Three Tips to Catching Big, Fat Bass!

People ask me all the time, "How do I catch giant bass"? Most folks are under the false impression that there is a mysterious, trademark secret that I keep to myself. The truth is, there is no real magic to catching bass, but just some long proven strategies. Bass-catching success consists of several factors -- some of these may work for you, and some may not. Three of the most important techniques that I employ are:

Don't Use the Same Old Tricks

Fish recognize and learn to avoid consistently used lures. What does that mean? When you finally hear about the 'hottest' new fishing method, the fish are already learning to avoid it. The technique won't work as well for you as it did for those who employed it earlier. Experiment with your fishing style and learn to do things differently. This will increase the chances of bass to fall for your tricks.

Use Live Bait

While it may seem obvious, it is undoubtedly a strong tool in your fisherman's arsenal. We all know that using live bait is a pain; it's difficult to collect, maintain, and maneuver. But in order to catch the real prize, you can't settle for just plastic worms. To catch the fish, you have to give it what it wants. And what it wants is real live worms. Not using live bait will drastically decrease your opportunities.

Work With the Right Tools

Most bass fishermen miss out on catching some big fish because of faulty equipment. From broken lines to a straightened hook, low quality equipment is the blame for many mishaps. The most important thing for you to do is to use the best gear available, like a good line and a razor-sharp premium hook. It only makes sense to spend that little extra money to reel in the big one.

Bass fishing is one of most exciting recreational activities you can ever enjoy and there really isn't any secret to getting the bigger bass. But if you use some proven techniques such as live bait and working with some really good tools, you'll increase your chances of catching some real rewards.

By Nick J Mack

Nick Mack is an experienced bass fisherman. He is actively involved in local tournaments and his tips and tricks are all over the net. If you want to know more about catching huge bass all the time you can get FREE tips on his website at...

http://www.Pro-Fishing-Tips.com

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Fly Fishing Etiquette

When I was just learning how to fly fish I was very fortunate to have been taught about displaying common courtesy and respect for the beautiful natural resources that God has graciously given us. I naively thought that this is what fly fishing was all about and that everyone who fly fished had the same morals and values that I had learned. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

I have found that while many fly fishermen hold to these same moral and ethical standards that I do, not everyone does. In my idealistic mind, I still believe that all fly fishermen should put themselves on a pedestal and should be shining examples of what all fly fishermen should be. I think we should lead by example. We need to be leaders (no pun intended) and practice what we preach to enlighten our fellow angling community of what good sportsmanship and good stream etiquette are all about.

The following are some basic rules of etiquette while fly fishing that I have either been taught directly or learned indirectly by observation:

1. Obey all state and local fishing laws and rules even when no one else is around. You never know who may be lurking nearby.

2. Always recognize and respect property rights. Always ask permission first. Public waters are disappearing quickly and we must show the utmost respect to the property owners to show we are gentlemen.

3. Do not litter. If you brought it in, take it out (even leaders). If you change a leader, spool it up and put it in a vest pocket to be thrown away later. Leave the area cleaner than you found it.

4. Wade only when necessary. The aquatic life is crucial to the trout's survival.

5. Strive to not leave any marks or tracks whenever possible.

6. Mum's the word. If someone happens to divulge a secret about a favorite fishing hold, keep it to yourself. There's nothing worse than losing a favorite, tranquil spot to a crowd.

7. Approach the water slowly and quietly. Do not enter the water anywhere near an angler who is already in the water. A section of water belongs to the first person fishing it. It is inconsiderate to crowd an angler who was there first. One of the times this may be a problem is when fishing a crowded Steelhead run in the Great Lakes region or fishing the Russian River in Alaska during the Sockeye salmon run.

8. If there are many anglers on a section of river or stream, find a section that is equal to or greater than the existing distance between each angler.

9. A stationary angler has every right to remain where he/she is for as long as they want. If you are working your way toward them, exit the stream and quietly walk around them. Having said that, the stationary angler should also practice common courtesy and, after some amount of time has passed, share that piece of water with others as well.

