Finding The Spot - Locating Kingfish

I have spent many days live-baiting yellowtail kingfish in the Coromandel area around all the little rocks and small islands that jut out of the water and time and time again have come up empty handed.

My general rule of thumb now is to fish the big islands and the mainland.

I have found that these areas with stronger currents seem to hold most of the big kingfish populations.

After much exploring, we have cut out half the islands leaving only the bigger ones.

Around these areas it pays to try and find deep water with a bit of a pinnacle, most of them will produce fish but only at certain times of the day.

It's not uncommon to see the same fish every two to three hours and on the second or third sighting, after passing your bait several times and showing no interest, it will then decide to nail your live bait.

Finding this bite time is a must and keeping a kingfish diary could be very useful for this.

If you don't want to spend all day in one place, and once you've learned the islands, you can go from spot to spot knowing that the king fish will be there at certain times.

Also, I have noticed that the islands seem to hold large numbers of smaller fish while the mainland holds the bigger fish with fewer juveniles.

While most of the Coromandel mainland tends not to look as productive as the islands, personally I have caught 70% of my kings there.

Again I should stress, it's necessary to learn the times each point, pinnacle, or reef fishes well.

You should find that these bite times are pretty regular, so each time you go it should produce good fish depending on the tides.

I have also found that many of the fish in this area appear to be resident, if you fish a particular spot one day it sometimes takes two to three days for the fish to get back into their routine after being spooked.

fishing trips : Trapping A Bass

In our ongoing quest to find new and improved ways to catch more bass, sometimes the answer is right before our very eyes. So often the most effective means of boating more fish is so simple, we simply overlook it. Chances are it is right in front of you, but you don’t see it. It’s like not being able to see the forest, for the trees, so to speak. What is it? The ole’ reliable Rat-L-Trap. That’s right, the simply looking, easy to use, noisy, baitfish imitating lure we all have in our tackle boxes that we’ve been using for years, a Rat-L-Trap. Rat-L-Traps are the number one selling bait in America. There is a good reason for that… they catch fish. Anglers everywhere have used a Rat-L-Trap at one time or another in their fishing. Chances are they caught fish on em’. The Rat-L-Trap is a "go to" for everyone from the beginning anglers to long time touring professional anglers,

The Rat-L-Trap is a bait that can be used in a variety of ways. The most common way to use the bait is what I call the basic "chunk and reel" method. Chunk it out there and reel it back in relatively fast hoping to trigger a strike from a feeding fish or generate a reactionary strike from a passive fish. If that doesn’t work, you can try slowing it down a bit allowing the bait to work a little deeper. Often this subtle little difference will result in more strikes.

One of my favorite ways to use the bait is probably the most underused presentation of all, a yo yo retrieve. I use this approach when fishing the bait off of main lake and secondary points and around the edges of creek channels when the fish are not real active.

Cast the bait out and let it fall to the bottom. Once on the bottom, quickly pull it up a foot or two and stop allowing the bait the flutter back down imitating a wounded or dying baitfish. The presentation of an easy meal may very well cause a non-feeding fish to go ahead a eat your bait simply because its there and its easy. The result, you catch a fish.

Rat-L-Traps come in a variety of sizes, colors and styles. Some sparkle, some have spinners on them, some have a plastic bill on them for diving deeper, some float and others will suspend. There is so many, it’s sometimes hard to figure out which one to use. If you find yourself in this situation, like I so often do, go back to the basics. The ½ ounce chrome with a blue back, chrome with a black back or a gold with a black back are my standard baits. On cloudy days, early morning or late evening, I use the gold color. When the sun is bright, you can’t go wrong with the chrome.

Last month I fished a BASS tournament at Sam Rayburn. The tournament was won on a Rat-L-Trap being fished over scattered grass (hydrilla). Several other anglers, including myself, caught fish on Rat-L-Traps in the grass.

When fishing these baits around grass, you need to be using a high speed reel with a gear ratio of 6:1 or better on a medium action rod. This will allow you to literally rip the bait through the grass triggering strikes. If the fish are aggressive, they will usually hit the bait just as you pull it loose from a snag in the grass. If the fish are not real aggressive, you may need to scale down to a ¼ ounce Rat-L-Trap in order to slow the bait down enough to get bit; yet keep it from staying hung up in the grass due to the slower retrieve needed to generate strikes. This is where having a variety of colors and sizes of baits come in handy.

I really love fishing Rat-L-Traps over grass. The bait looks like the forage the bass are feeding on, a shad and the noise from the rattles inside seems to attract the fish even when they are buried up in the thick grass. When a grass bass hits the bait, it usually inhales the thing.

Another bait to use over grass is the Red Zone Rat-L-Trap, it suspends. After cranking it down during the retrieve, you can stop the bait and it will suspend allowing the fish more time to see and strike the bait. You can also use it like a jerk bait while it is suspending, then continue the normal retrieve. This lure is also real effective on pre-spawn fish in creeks that are suspending between the creek channel and their spawning areas in shallower water.

As a tournament angler, keeping a fish on after hooking it can mean the difference between making a paycheck and not making one. That’s why I always replace the hooks on my Rat-L-Traps when fishing a tournament. The hooks that come on the bait are ok for pleasure fishing or pre-fishing a tournament, but when it really counts, I want a good sharp hook that increases my chances of landing the fish.

The next time you’re at the lake or your favorite body of water and you can’t figure out what lure to use to catch ole’ bucketmouth, remember the answer may have been sitting there all along. There’s a good reason everyone you talk to has a few in their box, the Rat-L-Trap simply catches fish.

tackle : Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits: Where, When and How !

When I saw my first spinnerbait, I found myself asking, "what kind of fish would be stupid enough to strike at a lure like this?" It did not take too long for me to find out! The next day I caught a largemouth bass around 2 pounds and was hooked on the concept. Spinnerbaits come in many forms. Single, double and triple bladed versions are available with a multitude of replaceable skirt colors to choose from. This lure can be adapted for used in shallow and deep-water presentations by using lighter or heavier bodies. I often add weight, either wrapping lead wire around the lure or pinching large sinkers onto the wire frame to make it sink faster in very deep water. Buzzbaits, while looking completely different from it's cousin the spinnerbait, also come with single double and triple rotating propellers, again offering interchangeable skirts for exciting top water action. I will deal with each lure individually, to avoid confusion for the novice and talk about the many ways these lures can be used. Even our more experienced anglers may find something here that will suit their favorite fishing hole the next time they "wet a line".

