Friday, March 21, 2008

drift Fishing For Crappie

crappie fishing while drifting

Equipment You Will Need

Boat
Trolling motor
Marker buoys
Light Spinning Tackle
Crappie rigs
Marker buoys
Jigs

Good Location To Drift Fish For Crappie
The Hardest part about catching crappie while drift fishing is locating the schools. You will need a topographical map of the area, and should have a good depth, fish finder. You can pick the topographical map up at the local bait store. (It's advisable to go there to get the latest fishing report anyway.) Crappie school in open water and if you can find the schools you can catch a good batch of crappie. Also it has been my experience , the crappie you catch in open water while drift fishing seem to be bigger. The first step you should before you get out on the water is locate the deepest part of body of water you are fishing on from your topographical map, this will be your starting point. You will be
fishing the break area's on the bottom surface. To Find a break area look for changes in depth on your depth finder. All break deep to shallow, or shallow to deep are good spots to drift. Try to avoid any flat dead pan bottom surface areas. You will just waist your time in these areas.

The Way to Set Your Drift for Crappie Fishing
Locate the winds direction and set you boat in position to drift along the break. (change in bottom depth) Make sure your boat drifts along the deeper side of the break. You will use your trolling motor to keep your drift in position along the deep side of the break. If you don't have a trolling motor your have to use you boat motor to get back in position. (this can spook the fish, thats why a trolling motor is recommended. The Depth finder will be your guide to stay along the deep side of the break, and to locate the fish. Set up a weighted crappie rig to just touch bottom with sinker position your baits about 18 to 24 inches off the bottom. As you drift, watch the rod tip, it will bounce up and down slightly as the weight drags along the bottom. If the tip of the rod remains still the sinker is not in contact with the bottom. When you catch the first fish drop one of your marker buoys to mark the spot. Continue to drift until another fish is caught or about 75 yards, then drop another buoy. This marks your drift location for a return drift or anchor position. Drift about 50 more yards past the second buoy then start up your boat motor and go around the buoys approximately 75yards away. Know move your boat back in position for another drift. Normally the school will be concentrated in one area. Keep working the spot until you get no more bites. If your lucky you can catch your limit and a short time.

You can use this technique on any body of water so have fun! and good luck.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/drift-Fishing-For-Crappie/61475

Beating the Waves with Surf Fishing

Definitely, surf fishing is challenging. It really takes a lot of mastery before you could be a very good surfcaster. There are things that you need to consider before setting on for fishing. These include the wind, rocks, the piling waves, current and the floating kelps.

If you are a rookie and would want to learn surf fishing, it is better to practice on a calm day. First thing that you need to know is to cast. Remember that you can cast just near because fishes usually are at the break line. It is also advisable to practice earlier in the day since that is the time when high tide peaks. By that time also, the break line will just be near the shore.

It is best to pay a visit with your local Fish and Game Department before you set for surf fishing. There might be some regulations that restrict surf fishing in your area. Also most often, you would need to secure a fishing license.

You should also be prepared with your equipment. There is a big possibility that you will lose your tackle in your attempts, so bring as many gears as you can.

Here are what you will need when surf fishing:

1. Rod - You may not use a surf rod. Actually, you can use a medium rod about 6 to 7 feet. The shorter the rod, the better you can shift places. But then the length of your rod will still depends on your casting skill. You can even use a rod, which is 10 to 12 feet long.
2. Reel - You can use the conventional one but most often, the spinning reels are the one being used.
3. Rodholder - You can have the sand spike rodholder. This will help you in staying in one area.
4. Baitholder hooks - You need to have these since even if you will be using dead bait or even live baits, you will be needing hooks.
5. Baits - The most commonly used bait for surf fishing is sand crabs. You may choose on using the soft shell over the hard one. But you
can also make your personal choice from baits line salted anchovy, mussel, shrimp, squid or mackerel.
6. Rig - Choose a sliding sinker rig. This does not make it obvious for the fish that you have the sinker. Usually, fishes will drop the
bait once they feel the sinker.

Remember that to be a veteran in surf fishing practice is the key. Once you have cast properly and have been catching more fishes, you would be thankful that the weather is bad today and there are crashing waves in the beach.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/Beating-the-Waves-with-Surf-Fishing/17855

fishing lead head jigs

Crappie fishing jigs

fishing for crappie with lead head jigs - What To Choose

How many times when you have been out fishing have you wondered what crappie fishing jig to use? There are so many types, sizes, colors to select from it is easy to get confused. Well let me explain exactly what a crappie fishing jig is , What crappie jig type to use for different situations, and what color to use.

#1 Crappie Fishing lead head jigs what is it? The crappie jig is made up of the two parts, the first part has a hook with a sinker molded too it. The second part is the body and it is made up of a Varity of different items, plastics for curly tails, some type of hair or bristle for marabou jigs, add a spoon or blade to a marabou jig and you have a rooster tail.

