Saltwater Fly Fishing Tips

Are you a seasoned freshwater fly fisherman or a saltwater fisherman looking to add a new and fresh dimension to your angling pleasure? Why not take up saltwater fly fishing? It is a wonderful pastime although it can be challenging.

If you are already doing freshwater fly fishing, be prepared to gear up for a different type of fishing. You will in all likelihood need a heavier rod, reel, and line. What is the reason for this? Well, unlike fishing freshwater, the ocean or bay tends to be windier and you need more weight to slice through the wind. Additionally, the fish tend to be heavier in the saltwater.

For example, the best models for all around use would be a rod 8-1/2 to 9 feet long. Line weight? Again, for all around use a 7, 8 or 9 weight line would be ideal. It goes without saying that you need to use a rod and reel balanced to your line weight. Of course these are just average weights. If you know you will be fishing in primarily low wind conditions, you can bump your line weight down three notches or so and for high wind, you can bump it up three notches. Since fly fishing equipment is expensive, do your homework and buy what will work for you.

The fly patterns used in Saltwater are different than the ones you would use in fresh water. This makes sense when you think of it because the food available to the fish is different. Remember, match the hatch. Some popular patterns are crabs, shrimp, baitfish, and marine worms. Just as with fresh water, what works splendidly on one day might be a total wash on the next.

How does the fisherman find the most productive water? Consider that tidal activity is the device that modulates the entire living environment of the shoreline. Let's consider the Gulf of Mexico since that is what I am most familiar with.

Passes and estuaries bring in fresh saltwater from the Gulf and approximately six hours afterwards return a more diluted mix of water back to the Gulf. Flats and estuaries go through a cycle of being flooded and almost drained. This serves to provide the food eaten by the baitfish and other prey that attract redfish, drum, trout, and other gulf game fish.

This constant flooding/flush cycle generates natural channels. All life forms use these channels as "roads" on which they travel. These channels are any number of sizes, depending on local conditions. They can up to a hundred yards wide and several inches or a few feet deeper than the surrounding bottom. Phytoplankton languidly float in the prevailing current and your baitfish come along next, because phytoplankton is their primary food source. The game fish you are after navigate these "roads" and feed on the baitfish, crabs, and other prey. You, as a fly fisherman, use these same roads to find and flush out your prey, which is of course the game fish.

So you see, you are just another part of the natural cycle of life. By becoming familiar with the local tides (you can buy a chart or just reference the newspaper) and the whereabouts of your channels, the fisherman can find the areas where game fish are active and the when their feeding is most likely to be aggressive.

Now let's take a few moments to consider how you are going to get to the fish. If you are fishing close to shore, say on a pier or on the shore, you can just find a spot where you judge the fish to be and where you can make a good presentation. A popular alternative to this is wading. If you are wading, stingrays can be a real problem. Fortunately, some of the newer waders on the market are made of a material that deals with this very effectively. One case of stepping on a stingray's tail will ruin potentially a month's worth of fishing as you recuperate.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Saltwater-Fly-Fishing-Tips/100508

General Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Saltwater fishing regulations vary depending not only where you are in your country, but where you are in the world. Nations claim a certain number of miles offshore before international waters commence and it is in these national waters that a country may regulate. In addition, in the United States, each state may have its own regulations.

For example, in the state of Texas, restrictions may be enforced from shore to within nine nautical miles from shore and on any fish that is taken within two hundred nautical miles of Texas shore and brought onshore into Texas. You should consult your local regulations to be able to have the information to remain compliant.

Saltwater fishing regulations generally restrict both weight and daily bag limitations of the indigenous species that are found off its shores. This is regulated by the sales of saltwater fishing licenses that must be renewed on an annual basis. On certain species, the limit might be so restricted that an additional stamp must be purchased in addition to the standard license.

What decides the size and bag limit each year? The authorities for each responsible region conduct periodic studies of species populations and propagation rates and calculate how many fish can be taken in the next season to keep the total fish population in balance. This is a very good example not only of conservancy, but of man controlling nature to ensure an adequate food supply, both for commercial and recreational purposes.

There was a time when redfish were so abundant that sport fishermen would catch as many as they could and sell the excess to local restaurants for a handsome profit, since it makes such a delicious meal. Those days are gone now although there is still some bootlegging and poaching going on. Not only that but neighboring Louisiana has much laxer laws and their fishermen catch the same fish out of the Gulf and transport them across state lines.

Red snapper is just another species whose bag limit has been reeled in in the past couple of years. The problem has been that since red snapper is such a good table fish that party boats have long gone offshore and used such devices as electric reels to net the maximum number of fish. This is not exactly the definition of sportsmanship. It would be better defined as "personal commercial fishing."

The end result is that these irresponsible fishing trips have resulted in such a decimation of the species that they are really in trouble and strict limitations have been imposed. Even so, the numbers have not rebounded as predicted. Some speculate that things in the food chain are just too out of balance. This is precisely why saltwater fishing regulations need to be predictive in nature and not a knee-jerk reaction which always comes after the damage is done.

