Fishing Memories

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 8:22 am on Monday, February 23, 2009

I have many great memories of fishing with my father as a small child, my father had a love for fly-fishing and he would take me along to some remote place every time he had the day off and the weather was good. We would usually end up far from home at some very secluded creek, lake or small river in the foothills of Alberta, we would walk cut lines for hours on end exploring the creeks, rivers and tiny lakes that were hidden from all but the most serious of fisherman.

In all my childhood years fishing with my dad I don’t ever remember bumping into another fisherman, we did on occasion run into some lonely trapper who would point us to some new hidden fishing spot and off we would go to check it out. We never brought any food, as it was my father’s rule, if you want to eat you had better catch something, not very often did we go home hungry. I can still remember listening to the bugling of an Elk and the smell of Rainbow Trout and Artic Grayling roasting slowing over an open fire, the wind rusting through the leaves as we sit together in silence enjoying the day and dreaming of our next trip together.

My dad has been gone many years now and his last wish was to go on one more trip together. I took a few days off work and headed off into the foothills, where his ashes are now spread over some of our most favorite fishing spots, and I can say in all honesty that grown men do cry, and that these were the most emotion filled days of my life. I went from each river and creek spreading his ashes, I would sit down and the memories of that particular spot would come flooding back to me and I could almost smell the fish roasting and my mind could see my dad fishing along the bank. I was gone for 4 days on this trip and I never did cast my fly, but it was one of the best trips I have ever done in my life.

The memories I have of our trips will last forever and hardly a day goes by that at some point my thoughts will wander off and I can see us standing there together, fishing side by side. There has been days in my life where my wife will come into the kitchen and see me sitting there, staring off into space, holding my cup of coffee with a silly grin on my face, and she will ask what’s wrong with me and I would tell her nothing is wrong, absolutely nothing.

Now that I have children that go along with me to the same places that my dad has taken me, I can see why my dad was always smiling on these trips. The absolute best part of taking my kids fishing is to sit and listen to them tell their friends about how much fun they have going out with the “old man” and you can actually hear the excitement in their voice and see the sparkle in their eyes. Hopefully the memories that I now share with my children are the memories that they will have forever, and someday when I am no longer on this earth, they will be sitting back with their cup of coffee, a silly grin on their face staring off into space.

Andy Klynstra is the webmaster for Oil-Net.Com

All Crankbaits Are Not the Same

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 6:33 pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2009

If you haven’t gotten any Lucky Craft crankbaits yet, you may have missed the boat, (literally!). This is the hottest bait on the market besides the Sweet Beaver which will be in the Delaware Tackle store soon, (I just spoke to Andre Moore), and they are moving and backorders are down to 3-4 weeks now, and will soon be up to date. Anyway, back to the Lucky Craft crankbaits. Are they expensive? Yes!! Are they worth it?? YES!!! I climbed a tree to get one when it was the last one left in a particular color. One of our Pro Staff threw himself into the water from his boat to get one back, it is that good!

You can go right in behind any number of anglers competing at any level and catch bass right behind them on these baits. You don’t have to listen to me though, listen to Rick Clunn and a thousand others who know how effective this bait is!

Clunn’s Fishing Dreams

In 2001, Rick Clunn completed his quest for the BASS “Triple Crown” by winning Megabucks. Though he had won four Bassmasters Classics and an Angler of the Year title earlier in his career, it was the Megabucks title that eluded him the longest.

“I had been so close to winning Megabucks on two other occasions,” Clunn recalls. “So when I won Megabucks at Douglas Lake in 2001, it was certainly a satisfying win.”

Now that Clunn has won nearly every major title in competitive bass fishing, what’s left for him to accomplish?

For Clunn, the eternal dream of bass fishing is not about filling his shelves with trophies; his bass fishing dream is fueled by the quest to, “touch perfection.”