#2 Crappie Fishing lead head jigs Purpose? The crappie jig is use where you want to create a vertical jerky motion to attract the attention of the fish. Do not get jigging confused with spinner baits, spinners create a horizontal motion through the whereas, jigs create a vertical motion up and down through the water.

#3 Crappie Fishing lead head jigs How do you choose? Well I wish I could say that it is totally cut and dry what to use for different situations but a lot of selection is trial and error. It is good to keep a log , so you know what works under different situations. This will give you a starting point for your next fishing trip. Most often the color, depth water , and water clarity can change the color of the jig in the water. Also, the weather conditions can change your selection. For example if it is a sunny or light sky day you would want to select light color jigs. If it over cast and a dark sky you would want to use dark color jigs. These selections are not set in stone. You will probably end up changing colors many times throughout the day

#4 Crappie Fishing lead head jigs types? There mainly three types of crappie fishing jigs. Curly tail jigs, Marabou jigs, and Rooster tail jigs. Curly tail jigs come in a multiple of designs but the all have some type of tail and are made of plastic. Marabou jigs are made of some type of bristle or hair and also come in multiple designs and colors. Rooster tail jigs are a marabou jig with a rotating blade or spoon added.

Well folks lets get to fishing P.S If you want to catch some giant slabs use the listed crappie fishing jigs.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/fishing-lead-head-jigs/61579

crappie fishing technique

crappie fishing tips

Crappie Fishing information - surefire techniques to catch a boat load of crappie

When you go crappie fishing it is not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You need to have your best crappie fishing tips at your disposal. Instead of coming home with a empty stringer , lets take a look at some crappie fishing tips that will fill your cooler on your next crappie fishing trip.

#1 Crappie Fishing resources always catch your bait from the same water you are going to fish. Chances are crappie will spit out anything that is not natural to their habitat.

#2 Crappie Fishing tips If you fish from a boat and have a fish finder you need to be able to identify large schools of crappie when they show up on your fish finder. When you spot what looks like a upside Christmas tree on the screen this a large school of crappie.

#3 Crappie Fishing information When you locate a large school of crappie never fish in the middle of the school. Work the edges of the school so you don't spook the fish.

#4 Crappie Fishing resources When you locate a school of fish, start by line to the bottom. Slowly crank in your reel counting every turn until you get a hit. Now mark your line with a permanent magic marker , preferably a bright color. The reason you mark your line is so you can go right back to the same depth the next time you drop your line. Repeat this step until the crappie school moves.

#5 Crappie fishing tips Crappie rise to the bait their eyes are located on the top of their heads so the do not see anything below them. You must make sure your bait presentation is always above them.

#6 Crappie fishing resources use an ultra-light rig that weighs only a few ounces. Crappie are not heavy hitters. Many time they just suck on the bait and if you don't have light tackle you will never feel the hit.

#7 Crappie fishing tips use 2-4 pound test line , always make sure your is located on a loop, not held tight on the hook ring. The hook needs to move freely to give the bait some play. Remember the more natural the bait looks the more fish you will catch.

Now you are ready for your next crappie fishing trip . If you use all or just a few of the crappie fishing tips above you will improve your crappie catch count. So good luck and good fishing! P.S if you want to catch some big slabs use these crappie fishing information.

Mark Fleagle
Crappie fishing tips and information


Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/crappie-fishing-technique/143556

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.

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.

About the Author:


Source: http://www.upublish.info/Article/A-Day-too-Full-to-Fix/122999

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Chill Adventure of Winter Fishing

During winter, the best comforting thing to do is take a hot bath, have hot soup and curl up in front of the burning fire. But, why would you allow the winter season to pass by without having an adventure? Go out and try winter fishing!

Yes, fishing does not have to end just because it is winter. During the onset of winter and water plants are just about to decay, there are still a lot of aquatic invertebrates and insects that can feed fishes. So fishing during early winter will definitely give you good produce.

And as winter continues, these aquatic plants will totally wilt and this process will actually decrease the oxygen level. Also oxygen will not be replaced in the system because of thick ice that covers the water. So basically, the fishes will go to inlets that would provide them oxygen. These are the best spots to fish but definitely the most dangerous too since these areas have very thin ice even if the main lake is covered with already thick ice. Fishes also stay deep, deep down the water because this is the area that can also offer them the much-needed oxygen. And since there is less oxygen, they tend to become sluggish.

Having this in mind, if you are planning to go on adventure this winter, make sure that you follow these tips:

1. Even if fishes are sluggish and become slow during the winter, they still need to eat and feed themselves to survive. If you will be fishing, make sure to give them something that would not require much effort from the fishes. Make sure that your bait is somewhat small. Of course, you can still continue using your favorite bait but make sure that a sluggish fish would be able to easily capture the bait in its mouth.

