* Going Vertical on Current Breaks

image from : ifish.net

By Sam Anderson

Jigging, still fishing with live bait and casting are the three most popular methods used to fish current breaks. Vertical jigging is the most popular of the three.

Veteran jig fisherman develop a "milk run" of the best current breaks along a stretch of river. From experience they know which areas on each break are most likely to hold fish. Concentrating on these key points, the experts move quickly from site to site, taking the most active fish from each area.

Current is the number one factor when it comes to determining fish location on the river. During most of the spring the water will be high enough to greatly restrict the areas walleyes will inhabit. By June, water levels will have stabilized somewhat, but savvy anglers continue to focus their attention on areas where the current is diverted.

Some types of current breaks are obvious, even to the beginning angler. Bridge pilings, fallen trees, the ever popular wingdams, protruding points and riprap lined shorelines are readily detected by the observant angler. Other types of obstructions are not quite as noticeable. A depthfinder is an invaluable aide in locating these hidden walleye magnets. Submerged timber, rock piles, boulders, subtle drop-offs and the series of furrows found on many sand bottoms are seen only through the use of the depthfinder.

By noting the precise location from which the first couple of fish are taken, current break anglers can accurately predict the mood of the fish on a given day. If the fish comes from the dead or slack water directly below the obstruction, chances are good they are resting and inactive. A limit will not come easily under these conditions. If the fish come from above the obstruction, on the very edge of the current or from the eddy below the break, it is an indication the fish are active.

Methodically checking out every foot of suspended fish holding water near a current break will pay the highest dividends. First check out the upstream lip and the downstream edge where current and slack water meet. These are the areas that will hold active fish. If there is nothing doing at the these locations, give the dead water directly behind the obstruction a quick going over to entice any inactive fish which might be present. Don’t waste a lot of time on one site just because it looks good. Move on and come back later to check it out again. If there is a secret to this style of fishing, it is finding active fish.

Vertical fishing also makes it easier to fish a small area, such as a brushpile, hump or other structure. You can often cast to within 5 feet of such an area and not get hit, but put your lure in it and you immediately come up with a fish.

My favorite technique is to use my MotorGuide trolling motor to stay in a specific place. Finding a good spot, I’ll mark it with a buoy. Then, using my trolling motor and depthfinder I’ll slowly work my way around the area. I will also use my MotorGuide trolling motor and my depthfinder to locate fish vertically along an edge such as an old creek or river channel.

Fish are unusually spooky along wingdams and noisy gas engines will spook the fish. I prefer to use quieter electric motors, like my bow mount MotorGuide. The key element here is presentation, to keep the bait in front of the fish. Point the bow into the current and "slip" down at about current speed. Keep baits in the strike zone longer by sweeping the baits across the structure allowing the bait to fall at a slow rate to naturally present the bait to the fish. It is essential, to slow down your drift with the electric motor as you go over the structure and watch your depth finder for "breaks and barriers". You might have to run your big motor or a kicker motor in reverse to slow the presentation down even more if the current is increased. If the fish are shallow, you might want to anchor and use your bow mount motor to swing your bait and change your position on the face of the wingdam.

In most situations you should be able to get by with four jig sizes, usually fewer than that. On most lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, you should almost always be able to get by with a selection of 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce jigs. True, in some rivers you will need heavier jigs and below a slip bobber a lighter one might work best, but day in and day out, on most waters, these four sizes will be completely adequate. I use more 1/8-ounce size than any other, and lately I have been using more of the 1/16-ounce size.

Use plastic bodies to slow the fall of the jig, to add bulk and visibility in stained and dirty water, and to add color. I like to use a plastic body of one color with a jighead of another color. That provides contrast and also increases the chance of showing the fish the color they want. Pink/ white and orange/ chartreuse are favorite color combinations.

Keep in mind that the walleye's vision will be impaired in the darker environment. Fluorescent colors will often be more productive in this condition. In the spring and summer I like to use plastic bodied jigs like the Fuzzy Grub jig. The reason that I prefer this type of jig is that it adds bulk, making it easier for the fish to see. Sometimes it works well to use a larger than ordinary jig in dirty water, especially if snags aren’t a problem. The larger jig is more visible, and also makes more noise as it moves across the bottom. The combination of those two factors can mean a few more fish from time to time.

