Posted on September 29, 2018 in Angling Fishing Fishing Lines lures rods
Going down an aisle of a big retail store is a daunting task when you are trying to get started with fishing. This is true whether you are returning from a fishing hiatus or a first-time angler. There are just options after options when it comes to fishing gear. It’s seemingly impossible to figure out where to start without breaking the bank. There are many approaches
A great way to know where to fish is to talk to fishers who are familiar with the area. Fishermen love to talk about fishing, so asking for information wouldn’t be that difficult. Just don’t ask about specific locations where anglers invested countless hours learning the area. They might not be willing to share that information. Just merely identifying the site is not enough to make your first fishing experience successful. You need to learn what types of species are living in the area and know what bates and lures to use.
Angling gear has a wide array of selection from mild to wild that can fit any fishing style. For a
For the ability to catch different species in lakes and river, 8lb to 20lb rated medium action rod is a great start. Ugly Stick GX2 model is a good investment. It is a combo that is reasonably priced and durable. With TLC it can last many seasons. Spinning reels or commonly known as “open face” reels should be the go-to-reels for first-time anglers before trying out baitcasting reels.
Fishing lines nowadays are available in varied materials and diameters. For lines with the same material, larger diameter lines are stronger than smaller diameter. Braided lines are much stronger even though they are thin.
Fluorocarbon lines, on the other hand, are abrasion resistant and almost invisible underwater. While monofilament lines float and stretch.
Each of these line types has a different and specific use. In keeping it simple, stick with monofilament. A great line to start with is Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting clear monofilament in 10lb test.
Clinch, Palomar, and uni are few of the knots that you need to learn at a minimum. It’s frustrating when you forget how to re-tie a knot to your line when the fish are biting. So practice these knots with your monofilament before your next fishing trip. These three knots are sufficient to tie just about anything.
Hooks, weights, and floats: 3
Weights provide the necessary casting distance that you need, and it keeps your bait under water. For beginners, you may stick to the inexpensive and easy to install basic split shot weights.
DO NOT purchase snelled hooks. Snelled hooks have a pre-tied leader that needs to be attached to a swivel snap. Sharp, durable long lasting hooks made by Gamakatsu http://www.gamakatsu.com/ are available in most tackle shop. Other details regarding hooks will be discussed later in the article.
Floats or also called as bobbers or strike indicators. Anglers cannot fish without it. It keeps the baits afloat, off the bottom of the lake and allows you to see when a fish is eating your bait. A company that sells a wide variety of effective and yet inexpensive floats is https://www.comaltackle.com/
Like any hobby, love of fishing starts
When using panfish like perch and bluegills, tie a size 8 or 10 circle hook to the line. Add a few 12-18” split shots above the hook. Above the split shot, clip the float on the line. Place pieces of nightcrawler through the hook then cast the line off the bank.
For Predatory fish like bass, live shiners are excellent bait. Bass cannot resist shiners (a small baitfish). To hook them, review the panfish setup but tie it on a larger hook. Hook a live shiner through the back and gently cast it. Almost always you have a good sized fish when your float goes under the water when you are using shiners for baits.
When you get bored with bait fishing and trust me you will, it’s time to experiment with lures. There are a lot of lures, but we will focus on the most common ones with a high success rate for first-time anglers.
Yamamoto Senko is a favorite for artificial baits when it comes to fishing bass. Use 5” green pumpkin colored Senko wacky rigged; this can be deadly when you are on to largemouth bass in ponds or lakes.
Another option is swim shad by Keitech, it is a soft plastic bait. Use 1/8” ounce ball jig head and hook through the head of the bait. Cast it and let it sink, then retrieve it. Experiment with different speed and depth when retrieving, to know where the fish are.
Spinnerbaits have been used for a long time because they work. This is the last lure in the list that you should have. This is useful when the water visibility is low. Its spinning blade produces vibration that help fish locate it. For starters you can use a 3/8” oz white Booyah spinnerbait.
When you notice fish feeding on the surface, a topwater lure is the best lure to use to catch them. Whooper plopper is the most popular topwater lure. To use it you just simply cast it out, wait until the water calms down after it hits the water, then start reeling. Mix your reeling with pauses, twitches, and varying retrieving speed. Once a fish hits the lure, it’s a sure thing.
