It seems like a completely different world when the night falls on a body of water. It gets quieter and there is a subtle symphony of nature sounds.
Night fishing brings a mix of sounds from bugs, frogs, and small animals. As it cools down the big fish will start coming to the shallow water. This is the time to catch that big one that always seems to get away.
Night time is the perfect time for catching some big catfish. When you put your lantern on the shoreline, bugs will be attracted to the light as well as the fish. The small baitfish will come toward the light and the large fish will be there to feed on them. That is why you should use live bait such as minnows, etc.
Choose the mouth of inlets or further up in the inlet for night fishing. Also shallow areas that are next to the deeper water would do well also. While there is still light you can set up your cooler, chairs, light, fish basket and anything else you think you might need. It is best to keep to one area in the darkness because running around the shore at night could be dangerous. Then settle back and start a night of fishing.
When it starts getting dark the catfish will come to the shallow water. You could start with some night crawlers on a sliding sinker rig. A good bait fishing setup is a sliding sinker with o-ring tied under it with a #8 hook and 16" leader. Cast out and every 10 or 15 minutes move it around. Next, a second rod with a minnow or other baitfish and use the sliding rig. These are the rigs that will produce the most fish for night fishing. It is a slower but more relaxing type of fishing and it can pay off big.
Other fish might take the bait as well such as gar, carp, walleye, bass, etc. Be prepared for anything as you never know just what you'll catch with your night fishing.
There's nothing like night fishing to relax, dream, count the stars and, of course, catch that big one. So do yourself a little night fishing, a little communing with nature, and feel your anxiety and worries slip away.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Salmon Fly Fishing
Fly fishing for salmon requires a lot of concentration and patience but will always pay off in the end.
Salmon will not be feeding when they are in a river but they will still strike as this is their nature. But watch out when salmon are in a lake as they will be very aggressive and predatory. This behavior can be challenging to fisherman but exciting also.
Choose carefully the time of day you are fly fishing for salmon. Bright, sunny days will cause the salmon to hide in deep holes and make them more difficult to catch. On low light or cloudy days they will be much easier to catch as this is their preferred weather.
A smart fisherman will make a water temperature chart to follow patterns of the salmon. This can take several years to perfect but once you have it you will be ahead of the game. Get a thermometer to check the temperatures at different times of the day. Always put the thermometer in the same depth and place each time. Start keeping a notebook with you so you can record the temperatures and update it as often as possible. Eventually you will know the best times to salmon fish in your best spots.
Salmon like the cooler water best and as the water heats up they will go deeper. Salmon need oxygen and cooler water will have more. Being in their ideal cooler water will make them a lot harder to catch as they will fight harder. So choose your water temperature wisely to hit just the right note between too hot and too cool.
Knowing when and where to fly fish for salmon can be tricky because the salmon will be swimming up and down following the pattern of day brightness and water temperature. So being patient is a big requirement of a successful salmon fisherman. Sometimes the weather will be windy and you will have to cast far out because you will be casting into the wind. When the weather conditions change you have to change with them if you want to catch your salmon.
When you are fishing the deep holes your line can easily get snagged on debris, rocks, and foliage. You will probably end up losing a lot of flies so make sure you have plenty, but it will all be worth it when you take that big catch home.
For adventure, exitement, and sometimes the fight of your life, try salmon fly fishing for the satisfaction of testing your skills against fish and nature.
Salmon will not be feeding when they are in a river but they will still strike as this is their nature. But watch out when salmon are in a lake as they will be very aggressive and predatory. This behavior can be challenging to fisherman but exciting also.
Choose carefully the time of day you are fly fishing for salmon. Bright, sunny days will cause the salmon to hide in deep holes and make them more difficult to catch. On low light or cloudy days they will be much easier to catch as this is their preferred weather.
A smart fisherman will make a water temperature chart to follow patterns of the salmon. This can take several years to perfect but once you have it you will be ahead of the game. Get a thermometer to check the temperatures at different times of the day. Always put the thermometer in the same depth and place each time. Start keeping a notebook with you so you can record the temperatures and update it as often as possible. Eventually you will know the best times to salmon fish in your best spots.