“Certainly winning is a part of the fishing dream,” Clunn says. “But it’s not the whole dream. Winning and touching perfection are two different things.”

Clunn defines touching perfection as a period during the fishing day when the universe becomes timeless and he is fishing every moment with such absolute perfection that doubt, judgment and expectation no longer exist.

“Everything becomes effortless because all negativity ceases to exists,” he explains. “All negative things are purged and transformed into positive things. The wind becomes a positive because it pushes you to the next fish. Getting hung up becomes a positive because it leads you to a different casting angle that produces a fish. Your mind, body and soul become one and everything works in harmony - it’s truly a special place.”

However, touching perfection is rare, even for Clunn.

“Sometimes it lasts for 15 minutes; sometimes it lasts for an hour,” he reveals. “Only once have I touched perfection for a full day, and it was amazing.”

The desire to touch perfection more frequently and for longer periods of time is what keeps Clunn casting.

“As humans we want to touch perfection in something - mine just happens to be in fishing,” he says. “To touch perfection on the water for any length of time is my eternal fishing dream; to touch perfection for an entire tournament and win is my ultimate fishing dream.”

Seasonal Patterns for the Lucky Craft Crankbait Series

Four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion Rick Clunn designed Lucky Craft’s crankbaits to be fished any time bass are shallow.

“The seasonal applications of the crankbait vary depending on the kind of fishery you are dealing with,” Clunn says. “For instance, you can use the RC almost anytime of the year on water bodies like river systems where fish live shallow most of the time. However, on deep clear impoundments, where fish go deep during the winters and summers, the bait has less of a seasonal range.”

No matter what kind of fishery he is on, Clunn has found these plugs to be most effective during two periods: late spring and fall. Also, he lets the season have some bearing on the size he will throw.

“The 2.5 and 3.5 are good for imitating pesky bream,” Clunn explains. “My favorite time to fish these bigger lures is the late spring, from the post-spawn through early summer. That’s when the bigger female bass have spawned out, but they’re still up shallow eating bream that are picking eggs off bass beds.”

Clunn’s second favorite time of year to fish these baits is in the late summer to fall time when bass are following shad into the backs of creeks.

“During the late spring and early summer the 2.5 and 3.5 are my preferred sizes,” Clunn says. “In the fall, when shad are the main bass forage, I’ll start with the 2.5, but if bass want a smaller profile, I’ll drop down to the 1.5.”

Clunn’s Cranking Credibility

Rick Clunn knows crankbaits. Whether it was his astounding 1990 Bassmaster Classic win on the James River with a cedar “coffin-bill” diver, or his 2000 FLW Tour Wal-Mart Open victory on Beaver Lake with a shallow square-billed wobbler, or his impressive 2001 BASS Megabucks victory on an ultra-deep diving plug - Clunn has fashioned a legendary bass fishing career out of his knowledge of diving baits.

Of course, he is best known for his four Bassmaster Classic wins, three of which came on crankbaits. In addition, he has won 10 other BASS events and 3 FLW events. Of those 13 victories, 8 were achieved with crankbaits.

Essentially, Clunn has turned crankbaits into a science. He has spent hundreds of hours analyzing crankbait actions in an effort to identify their strike provoking qualities. He coined the term “deflection” to describe the way a crankbait should “bounce” off a piece of cover to trigger a strike.

Lucky Craft Lures tapped Clunn’s rich crankbait knowledge when they set out to design the ultimate square-billed shallow diver.

“Wood crankbaits have always been heralded for having the best deflection properties,” Clunn says. “However, wood baits are fragile; they have trouble standing up to the abuse a tournament angler can dole out during a rigorous day of cranking stumps or rock. So I helped Lucky Craft design a bait that combines the durability of plastic with the intense deflection of wood.”

These buoyant, fat-bodied shallow runners feature a unique square bill that gives a more radical deflection for a plastic bait.

