Anyone Heading Out Onto The Water Needs A Tool Like This - Bottom Line 480 MAX

The 480 MAX is a tool that anyone heading out onto the water needs. This fishfinder is one that will enable you to find the fish you have been after and to enjoy luring them in. It offers many high quality features. In fact, let's take a closer look at the 480 MAX's features.

The screen is a large 5.6 inch diagonal with 480x480 Film SuperTwist Display. It features 16 level grayscale so that you get a clear view every time. The definition in this unit is high and that means that you can tell much easier what is that is on your screen. The clarity and target separation are perfect for fish finding adventures. And, you can do all of this even in direct sunlight as well. Glare won't stop you here.

You get a lot of power out of the 480 MAX as well. With 3200 watts of peak to peak power, it is more power than most other products out there. That is important as you will need this power to scan the depths of the waters below you. You get a backlit display to help when it's dark out and a temperature standard to help you know if the water is right for your fish. You get 600 feet in sonar depth capabilities so you can get deep into that average lake and with an 18 degree angle, your sonar will show a big area to the side of your boat too .

The 480 MAX is the perfect fish finder for any boater. It is a great unit that you can depend on to help you locate your fish every time. You will be able to impress your friends with your technology or at the very least with your cooler full of fish each time you walk through the door after a fishing trip!

You will love the 480 MAX!

Niall is a keen fisherman always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals to help you find a Bottom Line 480 MAX fish finder or other Bottom Line fishfinder systems. www.fish-finder-review.com This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Anyone-Heading-Out-Onto-The-Water-Needs-A-Tool-Like-This---Bottom-Line-480-MAX/24366

Salmon Fishing Lures

There are several ways to catch the kind of salmon you target. Some would use different fishing methods, while others would use fishing lures. As what all salmon fishing enthusiasts know, a lure is placed on the very end of the fishing line. But, what most of them did not know is that, improper placement of a lure could result to an unsatisfying day or worse no catch at all. Salmon fishing lures are supposed to be tightly connected to the end of the fishing line in order that it will not fall off from the fishing line when thrown into the waters. It may sound so simple and obvious, but still there are people who tend to neglect it, especially the beginners.

Getting yourself salmon fishing lures is not as simple as you think. You can't just buy and attach them securely at the end of your fishing line. It doesn't work that way. There are certain things you have to consider in selecting the best salmon fishing lures. From the different varieties of salmon fishing lures that are available in the market today, you can tell they have different designs. The designs are based on the diverse methods of fishing, types of waters you where you will fish, types of salmon species you want to, and to different fishing poles. And because your salmon fishing lures have to vary depending on the spots where you'll fish, the type of fish you target, and what type of fishing pole you will use, it is best that you carefully choose the ones that are designed to best suit your specific needs.

If you use salmon fishing lures instead of using bait, you'll have greater chance of hooking your target. According to some experts in salmon fishing, the technique in which you can successfully catch salmon is to keep your lure as attractive as possible. The action and the kind of lures you use can help attract the attention of salmon. Therefore, the more potential food your lures look like, the more interested your salmon will get. Also, it is important that you know what salmon feed in order for you to choose the best salmon fishing lures. For example, if you fish in a lake where salmon feed on flies, make sure you get salmon fishing lures that look like flies. Otherwise, your target will just snob and ignore your lure.

No matter how you use every techniques you know about, it is still not enough. Your skills also have something to do with hooking your target. So to make salmon fishing more fun as ever, carefully pick out the right salmon fishing lures that will wink at your target. Choose the ones that are worth to chasing for!

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Salmon-Fishing-Lures/30111

Amazing Saltwater Fishing Records

Back in 1953, on May 7th Lou Marron was onboard his boat, "Flying Heart" off the coast of Chile. They were fishing for billfish. The Captain of the boat was Eddie Wall, who'd done a lot of fishing for swordfish.

They spotted a giant swordfish and threw the line across it's nose, the fish turned away. They moved and tried again, this time the fish went for the bait. Lou was strapped in the chair waiting, the line moved out slowly, then began to speed up. Lou got the fish to the boat a total of twelve times, each time the fish surged away, after the thirteenth time Lou reached out and grabbed the leader, the fish thrashed, they got the gaff in it and managed to pull it aboard.

Back at the dock, the monster fish weighed in at 1,182 pounds, it was the largest fish ever caught up to that day. Many say this record will never be broken.

The first fish ever caught that weighed over 1000 pounds was caught in 1930 by Zane Grey off the coast of Tahiti. However the IGFA did not allow the fish since sharks had got a hold of it on the way to the boat. It was another 22 years before another fish weighing in at over 1000 pounds was caught again.

The current record for an all tackle catch taken on a 130 pound test line is a Blue Marlin weighing in at 1,376 pounds. However the most amazing Marlin is the one caught by Kelley Everett off the coast of Hawaii. He took it using skip bait tuna. It weighed in at 1,103 pounds, the amazing thing is, he caught it using a 30 pound test line!

It took an hour and a half to bring the fish close in with no pauses and no resting! The deck hands set three gaffs and hauled the fish through the transom door, then the race to shore was on. At that time the record stood at 626 pounds, and that's what the scales were set for, they reset it for 826 pounds, again the beam flipped up, the reset again and again until the fish was finally weighed at 1,103 1/2 pounds.

The most exciting record will probably never be broken. A Tiger Shark caught off a pier in the Carolinas.

It weighed in at 1,780 pounds after losing an estimated 10% of it's body weight! Experts say that if they had been able to weigh it when it was first caught it would have weighed in at over a ton! Not a bad day fishing off the pier! The Carolinas no longer allow shark fishing from the pier as it's "not good for tourism". That's why this record will probably stand forever.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Amazing-Saltwater-Fishing-Records/101398

Smallmouth Bass - Location By Season Posted By :

Spring Smallmouths

Smallmouth bass remain nearly dormant until water temperatures approach 50° F. At this time, bass will start to move to their spawning areas. In streams, bass may begin migrating to spawn at early temperatures.

Fishing is difficult after spawning, because bass aren't more concentrated. The females, after recuperating, move to deeper waters. Males move deeper after abandoning the fry. If there is deep water near the spawning are, bass will move there.

Summer

Smallmouth bass areas are the most predictable this time of year. Bass may remain in the same place for several months once they take up residence in a certain pool or around a particular structure.

Smallmouth bass love crayfish and crayfish are linked to specific locations. Crayfish need rocks for protection and cannot move very far.

Smallmouth must move around in waters where baitfish is the primary food.

The depth that smallmouth bass retreat to depends on surface temperatures and direct sunlight. The type of water also determines how deep you'll find them. Smallmouth may stay as deep as 25 feet in clear water, shallower than 12 feet in murky lakes due to oxygen levels, and in pools less than four feet in small streams.

Early Fall to Mid-Fall Smallmouth Bas

Smallmouth begin to spend more time to shallower waters. The lower angle of the sun and cooler surface temperatures allow them to venture into shallower areas where food is more plentiful.

As the lake surface continues to cool, it eventually reaches the same temperature as the water below the thermo cline. The temperature from top to bottom becomes the same. This makes it tough fishing as bass can be found at various depths.

In rivers, smallmouth feed more as the water cools in the fall.

Late Fall & Winter

Smallmouth fishing becomes difficult this time of year as they move out of shallows into deeper water. Sometimes you can find densely packed schools, but the bite is likely to be poor.

