* Jig Color Considerations

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Jig Color Considerations
You've got to pick just one

Some anglers say color doesn't matter much. They say you can get by with black blue jigs, green pumpkin soft baits and chartreuse white spinnerbaits are all they ever need. I'm not one of them.

I've seen color matter too many times. While I don't want to overplay the importance of color, I don't want to discount it either.

The biggest tip I can give you when it comes to color is to keep an open mind, meaning don't get married to any favorites and don't cotton to "go to" colors. That's the best attitude - unattached and indifferent - to have toward color. In time, it is true you will get settled down into your usual or standard colors you use. Just don't get emotionally attached to them. Keep looking for what color the fish want - not what you want.

Bottom line, you've got to pick just one color - meaning you can only tie one color jig on the end of your line. You can only present one color on a cast. The color you have tied on will influence how many fish you catch. So keep an open mind and make the color you cast count.

In paging through this article, you'll notice a number of different jig skirt colors. In assessing so many colors, almost everyone forms the same questions at first along these lines:

• "Why are there so many different colors?"
• "Which color do you use where or when?"
• "Can one angler really even use - or need - so many colors?"
• "How can one possibly cope with or manage so many colors?"
• "When all is said and done, what are the very best jig colors?"

So that's why I'd like to first summarize for you some of the feedback I have gotten from anglers who use skirted jigs worldwide. This may help to narrow down some of the most popular and productive jig colors for you.

First, let's sidestep down nostalgia lane. Historically, black or brown jigs (with various accent colors such as a thin swatch of blue or purple) seem most popular. This may be because originally, latex rubber jigs (also called "living rubber") were really only available in black or brown rubber (with accents of red, blue, orange or purple rubber). There weren't many other color options for latex rubber jigs.

Nowadays, most jigs are silicone, not latex rubber. There are many more color options today with silicone. Nevertheless, the black, black blue, black red, brown and brown purple colors still rank among the most popular, no doubt due in part to their long legacy as limited colors of living rubber.

Various good green color skirts, never really possible in living rubber, are nowadays gaining popularity as silicone skirts.

The "Dark Green Pumpkin" and the "Green Pumpkin Blend" are popular jig colors today. They have been used in a handful of tournament wins made by anglers.

The "Green Sunfish" color always seems to get mentioned as a good producer by anglers, especially on weedy lakes.

Another that always gets good feedback is the "June Bug Bluegill" used on jigs in murky water like deltas, muddy rivers and such.

A short list of other skirt colors that anglers tend to write me about most often to say they've done quite well with these colors on jigs include:

• Black Blue
• Black Blue Flash
• Black Brown Craw
• Olive Pumpkin
• Green Pumpkin Olive
• Brown Purple
• PBJ Flash
• Peanut Butter Jelly

A number of other colors certainly produce well too. I could mention another 6 or 8 good jig colors but I don't want to water down the list here. Just note that there are some other very good skirt colors - but the ones already listed above are the most popular color jig skirts cited by anglers who have done well worldwide. So that's the short list of what seems to be the top jig colors used by anglers.

Additionally, in Europe, anglers show a lot of confidence in the rusty red craw and black neon jig colors.

Across North America, are there regional differences reported in terms of jig colors? No. Dramatic differences are not reported from anglers in different regions across North America, including the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Where differences do exist, they seem to stem from water clarity, depth and whether weedy or rocky cover.

For instance:

1. Anglers who fish areas with overall shallower, darker water tend to report success on the various black blues, black reds, june bug bluegill and other darker-than-average colors.
2. Anglers who fish areas with overall deeper, clearer impoundments (usually = rocky) tend more toward various browns, especially brown purples or peanut butter jelly colors.
3. Anglers who fish areas with overall shallower, clearer water (usually = weedy) tend to rely more on various greens - green pumpkin, watermelon and olive jig colors.

Those are the major differences I hear from anglers about what jig colors seem best where.

In terms of jig styles (flipping, football, Arkey power, Arkey finesse, etc.) there does not seem to be differences in colors based on different jig styles, except where the differences are because of what is already reported above. What I mean is, more blacks, black blues, black reds get favored on flipping jigs because flipping tends to be done in shallower, often murkier areas. Conversely, more browns are used on football jigs because they are used in deeper areas. So the differences are not because of the jig styles, but where they're used (shallow vs. deep, murky vs. clear, weedy vs. rocky for example).