2. You can use a dropper rig. This will help you catch more fish using a small bait but heavy enough to reach the deepest part of the lake. This rig consists of a dropper weight, a dropper line and a dropper lure.

3. Make sure that you are dressed to survive the very cold weather. Wear fleecy clothes, buy a chest warmer, put on your heavy jacket and don't forget to wear thick waterproof gloves.

You will be surprised to know that you can catch more fishes even during winters. Usually, your targets during this season are the blue cats, striper, saugeye and channel cats. Winter fishing could be dangerous but keeping these tips on your mind, you can be on your way this coming winter for a unique chill adventure.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/The-Chill-Adventure-of-Winter-Fishing/17950

crappie fishing artificial bait

crappie fishing jigs

Crappie Fishing lures - What To Use
If you are ready to step up your crappie fishing you will usually catch more crappie using crappie fishing lures rather then using live bait. Of course this statement is based on knowing what artificial lures to use. When you use crappie fishing lures smaller is better. Look for lures in the 1/4oz or smaller size.
.

Crappie Fishing artificial bait - What To Use
If you are ready to step up your crappie fishing you will usually catch more crappie using crappie fishing lures rather then using live bait. Of course this statement is based on knowing what artificial lures to use. When you use crappie fishing lures smaller is better. Look for lures in the 1/4oz or smaller size.
List of crappie fishing lures to use:

· Curly Tail Jigs
· Marabou Jigs
· Weedless Spinners, (they have a jig attached) smallest you can find
· Willow Leaf Blades: Silver Colorado Or Gold Blades

The above listed crappie fishing lures can be bought at any department store, bait shop, or online . Most of these lures can be purchased for very little. Make sure when comparing prices you compare prices on crappie fishing lures that are in the ¼ oz or smaller range.
Suggested ways to use crappie fishing lures:

When Fishing Curley tail Jig crappie fishing lures - This uniquely designed jighead takes your bait to the bottom where the big ones are. It allows you to thread a plastic lure onto the corkscrew and hook it through the tail. The innovative flat-bottom jighead helps the hook stand up at a 60° angle. Your hooked bait stands up straight off the bottom and is free I recommend you use a karlins lunker curley tail. This crappie fishing lure is a good choice to use when using a slip bobber rig.

When Fishing Marabou crappie fishing lures - use the 1/4oz size a good way to fish this crappie fishing lure is use a slip bobber , place a split on the line so the jig falls to a set depth.

When Fishing Weedless Spinner crappie fishing lures use the 1/16oz size . Use when fishing low water visibility muddy or murky water.

When Fishing the Willow Leaf Blade crappie fishing lure - fish the lure very slow, slow if you use the 1/16oz lure the hook will bend before you loose your jig, you can use over and over again. The larger sizes work well but they break the line when snagging. Also , put on a karlins plastic Curly tail 2"length .

Well gotta go, good luck and good fishing! P.S if you want to catch some huge slabs use the listed crappie fishing lures.

Mark Fleagle
Crappie fishing tips and information


Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/crappie-fishing-artificial-bait/143682

Big Carp Fishing Bait Attraction And Exploiting Fish Senses

Why not ask yourself how you can stimulate fish senses more in order to excite a more favourable instant and long-term response to your bait? This can be easier to achieve than you might currently think...

For those that have not seen fish react to a 'spod' (or bait carrying devise' being cast into the water, this has to be seen to be believed. Fish will actually feed on baits on the way down; often the bigger fish will monopolise this baiting-up 'dinner bell' effect. This way, they can get all the free 'safe food without a hook' they want by gobbling it up as it falls through the top and middle water layers. Few anglers I've spoken to appear to realise this.

Until you've caught big fish 'on the drop' when you definitely had a 'PVA stringer' or a 'PVA bag' of bait still attached, it may be difficult to more fully appreciate the full impact of this behaviour in so many ways! ('Match fishermen' manipulate and exploit such fish movements often in order to win.)

Boilies can often follow a 'wobbly' route to the bottom of a lake or river; even rolling upwards and sideways. Many pellet type baits can be even slower to sink. Pellets made mostly by extrusion methods and some are not as dense as a boiled or steamed 'boilie' bait. Some pellets have a slightly flattened shape and are often packed with oils which can produce slower sinking being more buoyant in water. Cheaper fish and animal pellets may have more air in them too.

In fact, such properties and characteristics are all important weapons at your disposal in the correct fishing situations. For example; getting your free offerings down quickly to the larger fish, where smaller ones abound is sometimes important. Or conversely getting you free baits to stand-out on silt or weed. By having them land much more gently than denser or heavier baits which sink and become obscured, catches can sometimes be much improved. (Even fishing slow-sinking bread flake on top of weed beds as an 'instant bait' can be extremely effective, despite the plethora of various baits available today!)

