Fishing with Dad

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide is the new edition of one of the best books for introducing anyone to the sport of fly fishing, whether the angler wants to shop for equipment at Orvis or Wal-Mart. The information is clearly explained without going into tedious details that novices (and experienced anglers) don’t want. Everything is covered here–from rod types to fly lines to casting basics. The excellent graphics are helpful–especially of the knots. Some books have knot instructions that are impossible to follow–”knot” so here! For someone who wants to start fly fishing, this book would make a great start.

Baits, Rigs & Tackle is handy to have around or in your tackle box. It gives great information on baits and rigs. The illustrations are very good and the advice is sound. I recommend it for all to have as a reference book. It is a great purchase for the fisherman who is just getting started or for a gift for that aspiring fisherman who needs or desires information on a wide variety of setups and general techniques.

For years businesses have rode on the vast interest Bass fishing has generated. Many people are hooked, pardon the pun, on this hobby and have elevated it to a sport and a passion. Resorts, sports gear and lines have been built and many more aspects have benefited from those interested.

Today, there are more and more people trying to learn and find out what the buzz is all about. Bass fishing is more than just catching a fish. It’s now about getting those prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off. For beginners there is lots more to bass fishing than meets the eye.

First, try to know the lures that you must have to enjoy bass fishing.

And do you know what the top 3 lures for catching Bass are? Although there was no particular gauge that was presented by the researchers, a survey was performed among the pro bass fishermen and it was found that plastic worms was the most patronized and ranking second and third place were the spinner bait and the crank bait respectively.

However, picking one of these 3 is not enough. Some factors are still needed to be considered. Primarily, you must consider if it is better to cover a smaller segment of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to Bass. They do best when the fish are schooled over a particular structure.

The problem that usually arises with fishing with a worm is the inability to sense strikes. Usually the inability to sense them is due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick.

To help you to overcome this predicament you are advised to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. Here are some of its advantages:

• No moving lead on the line to dampen the feel of a gentle pickup
• You can apply the precise amount of lead to deliver the worm action needed
• It makes it easier for a bass to inhale the worm
• It aids in hook setting
• It’s easier to shake loose from snags
• You can cause the worm to hang virtually suspended over the bottom when fishing shallow water.

To tell how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink, it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks to fast, take some off, etc. Make sure to use no heavier than 8-pound mono line – preferably 6 pound.

On the other hand, a Spinner bait can be moved more quickly across the surface and can be bounced on the bottom, sent against a tree limb and moved in many different ways in order to stimulate strikes. It is a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction.

Lastly, Crank baits cover a lot of water in a hurry. Using them, you can check out a spot without wasting too much time. You can use them for locating fish that may be scattered.

The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that you are fishing on, you need to make it as easy for the Bass to get at it as possible. Drop that lure right in front of them. Scientists have proven that Bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after the prey.

Aside from considering the lures, it is also important to determine the accurate time in going for bass fishing.

Dawn and dusk are definitely when the biggest bass can be brought in. First, remember that bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the baitfish. They like to hide, and pounce on their prey.

These bait fish are most active in the early morning or evening. When they feed, bass follow because the baitfish is less aware of threats when they feed. Go out fishing during these times for the best success.

When retrieving an underwater lure in poor light, keep it coming at a steady pace once it is set in motion. This will make it easier for bass to locate and grab it.

The last thing is, don’t bother going out in the dawn/dusk when water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain aquatics and terrestrials, which nullifies the food chain feeding.

Lures and proper time of going on bass fishing are ample factors that must be taken into account, as well as, water quality conditions and weather conditions are also necessary for you to win the game on bass fishing!

The Recreational Value of Fishing

Many people consider that fish are only a medium of survival, or to some extent a food supply; yet there is another angle that is little known. The manufacturing industry utilizes more than two billion pounds of fish and fish by-products every year. This is slightly more than is used for food.

What most people do not know is that fishing continues to provide recreational activity of making it one of the most preferred hobbies.

In fact, fishing as a hobby is continuously growing and that is why the estimated number of people who acquire fishing licenses each year is more than 12 million.

Moreover, surveys show that for every dollar spent for a fishing license, there are sixteen dollars spent for equipment, such as fishing tackle, food, clothing, and transportation. There is more money spent on fishing than on any other hobby in existence.
Why is it a Great Hobby?

It is a means of providing something to free the mind and body of the worries of the day. It has also been proven to help in mentoring troubled teens, replacing negative thoughts and activity with more positive traits and pursuits. Fishing is truly a wholesome sport.

The use of all types of fishing equipment has added something that no other feature could possibly accomplish. Thousands of youngsters are enthusiastic to learn how to cast a fly or plug bait.

These youngsters have an interest in fish and fishing and they desire to fish in a lawful and recreational manner.

Boiled down, fish and fishing may be considered one of man’s essential resources. It is hoped that further realization of fishing as a hobby will develop the necessary knowledge of the true recreational value of fishing, the fish, and the general conservation of all natural resources as well as the value of good sportsmanship and developing good citizens.

