the water.

If, however, you tend to do most of your fly fishing in colder water or you simply do not want to get wet, then it can be worth buying a good pair of fly fishing waders. Of course, before you go out and buy a pair of fly fishing waders, note that it is better to not wade at all. Yes, it is sometimes necessary to get to certain good spots. But, overall, wading can destroy aquatic life that an important part of the diet of the very trout that you are trying to catch.

Getting the boot? Or putting a sock in it?

You must decide between bootfoot waders and stockingfoot fly fishing waders. The benefit of bootfoot waders is that the boot is built right into the waders, and you therefore will not have to go out and buy a separate set of river wading shoes. Stockingfoot fly fishing waders, on the other hand, do require a separate boot to go along with them. The benefit of these waders is that you have much more flexibility in the types of waders that you wear with different types of shoes and vice versa. Also, they can be turned inside out to dry.

Goldilocks and the three styles of fly fishing waders.

There are three common lengths of fly fishing waders. There are chest waders, waist waders, and hip waders. Goldilocks may try on a pair of Chest waders and decide that they are just to high and hard to get on and off. Although, they are great for wading into deeper waters. Then Goldilocks may try on a pair of hip waders. For her, although these fly fishing waders are easy to get on and off and are very comfortable, she wants to move into slightly less shallow water. When Goldilocks finally tries on waist waders, she realizes that they are just right.

A material matter

One more consideration for buying fly fishing waders is “which material.” Neoprene is an excellent material waterproof material that is especially nice for colder waters. Of course, the problem with neoprene is that it is not very breathable. Breathable fly fishing waders are becoming more and more popular, made from high-tech materials like Gore-Tex. Such fabrics keep the water out, but allow your sw

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Oregon Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:45:00 +0700

Oregon Fishing
By Trevor Kugler

Many times the great state of Oregon can get overlooked as a fishing destination is the United States. When you think of fishing states, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Alaska and even Montana come to mind, but Oregon? Not so much. But the great state of Oregon should come to mind when it comes to fishing, there's little doubt about that. The Columbia River summer sturgeon fishery is just one of many options an angler may choose to partake in. Oregon's fishing opportunities range from steelhead fishing the famed Deschutes River, wade fishing for spring Chinook on an Oregon Cascade Range fed river to saltwater fishing for big halibut, powerful schools of tuna or abundant rock fish species. Oregon fishing is some of the most diverse that can be found in North America.

Many anglers think of Alaska, when it comes to salmon and steelhead fishing, but Oregon's Columbia River sees returns of over one million salmon and steelhead annually. Throw in rivers like the Rogue, Umpqua and the John Day and estuary fisheries like Tillamook Bay for its famed huge fall Chinook and you'll begin to see what Oregon has to offer the average angler. Whether you are a beginning angler or very experienced, Oregon has something for you.

Don't think Oregon is only about big game fish like Steelhead, salmon, sturgeon, and Halibut. There are a ton of opportunities for fishing for everything from stocked trout to Largemouth Bass. When it comes to fishing, Oregon literally has it all. Oregon's fishing regulations are much like other states, and it's always a good idea to check to make sure the method you intend to use is legal. For those of you who use live bait (especially worms) gang hooks are completely legal, which is a good thing. This means that in the great state of Oregon, presenting your live bait (especially worms) with a set of gang hooks is the best way to go, because gang hooks are the best way to present your bait in a completely natural manner.

If you're a resident of Oregon a fishing license is very affordable, about $25. Non-resident licenses are under $65 and if you only plan on fishing for a short time, 1 through 7 day licenses are available. If you're planning on fishing for salmon, steelhead, or halibut a combination tag is needed, but it will only run you about $20. Not only is Oregon a great place to fish and is also very affordable. The bottom line is that Oregon and fishing most certainly go together, and the next time you think about fishing, you should think of the great state of Oregon.

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Fly Tying Tools

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:44:00 +0700

Fly Tying Tools
By Shareen Aquilar

You can never begin using your rod for fishing unless you have learned how to tie your fly properly to the rod. But before learning how to tie the fly, be sure you have all the necessary tools secured for all your needs. You can start checking your local service fly or outdoor shops for the following supplies stated below.