“Many of the bills on traditional square-lipped baits are thick and it hinders their ability to dive and reach a critical vibration,” Clunn says. “I worked with Lucky Craft in designing a bill for the Lucky Craft that is much thinner so it cuts the water better for consistent tracking and enhanced deflection.”

How to Fish the Lucky Craft Series

When Rick Clunn fishes his Lucky Craft Series crankbaits, he does it with attitude. The four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion designed these fat-bodied, square-billed lures to boldly crash through cover and provoke strikes - and that’s exactly how he fishes them.

“The crankbait is a ‘target’ bait,” Clunn explains. “By that I mean it’s designed to make contact with specific objects or targets, usually shallow, visible pieces of cover like stumps, laydowns, pilings or rocks.”

They will run to a depth of 4 feet, but Clunn uses his rod to manipulate the lure’s depth as it approaches a target.

“I use the rod to control the angle and depth of the bait to make sure I contact the ’sweet spot’ on the target,” he reveals.

On one cast, Clunn may crank the bait with his rod tip down low in order to hit the base of a stump in 4 feet of water. On the next cast he might raise the rod tip up to get the bait to crawl over top of the stump.

Since he is often cranking around hard cover, Clunn uses line in the 14- to 20- pound test class.

His rod length preference is 7 feet, but he warns that rod action is more important than rod length.

When it comes to hooking fish, Clunn likens this style of shallow cranking to flipping or pitching where the rod must have enough power to turn the bait in the fish’s mouth so the hooks can penetrate.

“When choosing equipment to fish the crankbaits, pay the close attention to your rod action,” Clunn advises. “Shallow cranking calls for a very stout rod - a true heavy action rod, not a medium-heavy. These are big-bodied baits that are attacked by big fish in thick cover, and a softer rod simply does not provide enough power to hook the fish and move it out away from the cover.”

These baits are available in the Delaware Tackle store at www.delawaretackle.com

Steven Vonbrandt - EzineArticles Expert Author

Big Bass World Champ/De NAFC Hall Of Fame
http://www.reeltimeanglers.com

What Is Fly Fishing?

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 9:57 am on Friday, January 30, 2009

Fly fishing may seem like a great and easy-going hobby but it is actually a difficult sport that requires a true love for fishing and a sharp mind to understand all the instructions and the use of the equipment for fly fishing. It is different from ordinary fishing where you have a rod and a bait and then you can throw it anywhere and just wait for the fish to catch it.

The art of fly fishing can be passed on from one generation to another. For those who were not lucky enough to have uncles or fathers who left them a fly fishing legacy, then knowing the basics would be more than helpful in starting the sport.

Unknown to some people, there are fishing waters that have been designated solely for fly fishing. Fly fishing is both an art and a sport which makes use of a fly rod. Fly fishing has become such a hit among sportsmen and fishing enthusiasts that a variety of fly fishing products have become available in the market

Fly fishing has in fact become an industry that has turned the fly fishing pastime into a million dollar business. As it is, short fly fishing courses are already available for those who want to learn the sport in a few days or weeks.

Getting the right equipment for fly fishing is very important if you want to succeed in the sport. There are fly reels that are expensive but can they really make you successful in your casting? Reels can cost as much as thousands of dollars depending on their brands and made. A fly reel is actually the thing that holds the fly line and winds it back and forth.

Once you get the hang of fly fishing basics, then you can go on your very first fly fishing trip as a professional, meaning you have undergone proper training. The first thing you need to do is to check your equipment, and make sure that your fly reels are working properly.

It is also important to get your fly fishing license ahead in order to avoid long queues in fly fishing shops. Be prepared before going on a fly fishing adventure which means you must monitor river and weather conditions. First timers would want to feel the excitement of fly fishing opening day but if you have been there, then it is better to skip it and focus on the other days that could be more productive.

The author is a regular contributor to many websites including Fly Fishing Weekends where more fly fishing information is available as it relates to fishing trips, education and more . . .