SPINNERBAITS: Three important things I would like to let our readers know is that it does not have to be a windy day to throw a spinnerbait. I have used these lures with great success on calm days. The only difference being that I increase the retrieve rate so the fish do not get a good look at the lure. Secondly, in weedy situations do not use a trailer hook, as this will only cause the lure to snag and you will spend more time cleaning weed or debris off the lure than fishing. I will only use trailers in open water situations. Finally, making sure all your hooks are constantly being sharpened. I carry a small file and stone for this specific purpose. You will thank me for reminding you, I promise! Single bladed spinnerbaits are often used in murky water conditions or for dusk and nighttime fishing. Most often, the single blade is in the "spoon like" Colorado style. This type of blade gives a tremendous amount of vibration in the water. As the bass have trouble seeing the lure due to water clarity or lack of daylight, they strike at this vibration and will track the spinnerbait with their lateral lines. I like black skirts for this application so that when the bass are almost on top of the lure, the color does not stop them from attacking the bait. I have found that light color skirts in dark water tend to reduce the "hook-up" ratio. Double bladed baits are my go to bait in clear, shallow conditions in the lakes around the island. Double bladed lures vary in design. I have a lot of willow leaf bladed combinations (these blades are shaped like a fish without a tail). They are mounted onto the frame of the lure with a smaller blade leading the lure and a larger blade following. This presentation mimics a medium sized fish trying to catch a small one! Bass love to sneak up behind another fish in the act of hunting as in their mind, they think the attacking fish is concentrating so much on the chase, that it will not see or sense the bass attacking from behind. I have found that during spring and early summer, a small Colorado blade in front of the willow leaf blade will give added vibration to the flash of the willow leaf and get more attention. As the weather continues to warm, the double willow leaf combination emits a lot of flash from the sunlight and a curious bass will attack these lures when fished at high speed in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy a slower speed should be used. Triple bladed spinnerbaits are just adding more "fish like appeal" to the lure and as there are a new selection coming to the market, it is something the bass in your area have perhaps not see, so more hooks ups are possible. Skirt color is a personal choice. I prefer orange and gold for shallow and clear water presentations, and all white or white and chartreuse for windy days and deeper water situations. For all the combinations above, when I am fishing a moving body of water, (and occasionally in very deep lakes) I like to make long casts and allow the bait to "helicopter" in a downward spiral, allowing the flow of the river to gently push the bait towards me on the retrieve. Often, as you connect with the lure to begin the retrieval, the fish will strike the lure, so make sure you keep good contact with your lure at all times.

BUZZBAITS: These are probably the most unusual looking of all the lures we cast for bass. I believe like many others that these lures imitate a rat, mouse or a frog, scurrying along the surface of the water. This is a big bass bait! I have seen huge bass caught with this lure, but the presentation is critical to your success. First, you must "tune your buzzbait". This is accomplished in several different ways.

• tying your lure to your driver side wing mirror on your truck or car and allowing the blades to rotate as you drive. These high-speed action will (after a few miles!) make the lure squeak, if it is raining, so much the better! This squeak will enhance the attraction of the lure and certainly increase your chances of catching a bass.
• drilling small holes in the propeller blades will increase the surface movement.
• bending the arm of the bait downward to place the hook lower in the water. This will increase your hook up ratio greatly.
• removing the rivet casing that holds the blades in place so that they will turn erratically.
• bending the body so that the lure returns when retrieving line in an arc rather that a straight line. I have said before, that fish do not swim in straight lines so why should your lures?
• add a trailer hook but turn the barb downwards! It's sneaky, but it does increase the hook up percentages in your favor! As the New Year approaches, watch for a new spinnerbaits and buzzbaits on the market called SNAP- SET. This is a new concept and it works! I have field-tested this bait for the best part of a year and catch fish time after time. The fish cannot shake lose from the spinnerbait or buzzbait because of a unique design where the hook separates from the lure when the fish strikes! Make sure you pick up a few!

tackle : Early Spring Jig Combo

When early Spring arrives a lot of attention turns to a jig-n-pig combination for bass. This has long been a favorite, and rightfully so, as it is a great producer for lunker bass. However, during the last two seasons I’ve found a smaller and slimmer jig combination. The combination, which I found to be very productive, is the black/purple, Gripper Hair Rubber Bass Jig with a 4-inch, black Mann’s Jelly Worm. For added attraction, Kodiak Crawfish Paste is applied to the blackberry scented worm trailer.

One of the secrets to being able to change the productivity of the combination is the way the worm is rigged. The Jelly Worm has a paddle on the end. Thread the worm so that the paddle is either vertical or horizontal to the jig. If one direction doesn’t work, try it the other way. When it is put in the water observe the difference in the motion from one tail position to the other. In the vertical position the tail resembles a minnow swimming action, while in the horizontal position it waves up and down, creating more of a crawfish or leech movement.

Sizes of 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounces are used for the jig. The nice thing about the Gripper Hair Rubber design is that only the weight of the jig changes, and not the overall size. In most cases, try to get by with the smallest weight possible. This permits a slower fall, as well as being able to be worked slower, when used with a swimming motion off the bottom or midway down.
Techniques for using this jig combination are extremely simple. With the tail’s paddle in the vertical position, swim the jig with a straight slow retrieve at different depths; pump it along, while retrieving at a constant speed; and pause-and-lift, allowing it to fall on the pause, and retrieve the line on the lift. Retrieves for the tail’s paddle in the horizontal position would be bouncing and crawling it through brush and on the bottom; swimming it with pumps over and through any weed growth; and hopping it along the bottom, especially in a rocky area (this can be slow or fast - vary it to find the best).

This season try my early Spring jig combo, and see how it works in your favorite body of water. By the way, it isn’t just for early Spring, so keep it close at hand for the entire season, and try it whenever the bass get a little finicky.

Stop by the Dan’s Fish ‘N’ Tales web site at www.dansfishntales.com, or the Dan’s Links site at www.dansfishntales.net, and browse through the pages. You can connect to Bassin' USA through these sites. If you want to share your success with the techniques described in this article, or have any other questions, just drop me an email from the link on these sites.

Until next time, get out on the water, and enjoy a great day of fishing.

Fishing Safely

Fishing isn't a dangerous sport, but you should prepare to keep safe and comfortable in the outdoors. It is possible to get caught unexpectedly in bad weather, encounter insects, spend too much time in the sun, or get caught on a fish hook.
Wearing the proper clothing helps to protect you from injury. It also keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Rainwear and other gear keep you from getting wet and chilled.
Avoid problems by preparing for the unexpected.

• Safety Around Water
  Water accidents claim many lives each year. Obviously you will be around water if you are fishing and accidents can happen at any moment, sending you into the water.
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), often called "life vests," are not just for wearing in boats.
• Wading There are several rules you should follow for safe wading.
• Reach-throw-row-go is a method of rescuing a person who falls overboard or an angler or swimmer in trouble.
• Swimming If you fish, you should know how to swim for your own safety. Many young anglers like to go for a swim during a fishing trip just for fun or to cool off.
• Safety With Fishing Equipment Handle your fishing equipment responsibly. Hooks can be dangerous if you do not handle them properly.