10. If you see an angler sitting on the bank, keeping a close eye on the water, he may be resting the water and giving the fish (and himself a break). Do not charge into the stream and take this location away from him. Instead, go chat with him and ask how he is doing and he may opt to share this stretch with you...but don't be surprised if he doesn't.

11. If a nearby angler has a fish on, yield to that person and if necessary, lend a helping hand by offering to net the fish, etc.

12. After you have hooked a fish, do not play it excessively. Land and net the fish as quickly as you can. Keep it in the water as much as possible and remove the hook with forceps without touching the trout, if possible.

13. Practice catch-and-release. Each time we release a trout we give it another chance...a chance to grow, a chance to reproduce, a chance to provide another angler with the joy you just experienced.

14. Boaters need to yield to anglers already on the stream (this is more boater's etiquette than anything but still applies here). They should not float small streams where there is not much space to get your particular watercraft through this section. If possible pass behind a wading angler but if ever in doubt, yell ahead to the angler and ask him which bank he would like you to navigate.

15. Never light a fire on someone else's property.

16. Use common sense.

17. Communicate calmly to resolve conflict.

Steelhead fly fishing etiquette is much the same as fishing for their smaller cousins but I recently learned of an extra point I'd like to share here as well.

1. In the West they practice what they call "rotating the pool". This is where each participating angler will cast his fly and let it drift through the pool and then takes one to three steps down stream. I never knew of this until a recent visit to Colorado where I was speaking with a fly shop owner who's son guides in Alaska. This method is used heavily in Oregon and Washington but from what I understand, isn't really practiced too much in Alaska either.

2. In the East, the concept of "rotating the pool" is a relative unknown and I can't say that I've ever seen it practiced in the Great Lakes region. I'm all for it, though. Having fished the Lake Erie region many times and seeing many anglers sitting in one hole or pool for hours, I'm of the opinion that this method would be a great addition and a welcome change to eastern steelheading.

I believe fly fishing is the most rewarding sport there is to those who truly understand and embrace it. It can be a time for complete solitude and reflection, a means of stress/tension reduction from the rigors of the daily grind or a time of fellowship with friends and/or family. I have found it to be one of God's most awesome blessings.

By Steve Haupt

For more information on this article, fly fishing for beginners or fly fishing in general, please visit the Hooked-on-Flies website

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Fly Fishing Spoken Here!

Fly Fishing is a very old method of fishing that is particularly effective for hauling in trout. Ponds, small streams, rivers and lakes are best for trout. Fly fishing is tantalizingly unique in that the bait is artificial flies made by tying, fur, yarn, feathers, foam, or almost anything else that can be made to look like a fly onto a hook as bait. The best way to learn how to tie flies is to talk with anglers who have become experts over time or you could attend a fly tying school.

Dry fly fishing and wet fly fishing are the two forms of fly-fishing. Dry fly fishing is the most familiar and is regarded as the classic form. Using the dry fly fishing technique, the angler casts the fly upstream hoping that the trout will rise up and bite the fly as it passes overhead. Wet fly-fishing involves fishing beneath the surface of the water and can be divided into lures fishing, true wet fly-fishing and nymph fishing.

Fly-fishing tackle, and fly-fishing reels and rods are all commonly used fly-fishing equipment. Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, California, Idaho and more recently New Mexico are all popular fly-fishing areas in the U.S.. British Columbia and Alberta are also very popular.

The popularity of fly-fishing has increased dramatically in recent years. It is definitely a fast growing sport and it's easy to see why; it's relaxing, enjoyable and rewarding. Usually, fly-fishing anglers practice the sport in the most beautiful areas of the world. Fly-fishermen worldwide are known to have an on going love affair with their sport.

Beginning fly-fishing anglers may have difficulty learning the sport. Probably the best place to learn is a fly-fishing school or from a fly-fisherman that is willing to take you on as a student. There are also a number of excellent fly-fishing courses on the Internet. The school you choose should teach the techniques, strategies, and tactics used in fly-fishing.

Before you get hip deep in any water, you should learn about the various fish you'll be casting for, learn the basics of casting and how to read the water, you'll want to know how to take care of your gear and how to tie knots, and maybe you'll even want to learn a little about hatches and entomology.