North Carolina Bass Fishing: Tips And Advice

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 2:15 am on Friday, January 23, 2009

All of the fishermen, especially those who live in North Carolina love to compare the lakes in their place and also how they make fishing a great hobby.

When you start to pile things up, it becomes noticeable right away that there are some “kissing cousins” among bass lakes in the Tar Heel State of North Carolina: reservoirs that look like each other closely are enough that they are said to “fish alike.” And that no two reservoirs are more strongly related, it can be argued, than High Rock Lake and Buggs Island Lake.

Heres a tip for you crank bait fishermen: If you use the clip locks, use the Norman Speedclips, taking the factory split ring off so the clip goes directly to the bait keeps the action of the bait true and you have a lot less trouble with the line fouling. That is best to use in North Carolina Bass Fishing.

For bass pro and Buggs Island guide Joel Richardson, summer bass success means hitting main-lake structure in 12 to 20 feet of water. are relatively shallow, as Piedmont lakes go; they are fed heavily by tributary creeks but affected more by river current, and no one will ever confuse them with clear lakes. They’re also shallow enough upstream that navigation into the upper areas can be touchy.

And for some glorious reason, all of those features cause or allow bass to bite on those three reservoirs when the weather is pushing 90 degrees and more pages on the calendar have been throw away than are remaining.

They are the kingpins of their respective river systems - High Rock on the Yadkin and Buggs Island on the Roanoke. They are both relatively fertile, growing good populations of bass, stripers, crappie and catfish of various shapes and sizes.

This will melt the plastic back together. Obviously you don’t want to use this trick over buying new baits, but if you’re stuck on the water with no spare baits, this will get you through the day.
All of them are fed by a lot of very nice, large creeks. None of them would ever be considered “clear” by any stretch of the imagination. All of them have a very strong rung at the bottom of the food-chain ladder: great populations of baitfish.

Now take this as an example, the three wonderful reservoirs in the Piedmont region of North Carolina: Buggs Island Lake, Jordan Lake and High Rock Lake. None of them are tremendously deep reservoirs. At least three fishermen in North Carolina appreciate this phenomenon.

When you rip a hole in your soft plastic bait, heat the blade of your knife with a lighter and insert the hot blade in the tear.

After a heavy down pour fish anywhere you can find water running into the lake this water will be full of nutrients starting a vibrant food chain and bass will be all over it.

Stitching. Lots of big Bass specialist uses this method for connecting with BIG Bass. You simply pull the bait along very slowly with your hand rather than your reel. This forces you to slow down and really enhances the feel of your bait and any pickup.

Everything from why you are supposed to wear your life jacket, theories on the shape versus size of baits and why some colors work and some don’t. You will also find general tips about how to arrange or store your tackle, equipment needed for shore fishing, and ways to stay safe when you are out enjoying our great sport of bass fishing.

Beginners for bass fishing is a significant area to cover. I hope that we have been able to help you out as a beginner in having a north Carolina bass fishing and hope that you will return for more beginners tips and articles soon. Now what are you waiting for? The water is just waiting for you to come around and fish. Get your equipments ready and be bewildered with your first catch.

Experience bass fishing in north Carolina to have that new feel and experience that you won’t want to miss all your life.

For a free course on smallmouth bass fishing and tips on Canada bass fishing, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Winter Largemouth Bass Fishing

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 11:34 pm on Sunday, January 18, 2009

You go to your favorite fishing hole. About 5 feet deep and plenty of structure, your go-to place for largemouth bass. It is the middle of winter and you go cast your line out to this favourite honey-hole of yours. You fish all day with not one bite. What happened? Well, I am going to tell you. There two things that effect bass drastically in the winter, the epilimniom and the metabolism of the bass.

