Sunday, 15 June 2008

Top 4 Best Bass Fishing Lures Secrets

So you're planning your next bass fishing trip. You've got all those brand new shiny crankbaits sitting ready to go in your tackle box, and now your surfing the net looking for the best bass fishing lures secrets. In this article that's exactly what we are going to look at, and I know after your done reading this you'll have a added a tip or 2 to your bass fishing arsenal of knowledge. After all it's all about getting that nest monster bass in the boat right? There's no point having a nice shiny crankbait in your tackle box if you don't understand how to put a bass into your live well with it.

So let's look at best bass fishing lures secrets and their strategies and how they apply to bass fishing. All lures no matter if they are spinnerbaits or crankbaits are designed to perform a specific way. A lot of times the reason why anglers fail to catch more bass is because they fail to use lures for the function they were designed for. If you're completely familiar with the function and characteristic of each lure in your tackle box then you can be rest assured you have an edge over the angler that just starts grabbing crankbaits on a whim when the chips are down.

There are all kinds of different bass fishing lures available. Many of these lures overlap in their function, but there are others that were designed to meet certain conditions and require special techniques to be successful. In general bass fishing lures fall under the following;

1. Shallow Water Fishing: Ah the magic of catching bass in shallow water can be a bit tricky. This is one water type where snags can rule the day and it can be easy to lose 20 bucks worth of crankbaits and catch zero fish if you are not careful. This is also probably the most common section of water where most bass anglers prefer to take on their trophies. Floating/Diving plugs and Spinnerbaits are the winners here.

Choose, minnow-imitating balsa plugs or plastic plugs that float when they are at rest and dive only a foot or two on retrieve are your best choices here.

Spinnerbaits are excellent shallow water lures, particularly in the spring when fish are shallow due to the warmer water. Spinner baits are also very good at covering large amounts of water fast as you look for those active feeding bass. So I often like to hit shallow water areas up with a 1-2 punch technique. First fish an area with a quick covering spinnerbait looking for those active lunkers then follow up with a shallow running plug. By using the 1-2 punch you can cover a lot of water, and be sure you covered it effectively before moving on to the next spot.

2. Medium depth angling (4 to 12 feet): Here you are best off choosing a straight running dive to the bottom plug often referred to as a crankbait. Crankbaits generally come in 3 styles, shallow medium and deep diving versions. Each version is dependant on the size and shape of the lip that protrudes from each one. The idea is you want to choose a crankbait that can dive into the strike zone where the bass are sitting as fast as possible and stay there the longest. Medium and deep divers are usually the most useful to bass fishermen here as they tend to work best for most conditions.

Don't forget worms and jigs are also highly effective bass baits in this depth range, so don't forget to give them a try too. Often worms and jigs in this depth range will tend to target the shy biting bass or are great to tie on if your fishing during a cold front.

3. Deep Water Bass Fishing (10 feet or more). A bass fisherman needs to understand why bass heads for these deeper waters and understand this then you'll see why this bass fishing lure secret should be your first choice. Bass seek the comfort of cooler, deep water in late spring, summer, and early fall. A lot of the times the water is too warm for the bass in the shallows so this tends to push the bass into deeper water. Another reason why bass head into deep water is because of weather. A heavy cold front will push bass into deep water as well, but for whatever the reason why bass may be holding in the deeper water doesn't mean you can't catch bass, it just means we change strategies.

Here the bass fisherman that knows how to handle a plastic worm is going to put lunkers in his boat. In deep water plastic worms are probably more effective then all the other lure combinations combined. Another great choice here is the jig. Both lure choice are extremely effectively in very deep water (and at any depth for that matter) at targeting shy bass.

4. Surface fishing: Ah the favorite technique of bass anglers, nothing gets the heart pumping more then the excitement of surface fishing for bass. Watching a bass nail a fishing lure on the surface is breath taking and I don't know an angler alive that doesn't get excited just thinking about it. Surface lures run the gamut here and there are a lot of choice from soft plastic floating baits to wood or plastic plugs that twitch, wobble, chug, and sputter. Going through all the techniques in how to fish surface lures is an article all on it's own but finesse in working these surface lures is the name of the game.

That's the basics of bass fishing lures secrets and how to choose the best bass fishing lure for the job. The point to remember here is there is a time and place for every fishing lure. If you want to maximize your potential to catch big bass then you need to use a lure that was designed for whatever situation you may be fishing in. There are good lures and bad lures, good times to use them and poor time to use them. But having a solid understanding of the usage a lure was designed for an its place will go a long way to help you choose the correct fishing lure the next time you open your tackle box.

