Showing posts with label free fishing tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free fishing tips. Show all posts

Monday

Colorado Fishing Tips

A Free Fishing Tip for Colorado

Colorado is a fly anglers dream. Although Colorado has over 6000 miles of streams and 2000 lakes, with over 35 species of freshwater fish, the Centennial State is best known for it's native rainbow trout fisheries. People come from all over the world to fly fish in Colorado's pristine environments. And the places you'll be fishing in are some of the most scenic in the U.S. The states unique ecosystems are such that to be really successful, you'll need to learn a few Colorado fishing tips:
  • Colorado Rainbow trout are native trout, so if you are used to catching stockers back east, you're in for a surprise. These are much more finicky, and spooky. A good fly technique in Colorado is a Dry Dropper Rig. Tie on a weighted nymph (the Hare's Ear and Pheasant Tail Nymph patterns work like magic at times), then make a dropper loop 18” above that. To the loop, add a dry fly ( the Wulf series patterns are great for this). Now, fish it normally, using the dry fly as a strike indicator. Don't be surprised if you hook two at once with this rig. The dry fly doesn't spook the fish like a normal strike indicator would.
  • Below tail-waters are always good bets for large trout in Colorado. One of the best fly patterns all year long for tail-waters is a Mysis shrimp pattern. Fish them small, and at different depths for the best results.
  • Another effective method below tail-races is drift-fishing. Drift-Fishing in Colorado means something different than in the rest of the country. In Colorado Drift-Fishing, the boat is stationary. It is the bait that drifts. To make a drift-rig, just attach several split shots to the bottom of your line, and make a dropper loop 12-18 inches above that, than attach a bait hook. Bait the hook with a night-crawler and cast it upstream. let the current carry it downstream, keeping your line tight enough to just feel the split shots bouncing along the bottom. If your line stops drifting, or moves funny, set the hook. If you get hung, just pull on the line and the hung split-shot will come off, leaving the rest so you can finish the drift.
  • Colorado has some great back-country fishing spots. Rocky Mountain State park, and State Forest Park are good choices, especially in the summer. Both offer large populations of brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout, and it is not uncommon to catch & release 50 fish a day there.
Colorado has breathtaking scenery, and great fishing. It can be even better if you remember these Colorado fishing tips.


Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks
Free Fishing Tips 


Colorado Fishing Tips

Fall Fishing Tips

Fishing Tips

Fall can be some of the best fishing of the year. As the temperatures cool down to a more comfortable level, most gamefish move back into the shallows and begin to gorge in order to "stoke-up" for the long winter period of inactivity. The baitfish and shad have all spawned, producing schools of millions of young baitfish, which the gamefish gorge on. If you know a few good fall fishing tips, you can have some very memorable autumn outings.
  • A lot of aquatic vegetation, especially the grasses, begin to die-off in fall. These hold huge quantities of minnows, because the decaying vegetation attracts tons of plankton, which the minnows feed on. Larger gamefish feed on the minnows, so if you find large areas of scummy-looking dead grass, there will most likely be gamefish nearby.
  • Another way to look for fish in the fall is to watch for wheeling and diving flocks of birds, such as gulls. They are probably targeting a large school of minnows or shad near the surface. There will be gamefish underneath, savagely attacking the school from below. Many times, you can actually see the water boiling as if a school of piranhas were feeding. Cast right into the melee, and hang on. When the school disperses, look for another one. This is called Jump-Fishing.
  • In fall, wind becomes a more important factor in locating fish. It is because the baitfish will congregate on the downwind side of a body of water, so if there is a south wind, the bait fish will stack-up on the north side, and vice-verse. The gamefish will follow the baitfish.
  • In fall, fish feed at different times, and not all fish will be feeding at the same time, so the fishing may be in stages. Also, cold snaps will run fish back out to deeper water, so on especially cool days, look for fish in deeper water, near cover.
  • Here is a fall fishing tip that is often overlooked. Fly anglers use a technique called "Matching the Hatch", meaning they try to approximate the colors, shape and size of whatever bug is currently on the water. You can do the same thing with lures, by selecting ones that are similar to the local baitfish as far as size, color and action. This will increase your odds greatly, because the gamefish are used to these.
Autumn can be a very productive time of year to fish, and even more so if you learn just a few basic fall fishing tips.

Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks
Free Fishing Tips 


Fall Fishing Tips

Fishing Boat Tips

Tips For Using A Fishing Boat

Fishing from a boat is a very different activity than the slow, deliberate techniques used in shore fishing. From a boat, an angler can cover miles of water in a short amount of time, and search for fish in offshore structures, and the depths that are inaccessible from shore. Trolling, and Jump-Fishing are impossible without a boat. Of course, when you start to operate a boat, there is a learning curve, but you can reduce this greatly by learning just a few fishing boat tips:
  • If you do nothing else, learn to be a safe and considerate boater. You owe it to yourself, and to your passengers to give them a nice, safe, enjoyable ride. Motor slowly and deliberately, and always give other boats a wide berth. Be especially careful in No-Wake areas, and in areas where others are fishing.
  • Store all tackle, clothing, and gear below decks before getting underway. Lower all pedestal seats to keep the center of gravity low when underway. Make sure everyone on-board wears a PFD, at least when underway. Be sure there is a Coast Guard Approved PFD for every person on-board.
  • Try not to spook the fish. When approaching your fishing area, shut the main motors off well before you get there, and use an electric trolling motor to get you the rest of the way in. Trolling motors are much quieter. The clearer the water, the farther away you need to be from the fish. In very clear water, be prepared to make long casts.
  • Dropping anchor can scare fish. Avoid using an anchor except when in rough water or heavy current. Use a drift-anchor instead. In fast water, use a bow, and stern anchor, and cast upstream. If you are fishing next to a non-submerged object, tie on to it, and fish straight down. If fishing submerged cover, stay back from it and cast into the structure. If casting towards a shoreline, stay as far back as you can cast.
  • For hard-core stealth fishing for very spooky fish, nothing beats a kayak. They are swift, silent, and non-polluting. When set-up properly, with a reasonably skilled paddler, they are as unsinkable as any boat can get. They are inexpensive for what they do, and much lighter than canoes. They even come in inflatable models to use when space is at a premium.
More fish are probably caught from a boat than by any other method. You can tip the odds more in your favor by using a few good fishing boat tips the next time you go out.

Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks
Free Fishing Tips 


Fishing Boat Tips

Sunday

Gulf of Mexico Fishing Tips

Fishing Tips For The Gulf of Mexico

300 million years ago, a shift in the tectonic plates caused a huge basin to form off the coasts of what would become Mexico, and the southwest United States. The dry land there became an inland gulf when the basin filled with water from the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. You might not catch a dinosaur there today, but the Gulf of Mexico is still a good place to catch some monstrous fish.
The Gulf of Mexico, as the name suggests, lies off of the coasts of eastern Mexico, and the U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. It is bounded on the southern end by the island of Cuba. There are two outlets, the Florida Straits between Florida and Cuba, and the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba. Since it is somewhat sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf has mild tides, but does get an occasional hurricane, some quite severe.
The Gulf of Mexico is situated along prime migratory routes for many game-fish, and is one of the worlds premier deep sea fisheries. The deepest part of the Gulf is 14, 383 feet at the Sigsby Deep, approximately 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Tx. From most of the Gulf Coast, world class Blue-Water fishing is only a few hours away. In some places, it is possible to catch marlin and tuna, and still be able to see land. The Gulf abounds with good populations of Blue, and White Marlin, sailfish, albacore, tuna, and dorado. Inshore fisherman will discover that the Gulf has a huge population of redfish, speckled trout, various sea basses and groupers, bluefish, mackerel, bonefish and pompano. And most of these are not too hard to catch if you know a few Gulf of Mexico fishing tips.
  • For the most part, fishing for almost all species is best during the warm months of the year.
  • Yellowfin Tuna make an appearance in early spring, and the marlin, dorado, and bluefin are never far behind.
  • Trolling the Gulf with ribbonfish has produced many record marlins.
  • The Gulf coasts off of Texas and Florida are famous for calm waters, and numerous reefs, shipwrecks, and ledges. This is where snappers, and other reef-type fish hang out.
  • Fishing behind shrimp boats (especially when they are culling their catches) can result in fast and furious fishing for all species. Be sure to stay way back from them to avoid tangling up in any nets they may still have out. Always be a courteous angler.
The Gulf Coast can provide some of the best fishing you may ever have, if you keep in mind these Gulf of Mexico fishing tips.

free, fishing tips and tricks



Gulf of Mexico Fishing Tips

Mississippi River Fishing Tips


The Mississippi River makes up the largest river system in North America, and is the 4th longest, and 10th largest in the world. Contained completely within the U.S., it begins in northern Minnesota, at Lake Itasca, and travels slowly south over 2500 miles to where it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico near Pilottown, La. It flows through 10 states, and with it's tributaries, drains 31 states. It has been, and still is, a vital water-route used by commercial shipping, barges and boats.
The Mississippi is divided into 3 sections: The Upper, Middle and Lower Sections. The Upper Mississippi runs from the origin in Minnesota south to the conflux of the Missouri River, near St. Louis, Mo. The Middle Mississippi runs from the Missouri split to the conflux of the Ohio River, near Cairo, Il. The lower Mississippi runs from there to the Gulf of Mexico at Pilottown, La.
The Mississippi River covers many ecosystems along its route, so it is little wonder that it contains over 119 species of fish, but the most important species to anglers are catfish, bass, walleye, saugers, and panfish. You can catch all the fish you want by using a few Mississippi River fishing tips:
  • Walleyes are mostly in the Upper Mississippi, with the best areas between St. Paul, Mn. and St. Louis, Mo. Try to stay within a mile or so of the numerous locks and dams. Walleyes like current, but prefer it a slower, rather than strong, and they like to spawn near the concrete structures and locks.
  • The Mississippi is famous for it's catfish. There are two main species in the river, the Channel and Blue. They are similar in appearance with the main different being size. The Blue catfish can get considerably larger, exceeding 100 pounds. A third species is less prevalent, the Flathead, or yellow catfish. They can also top 100 pounds. The best methods for monster catfish is to fish with cut-bait below the numerous tail-races. Catfish are numerous along the entire course of the river.
  • Bass are prevalent all along the river. The best places to find them are areas out of the current, with still backwaters being the best. One of the best lures for them is a Texas-Rigged purple-colored plastic worm.
  • Saugers are close relatives of walleyes, with similar habits. They also inhabit the Upper Mississippi, but tend to stay in deeper water. The same tactics that work for walleyes also catch saugers.
There are a few other species of interest, such as paddlefish, gar, carp, and even Bull sharks have been spotted as far up river as Illinois. Whatever you decide to fish for, you'll do better if you keep these Mississippi River fishing tips in mind.

Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks



Mississippi River Fishing Tips

Tuesday

Spring Bass Fishing Tips

Spring. Bass Fishing Tips

Towards the end of February in the south, and March up north, it's time to start thinking about hitting the water again. The Super-Bowl is history, your sick of watching re-runs on TV, and Cabin Fever is driving you crazy. When the water temperatures get in the 50s, it's time to go out and kick some bass.
It may seem a bit early, but this is the best time to catch bass while they are in their pre-spawn mode. They've been doing the same thing you have all winter...hanging out and not doing much of anything. They've been living mostly off of stored energy all winter. Spawning takes a lot of effort, so the bass know they have to stoke up for the rigors to come. They will get out of their lethargic mood when the water temperatures get to 53°F (for smallmouth bass) up to 57°F (for largemouth bass), and begin actively feeding. They will move from deeper water (20'-40') into shallower water (5'-15') several times a day looking for high nutrient foods such as crawfish, worms, and other things they don't have to chase or fight much. By learning a few good spring bass fishing tips, this can be the best fishing of the year:
  • Bass will move from deeper to shallower water along lines of structure. Look for channels, old river beds, tree lines, rock-piles, and ledges that run from deep to shallow water. These will lead to suitable spawning waters as well.
  • Get to know the forage in the lake, or river you will be fishing in. You need to know the average size, and coloration of the food the bass are likely to be eating so you can match your lures to them as close as possible.
  • In pre-spawn mode, bass are still a bit slow, so slow-moving lures will produce better this time of year. The all-time best lure for spring bass is a soft plastic worm, crawfish or lizard. Texas-rigged soft plastics have accounted for more bass than any other bait, period....even live bait. There is one secret that is murder on feeding spring bass. When using plastic crawfish, take a hypodermic needle and 'blow' a small bubble of air into each 'claw' so that they float up, in a 'defend' posture. Cast them directly into cover...and hang on.
  • One of the best kept secrets of bass fishing is the Jig & Pig combo. Tipping an Arkie jig with a pork-bait can be deadly in spring. But there is one secret to it....only use floating pork baits. The reason is simple, crawfish do not drag their claws along the bottom, especially when threatened. They have them up and defensive, so your pork needs to float up to resemble this posture. When you buy a jar of pork-baits, drop them all in a bowl of freshwater, and only use the ones that float. Use the rest on spinner baits later in the year.
If you really want to bust your bass, take a little time and apply these few spring bass fishing tips to significantly improve your catch-ratio.

free, fishing tips and tricks



Happy fishing.

Sunday

Summer Fishing Tips

Summer Fishing Tips

Ah, summertime....The spawns are over, the weather is getting hot, and most fish, and people begin to get a little moody from the heat. But don't hang up your rod, just yet. While it is great to hang out at the beach, and catch some sun, there are still fish to catch. Summertime is more than just barbecues and picnics for those that know a few summer fishing tips.
When the spawns are over, bass, and crappie head back out to deeper water and sulk. Crappie will suspend at different depths without any regard to structure, and refuse to bite anything unless it almost swims into their mouth. In summertime, it's best to leave the crappie to the die-hard crappie specialists. Bass, on the other hand, still actively feed, and will congregate along drop-offs and structure in deeper water, and move into the shallows to feed in the mornings and evenings (and even sometimes at night). Sunfish may move out into a little deeper water in the heat of the day, but most of them will just look for some shade from overhanging vegetation. They like to sit under trees and wait for bugs to fall in the water, giving them a free meal. Striped and White bass will cruise the lakes and rivers looking for schools of shad, and pother bait-fish to dine on, and will stage off of sandy points in morning and evening. Catfish will cruise drop-offs until nightfall, then move into the shallows looking for just about anything edible.
  • In the mornings and evenings, bass are very susceptible to a top-water cast near cover. Good choices are Pop Rs, Billy Basses, and Heddon Chuggers. At night, black Jitterbugs and Hula-Poppers can be deadly.
  • During the day, try working diving crankbaits along ledges and channels for largemouth bass. Bagleys Diving Bs, and Rapalas work very well for this. Jigs are also a good choice.
  • To get the most bang for your buck, try flyfishing for bluegills. Cast tiny poppers, dry flies, or especially terrestrials under overhanging trees, and into the shadows. These little pugs will pounce on flies, especially anything that looks like a cricket, spider or ant.
  • To find striped and white bass, look for flocks of diving birds. Likely as not, right underneath them will be large schools of bait-fish, and underneath them will be schools of bass. Drive your boat to within casting distance and throw your lures directly into the boiling water. When the action slows down, just wait a bit, and they will re-surface nearby, or you can just look for another school. This is called Jump-Fishing.
Summertime doesn't have to be downtime for fishing, if you learn a few good summer fishing tips.
free, fishing tips and tricks




Happy fishing.


Summer Fishing Tips

Bait-Fishing Tips



Bait-fishing is low-tech fishing at its best. It can be as simple as sitting on a bank with a cane pole and a can of worms, or as involved as complicated rigs, minnow, or worm harnesses for trolling. Most of us settle for something in-between. More fish are caught on natural bait than by any other method. It is also one of the most relaxing forms of fishing. Also known as still-fishing, it mostly just involves putting a suitable organic form of bait on a hook, then sitting back and waiting for a fish to bite. it can be done from a boat, a dock, the shore, wading, in fresh or salt water, day or night. Bait-fishing may be low-tech, but more than any other method, it requires some prior knowledge of bait-fishing tips to be really successful.
  • One of the best baits for bluegills is angle worms, or red wigglers. But you need to make sure you thread the worm through the center of it's body, all the way to the end of the worm, completely covering the hook-point. Bluegills (and other sunfish) are accomplished bait-thieves, and can slurp a worm off of a hook before you even realize it is there. If they see the hook point, they will quit biting it.
  • If you are fishing with minnows and their eyes keep disappearing from your bait, it is sunfish, most likely bluegills. Rig up a light rod with a worm, and use that as a decoy to keep them off of your minnows. Any bluegills you catch can always be cooked as well, or used for bait (where legal).
  • If crappie slow down on biting, you can tempt them by taking a pair of fingernail clippers and making a small nick in the lower tail-fin of you minnow. This will make it swim erratically and drive crappie and bass wild.
  • To have lively fat nightcrawlers to fish with, the night before you plan to go out, place your nightcrawlers on a bed of wet newspaper and place it in the refrigerator. The next morning, you will have fat, jumping nightcrawlers.
  • To make colored nightcrawlers. just place some food coloring in their bedding. They will change to that color. The food coloring is harmless to them.
  • In summer, you can keep your minnows healthier in the minnow bucket by placing a few cubes if ice in the water (make sure it was made from non-chlorinated water). Also, a teaspoon per gallon of salt added to the water will reduce the stress on the minnows, and make them stay alive longer.
By using these bait-fishing tips, you can get more out of your bait, and bring home a lot more fish.


free, fishing tips and tricks
Happy fishing.