One jig style that does vary from the others, however, is the Wisconsin style swimming jig. It is often used in baitfish color skirt patterns such as chartreuse shad, white shad and gold shiner for example. The other jig styles (football, flipping, Arkey, etc.) are not used as much in such baitfish colors.

In terms of the two most popular freshwater bass species:

1. Largemouth anglers tend toward black-based and darker colors.
2. Smallmouth anglers tend toward brown-based colors.

As you may realize by now, this is most likely since largemouth tend to be caught in relatively shallower, darker water. Smallmouth are more often caught in relatively deeper, clearer water.

Lastly, are there any "undiscovered stars" among the jig skirt colors in the store that anglers aren't using - but should be?

Well, among the other jig skirt colors, the assorted watermelon varieties, watermelon candies and others, are being used by anglers with good, steady success.

There are a few, however, that I am surprised that anglers do not use more. The brown oranges such as the Brown Sunfish, Brown Sunfish #2 and Green Craw. Always a good jig color combo, brown orange has been around since the beginning since it was one of the few colors possible in living rubber. With a watermelon trailer, brown orange jigs can be incredibly productive. Yet it surprises me that anglers do not seem to use brown oranges as much as I do.

Also, the green reds - Dark Watermelon Red Pepper, Dark Watermelon Red Belly and Rusty Green Craw - are steady producers that anglers should try more. And Green Monkey Shine and Dark Green Monkey Shine are admittedly unfamiliar yet awesome jig colors. A few anglers who have tried the Monkey Shines have reported outstanding results.

Practically all the jig skirt colors have been mentioned above - either by name or by generic color category. The few that haven't been mentioned yet are Rain Frog (a weird weedy color that defies classification), Natural Frog (with its chartreuse belly that's visible even in very heavy cover) and the combined brown greens like Warmouth Sunfish, Olive Brown Craw and Olive Cinnamon that combine both brown and green in the same skirt.

That's just about all the jig skirt colors now, and they're all good. Please enjoy and use them with confidence.

True, it does seem at first like there are so many colors, and it may seem daunting how to possibly manage them all. But in time, it's really not hard to get a handle on them. All you have to do is try, and you may find the pieces of the puzzle all fall into place.

A really big step, in fact a leap, that few anglers ever make - is to realize that all these jig colors also work on spinnerbaits. After all, a spinnerbait is just a punk rock version of a jig with its nose pierced and a pair of flashy earrings dangling overhead.

An easier step is to realize all these jig colors equally apply to soft plastic lures. The only difference is the addition of smoke-based colors in soft plastics. But all the blacks, black reds, black blues, browns, brown purples, watermelons, green pumpkins and everything else about jig colors equally and fully applies to soft plastic lure colors too.

So when you master jig colors, you're also mastering soft plastic lure colors at the same time, and don't hesitate to apply the same colors to spinnerbaits also. You'll be pleased with the results.

Source : http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/jig-fishing.shtml

* Giving Fish too much Credit

pict from : charterbooker.com

Fishing Articles by Colin D. Crawford

Giving Fish too much Credit
by Colin D. Crawford

A fish has two major things in its environment, the water it lives in and the weather that is changing, not only seasonally but day-by day, hour-by -hour and minute-by-minute. These two things alone control fish activity. The most unstable either the weather or water becomes, the more rapid these two factors change, and you'll see an effect on fishing. A fish cannot stand a fast change.

A lot of people don't realize that fish move on a seasonal and daily basis, and when they move they use underwater structure, essentially the bottom of the lake that is just a little different. Things like bars, underwater humps and manmade structure like submerged roadbeds, levees or riprap along dams or causeways.

When a fish leaves its sanctuary, to eat or search for food, it has to have something visually to follow. A fish is a stupid creature. It cannot rationalize like a human being, and when it moves about it must have something it can follow. Fish don't swim about a lake haphazardly. Not only can they see structure but, we can also locate that same structure with our observations of land, depthfinders and the feel of the lures on the bottom.

Largemouth bass will be in 30 to 35 feet of water the bulk of the season, and in winter they will be a little bit deeper if that depth is available.