Let's Catch Fish

In this section, you can learn about the equipment used to catch fish—from jigs and poppers to doughballs and stinkbait. Read more about about tackle, baits, hooks and lures by using the navigation links on the left or below.

• Types of Fishing Tackle: Learn about the basic equipment you will need depending on what type of fishing you plan to do.
  
• Other Fishing Tackle: Hooks, line, sinkers, bobbers-become an expert on each!
  
• Natural Baits & Baiting Your Hook: Discover what live baits fish love most and which you can find in your own backyard.
  
• Prepared Baits: Check out our bait recipes which will help you land bottom-feeding fish.
  
• Lures: Learn more about the different types of lures and when to use them.

Types of Fishing Tackle

Fishing tackle is used to get your bait or lure to the fish. You don't need a lot of equipment to begin fishing. In fact, it's a good idea to begin with basic, simple tackle. You can try more difficult tackle after you've mastered some basic skills.

Pole and Line

The simplest fishing tackle is a pole; however, for some types of fishing, even a soda can with fishing line wrapped around it can be used!

The pole can be made of cane, bamboo or a straight piece of tree branch. You do not use a reel with a pole. Cut a piece of fishing line as long as the pole. Tie the line to the tip of the pole and a hook to the other end of the line. A small sinker, called a "split shot," is squeezed onto the line above the hook. The sinker makes it easier to swing the bait out into the water and keeps the bait under the surface. You may also want to use a bobber or float. By moving the bobber up or down the line, you can change the depth of your bait in the water. With a pole and line you can fish the area near the bank, where many fish often live.

<<Previous Next type >>

Rods and Reels

Other types of fishing tackle use reels to store large amounts of line. They let you cast a bait or lure farther. They also help you retrieve lures correctly, fish in deeper water, and battle larger fish more easily. There are four kinds of reels: spincast, spinning, baitcast, and fly. Each kind uses a different type of rod.

Spincasting

Spincasting tackle is ideal for beginning anglers because it works well and is easy to use. A spincasting rod has small line guides and a straight handle. Spincasting tackle is often used while fishing for bluegill, crappie and other panfish. The spincasting reel mounts on top of the rod's handle. The fishing line comes out of a small hole in a cover on the front of the reel.

<<Previous Next type >>

Casting With a Spincasting Outfit

To cast, grip the pistol grip with one hand. If you're right-handed, turn the rod sideways so the reel handle points straight up; if you're left-handed, point the reel handle straight down. Push the reel's thumb button and hold it down.
Face your target area and turn your body at a slight angle. The arm holding the rod should be closest to your target. Aim the rod tip toward the target-about level with your eyes.

Swiftly and smoothly, bend your casting arm at the elbow, raising your casting forearm until your hands reach eye level. When the rod is almost straight up, it will be bent back by the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your forearm forward with just a slight wrist movement. When the rod reaches eye level, release the thumb button and let the line travel freely.

If the plug lands close in front of you, you have released the thumb button too late. If the plug went more or less straight up, you released the button too soon.

Learning how to use a spincasting rod and reel isn't too hard, but it does take practice. Buy a practice-casting plug. This is a rubber or plastic weight without hooks. Then, tie it to the end of the line. Find a spot where you can practice safely. Put a target on the ground about 25 feet away. Practice casting until you can consistently hit the target with your casting plug. Being able to hit a target is much more important than being able to cast a long distance!

<<Previous Next type >>

Spinning

Spinning rods have a straight handle with large line guides that are on the bottom of the rod. A spinning reel is often called an "open-face" reel because the spool of fishing line isn't covered. The reel mounts under the handle. Spinning rods and reels allow for more line to be quickly peeled off the reel, allowing for casting longer distances.

Learning how to use a spinning outfit may take more practice than spincasting. Casting with a spinning outfit is very similar to using spincasting equipment. However, at the beginning you grasp the spinning rod's handle, placing the reel "stem" between your second and third fingers. Your thumb should be on top of the handle and your forefinger extended to touch the spool cover. With your other hand, rotate the reel spool until the line roller is directly beneath your extended forefinger. Pick up the line in front of the roller with your forefinger and open, or cock, the reel's bail with your other hand.(Some reels have a lever so you can grasp the line and open the bail in one motion.)

After you have accomplished this procedure, casting is very similar to that for spincasting except that when the rod reaches your eye level as you are casting, you release the line from your forefinger rather than releasing the thumb button. Again, if the plug lands close in front of you, your forefinger released the line too late. If the plug went more or less straight up, you released your forefinger too soon.

To prepare for practice follow the same steps as for spincasting.

<<Previous Next type >>

Baitcasting

A baitcasting rod can have either a pistol-type grip or a straight handle. As in spincasting, the casting reel and line guides are mounted on top of the rod. Unlike the other two types of reels, the casting reel's line spool turns as you cast and can snarl the line if it is not controlled properly. Learning to control this spool makes casting tackle harder for most people to learn, and is considered a skill for advanced anglers.

Drag

All reels have an adjustment called a drag that controls how easily the line is pulled off the reel. When set correctly, the drag lets a larger fish pull some line from the reel until the fish becomes tired. Follow the directions that come with your reel to set the drag correctly.

Flyfishing

Flyfishing tackle is different from all of the other types. In flyfishing, you are casting the line that carries the "fly." With other fishing tackle the weight of a bait or lure pulls line from a reel. In flyfishing, the reel is only used to store the line. Flycasting is usually the most difficult to learn. However, with proper instruction, anyone can learn.

<<Previous Next type >>

Other Fishing Tackle

Fish Hooks

Fishhooks come in a variety of sizes and styles. When you fish with natural or live bait, a package with an assortment of hooks ranging from sizes No. 6 through No. 10 is suitable. However, when you fish for catfish or bullheads, larger hooks are needed.

The barbs on the hooks can be bent down if you intend to release your catch. This will make your fishing more challenging and reduce fish mortality.

<<Previous Next type >>

Saltwater

Saltwater tackle requires special equipment because saltwater will corrode any aluminum, steel or iron parts. The metal parts of saltwater tackle usually are made of stainless steel or nickel chrome. Saltwater tackle ranges from the ultra light equipment used in inshore fishing to the extremely large and heavy tackle for deep-sea fishing.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a very specialized sport. One- to three-foot rods are most often used. Simple reels are used to hold the line. Ice fishing can also be done with tip-ups. Tip-ups fit over a hole in the ice. When a fish hits, it releases a lever. This causes a flag to tip up, alerting the angler.

Bobbers

Bobbers are used to keep your bait at the depth you want it. They also help you to know when you have a strike. Use a bobber that's just large enough to keep your bait from dragging it under the water. Pencil style bobbers are more sensitive than round ones. Because of this it is easier to tell if a fish is biting. Round bobbers are easier to cast Slip bobbers can be easily adjusted to allow you to fish at different depths. Their main advantage is that they are easy to cast. They come in both round and pencil styles.