Carp Fishing Tips



In the U.S., one of the best kept secrets in the fishing world is that carp are outstanding fish, both to catch, and to eat. Carp have been prized both as a commercial food-fish, and a sport-fish in Europe for hundreds of years, but for some reason, in the U.S., they are unfairly maligned, with nicknames such as “Sewer Bass”. This is a derogatory reference to the fact that carp are incredibly tough, and can tolerate water uninhabitable to any other fish.
Carp can get quite large, oftentimes topping 60 pounds or more. On light tackle, they make screaming runs that would make a bonefish proud, leap from the water in high jumps that a tarpon would think twice about, and slug it out below the surface like a trophy bass on steroids. They have more endurance than just about any fish in freshwater, and a large carp on light tackle can easily keep you busy for a quarter-hour or more.
Carp have a firm, slightly oily flesh, similar to mackerel, with a succulent buttery-sweet taste. They have more bones than most game-fish, but filleting a carp just takes a few extra steps, easily learned with a minimum of practice. The extra trouble is more than worth it. There are few fish that taste better than smoked carp.
They are great practice for catching large bass, and bonefishing on the flats. You fish for them the same way, they fight the same, and if you lose one, there are plenty more. Just rig up and go again. Most states have very liberal creel limits on carp, and are more than happy for you to catch all you want.
There are three major species of carp in the US, the Common Carp, Grass Carp, and Bighead Carp. Grass Carp are protected through most of their range, and Bighead Carp are an invasive species making their way along the Mississippi River drainage. There are a few more minor species, but they are of little interest to anglers. Common Carp are the ones you will be targeting. Carp are super-spooky fish, with a sense of smell that a bloodhound would applaud, eyesight like a hawk, and they can hear a mosquito hiccup from 500 yards away. They are definitely a worthy adversary for any angler. You can tip the scales in your favor (slightly) by following a few carp fishing tips:
  • One of the ultimate freshwater fishing experiences is fly-fishing for carp. This is identical to flats fishing for bonefish and permit. You have to sight-fish by finding carp in the shallows, carefully and very quietly moving to within casting range, and gently dropping a Clouser Swimming Nymph, Coyote Carp Fly or other suitable pattern in the carps feeding zone, all without spooking them. One false move, and the water will literally explode with large tailing fish rocketing for deeper water in an aquatic stampede. Fishing doesn't get any better than this. Make sure you keep the sun in front of you to avoid casting a shadow on the water. Be careful not to 'line' the fish by casting directly over one. If this happens, you will find out that it is possible for a large object to instantly disappear right before your eyes.
  • The most common method for taking carp is by still-fishing with dough bait. You can buy commercial dough bait, or make it yourself. Carp are easy to please in that respect. Use very small hooks, ideally no larger than a #10 treble hook. Cover the hook completely with the bait so that it does not show at all. Use just enough weight to get it to the bottom, and use the lightest line possible, no larger than 6-pound. Slip-sinkers are best because if a carp picks the bait up and feels any resistance at all, it will spit it out just a shade faster than instantly. Leave the bail open on your reel. When a carp picks up the bait, wait until the fish begins to move off with it before engaging the bail and setting the hook. Then, hang on.....
By using a few carp fishing tips, you can transport yourself into a whole new world of fishing. Carp are everywhere, and there are always plenty of them.

free, fishing tips and tricks
Happy fishing.


Carp Fishing Tips

Minnesota Fishing Tips


The word Minnesota comes from a Dakota (Sioux) word meaning “sky-tinted water”. The state of Minnesota is also known as the “land of 10,000 lakes”, for good reason. In addition to being the center of the U.S. Scandinavian culture, it also boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful forests, and crystal clear lakes and streams. These waters are full of perch, pike, muskellunge, and walleyes. Whether you are trying your luck in a Dark-House, through the ice, or trolling for summertime walleyes, knowing a few Minnesota fishing tips can prove helpful.
  • Northern Pike prefer cooler water than Muskellunges, so they start biting first, soon after ice-out. For both species, in early spring, troll spinners and crank-baits along deeper weed-beds.
  • Northern Pike seldom bite during the spawn, so when the water temperature is around 40°F to 45°F, it might be a good idea to fish for something else for a bit. Spawning usually last for around a month or so. Then, they will be back on their feed.
  • Use a longer rod for Northern Pike, up to 8 feet, or more. This will allow you to cast farther, give you more control when reeling lures through weed-beds, give you more leverage for hook-sets, and allow you to control the fish better.
  • Keep your hands away from a pike, or muskie's mouth as much as possible when unhooking them. Those teeth are there for a reason. Use a hook-out device, and wear gloves.
  • When using a crank-bait for pike or walleyes, try to match the color and size of local bait-fish as closely as possible. This will result in more hits.
  • If the walleyes seem to be moving a bit slow, try switching to leeches. Leeches are slow-moving, and lethargic fish often prefer them for an easy meal.
  • A lot of states have special rules for different bodies of water, but Minnesota seems to carry it to extremes at times. Be sure to know the rules for the body of water your fishing on.
  • Cold-Fronts have a tendency to cause fish to get lock-jaw. Wait 24-48 hours after a cold front moves through to go fishing.
  • One of the best baits for black bass is a plastic worm, preferably in purple. Fish it directly in cover, Texas-Rigged, as slowly as you can stand it. In the spring, plastic crawfish and lizards are also deadly. Fish them the same way.
  • If you see large flocks of wheeling and diving birds over the water, fish right under them. Chances are, there are large schools of bait-fish, and underneath them will be large schools of striped or white bass, and maybe other species.
Minnesota offers some great fishing opportunities, and they can be even better if you keep in mind a few Minnesota fishing tips on your next excursion.