Epilimniom, what’s that? Has anyone ever told you that largemouth bass live most of their lives in water that is 5 feet deep or less? Well, they are right… somewhat. Through spring and summer the first 5 feet of water is the warmest depth and is called the epilimniom. The epilimniom is formed by the sun warming the water and the surface air temperature. During the late fall the weather becomes cold and forces the epilimniom to sink to deeper water. Now, the coldest part of the lake is the first 10 feet deep, and the warmest part of the lake is 10 feet + deep. So in early winter and late fall bass can be near any structure in 10feet + deep water. During mid-winter and late winter, though, oxygen levels decrease in deeper water causing the fish to find a happy medium between warmth and oxygen levels. Usually this will be around 10 feet.

Ok, now what about the metabolism of largemouth bass. In the winter, or when the temperature of the water becomes cold, the bass’ metabolism lowers greatly, forcing them to eat only small traces of whatever floats by them. Use small soft plastic lures rigged split shot, or jig head style coloured smoke or any other subtle colour

Now lets recap:
Late Fall/Early Winter:

* Largemouth bass are located 10+ feet of water.

* Use a slow retrieve

* Use small soft plastic lures with subtle colours

* Use split shot style or jig head style rig

Mid Winter/Late Winter:

* Largemouth bass are located 10 feet of water.

* Use a slow retrieve

* Use small soft plastic lures with subtle colours

* Use split shot style or jig head style rig

For more information on largemouth bass fishing go to Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips Online

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 7:05 pm on Sunday, January 11, 2009

Deep sea fishing is a wonderful and extremely enjoyable activity. Here are some tips that will make your salt water fishing adventure even better.

1. Watch the signs

If you see birds e.g. Seagulls that are feasting on small bait-type fishes, there are probably larger game-type fish below the surface of the water. Also, look for floating wood or debris. In most cases when you chance upon a large floating wood, you would find a large game fish in the area even encountering dolphin.

2. Stop, Snook and Listen

Fishing for snooks is quite similar as fishing for bass. Snooks like to be around ledges, posts and rocks.

3. Crabs for full moon

During full moons use soft crab imitations as bait. That’s the time when crabs shed their shells and stripers come looking for them.

4. If you’re looking for tunas, find the dolphins

Yellowfin tuna are usually found schooling with dolphins. So if you see a group of dolphins, chances are there are some tuna in the area.

5. Cut and Burn

If you have trouble cutting through a spiderwire braid, try using a lighter or a match.

6. Good Reef

The best place to fish is near reefs since big game fish feed on fish that live on reefs.

7. The Circle Hook

Use a circle hook if you would like a higher hook up ratio. These hooks guarantees more catch, because of the minute gap, and the reverse point. They are generally better for the fish since they do not hook in the gut just the lip.

8. Don’t have sea legs

Watch the horizon and stay on deck. These would generally help you if you’re having trouble with sea sickness: Stay away from the boat fumes, breathing it only exacerbates the problem.

9. Anchors away

When your anchor is stuck at the bottom, try attaching a float to it. Return after the tide has changed in direction. This should be enough to loosen the anchor.

10. Fish where the fish are

A lot of fisherman have the idea that they should be catching their live baits over the reefs before going to deep waters. If the live baits are not in the area you’re planning to catch the larger games, then why would you come up with the idea that the large fish are there. Wouldn’t they be in the area where the bait fish are?

Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com

Tips To Store Your Fishing Rods

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 5:33 pm on Monday, January 5, 2009

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.

Download your free fishing tips guide now. Lots of great tips and techniques to improve your fishing. http://www.secretfishingtips.com/freeguide.html

Smallmouth Bass Fishing In Canada: The Ups And Downs

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 12:10 am on Friday, January 2, 2009

Canada provides some of the world’s best fishing. Summer season opens in March and ends late in July. Many anglers head for the variety of fish found within Canada’s border.

The lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers provide perfect habitats for an ample amount fish, and this multiplicity provides a variety of challenges for any type of fisherman. The geographical diversity found in Canada also offers opportunities for saltwater fishing, ice fishing, and fly-fishing.