Many bobbers attach to fishing line with a spring clip and move up or down the line easily, depending on how deep you want to fish your bait.

<<Previous Next type >>

Sinkers

Sinkers range in size from split shot, the size of a BB, to weights of a pound or more. BB-size split shot to 1/4-ounce sinkers are most common. Sinkers allow you to cast your bait and help take it down to the bottom.

<<Previous Next type >>

Fishing Line

Fishing line comes in a variety of sizes, or strengths, called pound-test. For example, ten pound-test lines are stronger than four pound-test. You must match the pound-test line to the size of rod and reel, the bait you're using, and the fish you are fishing for. For example, small ultra light spincasting and spinning reels can use up to six pound-test lines. Larger spinning reels can use stronger line. Bait casting reels can use from 6- to 30-pound line, but 8- to 16-pound-test lines are most common. Using heavier line than necessary may reduce the number of bites or strikes you get, because heavy line is more visible in water.

To connect your line to your hook you need to learn to tie fishing knots. Although dozens of fishing knots are used you only need to learn two or three good knots for most fishing. Here's how to tie three common knots:

The palomar and improved clinch knots are used by many anglers for attaching hooks and lures. They are both very strong knots.

The loop knot is used for minnow type baits and diving lures. The loop attached to the lure allows the lure to move more freely.

<<Previous Next type >>

Tackle Box

A tackle box is useful for storing hooks, sinkers, bobbers, lures, and other things you need for fishing. A small, top-opening box with two trays is a good first box.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

A personal flotation device, also known as a life jacket, should be part of your essential fishing gear. You should always wear one if you are fishing near deep or fast moving water. When you are fishing from a boat, you must always wear a PFD. If you choose a PFD with pockets, you can also use it as a fishing vest to hold your tackle.

Other Accessories

Other equipment anglers find useful includes a container for live bait, snaps and swivels, a line clipper, long-nose pliers with wire cutters, a hook disgorger for removing fish hooks, a fish scaler, and a stringer or ice chest to keep your fish fresh. In addition, you should always have your first aid kit with you.

jig

Jigs have weighted metal heads and a "tail" made of animal hair, soft plastic, feathers, or rubber. Anglers sometimes add a minnow or piece of pork rind to the jig's hook. Jigs can be used to catch nearly every kind of freshwater and many saltwater fish. The makeup of a jig usually consists of a lead sinker with a hook molded into it. There is then some sort of body on the shank of the hook. The jig is very versatile and can be used in both salt water as well as fresh water. Many species are attracted to the lure which has made it popular amongst anglers for years.

The head of a jig can consists of many different shapes and colors along with different features. The most common is the round head, but others include fish head shaped, coned shaped, or anything someone can think up. These heads come in many different weights usually ranging from 1/64 ounces to 1 ounce. They also can be found in a wide array of colors and patterns. The hooks also vary. These variances can be on the hook type, color, angle of the hook or the material of the hook. Some jig heads even offer a weed guard.

The body is a wide array of bodies for jigs. The most common that can be found is made out of rubber or silicone. These come in many shapes can be a grub, frog shaped, fish shaped, paddle tail, lizards, or different bugs. The colors of these can range from bright yellow to a transparent brown with silver and red flakes. Also during summer month's look at colors for the heat such as browns, blue with black hair. Many others catch fish like small mouth bass and large mouth bass Another body that is often used is the combination of feathers, fur, rubber skirts, and other materials.

lures

In terms of sport fishing, a lure is an object, often designed to resemble fish prey, equipped with one or many hooks that is used to catch fish. The lure is attached to the end of the fishing line and is then thrown out into the water and pulled back to attract fish such as spinner bait or trout worms. An exception is the fly lure which either floats on water surface, slowly sinks or floats underwater, based on real behavior of insect being resembled. Fishing lure companies make lures in many sizes, styles, colors, and patterns.
Read the instructions in or on a lure package to learn how to use each lure.

There are several types of fishing lures:

• jig
  
• wobbler
  
• spinner
  
• spoon lures
  
• fly lures
  
• Texas Rigs
  
• Mormyshka
  

Prepared Baits

For bottom-feeding fish like carp and catfish, bread, small pieces of cheese, and canned corn are good. You can buy commercially made baits. Many anglers, however, like to make their own bait for these fish. Below are two recipes for bait to catch bottom-feeding fish.
Carp Doughballs

1. Mix 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of yellow cornmeal, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a bowl.
   
2. Take a 1-quart container of water and pour just enough of it into the mixture to make a heavy dough.
   
3. Roll the dough into balls about 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter.
   
4. Mix the rest of the water with 1 cup of molasses and pour it into a pan.
   
5. Put the pan on the stove and bring the molasses and water to a boil.
   
6. When the mixture is boiling, drop in several doughballs, but don't overcrowd them. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes.
   
7. Cook the rest of the doughballs, a few at a time, in the same way.

You can store the cooked doughballs in the leftover water and molasses. When using doughballs or stinkbait (a smelly catfish bait) use small treble hooks. A treble hook has three points. Some have a spring wrapped around the shank to help hold the bait. Many manufacturers make a variety of "stinkbaits." Homemade stinkbait can be made using the following recipe.
Catfish Stinkbait

1. Fill a jar with pieces of a forage fish like shad.
   
2. Cover the jar with the lid, but leave the lid loose so gases will escape.
   
3. Put the jar in direct sunlight for a day or two.

When you open the jar, you'll know your catfish "stinkbait" is ready to use.

Natural Baits & Baiting Your Hook

As you learn more about fish behavior you'll learn more about how to choose the best bait for different situations. Several types of live or natural bait will help you catch fish. Always check your fishing regulations to make sure the bait you choose is legal for the lake you are fishing.

Some of the best baits for freshwater fishing include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers. Good saltwater baits include sea worms, eels, crabs, shrimp, strips of squid, and cut-up pieces of fish.

Worms

Worms are good bait for nearly all freshwater and saltwater fish, although sea worms are often used in saltwater fishing. You can find enough worms for fishing from a few shovels of dirt in your garden or from a shaded, damp area. Worms can also be purchased in fishing tackle stores and bait shops.

If you have small worms, thread the hook through the side of the worm at several places along its body. For bait-stealing fish such as sunfish, thread the worm on the hook until the hook is completely covered.

Minnows

Minnows must be stored in a minnow bucket with plenty of cool water to keep them alive. Never crowd them.

One way to hook a minnow is through both lips, beginning with the bottom lip. You can also hook a minnow through the tail, behind the head, or through the back.

Crickets and Grasshoppers

Both land and water insects can be used for bait. When using small insects, you should use hooks made of thin wire.