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Deep Sea Fishing - It's All In The Weight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nicky Bullimore has been writing articles on different topics for a number of years. To find out more about Deep Sea fishing in Orlando visit the Pastime Princess website.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Deep-Sea-Fishing---It-s-All-In-The-Weight/116684

Tips and Tricks for Catching Walleye in Rivers

Many people who fish the rivers, fish by the dams and mouth of the rivers in the spring, but some of pros suggest that there are even better places to hook the walleye instead of being bunched together by the dams and the mouth of the river.

Some of the pro walleye anglers like to head about five to ten miles downstream were they find the walleye that have not even made it up to the spawning waters yet. This is true because not all walleye spawn at the same time nor do they always spawn in the same place as other walleye.

If you find a river area that has rock structures, springs, and rubble flats or has a deep transition shoreline, you are going to find some good walleye fishing. In order to find the perfect place on a river to fish for walleye, you need to look for the area that has something that is characteristic of the walleye. Sandbars, a ledge or current break are habitats for the spring walleye. Do not try to fish a big area, fish sections at a time. If you start out big, you will lose the best spot and maybe the big walleye.

Another good tip for fishing the deeper rivers is that when the walleye are trying to fight the current upstream, they sometimes take rest in the deep holes underwater. Here you can use a heavier weight with a three-way swivel and a crankbait to drop into the deep holes where the walleye are staging. You will find the more walleye on their way upstream will be found in these areas if you are not finding them in the other areas of the river. The current in these staging holes is slower than that of the top water current.

Every river you fish is going to be different as well. You might fish with a crankbait in one river and find out that another river you are going to need a jig with a small minnow. The size of the minnow is going to depend on the time of year you fish the walleye. Before spawning, a tiny minnow is best, but after spawning when they are replenishing their food intake, you can start using bigger minnows. Right before winter, a larger minnow works because the walleye are gorging for the winter months and are going for the bigger baits.

If you find that the weather is slightly colder on a given day, you might want to give up the lake fishing and head to the river. Walleye will stay on the river side if the temperature cools down. The river water temperatures are slightly higher at this time and the walleye move around more in the river water than they do in the colder water. If you find some weed beds, you want to try using a tub bait, which will allow you to fish the weeds for the walleye. Using a three-sixteenths to a half ounce jigs works the best for this in the river.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Tips-and-Tricks-for-Catching-Walleye-in-Rivers/100542

Effective Fishing Lures for Walleye Fishing

The ability to catch walleye when fishing will be heavily based on the fishing lures that are being used. There are certain effective fishing lures for walleye that can help to attract the walleye to the line and therefore make it easier to hook a fish. Many different types of lures can be used for getting walleye in all depths of water and can be used with all sorts of different hooks. However, the main goal of these lures is to get the attention of the walleye.

The main rule of thumb for effective fishing lures for walleye is that the lure should be one that is going to be easy for the fish to be able to attach to the lure. A walleye will inhale the lure therefore, hooking itself. The size of the lure will be a factor because if a larger lure is used, the walleye will inhale it and it should hook instead of being swallowed.

Jigs are effective fishing lures for walleye. A bullet or tube jig is one of the most effective fishing lures for walleye anglers to use. This is a type of jig that features a tube skirt covering the lure. This is generally going to weigh either one ounce or three quarters of an ounce. It should be used with a 1/0 or 2/0 hook. A nite-crawler should be attached to the lure for increased efficiency.

Using bright colors is also effective to use among all effective fishing lures for walleye fishing. A typical jig head that has bright colors that can help to make the jig look alive and therefore trick the walleye in believing that the lure is a real creature. Hologram baitfish colors are among the most effective colors to use in that they will be able to shine and will be brighter than that of other colors that may be used in fishing.

For all effective fishing lures for walleye fishing, a blade spacer is a great thing to use. This helps to keep the lures from being grouped together so that the walleye will be able to be attracted to the lure. This attraction will be the result of the fish finding a larger group of bait that is well spaced out. Of course, the space should be lifelike and bright enough to create a shine that makes it look like a real creature.

Floater jigs can also be used as lures. A float jig is one of the most effective fishing lures for walleye in shallow waters where walleye may be present. A good floater jig will be one that is made out of foam. It floats over moss, rocks, weeds and other covers that may be common. This will be very useful for all fishing activities that will take place in areas with plenty of color.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Effective-Fishing-Lures-for-Walleye-Fishing/100543

Iowa Walleye Fishing Spots and Locations

While in Iowa, you can find some excellent sots and locations to fish for walleye. The first spot that comes to mind is at Big Creek Lake a few miles from Polk City. This lake was however, a non-fishing lake because of all the problems it had. The DNR went in, drained the entire lake, and stocked it once again with excellent results. Here is the place to catch some good size walleyes. This lake is an angler's delight for walleye fishing. They do however have some length restrictions for the walleye, which is fifteen inches with a limit of three catch and keepers a day. If the walleye is over twenty inches, you can only have one of those.