Smallmouth in streams may move to deeper pools for winter when their mid-fall locations are too shallow. Fishing remains good as they continue to feed until water temperatures drop in to the low 40's.

Tips to Catching Smallmouth

· Fishermen should fish using patterns that imitate key items in the diet of the smallmouth bus (crayfish, dragonflies, minnows, etc.)

· Shoreline structures, such as docks, drop-offs, rocks, and logs, are worth fishing for smallmouth.

· Fly-fishing is advantageous in areas where standard gear doesn't work.

· Noise often attracts the attention of bass.

· Be patient - Let the bug sit still for a period of as much 30 seconds, give it a twitch. If that isn't working, try "popping" it with a sharp jerk or an erratic stop-and-go retrieve. For streamers and other sub-surface flies, you should use the strip and stop, or a steady retrieve.

· Catching bass in still waters generally requires watching and waiting for surface action, then getting the fly into feeding frenzies in a hurry.

· Experiment to see what works best.

The greatest success is found by following the seasonal behavior of bass, replicating their feeding preference, and finding good structure.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Smallmouth-Bass---Location-By-Season/149503

Mississippi River Walleye Fishing Tips

Walleye fishing on the Mississippi river is special. While other walleye enthusiasts are inside the warmth of their humble abodes during the winter months, dreaming about warmer weather and walleye fishing, those fortunate enough to be on the Mississippi River can actually BE out there with their hooks in the water, reeling in the catch of the day, walleye style!

Open water walleye fishing can be enjoyed all year round! Following the big drought that came at the end of the '80s, walleye began to spawn and hide in places in which they had not been previously plentiful. This version of survival of the fittest also saw walleye moving farther to the south, where they found spawning ground and hiding places where they flourished, making it possible to locate vast numbers of nice walleye all the way to St. Louis!

Near Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi, walleye stack up near the bases of the main lock and dam, particularly during the winter months, which allows walleye fishermen to catch their limit of nice walleye whenever the ice allows. Fish the deeper areas in the lower areas of the river during this winter fishermen's prime time as well for great walleye catches.

With spawning usually beginning by mid April, fishing is usually prime downriver around bend areas where the river bottom is hard and rocky, but walleye can normally be found spawning in the muddy areas and even in trees that are flooded and brushy areas. During early spring months, like May, walleye can be found in areas where the current tends to run a little slower, because their food sources are plentiful and easy to get at there. Muddy, flat areas are also good choices for finding walleye during May in the Mississippi, particularly inside turns near wingdams and downriver areas.

Rods with fast tipped spinners are good choices for catching walleye. Using eight lb. test line is a good choice with these when fishing for walleye. One suggestion that is good no matter what conditions or where you are fishing for walleye is to always watch your line for the slightest indication you have a bite, because walleye can bite lightly, and you have to be vigilant!

It is always a good idea to look for walleye in shallow water. Use the lightest weight jigs you can for the current in which you are fishing. Use a weight sufficient to allow your jig to just float to the bottom. The more naturally your bait seems to be, whether in color, appearance, or action, the more fish you will catch, and a jig that drops heavily and quickly, like stone will startle, rather than attract, the fish.

The jig size you choose matters too when fishing for walleye. Usually, jigs anywhere from a sixteeth of an ounce to a quarter of an ounce are good choices.

Cast toward the shore, and slowly reel the bait back. Take extra time to slow your reeling when you are close to likely spots (such as rocky areas) and watch for birds. Anytime you are fishing for walleye, and see lots of birds on the shore, there is a good chance the fish are there as well, because walleye and birds look for the same food source, and when these bait fish are present, the chances are the birds on shore can signal walleye are there too!

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Mississippi-River-Walleye-Fishing-Tips/101397

Fishing for Salmon

Are you planning to go fishing for salmon? If you are and you are one of the beginners or first-timers, there are basic things you need to know to get you started and to help you enjoy this enjoyable outdoor activity.

First off, there are several species of salmon that you should know about before you go fishing for salmon trips. There are Atlantic and Pacific salmons. Atlantic species are from the Atlantic Ocean, as the name implies. Also, you can find a wide variety of salmon in the various lakes that are in the eastern North America areas. They are the kind of salmon that don't immigrate as they prefer fresh water than salt water.

The most popular of all salmons are the Chinook or king salmon or spring salmon, black mouth, however you call them, as they are the biggest among the salmon species, weighing between 25 to 65 pounds, or even more. They are found from southern California coast to the Bering Strait. Alaska has earned its fame in fishing for salmon, since it is where the heaviest ever recorded king salmon, weighing over 96 pounds. Chinook salmon is the state fish of Alaska.

Other types of salmon include the red salmon or sockeye salmon, pink salmon, silver or Coho salmon, chum salmon, and the Atlantic salmon, which are left run wild in the on the Atlantic coast only. Each of the pacific salmon species have different life cycle and each returns to their fresh water spawning grounds at different times. When salmon returns to the rivers where they're from, they are collectively called run that is, in turn, named after the river. So, if you hear the word run or runs, you know what it means.

Due to the fact that salmon always come back to where they hatched, you know when the ideal times are to go fishing for salmon or mostly called fishing season and you know there will always be salmon to catch. This is why many fishermen became fascinated with fishing, whether as hobby, sport or pastime.

Fishing for salmon requires bait. There are various types of baits that you cause in fishing for salmon. There are plugs, worms, lures, and flies in which you can use for fresh water salmon; for salt water, you can go for flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.

Fly fishing for salmon will require you to have 12-16 ft. graphite or fiberglass rod, fly reel and line. For bait fishing, you will need a 10 ft. spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to 20 lb. test line. But if you are into fishing for king or Chinook salmon, you will need a boat or a trolling rod. And because Chinook are known to be the biggest and heaviest of its kind, you will 20-40 pound or more test line. Who knows, your simple fishing for salmon trip could land you to catch king salmon?

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Fishing-for-Salmon/30247

Smallmouth Bass - Location By Season Posted By :

Spring Smallmouths

Smallmouth bass remain nearly dormant until water temperatures approach 50° F. At this time, bass will start to move to their spawning areas. In streams, bass may begin migrating to spawn at early temperatures.

Fishing is difficult after spawning, because bass aren't more concentrated. The females, after recuperating, move to deeper waters. Males move deeper after abandoning the fry. If there is deep water near the spawning are, bass will move there.

Summer

Smallmouth bass areas are the most predictable this time of year. Bass may remain in the same place for several months once they take up residence in a certain pool or around a particular structure.

Smallmouth bass love crayfish and crayfish are linked to specific locations. Crayfish need rocks for protection and cannot move very far.

Smallmouth must move around in waters where baitfish is the primary food.

The depth that smallmouth bass retreat to depends on surface temperatures and direct sunlight. The type of water also determines how deep you'll find them. Smallmouth may stay as deep as 25 feet in clear water, shallower than 12 feet in murky lakes due to oxygen levels, and in pools less than four feet in small streams.

Early Fall to Mid-Fall Smallmouth Bas

Smallmouth begin to spend more time to shallower waters. The lower angle of the sun and cooler surface temperatures allow them to venture into shallower areas where food is more plentiful.

As the lake surface continues to cool, it eventually reaches the same temperature as the water below the thermo cline. The temperature from top to bottom becomes the same. This makes it tough fishing as bass can be found at various depths.