The Basic Fishing Supplies
Fishing is a nature-oriented sport that allows you to relax. Many people want to experience fishing, but are unable to buy the appropriate supplies for their adventure.

There are many fishing stores around, but majority of the stores try to sell unnecessary fishing supplies to gain more from the innocence of the fishing novice. Here are some of the basic fishing supplies you need for any kind of fishing in any location.

1) Hooks – In a variety of shape and sizes, these are one of the most important parts of your fishing gear. Fishing hooks are affordable, so you could stock an assortment of hooks for each kind of fishing. Majority of hooks are shaped like a letter “J.” The Circle hook is becoming a fisherman’s favorite, as it is fairly easy to unhook and is thought to be a fish friendly hook.

2) Rigs – These are used for catching different kinds and species of fish. The two most common rigs are the Bobber and Crappie. Bobber rigs are suitable for catching Bluegills and are best for beginners.

3) Sinkers – As the name suggests, this fishing equipment is used to cast lighter lures and to quickly drop the bait to the bottom of the water where the fish are located. Together with the bobbers, the sinkers are used to hold your line at any given point.

In fishing stores, you will find numerous variations of sinkers that come in different sizes, weights, and shapes. The current speed and the water depth would determine the weight of the sinkers you will need for your fishing trip.

4) Bobber – It is also called a cork or a float. The bobber’s purpose is to let you know when a fish bites your bait. The commonly used bobbers are pencil, slip bobbers and buttons. They come in different sizes to fit all kinds of baits and sinkers. The best bobbers are those that are smaller. The wind would blow the bobber back to you if it were too light and would scare the fishes off when it is too big.

5) Swivels – This kind of fishing equipment is used when you are fishing with bait such as a spinner or a minnow. These kinds of bait tend to twist and turn, which would likely your line deformed. By using the swivel and connecting it between your line and bait, it would allow the lure to spin around without tangling up the line. Swivels are affordable and come in different sizes to fit the bait and hooks you use.

Other supplies are the tackle box and your bait. The bait would vary depending on the kind of fishing you wish to perform.

Now that you know the basics, you could easily enjoy your fishing trip affordably and safely.

JIM HUTCHINSON

One aspect of fishing that many anglers do not get involved in is catching their own bait.
Most people fish for recreation and the opportunity to spend some time in the great outdoors. Catching your own bait can be a continuance of both of the above.
In addition to the fun involved in actually gathering the bait, there are a couple of other tangible benefits. First, you will be cutting down on the expenses of buying bait that sometimes is always not available.
Secondly, you will be assured of fishing with the very freshest bait. You will be using bait that is either still alive or same day fresh.
In considering the freshness factor, it is important that a bait gatherer take proper care of any bait he catches. If the goal is to use live bait, then there must be something available to keep the bait alive and healthy. If freshness is desired, then some form of cooler stocked with ice should be on hand.
Perhaps the easiest bait to gather yourself is a supply of live minnows for flounder fishing. Live minnows have long been a preferred bait for fluke, and gathering them can be a relatively easy task. One or two minnow traps and a bait bucket to keep them in is all you really need.
The actual task of catching minnows involves baiting a trap and placing it in an out of the way location where minnows are likely to be present. The bait can be squid, old fish parts, bread, or even human food such as bacon. The trap can be dropped off a dock or bulkhead or placed in one of the streams or ditches in the marshes.
Minnows, as well as spearing and grass shrimp, also can be caught with a seine net. A seine is a long net with wooden poles for handles at each end. This is a two-person operation as two people pull the seine through the water catching everything in its path.
The minnows should be kept alive, while the spearing, which die immediately after leaving the water, should be placed on ice. It can be interesting to look at the various creatures that may be caught in the seine including small crabs, baby fish, jellyfish and even seahorses.
Most local fish eat fresh clams, and they make great bait. Although you need a license to harvest clams, it is an easy task to catch a couple of dozen clams for bait.
In the spring of the year, schools of mossbunker swim by just off the beaches of Long Beach Island. Often striped bass and large bluefish will be feeding on them. Savvy anglers use large treble hooks to snag the bunker and use the swimming fish as bait.
Late in the summer large schools of baby mossbunker, called peanut bunker, invade our bay waters. A cast net is an effective tool to quickly catch a large number of peanut bunker when a school is spotted swimming on the surface of the water. Peanut bunker can be difficult to keep alive, but they do make good late season bait for large fluke and weakfish.
Other anglers use clam chum and light fishing tackle in the late summer to catch small fish called spots. The spots are kept alive in pens in the water until the fall migration of striped bass. Live spots are called bass candy.
Virtually all fish love to eat grass shrimp. It can be difficult sometimes to find live grass shrimp for bait. A long-handled scoop net with very small mesh in addition to seining can be used to catch these small shrimp. Just run the net along pilings and bulkheads to catch a supply of shrimp for bait.
The one drawback to catching your own bait as opposed to purchasing it at a bait and tackle shop is that you lose the opportunity to ask questions about where the best fishing is. However, if you know where you will be fishing, catching your own bait only adds to the enjoyment of fishing.

Courtesy of App.com