The most important thing to remember is that the larger a fish becomes the tighter it schools and the more time it spends in deep water. A fish lives there because it is forced there by environment over a period of time. When a fish becomes an adult, its body takes longer to make adjustments to the changing conditions of the water and weather. It's easier for it to make these adjustments in deep water. The deeper you go, the more stable conditions will become. A fish can stay there for weeks. It doesn't have to move into the shallows all summer.

Is there enough food and oxygen down deep to support fish populations? Absolutely there's food. There are shad, baitfish, and bluegills at 35, 45 feet. A fish's menu may change and it may be less selective, but it doesn't have to move shallow to feed. But you have to keep this in mind: When a fish is down deep it's probably dormant and its body requires very little food. It is just sitting there and not expending much energy, so it really doesn't need any food. This also makes for difficult fishing, and you have to get your lures closer to them. A strike zone is very small in deep water, because of visibility and the lethargic nature of the fish.

We all know that a fish requires certain amounts of oxygen to survive. You must remember that a fish is a very adjustable creature, and when there is a very small amount of oxygen in an area it will adjust, unless the situation gets to a point where there is just not enough to survive. But no one has proven that a fish has a preferred oxygen zone. Structure in relation to deep water is our guide to finding fish.

We've heard hundreds of times that "you can't catch fish in this lake because of the thermocline and there's not enough oxygen down there," and invariably we go find a deep hump and bang there is the walleye or smallmouth.

When big, adult fish do move out of this deep water they leave as a school. Even muskie school, contrary to some things you may have read. The reason most people don't realize this is because they are not fishing the depths correctly.

A good level wind reel is essential and a good graphite rod that has the potential for a long sweep of the rod tip so that when those "eyes" hit, it has some give. I prefer to use the downrigger variety of rods. They have the sensitivity and the backbone that I need for this type of system.

You should start with a level wind reel spooled with 500 feet of 8 pound test line, tie in a segment of one, two or three colors of 18 pound leadcore, and finish with another 50 feet 8 pound test, as a leader to the bait.

The length of the leadcore segment varies by the type of crankbait you'll be using and the depth you need to achieve. For example, in the late fall's chilly water, I've found walleyes to prefer subtle action lures like a Reef Runner Ripstick. To get this shallow-diving bait down 30 to 40 feet you need three segments of leadcore. If we're using a deeper diving lure like a Reef Runner Deep Diver you can achieve the same depths with just two segments of leadcore. The general rule is high action crankbaits for warm water, subtle action for cool water.

When you find a concentration of fish in over 40 feet of water and they are suspended at 30 feet, start from the bottom and work your bait up to the strike zone. Most anglers would try to determine how much line to let out until they were in 30 feet of water. The easiest method is to let out line until you are on bottom and then crank in line until you have a strike.

A fish basically is a fish, and it reacts to the environment accordingly. If you keep the basics in mind you will catch the species that you are after.

If you are interested in reading more about this technique or other techniques you can find me on the web at www.northwoodsfishing.net. If you are interested in a guided trip, a personal media interview, or photo shoot, please call 715-545-8347. I am located in the Phelps, Wisconsin area.

This Fishing Article is brought to you by Colin D. Crawford

Source : http://www.walleyehunter.com/articles/crawford33.html

* How Important is Your Boat ?

image  from : ceduna.net

Fishing Articles by Sam Anderson

How Important is Your Boat ?
By Sam Anderson

As I pulled my Ranger 620 VS out of the garage the other day I started to think that many anglers don't realize that a boat is an extremely important part of your fishing presentation. Hundreds of articles have been written about how important your rod, line, and bait selection are, but few, if any have been written concerning your boat and how it is a factor in helping you to catch fish.

I know what you are thinking at this point. You probably think that a boat gets a person to a specific spot that you can't reach from shore. That is true, but your boat does more than that. Think about what you have in your boat. Yes, it is true that it not only makes it easy for you to reach the spot, but also your tackle, thermos and cooler. Again, your boat is more than an object to carry items, it is part of how you present your bait so that fish find it attractive enough to bite.