In rivers, smallmouth feed more as the water cools in the fall.

Late Fall & Winter

Smallmouth fishing becomes difficult this time of year as they move out of shallows into deeper water. Sometimes you can find densely packed schools, but the bite is likely to be poor.

Smallmouth in streams may move to deeper pools for winter when their mid-fall locations are too shallow. Fishing remains good as they continue to feed until water temperatures drop in to the low 40's.

Tips to Catching Smallmouth

· Fishermen should fish using patterns that imitate key items in the diet of the smallmouth bus (crayfish, dragonflies, minnows, etc.)

· Shoreline structures, such as docks, drop-offs, rocks, and logs, are worth fishing for smallmouth.

· Fly-fishing is advantageous in areas where standard gear doesn't work.

· Noise often attracts the attention of bass.

· Be patient - Let the bug sit still for a period of as much 30 seconds, give it a twitch. If that isn't working, try "popping" it with a sharp jerk or an erratic stop-and-go retrieve. For streamers and other sub-surface flies, you should use the strip and stop, or a steady retrieve.

· Catching bass in still waters generally requires watching and waiting for surface action, then getting the fly into feeding frenzies in a hurry.

· Experiment to see what works best.

The greatest success is found by following the seasonal behavior of bass, replicating their feeding preference, and finding good structure.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Smallmouth-Bass---Location-By-Season/149503

Tips For Taking Your Kids On A Fishing Trip Posted By :

Taking kids fishing is one of the best family outings you can plan. These trips may be as simple as gathering together the fishing poles with a picnic lunch, and heading down to the nearest lake. Some families try deep sea fishing on the deep blue waters, and others like to take the whole family out for several days on a boat. But you can just as easily head to a local farm pond for the afternoon. No matter what type of fishing trip you decide on, there are some helpful tips for taking the kids fishing.

The first tip for taking your kids on a fishing trip is to keep the ages of your kids in mind when planning the vacation. Younger children usually cannot handle a full day of fishing, and many cannot handle more than a few hours on a boat. To make the fishing trip more enjoyable, you can consider investing in one of the cartoon character poles available in stores now. These poles are smaller in size, and designed to make the experience of fishing more fun for the child.

As much fun as you plan on having during your fishing trip, your children are more than likely going to end up feeling a little tired, or a little bored. In most cases this will happen long before you're ready to leave the water behind. There are things you can do to keep everyone happy and occupied during the trip. One way to keep the kids happy is to bring along a few handheld travel sized games for the kids. They may want to bring along their video game, but try to talk them out of it. The last thing you want is to watch in horror as little hands lose their grip, and that expensive game drops to the bottom of the lake.

You should also be careful to explain exactly to your kids what is going to happen before you head out on your fishing trip. You might be surprised to discover that your little boy is petrified of worms, and throws a tantrum at the thought of putting one on the end of their line. Some parents plan in advance by bringing along a few extra types of bait including lunch meat, in case their child doesn't want to use the worms.

If you're planning on a fishing trip, and have some time before the big day, you might want to consider picking up a few books geared towards children regarding fishing. These books are available from the local library, and they explain how to fish as well as offering tips for the kids. Many parents recommend these books for parents that have never taken their kids fishing before.

Fishing trips can be fun for the whole family, but only if you follow a few of these tips. You need to explain to your kids exactly what you will be doing on the bid day, and try to make it as much fun as possible. Taking along a few snacks, a kid sized fishing pole, and something to keep their minds occupied can go a long way towards having a great time.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Tips-For-Taking-Your-Kids-On-A-Fishing-Trip/149439

Salmon Fishing Tackle

Like the hunter with his gun, or the pugilist with his glove, fishing has its tackle. A best friend, a prized possession, the relationship is much like Tiger Woods and his True Temper Dynamic Gold Driver. A reciprocated coexistence with both ends benefiting each other's facility: Woods with his precision swing and the trusty driver converting the force to several yards.

The angler with his skill is expressed on the tip of the line. Some are good in presenting the bait, fine tuned jiggling and mooching. Others are good in choosing appropriate decoys, lure, color and scent combination that is irresistible to a certain fish. Other's smell the fishes a hundred yards distant, paying even the minutest details in underwater growth and crevices.

The salmon angler is expressed with his salmon fishing tackle. Not just any tackles, it must be intended for the specific game. A stout graphite construction rod will be too stiff for the soft jiggling intended for the river trout, and the fly tackle intended for blue water fishes might be too stiff for the soft and deft touch intended for the Chinook.

So get your salmon fishing tackle. Remember, salmons require specific salmon fishing tackles to trick them into biting. Not an all around tackle for every situation but a salmon fishing tackle optimal for a specific fishing art.

Here are some good ideas for any salmon fishing tackles.

Fly Fishing Tackles

While landing a tarpon on a fly requires above human skill and dexterity, landing a Chinook on a fly CAN be done. In fact it has been done a countless time. Use a double handed rod is the best and it should have a relatively long rod around 10 feet. And this rod should have ample power especially in the butt section to effectively handle even a 10 pound freaking Chinook. Compensate choosing your salmon fishing tackle with your strength, or you may risk losing lifting strength. Remember, the longer the rod, the heavier will it be on landing a salmon.

The Airflo SLS Fly Rod Special at GFS: www.gofishingshop.co.uk is a mean 10ft fly rod that should be swift enough to deliver the snag but robust to handle a King salmon on the line, provided the line won't snap.

The Winston LT Fly Rod is also one salmon fishing tackle that comes highly recommended. Soft tips are so essential for deft handling and Winston LT Fly Rod is prevalent with them. Care to take a look? It's available at: www.tcoflyfishing.com

Salmons are among the fish species that have remarkably sensitive sense of smell, so throwing them just about anything won't work at all. Use a strong smelling cured salmon roe is one of the best baiting technique. Since salmon roe can be quite a rare find, you can substitute them with smelt or minnows.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Salmon-Fishing-Tackle/30479

Bass fishing more than just a relaxing hobby?

Throughout the evolution of mankind, there are not many things that have remained still facing thousands of years, which have stubbornly refused to change and morph into something else. One of these few things is fishing, an aspect so familiar and common that it is often disregarded by such categorizations. What started off as a means of food providing has become over the centuries one of the world's favorite pastimes, attracting people of any age and from any corners of the planet.

Fishing is a very ancient practice that dates back at least to the Mesolithic period which began about 10,000 years ago. Archaeological features such as shell middens, discarded fish bones and cave paintings show that sea foods were important for survival and consumed in significant quantities. During this period, most people lived a hunter-gather lifestyle and were, of necessity, constantly on the move. However, where there are early examples of permanent settlements (though not necessarily permanently occupied), that are almost always associated with fishing as a major source of food. The Neolithic culture and technology spread worldwide between 4,000 and 8,000 years ago. With the new technologies of farming and pottery came basic forms of all the main fishing methods that are still used today.

In addition, fishing has always been a part of our evolving process, helping our ancestors survive through harsh times and feed their families, thus playing a crucial role in what we are today. Surprisingly or not, the industrial boom in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries has not managed to shake fishing from the place it occupies in our conscience. So what is it about this practice that makes us enjoy and feel drawn to it even in the twenty-first century, an era of absolute "laziness", where we can eat fish just by buying it from a local grocery shop?