Bait Leeches

Leeches are excellent bait for many fish. They should be hooked through the sucker in the tail.

Clams, Mussels, and Sea Worms

These baits are good for perch, drum, sea trout, and rockfish. Completely remove their shell and thread onto the hook.

Shrimp

Shrimp can be used either alive or dead for saltwater fish. Hook the shrimp through the tail. You can also peel off the shell and thread cut up pieces of shrimp on the hook.

Texas rig

The Texas Rig is a technique used for fishing soft plastic lures. It involves a bullet weight being threaded onto the line first followed by an optional glass bead, and then the line is secured to a hook, usually an offset worm hook.
The hook is then inserted into the head region of the worm and exits the worm about 1/4 of an inch down the worm. The worm is then moved up the hook towards the shank and then rotated so that the worm is now 'locked' on the shank. The point of the hook is then thread back into the body of the worm to make the rig weedless.
The bead is fully optional. Some anglers find that the added noise or color a bead can provide gives them an advantage in stained or muddied water while some anglers think that the bead detracts from a realistic presentation considering that most worms will not click.
The Texas Rig is not a search rig like a spinnerbait or a crankbait. It is usually fished by throwing the soft plastic as close to cover as possible with the goal of placing the worm as close to a bass as possible. Try to let the lure enter the water with as little noise as possible and keep some controlled slack in the line as bass will commonly attack the lure while it is sinking to the bottom.
If the bass does not hit on the fall, let the worm rest on the bottom for a brief period and then begin to retrieve the lure in a very slow, jerk and pause motion. Be careful to always keep a little tension on the line because learning this technique is a lot about learning to differentiate between the feel of the bottom and the feel of a fish.

Nymph

A nymph resembles an insect or stage of insect living underwater. Leeches, mayfly nymphs, caddis fly larva, and diptera can all be imitated by nymphs.

Normally a nymph is tied on a heavier hook, sometimes with an added weight in the body or head to keep it underwater during presentation.

Nymph technique

Nymphs can be fished successfully upstream or down. A large percentage of what fish eat is found living underwater and imitated by nymphs. Without the benefit of seeing the fly, the flyfisherman must distinguish a fish's take from the normal tug of river current. Many nymph fishermen rely on small bobbers, brightly-colored yarn, or other strike indicators to determine when a fish has taken the nymph.

Streamer fly

A streamer fly or streamer can be used to mimic injured baitfish. Streamers are normally larger in size than other types of artificial fly, and can be used to catch predatory fish of almost any size. Fish will bite streamers out of aggression while protecting spawning areas, out of curiosity, or when feeding. The big showy Atlantic Salmon flies, bucktails (hairwing), and feather wing flies all fall into the streamer category.

Streamer fly technique

The fishing technique with a streamer is much the same as with a spoon lure. Casting across and downstream is the traditional presentation. Retrieves can be fast or slow and erratic to imitate an injured baitfish.

Wet fly

A wet fly resembles an insect under the water surface. Wet flies can imitate aquatic insects, drowned insects, or emerging insects (emergers). Wet flies are traditionally tied with a tail, body, wings, and soft hackle.

Wet fly technique

In current, a wet fly may be fished upstream, across stream, or down stream. In slow pools on a large river, or in lake fishing the line may be retrived slowly by a figure-of-eight retrieve (coiling the line in the palm of the hand). On still water, the wet fly may also be retrieved by this method, or by stripping line.

fly lure

A fly lure, Fly, or "pattern," in the terminology of sport fishing and fly fishing, is an artificial lure tied, most commonly, with thread, feathers, and fur, but may also include lead (for weight), ribbon, tinsel, beads, and other assorted materials. The term "fly lure" is not in use in the United States, where a lure is considered distinct from an artificial fly. A lure, in this parlance, denotes only a fishing lure with enough weight to be thrown on conventional tackle. A fly's chief distinction is its lack of weight; one must use a fly rod to cast out a fly because only a fly rod can be "loaded" or bent by a fly line, which provides the weight needed to carry out the fly.

Fly tying is a common practice in fly fishing, considered by many anglers an important part of the fly fishing experience. Many fly fishers tie their own flies, either following patterns in books, natural insect examples, or using their own imagination. The technique involves attaching small pieces of feathers, animal fur, and other materials on a hook in order to make it attractive to fish. This is made by wrapping thread tightly around the hook and tying on the desired materials.

Generally, fly patterns are considered either "imitations" or "attractors." Imitations seek to deceive fish through the life-like imitation of insects on which the fish may feed. Attractors, which are often brightly colored, seek to draw a strike by arousing a response in the fish unrelated to feeding, or so it is thought. Famous attractors are the Stimulator, Royal Wulff, and Green Weenie flies.

There are four main categories of flies: dry fly, wet fly, streamer fly, and nymph.

spoon lures

A spoon lure is, in terms of sport fishing an oblong, concave metal piece resembling a spoon. The spoon lure is mainly used to attract fish by reflecting light and moving randomly. The spoon lure was invented by Julio T. Buel in about 1848. The design of the spoon lure is simple; an oblong, concave metal piece with a shiny chrome or paint finish, and a single or treble hook on the end.

While the basic principle of design has stayed the same over the years, application and use has changed some. In it's beginning, the spoon was simply used to cast and retrieve. However, since trolling motors have become so popular on fishing boats, a new version of the classic was invented.

This particular breed of lure was nothing more than a duplicate of the traditional casting spoon, but made with thinner material. While using the trolling motor on the boat, the fisherman could cover a wider body of water, increasing their chances for a successful day. Using split shots, or other forms of weights, the fisherman could easily zero in his fishing lures' depth, depending on the speed involved.

Now armed with the ability to cover more area, the average fishermen could take their new spoon lures to any body of water, without full knowledge of the underwater geographical layout; which is key to catching some species of fish. The regular casting spoon (heavier version) is primarily used by fishermen that already know the water and what lies beneath. The fishermen will anchor the boat 10 to 20 feet behind the area where they believe the fish are at. Then the spoon is cast PAST this point, and retrieved through the given strike zone.

To take it a step further, fishermen have found (though, not proven) that by using different color variations can help catch fish. Since then, multiple color options have been added to the classic spoon lure, and different materials have been used to affect the color applied. As an example, Willy Lures[[1]] offers some spoons made from marine brass. When the spoon is silver plated, gold plated, or dyed; it gives the spoons' finish a much more vibrant or 'brilliant' look.

spinner

A spinner is in terms of sport fishing, a lure designed to make noise underwater in order to catch the fishes' attention instead of mimicking food.