If you come to the point where you have used every trick in the bag and still can’t catch anything, it may be because the fish aren’t there. If only you can see underwater and know that fish are there for sure. Sonar devices can do that for you. Wireless, castable fish finders have been gaining popularity nowadays. You may think it’s expensive, but it’s not. There are products that are affordable, perfect for anglers who are just starting. Get more details about fish finders from the fishseekers website
Deep Smart Sonar is pretty light, and if you are not casting far, you can use your action rod and monofilament line. Cast the deeper system and walk along the bank until it detects fish. It doesn’t only locate fish; it also uses GPS so you can keep track of the location of the fish on your phone using an app. There’s a great note function on the app too where you can log your catches; this serves as your own personal database. This database is handy in accelerating your learning curve. You get to learn and review which structures your subjects like, where they are in different temperatures, how their behavior and location changes as seasons change. And because you know that there is fish, it also allows you to focus on your bait/lure presentation and experiment on new methods and gain confidence as you try different things.
Finally, we are down to bags. You have to have a good tackle bag to keep all your gear. Spiderwire is big enough to hold all the items listed above. It offers a single shoulder bag that is comfortable enough to carry around all day. Keep in mind that you need to keep mobile as you may need to move from one location to another. You want your hands free from anything when you walk up and down a river bank looking for the next bite.
Posted on September 28, 2018 in Angling Bass Fishing
Fish are cold-blooded creatures, which means that they cannot regulate their body temperature to stay at a constant level. The temperature of the fish’s surrounding influences their body temperature. When it gets too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter the fish in shallow waters (lakes, ponds, and rivers) become sluggish. This is because extreme temperatures reduce the amount of oxygen in the water making them less active.
Knowing this biology also teaches us the first lesson: determine the best time and tide to fish and avoid extreme temperatures if possible. Moreover, it also helps us to choose the right lures or bates to use and how fast or slow we have to work with them. In cold water since the fish are slower, you need to work on your tackle slower and work on it faster in warm water.
Fish prefer warm water; this is usually during early mornings or late afternoons towards evening. In the morning the sun warms the water making a comfortable environment for the fish. During early spring it is best to fish late in the morning where the sun has a chance to warm the water, especially the shallows with dark or muddy bottoms. Dark and muddy bottoms warm up faster than light sandy ones.
During chilly early spring days, it is best to fish in warm water temperatures. It makes bait fish more active and available to game fish. Move to cooler, deeper waters during hot sunny days. High temperatures cause the shallow fish move to cooler and deeper waters to stay comfortable. Fish during early mornings and late afternoons where the temperature is cooler and when lower light levels make fish go to the shallows to eat.
During midday, fish are in deeper waters because the surface temperature goes up which decreases the surface oxygen and sometimes during this time of the day the wind increases. If you opt to fish during this time, it is best to use deep fishing baits, rigs
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The wind can make or break your fishing location, time, technique, and gear choices. It dictates your fishing success. This is because the wind pushes the warm water and the food to the far offshore. On a windy day, you can shore fish. Make sure to cast your lure into the wind so it can move with it. If you are fishing from a boat, go to a sheltered shore as you cast with the wind.
Like any other animals, fish are attuned to barometric conditions. This affects fishing success. Before a storm hits, fish feeding increases as they prepare for the cold front. Feeding decreases after a storm or front hits.
It is not advisable to fish right after a cold front, wait it out a day or two. Warm fronts, on the other hand, causes the water temperature to rise, making the fish in a feeding frenzy. This is true during winter when warm fronts hit it increases the temperature causing the sluggish fish to feed near
On a normal sunny day, fish tend to hide and stay close to a structure but on a cloudy day they cruise for food. Overcast skies prevent harsh light to penetrate thus signals the fish to look for food. During a cloudy day, they are less likely to stay near a structure and more likely to scatter throughout a waterway.
During warm spring or summer, light rain is one of the best times to fish. When shore, wade, or boat fishing, rain helps you hide from the fish as it breaks up its view through the water. It also helps create a feeding binge for the fish as it washes insects and fishing baits into the water.
Now you know the best time to fish through the seasons, go ahead and check your state’s regulation on fishing, make sure to regularly consult your local weather and fishing conditions. For coast states, information on best saltwater fishing times are often provided. Get your fishing license online now and have fun!