Scientists believe that we feel the urge to relate to nature, to feel free in it, and that our instincts pull us into trying to communicate with nature once more. And what better way to do this than by going on a fishing trip? Another similar theory tries to demonstrate that man continuously searches to reassure himself that he is in control of nature, and that nature is merely a means, an ally into man's fight for survival. Clearly the two theories are bold and innovational but do make sense and explain many aspects of the matter, gaining more and more adepts worldwide.

The skeptics however, think that it's nothing more than an exaggeration and that fishing in the present day has nothing to do with its meaning in the past. They claim that it's only practiced for relaxation and that people have finally managed to find the entertaining aspect of fishing. To some extent, this theory could seem more "down to earth" but it also raises some questions. Why haven't we found modern means of relaxation? Why are we keen on keeping alive a practice of thousands of years? Can it only be our need to relax in a natural d?r from time to time?

As it is the case with all of mankind's mysteries, the truth refuses to come out, come clean with us, and it is probably somewhere in between. What we know for sure is that we love fishing and that it has always played an important role in our becoming. Who cares about the reasons? Let that to the scientists' concern, grab your angling rod and enjoy fishing.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Bass-fishing---more-than-just-a-relaxing-hobby-/39222

Fishing For Catfish Beneath The Ice

Whenever we think about fishing for catfish, most of us get these mental images of warm, sunny weather, bare feet, cane poles, and a generally summery outlook on things. So, when we start talking about icefishiing, no one ever mentions catfish as a possible quarry.

However, factually, lots of catfish are taken through the ice each year, and some species, especially Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish, are actually fairly eager biters in the cold water. So, the issue, really is one of first deciding to get yourself outside, and do some icefishing, and then, of setting up your rig to do the job.

There appear to be two "schools" of icefishing thought (pardon the pun), where cats are concerned. The original, old-school, lazy one, is that of finding a nice, comfy-looking spot that at least appears to be a likely hookup point for a decent fish, drilling a hole in the ice, and sitting next to your fire tub, or in your "fish house" (tent on the ice), and enjoying the outing, as much as the catching of any fish that might happen by. The second way of seeing things, is that each outing is a competition for a record volume catch, and as such, the fish must be militarily tracked down, cornered and exposed, and then taken by the bucketload.

For sure, a scientific and tactically-planned approach to your outing will probably yield the most fish. However, this viewpoint also requires the most equipment, as its proponents work among perhaps two dozen holes in the ice, and track the fish from spot to spot with sonar fish finders, while racing to the next hole on snowmobiles, and attempting to "head off" the fish at each hole as they move.

While the top producers in this "sport" can bag over forty fish an hour, there is still something to be said for skill and patience, in selecting your spot, baiting up, and playing on a level field, without a pile of electronics and machines to remove all hope for the catfish. After all, the sport of fishing includes both finding the fish, and the actual fight, once you set your hook. It just takes more nerve and determination, on the ice.

Regardless of your approach, you'll need the usual sturdy gear for cats - a strong rod with a decent spinning or star-drag reel, good braided or monofilament line, proper terminal rigging, and some nice, stinky bait. If you want to use a more conventional icefishing rig, a flag float or tip-rig will work OK, but remember the size of the fish you are after - these kitties are going to be a tough fight, and handling them without a rod is even tougher.

As far as bait goes, smell is even more important in cold water, than in the warm months, as the scent doesn't spread as fast, or present as strongly in the water, so the more potent the bait, the better. Small dead fish are still an excellent choice, especially for Blue cats. Puncturing the bait, or dipping it in some stinky adjunct, may be another possible improvement, to really get the scent going.

Some anglers feel that the color of the bait is of importance in icefishing for cats, due to the reduced spread of scent in the cold, but in deep water, it's quite dark, and catfish are known to have weak eyesight, so the importance of this factor is open for discussion. In nature, cats eat fairly dull-colored, smelly food, so, give 'em what they want. With smelly, natural bait, the only other issue is where to fish it, assuming the fish will take it, if they find it.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Fishing-For-Catfish-Beneath-The-Ice/101399

Southern Fresh Water Total Fishing Tips

My trip into the south to uncover the best techniques for catching catfish has yielded some unusual yet astounding results. I first arrived in a small town called Belton in the great state of Texas. I asked some of the locals where a good place to catch catfish would be.

I was directed to Lake Belton only about 15 minutes from where I was. Boat in tow, with a bucket of minnows, and a box of night crawlers I headed out to see what kind of success I would have.
I ended up going to about four different spots spending roughly two hours only to have my bait stolen off the hook.

I started getting discouraged until I spotted an elderly man about three hundred yards away fishing from the bank. I noticed this gentleman pulling his stringer from the water and to my surprise he had two full stringers of channel cat catfish ranging in weight from about two and half to fifteen pounds!

I asked him what he was doing to be so successful and he said the first stringer came from trot lines he had set up over night. When I asked what he was using for bait I was completely astounded by his answer. He pulled a small bag from his tackle box and revealed to me about a dozen small cut up pieces of ivory soap. I couldn't believe it, I was dumbfounded. I asked how it worked, and the old timer simply said "I don't know, my grandfather taught me this over forty years ago".

When I asked about his second and soon to be third stringer of catfish, he pulled his bait bucket from the water and showed me little creatures I have never seen or heard before. Helgamites was the name of the odd insects. Small shrimp like insects with an armor plated exoskeleton and huge ant like pinchers on their heads.

These creatures can draw blood and it hurts when they latch on to your finger, so use caution. These insects can be found in rocks close to the banks of rivers and fresh water lakes. The old man told me he always uses them along with another secret fishing tip. When the lake water drops a little the old man goes out and digs a hole about twenty to thirty feet off the bank, and drops a foul smelling brick of maze into the hole. The smell attracts the catfish in droves, and they hang around all day.

The old timer told me he catches about thirty to forty keepers every time he fishes. That day the old man and I caught fifty three catfish. As far as fresh water fishing for catfish is concerned, the old timer provided me with the ultimate total fishing tips.

Shane Brooks is a self employeed writer who simply enjoys living life one day at a time. More fascinating fishing articles can be found here along with total fishing tips.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Southern-Fresh-Water-Total-Fishing-Tips/42657

Valuable Walleye Fly Fishing Tips

Walleye fly fishing is a fun activity for anglers who are looking for a little excitement. However, even with all of the preparation in the world no walleye will be caught if the right tips are not followed. Here are some tips to use for the fishing trip.

The first of the tips to use is using bottom bouncer baits that feature a spinner-crawler rig. This can be useful because it can help to get into areas lower than twenty feet into the water. This can help to find walleyes that hide deeper into the water and can work with all kinds of lures and other baits that can be used for fishing. .

Using aquatic vegetation is one of the best tips to use. These are all items that are found in the water that can be used to help hide the angler from the walleye and therefore keep the walleye from running away. Floating vegetation is one of the instances of aquatic vegetation. This is typically slop that sticks to other weeds and goes with larger plants like lily pads and coontails.

Using submerged vegetation is another way walleye fly fishing is done. These are generally going to be found underwater. Not only do these help to cover the angler but it can also attract different kinds of fish. In fact, walleye will be attracted to submerged vegetation types like weedflats.

Looking for certain types of cover in the water is also useful because fish may be hiding in there with the assumption that an angler will not get in the way. Wood is one of the best examples. One of the tips to use is to look for wood so that walleye fly fishing can begin. Among these covers, include fallen trees, trees that grow into the water and wooden docks.