Next time you are out on a lake or river go vertical and if you are on one of those hot bites cast me a line at: www.samanderson.com and we can talk about your success.



This Fishing Article is brought to you by Sam Anderson
Please visit his Website for more information.

Source from : http://www.walleyehunter.com/

This Under Utilized Technique May be One of the Most Successful: Trolling Fly Lines

Author: Craig Mumby

This under rated trolling technique may be one of the most successful…


By Craig Mumby


If there is one technique that not many people consider when heading to the lake it’s trolling fly lines and it can produce some of the best fishing imaginable. This technique hasn’t had a real chance to prove itself as fly fishermen don’t do it often because a lot of the joy comes from casting and using finesse to persuade the fish to bite. If they’re going to troll why not just break out the spinning or bait-casting gear. On the other side of the coin, non-fly fishermen tend to be intimidated by fly rods and think that it’s both expensive and difficult to learn. Truth be told you can get a fly rod for a very reasonable price these days and it’s actually fairly simple to pick up the basics with minimal practice. More expensive gear and different casting techniques comes with experience, but for this technique you don’t need either. You don’t even need to know how to cast!


There are a wide variety of fish you can target with this method. It is a great technique for all trout species, even early and late season lake trout. But also bass, walleye, pike and pretty much anything else that swims in under 25ft. of water can be fished this way. For me, this is the single most consistent method for catching still water trout.


Go get yourself a fly rod and as I said it doesn’t have to be an expensive outfit though there are certain advantages to things like multiplier, or large arbour reels, as the retrieve ratio is greater and you will be able to gain line quicker on a fish running toward the boat. A standard 9 ft. rod is perfect; anywhere from a 5 weight to a 7 weight are ideal in most situations, but if you’re looking for bigger fish go with a heavier weight; lighter for smaller fish. Personally I like to use a 7 weight because it has enough backbone to work a variety of baits. There is a wide variety of line on the market and the body of water you’re fishing should dictate what “type” to use. There are six types of full sink line: type 1 – type 6. Type 1 runs the shallowest and type 6 the deepest. I use type 6 almost exclusively as it can get down faster and you can effectively fish around the 18 – 22 ft range with a lot of baits. An electric motor and fish finder are certainly advantageous as trout can be easily spooked and it can be crucial to know your depth so you can work your lines along the bottom structure properly. Bring along a good selection of flies such as shrimp and streamer patterns. It’s always a good idea to check with the local tackle shops to see what’s working. Lures like flatfish, quikfish, hot shots and rapalas are excellent choices to bring as long as they don’t have much dive to them and have high action while trolling dead slow. Pick up some fluorocarbon leader material. Leaders in the 9 – 12 ft range are best. I usually use Berkley Vanish and if I’m using something other than a fly, which I usually do, always tie a swivel into the leader or you will have quite the mess on your hands.





“Ripping” flies is one of the most consistent techniques for picking up active fish. Make a nice long fluorocarbon leader, no need for a swivel down to your fly, all on your type 6 sinking line. Don’t be afraid to use big flies! My best fly has always been a double shrimp pattern on a #2 hook. The key to ripping is exactly what it sounds like. Let your line out until the backing, keeping the trolling speed a little higher than what you might be used to and repetitively jerk the rod as hard as you can. The more power the better! This is another benefit of the heavier 7 weight rod; it makes this motion a lot easier on the arms. Essentially, this will make your fly almost swim through the water like a jerk bait and you get a lot of impulse strikes.


If you want to switch to hardware make sure you check the action of your lure at the side of the boat before you lower your line so you know how to gauge the speed for your troll. For example, flatfish are designed to have a lot of action at a very slow rate of speed, so by trolling dead slow you achieve the perfect action which you will notice on your rod tip, and be able to get deeper than lures that require faster action. So, when you want to get to some deeper fish with your type 6 line troll dead slow with a flatfish, kwikfish, or hot shots and you can effectively fish close to the 20 ft mark.