The lake has many great spots to fish for walleye since they rebuilt the lake. They added many rock piles for the walleye to hide. It has been said that trolling the waters by the rock piles has the best results for catching walleye. You can obtain a map of the lake with the locations of the rock piles so you know where the best spots are to find the walleye. You will find this map through the Iowa DNR website or at an area bait shop.

Another great fishing location is Brushy Creek Lake by Des Moines. Although they first starting stocking the lake in the late 1990s with walleye, you can catch a walleye if you know the hot spots where they hover. It is very possible to catch up to sixteen-inch walleyes and sometimes a twenty-two inch walleye is not out of the question. Although the lake is extremely deep, the angler has a real fishing experience when hooking the big walleye. There are many different spots in the lake where rock piles hide the walleye. There is such a lake cover on the lake that you may have a problem deciding where to cast the bait. Many anglers have found that drop and reel in very slowly not to make any fast movement works well.

The waters of the lake are exceptionally clear and you will want to have a pair of sunglasses along to protect your eyes on sunny days. This is also when the walleye seek deeper water levels. If you have a chance to fish on Brushy Creek Lake on a cloudy or slightly windy day, you will find the walleye bite more.

If you happen across Little River Lake by Des Moines, you might want to stop a throw a line in for a little walleye fishing. Although many anglers have since abandoned this lake, there are many nice sized walleyes just waiting in wait for your bait. The reason is that other anglers fish the newer lakes like Three Mile and Twelve Mile. Yes, these lakes are great for walleye fishing, but one can enjoy the thrill of catching a walleye on Little River Lake without distractions from other anglers.

You will find that the walleye you catch on this lake are actually about twenty to twenty-two inches long. It is not impossible for them to be as much as eight pounds. The best way to fish this lake is with a troll and drift. You can start you fishing around the boat ramp on the northeast. The area around the campgrounds is also a great place to fish the walleye year round. They like the drop-offs and the rock formations in that area. You are going to try this lake before heading onto some others in the area. You will more than likely have the lake and the walleye to yourself.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Iowa-Walleye-Fishing-Spots-and-Locations/100546

Tips on Finding Reliable Bait-Casting Tackle

Bait casting is the most widely recognized method of taking game fish on artificial lures in the United States, although the spinning-gear user (including the push-button fisherman) is closing in on the plugger's - as bait-casters are called - long-time lead. All but a few die-hard spin-fishermen, however, would argue that husky muskies, big bass, and giant northern pike are best fished for with bait-casting tackle.

The basic functions of bait-casting tackle, as with any fishing gear, are to put a big meal before a big fish, to hook him solidly when he strikes, and then to control his frantic struggle to escape. The meal used in bait casting can be an artificial lure, or such natural bait as a minnow, a worm, or a grasshopper weighted, if necessary, to carry it properly to the fish.

I always recommend that the beginner purchase a moderately priced outfit. The difference between inexpensive tackle and medium-priced outfits is only a few dollars, but the difference in enjoyment and in ease of learning is great.

When you have learned to fish and feel that you are ready to move up into the expert class, you can purchase expensive gear. For the average fisherman, however, a moderately priced outfit will give many years of service and pleasure.

When purchasing fishing equipment, be sure that you buy the products of a nationally known manufacturer. Your local tackle dealer carries them and will be glad to show them to you. This advice holds true for all fishing equipment.

Let us take a look now at the rod that should be used in bait casting.

Rods

Today the average rods made for bait casting have a pleasant degree of lightness and flexibility. The vast majority are tubular glass fiber. The weight of the lure is one of the most important factors in choosing a bait-casting rod. In catalogues rods are generally classified extra-light (XL), light (L), medium (M), or heavy (H) action. (Action means the spring of the rod, the whip that shoots the bait out over the water during the cast.)

These four terms refer not to the type of action, but to the average weight of the lure that the rod will handle efficiently. As a general rule, an extra-light rod is adapted to lures of 1/2 ounce in weight or below; a light action rod handles 3/8- to 1/2-ounce lures; a medium is best for s-ounce lures; and a heavy, those above w ounce.

The weight of the standard lures for various kinds of fish will be plainly marked on the lure itself or on the box that holds it. The beginner who doesn't know in advance what the routine lures weigh should browse through the ones displayed by his tackle dealer to decide what weights he'll use most. Most rod manufacturers today have adopted the use of the XL, L, M, and H marking I mentioned earlier.

Remember that the biggest fresh-water game fish that ever swam probably could be landed on an extra-light rod, but if you intend to cast 3/4-ounce lures, you need a fairly stiff and powerful rod. On the other hand, it would be difficult to cast 3/4-ounce lures successfully with such a rod; they call for one that is lighter and more flexible.

The lengths of modern glass fiber bait-casting rods usually range from about 5 feet, 2 inches to 6 feet. Again, the kind of fishing and the weight of the lure will determine the length best suited to you. For casting lures weighing less than 1/2 ounce, an adequate rod should have light action, should measure approximately 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet long.

For lures in the 1/2- to 3/4-ounce class, a 5-foot, 8-inch rod with medium action should be about right. For lures ranging from 3/4 ounce and up, a good bet is a heavy action rod about 5 feet, 2 inches long. While some bait-casting rods are two-piece, the majority are one-piece with a detachable handle.