An angler may use a 'spod' or 'bait rocket' throwing stick or catapult to introduce his free ground baits of various forms into a water. The fish can very physically directly 'hear' and experience the sounds of the baits and tackle etc via the lateral line and vibrations in the swim bladder etc. Think about the last time you went swimming and heard sounds under water, like people talking around the swimming pool and the characteristic echoing splash of someone jumping in! (This can be deafening in water.)

These sounds can seem magnified in strange ways to our 'terrestrially designed' ears. So why not imagine the affects of a big heavy lead sinker or a full large PVA bag, or a heavy 'spod' striking the water. Those highly evolved aquatic senses of a fish must be so well aware of such activity and such a bang in close proximity in shallow instead of deep water must be akin to a bomb going off! As an example a fully laden pre-wetted bait carrying 'spod' hitting the water, produces a very significant set of sound waves. These are vibrations which fish receive directly through the water even from long distances away via their lateral lines specially adapted cells.

The fish may respond or react using various behaviours , in particular one being to associate this sound with a threat and retreat away from it. However, do not fall into the trap of always applying this 'rule' as some big fish in particular waters will respond completely differently!

For instance, I've used small balls of mud to 'bait-up' a swim, (when I've run out of bait) quite a few times and the clouding of the water and sound seemed to keep the fish interested. I notice that renowned anglers like Terry Hearn are fond of using special tactics using natural materials to alter the characteristics of the bottom of a swim, cloud up the water and so on.

I admit to pouring gravel onto spots, introducing soil, sand and even garden compost rich in natural worms, and larvae in to a spot to enhance it in various ways. Stirring up of the bottom sediment to release bloodworm and other benthic organisms can really attract fish into an area. Carp are curious creatures, always checking out objects and changes in the water for potential opportunities and threats, so take advantage of their natural behaviours.

The detection by fish of movement in the 'bait,' chemical changes in the localised water involving flavours etc, colouration, presence of suspended particles, bubbles rising in the water and so on, all add to potential attraction. There is yet another bait fashion, that of 'active ground baits' and these certainly aim to exploit more carp senses more effectively than conventional less active baits and ground baits. (Very many modern ground baits can be used as a base for effective boilies and paste baits and ground bait digestibility has become a far more significant factor in ground bait design than in previous decades.)

It is worth remembering that a well designed bait can break down in water within 12 to 24 hours and fishing over bait like this is very effective, most especially where fish have become very wary of 'whole free offerings.' Crumbling boilies and pellets before use as free offerings is well recommended too. Mixing these with certain other ingredients to make the bait more active in the water is just one 'angle' to this however.

You can make a spot less obvious by darkening a bright sand or gravel spot, or lighten it perhaps the feeding spot is in clay or silt or weed etc. The trick is knowing where to attract attention and where to try and disguise and minimise attention to a natural or artificial 'feeding spot' you are planning to fish.

You can to make a spot 'safe-looking' so fish can potentially be far more willing to remain in the area and feed there. Colours or shades at least matter most in water where light can penetrate down onto the spot being fished. Red, yellow and white ground baits work well in many situations due to for similar purposes and reasons, but many others like coloured boilies, pellets or sweetcorn etc do this too.) This is a very useful aspect to apply and is often over-looked, there are many cheap, easy and simple 'kitchen ingredients' to exploit in such ground baits...

In the winter I've used gravel and small stones to attract the attention of fish, where I do not want to introduce anything edible that could fill any feeding fish before taking a hook bait. These things certainly work. I know I've done well at times when work on a water has driven fish into a particular area of a lake. The interesting thing about work done on a lake, whether removing a snag, like a set of branches and roots in the water, even to flailing and removing marginal rushes and reeds, is that usually within 2 or 3 days these disturbed spots can be more productive than is usual and therefore worth exploiting if you get the chance.

Always be safe, with a friend at the ready and a life jacket and a life buoy if available. Too many have lost their lives needlessly at fishing waters. It is extremely easy to fall from a boat cutting branches or clearing obstructions. Getting tied-up in underwater roots and even a collection of old fishing lines, rigs, hooks, leads etc is another very common but unexpected sudden threat. Easily shifted, sliding deep silt and soft moods and sands are also unexpected threats as are sudden drop-offs!

I've been lucky enough to be able to do swim maintenance and restoration work like this before some sessions of 3 or 4 days duration. Even getting into the water to pull out reed, rush and lily pad roots and other such snags if necessary can teach you lots about your swims ecology; the food chains and natural foods involved that naturally tempt fish regularly to a spot in a swim.

I've caught big fish as a direct result of this very specific knowledge. Food supplies and certain features in swims can result in habitual visiting by fish over the years and such knowledge can be a huge edge over those without it!

Swim maintenance activity can seriously disturb the water and fish can completely disappear from the area for quite some time; many hours, a number of days or weeks on some waters even. But on most fisheries a swim so disturbed becomes a temporary attraction to fish. So having become sweaty, muddy and not to mention very possibly stinking from the smell of black silt etc, the benefit of fishing in or near the disturbed area is this can really produce memorable catches.