Smallmouth bass is one of the popular species found from Ontario, Canada’s Great Lakes shoals to scenic, glacial lakes of the Canadian Shield and in thousands of rivers, creeks, and lakes in between.

Smallmouth bass are often-discussed. Nearly every fishing magazine contains a story or two where the writer extolled this fish as a hard-hitting, scrappy-fighting, aerial acrobat of the sunfish family. Those who have experienced smallmouth angling know that this praise is justified.

Little wonder should exist that there has been in recent years renewed interest in fishing for this species. Smallmouth, although plentiful only in places with select habitat, are distributed throughout the state. Many anglers need to travel only a short distance for a chance to fish for this fierce fighter of the black bass family.

Smallmouth bass are most often bronze to brownish green in color, with dark vertical bars on the sides. In contrast to the Largemouth bass, the upper jaw does not extend beyond rear margin of eye. Its Eye is reddish in color and shallow notch in dorsal fin. Soft dorsal fin has 13 to 15 rays. These species prefer to stay in rocky habitats in streams and lakes with clear waters.

In streams, these creatures fed on minnows and crayfish while in lakes, they consumed shad and crayfish.

Smallmouth bass also inhabit a wide range of water - there are “deep” and “shallow” bass and they are a schooling fish - meaning if you catch one there’s a good chance there are several others in the area. Bass generally stick close to the bottom or near structure like humps and saddles. As ambush predators, bass need cover to feed successfully so casting accuracy and presentation are key elements to consider when fishing for them.

Over the years, many anglers and clients express their frustration at trying to catch smallmouth bass. Legends and masters do exist in bass fishing. Ones who are everyday men in every way but when they are on the water with a bass casting rod in hand they transform and transcend their ordinary existence.

And according to these experts, in order to catch smallmouth bass in streams, cast upstream and let the bait drift into pools and behind objects that break the current, such as boulders and snags when fishing with hellgrammites crayfish or some other live bait weighted with split shot. Anglers fishing from a boat also may anchor upstream from boulders and other smallmouth hangouts. Cast downstream and let the current hold the bait where it is likely to attract a smallmouth from this position.

In making live bait from boats, drop anchor over a smallmouth structure and lower crayfish and/or minnows straight down to the bass. The more legal lines you have in the water the better. Although smallmouths lie directly beneath the boat, it may take several minutes before they respond. When one bass does take bait, the ensuing battle rouses bass nearby into action. Get fresh bait back into the water as soon as possible after landing a bass to keep the feeding frenzy going.

The effective lures for smallmouth are those that resemble minnows, plastic worms and streamer flies while live baits include minnows, hellgrammites and crayfish. Drop anchor over a smallmouth structure and lower crayfish straight down to the bass.

As you clock more and more bass-fishing hours you will acquire a knack for choosing the right lure and technique for the right situation. The best advice is to examine the fishing conditions, ask for guidance from anglers familiar with the waters you are fishing, and, finally, to try many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what works most effectively.

Locating and catching smallmouth is a real challenge. That is why it is really so much fun. Of course the real reason why we all enjoy fishing is the fun and camaraderie we experience with our friends and family. Some of the best fishing stories have nothing to do with how many fish were caught or what bait or technique was used.

For a free course on smallmouth bass fishing and tips on Canada bass fishing, visit www.bassfishingsystem.com/ today.

Stripped Marlin Madness!

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 11:32 pm on Thursday, January 1, 2009

Another day in cabo san lucas fishing for stripped marlin. Anyone who has caught one of these fish know they put up a huge fight. Well it was about four in the morning when the alarm went off, time to roll out of bed for another day of tag and release fishing. There is nothing better than spending the day on the water with some good buddies collecting data on such a remarkable species. So as we got to the boat our friend and captain was already at the docks warming up the boat and buying bait from one of our locals.