Another walleye tip to use is to use eye protection when fishing. This can be used to help make it easier to find fish and it will keep the sun from getting into one's eyes. Using polarized glasses is a great option to use. These glasses will help to reflect glare that comes from the surface of the water. It will help to make it easier to see when fishing.

Boats can be used in fly fishing at times. Having a drift boat that will be slow and comfortable is essential. However, being able to have appropriate boat control is a necessity in walleye fishing. Using control is one of the walleye fly fishing tips to use. Back trolling, for instance, can be used and is another tip that can be helpful. Back trolling works because it helps to reduce the speed of the boat as it travels. This helps to increase the level of control of the boat that will be used for fly fishing.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Valuable-Walleye-Fly-Fishing-Tips/101400

Fishing - Water Temperatures are Important

Fishing is a lot of fun if you are catching fish, but if you are just sitting with your line in the water and getting no bites it can be frustrating and boring.

If you are interested in spring fishing and want your best shot of catching a lot of fish then you need to learn a little bit about water temperature. Basically, fish like crappie and bass like to be in warmer water and when they are about to spawn this is especially so. When you know how the fish react and what they are looking for in regards to water temperature then you will have a good idea of how to find them!

The weather also affects water temperature so you need to keep this in mind, too. If you are interested in catching crappie then you should know that they spawn when the temperature is between 60 and 65 degrees.

The male crappies will be in the 60 degree water first and will prepare the beds for the female crappies to spawn. The female crappies won't start coming into the shallower water until it is around 64 degrees. So if you are fishing during the spring in a water temperature of about 60 and you catch a crappie it is most definitely a male! It is also important to keep in mind that crappies spawn over a period of time, not all at once. The spawning period may last up to six weeks.

Bass like it a little warmer when they spawn and wait for water temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees. The premise is the same as with crappies. Bass come into the shallow waters around 65 - 67 degrees and prepare the beds for the females. Then, when the water temperature hits 69 to 70 degrees the females will start making their way to the warmer, shallower water in order to spawn. The spring months of April and May are the perfect times for bass to spawn and you will have plenty of luck fishing in shallow waters.

Keep in mind, too, where the water temperature varies within a lake or pond. If the area has lots of trees, limbs, and the like under the water then the water will be warmer and more fish will congregate there. Open water is cooler and not as many fish will be out there, making your fishing attempts really difficult. Shallow water is always warmer than deep water and where you will have a better chance of catching a fish. Also, after a rain watch where the water drains into the lake or pond. If it was warm rain water then you can count on the fish finding that area and camping out.

As long as you know how to find the area in the lake or pond that is the warmest then you will have the best chances of catching plenty of fish. The above tips should help you tremendously in this effort

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Fishing---Water-Temperatures-are-Important/43007

Tips For The Best Fishing Trips

Everything you have ever needed to know about fishing trips is wrapped in the beautiful memories that you end up with. It is an experience that could make a success out of any holiday, however short it may be.

Nevertheless, careful planning is the only possible way to guarantee that the fishing trip does not turn into a boring and annoying thing. No matter if you are a novice or an expert in this sort of activities, the adventure and fun cannot be replaced by anything else. Patience, precision and timing are among the skills which are absolutely necessary during a fishing trip. The wealth of the waters can always nourish the desire of catching your favorite fish at your favorite destination.

Either that you wish for a professionally guided fishing trip or that you want the challenging experience of a trip, planned by no one else but you, any sunny day can become a memorable fishing trip. Choosing the right destination for each and every season is the most important thing that you must do before hitting the road. Before everything else, you must have detailed information about the destination and the climatic condition. Some places may require a fishing license. Therefore, in order to avoid any unpleasant event that could ruin your fishing trip, you must gather all kinds of details about the location you want to be heading for.

It is a commonly known thing that there are certain equipments that are absolutely necessary for the success of any fishing trip. I am speaking about things such as tackle, bait, fly rod, reel, line and spare spool and waders. In order for everything to go smoothly, a first aid kit and a detailed location map must not be forgotten.

If you already have all this prepared and are set to go, Mexico is a very interesting place for the fishing trip of your life. With the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez on the west and the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean on the east, Mexico can bring us all a really special experience. However, Mexico has many other intersting areas for tourists to explore during their fishing trips.

The Pacific coastal town called Huatulco in the area called the Oaxacan coast is a very popular location for all kinds of people . Should you be looking for a nice place to escape the everyday life in the cities and enjoy the beauty of the nature, Huatulco is the perfect destination for your Mexico fishing trip! The clear turquoise waters are full of pelagic game fish, such as sailfish and marlin, for instance.

If Huatulco is not enough for you, you can also try Cabo San Lucas on Mexico's west coast. This is where most of the Hollywood movie stars seek their quiet moments too! Any Mexico fishing trip is said to turn out great in this area, and the Cabo waters are world famous as the Marlin Capital of the World.

Therefore, should you be researching for the perfect destination to spend your Mexico fishing trip in, these are some very good choices!

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Tips-For-The-Best-Fishing-Trips/52862

Smallmouth Bass - Location By Season Posted By :

Spring Smallmouths

Smallmouth bass remain nearly dormant until water temperatures approach 50° F. At this time, bass will start to move to their spawning areas. In streams, bass may begin migrating to spawn at early temperatures.

Fishing is difficult after spawning, because bass aren't more concentrated. The females, after recuperating, move to deeper waters. Males move deeper after abandoning the fry. If there is deep water near the spawning are, bass will move there.

Summer

Smallmouth bass areas are the most predictable this time of year. Bass may remain in the same place for several months once they take up residence in a certain pool or around a particular structure.

Smallmouth bass love crayfish and crayfish are linked to specific locations. Crayfish need rocks for protection and cannot move very far.

Smallmouth must move around in waters where baitfish is the primary food.

The depth that smallmouth bass retreat to depends on surface temperatures and direct sunlight. The type of water also determines how deep you'll find them. Smallmouth may stay as deep as 25 feet in clear water, shallower than 12 feet in murky lakes due to oxygen levels, and in pools less than four feet in small streams.

Early Fall to Mid-Fall Smallmouth Bas

Smallmouth begin to spend more time to shallower waters. The lower angle of the sun and cooler surface temperatures allow them to venture into shallower areas where food is more plentiful.

As the lake surface continues to cool, it eventually reaches the same temperature as the water below the thermo cline. The temperature from top to bottom becomes the same. This makes it tough fishing as bass can be found at various depths.

In rivers, smallmouth feed more as the water cools in the fall.

Late Fall & Winter

Smallmouth fishing becomes difficult this time of year as they move out of shallows into deeper water. Sometimes you can find densely packed schools, but the bite is likely to be poor.

Smallmouth in streams may move to deeper pools for winter when their mid-fall locations are too shallow. Fishing remains good as they continue to feed until water temperatures drop in to the low 40's.

Tips to Catching Smallmouth

· Fishermen should fish using patterns that imitate key items in the diet of the smallmouth bus (crayfish, dragonflies, minnows, etc.)

· Shoreline structures, such as docks, drop-offs, rocks, and logs, are worth fishing for smallmouth.

· Fly-fishing is advantageous in areas where standard gear doesn't work.

· Noise often attracts the attention of bass.