I used to have a weed rake which I used to clear areas of a swim to make it more fishable where this was allowable in the 'rules.' Often the combination of light raking with ground baiting produces far better instant results for short fishing visits especially for smaller fish. But if the big ones are what you're after, you may as well do everything you can think of to get an 'edge' and exploit those highly attuned carp senses in your favour!

The author has many other 'edges' to reveal...

By Tim Richardson.

Why not ask yourself how you can stimulate fish senses more in order to excite a more favourable instant and long-term response to your bait? This can be easier to achieve than you might currently think... By a bait maker of 30 years experience in big carp fishing.

About the Author:

For the unique acclaimed expert bait making 'bibles' ebooks / books: "BIG CATFISH AND CARP BAIT SECRETS!" AND "BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!" (And the forthcoming bait flavour secrets book etc) SEE: http://www.baitbigfish.com Tim is a highly experienced homemade bait maker big carp and catfish angler of 30 years. His bait enhancing books / ebooks now help anglers in 35 countries improve their results. See this bait and fishing secrets website now.


Source: http://www.upublish.info/Article/Big-Carp-Fishing-Bait-Attraction-And-Exploiting-Fish-Senses/123032

Freshwater Fishing For Fun

How many lakes, steams, rivers, creeks, and ponds are around where you live? There are bound to be more than enough to choose you favorite spot so you can enjoy freshwater fishing.

If you would like to enjoy fishing as often as possible, freshwater fishing is typically a quick ride down the road, that can be easily reached within an afternoon or less. A short trip means more time to fish and the more likely it is that you will be able to go in the first place.

Types of Freshwater Fish

In different lakes and rivers, several types of fish can be discovered. Because fish live in a number of water temperatures, various species cohabitant in a single area. By asking about what kinds of freshwater fish are in the spot you have chosen, you will know ahead of time what to expect to be able to catch.

Freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing have important distinctions that every fisherman will want to learn about. Fishing techniques applied in saltwater are exclusive to that kind of water, as is freshwater fishing methods. The Internet is a good place to easily find a fishing ebook guide.

Fishing Freshwater Boats

You can find boats constructed for freshwater fishing in particular, with several boat dealers and retailers, even ones that offer larger vessels. However, before you begin to look, it is a good idea to find out exactly how the two kinds of boats are different, so you may understand what is important to look for. For example, freshwater boats are usually built smaller and with different materials.

Moreover, freshwater fishing boats have different engines, fuel and how the fuel is consumed. If you go fishing in deep waters or by the shoreline, directly affects how much power you will require by how far you will travel, speed limits, and any plants living in the water.

Freshwater Fishing Styles

Fly fishing, bass fishing, and salmon fishing are all types of fishing you will be able to try when you are on a freshwater fishing adventure. Each of these types requires control over the casting rod, knowledge of lures, flies, and other items needed in order to attract fish. You will want to find out how to control a rod and attach bait and other items to your fishing line so you can catch the fish.

Many fishing guides can help you with how to practice using your casting rod in various kinds of bodies of water and their unique currents. For example, a stream is going to flow much differently then a lake or pond.

Thousands of lakes, ponds and various other bodies of freshwater are ready for your next fishing trip. With only a short traveling time and a smaller boat to carry, you can enjoy more time on fishing and fun.

Tom Straub is a accomplished editor, and webmaster of the Best Fishing Times web site, where you can read more on Fishing Boats and a dozen other fishing topics.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/Freshwater-Fishing-For-Fun/19125

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

crappie fishing tips

crappie fishing information

Crappie Fishing tips - surefire techniques to catch a boat load of crappie

When you go crappie fishing it is not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You need to have your best crappie fishing tips at your disposal. Instead of coming home with a empty stringer , lets take a look at some crappie fishing tips that will fill your cooler on your next crappie fishing trip.

#1 Crappie Fishing information always catch your bait from the same water you are going to fish. Chances are crappie will spit out anything that is not natural to their habitat.

#2 Crappie Fishing tips If you fish from a boat and have a fish finder you need to be able to identify large schools of crappie when they show up on your fish finder. When you spot what looks like a upside Christmas tree on the screen this a large school of crappie.

#3 Crappie Fishing tips When you locate a large school of crappie never fish in the middle of the school. Work the edges of the school so you don't spook the fish.

#4 Crappie Fishing information When you locate a school of fish, start by line to the bottom. Slowly crank in your reel counting every turn until you get a hit. Now mark your line with a permanent magic marker , preferably a bright color. The reason you mark your line is so you can go right back to the same depth the next time you drop your line. Repeat this step until the crappie school moves.