So once we got there it was just time to untie the boat and push off for a day on the water. Well once we got past the port captain on the way out of the harbor, we stated to talk about where we wanted to fish for the day. We thought since there was plenty of the day boats heading up north to the pacific side we decided that we might head up that way as well. So I said to the guys why don’t we go hit up the golden gate fishing spot. This is a spot that many of the locals take there day trips to, because it is known for producing tons of fish. The problem is sometimes you will get out there and it looks like the whole marina is parked out there on this one fishing spot. Anyways it was early and we made it out there before all of the day boats arrived. So as we released all the lures in the water and started to fish, we stated seeing alot of birds feeding up about a mile north so we fished our way up there.

Once arriving to the spot where the birds were feeding it was like marlin madness. I mean there was about 15 marlin I could see right at first, and I am sure there was more below. I told the guys to pull in all the lures and put on live bait since that’s what there feeding on. I got us right up on a nice sized marlin and we got a bait right in front of his nose, and he took it. The reel started screaming, and I think from the co motion of one fish being hooked up we hooked up two more right away. So now we have 3 marlin hooked up and its a mad house in the cockpit of the boat, three guys fishing and one guy running around getting tags ready. Well needless to say that day we tagged and released over 10 stripped marlin, making it one of the best days of marlin fishing for us.

We never take any game fish from our waters as they are becoming over fished. So please remember when fishing only keep what you need, and just take pictures, your friends at home will like the pictures just as much as three of four coolers full of fish. And when you can go check out save the pacific, there a new non profit that are dedicated to helping protect and preserve our fragile oceans.

Thanks for reading, I will be posting alot more fishing and conservation stories so keep your eyes open.

Craig is a part of http://www.savethepacific.org - A non profit foundation working to protect our oceans.

Make sure to support sites and groups that are trying to save our oceans,
www.savethepacific.org/donations.html

Fish Better With The Right Fishing Gear

Filed under: Fishing + Tackle — admin at 8:21 pm on Monday, December 29, 2008

There is absolutely nothing more frustrating than spending an entire day fishing without catching any fish. I finally discovered this truth after way too many days spent fishing without results. I never really thought about the fishing gear I was using and how that might affect my results. I thought instead about everything else. I changed sides of a lake or I changed lakes all together. I gave up my small boat for a day and tried fishing from the shore instead. I fished in the morning, at noon, and at night. Now I know that the best thing I could have done was make sure I had the right fishing gear for the task.

If you, like me, do not have much knowledge of fishing gear, the best thing to do is inform yourself. I went straight to an outdoors and recreation store that supplied a wide array of fishing gear and a trained staff that talked me through what I needed. Look for a similar store in your area and stop in when you have some free time. You can also gain information on fishing gear online or in magazines. Use whatever resources you need to, just get informed. The transformation of your fishing career is about to take place with nothing but the purchase of proper fishing gear.

Whether you look for gear online, in a magazine, or you talk to someone in a store, it is best to have a basic knowledge of the area you are going to fish in. You will find that there are different kinds of fishing gear for almost every kind of fishing. Fishing in a lake, a stream, or the ocean will probably alter the kind of fishing gear you need. You will need a different kind of pole, line, hook and bait for each kind of location you explore. It should be easy to find information on specific types of fishing gear that are appropriate for different situations. Try talking to fishing friends you have and see what kind of advice they will lend, though remember that no true fisherman will give away all his secrets!

I used to hate fishing because I always ended up without the very thing I wanted: fish. My days of dreading fishing are long gone now. I took the time to learn more about fishing gear and then I bought the gear I needed most. Each fishing trip I’ve taken since then has been nothing but productive and full of fish. Get the right fishing gear and you’ll be catching more fish than you know what to do with!

Hallidae Thomason has become an expert fisher since figuring out the best fishing gear to use. Learn how to transform your fishing experience at www.fishinggearnews.info

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