· Be patient - Let the bug sit still for a period of as much 30 seconds, give it a twitch. If that isn't working, try "popping" it with a sharp jerk or an erratic stop-and-go retrieve. For streamers and other sub-surface flies, you should use the strip and stop, or a steady retrieve.

· Catching bass in still waters generally requires watching and waiting for surface action, then getting the fly into feeding frenzies in a hurry.

· Experiment to see what works best.

The greatest success is found by following the seasonal behavior of bass, replicating their feeding preference, and finding good structure.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Smallmouth-Bass---Location-By-Season/149503

Tips For Taking Your Kids On A Fishing Trip Posted By :

Taking kids fishing is one of the best family outings you can plan. These trips may be as simple as gathering together the fishing poles with a picnic lunch, and heading down to the nearest lake. Some families try deep sea fishing on the deep blue waters, and others like to take the whole family out for several days on a boat. But you can just as easily head to a local farm pond for the afternoon. No matter what type of fishing trip you decide on, there are some helpful tips for taking the kids fishing.

The first tip for taking your kids on a fishing trip is to keep the ages of your kids in mind when planning the vacation. Younger children usually cannot handle a full day of fishing, and many cannot handle more than a few hours on a boat. To make the fishing trip more enjoyable, you can consider investing in one of the cartoon character poles available in stores now. These poles are smaller in size, and designed to make the experience of fishing more fun for the child.

As much fun as you plan on having during your fishing trip, your children are more than likely going to end up feeling a little tired, or a little bored. In most cases this will happen long before you're ready to leave the water behind. There are things you can do to keep everyone happy and occupied during the trip. One way to keep the kids happy is to bring along a few handheld travel sized games for the kids. They may want to bring along their video game, but try to talk them out of it. The last thing you want is to watch in horror as little hands lose their grip, and that expensive game drops to the bottom of the lake.

You should also be careful to explain exactly to your kids what is going to happen before you head out on your fishing trip. You might be surprised to discover that your little boy is petrified of worms, and throws a tantrum at the thought of putting one on the end of their line. Some parents plan in advance by bringing along a few extra types of bait including lunch meat, in case their child doesn't want to use the worms.

If you're planning on a fishing trip, and have some time before the big day, you might want to consider picking up a few books geared towards children regarding fishing. These books are available from the local library, and they explain how to fish as well as offering tips for the kids. Many parents recommend these books for parents that have never taken their kids fishing before.

Fishing trips can be fun for the whole family, but only if you follow a few of these tips. You need to explain to your kids exactly what you will be doing on the bid day, and try to make it as much fun as possible. Taking along a few snacks, a kid sized fishing pole, and something to keep their minds occupied can go a long way towards having a great time.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Tips-For-Taking-Your-Kids-On-A-Fishing-Trip/149439

Winter Fishing Tips and Jigs for Crappie

Crappie fishing in winter can be a daunting challenge but cheer up there is help. Super crappie fishing really begins after the ice is long gone in the spring but its cold now and we are hungry for that clean white morsel of meat.

So you ask how to catch the little guys and how to get that pan fish in your pan and when ice fishing there are only a few key items to consider: bait, location and ice.

When it is cold the fish are slower and their hunting patterns change. Do not forget this - EVER. We are not much different, we like our ice cream in the summer and chili in winter. Keep this in mind when fishing in any water temperature. Use fast baits in warmer waters and slower baits in colder waters.

When the waters are cooler and sometimes frozen everything below the surface moves slower so when choosing jigs pick ones that move slower, this means lighter weight too as it will not sink so fast. Many of the plastic jigs will move smoothly through the water, this is a great advantage in the spring months, but not so much in the colder waters.

Feathered jigs once wet will also smooth out and move quickly through the water but an artificial feather sometimes will fall slower than most plastics. Do not forget either that plastics will get stiffer when they get colder and this is part of the reason that smaller jigs work well in the colder waters.

When the water temperatures drop below 50 degrees crappie will seek shelter in almost any structure they can find, so choose a bait that will be found in shelter they are hiding in. Most waters will get a little clearer when they ice over. When this happens use smaller jigs.

I would also suggest using really light colors on the jig like yellows and whites. Some of the smaller plastics seem to work well for me I like to use smaller grubs or tubes. When I know the water is clear I start with white or very light colors and work towards darker colors. But as the visibility of the water changes go with a color that is only slightly lighter.

Remember most bait fish or insects are really trying to blend in to the background so you want to stand out just a little bit more. It really is not that hard when the waters are green use a slightly lighter green jig. But if the waters or currents are really active use a stiff plastic jig and if the waters are still use a feathered jig because they will look more lively.

Another good trick is to use a light colored body with a medium contrasting head. For example use a yellow grub with a red head or reverse it. But I've haven had a lot of success using opposite colors like red with green.

I know we do not carry a color wheel, although it might help, in our tackle box but if the color combination seems unnatural chances are the crappie might think so as well. You can use opposite colors if there is a gradient between the colors. Just avoid sharp contrasting colors as these do not appear readily in nature.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Winter-Fishing-Tips-and-Jigs-for-Crappie/101404

Fish Up There In Northern Canada - King Walleye

It is a small wonder that wildlife enthusiasts from around the world come to Manitoba every year to enjoy outstanding year-rounding fishing in the unmatched beauty of our wilderness. With more than 100,000 lakes and untold number of rivers and streams stretched across the province's vast northern areas, Manitoba is one of the premier outdoor destinations in the world.

Come get away from it all in Manitoba, for a week, or a weekend, and experience the adventure of a lifetime. Choose from full American plan lodges to cabins and kitchenettes. They're all here in Manitoba.

You'll find no better hosts than the fishing lodges and resorts of Manitoba. The service is fine and the spirit is as big as the land, and the lakes of the surrounding countryside.

Clear, deep water lakes. Wild running rivers. Gentle bays shielded by wilderness. All teeming with trophy walleye, pike, lake trout and bass and surrounded by sweeping clear-blue skies and pristine air. This is Manitoba where fishing memories are big enough to last you a lifetime

Manitoba is a province that situated right smack dab in the middle of Canada, north of the Midwestern United States -right above Minnesota and North Dakota. The name Manitoba is an English language version of the Aboriginal Ojibway word "Manito-bau", which means Great Spirit. Manitoba received this name of "Great Spirit" from the sound of waves crashing on Lake Manitoba at Lake Manitoba Narrows. To the Objibway Aboriginal People's this was said to sound like the voice of the Great Spirit.

It is a small wonder that wildlife enthusiasts from around the world come to Manitoba every year to enjoy outstanding year-rounding fishing in the unmatched beauty of our wilderness. With more than 100,000 lakes and untold number of rivers and streams stretched across the province's vast northern areas, Manitoba is one of the premier outdoor destinations in the world. Manitoba even has the oldest Master Angler program in North America, where you can show off your accomplishments and receive a trophy or patch for your great catch.

Which Manitoba fishing lodgings you choose to stay at will depend on your taste and the location you are interested in fishing at. The area surrounding Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a great place to start. You will find no better hosts than the fishing lodges and resorts of Manitoba. The service is fine and the spirit is as big as the land, and the lakes of the surrounding countryside.

Clear, deep water lakes. Wild running rivers. Gentle bays shielded by wilderness. All teeming with trophy walleye, pike, lake trout and bass and surrounded by sweeping clear-blue skies and pristine air. This is Manitoba where fishing memories are big enough to last you a lifetime.