Choose your rod carefully and you will greatly enhance your chances of catching fish.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Tips-on-Finding-Reliable-Bait-Casting-Tackle/100609

The Advance Warning System For Finding Fish - Eagle Cuda Sonar/Global Positioning System Plotter

Imagine having advance warning - telling you where to go to catch your fish, before you stop? That's just what you have with the Eagle Cuda 240, with its GPS navigation system and clear display telling you what's going on under your boat.

The Cuda 240 gives you the features you need to have a successful trip each time you head out onto the lake. Here are some of the features that make the Cuda 240 so great.

Okay, so we start with the screen. The display is four inches of diagonal LCD screen. It is featured in high definition at 240x160 resolution and has a backlit screen. Lastly, it is 16 level grayscale. What does all of this do when put together? It equals a fish finding unit that will deliver a clear, crisp, and easy to read display. Now, what will be on that screen?

Now on to that sonar. You'll get depth coverage of about 600 feet. How deep is your lake? This is an average depth system but it still powers ahead with features you need. The high performance transducer allows for effective fish detection at 60 degrees. It gives you a good, overall range for locating your fish. Where should you cast? This will tell you what is under your boat or what is out next to it. You also get Advanced Signal Processing which will automatically give you the best signal out there. No need to play with dials here. Advanced fish finder technology helps you pick out the fish from nearby structures or the bottom. Don't miss the fish - catch it!

You also get a great GPS unit with the Cuda 240. With its satellite technology it helps you pinpoint where you are to an accuracy of three metres. Plot and save your successful trips so that you can revisit them easily next time. With the Cuda 240's advanced navigation systems and alarms you will find that great fishing hot spot without getting lost, then be able to get back to base with no misshaps.

Find the fish every time with all the features that the Cuda 240 has to offer you!

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 Eagle Cuda 240 or other Eagle GPS and Sonar marine navigation 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/The-Advance-Warning-System-For-Finding-Fish---Eagle-Cuda-Sonar-Global-Positioning-System-Plotter/11500

The Bass Fishing Tackle

Bass Fishing Tackle is The Most Basic Equipment for Fishing Bass

Bass fishing is a lovely way to relax. There are always a number of tournaments in the United States, which is the house of the bass among other parts of the world. Good Bass fishing tackle is something that is crucial to your success as a bass fisherman (or woman).

Bass fishing tackle - what makes it so special?

When you are boxing what do you always have with you? A pair of boxing gloves. When you go bass fishing, what do you keep with you at all times? Your bass fishing tackle... not only that, but any other equipment that will speed you on your way to bagging that "big catch". You'll find that bass fishing tackle is slightly stronger than the normal tackle that is used for ordinary fishing, as it needs to be supple enough to be able to cast the lures far enough for fly fishing and other bass fishing techniques. From among various types of fishing equipment that you'll use, the tackle is the most basic as well as the most important.

If your tackle is not right then your fishing trip is doomed.

How to get the best bass fishing tackle

There are specialized fishing equipment departments who will be happy to give expert advice and recommend the best brands available in the market. However, before you decide, if you aren't 100% sure on what bass fishing tackle you are after (meaning you haven't been recommended to buy a certain type) make sure that it comes with either a money back guarantee, or a trial period so that you can test it out to make sure you like what you are using. There is nothing worse then getting your bass fishing tackle, and it not fitting with your style.

Bass fishing; a great sport

As one of the most popular sports, bass fishing attracts a lot of attention both as a hobby and as a profession. There are a number of tournaments organized every year where many people take part not only for the excitement of winning a prize, but also for the money prizes.

During this time, if you feel that you are good, you can test your skills against the best talents in the world. This is when you will understand the importance of having top of the line equipment which becomes a total extension of yourself. If you win, not only will you take home a substantial cash prize, but you'll also feel sure of yourself in the fact that you pitted your skills against the best in the world and came out on top.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/The-Bass-Fishing-Tackle/14314

Goin' Juggn' for Catfish

Of the numerous unmanned fishing tactics available for catfish angling, jug fishing is one of the most popular, and a very effective method, too. Since each jug will be rigged with usually one, or sometimes up to three hooks on the line, and since "juggers" most often use more than one jug at one time, the amount of bait being fished increases considerably and the bait is also spread across a wide range of area and depth, making finding fish less difficult. In jug fishing, the basic idea is to put together your jug rigs and baits, and release the jugs into the waterway, to float where they may.

Depending on the conditions where you are fishing, this may mean releasing the jugs to float down river, or just around a pond or small cove, to ease their way past all the best fish hideouts. In river fishing, jug fishing is valuable for its ability to cover significant distance, since free-floating jug rigs can end up a good distance down river.

In a wide river, if they are released at the right spot, with a run of straight water before them, a group of jugs can often freely float for over a mile. Of course, jugs must also be followed as they go, to stay on top of any fish that hit, and land them, and then, to collect the empty jugs for another drop, or, to take your floats back out of the water when you are finished, and reduce pollution in the water.