Getting used to the way the lines follow the boat is very important if you want to work an area properly. Let your line out to the backing if you’re fishing deeper than 12 – 15 ft. Fly lines have much greater water resistance than standard line and due to the thicker diameter it won’t cut the water like monofilament. For example, when you make a fairly sharp turn with fly line it will swing more with your turn and follow the path of the boat instead of cut across water and thus stalling your lure. This allows you to work your bait more effectively. When you get used to fishing this way you can estimate your depth and where behind the boat your fly, or lure, is running to within a few feet. Boat control is absolutely crucial when working deeper structure and you can actually work the lines to ride right up a drop off or sink down, whatever the case may be. So, if you’re trolling in 20’ feet of water and you see that the bottom is rising, all you have to do is gradually speed up so your line is elevated by water resistance caused by the speed of the boat. The reverse is also true when you come to a drop off; slow right down and let the line sink with the bottom and speed back up when your line is deep enough. This will put more fish in your boat and you’ll find a lot fun out of concentrating on the bottom and trying to work it properly. Some of my bigger fish have been caught while stalling on a drop off to let the lines sink, then as soon as you kick into gear hold on!





Even though this is not a popular technique it is not due to its lack of productivity. The only reason is that people never think to do it. There are so many different situations where you can apply this technique. I’ve had enormous success fishing for bass, walleye and pike with crankbaits and flies. Another great place to give this a shot is salmon fishing on the west coast. I’ve done very well fishing for coho, pink and sockeye salmon on a third rod out the back in between my downriggers. One of the biggest things to learn in fishing is to be versatile if you want to be consistently successful. Give this technique a shot and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

About the Author:
Craig Mumby is twenty eight years old and has been in the sport fishing industry since the age of 18 when he started working with Bob Izumi’s “Real Fishing” show. He has fished professionally for nearly every sport fish in the country. Originally from Toronto, he grew up fishing Ontario’s many lakes and river systems. Currently, Craig guides out of the prestigious Langara Island Lodge in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - This Under Utilized Technique May be One of the Most Successful: Trolling Fly Lines

* How To Go Trolling For Crappie

image from : outdoor.com

Author: Daniel Eggertsen

Crappie fishing is a great sport enjoyed by anglers of all ages and skill levels. One of the best methods to use when fishing for crappie is trolling.



This is an easy technique to use when crappie fishing and it is a very effective one when done correctly. So, how do you go trolling for crappie if you want to be successful and return home with a catch you can be proud of?



The first step is to know a little bit about the crappie such as, where they are normally found during each season and what they feed on. For instance, during the spring you can usually find the crappie moving closer to shore where they can be found in water less than five feet deep.



In the heat of the summer they will be out deeper in the water and they will be a little harder to locate. In the fall they will be moving back to shallow water and in the winter months they are the least active.



One reason that trolling is so popular is because it is one of the fastest and easiest ways for you to locate and reel in the crappie. It is a great way to catch several fish at once and have lots of fun in the process.



Trolling for crappie is a fairly easy method of fishing that needs a few accessories to get started. Once you have everything you need you are ready to start reeling in the crappie.



What You Will Need for Trolling



Trolling requires having a boat that is equipped with a trolling motor, fishing rods and holders. Plus you will need all the accessories such as tackle and bait as well. The trolling motor is extremely important because it will keep you moving at the same slow speed while trolling for crappie.



You need a motor that will move the boat around very slowly because the slower you move the better your fishing will be.



Trolling requires having several fishing rods with holders located on the side of the boat. They should be placed about two to three feet apart. It is suggested that you use different bait on each line for the best results.



This will help you determine which bait is attracting the crappie the most. When you are trying to decide which bait to use, most anglers agree that minnows are the best if you are going to use live bait. This is because it is one of their favorite meals that always seem to get their attention. Jigs are the best alternative to live bait and you have a wide selection of these to choose from.



The jigs should be set up with different weights on each line so that you can fish at a variety of different depths at the same time. This will allow you to cover more ground and determine the depth of the crappie much faster than if you were fishing just one depth.



Don't hesitate to experiment with different combinations of colors and sizes until you find one that seems to be getting the results you are hoping for. Normally, the best colors to use are yellow, chartreuse, green, blue and black.

About the Author:

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on trolling for crappie here: http://www.askcrappiefishing.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/how-to-go-trolling-for-crappie-524030.html