By Troy Nantais

Now obviously there is a lot more to bass fishing then understanding lure choice and having a well stocked tackle box. For more information on bass fishing and bass fishing secrets check out http://www.squidoo.com/basshabitat

My name is T Nantais and I am an avid fisherman who loves Bass fishing and you can find a lot more bass fishing tips on my page.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Nantais

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How To Rig Powerbait To Catch More Trout

Are you interested in knowing how to rig Powerbait to catch more trout? I assume so, or you wouldn't be reading this article. In this article I'm going to reveal the best way to rig Powerbait to catch more trout, and the best times to use said trout rig. These two valuable pieces of information will help anyone catch more trout on their next fishing outing.

When talking about trout and Powerbait I think it's important to describe what it is we're fishing for. When you use Powerbait for trout the bottom line is that you're fishing for stocked fish, rather than 'native' fish. These are trout that have been raised and 'planted' by the government. There's nothing wrong with this, it's just the way it is. For the most part the rig that I'm going to describe is used for still fishing in lakes. This can be modified as you see fit, but for me, Powerbait is only used when still fishing is lakes for stocked trout.

Many people ask what color Powerbait is best. I've always said that I've never believed that it matters. If one color isn't working, try another color, it's as simple as that. Stocked trout are no very sophisticated (to say the least) and I simply don't think that color matters much. The important thing to remember is that whatever color you use, make sure that it floats. Flotation is the important aspect this type of trout bait.

Begin by taking the end of your line and slipping on an egg sinker (1/4 to ½ ounce). Now tie on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). The barrel swivel acts as a "stopper" for the weight and helps to prevent line twist. Now tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks, size 8 or 10 is usually best. Now add enough Powerbait to each hook to completely cover each hook. In other words, when you're done you'll have two balls of Powerbait hanging from the end of your line. This is how to rig Powerbait to catch more trout.

Now cast this rig into the lake, let it sink, and slowly reel in the slack line. Now prop your rod against an immovable object and wait. Your line should be completely taught. The rod tip will bounce when you start to get a bite (it shouldn't take long). Now how do you make sure that you're fishing at the best time?

The best time to be on the water fishing is determined by the weather and moon. All you have to do is pay attention to the weather and moon, and plan your fishing trips accordingly. Seriously, the weather and moon have an incredible impact on the feeding activity of trout and the better you understand this phenomenon the better. This might sound strange, but it's nonetheless true.

Begin using these tips sooner, rather than later and you will begin catching more trout. Albeit stocked trout, but hey sometimes an anglers got to do what he or she has to do.

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!

Get Fishing Tips & Techniques For Pennies - http://www.lulu.com/jrwfishing

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Bass Fishing For Beginners

Bass fishing has come a long way from being a nonchalant hobby to becoming a serious sport with different competitions held worldwide. The unique challenges created from bass fishing has helped to promote its popularity as a sport, resulting even in specialty baits, rods, clothing lines, and even boats. The sport is growing at a fascinating rate with millions being drawn in every year. The various types of bass fish that you can catch include small mouth bass, striped bass, spotted bass and largemouth bass. Out of these, the largemouth bass is the biggest one weighting over 10 pounds. Catching one is considered to be a stiff challenge as they do throw up an incredible fight when caught.

Many different states have different laws and regulations with respect to bass fishing. Most states employ the release as you catch rule according to which an angler is required to throw the bass as soon as it is caught so that there is an abundant supply of bass fish in the fishing area. For a beginner, going through the rules and regulations of the area makes great sense as you would not want to risk having your license revoked due to some misunderstanding or other.

As a bass fishing beginner, it would be great to kick-start your bass fishing adventure by fishing on smaller ponds or shorelines of lakes. These places have abundant supply of white and spotted brass and catching them should not pose much of a challenge.

There are three major types of bass fishing with the primary one being live bait fishing. In this form of bass fishing, live bait such as a worm or a shad is used to entice the bass. However, one needs to ensure that these baits are not dead beforehand as that would not be likely to attract any fish to your hook. Another form of fishing which is commonly used is Spinner Fishing. This method involves the uses of lures at dawn or late at night. However, this technique is restricted to only experienced bass fisherman, as finding the right type at the right fishing spot takes a lot of practice and skill.

Plugs are another type of bass lure and there are many different types used for plug fishing. While some of them are used for catching fish on the surface, most of them find use in catching deep swimming bass. Because bass are predators and eat their prey alive, using plugs results in great results as they do sound life-like thereby enticing bass fish into falling for the bait.

Bass fishing has grown in popularity and there are many competitions just for catching bass. The two major bass fishing competitions in the United States are the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and the Wal-Mart FLW Tour which offer prize money to the tune of $500,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. With so much at stake for a fun filled hobby, expect more and more people to tune into this wonderful recreational activity in the future.