Never leave jugs you aren't following up on, in the water. Following your jugs will require a boat, mostly, which you can float in, silently, as you whisk downstream, after your jugs. If you cannot get a boat, or if there are a lot of snags or underwater structures present where you are fishing, one possible solution, is to create an "anchorline", using your jug rigs as floats for your baits.... a version of jug fishing, with a tether.

By doing this, you can control your jugs, and still maintain access to them from the shore, and with several jugs, you will still reap the benefits of the having multiple lines in the water, with the same depth control and free-range bottom cover offered only by "juggin'".

Jug fishing is most useful in slower current rivers, or lake and reservoir conditions, as a really strong current will wash the jugs downstream very quickly, making them hard to retrieve easily.

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Source: http://www.pcwriters.com/Article/Goin--Juggn--for-Catfish/100674

The Perks of Owning an LED Water-Resistant Flashlight Posted By : Ben Anton

If an emergency occurs and someone is in distress, professional divers, firemen and rescue works must respond to the challenge immediately. Waiting for ideal weather conditions or better lighting is not an option when lives are at stake and the potential for destruction is high. It is no wonder that these professionals demand the highest quality in their lighting equipment. Their flashlight must be strong. It must be bright. It must be easy to use. And for many it must also have air-tight construction that leaves the device water resistant.

A water resistant LED torch can cut through the clouds and rain of a thunderstorm, illuminate a darkened street at the scene of a vehicle accident, and accompany a rescue diver searching for wreckage and survivors under water. These lights have proven their worth to many rescue professionals because of their strong, bright light, and long life.

While few of us will encounter the harsh conditions that professional rescue professionals must, we can take much from their experience and apply it to our own needs. Professionals demand a certain level of reliability and quality for all of their equipment.

Professionals as a whole tend to prefer the inherent characteristics of an LED light source. These flashlights burn much longer than a traditional flashlight. They also give off a higher lumens output than many traditional flashlights. This means the brightness is intense enough and clear enough to cut through the darkest areas. LED bulbs are also more durable than incandescent or halogen bulbs, making them ideal for extreme situations like fires, rescues and even the military.

There are of course adventurers out there that do consider diving, treasure hunting or snorkeling a vacation pass time. These individuals tend to consider LED flashlights the superior option and water-resistance a necessary feature. The strength of an LED torch made for underwater use cannot be beat when it comes to illumination.

The everyday home owner or outdoorsmen may not immediately consider the importance of a water resistant flashlight. You do not have to take your torch diving to 60 meters below to benefit from water resistance. If you are in the rain on the side of the road changing your tire or caught camping in the rain for a weekend, it is nice to know that your flashlight can handle the weather. Having these lights can prove very beneficial in your home emergency kit as well. Should rising water, broken pipes, a power outage or other unforeseen problem occur while you are at home, water can become a significant danger. Water-resistant equipment can give you and your family the assurance that you can weather through the problem.

Professional divers and rescue workers have known for a while the value of these lights. With the long lifespan and durability that a LED torch provides, people that use flashlights know they make an excellent choice. Campers, hunters and fisherman have understood for a while that a sturdy water-resistant LED flashlight is a key component of many outdoorsmen's gear.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Source: http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/The-Perks-of-Owning-an-LED-Water-Resistant-Flashlight/164725

The Joy of Bass Fishing in Spring

There is nothing quite like bass fishing in spring. The calm air, the warmth, the light breezes, and being one with nature is a feeling like no other and if you enjoy bass fishing like I do, then you'll enjoy bass fishing in spring. I can remember many a day spent with my family bass fishing throughout the year, but the freshness of spring always stood out for me as some of our best experiences. I highly recommend trying bass fishing, especially in the spring season, with your family.

The thing to remember about bass fishing in spring is that the water temperatures are beginning to rise from the winter cold. The fish are starting to become more active as their metabolic rate rises with the rising heat, and this means that the bass move out of the deeper water in search of food after a long winter. Normally, bass can be found in fairly shallow areas searching for food in the bounty of the waters and finding them can be a treat for the fisherman.

Spawning in Spring

Spring is known as the "prespawn season". There isn't a specific time that the prespawning activities of bass will take place, though and they will basically occur at all sorts of different times and in different temperatures throughout the season. The prespawn season is categorized by the changes in the bass as they tend to be a lot less cautious in their ravenous search for food, companionship, and a spawning partner.

The bass move back and forth from the shallower waters a few times a day to feed, so finding them in the shallow portions can be generally easy. Bass eat high energy foods in the spring like crawdads and other smaller fish that help give them the protein they need to accomplish all the goals they have in the spawning season. Making yourself familiar with the location of the shallower portions of the body of water in which you are fishing is always a good strategy for catching that giant haul of bass.

Also, become familiar with the foods in the lake and hide out there. Staking out the good crawdad areas is a surefire way to locate large pools of bass. Look for trees, stumps, rock piles or other debris that run from shallow to deep and troll that area. A good angler also becomes familiar with the size of the bass food of choice and lures his or her rod accordingly to try and slip one past the fish.