Salmon like the cooler water best and as the water heats up they will go deeper. Salmon need oxygen and cooler water will have more. Being in their ideal cooler water will make them a lot harder to catch as they will fight harder. So choose your water temperature wisely to hit just the right note between too hot and too cool.
Knowing when and where to fly fish for salmon can be tricky because the salmon will be swimming up and down following the pattern of day brightness and water temperature. So being patient is a big requirement of a successful salmon fisherman. Sometimes the weather will be windy and you will have to cast far out because you will be casting into the wind. When the weather conditions change you have to change with them if you want to catch your salmon.
When you are fishing the deep holes your line can easily get snagged on debris, rocks, and foliage. You will probably end up losing a lot of flies so make sure you have plenty, but it will all be worth it when you take that big catch home.
For adventure, exitement, and sometimes the fight of your life, try salmon fly fishing for the satisfaction of testing your skills against fish and nature.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bass Fishing Patterns
When anglers set patterns, they refer to fishing destination and what presentations work best. Many anglers use pegging, draggin', loop, curly-tail, and other patterns to catch bass. Pegging is a unique design rigged by anglers. Anglers will use plastic worms coupled with "peg bullet sinkers" and sharp objects, such as toothpicks to keep the sinker and worm in one location.
In weedless areas, anglers use Texas Rigs with worms. The Mono Loop is a common strategy that helps anglers avoid entangling their hook, line, etc. with weeds. Anglers will render the hook, exposing it on a basic jig head. The strategy works okay, yet anglers often snatch weeds as well as bass. To solve the problem, anglers attach a rigid mono loop weighing around '30 pounds' to the rear eye of a vertical shank worm hook. The line scampers between the eyes. The worm is then glided onto the hook, and the mono is jabbed into the hook curve.
Curly-tail involves hooking your plastic worm to the curly-tail so that it slides down on the hook. The methods are sufficient in preventing twisting lines.
Bass worms, such as the towering plastic buoyancy that bubbles will attract bass when all else fails.
The 1/8 and/or the 1/4 ounce hair jigs are ideal for catching smallmouth bass, especially if you add a chunk of pork. Uncle Josh Number 101 and other series are available. If you want to change rates of sinking, try slicing off the fat on the pork. The method was discovered by Tony Bean who has caught over 200 bass.
Bass fishing patterns such as the double trailer is a great buzzbait crank. The tactic works for many anglers, however, advanced strategies will lead to good fruits. For instance, Conrad Peterson attached a "Trailer hook" to the up and down riding points and caught some fancy bass.
Patterns that vibrate include the large spinnerbait with single blades. Add a Colorado blade and a large frog and you will catch sluggish bass. The patterns are great when the waters are cold. Bass will also attack tube jibs that are rigged up with lightweight monos. The strategy works well in cold water.
In shallow weedy waters bass take cover depending on the season. During this time, you want to use plastic worms or jig-pig bait to attract the fish without worrying about hooking your line to weeds. During cold fronts you can use patterns, such as the Texas Rig plastic worms. Use the slow Draggin' strategy to attract the bass. One of the best tactics is to twitch the bait so that the worm sweeps the bottom of the water.
TIP: How to find bass
Bass often hide beneath a rocky reef, weed beds, lines, timber, boulders, etc., when the sun is hot. Bass prefer moderate water temperature in the 70s. Bass will swim toward hiding spots when the temperature rises.
In weedless areas, anglers use Texas Rigs with worms. The Mono Loop is a common strategy that helps anglers avoid entangling their hook, line, etc. with weeds. Anglers will render the hook, exposing it on a basic jig head. The strategy works okay, yet anglers often snatch weeds as well as bass. To solve the problem, anglers attach a rigid mono loop weighing around '30 pounds' to the rear eye of a vertical shank worm hook. The line scampers between the eyes. The worm is then glided onto the hook, and the mono is jabbed into the hook curve.
Curly-tail involves hooking your plastic worm to the curly-tail so that it slides down on the hook. The methods are sufficient in preventing twisting lines.
Bass worms, such as the towering plastic buoyancy that bubbles will attract bass when all else fails.
The 1/8 and/or the 1/4 ounce hair jigs are ideal for catching smallmouth bass, especially if you add a chunk of pork. Uncle Josh Number 101 and other series are available. If you want to change rates of sinking, try slicing off the fat on the pork. The method was discovered by Tony Bean who has caught over 200 bass.
