Essential Fishing Accessories

In order to truly enjoy the art and sport of fishing, you’ll need a few basic essentials as well as some of the various other accessories that just make fishing enjoyable. You will find that this is a great time to learn about what options you have in fishing and to gather up your tools so that you can set out to enjoy the day.

The rod and reel are the most fundamental of all fishing equipment. You can go with a basic set if you are buying for children or are just the casual fisherman. You’ll also choose basic tackle including hooks, sinkers, fishing line and as bobbers. You’ll need needle nose pliers too. You should consider purchasing a net as well. Make sure to choose the right size of net as a small net can easily lose you the catch. If you fish for a number of different fish, then look for one larger and one smaller option to consider.

Consider the electronic alarm. This wonderful contraption will allow your fishing line to thread through the slot in the alarm head. When you get that bite, the alarm goes off and the LED display flashes. You know there is something waiting for you then! There are a wide range of options to consider here.

Your clothing choices are also important to consider. You’ll need a fishing hat and sunglasses, to protect you from the sun’s powerful rays. A vest is another option especially if it has lots of pockets in it. Waders are idea for thigh or chest type fishing excursions. A good waterproof jacket is almost a necessity in the fall or spring months. Gloves are essential as well. You can select rain suits to help keep you dry as well.

Other things to consider include forceps, flashlights, wading shoes, scissors and a fishing belt. For game fish, consider a gaff. The tackle box or bag, pliers and pocket thermometers are important as well. Think about angling pliers and a good quality fishing knife and sharpener too. Of course, you should take with you a floatation vest or life jacket if you are heading out onto a boat.

Before you run out and spend a considerable amount of money, though, make sure that you take into considerations the type of fish you are after as well as the skill and preferences that you have. Not sure what you need? You can always ask a family member or friend for help but more than likely your information can come from the staff member at your local bait shop.

Fishing only gets better when you have more than enough fishing accessories to help you get the job done correctly. Most of these accessories can be purchased through the web or in any of the best fishing tackle shops near you.

Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater fishing is nothing like freshwater fishing. To begin with, saltwater fishing takes significantly stronger and heavier tackle and equipment than that used by freshwater fishermen.

There are several categories of saltwater fishing discussed in this article.

For starters, there is the light-medium category, which would include fishing for certain species such as Snook, Redfish and Spotted Sea Trout. These fish and others in this category are typically caught in bays and other similar estuaries. Also included in this category would be inshore fish such as the Pompano. If you are fishing for these species to eat them, be aware that during summer months redfish and trout will most probably contain worms.

A spinning reel in the class of a Penn 710 or 712, or 4500ss spooled with a fine quality 10-pound test monofilament line works better along with light to medium action rod. Penn makes good quality reels that will hold up to the harsh saltwater fishing environment.

For terminal tackle you will begin by tying a shock leader of approximately 18 inches using 20 pound test line or fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is slightly more expensive but is significantly less visible to the fish. Attach the leader tying line to line or use a saltwater rated barrel swivel. For the hook you’d better use a 6/0, preferably an Eagle Claw.

The second category afferent to saltwater fishing is the medium to heavy category for species such as Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, and smaller Jacks. These species of fish are most usually found near shore regions of the Gulf of Mexico and on the Lower East Coast. In this class you could also include the smaller “schoolie” King Mackerel under the legal size limit of 24”.

Do not forget to first consult a saltwater species book for knowing the difference between the large Spanish and juvenile Kingfish. They are extremely similar. The easiest way to tell the difference is that the Spanish Mackerel will have a “black flag”, on the anterior portion of its dorsal fin where the King Mackerel, with the exception of very young fish, does not have this special detail. The second more reliable way to tell is by looking at the lateral line that runs down the body. In a Spanish Mackerel this line drops gradually behind the pectoral fin whereas in the King Mackerel the line drops off sharply.

To be on the safe side, equip yourself with a Penn 704 or similar size equipment spooled with 12-15 lb test coupled with a thin wire leader of 20lb test or so. Check your local fishing regulations for the most appropriate hook, in Florida a small treble like a 2/0 is used.

From the moment the inshore net bans were placed these species have come back more abundantly than ever and you are most certain to find some. Keep in mind that Redfish, King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel are migratory species so you will have to verify the seasonal availability for these species of fish.

Enjoy your fishing trip. Tight lines!

Learn some Basic Guides on Fishing

As you spend more and more hours and days on bass fishing, you will acquire lots of knowledge about the right lure and technique for the proper way to do this sport. The best advice most experienced and seasoned bass fishermen, is to examine the fishing conditions, ask for tips from anglers familiar with the waters you are fishing in, and finally, try many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what works most effectively to the situation, and which one you are most comfortable with.