Located on beautiful Vandekerckhove Lake in the pristine wilderness of Northwest Manitoba. Wolverine Lodge and Vandekerckhove Lake offer some of the finest Trophy Pike and Walleye fishing found in Canada. 90% of our guests tell us that they have caught the largest fish of their lives while at Wolverine Lodge! We have the only lodge on the 27,000 acre lake providing you with an exclusive fishing experience without the competition of other lodges and outfitters. Our fishing boats are first class. We provide 16 foot deep hull aluminum boats equipped with 25 hp Mercury engines and comfortable, padded, Lund boat seats. We fish two fishermen per boat and experienced guides are available.

Nestled in a quiet bay surrounded by the rugged Canadian Shield, Big Whiteshell Lodge welcomes you with luxurious accommodations, a secluded atmosphere and a friendly greeting.

It doesn't matter which of the many Manitoba fishing lodgings you choose for your fishing vacation getaway, you will be sure to feel like you are out in the wild away from it all. With many different species of fish to catch, and just as many bodies of water to visit, southern Manitoba makes for a perfect fisherman's (or woman's) dream trip.

Jadran Transcona Lake Manitoba Narrows ww.fishlakemanitobanarrows.com

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Fish-Up-There-In-Northern-Canada---King-Walleye/98263

Wireline Trolling For Bass

Wireline trolling is a technique that is used by many thousands of New Englanders every year to catch striped bass. It can be very productive if you know what your doing, but many people think you simply put the line out and motor around in your boat to catch fish, and are surprised when they see others catch fish after fish in the same area and apparently doing the same thing and even using the same rig. Well, there must be something different. Knowing where the fish are holding, what their feeding on and the speed to troll at are just some of the considerations to take into account.

Where are the Fish. You have to go where the fish are, not where you want them to be. You also have to go when the fish are there, not when you want them to be there. For any kind of Bass fishing, early morning is usually the best. Early in the season they may feed throughout the day, but as the season progresses and the sun gets higher in the sky you won't find them feeding during the day unless there is tide and a lot of bait or a weather pattern to entice them into activity. You may find them holding on structure and be able to catch them but its pretty certain that there is something in the way of food down there to keep them interested. If the fish are holding on structure, you have to present your offering over that structure, if you are off by 50' there is no joy. If you are trolling and mark and catch fish, turn around and keep going over the spot until you stop catching. Don't go trolling away unless your damn sure there is something better to head to. And! don't spend too much time trolling around a spot and not catching.

Tides and currents. Bass are ambush predators and a current will provide them with the opportunity to lay in wait for a small creature to be swept past their position so they can gobble it up. It is the current generated by the tides you need to pay attention to. An example of this would be the Block Island North reef. The currents there provide areas which bass like to use as ambush points, and some of these are places to troll wireline.

Trolling Speed. Never troll at the same speed all the time if it isn't working. Often fish will follow your offering and are waiting for that trigger that tells them that their prey has detected them. Speed up, slow down, change speeds, speed up during your turns. You will be surprised how many times you hook up fish immediately or very soon after a speed change. Sometimes only going at a particular slow speed works, or a particularly fast speed. The most important thing to do is pay attention to what is going on when you hook up. You need to notice if it is always during a speed change, only when you go fast, only when you go very slow, etc. If you speed up and turn, and the inside line picks up a fish, you may not have enough line out since the inside line will usually go deeper, the outside line shallower.

Current can be used to control your speed. If you want to go very slow, troll directly into the current. There is one area I fish trolling to the same spot and slowing down as the boat gets near it, going into the current. At times we are barely moving forward, and when I reach the spot on my GPS one or both rods will go down with fish on (tide is very important in this case.) There are times when you will catch most of your fish only trolling in one direction in relation to the current. Pay attention to what is happening when you hook up.

Trolling Depth. This is extremely important. Your depth finder can mark a million fish below 30' but if your trolled rig is only 20' deep you will end up being very frustrated and catching very few fish. Your offering must be presented in the "strike zone", which is the area close enough that the fish will be interested in hitting your lure. This strike zone can be very large when fish are feeding aggressively, or very small if they are "turned off".

If you see fish smashing bait on the surface, try letting out a small amount of wireline and troll around the feeding fish, not through the middle of them. So many fisherman shut down the fishing very quickly by trolling through the middle of breaking fish. It is the most idiotic thing they can do. You need to have the lure down near the bottom if you are targeting Bass that aren't feeding aggressively near the surface. If you are in water under 30' deep, it is only necessary to be within 5' of the bottom unless the fish are very sluggish. In deeper water. light penetration becomes an issue and it is necessary to get as close to the bottom as you can without dragging.

The rule of thumb is to let out 10 feet of wire for every 1' of depth. This is varied by boat speed and the weight of your lure. Naturally, going slower will cause the rig to go deeper and fast will cause it to run shallower. Remember, if you aren't dragging bottom once in a while, you're trolling too shallow.

Matching the Hatch. You need to troll an offering which is representative of what the fish are feeding on. If there are hordes of sand eels then you shouldn't be trolling 6" soft plastic shads. Bass most often eat bunker, sand eels, and squid. Lures that represent these species are ones you should have available to you. If you catch a keeper, open up its stomach and see what it has been feeding on.

Sport Fishing. This is supposed to be a sport. Keeping the boat in gear and continuing to troll after you have hooked up a fish is winching, not fishing. I have seen so many bass skipping across the surface of the water as they are being reeled up, it's absolutely ridiculous. You should be fighting the fish and not the boat. Where is the fun in that? So the advice is take the boat out of gear after you hook up.

By following the guidelines presented here the reward will be more success for your fishing trips. The last and most important piece of advice when your not catching is this: remember to ask yourself: "what do I need to change?" Are you going too fast, using the wrong rig, trolling too shallow, etc. Watch what other people are doing, it may give you a clue. Catch 'em up!

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Wireline-Trolling-For-Bass/104322

How to Choose the Right Bass Fishing Lures to Catch That Big Bass Fish

My uncle and I have this ongoing competition between us. Whenever he catches more fish than I do, you ought to see him strutting around for weeks on end, reminding me of his victory every time we meet. And then he asks over and over, "So, how many fish have you caught lately?"

When it comes to bass fishing lures, he says the plastic worms are unbeatable. Okay, so he knows what he's talking about most of the time, and he's proven that to me on occasion. When he's pulling in monster bass and I'm sitting there with an empty bucket, I could just push him in the water.

However, on our last trip to catch bass fish, I definitely out-fished him. I was pulling them in right and left, and he was scowling at me the whole time! How did I become so fortunate? I have crankbait to thank, which I used as my bass fishing lures. Bass fish like them because they're like tender steaks, and they look somewhat like crayfish or baitfish. They work in most kinds of water, and they are effective fishing lures to add to your arsenal.

I also keep spinnerbaits as a supplement. They are little things that look rather like baitfish. If you want to catch large bass quickly, they are a good choice. They are versatile in that they do well in most waters, and they come in assorted colors.

To give you an idea of how successful I was, I caught enough bass to stuff ourselves silly that night and still had enough left for breakfast the following day. I did my best to console my uncle by saying he could eat his fish as an appetizer. I'm getting pretty good at this fishing thing. Now I just have to develop my 'one that got away' story!