This sport is a life-long source of endless delight. You will live to feel the hairs on the back of your neck tingle as you watch a trout looking upstream for the fly you've just cast.

By Lanie Dills

Lanie Dills is the creator Fly Fishing Ontario. If you would like to know more about online e courses on fly fishing, visit: Beginning Fly Fishing

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Night Fishing - The Final Frontier

If you don't leave your house in the black of night to go fishing this summer, you probably won't be catching any monsters this season. Night fishing is the final frontier in most fisherman's lives; once you start night fishing you keep night fishing for the rest of your life-the addiction is too great to beat. Many waters are becoming completely over saturated with pleasure boaters and jet skiers, and their pleasure is not fishing, it is creating as much noise as possible. Most fisherman just shake their heads in disgust and walk home dreaming of another lake to fish.

But there is a rare breed of fisherman that stands on the shore during the day and waits for the sun to set and the moon to rise. A fisherman that no longer fishes with the masses during the day. This breed of fisherman knows that the biggest fish don't move until the sun sets in the summer anyway, and he relishes the solace and solitude that the night brings him. This fisherman reworks his schedule to revolve around night fishing, the fruits are just too great to ignore.

The key to successful night fishing is locating one good location that fish will flock to once the sun sets. And these places are often very close to the shoreline in both rivers, lakes, and streams. Sitting on bait for hours on end can of course work, but it is not the most productive method to getting the most out of your night fishing. To really tap into the insane action that can occur when night fishing you need to walk and cast lures around your location. Or, if your in a river, walk up and down the bank letting your bait drift and drop over the darkened holes of the twilight.

By Scott R

Some excellent lures for bass fishing at night are the same plastic worms and grubs that you would use during the day. There is no reason to use only top water lures. In fact, using top water lures often leads to an extremely frustrating experience as hook ups tend to be low. Check out some high quality and well priced bass worms

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Catfish Fishing Tips

I first started fishing catfish in my early childhood with my dad and though I have caught some Blue, and Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish have always been my main target. I primarily fish them in the Snake and St.Croix Rivers and sometimes the Mississippi too. Wherever I can find a little nook and cranny where the current isn't so fast there always seem to be catfish hiding looking for some fresh bait. Catfish can also be found wherever you can find a rocky bottom to.

The best time to catch catfish is usually after dark until early morning right before the sun comes up, and they always seem to be the most active around a full moon. Catfish also like to hang out in holes where the water is a little deeper. Again, anywhere the current is a little slower and a place where food might gather is great place to find catfish.

Some other Catfish Fishing tips that I have used over the years are how I rig my pole. Now this is fairly basic. I like to use a medium sized pole about 7 to 8 feet long with about 17 to 20 pound test line. Some prefer 50 or 60 pound test but the lighter line has always worked best for me because I have found it is just easier to deal with when tying hooks or getting your line out of snags. The main reason I use a lighter line is that your catfish is much less likely to notice any friction with lighter line compared to a heavier line. I like to fight the fish a little too, with a heavier line its to easy just to drag the fish in which I believe takes the sport and excitement out of it.

As far as hooks go I have always just used a smooth, medium sized hook, with no barbells on it. Catfish have very tough skin and I rarely loose a catfish after I have hooked them so you won't need a trebble hook or any special kind of hook for Catfishing. Before I put my hook on I always just slide one slip sinker on with the size of it going by how fast the river current is, and then one clip on sinker or a swivel to keep your sinker away from your bait. I like to put the sinker about 2 feet away from the bait so your bait can float and move around in the river current.

One last Catfishing tip I will give you here is in filleting them correctly. This is very important if you want to get the best flavor out of your Catfish. I will put the Catfish on its stomach and then start with the tip of the knife right behind its head next to its spine and then slowly start slicing downwards until the fillet comes off. Then just cut your fillet off the skin. Now this part most of you probably already know as it is the same as most other fish. This is the important part. After you have your fillet in front of you there will be a yellowish strip running down the middle of the meat with a little bit of red on top of the fillet. This needs to be cut out or your Catfish will taste mushy and lose a lot of its flavor so don't forget. I also like to cut the head meat out of the larger ones usually at least 15 pounds, this is the whitest and best part of the Catfish. And prepare some homemade tartar sauce for a great meal with the whole family.