Bass fishing in spring requires you to do a little research, but in the end it is one of the most rewarding seasons for fishing and a great way to spend time with the family, learn about nature, and explore lakes and other bodies of water.

Discover more of authors bass fishing articles.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/The-Joy-of-Bass-Fishing-in-Spring/14674

Flounder Fishing Tips And Tricks

The tasty flounder is a great sport fish you can target in Rhode Island waters. Every day during the summer hundreds of boats are out there targeting this great fish. By following a few tips you can become a better flounder fisherman. Summer flounder are a funny-looking brownish fish with a totally white underside. They have two eyes on one side of their head and swim with the eyes upward, tending to cruise along the bottom, not moving to far away from it. They cruise about 1-3 feet off the bottom looking for something to eat, usually using the current from the tides to cover ground. Often they will spook some small life form as they approach, and a small puff of mud or motion is sent into the water which attracts the flounder to that area and he will pounce on the poor creature. This habit is the one we exploit when fishing for them.

Ok, so you want to find some flounder. Well, they aren't always in the same place. As the season progresses, you have to go deeper and deeper to find them. Sometimes they move east or west with the tide. They prefer sandy bottoms, so these are where you want to be and you always drift for them. Never spend more than 15 minutes on a drift when searching, that is the point many anglers don't understand, keep moving until you find a good drift where you catch 4 or more fish. Then keep doing that drift until it no longer produces well. Sometimes I may move 10 times before finding them. If the drift is slow, the flounder fishing will be slow. If the drift is too fast, either slow the boat down with a drift sock or sea anchor, or give it up.

Onward to rigs and methods. A typical flounder rig uses a 3-way swivel with sinker snap and a 30" leader with some kind of fluke rig attached. It can be as simple as a bare hook, or very elaborate with spinners, small squids and beads, etc. The sinker is important, as you need to have your rig on the bottom to catch these fish. The rig itself, well usually a simple green squid and a spinner blade works pretty well. Catching colors can change, and size of the spinner blade. But a bare hook doesn't always work that well. Of course, we always put bait on the hook. It might be squid, smelts, peanut bunker, or strips of flounder belly. Depends on what is working that day. Squid is usually a good bet to bring. Cut it into long strips and hook it a couple times before putting it down. Now, as for sinker weight, use the smallest sinker that will keep your rig on the bottom, so you can jig it. The rig should always be jigged, never let it drag on the bottom. A gentle jigging, lifting the rod tip no more than 12" and back down till you feel the sinker hit the bottom. Down below, what happens is your rig is moving as the boat moves along, and each time the sinker hits the bottom, it makes a noise and a puff of sand or mud. This noise and puff of mud attracts the attention of the flounder, and the bait on the hook tastes good. This is what brings them in.

Now, on to hooking the fish. The big mistake I see here is everyone wants to haul back quickly as soon as they feel a hit. This is a bad idea, as the flounder typically grabs the end of the bait away from the hook. So when you jerk the rod, it pulls the bait out of his mouth, or off the hook. The trick is to lift the rod tip slowly until he is hooked or lets go of the bait. Once he is hooked, then you can proceed with reeling him in. Use a light tip rod, a rod with a heavy tip makes it hard to feel the hits and hard to tell when you've hooked the fish. Put two anglers side-by-side, one with a heavy rod, and the other with a light rod. The angler with the light rod will out fish the one with the heavier rod every time, given the same level of skill.

If you want to catch big ones, put on a big bait and be patient.
So if you follow some of these points you'll be rewarded with more flounder in the boat.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Flounder-Fishing-Tips-And-Tricks/114789

A Day Too Full To Improve

A day too full to fix with the weekend upon, and I'm closing a week with no sleep and the evasion of stress. A good friend and I headed to southern CT's coast for a business meeting with a fly shop owner that a local guide/ friend set up.

Fish stories and business talk wrap up a new friendship with a group of guys, as the windiest, wettest, and coldest rod casting demo of 06' took place, we finished our business.

My travel companion and I followed a friend and guide a little north up the coast to a spot we were supposed to fish in the early morning on the right tide before anything took place.

Lack of sleep combined with a burnt out body from a crazy work week, broke my will to start the day with good fishing. Causing me to settle for the worst time and conditions the day could present this point near the mouth of the river.

My motto: "you can't catch a fish if your not fishing" sometimes you just can't catch a fish.

On water we had never fished. We followed instructions from my local friend and fish guru and began our mile walk to the end of this point near the mouth of the river. With a beautiful 40 degrees, rain, 30 plus mph windy day on our plate, We headed out to fish southern CT. In the past, my luck and skills haven't always matched up to my local waters where I guide. So far work has kept me off the water, and night fishing is not yet rockin' and rollin'. Fearless of the warning that we are fishing the wrong tide and will not catch fish , we charge to the point; " there are schoolies, we'll still get into some fish" .It may not be the countless numbers the morning bite produced, but fish none the less.