What then do you need to look for in a boat.? The answer of course will describe what kind of fishing you prefer and what items in a boat, "creature features" you can't live without. For example, how does this particular boat drift? Will it drift faster from the stern or bow? What or how do you need to compensate for an uneven drift? Do you need a bow mount trolling motor or a stern mounted trolling motor? Does your boat give you a dry ride? Are there places in the boat that are advertised as dry storage, but in a torrential down pour you discover that your expensive camera is ruined? How does the wind effect the boat? Does this boat have big enough side boards to take rough water?

My answer to all of these questions have been addressed by Ranger Boats. The Ranger Fisherman series boast an entire line of formidable fishing machines. From walleye and musky to bass and crappie, these multi-species rigs are among the most versatile anglers have to choose from. Whether it’s the rigorous demands of professional walleye trails or simply a weekend get away, this series is specifically geared to deliver superior performance both on and off plane. The 620 VS sports a deeper, wider vee hull to crush rough water. It’s bog 50" aerated livewell is positioned at the stern so re-entry in rough water carries a softer; more stable feel. Fuel capacity measures 50 gallons and is located on the center line of the hull for faster hole shots, solid tracking and responsive boat control. The 602’s integrated engine set back not only enhances acceleration, but virtually eliminates backwash from sudden stops.

Inside there’s a world of lockable storage and a built in cooler sits just in front of the passenger console. Gauges and electronics are positioned on the upper portions of the instrumentation panel while an all new digital switching system lines the lower panel. The 620 VS is a console boat that is 19’10" in length. If you are a tiller person Ranger has also included a the 620T. This is a beautiful boat that is 20’ 1/2" and is rated for a 115 ? 125 HP motor.

When a person spends as many days on the water a year as I do, it's important that thry fish in as much comfort as possible. The comfort level also is important when it comes to selection of a motor. My choice are Mercury Motors.

Mercury’s newest form of motors incorporates an onboard computer system called SmartCraft. SmartCraft operates in conjunction with the company’s 2001 OptiMax outboards to gather data from sensors all over the boat. It then uses that data to monitor over 15 different systems, including speed and fuel flow, then automatically adjusts each operation to peak efficiency. Like your car, SmartCraft responds to operator input, so you can program your engine and boat to perform exactly the way you want. Functions include Troll Control, which sets rpm up to 1,000. This function alone is ideal especially if I am pulling trolling boards or if I have multiple lines out forward trolling. It allows me to sit at my console and monitor my depthfinder and use the steering wheel to follow the active fish.

Although the backtrolling technique is still ideal for vertical jigging and live-bait rigging in deep water walleye professionals today favor trolling forward with a small "kicker," typically a 9.9 to 15 hp outboard. Why? It allows them to fish large bodies of water such as reservoirs more effectively at higher speeds than electric trolling motors can sustain. Forward-trollers commonly use crankbaits, bottom bouncers or weighted three-way rigs with crankbaits, spinners or spoons.

My Ranger 620 boat is equipped with a small four-stoke kicker motor from Mercury. It allows me to fish all day without using much fuel. This small engine is extremely quiet which makes for a more pleasant angling experience.

Your boat is as critical as the rod you select or the bait that you tie on. It delivers you to the spot to fish but it gives you the confidence to arrive there safely and works with you so that you can get the most fishing pleasure. It provides you with the tools you need to enable you to harvest a days catch and gives other members of your family http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifa relaxed enjoyable experience. If you have selected the right boat you will notice that it stays in the family for a long time, because it has become part of your presentation. If you have selected the wrong boat you will see it in the classified section, because it just didn't fit the bill for your presentation purposes.

If you are interested in more information about Ranger Boats or Mercury motors drop me a line on the web, at www.samanderson.com and we can talk about your favorite fishing presentation.

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

Source : http://www.walleyehunter.com/articles/anderson32.html

* Basic Live Bait

image from : fishing-day.net

In most fishing communities small fish for bait can be obtained. Sardines, anchovies, sardinella, mackerel, herring, squid and cuttlefish are good bait fish (Figure 16), but others can be used as well.
Figure 16. Various bait fish: (a) mackerel; (b) herring; (c) sardine; (d) anchovy; (e) cuttlefish; (f) squid

PREPARING THE BAIT

It is important to keep the bait as fresh as possible and to cut it to the right size for the hook you will use and the fish you want to catch.
Very often the bait fish is caught the evening before you use it. In such cases the bait fish must either be kept alive overnight or be well iced (Figure 17). If you have easy access to ice at a reasonable price, then you can ice your bait on board your boat and be ready to start off before sunrise the next morning. If you cannot get ice, then after killing the bait fish keep it well covered, wrapped in a large leaf and stored away from the sun.