Happy fishing.

free, fishing tips and tricks
Minnesota Fishing Tips

Rod and Reel Tips for Bass Fishing



Selecting the right rod and reel for bass fishing can seem like a daunting task, especially for a newbie. There is a plethora of rods and reels to choose from, and all of them tout that they are the 'best' for bass. So, which one is really the 'best'? Well...all of them, and none of them. There are many factors involved, not the least of which is personal preference. Luckily, there are a few rod and reel tips for bass fishing that may take some of the mystery out of your selection process.

When we speak of “bass-fishing” we are referring to mostly Large-mouth Black Bass, and to a lesser extent, Small-mouth Black Bass, which are not really bass at all. They are members of the panfish family, which also includes bluegills, and crappie. True bass are White and Striped Bass. Anyway, it helps to know a little about your quarry before buying the tools to tackle them. Both species of Black Bass will almost always be in some kind of cover, and will attempt to go deeper into that cover when they are hooked, tangling your line, and causing all kinds of mayhem with your gear. These, like other members of the family, are strong fighters, but have a short endurance, so the first few minutes of the fight are critical.

The most important part of your tackle is the rod. Bass rods are from fiberglass, or graphite. Modern technology has made them pretty equal in performance, so the main different between them is cost, and weight. Graphite costs more, and is lighter. For bass, you will want to concentrate either on a medium or heavy action, depending on the type of fishing you plan to do. Fishing rods are like golf clubs; there are different ones for different purposes. There is no one rod that will do it all, and do it well. You will need to be able to drag a bass out of cover immediately, before she can hang you up (all large bass are females), or risk having your line wrapped around structure, and lose your fish. The rule is, the deeper the cover you fish, the heavier the action. So, if you plan to cast plastic worms directly into heavy cover (the best method), you need a heavy action rod. For casting spinners and spinner-baits, or other lures, a medium action will do.
Reels come in three styles, bait-casting, spinning, and spin casting. Bait-casting reels have stronger gears for yanking bass out of cover, and hold a lot of line, but there is a slight learning curve in learning the casting-timing to prevent over-runs of the spool. They also cost a lot. Spinning reels do not over-run, but the gears are not as strong. Spinning reels offer the most casting distance of all the reels, but again, there is a slight learning curve to casting them properly. They run from inexpensive to moderately-priced. Spin-casting reels are the best of both worlds (in theory). They are so easy to use that a child can figure out how to cast one in a few minutes. They do not over-run, and there is virtually no learning curve. The gears are medium-strength, and they are very inexpensive. These are as close to an all-around rig as you can get.

By using these rod and reel tips for bass fishing, you can make a more informed choice on your gear. It's always a good idea to ask the salespeople in the store if you get confused. many of them are quite knowledgeable, and are happy to assist you.

Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks
Rod and Reel Tips for Bass Fishing

Wisconsin Fishing Tips


Tips For Fishing In Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a lot more to offer than just great cheese, and beer. The Badger State is covered with a multitude of lakes and streams, and some fantastic cold-water fishing. They also have both species of black bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish. From fishing in a dark-house through the ice in winter, to trolling in summer, Wisconsin has something for every kind of angler. Just by learning a few Wisconsin fishing tips, you can be assured of a great fishing trip.
  • Although Wisconsin has great trout fishing, the Walleye reigns supreme among anglers. The Badger state is famous for it's year-around walleye fisheries. Soon after ice-out, the walleyes are still a bit sluggish, so use smaller lures and baits in early spring. Lead-head jigs tipped with 2”-3” grub-tails are very productive, especially when cast or trolled along shallow bays.
  • After the spawn, walleyes will move to slightly deeper water, in bays with access to shallows. Look for schools of minnows, and the walleyes won't be far off.
  • Small-mouth bass spawn in June. Cast a Tiny Torpedo into shallow gravel beds to zap aggressive males guarding the nest. If they get finicky, use a lead-head jig with a small curly-tail to trigger explosive strikes.
  • In Summertime bass love to feast on crawfish. Cast plastic Craws, crank-baits, or jigs into rock-piles in 8-20 feet of water. The bass are looking for anything that appears to be 'popping' out of the rocks.
  • Northern Pike and Muskellunge are very popular targets for anglers. In spring, and early summer, they hang out in structure in shallow water, especially along weed-beds. Work spinners and crank baits along shallow weed-beds, or troll large suckers and minnows along ledges to trigger explosive strikes.
  • Lake trout can be caught all year-long in Wisconsin. Lake Trout prefer water temperatures of 47°F to 50°F. In the spring and early summer, they can be found in relatively shallow water near schools of bait-fish. In late summer, they move to deeper water, 100 feet and deeper. Use a thermometer to check the water temperature at depth. Wherever you find the temperature within their preferences, you will most likely find Lake Trout. The most productive lure for Lake Trout are Red & White Daredevels, or 5 of Diamonds Daredevels, larger Mepps spinners and Roostertails, and bucktail jigs.


Wisconsin has some of the best fishing in the country, especially for cold-water species. By using a few Wisconsin fishing tips, you can make your fishing trips in the state memorable ones. Oh, and don't forget to check out the cheeses, as well. You just can't leave the state without trying a large bowl of their Smoked Cheddar-Cheese Beer Soup. It's worth the trip all by itself.



Happy fishing.

free, fishing tips and tricks


Wisconsin Fishing Tips

Illinois Fishing Tips


 Free Tips For Fishing in Illinois

There is no shortage of places to fish in Illinois. The Prairie State's landscape is peppered with lakes and ponds, and etched with numerous streams and rivers. With this many opportunities, it can be a chore trying to decide where to fish. It may help to have a few Illinois fishing tips under your belt before deciding where to go.