By Allen Bohart

Fishing charters can be a good way to learn about the ins and outs of fishing an area. For these and other fishing vacation ideas, visit http://www.thefishingbobber.com today.

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How to Rig Live Worms to Catch More Trout Today

Do you know how to effectively rig live worms when you go fishing? After reading this article, you most certainly will. Rigging live worms for trout fishing isn't difficult, but it does involve more than simply tying on a large hook, threading a worm on, and calling it good. I'll explain the simple steps in this article so that you'll know exactly how to rig live worms to catch more trout (or any other species of fish for that matter).

Let's begin with the basics. When fishing with live worms it's important to use fishing line that's as light as you feel comfortable fishing with. For example, I personally use four pound test for 90% of my live worm fishing. The lighter the line, the more bites you will receive, it's as simple as that. This is simply because lighter line is less visible, and in clear water (here trout tend to reside) the less visible your line is, the more bites you will get. Not to mention the fact that using light line makes fishing a ton more challenging and enjoyable in my humble opinion.

The next thing that needs to be mentioned before I outline the "rig" itself is that when using live worms for bait it's a great idea to make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors before baiting up. Why is this the case? Simply because these unnatural odors, such as gasoline residue or smoke, will transfer to your bait and cost you bites. This is especially true for larger, more experienced trout. I've personally tested this theory, and it absolutely makes a difference. The simple remedy for this problem is to grab a handful of grass or dirt before baiting up, and rub it into your hands. This will effectively "wash" your hands f any unnatural odors.

Now down to the business of how to rig live worms to catch more trout. The key to this equation is gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enable a live worm to be presented in an outstretched and natural manner the way God intended, rather than all "balled up" like a piece of meat. Having your live worm look like a live worm makes a huge difference in the number of bites you will receive. Let's get down to the "rig", shall we?

Begin by grabbing the end of your line n tying on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). Now on the opposite end of the barrel swivel tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks (size 8 or 10 for trout). Weight can be added to the rig by adding split shot sinkers to the line above the barrel swivel or by sipping and egg sinker onto your line before tying on the barrel swivel to begin with. Now you simply place a live worm onto your gang hooks and you're good to go.

This rig is amazingly effective for rigging live worms or trout fishing, and when allowed to flow naturally with the current of a river or stream, the results are deadly. Use the split shot option and add or remove split shot as needed until you have the right number to allow your offering to roll along the bottom while it flows with the current of your favorite trout river. Now you know how to rig live worms to catch more trout. Give this rig a try sooner, rather than later and find out for yourself how effective natural presentation can be.

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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Using Live Worms While Fishing

Were you aware of the fact that using live worms for fishing involves more than simply attempting to "thread" a worm onto a hook and calling it good? At least it should if you want to become a true live worm angler. Just buying a Styrofoam container full of worms and "threading" said worms onto a single hook and using them for bait is how amateurs and first time worm fishermen do it.

For those of you who want to graduate to true "live worm fishing" there are a few simple rules that should be followed to improve your success. In this article, I'm going to reveal these simple, yet amazingly effective tips that will help you almost immediately. These tips have been proven by more than forty years of combined fishing experience, and were originally taught to me by the best live worm angler I've ever come in contact with. Now you can take advantage of these tips by reading a quick article. Not a bad deal.

In my humble opinion, using live worms while fishing can be as much of an art form as waving flies back and forth in the air has ever been proclaimed to be. Remember, there's no substitute for spending time on the water practicing your craft, so get out there and use these tips as soon as you can. By spending time on the water you can hone your craft, which in this case is live worm fishing, into the 'art form' that I'm referring to.

The first thing to keep in mind when using live worms while fishing is that you need to pay attention to your hands. What do I mean by this? Simply that your hands need to be free of any unnatural odors, such as smoking or gasoline residue, before baiting up. These scents will transfer to your bait (worms) and cost you bites. I've personally tested this and its true my friends. The tip is this: to eliminate any unnatural odors that may be on your hands, before baiting up, grab a handful of grass or dirt and rub it into your hands. This will effectively wash any unnatural odors from your hands that could cause you issues.

The next thing to keep in mind is your hooks. When fishing with leave worms gang hooks should always be employed. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enable live worms to be presented in an outstretched and natural manner, the way God intended. This natural presentation makes a huge difference in bite rates. Gang hooks allow you to fish with a live worm and still have your offering look like a worm, rather than some sort of "worm ball" (which is what happens with single hooks).

Finally when using live worms for fishing, or any other bait for that matter, make sure you pay attention to the weather and moon. These two forces of Mother Nature have as much to do with you catching fish as any other factor. Once you start fishing when the fish are the most active by understanding the weather and moon, the more fish you will catch, 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!