The build of a spinner consists of a metal pin with a dish (cup shaped) around it which will vibrate when water is flowing by due to the fishing line being reeled in, almost like a fan or turbine. Below the dish metal weights are placed in order to make the lure sink and to keep the dish from getting stuck in the treble hook which is placed at the end of the pin. The hook, which is a three-hooked version, as seen on the wobbler, is often camouflaged in a soft material like feathers.

wobbler

A wobbler (or "plug") is a fishing lure designed to resemble a fish of prey, or some other natural food of predatory fish. As the name signifies, it makes wobbling movements that are caused by the mouth dish or "bill" on the plug which causes it to wobble and dart as it moves through the water. Plugs have a body made of plastic or wood and are designed to be used on top of the water or at depths below the surface. Topwater or floating plugs are designed to float on the surface. Diving plugs have plastic or metal lips so they will dive to a certain depth. These diving plugs are often called "crankbaits" because they are often used with baitcasting reels that operate like a crank.

The typical build of a wobbler consists of:

• a body made out of light wood or plastic, sometimes separated into two pieces joined by a small flexible link to enhance the impression of a fish whipping its tail fin.
  
• a mouth dish, or bill, sometimes adjustable to change depth and wobbling movements of the lure.
  
• Hooks, often in groups of three hanging freely on a maximum of three points (front, middle and rear end) as this is the maximum number of hooks allowed on a single lure.
  
• A ring for attaching the fishing line.

Design Parameters

Wobblers can be designed to float on the surface of the water and stay afloat when they are retrieved, or to float but dive under the surface upon retrieval. They can also be designed to sink slowly or rapidly, or to dive deeply on retrieve, by use of a steeply angled or longer-than-normal mouthpiece. Some have a small metal ball inside to "rattle" when retrieved. They can be finished in a wide variety of colors and color patterns, or printed with very lifelike "fish" patterns. Some wobblers have no built-in action at all, being designed to let the fisherman create the action in the plug by his own manipulations of the rod and line.

Lake Fork, Texas, United States

Overall Fishing was HOT
Weather was Partly Cloudy
Water Clarity was 3 feet
Air Temperature was 77F
Water Temperature was 65F
Week Of 10/30/05

The Fall fishing this week Continues to be great, with good numbers of quality bass both shallow and deep. The early morning bite has been good on spinner baits and wacky worms. Best spinner bait for me has been a ¼ ounce Colorado willow with nickel and gold blade and a chartreuse and white skirt. This time of the year I will fish the spinner bait fast on the edge of the grass lines in 2-3 ft. of water. Best places right now are the main lake points and secondary points. In the same areas a wacky worm will produce some good fish . The worm I am using is a trick worm and the best colors have been June bug and watermelon red flake. This early morning bite has been good for the first three hours of the day. At mid-morning I have been moving out to a deep pattern with a jigging spoon and a Carolina rig, in 15-25 ft. of water. Yesterday we boated 46 bass and about 30 came on the jigging spoon and Carolina rig. Best places for the deep bite are creek channel bends and main lake humps/road beds. Some of the road beds that always produce this time of year are the 515 east and west and the 2946 road beds.

This week the three biggest bass we boated came off the 515 east bridge in 25 ft. of water. 2 over 7lbs. and one over 8lbs..

November is jigging spoon month on Lake Fork. The bass are starting to bunch up and a jigging spoon will put a lot of big bass in the boat this time of yeae.

I am now booking fall and spring dates. Book early to get the best available dates! Call 903-629-7699 or 903-629-5085 cell or check out my website at www.lakeforktexasfishingreports.com. Until next time.

Good Fishing!

David Vance

mormyshka

Mormyshka ( or Mormishka, or Marmooska) is a sort of fishing lure or a jig. The word is derived from Russian word Mormysh - that means Freshwater Shrimp (Gammarus).

Mormyshka was invented in the 19th century in Russia. The prototypes were big spoon lures used for ice fishing. Trying to imitate shrimps, anglers made lures smaller and changed the way of fixing them on the line. As a result, efficient lures appeared and were spread quickly among ice fishermen all around Russia and Scandinavia.

Mormyshka consists of a metallic head and a hook soldered in it. There is a little vertical hole in the middle of the head where the line is passing through. The way to knot Mormyshka to the line is unusual, but is not difficult. You put the line through the hole and knot it to the hook.

When suspended, Mormyshka keeps almost horizontal position, and the point of the hook turns out to be above its shank. Some mormyshkas have Bead Head on the hook.

In contrast to Jig Heads, original Russian Mormyshka jigs have no up eye; Mormyshkas are not always globe-shaped. There are many forms that provide different presentations to fish; Usually, high quality Mormyshka is not painted, but coated or plated with Nickel, Brass, Copper, Gold, Silver, or combination of two metals, that provides better attraction to fish.

For the past few years Mormyshka has been used in summer fishing as well with long poles and a float or a nod. It is used either with live bait or alone. Also, anglers use palmers tied on Mormyshkas.

dry fly

A dry fly resembles an insect floating on the water surface. Dry flies can also imitate mice, frogs, and snakes. A dry fly is often tied on a light hook so it can float easily.

Dry flies can be tied to imitate insects on the water, such as Pale Morning Duns, or to attract fish to rise without imitating any one specific insect, such as a Royal Wulff or Adams dry fly. The traditional dry fly has a few basic parts: tail, body, wing, hackle, and head. Floatation of the fly can be achieved in a variety of ways. A dry fly traditionally uses the surface tension of water to float. The fly will ride on the hackle and tail, and in some cases the hook point will not break through the surface. Closed-cell foam can be used in the construction or sometimes a CDC feathers, to hold molecules of air. Some dry flies must be lubricated with a special floatant before presentation to preserve buoyancy.

Dry fly technique

In order for the dry fly to float tantalizingly on the water surface, it may require periodic drying after it is pulled from the water. This is accomplished by several rapid strokes or whips of the airborne fly and fly line, called "false casting". Another method is to press the dry fly into amadou or other dessicant to remove absorbed water. A dry fly may be fished upstream or downstream. Casting upstream generally keeps the angler out of the view of the fish while casting downstream may facilitate casting to productive holes.

Personal Flotation Devices

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), often called "life vests," are not just for wearing in boats. Anytime you are on or around deep or fast moving water, it is always best to be wearing your PFD. U.S. Coast Guard and/or state laws require you to have an approved PFD when you are in a boat. The rules say a boat must have one PFD for each person on board. Certain types of boats must also have a cushion or ring that can be thrown to a person in the water.

5 Useful Tips On Trout Fishing

In fishing, trout are one of the favorite " fishing friends" of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout. For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.

On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.

In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

Tips To Know The Types Of Fishing Rod To Acquire

fishing rod holders take the inconvenience out of fishing for a variety of reasons. For one, it is a convenient storage device especially when one is in a kayak. Rather than holding the paddle in between the legs while fishing, a fishing rod holder stores the rod in place therefore enabling anyone to carry multiple rods or (if one insists so) carry multiple paddles. It also makes trolling easy as a holder keeps the fishing rod in place as one travels to a number of fishing spots. Also, when unhooking a caught fish, rod holders keep the rod secure. More importantly, they help one catch more fish at the same time enabling a kayak look versatile and extremely well-designed.