Bass fishing patterns such as the double trailer is a great buzzbait crank. The tactic works for many anglers, however, advanced strategies will lead to good fruits. For instance, Conrad Peterson attached a "Trailer hook" to the up and down riding points and caught some fancy bass.
Patterns that vibrate include the large spinnerbait with single blades. Add a Colorado blade and a large frog and you will catch sluggish bass. The patterns are great when the waters are cold. Bass will also attack tube jibs that are rigged up with lightweight monos. The strategy works well in cold water.
In shallow weedy waters bass take cover depending on the season. During this time, you want to use plastic worms or jig-pig bait to attract the fish without worrying about hooking your line to weeds. During cold fronts you can use patterns, such as the Texas Rig plastic worms. Use the slow Draggin' strategy to attract the bass. One of the best tactics is to twitch the bait so that the worm sweeps the bottom of the water.
TIP: How to find bass
Bass often hide beneath a rocky reef, weed beds, lines, timber, boulders, etc., when the sun is hot. Bass prefer moderate water temperature in the 70s. Bass will swim toward hiding spots when the temperature rises.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Striped Bass Tips
The striped bass is sought out at various lakes, rivers, etc. and all through Lake Ouachita. The striped bass is also known as lineside and rockfish. Stripers have silver sides, which are darker than the stripes on white bass. Stripers are long with patches around the tongue and teeth. The hybrids are joining with white perch in various lakes. Female bass will often crossbreed, which is where the sunshine bass, whiterock, and wiper come from.
Striped bass have an excellent sporting quality. They are fast and powerful. Striped bass are freshwater fish which are often caught with jigs, large plugs, and live baitfish, cut bait, deep trolls, gizzard shads, and so on. Striped bass will give chase when they spot artificial baitfish.
Stripers will enter fresh water during spawning season. The Anadromous fish will also migrate at southern reservoirs, particularly in the larger waters. Stripers enjoy clear water. Fishing in the clear waters, anglers often use gizzard shads, open water baitfish, threadfin and so on. The preferred water temperature of these bass is 75 degrees.
Striped bass are predatory. They will often eat other fish. The bass will also feast on insects, crustaceans, and foods at the bottom of the lakes. The temperate bass swim in groups, which make it easy for anglers to catch a surplus of bass if using the correct strategies. The best time to fish for striped bass is during the early mornings, or in the early evening.
Striped bass will spawn during spring as the water temperature starts to rise to 60 degrees. You will find the striped bass spawning at dams and moving upstream in reservoirs. Anglers want to search shallow water, since striped bass will group.
The fast moving striped bass lives for a long time and the largest weighs around 125 pounds. Check the Atlantic Coast to find striped bass.
Freshwater catch includes the world record 59-pound and 12-ounce bass. The striper was caught in Arizona along the Colorado River. The largest world record saltwater striped bass weighed 78 pounds and 8 ounces. This big fish was caught at New Jersey's Atlantic City river.
Striped bass also group at Lake Ouachita. Anglers in this area use gizzard shad, rubber balloons, etc., to catch striped bass. In fact, magazines recorded anglers experience on this lake, which included a 40-pound bass. One of the trophy bass weighed 47-pounds and 11-ounces. The world's largest bass caught in this lake weighed around 52-pounds.
According to pro anglers, striped bass will hide in deep waters along the valleys, rocks, and deep areas of Lake Ouachita. Anglers tell us that searching for striped bass in valleys and ridges is the best fishing spots. Striped bass will swim shallow waters when boats and the sun are at bay. Like many other bass, the striped bass prefer to stay in cool waters.
Anglers often use a variety of fishing tactics when hunting striped bass. Some of the popular fishing equipment includes cable wire, spreader rig, mono, minnow plugs, bucktail jigs, twister tail, curly tail trailers, baitfish and so on. The best times to fish at Lake Ouachita is during dark hours, evening and morning. The bass tend to swim up to 12 feet deep near the valleys.
Striped bass have an excellent sporting quality. They are fast and powerful. Striped bass are freshwater fish which are often caught with jigs, large plugs, and live baitfish, cut bait, deep trolls, gizzard shads, and so on. Striped bass will give chase when they spot artificial baitfish.