  • Illinois lakes and reservoirs offer outstanding fishing all year. If you want to bring home a few bluegills for supper, try fishing for them through the ice at Rend Lake. For spring pike, you can do no better than casting a lure in Chicago's Wolf Lake, soon after the ice-out. If you are a die-hard bass angler, in early spring, your objective should be Crab Orchard, and Brusse Lakes, for some of the best early-season bass-fishing in the mid-west. The Fox chain of lakes in northeast Illinois is a walleye anglers dream come true. The best time to go is from mid-April to mid-May. To get in on the action of spawning crappie in May, try Decatur Lake. To try your luck with monster muskies, drop a line at Evergreen Lake, Shelbyville Lake, or Shabonna Lake. All three lakes have produced many trophy-sized muskellunge. For catfish aficionados, the place to go is Rend Lake.
  • For some hot stripped bass action in the cold of winter, throw some jigs in Smithland Pool, on the Ohio River. If you get silly for saugers, drop some nightcrawlers in the deep holes of the Illinois River in February. For the fastest walleye action you've ever seen, try fishing below tailraces on the mighty Mississippi in late March. Fly anglers wanting to target some really nice small-mouth bass should try lobbing brown & orange Clouser Minnows at Apple Creek, in April. For the biggest bluegills in the state, drop some red wigglers in at Panther Creek, near Springfield. The Mississippi River backwaters are legendary for producing lots of large catfish and Large-mouth Bass.
  • The states biggest single fishing resource is undoubtedly Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes. This large, deep glacial lake offers outstanding fishing for many species. The harbors offer fantastic Brown Trout fishing all year long, great spring perch fishing. Atlantic, Coho, Pink and Chinook Salmon abound in the large open waters. Weed-beds in the shallower bays have large populations of crappie, pike, musky, sunfish, and both Large and Small-mouth Black Bass. Striped and White bass cruise the waters off of points in huge schools.


Illinois may offer more different types of fishing than any other single place in the country. By making note of some Illinois fishing tips, you can have a much better chance of getting your limit, the next time you go fishing in the Prairie State.


Happy fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks


Illinois Fishing Tips

Thursday

Float-Tube Fishing Tips




Few things are more depressing than fishing from shore, and watching someone in a boat catching a lot of fish just outside your casting range. It's happened to all of us at one time or another. Many times, a boat is just not feasible, either for the trouble it takes to use one, or financial concerns. Fortunately, in calm waters, there is a compromise available. Float tubes allow and angler to access productive water without the hassle of maneuvering a full-sized boat, are very quiet, and relatively inexpensive.
A float-tube is one or more air-inflated bladders with a cloth cover, a seat, and usually a nice backrest, with plenty of pockets for gear and D-rings for accessories. The angler sits in the seat and propels the unit with a pair or swim fins, moving through the water backwards, much as in rowing, except the hands are free for casting. They can be used with waders in cold water, or just swim gear in warm water. They are extremely comfortable for all-day fishing. The only down-side is that they are very slow, and you won't be covering a lot of distance in them. But they serve their purpose well. They are very safe, if you use some common-sense, and a few float fishing tips:
  • Always wear a PFD when using float tubes. If one compartment deflates, there is no guarantee the other compartments will keep you afloat.
  • It may sound obvious, but you probably should not use a float-tube in waters that are inhabited by alligators, sharks, piranhas, or anything that may decide to bite you, since your whole lower half is sitting in the water.
  • Although I have seen it done, I wouldn't recommend using float-tubes in saltwater, even in protected waters. The danger from marine life, undertows, riptides, and such is just too great. A kayak is a much better option.
  • Always have a repair kit with you. Small holes can be quickly and easily repaired, and you can get back to fishing within minutes.
  • Don't over-inflate your float-tube. The air can heat up on the water and expand, causing a blowout that cannot be repaired on the water.
  • When walking into the water, and exiting the water with swim fins, walk backwards. It is difficult to walk forward in swim fins, and falling in a float-tube on land is no fun at all.
Float-tubes can greatly expand you fishing possibilities, especially if you use
a few good float-tube fishing tips.


Happy fishing.


free, fishing tips and tricks


Float-Tube Fishing Tips

Monday

Deep-Sea Charter Boat Service Tips


Choosing the right charter boat for you vacation fishing trip can be the difference between an outing you will always cherish, or a nightmare you will never forget. Use these Deep-Sea Charter Boat Service tips and the selection process can get a lot easier.


The very first thing you have to do is make an honest (and I do mean honest) evaluation of your fishing skills. Hooking and battling marlin, tuna and other toothy adversaries is not like being the King Crappie Viking on your local pond. Ocean fish can hurt you, bad. They will have skilled mates to help you, but the ultimate responsibility is yours. Learn all you can beforehand about ocean fishing techniques. 
 
The next thing is to determine what you want out of the trip. Is this a way to spend time with the family, or get away from them? Are you trying to prove something to yourself? Is it just a personal challenge? Keep in mind that there are charters that specialize in ultimate fishing trips for experienced anglers, and those that cater to family outings, and less experienced blue-water anglers.
Next, you need to determine what kind of fishing you want to do. Do you want to yank snappers, halibut and groupers from the bottom, or do you want to go high-speed trolling for tuna, wahoo and bill-fish? Are you interested in shark fishing? There are charters that specialize in all of these. Pick the right charter for the right trip.
After you've done all this, it's time to do some field-work. You can use the internet to find charters in the area where you want to go, and get ratings and reviews from people that actually went out with them. You can check on their Better Business Bureau ratings, and even call local bait shops and ask for references. The internet has done more to promote good business than any other single thing I can think of.
Once you get down to a short-list of 5 or so charters, call them and discuss the trip. Be specific about your desires, because no matter how good they are, they cannot read minds. Be sure to arrive a few days early so you can have time to personally tour each boat and meet the crew in-person. Never go out with anyone you have not met personally, or have personally checked-out the boat. Always check the boat for general 
 condition: Does it appear to be in good repair? Does the crew appear neat and professional, or do they act more like Moe, Larry and Curly? Good Captains and crews are proud of their vessels, and go to great lengths to take care of them. Is all the required safety equipment on-board? Be sure to ask about emergency procedures. Is at least one of the crew certified in First Aid and CPR? Once you have answered all the questions, your selection is much easier. Now you worry about the best rates. Keep in mind, usually, you get what you pay for. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.