#5 Crappie fishing tips Crappie rise to the bait their eyes are located on the top of their heads so the do not see anything below them. You must make sure your bait presentation is always above them.

#6 Crappie fishing information use an ultra-light rig that weighs only a few ounces. Crappie are not heavy hitters. Many time they just suck on the bait and if you don't have light tackle you will never feel the hit.

#7 Crappie fishing information use 2-4 pound test line , always make sure your is located on a loop, not held tight on the hook ring. The hook needs to move freely to give the bait some play. Remember the more natural the bait looks the more fish you will catch.

Now you are ready for your next crappie fishing trip . If you use all or just a few of the crappie fishing tips above you will improve your crappie catch count. So good luck and good fishing! P.S if you want to catch some big slabs use these crappie fishing tips.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/crappie-fishing-tips/61477

Helpful Tips for Night Fishing

The great majority of salt-water anglers go out during the daytime and rarely venture forth at night. But today more and more anglers are discovering that plenty of fish and good sport can also be had at night. In fact, if you are interested in big fish which are found near shore, your chances are much better fishing at night than during the daytime.

But night fishing in salt water offers many other advantages besides that of catching big fish. There are fewer anglers and less competition, so you have more elbow room. You don't have to worry about sunburn, and often during the summer the wind dies at sundown, so the water is usually calmer at night than during the middle of the day - an important point to consider if you are subject to seasickness.

Also, during the summer months it is cooler at the seashore or on the water at night. Finally, you can fool the fish easier at night than during the day. They can't see the hook, leader or line, and they can't examine a lure too closely.

Night fishing in the surf is almost a must in highly populated areas, especially from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In many areas, most surf anglers are forced to fish at night in the summer. During the daytime there are too many bathers and they chase the surf anglers away from the best spots.

Luckily, in the case of the striped bass, this isn't such a hardship. Since they bite best at night during the summer months most anglers I know don't bother going out until well after dark. Then they usually fish hard until the early morning hours or even until daybreak.

Novice surf anglers or those who have never done much night fishing often wonder how it is possible to locate, hook and land fish in the surf on a dark night. Many have asked me such questions as the following: How do you know where to fish? How can you cast at night? How do you land the fish?

It's true that problems and conditions which are easily coped with during the daytime are often more difficult on a dark night. Yet it's surprising how soon you become used to casting, hooking and landing fish at night and enjoying it as much or even more than during the daytime.

The big question that arises with respect to surf fishing at night is how to locate the fish. If you are lucky enough to have a friend who can tip you off, that's a big help. Tackle dealers and outdoors columns in newspapers often tell you the general area to fish. Actually, no one can predict in advance which specific spots will produce a temperamental fish such as the striped bass, because they move around too much and bite best under conditions which change from day to day.

At night there are no birds to guide you, but if you see birds or fish feeding off the beach during the daytime there is a good chance that they will work inshore at dusk or after dark. Schools of bait fish will often lie off the beach during the day, but at night they tend to work inshore to escape the game fish, and, of course, the game fish will often follow them in. If you arrive after dark you can pick up the bait fish in your light when they are hugging the shoreline.

Try some night fishing, and you may come to enjoy it better than fishing by day!


Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Helpful-Tips-for-Night-Fishing/143746

Family Fishing Holidays In France

France is a country that has a wonderful variety of fishing from the North through to the South and caters for fly fishing, course and game fishing on a wide range of rivers and lakes. Plus there is plenty of coast line for the sea angler to enjoy as well.

Carp fishing, cat fishing, not forgetting course and pike fishing are just some of the holidays that you can enjoy in France and whilst some places cater for the dedicated angler, others are more family orientated with accommodation and activities for the non fishers.

There are several types of fishing holiday available and for trout fishing, you would need to book from around the middle to end of March up until around the first week of September, which is the only time frame you are allowed to fish for trout in France.

In certain areas of France, salmon fishing is prohibited all year, so it is always best to check on the area you are going, prior to thinking that you will be able to get a licence for fly fishing, just like that.

Every country has numerous different regulations and France is no exception, with specific rules in place for what type of fish you can catch, when you are allowed to catch certain species of fish and what equipment you are allowed to fish with.

For some, this can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are not fluent in French, and although in some areas it will be easier than others to organise your fishing venue and licence, it is often easier to pre-organise your fishing holiday, so do try and get as much information as possible.

You must have a fishing licence to fish in rivers, streams and lakes throughout France unless these are privately owned or booked as a fishing holiday where the fishing licence requirements are normally included, but it is advisable to check this out before you travel!

If you need to obtain your own fishing permit, these can usually be obtained from the local fishing tackle shop or alternatively from the local bar or tobac. But if you are not sure on what is required then you can get advice from the local tourist information board, which can also provide maps of where you can and cannot fish.

If you are only going to be on holiday in France for a short time, then you can get what is known as The Carte de Peche de Vacances, which covers an angler for up to fifteen consecutive days and can be used between 1st June and 30th November. However, outside of these dates an annual fishing licence is mandatory.