5 casts and the phone rings, my local buddy asks "did you get fish yet?" "No" "told ya" he says, "wait until 6:30pm when the tide starts to change. It already 3:30 and I have to be off the water at a quarter to 6. As I get off the phone, a few minuets later a hit, and a fish! First Striper of the season. It came much later than I'm used to. Work has also kept me off Martha's Vineyard, and I'm not booked with client until May.

There's a light at the end of this dark tunnel. We are sure to catch more fish. Two hours pass and neither of us have had a single hit.

Meanwhile on the south side of the shore, gulls are working the heck out of this cove. Barely able to fly in the wind, they are a bitter sweet reminder that the fish are there, but not near us. At this time my gut starts to tell me that it's time to leave, not for food , but the small still voice that says "its over, your not getting one more fish" This voice has lead to many great days of fishing, and has also ended some bad ones.

Is this way too much work for one small fish? This is for a guy who spends most of his time throwing 16 inch eels at 2:00 am to catch cow bass. I'm cold, tired and run down. My friend has had a hard second year of fly fishing. No steel heard for him this winter, skunked today. I look over with concern that the crack in the joy of fishing might have set in on his face. All I see is a big bright, red, wet wind beaten smile. "you wanna go or keep fishing?" he said. I've gotta go it's two and a half hours home and I still have to meet this guy about a fly fishing thing.

It's not always about the fish or even the time on the water. It 's about getting out there when the rest of the world is not and beating a path through the jungle of life to get your sliver of escape in. Weather its one hour or a twenty hour hard core run, stop, Listen to Your Passion, its always worth it.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/A-Day-Too-Full-To-Improve/115012

A Day too Full to Fix

A day too full to fix with the weekend upon me and I'm closing a week with no sleep and the evasion of stress. A good friend and I headed to southern CT's coast for a business meeting with a fly shop owner that a local guide/ friend set up.
Fish stories and business talk wrap up a new friendship with a group of guys, as the windiest, wettest, and coldest rod casting demo of 06' took place, we finished our business.
My travel companion and I followed a friend and guide a little north up the coast to a spot we were supposed to fish in the early morning on the right tide before anything took place.
Lack of sleep combined with a burnt out body from a crazy work week, broke my will to start the day with good fishing. Causing me to settle for the worst time and conditions the day could present this point near the mouth of the river
My motto: "you can't catch a fish if your not fishing" sometimes you just can't catch a fish.
On water we had never fished. We followed instructions from my local friend and fish guru and began our mile walk to the end of this point near the mouth of the river. With a beautiful 40 degrees, rain, 30 plus mph windy day on our plate, We headed out to fish southern CT. In the past, my luck and skills haven't always matched up to my local waters where I guide. So far work has kept me off the water, and night fishing is not yet rockin' and rollin'. Fearless of the warning that we are fishing the wrong tide and will not catch fish , we charge to the point; " there are schoolies, we'll still get into some fish" .It may not be the countless numbers the morning bite produced, but fish none the less.
5 casts and the phone rings, my local buddy asks "did you get fish yet?" "No" "told ya" he says, "wait until 6:30pm when the tide starts to change. It already 3:30 and I have to be off the water at a quarter to 6. As I get off the phone, a few minuets later a hit, and a fish! First Striper of the season. It came much later than I'm used to. Work has also kept me off Martha's Vineyard, and I'm not booked with client until May.
There's a light at the end of this dark tunnel. We are sure to catch more fish. Two hours pass and neither of us have had a single hit.
Meanwhile on the south side of the shore, gulls are working the heck out of this cove. Barely able to fly in the wind, they are a bitter sweet reminder that the fish are there, but not near us. At this time my gut starts to tell me that it's time to leave, not for food , but the small still voice that says "its over, your not getting one more fish" This voice has lead to many great days of fishing, and has also ended some bad ones.
Is this way too much work for one small fish? This is for a guy who spends most of his time throwing 16 inch eels at 2:00 am to catch cow bass. I'm cold, tired and run down. My friend has had a hard second year of fly fishing. No steel heard for him this winter, skunked today. I look over with concern that the crack in the joy of fishing might have set in on his face. All I see is a big bright, red, wet wind beaten smile. "you wanna go or keep fishing?" he said. I've gotta go it's two and a half hours home and I still have to meet this guy about a fly fishing thing.
It's not always about the fish or even the time on the water. It 's about getting out there when the rest of the world is not and beating a path through the jungle of life to get your sliver of escape in. Weather its one hour or a twenty hour hard core run, stop, Listen to Your Passion, its always worth it.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/A-Day-too-Full-to-Fix/115162

What Is And Is There a Bass Fishing Secret?

The first and most important thing you need to know about the bass fishing secret is that there is no real secret for catching bass or any other kind of fish. The only bass fishing secret is that there really isn't any. It's true...

It's important to know what kind of bass you are fishing for. There are several different kinds of bass for example there is the large mouth bass, the small mouth bass, the white bass, fresh water bass and so on.

Once you have figured out which bass you are fishing for then you can move on to the bass fishing secret bait.

PSST... That's one of the little bass fishing secrets...