Fly Tying Vise
Fly Tying Scissors
Thread Bobbin
Bodkin and
Whip Finisher

First on the list is the fly tying vise. It is important because it acts as “another hand” since it mainly holds the hook in place as you tie the fly to it. What you need to prepare for is your budget. Fly vises can become costly but there are still some that are sold for $20. But since this is an important tool for tying your fly, quality shouldn’t be questioned any longer. It is recommended for you to buy a fly tying vise in top quality.

Next is the scissors especially made for fly tying. Look out for cheaper scissors as they’re not reliable compared to the top quality ones. You need to get a good pair of fly tying scissors to cut delicate materials to its proper shape. Anyway, you wouldn’t be spending much on this tool since it isn’t too costly. The price ranges from $8 to $15; a reasonable price for fly fishing purposes.

Then there is the thread bobbin. A thread bobbin is good for holding the spool of thread from rolling out. The thread then goes through a barrel. Check for the edges of the barrel, if it has sharp edges, then it’s no good for the thread.

The bodkin is a large needle mounted on a handle. This small tool has many purposes. It can be used for separating fine strands you want to add to the fly, cleaning and even dabbing cement. You should never go fly tying without this tool.

And lastly, the tool called the Whip Finisher. This tool is used to tie the thread securely in a half inch knot. Beginners and intermediate flyers alike could make use of this nifty tool because it finishes off the tying job quick and clean. You can buy a whip finisher for a price of $14.

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Fly Fishing Rod

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 10:44:00 +0700

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Rod
By Tyler Casselman

Choosing a good rod is a major decision for the fly fishing angler.
Shopping for that new rod can also be allot of fun. But how do we know what the right rod is? Here are some tips to help you make your purchasing decisions.

Fly rods are about the action, casting speeds, weights, and many more factors. You generally want a soft or slow casting rod. Softer is often better because the line will land in the water with less impact. The faster your rod is the harder the impact.

You need to purchase a rod that suits the type of fishing you do. If your into bass fishing you will need a strong rod and one that's longer. Fishing for more active fish will generally require a much stronger and longer rod.

Shorter rods are great when your around trees and objects. You need a much shorter length in order to avoid getting caught in objects.

If you like to fish where there is lots of action and rough waters your going to need something that is much heavier. This will provide a much faster casting speed. The only problem with this is that its not beginner friendly. If your new to fishing start by fishing for small fish in a calm environment.

These are just some beginner tips for choosing the right rod. Remember to ask the stores sales person when buying your rod. If you plan on buying one online most stores have guides to help you with your decision. Don't be afraid to email them with a question either. Most online stores will be happy to respond.

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Fishing Carp

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:05:00 +0700

Who Says Costs of Fishing in Canada Is A Problem?
By Reina Raine

Canada has some of the best options to go for a fishing holiday. There a lot of other activities that you can do in Canada, but nothing beats fishing. If you think that cost is a problem, it definitely is not and all you need is some information to allay your fears.

1. Less Costly Fly Fishing

People are seeing reduction in costs of fishing particularly for fly fishing. For example, a 5-day trip for 4 anglers will cost about $140 per angler. This includes a river boat, complete with access pass, transportation to the river and back, riverside coffee, and a chance to explore the sceneries of Quebec, where fly fish are plenty. If you are planning for a similar trip with only 1 or probably 2 anglers, it will be more expensive. It will cost an estimated $200 for every angler per day.

2. Interested in Carp Fishing?

If you are interested in carp fishing, getting a place to stay and to fish is solved by the Canadian Carp Club. They offer the best facilities and the cheapest accommodations. They can take as many as 30 anglers along with Trailer and Bivvy anglers. Thus, all of the charges are spread among all anglers. They can also provide affordable cheap, tackle, and bait. There are also instant freebies handed out.

Hiring of tackle will cost you about $50 a week. This includes leads, catapults, rigs, and hooks. You can also get your own fishing license for $12, which is good for one week. If you want to extend it for a month, you must pay $18.

If you're fishing carp, you may require numerous bait. It is because the more bait you have, the more carp you can catch. The property owner feeds the carp on a daily basis. The club can also take care of boilies. You only have to supply them at least 5 to 10 kilos each week for every person. Each kilo costs $5. They also offer mainline boilies at regular UK prices.