By Shane Brown

Shane Brown has spent the past 25 years fishing all kinds of freshwater and saltwater fish but Catfishing has reigned supreme in his Fishing adventures.
http://thecatfishking.com
http://thecatfishking.blogspot.com

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How to Rig Trout Bait

As trout anglers, many times the way in which we rig our bait can mean the difference between a great day fishing and a day simply standing on the edge of the water enjoying the scenery. Not that enjoying the scenery is a bad thing, but as anglers we want to catch fish, right? In this article, I'll explain how to rig trout bait, whether that bait be live or synthetic, to help you catch more trout.

Before I begin, I do want to mention that when trout fishing it is extremely important that you use fishing line that's as light as possible. My personal preference is four pound test, and in my opinion no line heavier than six pound test should be employed in most trout fishing situations. I realize that this advice may sound sophomoric, but every time I go trout fishing I see discarded fishing line that's heavy enough to land small sharks, so I figured this should be mentioned. Trout live in clear water and have very keen eyesight, so you should always use fishing line that's as light as possible.

If you want to know how to rig trout bait, the first thing you need to familiarize yourself with are gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which enables live bait (especially live worms) to be presented in a totally natural manner. This makes a huge difference in the amount of bites that you receive. Not only are gang hooks great for live bait, but they are also great for synthetic bit such as Powerbait. Imagine having two chunks of Powerbait floating from your trout rig rather than just one? Believe me, it makes a difference!

So now that we know that we need light line and gang hooks to learn how to rig trout bait, let's get down to the details. Begin by grabbing the end of your line and tying on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). If you are still fishing with trout bait such as Powerbait, slip an egg sinker onto your line before tying on the barrel swivel. Now tie a set of pre-tied gang hooks onto the opposite end of the barrel swivel. If you're fishing in a river or stream, split shot sinkers are added above the barrel swivel for weight. This is your basic trout rig.

Now add either a live worm (or other live bait) or synthetic bait onto the gang hooks and you're ready to go. What I just described is how to rig trout bait to catch more trout. A live worm rigged on gang size 8 or 10 gang hooks and allowed to flow naturally with the current of a river or stream is a deadly combination. Using the same gang hook rig while still fishing with synthetic bait is extremely effective for stocked trout as well. The bottom line is that you now know how to rig trout bait, whether that bait be alive or man-made.

This information works and will help you catch more trout on your next fishing excursion. How am I so sure of this? Because these tips have been working for me for more than 20 years, and if they work for me, they will work for anyone. Rigging your trout bait in the proper manner makes a huge difference, and now you have the information you need to catch more trout.

By Trevor Kugler

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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Largemouth Bass Fishing With Monster Worms

Big bass love to try and get their mouths around gigantic creations. Some like to finesse big fish, and outdoors magazines are often filled with "Micro lures for Giant Bass" articles. We are they kidding, big fish like to eat big lures, these articles are just filling space for their advertisers. Sure, big fish will attack small lures if it's the only lure in the water, but they much prefer attempting to maul a meal that will satisfy them instead of grazing on micro minnows.

With the internet, has come the ability of specialty bait companies to offer their wicked creations to the public without having to go through huge discount retailers. Specialty pourers have come up with some of the most incredible plastic baits ever seen in fishing history. They have no strict profit margins, they are beholden to no shareholders, and thus they are allowed to be creative. And the common fisherman can actually get their hands on some truly innovative baits.

A fisherman can pretty much get his hands on any bait his imagination can conjure up. Giant frogs, snakes, lizards, salamanders, and the wonderful creature baits. And, importantly, when you buy from independent individuals, the the prices are actually reasonable.

Now, with the competition of the internet, prices are driven down-way down. Paying 5 bucks for 5 pathetic looking plastics worms because it's the only choice in the store is gone. Manufacturers of over priced plastic junk actually have to do some market research these days to keep customers. Take advantage of all the internet tackle makers and make your fishing more enjoyable.

By Scott R

Check out the most reasonably priced, amazing largemouth bass fishing plastics available on the planet. Tight lines :0

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What Is The Best Bait For Channel Cats (Catfish)?