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/How-to-Choose-the-Right-Bass-Fishing-Lures-to-Catch-That-Big-Bass-Fish/101850

Marine GPS

We've all heard the stories of the sailors who navigated around the world by the stars and while celestial navigation is certainly a skill all sailors should have, sometimes you want something slightly more sophisticated and "twenty first century friendly." Now, thanks go Marine GPS, satellite navigation is no longer something used only by the Navy. Now there are plenty of Marine GPS devices on the market and while they are not cheap, they are worth the money that is spent on them.

Are you in search of a Marine GPS receiver? Here are a few that we found and thought looked like a good deal:

The Garmin GPSMAP 76 is affordable. This Marine GPS device has twelve channels and has gotten very good reviews from users. The screen is large, the software is user friendly and it has rubber grips on the back which, as any water enthusiast knows, is of utmost importance when going out on the open water. In addition to being a positioning device, this Marine GPS system also has tide and anchor drag charts.

The Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine GPS receiver is another good buy and you can find it for about five hundred dollars. Like the Garmin, this receiver has twelve channels and has fifteen megabytes of North American maps built right in. You can also store seventeen megabytes worth of maps for later exploring. It has enough memory for up to twenty routes and has information about the major tide stations as well as a fish and game calculator. This receiver is a "must bring" on any marine trip. Heck, it can even help you if you get lost while you are driving to the dock!

Obviously some Marine GPS systems are more sophisticated than others, but for the "casual" boat person, finding an affordable receiver is not hard. All it takes is a little bit of searching and before you know it; your own watercraft will have a Marine GPS device on board. No longer will you have to worry about not knowing where you are, when you get out on the open water. Now you will always know how to find your way home.

While navigating by the stars is certainly a romantic notion, if you find that you need help finding your way back to shore, you want the security that comes from satellite navigation and a Marine GPS device can give that to you.

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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Marine-GPS/101164

Is a Crossover GPS right for you?

The Magellan Crossover GPS is the world's first pocket-sized GPS built for driving on the highways, hiking rugged trails, sailing the open ocean or fishing on thousands of lakes, rivers and streams. The idea of the Crossover GPS is a great one, and the Magellan Crossover is sure to be a good choice for many. However, before you run out and buy one, think hard about how it will be used.

Auto navigation features include an passably sized 3.5 inch touch screen with turn by turn directions and voice prompts. Detailed road maps of the 48 states are preloaded. It has a somewhat small database with 1.5 million points of interest. Interactive POI icons can display a phone number or plan a route with just a touch.
Routing is done with your choice of four methods, shortest time, shortest distance, least or most use of freeways or steer clear of toll roads. Automatic re-routing gets you back on track when you miss a turn or take a detour. The Sirfstar III chip set acquires a satellite signal quickly.
Advanced auto navigation features include Bluetooth support, multi-destination routing (up to 20 destinations), text to speech (pronounces street names) and address auto-completion. Instant location shows your location at a touch of a button in an emergency or breakdown. An optional traffic upgrade brings you live traffic incident reports.
Extras include a Photo Viewer - you can peruse your vacation pictures while you're still on vacation and a Digital Music Player which allows you to play your favorite music through the integrated speaker or your own headphones. Unfortunately it does not have an fm transmitter.
For off-road use its is loaded with light topographic maps of North America. But these are much less detailed than the maps they offer with their handheld devices. However, the unit is SD card compatible and allows you to add more detailed topographical maps and marine charts for an extra charge.
You are safe if you get caught in the rain, it's protected to IPX-4 standards. The rechargeable battery lasts 8 hours; good for an automotive gps but lacking for a handheld unit. Magellan advertises the unit as Pocket-sized & Lightweight. However, It is a little bulky compared to most of their handheld gps units.

As you might expect with any hybrid project, you don't always get the best of both worlds. Sometimes you have to give up a little from each. This is all too true with the Magellan Crossover GPS. As an automotive gps its two biggest limitations are screen size where it is little too small to be ideal, and the POI database which is much smaller than those found in most other automotive GPS units.

As an off-road GPS its relatively short battery life and bulky size make it less than ideal. But the real limitation is the less than detailed topographical maps which any serious hiker would want to upgrade immediately. For Boating and fishing the maps could also be better, but you might also want to combine a gps with a fish finder or other options available on some marine gps units.

The concept of the Crossover GPS is appealing, and the Magellan Crossover might still be a good choice for you. For those who don't like the larger screens of some automotive gps units and who don't expect to seriously tax its off-road functions, the crossover gps could be ideal. However you should consider how well it will perform each function and determine if two separate GPS devices would better suit your needs.

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Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Is-a-Crossover-GPS-right-for-you-/97029

Smallmouth Bass - Location By Season Posted By :

Spring Smallmouths

Smallmouth bass remain nearly dormant until water temperatures approach 50° F. At this time, bass will start to move to their spawning areas. In streams, bass may begin migrating to spawn at early temperatures.

Fishing is difficult after spawning, because bass aren't more concentrated. The females, after recuperating, move to deeper waters. Males move deeper after abandoning the fry. If there is deep water near the spawning are, bass will move there.

Summer

Smallmouth bass areas are the most predictable this time of year. Bass may remain in the same place for several months once they take up residence in a certain pool or around a particular structure.

Smallmouth bass love crayfish and crayfish are linked to specific locations. Crayfish need rocks for protection and cannot move very far.

Smallmouth must move around in waters where baitfish is the primary food.

The depth that smallmouth bass retreat to depends on surface temperatures and direct sunlight. The type of water also determines how deep you'll find them. Smallmouth may stay as deep as 25 feet in clear water, shallower than 12 feet in murky lakes due to oxygen levels, and in pools less than four feet in small streams.

Early Fall to Mid-Fall Smallmouth Bas

Smallmouth begin to spend more time to shallower waters. The lower angle of the sun and cooler surface temperatures allow them to venture into shallower areas where food is more plentiful.

As the lake surface continues to cool, it eventually reaches the same temperature as the water below the thermo cline. The temperature from top to bottom becomes the same. This makes it tough fishing as bass can be found at various depths.

In rivers, smallmouth feed more as the water cools in the fall.

Late Fall & Winter

Smallmouth fishing becomes difficult this time of year as they move out of shallows into deeper water. Sometimes you can find densely packed schools, but the bite is likely to be poor.

Smallmouth in streams may move to deeper pools for winter when their mid-fall locations are too shallow. Fishing remains good as they continue to feed until water temperatures drop in to the low 40's.

Tips to Catching Smallmouth

· Fishermen should fish using patterns that imitate key items in the diet of the smallmouth bus (crayfish, dragonflies, minnows, etc.)

· Shoreline structures, such as docks, drop-offs, rocks, and logs, are worth fishing for smallmouth.

· Fly-fishing is advantageous in areas where standard gear doesn't work.

· Noise often attracts the attention of bass.

· Be patient - Let the bug sit still for a period of as much 30 seconds, give it a twitch. If that isn't working, try "popping" it with a sharp jerk or an erratic stop-and-go retrieve. For streamers and other sub-surface flies, you should use the strip and stop, or a steady retrieve.

· Catching bass in still waters generally requires watching and waiting for surface action, then getting the fly into feeding frenzies in a hurry.

· Experiment to see what works best.

The greatest success is found by following the seasonal behavior of bass, replicating their feeding preference, and finding good structure.

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Smallmouth-Bass---Location-By-Season/149503