Here are some Guides to Bass Fishing to become a better Bass Fisher.

The Technique:

The bait must fall to the preferred depth, then you have to shake the rod tip. By this, you’ll be getting the fishes attention. Do this for at least 30 seconds, then shaking again for about 2 or 3 seconds intervals, stop and pull slowly about six inches. Then dropping again, slowly back and down and repeating the process. The first thing to remember if they’re not biting is to slow down.

Tips:

• During Springtime, fish uphill (position the boat in shallow water and cast to deep water) and use a 1/8 ounce weight.

• Fish downhill in Fall.

• Try to use a Texas rigged worm to prevent hang-ups.

• Fish out the worm and keep suspended 90% of the time.

• Always try to sharpen the hooks to make sure you have maximized your hookup percentage.

• When doodling, it is critical to keep your presentation natural by downsizing your hooks to 1/0 or lower, and paying delicate, attention to how straight your bait is in order to maintain a natural presentation.

• Crystal clear waters can be tough. The secret to fishing weenie worms is to keep slack on your line and shake the bait instead of dragging. The shaking of the rod and your light line gives your worm, grub or reaper an amazing action.

When to Go:

When the bass quit hitting during the daytime and when it becomes uncomfortably hot on the lake are good signals that it’s time to start night fishing. Night fishing is usually practiced when the water is in the mid-60s or warmer.

Places to Fish:

Where to fish at night is a question commonly asked by bass fishermen. Bass don’t move great distances in most situations. Smallmouth bass, especially, are proven stay-at-homes. As the summer wears on, the bass tend to move deeper and won’t come up shallow, even at night in many lakes. Night fishing is productive when the bass are within the 20-foot zone

Tips and Guides

• Position yourself only as far away as water clarity dictates; stay close enough for consistent accuracy.

• Try to make the lure land on the water with as little noise as possible. Cast past the target when possible.

• In windy weather, put tension on the line just before the lure touches down. This will straighten out the line and prevent it from blowing across obstructions.

• Learn casting techniques that permit a low trajectory, such as flipping, pitching, sidearm casting and underhand casting.

• Use a quality rod and reel matched to the weight of the lure. Rods with a stiff blank but relatively fast (limber) tip are easier to cast than extremely stiff or uniformly limber rods.

• Cast with the wrist, not the arm and shoulder.

• Lower the lure a few inches below the rod tip before casting; this gives extra momentum for the cast.

• Be sure to load the rod tip, causing it to bend backward, on the back-cast, then whip the rod forward smoothly.

• Fill the spool of any type reel to within 1/8 inch of the lip of the spool. DO NOT OVERFILL!

The Flip-Cast; use your wrist, NOT your arm.

• Concentrate on the spot you want to hit, not on what you want to miss.

• Use plenty of scent when trying to penetrate thick cover – it acts as a lubricant.

• Stick to basic jig colors (black/blue, brown/brown, black/chartreuse). • Use a plastic worm with a glass bead between the worm and the weight for inactive fish.

• If you think it’s a strike, reel down until your rod is in a hookset position before you check. • A strike is anything different (something you wouldn’t feel in a bathtub!).

• Tighten your drag all the way down for better hooksets.

• Use 17 to 25 pound test line for bait casting gear, 10 to 14 pound test on spinning (for flipping finesse baits).

In order to establish a pattern it is essential you understand how a bass lives in its environment. Knowing where the bass can be found at any given time or place is something you must develop. Always go fishing with a plan in mind.

Remember that every fish you catch can reveal clues on how to catch another. After establishing a pattern, realize that when the action slows down in the area you were fishing, you can then search for more areas that would fill the same criteria.

Fishing For Freshwater Trout

People been fishing for sport for in around fifty generations now. What started as a means of survival has become a favourite pastime in North America and beyond, creating a hunger for fishing tips and aspects of fishing to be revealed in many different contexts. Learning about fishing and learning about different types of fish can be very exciting and interesting to many people.

Trout is the most common freshwater fish. They are equal to any other of the sport fish and they stand at the top of the food chain in most rivers and streams where they live. Years ago, a successful angler was judged by how many of these popular fish he could catch at one time, but now the wise angler practises catch-and-release tactics so the numbers of trout will always be plentiful. Part of what makes an angler a responsible one is caring for the sport of fishing and fish populations for generations to come.