There are so many good baits for catfish. Let's be honest the catfish is not a finicky eater. They have been known to bite on everything from hot dogs to ivory soap. I know people that will swear shrimp sprayed with WD-40 is the way to go. Trying to identify the best bait for channel cats is difficult.

Here is my list of baits that work best for me and depending on your local, time of day, season or any other variety of reasons will work for you. Every one of these has worked for me and every one has left me without a fish. I will list them here in the order I prefer and some of that has to do with ease of use.

CUT BAITS

Cut baits cover a wide variety of fish baits. The most common ones are: shad, bluegill, anchovy, sardines, mackerel and minnows. Make sure it is legal to use them in your area. I know that bluegill is not legal in some states but is ok in others. I cut them into chunks depending on the size of the bait. I believe cut baits to be the best bait for channel cats and all other types of catfish.

SHRIMP

You can purchase shrimp at your local grocery either with or without shell. I leave the shell on but most remove it. Depending on the size of the shrimp and the size of the bait you want you can use them whole or cut them in half. Many also soak them in vanilla extract to enhance their appeal. I am particularly found of the cut baits and shrimp because they stay on your hook and can be fished in fast currents when necessary.

CHICKEN LIVERS

These can also be purchased at your local grocery store and are a very good bait. I do suggest you take an old nylon stocking and cut it into small squares. You can use these squares to wrap around the chicken liver and attach it to the hook. They will stay on the hook much better. Fish on the bottom and check your bait every 20-30 minutes. If all the blood is gone replace the bait.

WORMS

Night crawlers, garden worms and Catawba worms are all included here. These are the old standby and will catch catfish but are best used where they are likely to find them. Places where creeks and drainage ditches feed into the lake or river seem to be best.

PREPARED BAITS

These can and have been made out of just about everything you can think of. I have tried many different kinds and have had some success. I am sure others do as is evidenced by the thousands of recipes that can be found on the web but I prefer the more natural baits. I think they are the best bait for channel cats and occasionally you will catch their larger brothers, the flathead and the blue catfish.

By Douglas Burns

Doug Burns is founder of CatfishAngling.com. A leading source for tips, tricks and information on catfish fishing. Doug has been an avid angler for 35 years and cares about what you want.

MAKE A REQUEST, ASK A QUESTION : CatfishAngling.com

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How To Catch Striped Bass

Striped bass go by several names depending on where you are from. In Arkansas where I'm from their just called Stripers but in some areas go by Rockfish. Freshwater stripers can grow quite large, easily topping 50lbs in a lot of large lakes across America. They are fun to catch, fierce fighters, and great to eat but do take some practice to learn how to catch. Let's review some tips for catching these monsters.

As with Largemouth bass a good time to fish for stripers is in the early mornings. At this time of day they are feeding along the shallows and banks, anywhere there is a slight current that will stir the bait. Try top water lures in a light or white color. Cast them in and immediately start your retrieve working the lure as if its injured with a slow drag then stop action. Be ready cause when stripers hit they hit hard and fast!

Striped bass love to feed at mouths and channels feeding into a lake and channels. Besides the water current the water temperature differences where the water feeds into the lake is a great spot. The colder water meets the warmer water and stuns, or makes sluggish, lots of the food stripers love. These areas are easy to spot because as the stripers start feeding the bait fish will be coming to the top trying to get away. And its hard to miss a striped bass hitting bait on the top. Choose a top water lure that mimics the color of what the striped bass are feeding on. As soon as it lands start reeling in varying the speed of your retrieve.

Stripers are also a great fish to troll for if you are fishing channels or rivers. Use live shads or underwater running lures colored as shad or bluefish for the best results. Large white headed jigs can also work. Troll slow and watch for your line to either take off or veer to the banks. Adjust for the depth of the area you are trolling and get ready for the fight. I've has had stripers tow the boat while still taking 30 minutes or more to land. These are the catches that are remembered for a lifetime.

By J. P. Cooper

Learn all the Bass Fishing Secrets the Pros use at http://www.fishing-secrets.com And be sure and sign up for your free Bass Fishing Secrets newsletter to get all the latest news and fishing tips.