For this article I will be fishing for the most common bass, the big mouth bass. The bass fishing secret for the big mouth is to know what it eats in its natural nature. That may seem like a difficult question to ask yourself but the answer is fairly simple:

The big mouth eats everything from flies to small birds, basically if it hits the water the big mouth will eat it.

The type of bass fishing secret - bait you use depends on the angler, if you like to use real bait then night crawlers are exceptional for bass but if you prefer artificial bait then I would recommend using plastic worms with a Texas rig. I have found this to work well for me.

Now that you have figured out what kind of bass you are fishing for and what kind of bait you want to use lets move on.

The next bass fishing secret would be: where to go to catch?. You can go just about anywhere to catch a big mouth. You can go to a stream, pond, river or lake.

Where ever you go big mouth bass are usually found near shore under brush, fallen trees and/or limbs, or near rocks. Very rarely are they found in the middle of the lake.

Another bass fishing secret that is good know is when the best time of the year to catch bass is. You can catch big mouth any time of the year, spring, summer, winter, fall it really doesn't matter; it all depends on what the angler prefers.

I prefer the fall because the bass are eating everything they can to fatten up for the long winter. However if you don't live in a state where the lakes freeze over then I believe the best time to fish is late summer after spawning is over.

That's about it.

Now that you know what a bass fishing secret is, find out what works for you because the best bass fishing secret is the one you keep the secret... PSSST....

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Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/What-Is-And-Is-There-a-Bass-Fishing-Secret-/15301

Manitoba Fishing Vacation Rentals

If you are serious about fishing, then you have to experience fishing lodgings. Manitoba fishing lodgings offer fishing 24 hours a day, a trip you will never forget.

Manitoba Fishing Lodgings

Manitoba is a province that is located in the middle of Canada, north of the Midwestern United States. The name Manitoba is an Anglicized version of the Ojibway word "Manito-bau", which means Great Spirit. It is named this because the sound of waves crashing on Lake Manitoba Narrows was said by native peoples to sound like the voice of the Great Spirit.

Vacationing in Manitoba can be exciting for outdoorsy tourists, especially if you choose to visit one of the many southern Manitoba fishing lodges. In Manitoba, 17 percent of the province is made up of bodies of water, so it is the perfect place to take that fishing trip you have been dreaming about. 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. Here, the Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge bills itself as "The World's Fly-in Fishing Adventure", and it's truly only reachable by plane. There are cabins and lodges to stay at here, all with log construction, making the wilderness feel complete. There are also packages that can include shore lunches, where the staff of the Lodge will prepare your catch of Walleye anyway you'd like!

Another of the Manitoba fishing lodgings is the Big Sand Lake Lodge. Also located north of Winnipeg in an area that is only accessible by plane, this lodge offers fishing for many of the areas native species, such as Walleye and Northern Pike. The accommodations here are first-rate; the cabins include two queen size beds and a wood burning fireplace as well as modern comforts. Hot tea and coffee start your day, with delivery straight to your cabin!

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.

Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/Manitoba-Fishing-Vacation-Rentals/16317

What Bass Fishing Equipment To Use

One of the most important things in the world of bass fishing equipment is being prepared and having the right, correct equipment for catching some of the biggest fishes ever seen! Bass fishing equipment is a business but a very rewarding one as it can prove very helpful to have the proper rods and reels when you're out on the lake searching for that huge catch to help bring home the big fish.

Bass fishing equipment can get down to specifics that often throw off the novice fisherman. However, if you are a real fisherman even specifics will bring you joy. Knowing some of the specifics of bass fishing equipment will help save a lot of time and trouble in the long run. Line guides should be checked with a Q-tip to insure that the holes fit your line properly and won't tear it in half when you're reeling in a big fish.

The rods and reels are expensive and important pieces of your fishing arsenal. Making sure that your rods and reels are properly maintained is as important as buying the most expensive and reliable brands because without proper maintenance even the best reel can prove to be faulty when it comes down to the raging battle. A joyful raging battle between the fish and you. You wouldn't want to lose that battle because you neglected proper reel and rod maintenance.

Check the rod itself, especially if you are using a two or three part rod. If you will find line cracks, they should be investigated and dealt with properly by yourself or your bait and tackle store. This is usually fairly inexpensive and certainly a whole lot less expensive than purchasing an entirely new rod.

If you fish every weekend, or twice a week (like I do) you should probably change your line every three months because of the stress put on it. Anything is better than losing a fish because you didn't check a line properly for breaks or tears. This type of checking up on your bass fishing equipment is integral to any success you want to have as an fisherman.

Make sure you bring along proper clothing and attire. You could find yourself in some pretty intense battles with some fish and this could require you to spend a lot of time outdoors without shelter (don't forget about the weather...). Make sure you have the right jackets and pants for the right seasons.

Inspect your fishing gear for any problems and then hit the lake for an exciting afternoon of bass fishing!

But first check your bass fishing equipment.

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Source: http://www.postarticles.com/Article/What-Bass-Fishing-Equipment-To-Use/17040