An annual permit may be used for the whole year but bear in mind that this will only be for one department unless you get it stamped for different areas that you may go to and this is something that you will need for all fresh water fishing.

When it comes to catfish and carp fishing, you can get a licence to do this in the local rivers or public lakes, but the majority of people will want to opt for a carp fishing holiday on a dedicated lake. And when you go to a dedicated privately owned lake for carp fishing, cat fishing, etc, then you will not normally have to worry about getting your own individual licence as this will already have either been sorted out by the travel agency or the owner under their regulations.

Boats are allowed to be used quite a bit in France, but you may need to have a separate part to your licence to enable you to use a boat, even if it is only for baiting. But be careful if you have an echo sounder in your boat, as you are not allowed to have both this and your tackle in the boat at the same time!

Also, night fishing is prohibited in a lot of places in France, but when on a private fishing lake, or if with the correct licence on certain waters, this can be allowed. If not, then you can only fish half hour after sunrise to half hour before sunset. Some places on the rivers seine, rhone, mosselle, oise, madine and rhine, etc do allow night fishing, but there are many places that do ban the use of a bivvy or tent even if night fishing is allowed and you may only get away with a brolly!

Sea fishing off of the Atlantic coast is excellent and you will be pleased to know that a licence is not needed, and you can go out on a boat to catch bass, conger eels and even tuna or surf cast for sea bream to name but a few.

Fly fishing for salmon and trout is available in lots of public canals and navigable rivers but as with most countries, these will also contain other fish such as Pike, so beware! However some of the best places to try your hand at fly fishing are often owned by groups and in this case you would need to pay the owners for a permit to fish as well as having your licence.

Some of the best salmon fishing in France can be found in the Pyrenees Atlantiques and the river Loire is also a major salmon fishery for France.

Some of the best fishing in France is for course fishing where you will find lots of different species, but with carp, catfish and pike being in abundance, especially in areas such as the Dordogne, Lot and Charente Maritime. But if you like fishing for black bass, the river Rhone is known as a premier bass fishery, as is the river Saone.

The fishing dates and times do vary each year in France, so it is always advisable to check on these before planning your fishing holiday, and at the end of the day, forget about the headaches of the licences, just enjoy the whole experience and you too could be in with a chance of catching a fish that has never been caught before!

With France being such a vast country with a large coast line and many rivers, lakes, streams and canals, there are many different types of fishing holidays in France that you can choose from.

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Source: http://www.upublish.info/Article/Family-Fishing-Holidays-In-France/123240

Bass Fishing Basics

Regarding the stripers such as banded or striped bass, stripers, rockfish, and linesiders that tempting the fishermen to grab them, there is an enigma which for sure would be confessed by all who have noticed the stunning fish hovering in the fresh water and mirror the sun shine off their silvery sides. Anyway, no doubt grabbing such fish is all together the special matter. On the strength of the legal proceedings by the ecologist sector there are many 'bottom fishermen' that may intend going for the bass fishing in 2008 following the intent regulation that is likely to be binding for resisting, scup and other species. Bottom fishing is rather dissimilar to the regular fishing for bass.

The bass are adamant feeders at the typical time any day in spite of the considerable amount of lures are present around. This is normally easier to pointing fish as lure is made jumping while the bass attempt feed upon them. This is just as easy as merely motoring up and diminishing the velocity before approaching closer to and searing the proper lure within them. One should not dare approaching precisely within or in the course of the location of feeding fish as it's the shortest way of giving up fishing activities. Considering the soft plastic and the top water plugs resembling the shape and the size of the lure would be ideal variants as their alternatives in that situation. In case they are the bluefish, merely cast in and the moment you hit the water, turn ignition off and think of backing out at the fastest possible time.

The fish are usually found near some of the structures like rocks; drop offs or even humps in the early morning phase so it is the most appropriate time for the bass. Generally during this session there is some current helping the susceptible lure pass by their side. The top water plugs show to be great fruitful under the hazy light conditions provided they are floating on the surface or popping or rambling in white. Anyway, cloudy or misty weather is highly beneficial for the bass fishing. Such lures would be put to task pretending like they are hurt and often avoiding them while retrieving. Such situation creates pleasant scene when the fish obliterates those surface water plugs, spraying, rolling and ultimately getting away in torment.

Changing to the soft plastics during the appropriate lighting conditions and when the water plugs prove to be futile the fishermen should try moving towards the venue of the structures in the deep water regions. At the same time, the current of water in the area is also important as the bass depends on such sweeping food that passes through them but in insufficient or no current condition the fishermen should try that bass won't be persistent and should strike the fish off to the nose. In case of floating with soft plastics initially one gets up the float of the structure with the boat and settle his boat over that by turning of the motor. Then the depth of water should be assessed where the fish is present. Now if the structure in below 30 feet of water level then he should throw it off leaving the lure free and count to 15 precisely one thousand to one thousand fifteen and ultimately close it and start retrieving.