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Fishing Tips - The Most Important Fish Catching Tips

No matter what type of fish you enjoy fishing for; there are some simple things that any angler can do to help them catch more fish. In this article, I'm going to discuss some of those fishing tips in the hopes that one or all of them will help you be a more successful angler. These fishing tips have been learned through more than fifty years of combined fishing experience, and are simple yet incredibly effective. Give one or all of them a shot, and see what you think, I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Before we begin, let me mention that in my opinion fishing is just like anything in life. The more time you invest in it, the more successful you will be. This means that there is no substitute for spending time on the water and spending some time reading things (such as this article). Every little "tidbit" of information that you can add to your repertoire, might be the difference between a trophy and getting "skunked". That being said, let's get down to business, shall we?

• Use Fresh Line - If you fish a lot, and are like me and like to use light line, change your line frequently. "Fresh" line is much more effective than old or heavily used fishing line. Using fresh line makes casting and knot tying a ton easier. Make sure you change your line at least once a month during the heart of fishing season.

• Pay Attention To Your Hands - Make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors. These unnatural odors (such as gasoline residue or smoke) will transfer to your bait and cost you bites. A good tip is to rub your hands in a handful of grass or dirt before baiting up. This will help eliminate any of these odors that might be present.

Use Gang Hooks - If you are a live bait angler (especially live worms) then gang hooks should always be employed. Gang hooks arte simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, this enabling the angler to present live bait (and especially live worms) in a completely realistic and natural manner. The results can be quite amazing. Presenting your live bait in the most natural way possible makes a HUGE difference in bite rates.

Use Mother Nature To Your Advantage - If you want to catch more fish you need to use the weather and moon to your advantage as an angler. These two forces of Mother Nature have as much to do with you catching fish as the type of bait or lure you choose to employ. There are simple rules that need to be learned and used that will enable you to be on the water when the fish are the most active. This will make a huge difference in the amount of fish that are caught. My mentor always used the weather and moon to his advantage, and you should as well.

These simple, yet amazingly helpful and effective tips, will help anyone be a more successful angler. Remember, when it comes to fishing tips, many times the simpler they are the more effective they are. Now employ one or all of these tips sooner, rather than later, and see how many more fish you get to catch.

By Trevor Kugler

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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The Best Time Of Day To Catch Fish

Did you ever wonder what the best time of day to catch fish is? I know, I know, the best time to catch fish is anytime that you can, but the truth of the matter is that some times are better for fishing than others. To the amateur, fishing is all about luck, but to the more seasoned angler, we realize that there is much more to the fish catching equation. The bottom line is that the best time to catch fish can be determined fairly easily.

More than 25 years ago I had the pleasure of learning to fish from someone I have always considered to be a fishing 'master'. This man was the best angler I've ever known, and regularly caught trophy fish (on ultra light gear), out of waterways most anglers thought fish of that size didn't reside in. It was truly a beautiful thing to witness, and in this article I'm going to reveal the secret to determining the best time to catch fish.

This secret was taught to me by the man I was referring to, and has to due with two forces of Mother Nature. Those two forces of Mother Nature are the weather and the moon, and they have as much to do with your fishing success or failure as the bait you use. Many anglers don't realize this, but it's nonetheless true. The best time to catch fish is when the weather and moon are in your favor, rather than working against you.

The best way to make sure that these two forces of Mother Nature are in your favor is by educating yourself a little bit. Don't worry, I'm not talking about becoming a meteorologist or astronomer, I'm just talking about learning the ways in which these two forces affect fish behavior and therefore fishing. All you need to know is which phases of the moon are the most important, and which fronts have what impact on fishing.

If you know the ways in which these two things affect fishing, you'll know what you need to know. As a matter of fact, you can learn what you need know about these subjects in about a half an hour of study. That is of course if the information is compiled in one place for easy access. If you just search blindly, the information may be a bit more difficult to come by.