Be sure to talk to the Captain. Ask about what specific services they offer. Be sure to ask about their Cancellation Policies, refunds, and deposits. Make sure you understand the entire price for the voyage, and compare prices. Your vacation is not going to be a lot of fun if you spend your entire bankroll on one fishing trip. 
 
With a few Deep-Sea Charter Boat Service tips, your fishing vacation can be a lot more fun.

Happy Fishing.
free, fishing tips and tricks


Deep-Sea Charter Boat Service Tips

Sunday

Fly Tying Tips

Fly Tying Tips 

      Fly Tying has been around for a long time, mainly because it is an effective way to catch fish, but also because there is a certain artistic satisfaction from crafting a well-made fly. It is an art-form in every sense of the word. The first written reference to using an artificial fly to catch fish was in Greek Historian Aelean's commentaries on ancient Macedonia, around 200 A.D. The next real mention of tying flies was not until the Middle Ages. Believe it or not, fly tying hasn't changed much since then, maybe because it is hard to improve on perfection.  The differences in modern fly tying are due mostly to the availability of new materials, rather than revolutionary designs. The exceptions would be the Clouser Minnows, Puglisi-Style streamers, and maybe tube flies. These are truly innovative techniques. Whatever flies you decide to try, especially if you are new to the craft, these fly tying tips will make your learning curve much smoother. 


  • Materials rotating on the hook shank are always a problem. You can alleviate this aggravation by putting a good coat of head cement, and a good layer of thread wrapping on the hook shank  before you start to tie the pattern. Make sure you cover the part of the hook shank you will be tying on completely. This gives the material something to 'hang on to'. 
  • Tying on marabou can be a major pain in the neck, because it wants to go everywhere but where you want it. You can stop this by wetting it before tying it on, by dipping it in a glass of water. This makes it lay out flat and holds it together. It will dry back to it's original fluffy, swirly state quickly. 
  • If you are having problems with materials rotating on the hook shank, try putting a small drop of head cement under them before tying them on. Hold them in place with your fingers, and take a few loose wraps with the thread before cinching it down. 
  • Feathers are notorious for rotating around the hook, and spinning in place, when you are trying to tie them on. One way to stop this is when you are  trimming the quill shaft, leave a small amount of barbs on the quill, around 1/64" long, right where you will be tying them in. This will keep the feathers from rotating as you tie them down. 
  • When tying on bucktail, after stacking the fur, trim the head ends at an angle to avoid bulking up the head of the fly, and then dip the ends in head cement before tying the clump in. This helps keep the fur together, stops it from spinning on the shank, and makes for a much neater fly. Also, after tying the clump in, take a few wraps under the clump as well. This makes the bucktail ride up a bit so that it doesn't hide the flies body material. When using several colors of bucktail, take a few wraps under each clump to keep the colors separated.  This can make some striking bucktail streamers. 
  • Closed-cell foam is famous for rotating on the hook-shank. Before tying foam pieces on, brush the bottoms with head cement or super-glue, then quickly tie them on before it dries. This will make them stay where you want them. 
  • And lastly, I know half-hitches are much easier to learn, but as soon as the last hitch works loose (and it will eventually), the rest will soon follow, no matter many you put on. Always finish your fly with a good whip-finish, and a coat of head cement or lacquer (Sally Hansen's Hard-As-Nails is as good as it gets, and cheap, too....)  on the final wraps. This makes the fly as permanent as possible. In Fly-Tying competitions, that is the first thing the judges look for...a well-finished head. 


Learning how to tie your own flies has too many benefits to list here, but it's enough to say that it can provide you with a very satisfying lifetime hobby, especially if you learn a few good fly-tying tips. 

Happy fishing. 

free, fishing tips and tricks


Fly Tying Tips

Grappling Fishing Tips



Grappling for catfish is a very ancient way of harvesting finned-food, going all the way back to the Stone Age. If you've ever had a desire to tackle fish on their terms, this is it.  
     Also known as "Noodling', grappling is simply wading dark, murky waters, sometimes neck-deep, and sticking your hands into places like rock crevices, caves, undercuts, and sunken brush, sight-unseen, and trying to locate a catfish. When you find one, you grab it by the gills, or whatever, or it grabs you, and you drag it out into open water and wrestle to the shore.  Sounds easy, huh? …..Not! Channel, Blue and Flathead catfish can get to a respectable size, and have very strong jaws. This is no picnic. This is extreme-fishing, period.  Grappling can be downright dangerous, but if you know a few grappling fishing tips, it can be a little safer. 

  • At the present time, grappling is only legal in 17 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, but several other states have legislation pending to legalize it within their jurisdictions. In addition, even in states where it is legal, there are bodies of water with Special Regulations that prohibit grappling, so be sure to check the local laws before grabbing catfish in an unfamiliar stream, river, pond or lake. 
  • Never go grappling alone. There are too many things that can happen. Snakebites, accidents, injuries from the fish, or even grappling a catfish big enough to hold you under. This is not a solo-sport. 
  • One of the best times to go grappling is in the spring, when catfish are spawning. Then they are in shallower water.  But keep in mind, they are also more aggressive at this time. 
  • While you are sticking your hands into holes, crevices, undercuts and brush, keep in mind that what you find is not always going to be a catfish. Muskrats, beavers and other aquatic mammals can give you nasty bite, and may carry rabies, so if you feel fur, it's best to back out quickly and look somewhere else. Likewise, snapping turtles, which can get quite large, and have the ability to remove an appendage with one bite, water moccasins (very poisonous water snakes), snakeheads (a toothy invasive fish species in some states), large salamanders (yes, they can bite viciously), and gar could also be lurking in that hideout. Try to determine what may be in the hole before you stick your hand in it. It may seem like a redundant warning, but it is probably not a good idea to go grappling in places that have populations of alligators, like southern Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia.  The alligator will probably win. 
  • Always carry a good-sized, dependable knife with you. You could get hung up in old fishing line, trot lines, or have other mishaps where a knife could save your life. I recommend a good dive knife, which can also double as a pry-bar if needed. 
  • The key to defeating gargantuan catfish, and minimizing damage to yourself. is to control the tail. You do this by wrapping your legs around the fishes body as soon as it clears the hole (while avoiding the sharp pectoral and dorsal spines). If you do not control the tail, even a modest 20 pound catfish can have it's way with you. This also stops the catfish from spinning, which is dangerous for you. Catfish have many small, abrasive teeth, and if they can spin, they can rip the hide right off of your arm. 
  • Make sure you always bring a First-Aid kit and know how to use it. Let someone know where you will be when you go out, so they have an idea where to look for you if you are late coming home. 