3. How About Walleye Fishing?

Lesser Slave Lake is one of the most perfect places for walleye fishing. You may not anticipate any huge walleye, but it can provide you the best form of action. Normally, walleye caught will be around 15 to 20 inches in length. Occasional catches can go beyond 24 inches and walleye can weigh as much as 5 to 6 pounds.

You can also choose different shorelines at numerous local lakes if you want a whole new kind of action. All this might cost $2,500, which is good for two people. This is also good for 6 days of fishing excursion in Alberta.

There are ways to enjoy that fishing holiday in Canada and not face cost problems. It is just a matter of getting the right information and planning accordingly.

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Fishing UK

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:43:00 +0700

Fishing for Predatory fish in the UK

I have noticed from the Lure Fishing UK message board that we are getting a few visitors from across the Atlantic, so here is my personal description of the freshwater predator fishing scene in the UK, how it fits in with the whole UK angling scene, and how I think it compares to the North American picture.

Our freshwater predatory species can be divided into two categories "game" and "coarse": game fish are salmonids - the Atlantic salmon, brown trout, sea trout (anadromous brown trout) and rainbow trout (introduced steelhead from North America ); then our coarse fish: pike (northern pike in North America), perch (very similar to yellow perch), zander (closely related, and very similar to, walleye), chub (Leuciscus cephalus, an omnivorous rather than strictly predatory member of the carp family, no close North American equivalent), Danube catfish (Siluris glanis, introduced from mainland Europe) and the eel. This introduction will only describe the coarse species.

We have no muskies, freshwater bass, crappies or bluegill. Any mention of bass refers to the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) which frequent UK coastal waters in the warmer months, these bass are highly prized.

The aforementioned "game" and "coarse" distinction is a historical one, and rooted in the British class system. It sounds all too ridiculous in the 21st century that such distinctions should still exist, but they do. The game fish were highly valued for their sporting and culinary qualities, thus landowners - the wealthy and aristocratic a century or two ago - controlled the fishing for these species. Good quality salmon fishing is very expensive, a week on a prime Scottish river might cost several thousand pounds, and low grade local salmon fishing is not cheap, even with relatively few fish running. Trout fishing on a chalk stream for native brownies is also expensive and strictly fly-only. There are many water-supply reservoirs that are stocked with brown and rainbow trout and available on a day-ticket, they are restricted to fly-only fishing, and stocking levels are usually good, so everyone has a good chance of catching a few.

The coarse fish are those other species that were left for the commoners, usually not such good eating, and too abundant to have any exclusivity value. These include a lot of cyprinid species that predator anglers might consider only in the context of preyfish or bait for the pike - the top native predator.

The relationship between the game and coarse angling fraternity is not completely straightforward, and it is changing. Many of the best game waters contain big stocks of naturally-occurring coarse fish. Coarse anglers are not allowed to fish for them using the traditional methods for those species, mainly because the game fish would also be caught on those methods - and usually in much greater numbers than would be the case with the fly tackle that the game anglers use. Over the years many tons of prime coarse fish have been netted from the game waters and sometimes used to stock coarse waters but often simply destroyed, a waste of a resource that has justifiably invited animosity from coarse anglers.

From the predator angler's perspective the key coarse species is the pike, they grow fat and big in the game reservoirs and rivers. A few very big pike reputed to be larger than the current UK record have been netted from some of the reservoirs. Until fairly recently there has been no pike fishing allowed on these reservoirs, but things have changed, and are changing ever faster as the managements of these prime waters realise that they have a source of winter revenue - when trout fishermen are not on the water - from pike anglers who are prepared to pay premium prices (more than the trout anglers) for a chance to catch a monster pike. The current UK record pike weighing 46lb13oz was caught in 1992 from Llandegfedd Reservoir, one of the very first trout waters to see the potential to make a profit from the pike that had previously been viewed as a nuisance and predator on their trout stocks. The pike fishing with lures and fish baits is still very restricted, usually to the winter, for a fortnight perhaps but some anglers have realised that pike can be caught on suitable fly tackle, and some of the trout anglers themselves are now seeing the pike in a different light, as a worthwhile sporting target. This is leading to a gradual breakdown in the barriers between game and coarse anglers, but it is a slow process and there is a long way to go. For more information about the pike and pike conservation issues in the UK visit The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain website.