If you've ever had the pleasure of having one of those epic days fishing, where it seemed like you could do no wrong, you now know the reasons why. Those two reasons are the weather and moon, and they hold the key to knowing the best time to catch fish. After you start implementing this information, you'll realize that while luck obviously plays a role in fishing, it's probably much less of a factor than you ever imagined. Start using one or both of these forces of Mother Nature to your advantage, and you'll begin catching more fish; it's as simple as that.

By Trevor Kugler

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country...Montana!

Affordable & Effective Fishing E-books: http://stores.lulu.com/jrwfishing

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Introduction to Bait & Tackle

So you decided to be a fisherman, or you are or want to be a fisher man, you must have some general knowledge about bait & tackle. I'm going to start off with the tackle part first because it is pointless to try and catch some fish with bait if you have nothing to snatch the fish up with.

Let's start from the foundation, the fishing rod. There are many types of fishing rods that are used and designed to catch specific fish. For a brief example I'll start with the light flimsy rods, they are designed to bend a lot, like into a complete "U" shape, and these rods are designed for smaller fish ranging from 0-50 lbs. The larger fishing rods that don't bend as much, are usually a lot heavier and more durable, they are designed to catch the bigger fish 50 lbs and up. The bigger rods in saltwater fishing are mostly used when trolling fishing, deep-sea bottom fishing, or if your bait on the hook is over a couple of pounds you will want a big rod. For the inshore fisherman or beginner, you shouldn't have a need for a big rod, unless of course you are on a boat at sea or charter boat etc.

The fishing rod is the foundation, the second part of the fishing rod is the reel. Again there are many types of fishing reels, there are spinning reels, bait castings reels, reverse reels and many more. Most reels that are manufactured today have a "drag" setting. The drag setting decides how much tension is going to be put on the line. For example, if you hook a 50lb fish using 10lb test line, and you don't have a drag setting the fishes force is going to break the line. With the right amount of drag set though, the fish will not break the line, the fish might run for awhile before you can reel, but eventually the fish is going to get tired and you will be able to reel him in.

Next is the fishing line, fishing line is listed per pound test. Fishing line ranges from 5lb test to well over a hundred. Fishing lines come in many different types of colors, like white, red and blue, other colors of fishing line are there too of course.

The last 3 or so feet of you fishing line, called "the Leader", should be rated at least twice as high as the fishing line you are using. The leader is what has the hook on it. If you are using 10lb test you should at the very least have a 20lb "leader line". Leader lines are sometimes metal, which is actually quite often. Lots of bait & tackle shops sell pre-made leader lines to where you can just hook them up to the regular line. Also called "swivels".

Depending on whether you are fishing on the top of the water or you want to fish the bottom you will need to decide how much weight you want to put on the line. The weight or weight's, should be positioned right above the leader line in most cases. That way if you are bottom fishing the weight will hit the bottom and the leader with the bait can float freely a couple feet from the bottom.

Next I will talk about "bobbers", which mostly come in handy when freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing the flats or canals. The bobber is generally positioned right above the leader also, and the bait will not sink due to the flotation of the bobber. Once the bobber is pulled under water, more than likely you have a fish on and need to "set the hook" to nail the fish.

Choosing the right hook is always a must, you will learn better the more that you fish as to what kind of fishing hook you need to choose, and what you are fishing for. If you are trying to catch snook don't use a huge hook, if you are trying to catch some big shark then raise the size of the hook. The best types of hooks in my opinion are the "circle hooks". Circle hooks are self setting and have a better percentage of landing fish.

Lures, artificial bait used to trick fish into thinking its live bait. Lures must always be moving to be put to good use, you cast out the line then you reel in at a fast pace. There are thousands of types of lures and since this is a very basic article I am not going too much into detail because that's a whole different article itself easily.

Tackle Boxes are used to, well, store your tackle. The most common things found in tackle boxes are hooks, weights, lures, artificial worms, swivels, knives and whatever else you can think of to stuff in there.

There are many other types of tackle or fishing gear out there, this was just a very basic guide to the beginner or less experienced fisherman. Other types of bait & tackle I didn't cover but are very essential are jigs, cast nets, gaffs, chum, bait buckets, spears, nets, live wells, and more. This was just a brief explanation of bait & tackle and I hope you enjoyed this article.

By Dave Spates

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