Stripers will enter fresh water during spawning season. The Anadromous fish will also migrate at southern reservoirs, particularly in the larger waters. Stripers enjoy clear water. Fishing in the clear waters, anglers often use gizzard shads, open water baitfish, threadfin and so on. The preferred water temperature of these bass is 75 degrees.
Striped bass are predatory. They will often eat other fish. The bass will also feast on insects, crustaceans, and foods at the bottom of the lakes. The temperate bass swim in groups, which make it easy for anglers to catch a surplus of bass if using the correct strategies. The best time to fish for striped bass is during the early mornings, or in the early evening.
Striped bass will spawn during spring as the water temperature starts to rise to 60 degrees. You will find the striped bass spawning at dams and moving upstream in reservoirs. Anglers want to search shallow water, since striped bass will group.
The fast moving striped bass lives for a long time and the largest weighs around 125 pounds. Check the Atlantic Coast to find striped bass.
Freshwater catch includes the world record 59-pound and 12-ounce bass. The striper was caught in Arizona along the Colorado River. The largest world record saltwater striped bass weighed 78 pounds and 8 ounces. This big fish was caught at New Jersey's Atlantic City river.
Striped bass also group at Lake Ouachita. Anglers in this area use gizzard shad, rubber balloons, etc., to catch striped bass. In fact, magazines recorded anglers experience on this lake, which included a 40-pound bass. One of the trophy bass weighed 47-pounds and 11-ounces. The world's largest bass caught in this lake weighed around 52-pounds.
According to pro anglers, striped bass will hide in deep waters along the valleys, rocks, and deep areas of Lake Ouachita. Anglers tell us that searching for striped bass in valleys and ridges is the best fishing spots. Striped bass will swim shallow waters when boats and the sun are at bay. Like many other bass, the striped bass prefer to stay in cool waters.
Anglers often use a variety of fishing tactics when hunting striped bass. Some of the popular fishing equipment includes cable wire, spreader rig, mono, minnow plugs, bucktail jigs, twister tail, curly tail trailers, baitfish and so on. The best times to fish at Lake Ouachita is during dark hours, evening and morning. The bass tend to swim up to 12 feet deep near the valleys.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Carp Rigging
Use a hair rig to increase your chances. As carp taste food first, if they don't like the taste, they won't come near it.
You may also use a Spider Line, 50 lbs test, then use a leader material that fits the situation.
Thread the bait on the baiting needle and hook the hair loop. You may also use foam dipped in a flavor as this enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
Also make a baiting needle by just straightening a long shank hook. Slide the bait on the shank, then slide the bait from the needle onto the hair.
Using a float is also an advantage because it adds weight for further distancing and the location is easily identified.
Don't forget the controller float rig. A leader can be used which is attached to the swivel to it's mainline of at least 3 feet length with a 10 lb Drennan double strength. A low diameter mono will do just as long as it floats well enough for visibility.
It is not the bait that catches the carp but the method in which the bait is introduced. Pre-bait every day in one spot for a few days. This makes the carp think that there is a regular source of food for them and by "word of mouth" there'll soon be a school of fish around. Just be patient and it will all work.
You may also use a Spider Line, 50 lbs test, then use a leader material that fits the situation.
Thread the bait on the baiting needle and hook the hair loop. You may also use foam dipped in a flavor as this enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
Also make a baiting needle by just straightening a long shank hook. Slide the bait on the shank, then slide the bait from the needle onto the hair.
Using a float is also an advantage because it adds weight for further distancing and the location is easily identified.
Don't forget the controller float rig. A leader can be used which is attached to the swivel to it's mainline of at least 3 feet length with a 10 lb Drennan double strength. A low diameter mono will do just as long as it floats well enough for visibility.
It is not the bait that catches the carp but the method in which the bait is introduced. Pre-bait every day in one spot for a few days. This makes the carp think that there is a regular source of food for them and by "word of mouth" there'll soon be a school of fish around. Just be patient and it will all work.
Carp Fishing Tips And Techniques
Carp fishing can be awesome. Carp are very good at sucking in and blowing out suspicious baits. It is very exciting to see the whole action in a fraction of a second as you hang on while the reel is trembling with a loud noise.