Figure 17. Keeping the bait alive or fresh: (a) bait fish kept alive in net; (b) bait iced in boxes; (c) bait wrapped in large leaves and stored



Figure 18. How to cut the bait fish: (a) cut the head and tail off; (b) slice to suitable size; (c) if the bait fish is large, cut from close to dorsal fin to tail and (d) put the two sides together again and cut to size







The size of bait depends on the size of the hook and should range from a size that covers the gap or throat of the hook to one that covers the whole hook.
When you start cutting the bait, first remove the head (Figure 18a), then slice the fish into pieces as shown in Figure 18b. If the bait fish is a large fish, and the fish you expect to catch is of average size (grouper, snapper or croaker), then cut the large fish lengthwise first (Figure 18c) before cutting the bait to the preferred size (Figure 18d). Insert the knife into the fish close to the dorsal fin and cut forward, and keep the knife as hard against the backbone as possible.
Baiting the hook
We just showed you how to take care of the bait and how to cut the bait. Now you will learn how to bait the hook.
Live baits. Figures 19 and 20 show you how to attach the live bait to the hook.
Dead baits. Always put the point and barb of the hook right through the bait in such a way that the bend of the hook surrounds the backbone of the bait (Figure 21a). If you have split open the bait fish before cutting the bait to size, then the pieces without backbone must be threaded on the hook by putting the point and the barb twice through the bait,always with the barb on the skin side, as shown in Figure 21b.
If you are expecting to catch large fish and are using large hooks connected to the mainline with wire snoods, then small fish like anchovies or sardines can be threaded on the hook in one piece. First put the hook through the head of the bait fish and then through the centre of the body near the backbone or through the eyes (Figure 22a). A similar method is used with squid or cuttlefish (Figure 22b).
Figure 19. Some ways of rigging live bait



Figure 20. Rigging other live baits



Figure 21. Baiting with pieces of fish


Figure 22. Baiting with fish or squid in one piece



Lures
Natural bait can be caught in most coastal areas, but bait capture can be time consuming and may only be possible at certain times or in certain seasons. In addition, natural bait has to be replaced almost every time a fish is caught. However, most fishermen agree that natural bait is more effective than artificial bait or lures. On the other hand, the latter can be used repeatedly and for a long time. It is therefore worth trying to make a few lures and to compare the catches taken with lures to those taken with natural bait.
As you may know, lures are more and more commonly used in handline and troll fishing. The main reason for this is that it is possible to create a vibration with the bait or lure and the larger fish (the predator) can be tricked into striking or attacking the source of the vibration, especially when the shape and possibly the colour of the lure make it look like live bait.
Feathers, plastic, nylon and light metal can all help create the right vibration needed to trick the predator. You must always keep your line moving up and down if you are using a lure when handlining in order to let the lure simulate the movements of live bait as much as possible.
Various varieties of jigs and lures are available in most fishing communities (Figure 23), but you can also make them yourself. Some of the materials you can use to make lures are shown in Figure 24.
As an example, take a hook similar in shape to hook No. 10 in Figure 4.
First, take a piece of cloth and wrap it around the shank and tie it with thin electrical wire, string or nylon (Figure 25a).
Next cut small pieces of coloured nylon twine, untwist them into threads and tie over the cloth as shown in Figure 25b. Finally, tie a few feathers on top of the nylon thread and your lure is ready (Figure 25c).
You can also use wool or cotton yarn instead of nylon, or plastic strips instead of cloth as a first cover.
There are other types of synthetic lures. For example, you can cut out a strip of tyre tube or a piece of plastic, wrap it around the shank leaving a good piece extending below the bend and tie the other end firmly to the shank and the eye. You could also glue it together to form a long tube which you thread onto the hook and tie well (Figure 26).
Figure 23. Various types of artificial bait or lures