Here are some tips that could prove helpful in order to determine the types of fishing rods one should purchase.
To attach or to not attach

There are basically two types of fishing rod holders, one that could be attached to the exterior of the kayak and one that is put in the flush. Both have different functions and both work well accordingly. The choice all depends on what one prefers to use and how.
To those who prefer the unattached

The unattached type of fishing rod holder comes in two forms, the straight and the angled. Most kayaks use the angled form. When this type is used, one has a good chance of being able to stroll because the rods veer away from the kayak.

To those who prefer the attached If the straight type is used, one is able to keep the fishing rod in the middle of the kayak and therefore works best in keeping the rod in storage. This straight type of fishing rod holder is good for the Tower and Cobra Navigator model of a kayak.

The home-made fishing rod holder One could just as make his or her very own personalized fishing rod holder using common PVC. Or one could also start out by getting a milk crate and attaching it to a kayak with the use of straps.

The alternative type of fishing rod

There is another type of fishing rod holder that could be placed just above the kayak. These are usually tubes that are called RAM as well as Titelock. As the latter's name implies, it locks the rod in place and usually consists of a male and a female part. This part difference allows the two to be separated. Manufacturers that generally make this type of fishing rod are Attwood, Scotty and Roberts.

preparing for the night

If you usually fish during the daylight, but are thinking of a night fishing session, here’s a few tips to make it more enjoyable.
• Take warm clothing – even in Summer you will find that at 2 or 3am the cold will be uncomfortable. You should pack clothing as if you were going out for a walk on a cold Winter’s day.
• Take at least one flask of something hot to drink, preferably two, and plenty to eat.
• Keep a torch nearby, but try not to use it. The more your eyes get adjusted to the darkness, the easier it will be for you to manage without artificial light which will scare the fish.
• Take a friend with you, especially if it’s your first time night fishing. During the quiet of the night, the slightest sounds can be pretty spooky (not that most of us would admit it!).
• Make sure that everything is nearby and close to hand such as your landing net, bait etc.
• Choose your swim wisely. A good spot for day fishing is not necessarily the best place to fish at night. Don’t pick any where too weedy or with trees overhead.
• Pack a sleeping bag and a small tent or bivvy if possible.

LURE FISHING

With the recent decline in Live Baiting (because of its obvious cruelty), spinning or lure fishing has become more popular among those anglers after predator fish such as Pike, Perch and Zander.
If you are about to give Lure fishing a go, buy a “mid to all-through” action rod between 7-9 feet long. Shimano or Abu make some excellent rods for this purpose.
The set-up is simple. The line is connected to a wire trace of approximately 12” long, and the spinner or lure is attached by a snap swivel at the end of the wire trace.
An ideal line would be “Maxima” of between 8-18lbs breaking strain and a similar sized wire trace.
We recommend using a “Mepps” spinner (medium to large size), or something similar, as these are fairly cheap and will definitely catch as many fish as any other.
If you want to try a lure instead, then try a “Rapala”, although rather expensive, they are very good.
Try casting to cover a Semi Circle. Firstly close to the bank to the left (9 o’clock position), and then 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock etc, until you reach the near bank to the right (3 o’clock position). Repeat each cast at least twice, as you will probably firstly get the fish’s attention, then on the second or third cast tempt the predator enough to “take”.
How fast you retrieve the lure often depends on the depth of the water. As soon as you start “clipping” the bottom, then bring your spinner back faster.
Keep on the move and you will eventually get lucky and find the fish. Bright winter days are often the most productive.

Fishing in the Icelandic mountains

A unforgettable 7 days fishing trip in the highlands

In this trip you get to go fishing in the heart of Iceland, the highlands. The stillness in the wild is like nowhere else and the fishing spots are terrific and diverse.

Guests will be picked up at the airport and will be taken care of during the whole trip. After a sightseeing tour in Reykjavik we head to Hveragerði and Selfoss, where the first night is spent.

A meeting will be held at the hotel, where we’ll go over the schedule and the different fishing spots.

The next morning we’ll drive up to the highlands. On the way you’ll see some of Iceland's natural gems.

Fishing will take place in the following rivers and lakes:

Tungnaá and Kaldakvísl. These rivers are known for their big and tasty fish, from 3 to 10 pounds. Very beautiful and tasty Arctic charr is found here, and we will catch a lot of it in the lower and upper areas of both of these rivers. Kaldakvísl is one of the most enjoyable fly-fishing places in Iceland.

Fellsendavatn is known for its beautiful brown trout, which weigh 3-6 pounds. This is a nice small lake with spry fish.

Þórisvatn is the second largest lake in Iceland, with spectacular landscape. The size of the lake hasn’t had any effect on the fishing. You mostly get brown trout there that weigh up to 1.5-3 pounds. Dramatic surroundings and opposites in nature meet.

Kvíslárveitur is a spectacular large area in the mid-highlands. Glaciers can be seen and there’s a view over impressive mountains. The fishing area is massive and you would have no problem with fishing there and nowhere else for a week. Kvíslárveitur contains brown trout, mostly about 3-4 pounds.

We will fish in the above-mentioned places and a new fishing spot will be tried every day.

We can easily make the trip longer or shorter if wanted.

While you are fishing we can arrange a program for your partner as well. We can offer him/her the Iceland Saga Trip (more information is available farther down on the Tours page) or something else, all according to your wishes. And then maybe end the trip with one or two days together.

Guests may come with their own fly-fishing rod, waders and other gear, but a fishing guide will make special flies for each area. We can provide any gear you may need.


Price quote = 1,499 EURO

Min. 2 guests

Max. 10 guests in each trip.

The tour is available in July and August.



Included in this trip:

· Guests are picked up at the airport

· Accommodation in Hveragerði / Selfoss with breakfast

· Fishing permits for 5 days

· A fishing guide and flies needed for the fishing

· 4x4 cars (jeep or coach) for the trip

· Accommodation at a mountain hotel or in fishing cabins for 4 nights

· Provisions and food for 5 days

· Transfer to the airport

Safety With Fishing Equipment

Handle your fishing equipment responsibly. Hooks can be dangerous if you do not handle them properly. Look behind you before you cast to make sure your hook will not be caught on a power line, a tree, or a person. If you leave your tackle lying on the ground, another person can trip on it and fall, step on a hook, or break your tackle.
Take caution and use long-nose pliers to help remove hooks from a fish. If a hook is deep inside the fish, either cut off the line and leave the hook in the fish, or use a hook disgorger. Hooks left in fish will work themselves free or rust out.
When transporting your equipment, remove the hook or lure from your line and store it in your tackle box.