Carp happily devour on the surface as long as you keep the pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread and rehydrated corn coming in. Attach them to the hooks, preferably using the bread. Have the biscuits softened by dipping it in the water for about 2 minutes, then put them in a sealed sandwich bag for about an hour. One other way to hook baits is to super glue the pellet into the shank.
Once they get into feeding, let them feel comfortable around the bait. This gives more opportunity for the fisherman since they begin to not feel picky. This tactic can be useful for zig rigs.
As soon as they are feeding, cast the bait but make sure not to drop the bait directly onto the feeding carp. Cast away from the feeding area then slowly draw it in position. Be sure and keep the food coming in so as to keep the carp from going away.
Carp happily devour on the surface as long as you keep the pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread and rehydrated corn coming in. Attach them to the hooks, preferably using the bread. Have the biscuits softened by dipping it in the water for about 2 minutes, then put them in a sealed sandwich bag for about an hour. One other way to hook baits is to super glue the pellet into the shank.
Once they get into feeding, let them feel comfortable around the bait. This gives more opportunity for the fisherman since they begin to not feel picky. This tactic can be useful for zig rigs.
As soon as they are feeding, cast the bait but make sure not to drop the bait directly onto the feeding carp. Cast away from the feeding area then slowly draw it in position. Be sure and keep the food coming in so as to keep the carp from going away.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Keep Your Catch From the Lake Fresh For Your Plate
You can't get much better than a meal of freshly caught fish. They are flavorful and tender. But they can also spoil easily! The fish can start to die and spoil before you get them home.
The first thing to consider is how the fish are treated after they are caught. You need to keep the fish alive and in good shape until you clean it. Live wells are the best way to do this and the fish can stay in great shape until they are processed.
A bucket with holes in it or a basket will work as well if you don't have a live well. Either of these containers would be a good bet to keep the fish alive and breathing until you take them from the lake. The main thing is to try to keep the fish alive as long as you can before cleaning.
When you leave the lake transfer your catch to a cooler to keep the fish on ice to lessen the chance of spoilage. Keep a little water in it to transfer the cold to the fish faster. The fish will then be in great shape when you get them home to clean.
One thing you can do is use a large metal bowl with water, ice and some salt to put the cleaned fillets in. This will keep the fish fresh and in good shape until they are cooked.
Then fillet all fish. Start with a cut along the spine and go along the length of the spine to the tail. Flip the fillet over and repeat the procedure along the skin and you will have some nice fillets to eat. Put the fillets into the lightly salted water until you are ready to begin the cooking process.
Proper care and preparation will bring you great results when you are handling your catch. If you can't cook the fish right away you should freeze them for storage. They now have vacuum lock bags that remove the air from the bag before freezing. These are wonderful and do a great job of keeping them from getting freezer burn.
Another good thing to do to keep them fresh is to freeze them in water. You can use paper milk cartons and they are easy to stack. You can also use freezer bags with a little water as well.
The first thing to consider is how the fish are treated after they are caught. You need to keep the fish alive and in good shape until you clean it. Live wells are the best way to do this and the fish can stay in great shape until they are processed.
A bucket with holes in it or a basket will work as well if you don't have a live well. Either of these containers would be a good bet to keep the fish alive and breathing until you take them from the lake. The main thing is to try to keep the fish alive as long as you can before cleaning.
When you leave the lake transfer your catch to a cooler to keep the fish on ice to lessen the chance of spoilage. Keep a little water in it to transfer the cold to the fish faster. The fish will then be in great shape when you get them home to clean.
One thing you can do is use a large metal bowl with water, ice and some salt to put the cleaned fillets in. This will keep the fish fresh and in good shape until they are cooked.
Then fillet all fish. Start with a cut along the spine and go along the length of the spine to the tail. Flip the fillet over and repeat the procedure along the skin and you will have some nice fillets to eat. Put the fillets into the lightly salted water until you are ready to begin the cooking process.
Proper care and preparation will bring you great results when you are handling your catch. If you can't cook the fish right away you should freeze them for storage. They now have vacuum lock bags that remove the air from the bag before freezing. These are wonderful and do a great job of keeping them from getting freezer burn.
Another good thing to do to keep them fresh is to freeze them in water. You can use paper milk cartons and they are easy to stack. You can also use freezer bags with a little water as well.
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