While serious injuries are rare while grappling, the danger does exist. But having direct contact with the fish, and the element of danger is appealing to a lot of people, more and more each day. If you decide to have a go at monster catfish, head-to-head, keep these grappling fishing tips in mind, and good luck to you. 

     Happy fishing. 
free, fishing tips and tricks


Grappling Fishing Tips

Jug Fishing Tips



Jug fishing has been around for quite a while. It is a quick and easy way to catch a lot of fish, quickly. Most of the time, you will catch your limit of fish in a very short period of time. A jug rig is a floating plastic jug, or large foam float, with an attached running line, hooks, weight and bait. You just drop several in the water, follow them in your boat, and bring each rig in when a fish bites. That's all there is to it. This method is not legal everywhere, and even where it is legal, only catfish are allowed to harvested, so check your local laws before trying this.


The best bait for jug fishing is a live bluegill (where legal) or shad. Cut shad also works well. Chicken livers are great, if you don't mind an occasional turtle (they get ate too, in my house). My next favorite bait to live bluegill is Danny Kings Punch Bait. This stuff is almost magic at times, and stays on the hook very well. Dead minnows are also a good bait.

You can make your own jug-rigs, but there are commercial ones available that are so cheap and well-made that it's not really worth the trouble. Even Wal-Mart carries jug-rigs, ready-to-fish, for a pittance. 6 rigs are plenty. Any more and it gets hard to keep track of them on the water. Many states require you to mark each jug with your name, address and phone number, so it's a good idea to write that on the jug with a permanent marker. Another good idea is to number each jug in large dark letters. This is handy if your are baiting each one with a different bait initially. When you catch a catfish, you can tell by the number what bait you had on it, and can re-bait the others to what is working. It also helps you to be sure you haven't lost a jug rig somewhere (it happens).

It is easy to tell when you get a bite. The rigs float on their sides until a catfish bites. Then, they stand up and start moving away. This means there is a fish (or turtle, gator, or snake) on. Catch up with the jug, but keep an eye on the others. It gets crazy sometimes, when a lot of fish hit all at once. You get really busy, really fast. Pull the line in carefully until you know what's on the end. If is is a desirable aquatic resident, remove it from the hook, place it in the creel. You can then re-bait it and toss it back in. If it is is an unwanted species, carefully unhook it, and allow it to go on it's way. If the hook cannot be safely removed (large snapping turtles, snakes and gators take a dim view of having a hook in them, and would like nothing better than to take out their frustrations on the nearest thing they can reach, namely...you), cut the line as close as safely possible, and release them. It's a good idea to wear gloves when running the lines. It's not uncommon to hook some very large fish, and it can get ugly. Don't use more than 2 hooks per rig, because it gets too dangerous with more.

Jugs will last a long time if cared for. Check the lines periodically and replace when needed. Check the hooks for sharpness and sharpen them when they get dull.

free, fishing tips and tricks


Jug Fishing Tips

Striped Bass Fishing Tips




Striped Bass are one of Fishery Management's greatest success stories. Originally an inshore saltwater fish, striped bass have been successfully stocked in freshwater lakes all over the U.S., providing an outstanding fishery for these large cousins of white bass. Also known as “the poor man's salmon”, they have even been cross-bred with white bass to create a 'hybrid' striped bass...the best of both worlds, in theory, anyway. Most places in the U.S. now have freshwater striped bass populations within a few hours drive. Striped bass are not that hard to catch, especially if you know a few striped bass fishing tips ahead of time:

Bass Fishing Boats on Ebay.com Click Here!
  • Striped bass are a schooling fish, so where you catch one, there will be many others. You will almost never see a striped bass off by itself unless something is seriously wrong. When you catch a striped bass, keep working the same area. It's not uncommon to catch more than a dozen individuals from a single school, before it goes deep and moves on.
  • One of the best ways to locate striped bass schools is by Jump-Fishing. Look for flocks of wheeling. diving birds. Under neath them will usually be a large school of shad, and underneath the shad will be a school of striped and/or white bass chowing down on the shad. They chase them to the surface, where the birds get their share. The water will literally be boiling with fish. Get within casting distance (don't spook the school by going directly into it), and throw right into the melee, and hang on. This is fast and furious fishing. When the school goes deep, either wait until it comes up again nearby, or look for another flock of birds.
  • When jump fishing, always have several rods rigged and ready to go. If you lose a lure, just grab another rod, until the school goes down. The schools only stay up for a limited amount of time, and you don't want to waste it fiddling with fishing gear. You can't catch fish if you don't have a line in the water.
  • To get the most out of striped bass fishing, try using a fly rod. Any pattern that resembles a shad or minnow will work. Clouser Minnows, Polar Minnows, Angel Hair Minnows, Zonkers, Matukas, and Puglisi Shads are all excellent flies for striped bass. A striped bass is a total demon on fly gear, so you need at least an 8wt rod. A Fighting Butt section on the rod is a big help. make sure you have at least 100 yards of backing on your fly reel, because a striped basses first run can peel that much line off of your reel before you know it.
  • If you plan on eating you catch, you are in for a treat. Striped bass are delicious. Just remember to cut out the red strip of meat along the lateral line and discard it. it will make you sick.


Striped bass are well worth your efforts, especially when you take note of a few basic striped bass fishing tips.

Happy fishing.

free, fishing tips and tricks


Striped Bass Fishing Tips