Anglers who fish for coarse predators are in a minority in the UK, by far the most popular fish is the carp (Cyprinus carpio), popular amongst specimen hunters who seek the very largest fish, or match anglers who compete to get the biggest weight of fish in a "match". A match will usually last around 5 hours, the anglers fish from the bank and draw tickets to be given their fishing spot (their "peg"). They can use one rod or pole at a time but will have several others set up ready to switch tactics, the basic tackle will be very fine line and small hooks to tempt the most bites, the fish are retained in a keepnet and weighed at the end of the match, total weight is all, the individual weight or length of each fish is irrelevant. All the fish are returned to the water after weighing, this results in fish that get a little wiser and harder to catch as the years go by, some fish get caught many dozens of times in their lives, this is why the fine line and small hooks are so important. In recent years more and more matches are taking place on stillwaters specially dug and stocked for the purpose, rivers are becoming less popular for matches for several reasons. Firstly rivers are "peggy" the same spot produces fish week after week and year after year, this results in the drawing of the peg number being the most important part of the day, any competent angler will win from the good spot. Then fish populations have changed in rivers over the last thirty years as they have become cleaner, with ever-tighter pollution control and improved effluent treatment, this results in fewer but larger fish as the fish grow older unaffected by the build-up of toxic chemicals as they age. Another key factor is the level of stocking in the artificial match lakes, everyone will catch fish, and even quite unskilled anglers will fill keepnets with hungry fish. River fishing is tougher and more rewarding if fishing for fun but not if you are competing for money.

There is no equivalent competitive scene for predatory coarse fish although fly fishing competitions for trout are common on the reservoirs. Predatory fish other than perch are not stocked into the match waters. On rivers and natural lakes pike are often viewed with considerable hostility by match anglers, not only because of the general "the pike have eaten all the fish" complaint on a hard day, but because the pike often take fish that are being landed by the matchmen. Having got the fish feeding well by the introduction of loosefeed and groundbait it is very frustrating to have a pike come into the area and scatter the target fish. Often pike are not allowed to be weighed in at matches, and fish bait or lures are illegal methods in matches anyway, so the pike are just hated and unvalued.

Now to fishing for predators in the UK. Look at a map of the UK and you will not see many large lakes apart from in the Lake District (Cumbria) or Scotland, all these are some way from most major centres of poulation so the majority of us fish smaller waters that are local to our homes. These local waters might be rivers, or canals (narrow man-made waterways originally built a couple of hundred years or more ago for cargo transport, before the first railways), gravel pits (where gravel extraction workings has left flooded pits, now very natural-looking), estate lakes (small dammed stream valleys built to provide ornamental landscapes on country estates, often constructed in the 17th/18th centuries), water-supply reservoirs, or drains (artificial shallow waterways built to drain agricultural land in low-lying areas).

One notable difference between anglers in the UK and those in North America is how few anglers over here use boats for our fishing. There are several reasons for this:- many waters simply do not allow the use of boats, many waters are too small for there to be much advantage in getting afloat, there are no boat launch facilities on most waters, many anglers living in towns and cities have nowhere to keep a boat, and historically the coarse angler was a poor man - it is only in the past couple of decades or so that our standard of living has risen sharply, and disposable income has become available for luxury items like boats. Much of the information you might read on UK websites will assume that you are fishing from the bank (= the shore), only the keenest predator anglers will own a boat and regularly fish from it unless they live in the Lake District or Scotland where a boat is esential for tackling such large waters.

The majority of anglers fishing for predators use dead or live bait, fishing with lures is still a minority interest although more and more pike anglers are using them. One of the reasons for this is that the trout reservoirs that allow piking do not allow the use of live bait, and deadbaits seem to be unsuccessful in those waters. The gradual increase in the use of boats also plays a part here, casting lures from the bank is hard work because of carrying the lures around and they tend to get snagged up and lost with no hope of retrieval, whereas from a boat there are various means at your disposal to recover a stuck lure. Lures (and just about everything else) are a lot more expesive in the UK than they are in the U.S.A., the price in US dollars is usally matched or exceeded in pounds sterling, meaning at least a 40% higher price, sometimes much more. The cost of lures certainly reduces the number of anglers using them, and further restricts those who do from using as many as they might and getting the best from them.