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

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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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Thursday, 5 June 2008

The Best Fly Fishing Techniques Can Improve Your Results

Unfortunately, for beginner anglers, learning fly fishing can at times be difficult. But you can learn the best fly fishing techniques to increase the number of fish you catch the next time you go fly fishing, in a relatively short amount of time and with ease.

First of all, it is very important to "know" your fish and study the places it frequents. For example, salmon prefer to "hang out" in different areas of the river than trout. Knowing the difference can ensure a thrilling catch every time you go out. So observation is one of the best fly fishing techniques you can employ to make your trip a successful one.

Simply casting the fly where you last saw the fish isn't enough and will usually cause you to come home empty handed. Once you see the one you want, how you present the fly is crucial to getting the fish to notice the fly.

You are only as good as your last cast and if you are making mistakes with your techniques, that can cause dire consequences, such as causing the fly to get wet prematurely.

Knowing the insect that the cast and fly is imitating is also one of the best fly fishing techniques. Learning the life stages and habits of these insects will help you become better at mimicking their behavior. Just this one strategy can really increase your chances of catching that elusive fish you are after.

Locating "untouched" waters can also yield great results. Compare that with trying your luck in "fished out waters" where the fish are much wiser to your tactics. I'm sure you already know first-hand how frustrating that can be.

By Adam Raley

To learn the tricks of a perfect cast and how to walk away from the river with a prize catch on even the "off" days, when most people will tell you it is impossible to catch a fish like during a scorching heat wave, you might want to have a look at Fly Fishing Tips & Techniques

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Raley

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Saturday, 17 May 2008

How To Make Homemade Catfish Bait

I'm a catfish lover by nature and here I'll show you how to make catfish baits that will help you reel in the fattest of cats. I'm constantly at the lake with a lot of lines in the water at all times. Whether through the warm months of summer or into the depths of a frigid winter, I can show you how to reel in a cat no matter what the weather forecast with my time-tested homemade catfish baits.

Many new catfishermen think that you have to buy catfish bait from the local bait shop. Yet as time passes, you'll come to realize that most guys lugging in the heavier cats are fishing with baits that they make at home. These homemade catfish bait recipes are what sets the men apart from the boys. Catfish seem to like a variety of different baits throughout the year. What may work one day in reeling in the fat cats may leave you coming home empty-handed the next. An important note is to keep track of local conditions. Introduce yourself to other local fisherman and find out what the catfish are biting on on a daily basis. I, along with many other cat lovers have always caught more catfish, more often than not, when chumming. Chumming is basically pre-baiting an area with small bits of the same type of bait you are fishing with for the day. If you're fishing with tuna, then a tuna chum should be used to draw the catfish into the area of water you plan to fish. Now I know you're ready to get your hands wet, so to speak, so on to the catfish bait recipes.

How To Make Catfish Bait - Homemade Recipes

The simplest of all cat fish bait recipes is the age-old hot dog. Simply cut up the hot dogs into one inch slices and push them up into a treble hook. Now you can stop there, but one of my favorite additions to the old hot dog catfish bait is to get a mason jar several days before going fishing and putting the cut up (one inch slices) hot dogs into the mason jar. Then thoroughly cover the hot dogs with garlic salt. Put on the lid, shake the jar ever so often and keep in the fridge until ready to go fishing. Cats love 'em and I'm sure you will too.

Next on the list of catfish bait recipes is the grand-daddy of all catfish baits, and that is the time-tested chicken liver. People have been catching catfish on chicken livers since the beginning of time. The only problem with using them is that they are slimy and fall off the hook easily when casting out into the rivers and lakes. So here's a simple 20th century fix that will keep those chicken livers on the hook. If you own a dehydrator, you just cut out some wax paper to fit your dehydrator trays and then lay out the chicken livers flat onto the wax paper on the trays. The chicken livers will take about three days total to dry out. You want them to dry to the consistency of beef jerky, pliable yet dried. For an added plus, sprinkle some garlic salt over the chicken livers as they are drying. Another great catfish bait recipe that will have you cleaning catfish for supper.

The last catfish bait recipe I'll be offering here is for meat-eaters. Whenever your wife (or husband) is cooking any meat in the kitchen and there are trimmings to be taken from the meat, save those meat trimmings for catfish bait. I've even yanked in a few catfish in my days with just plain old chicken fat. I swear all catfish love garlic, so be sure to spread the garlic around whenever possible.

I hope these catfish bait recipes work as well for you as they have for me over the years. You'll never know how to catch catfish with homemade baits until you try, so give it a whirl the next time you go catfishing and see how it turns out for you. You may just reel in a record!

By Michael Faraday

The writer of this article is an old-timer chock full of information to share. Visit his How To blog and if you have more time be sure to check out his Do It Yourself site, where you'll learn how to fix everything from the family car to the kitchen sink.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Faraday

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