Trying slower and faster through leaping and spooling for determining what fish likes the most one should retrieve. Now if you are successful but not grabbing it then use lure at the reduced leaps pretending as they are injured. Such action may bring on insistent strikes. The predilection is to withdraw and spool stronger but may not be fruitful during another strike with the bluefish as they do not follow the lure while they are in the bass. Chances are also there of hitting and biting off some of the plastic and following which if you act on assuming it is hurt the bass would take it. This is because the bass would prefer picking up after the bluefish which is considered the muddled eater and may cut the lure without fishing it off leaving the cut portion dropping to the bottom.

The kind of soft plastic used by you should be based on 'matching the hatch'. In case if you are planning for their feeding then consider using the stuff matching that lure. Try using green-white zooms for sand eels, sluggos or fins atop the spring. Use 4, 5 or 6 inch Storm swim colored lure that matches the bunker in case if the fish are fed on bunker. But use 6 inch Storm swim colored in pearl if they are fed on herring.

Trolling is yet another option of fishing for bass as its stronger part understands its utility while you are not fishing. Most of the trolling entails weights, downriggers or wire line rods as bass penetrate into the inside of the water levels as the sun is on and this way you need to put your rig deeper near the bass spot. WE normally fish near the RI southern coast having plenty of rocks and is almost 28 feet deep. During trolling we use wire setups of 200 feet of wire on them making the rigs dip to nearly 20 feet which is adequately nearer determining the water depth and the way the rocks stick up. Even the umbrellas, tube and warm rigs or parachute mechanisms are often trolled.

Even if we often opt for such procedure just while we feature problems obtaining soft plastics down to the fish which could be very prolific. The speed may vary from 2 knots to 6 knots and generally we fluctuate it all the times we gnome. When the speed is changed, immediately it is but obvious to get hits. Your pace is flawed if your rig is at the improper depth or the fish turn away if it is not functioning. However, I persistently attempt the primary speculations believing the fish turn away whereby you should give up and continue further or try even going for half an hour not fishing.

Seriously following some of these suggestions while you are out on fishing for bass could lead you to success.

This article helps you to learn about bass fishing basics

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Source: http://www.upublish.info/Article/Bass-Fishing-Basics/123918

crappie fishing jigs

crappie fishing lures

Crappie Fishing artificial bait - What To Use
If you are ready to step up your crappie fishing you will usually catch more crappie using crappie fishing lures rather then using live bait. Of course this statement is based on knowing what artificial lures to use. When you use crappie fishing lures smaller is better. Look for lures in the 1/4oz or smaller size.
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Crappie Fishing jigs - What To Use
If you are ready to step up your crappie fishing you will usually catch more crappie using crappie fishing lures rather then using live bait. Of course this statement is based on knowing what artificial lures to use. When you use crappie fishing lures smaller is better. Look for lures in the 1/4oz or smaller size.
List of crappie fishing lures to use:

· Curly Tail Jigs
· Marabou Jigs
· Weedless Spinners, (they have a jig attached) smallest you can find
· Willow Leaf Blades: Silver Colorado Or Gold Blades

The above listed crappie fishing lures can be bought at any department store, bait shop, or online . Most of these lures can be purchased for very little. Make sure when comparing prices you compare prices on crappie fishing lures that are in the ¼ oz or smaller range.
Suggested ways to use crappie fishing lures:

When Fishing Curley tail Jig crappie fishing lures - This uniquely designed jighead takes your bait to the bottom where the big ones are. It allows you to thread a plastic lure onto the corkscrew and hook it through the tail. The innovative flat-bottom jighead helps the hook stand up at a 60° angle. Your hooked bait stands up straight off the bottom and is free I recommend you use a karlins lunker curley tail. This crappie fishing lure is a good choice to use when using a slip bobber rig.

When Fishing Marabou crappie fishing lures - use the 1/4oz size a good way to fish this crappie fishing lure is use a slip bobber , place a split on the line so the jig falls to a set depth.

When Fishing Weedless Spinner crappie fishing lures use the 1/16oz size . Use when fishing low water visibility muddy or murky water.

When Fishing the Willow Leaf Blade crappie fishing lure - fish the lure very slow, slow if you use the 1/16oz lure the hook will bend before you loose your jig, you can use over and over again. The larger sizes work well but they break the line when snagging. Also , put on a karlins plastic Curly tail 2"length .

There are no guarantees that you will catch crappie with the crappie fishing lures shown above, but if you stick with purchasing small crappie fishing lures you up your chances of catching a good batch of crappie.
Well, good luck and good fishing!

Mark Fleagle
Crappie fishing tips and information


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/crappie-fishing-jigs/61589