Swimming

If you fish, you should know how to swim for your own safety. Many young anglers like to go for a swim during a fishing trip just for fun or to cool off. Don't swim if there is any doubt about your ability. Never dive into the water of an unknown area and don't swim after a heavy meal or in cold water. Swim only when an experienced swimming partner is with you.

Reach-Throw-Row-Go

Reach-throw-row-go is a method of rescuing a person who falls overboard or an angler or swimmer in trouble.
The first safety step is to REACH out with an oar, tree limb, or other long object if the person is close to you. If you can't reach the person, then THROW them a life-saving device. This can be a boat cushion or ring that floats. If possible, it should be tied to the end of a line so you can pull the person to you. If a cushion or ring isn't handy, anything that floats can be thrown. Plastic coolers, ski belts, or even beach balls can be used in an emergency.
If there is nothing to throw, ROW a boat to the person in trouble. There should be someone else in the boat to help pull the person in trouble into the boat. The person should be pulled in over the stern, or back, of the boat. If the boat has a motor, it must be shut off before you get to the person in the water. Don't let the person try to climb in over the side of a small boat. This can tip the boat over. If the boat is small, have the victim hang on the gunwales, and tow him to shore.
Swim out to save the person in trouble ONLY as a last resort and ONLY if you are an experienced lifeguard or have had life-saving training. Going into the water after the person in trouble is very dangerous. People who are drowning often panic and injure or even drown someone trying to rescue them. Going quickly for help is often the best choice.

Safety Around Water

Water accidents claim many lives each year. Obviously you will be around water if you are fishing and accidents can happen at any moment, sending you into the water. A bank can give way if you are careless onshore. You can slip on a rock, step into a deep hole while wading, or fall out of a boat.
Anglers should learn how to swim and use caution around water at all times. You should always use the "buddy system" and have a friend or an adult with you in case something goes wrong.

Irresistible Bait

Men have always searched in vain for the irresistible bait, and many roach fishermen place more faith in bait than in effective angling.
Example: Someone reports that the roach in a certain water are taking wheat because he or she has just caught some, and from then on, everyone who fishes there promptly stews up some wheat and confirms the original report, after which roach fishing in that water is hardly thought worth trying without a plentiful supply of the stuff.
This continues until, unable to get wheat, some enthusiast falls back on, say, pearl barley. He catches roach, and the news spreads. Soon, pearl barley alone will do, and so it goes on, when plain bread paste would probably be equally effective all along.
Pay more attention to keeping quiet and inconspicuous, choose your swim carefully. This will probably double the size of your catch.

fishing tips

When setting up to troll for saltwater or large freshwater species try using the "tripper" rubberband. Once lure is dropped back to desired distance from boat, simply bring line straight down pole to area near handle of reel. At that point attach a rubberband to line and loop to handle of reel. Advantage is this- Once fish strikes lure rubberband tripper will break allowing lure to fall back on fish. This in turn allows fish to complete strike most times. Should fish drop lure, more often than not, the split second fall of the lure will appear as an injured bait fish resulting in second strike. You won't believe the slamming strikes you'll get. (Size of rubberband depends on lure size and speed trolled) PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE.

Fishing with Lip Ripperz Trout Worms

A few years ago, we watched in disbelief as a group of anglers pounded the trout left and right using something similar to a mini jig, yet way more effective! These trout weren't just any trout...they were massive pieces of flesh weighing in excess of 10-17 pounds each! This group of men continued to hammer the trout week after week and consistently showed off massive stringers of fish.

It wasn't long before we had to find out about their secret bait. A small plastic worm called the Trout Worm was responsible for the destruction of such obese trout. We quickly switched over and ever since have out fished fellow anglers even footsteps away. We then took the Trout Worm one step further and used a special combination of chemicals to produce an extremely soft and lightweight plastic that will keep you in the strike zone more often, therefore, increasing your chances at catching fish...Add 7 new fluorescent colors to the mix, and now you have a bait that blows its competition out of the water. Its not uncommon to have 30+ fish days while others are struggling to even hook up. Trout worms are the hottest bait to hit the market in years and continue to dominate waters across the world.

Below is the gear recommended to increase your success rate. Rod:
Lite or Ultra Lite action fishing rods. Top three rods for fishing trout worms are Phenix, Kencor, and G Loomis.
Rod Length:
Rods in excess of 6 foot are highly recommended in order to "feel" the worm and detect bites at all times.
Line:
2-4 pound. Nothing more.

With years of experience, we have identified several top techniques that will increase your success with fishing trout worms dramatically. (In order of effectiveness)

Split-Shotting:

Place small bb or 3/0 sized split shot approximately 2-3 Feet above a Size 8 or Smaller Hook. Don't forget to crimp the weight on tight to prevent it from slipping down while casting. Thread your Trout Worm onto the hook. The bend of the hook and the barb should be exposed while the rest of the hook is hidden inside the worm (as shown above).

Trout Worm Trailer:

Cut Trout Worm in half and thread it onto a 1/32 or 1/16 ounce minijig/tubejig/crappiejig/fingerjig. The trout worm gives the jig an erratic action and drives the trout nuts.

Drop-Shotting:

Tie a Size 8 or Smaller hook onto your line and leave approximately 6 inches to 2 feet of excess line hanging from the hook. Now clamp on a bb or size 3/0 split shot big enough to keep the bait on or near the bottom. This technique is great to use when the split-shotting method is getting hung up on underground weed beds or similar structure.

Now comes the most important aspect of fishing trout worms.

Cast out Trout Worm and let it sink until it is in the lower half of the water column. Close your bail and start giving the worm action. Point your rod tip up and start bouncing your rod. You want to raise and lower your rod tip at a medium to fast pace. At the same time you are bouncing the rod tip, reel in very slowly. Just enough to keep the slack out of your line at all times (with slack you cant feel when the fish bites).

Repeat this action and you will be on fish.

Was that a bite?

While split shotting your trout worm, a bite will feel just like you are stuck on the ground. For some reason, the fish eat the plastic and sit in one spot. Once you feel a snag or feel any type of resistance...set the hook! Merely lifting the rod tip up high will normally do the trick but many prefer a more violent yank.

Fishing bait is fun but nothing like fishing a trout worm. Once you have your first hookup you'll never look back.

Wading

There are several rules you should follow for safe wading.
Always wade with another person.

1. Always wear your PFD.
2. Find out how deep the water is.
3. Find out how strong the current is.
4. Find out what the bottom is like.
5. Use a stick or staff. Shuffle your feet along the bottom to avoid holes.

While wading you can protect your ankles by wearing high-top shoes or wading boots. Long, lightweight pants can protect you from jellyfish and sea nettles in saltwater and from snags and rocks in freshwater.