Figure 24. Materials that can be used to make lures: (a) wool or cotton; (b) rope fibres, possily coloured; (c) strips of cloth; (d) feathers from different birds; (e) plastic strips, preferably coloured; (f) twine or thin wire; (g) tyre tube or piece of thin rubber or plastic sheet


Figure 25. Assembling a lure


It is advisable, when using artificial lures instead of live bait, to smear the liver from the first fish caught on the lure or hooks. You are now ready to go handline fishing with gear made by yourself. Good luck!
Figure 26. Lure made of a piece of plastic or tyre tube


Source
Originated by: Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
http://www.fao.org/

Text: B. A. Bjarnason
Illustrations: M. Carlesi

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

David Lubin Memorial Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Bjarnason. B.A.
Handlining and squid jigging
(FAO Training Series, no. 23 )
ISBN 92-5-103100-2

image from catchtarpon.com

Fishing Jig - Casting, Vertical Jigging Tips and Methods

Author: Escalure Fishing Tackle

Buy Esca Lures online at - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Innovative-Fishing-Tackle/

No other artificial walleye lure will catch walleyes as consistently as a lead head jig designed specifically for the walleye. If you think about it, there is an excellent reason the walleye jig is so universal. Walleye spend the majority of there time on the bottom of what ever type of water they are located in.

Among the most versatile of artificial lures for walleye , a walleye jig can be fished many different ways.You can cast from and anchored or drifting boat, jig vertically for walleye while drifting with the wind or current, or troll slowly while bumping the jig along the bottom. And, you can fish a walleye jig plain when the walleyes are biting, or you can tip it with live bait when the fishing is slow.

Casting walleye fishing jigs

One of the most commonly used fishing techniques used while jigging for walleye is casting. Casting works great when the walleye move into the shallows and is typically the preferred method by most walleye anglers in this situation.If the walleyes are in the shallows it's important not to spook them. Make sure you anchor far enough away, but still being able to cast into the shallows.

If you plan on working a shallow reef , anchor in a deep water position , so the the wind will push you to the edge of the reef. If do not get any walleye bites, don't quit! move you your boat about 20yards to left or right and anchor again. Repeat this process until you get a walleye hit.

If the walleye are not schooled, and are located at different points about the reef, or breakline, drift your your boat near the reef or breakline but but not on it, then cast your walleye fishing jig towards the shallows working the jig back towards you.I would recommend you have your electric trolling motor ready to keep you running parallel with the reef or breakline.Use your trolling motor to keep you boat drifting parallel to the reef or breakline. If you catch a walleye toss out a marker and work the area until the fish stop biting then move on.

If the walleyes are suspended off the bottom , count your jig for walleye down to different depths after you cast then begin to reel your line in. When you get a strike make sure you remember your count. (I right it down). Then repeat the same count on the next cast.

Remember casting jigs for walleye work best when the fish or in the shallows.

Best Bass Lures - Exploring the Best Bass Fishing Lures

In this article I'm going to outline some of the more popular and effective bass fishing lures on the market today, and the attributes that make them this way. By reading this quick article you can learn about lures you may not have heard about, and add them to your bass fishing repertoire. With any luck one or all of these fishing lures will help you have your best fishing season ever.

The most important aspect of any type of fishing is to spend as much time as possible on the water practicing your craft. Practice is the biggest key to bass fishing success. Mark Reid once said, "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; in practice, there is." No truer words may have ever been spoken, and the point is to take this information and get out on the water and use it.

Let's get down to the best bass lures, shall we?

1. Spinner Baits - These shiny, strange looking fishing lures look more like a wind chime than a fishing bait, but when it comes to bass fishing (especially in the case of large mouth bass) spinner baits can be hard to beat. The basic philosophy with spinner baits is that the large blade (or blades) attracts the bass, and then the jig on the hook "seals the deal", as it were. Spinner baits fished in and around fallen trees or heavy cover can be a deadly bass fishing tactic. These baits come in many sizes, with many blade sizes and colors, and are sold in every imaginable color. As far as bass fishing lures are concerned, spinner baits are one of the best.