So if you see a pike angler as you walk around the bank of a lake he will usually have 3 rods set up in rests with electronic bite alarms and open bale arms on his fixed spool reels, his baits will usually be small (5" to 10") dead sea fish - mackerel, sardine, smelt, or something similar. This angler will usually be sat (or lying down) on a bed chair under a portable shelter called a "bivvy". He will have a camping stove and enough food and water to see him through the day or maybe into the next day if he is staying overnight. On most waters we all think that a double (a pike of 10lbs+) is a worthwhile fish, and a "twenty" a very good fish, many pike anglers would be pleased if they managed a twenty every season, whilst a few would think they had failed if they didn't get ten of them. It depends largely on the waters being fished and the amount of time available to keep the baits in the water. An experienced angler on a trout water might have his sights set a little higher than this with the real chance of a "thirty" to keep the lures flying!

Zander were introduced into a drain in East Anglia in the 1960s, they thrived, and between their own urge to travel and a little illegal help from anglers they have spread across the canals and rivers of the Midlands, although they are still commonest in East Anglia. Many pike anglers encounter the odd one, but to catch them consistently requires some refinement of tackle. Most zander specialists use small (3" to 6") freshwater fish as bait, usually live, and they fish mostly at night. Some are caught on lures but are very few anglers who would claim to be a real expert in this aspect of catching zander. The current UK record is for a fish of over 21lbs, and a double is a very nice fish.

Perch are very common, very few waters have no perch at all, and they are easily caught on the standard fine-line/small-hook/maggot-bait approach used by many casual anglers. They are caught regularly on lures, but their small size - 1lb+ is good, 2lb exceptional and 3lb+ very special - mean that few specialists target them, they often make up a mixed bag with pike if using small lures. The perch record is 5lb9oz, caught in 1935.

Chub are not generally considered to be a predatory species and very few, if any, anglers would regularly pursue them with fish baits, but for the lure angler on a river they are good sport, 2-3lb fish are common enough with an occasional 4lb+ fish. Again they often make up a mixed bag with pike and perch. They are widespread and abundant in the faster-flowing rivers of England. They are stocked into lakes sometimes and the biggest fish of recent years have tended to come from these waters, they sometimes take dead sea fish intended for pike, and a few anglers have caught them deliberately with scaled-down pike tackle from these waters.

Danube catfish have been introduced into many stillwaters in the southern half of England, it is only a matter of time before illegal introductions see them in our rivers, although they do not breed successfully every year or in every water. They grow big, with fish over 30lbs not exceptional, in the warmer waters of southern Europe they might reach ten times that weight! They are still very much of a minority interest in the UK, but as they spread they will gain followers. Nearly all of them are caught with baits, usually small fish, there is no deliberate lurefishing for them as far as I know, but one of just under 40lbs was landed in the summer of 2001 by a pike angler using an Odyssey Pig jerkbait! Many catfish anglers are more used to carp, rather than predator fishing and are unhappy about the use of treble hooks, so lure fishing is often banned on the best waters.

Eels have a small but devoted band of admirers but they are widely despised for their habit of swallowing bait and wrapping themselves around everything when landed, leaving a good coating of smelly slime on everything they touch. Many casual anglers encounter eels by accident, often small ones - these are the most trouble! They are common in all waters, even tiny ditches will hold them if they have permanent water. Best baits are small (2" to 4") dead freshwater fish, or worms (crawlers) and they are only very rarely caught on lures. An eel over 2lb is a good one but the British record is 11lb2oz.

Nearly all predator anglers in the UK would return the fish to the water but a very small number of pike and rather more zander are taken for the table. Perch are supposed to be good to eat, and chub almost inedible to a modern palate, I've no information about the culinary value of catfish, I cannot imagine anyone eating one. Up until the 1950s many more coarse fish were eaten by working-class families, my father ate chub, roach and perch he caught as a teenager in the 1920s, and most prized of all was the eel, still the coarse fish most likely to end up on the table, they taste nice and are very nutricious. In contrast, only a relatively small minority of game anglers return their catch, although it is slowly beginning to dawn on the salmon anglers that if they take every fish they damage the future of their own sport. On most rivers there are now restrictions on taking salmon and stocks do seem to be recovering well.