The most popular trout fish that anglers enjoy trying to lure in is known as the “brown trout”. The brown trout provides plenty of excitement for anglers and tests fishing skills. Because it often feeds on the surface, the brown trout is considered a fish designed for the angler. It is a cold-water fish that lives in lakes and streams and jumps around the most when the water temperature is just right The brown trout got its reputation from rich English gentleman who enjoyed the trout’s fight. The world record brown trout weighed around forty pounds and was taken in Arkansas in 1992.

One of the most the most glamorized fish of the trout family actually is not a trout at all. Surprisingly, scientists have recently discovered the rainbow trout is actually a smaller cousin of the Pacific Salmon. Rainbow trout are considered a peaceful fish despite their family heritage. They coexist with any other fish in the stream. While the brown trout prefers slower water and calmer pools, the rainbow trout likes the more oxygen-rich fast running water. That enthusiasm makes the rainbow a favourite of the angler.

There is yet another trout that is not actually a trout. The Brooke trout or “brookie” lives in the cooler streams of the north-eastern US and is related to the char. This makes it a relative of the lake trout rather than a member of the family. Because the fish is only found in wilderness areas, the Brooke trout is a special favourite with anglers. Wherever they’re found, fisherman can be sure the water is pure and the ecology unspoiled. The “brookie” is often criticized for being pretty but not necessarily smart. Although anglers praise them for their beauty, it’s well known that there are harder fish to catch. The world record for the biggest Brooke trout takes place in Canada in 1918. A fourteen-pound “brookie” was caught in the Nipigon River in Ontario, Canada.

Other trout species include the red trout, a species that enjoys hiding in bracken and branches, and the deeper-water lake trout. Current population control laws protect the lake trout, requiring anglers to release catches that measure certain sizes. The size of the lake trout indicates its potential to spawn and release fertilized eggs. With continued programs of trout population protection and responsible fishing, the trout will certainly continue to survive for generations to come.

Fishing Etiquette 101

The other day I had the chance to take two of my sons fishing. I discovered that one of the local ponds had been stocked the day before with approximately 2200 rainbow trout. All between the 10-12″ range. Some even trophy size meaning 12″ and above. Needless to say I wasn’t the only one to hear of the stocking. Every local fisherman in the metro area must have been there. It was a complete zoo along the banks of West Salish Pond. Furthermore, I am not sure that any one of them knew anything about proper fishing etiquette.

Since becoming an avid fisherman a few years back, the 1st thing my fishing buddy and best friend taught me was the rules of the water. I can still hear his words ringing so clear to me. “If you don’t learn the do’s and the don’ts of courtesy around here, it won’t take long before one of these guys kick your rear straight into the river”. Since then I took special notice of what they were doing, and NOT doing.

As I watched all these seasoned vets fish the water, one thing was clear. They were all fishing with a sense of unity among each other. One of the most important things I noticed was how you cast. When another guy or group of guys is in the middle of the drift, you don’t just cast your line out there over the top of them. You gotta wait your turn to get into the water. When you cast over someone, it doesn’t take much to get tangled up. Depending on how many lines you cross, it can become a mess real quick.

Which takes me back to my situation at the pond where my boys and I were fishing. I had my line, and my two boys’ lines out there sitting about 2-3 feet apart. Along comes another fisherman, whips his stuff out there, and SPLASH! right over all 3 of our lines. Within minutes, when we began to check our line/bait etc…I noticed all 4 poles starting to bounce like we had bites. Not the case. What we had was 4 lines all pulled together due to 1 bad cast that went unchecked and uncared for.

Guys we all have our reasons for going fishing. Food, relaxation, fun, teaching, or just for the sport. At the top of my list is FUN and SPORT. How much fun can it be when you’re having to reel in your line and untangle all day? Don’t get me wrong, not every cast is going to go where you want it too. But when your cast does get away from you…fix it. It makes it more pleasant and easy to fix early, rather than later after you have tangled up with everyone else.

As my day went on, it ended up getting more and more frustrating as the same guy continued to cast wherever, and we had to adjust where and how to fish around him. Ever try fish yourself, for the guy next to you, and 2 other little ones??? UGH! After about 1 hour (if that) I couldn’t take it anymore and threw in the towel, “Boys, let’s pack up, we will try again another time”. And so ended our day of fishing.

It’s my hope that maybe this will remind us to be courteous to other fisherman, and to follow some simple guidelines when fishing. Here are some friendly reminders to think of…

1. Watch where you are casting. If you have a bad cast, bring it back and do it again.

2. Yield to the space of the guy next to you (Unless combat fishing, that’s another article). There’s plenty of space for everyone.