We are facing threats to angling, from outside bodies, on animal welfare grounds. At present relatively few of the general public are too worried about fish, but a ban on fox-hunting from 2005 means we can take nothing for granted. Anglers have a good defence in that they are the only people who pay to conserve fish, but that cuts little ice with the anti-anglers. More worrying perhaps are the number of anglers who would happily see bans and restrictions imposed upon branches of the sport in which they do not participate, the use of live bait is the most frequent cause of disagreement, but other topics get a regular airing, like barbs on hooks, or hook sizes on lures. Even within the ranks of predator anglers there are vociferous factions championing their pet causes.

Predator angling is thriving despite these small diversions, and the advent of the internet has allowed us to learn from all over the world, the biggest impact has been from North American sources. For instance, muskie techniques using large lures and jerkbaits with heavy baitcasting gear has become very popular, because these techniques work well for big pike, and are almost essential on big waters. Techniques for walleye and bass have also been copied and modified to suit British conditions, both for pike and for zander. There is a certain amount of envy about the number of predatory species available to the north American angler, and some attempts have been made to apply lure techniques to other British species, the occasional captures of these other species have not so-far led to any breakthrough in this respect, and I would be very surprised if there was much scope for expanding the number of species regularly caught on lures beyond those we already have.

The future does seem reasonably bright, increased access to waters and the downward pressure on lure and tackle prices due to internet competition bode well for the future of our sport, offering an optimistic counterbalance to the constant worry about the pressure on too few waters from too many anglers in this overcrowded land.

Rules and Regulations: what you need before you start fishing.

Firstly you need a national licence, which can be purchased at any post office or online at the Environment Agency website. The licence you require for zander is the Non-Migratory Trout and Coarse which allows you to fish for all species except salmon and sea trout. This is a legal requirement and gives you the right to use up to two rods at once. However, in addition to this you must also get permission to fish, landowners lease the fishing of waters running through their land to fishing clubs (who then bailiff the water and run it as their own), you have seen their signs on the riverbank. Sometimes you will see a phone number on those signs, most often though it's best to make a note of the club's name and go to the nearest tackle shop where they will usually have annual or day permits for local club waters. There are two sets of rules to note, the legally enforceable by-laws, which can be obtained by contacting the Environment Agency offices for your area, which apply to all waters in that area, and the club rules, which will usually be printed inside the little permit booklet that will also list the waters that the club controls. All coarse fishing is generally catch and release in the UK, not many of our species are very palatable, but zander are good eating. You will make yourself very unpopular among UK zander anglers if you go killing large numbers of their favourite species, taking an occasional small one for the table (say around 2lb in weight) will not upset too many of them, but you might get some abuse and unpleasantness if you are seen doing this. Most clubs will not have a rule about this except perhaps a maximum size limit so that specimen fish are all returned
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Shimano Fishing

hartonorb@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 9 Apr 2009 13:42:00 +0700

Shimano Fishing Reel Parts - Keeping Your Reel In The Best Shape
By Mike Singh
When it comes to Shimano fishing reel parts, you never really have to look very far to find the right parts you need to get up and running again. Shimano has long been synonymous with fishing and is well recognized around the world. Originally founded in Japan in Kansai in the early 1920's this company initially specialized the production of precision bearings and gearing.

Shozaburo Shimano had a vision at the time when he first started his company, and that was to produce the best product possible at a good cost to the consumer. With the Shimano fishing parts division that is currently considered one of the finest departments in the world, this vision has found its way to its expected and anticipated destination. Shimano fishing reel parts can be found in just about anywhere fishing reels are being sold, and they also offer an extensive list of replaceable parts for your reel so chances are you will not have to replace the reel all together.

Should you need fishing reel parts, there are actually a few routes you can go to get yourself back on the lake quickly. You could go to an authorized Shimano reel parts department in your favorite local sporting goods store, or you could go online and deal with them directly. If you are looking for quality reel parts at great savings, going online to their site is definitely a step in the right direction. Shimano has a great group of knowledgeable staff on hand to help you find what you need for your reel, and they carry a very large stock of parts for just about all of their lineup of fine fishing reels.

This company prides itself on the fact that it can offer you quality reel parts, for some of the reels that may not even be in production today. This will allow you to save on that favorite reel, should you not want to purchase a new model. This makes for a great service department, and you will never have to be disappointed with the online ordering that is provided from the sight. You can look online today and find the right parts for your prized reel, should you not be able to find what it is you are looking for, they will be happy to recommend a replacement reel that will be the closest match to what you currently own.

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