2. Jigs - The most popular sizes of bass fishing jigs are 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 ounce. Jigs are tipped with twister tails of many varieties and in some instances pork trailers are added to the hook. Some anglers say the "jig and pig" has a much more natural and lifelike movement than jigs without the pork trailer. This is all for the individual angler to decide. Bass jigs are fished slowly around heavy cover, and can be an extremely effective lure.


3. Crank Baits - Crank baits have to be on the list of the best bass lures. These baits come in a variety of styles, most of which imitate either minnows or shad. Crank baits can be fished at a variety of depths and speeds and are extremely popular. Some bass anglers fish exclusively with these baits, so they must be effective. Some of the more popular and effective crank baits include: Rat-L-Traps, Bomber Shad, Bandit Crankbaits, KickTail Minnows (maybe the most realistic crank bait ever), and Rapala Minnows, to name a few. The point is that crank baits have to be considered among the best bass lures.


4. Soft Plastics - The most popular soft plastic in the bass fishing arena is the plastic worm. Anyone who has fished for bass has undoubtedly fished a plastic worm. Berkley has revolutionized the fishing world with the development of their Gulp products. These are plastic worms that have bass attracting natural scents impregnated in them. They make bass fishing with soft plastics that much more effective. Whether you're bass fishing with a Carolina rig or wacky worm, soft plastics are extremely popular and effective bass fishing lures.

Buy Esca Lures online at - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Innovative-Fishing-Tackle/

This was a small list of all of the bass fishing lures available to bass anglers. These bas lures are simply some of the more popular and effective. If you aren't familiar with any of these lures, add them to your bass fishing repertoire, sooner rather than later. And don't forget the most important aspect of any of these baits...spending time using them.

Tips and Techniques For Jig Fishing Walleyes

Jig fishing for walleyes can be a very effective technique that can be used in a variety of situations from shallow water to deep water, and from the winter season to summer time. Because it's up to the angler to put the desired action into the jig, this lure can be used for sluggish or aggressive fish. I would have to say that a jig is the most versatile walleye lure on the market today.

For the majority of situations, especially on rivers, you will be working the jig along the bottom, as that's where the walleyes will be. To select the weight of the jig head to use simply use whatever weight it takes to maintain feel of the bottom. In most cases you will want to use the lightest jig possible to maintain feel of the bottom.

Lift And Drop

When casting jigs the most common retrieve is the "lift and drop". After casting allow the jig to sink to the bottom, then reel in the slack line and lift the jig off the bottom with your rod. Once your rod reaches about the 11:00 position, allow the jig to sink back to the bottom. Because lifting the jig off the bottom is the attractor to the fish be sure to experiment with the distance and speed of this motion. Now lower your rod tip until you feel the jig hit bottom. It is very critical that you follow the jig back to the bottom with a tight line, as this is when most walleyes will strike the lure. If you don't reel in slack line while the jig drops you won't be able to feel a strike.

Vertical Jigging

Another method of fishing jigs from a boat is "vertical jigging". This technique is best suited when fishing from a boat in water depths of 9 to 40 feet deep. Although most walleye won't be found deeper than 20 feet, many sauger will be found 20 to 40 feet deep in the winter to early spring. Vertical jigging is also best for the sluggish fish found in the cooler waters of late fall, winter, and early spring.

To vertical jig for walleyes and sauger the anglers boat should be moving down stream at the same speed of the current. Next simply raise your jig off the bottom, and slowly drop your rod tip until you feel the jig touch the bottom, then repeat this motion. As with the "lift and drop" technique be sure to keep a tight line when dropping the jig back down so that you can feel a walleye strike your jig. Be sure to experiment how you're fishing the jig until you find what the fish want the most. In most cases the lightest jig possible will catch the most fish.

Dragging Jigs

Dragging jigs is simply as the name implies. Typically a 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jig will be used. Simple let out about 1 ½ times amount of line as the water depth and allow the jig to drag along the bottom. When fishing from a boat in a lake either drift with the wind or use your trolling motor. In a river simply drift downstream, or use your trolling motor to drag the jig upstream. This technique works the best for sluggish fish in colder water. When dragging a jig don't be afraid to use larger plastics, such as 5 inch ringworms, or 4-5 inch twister grubs.

Jig Fishing Tips:

1. While the weight of the jig selected is the first decision, the next decision will be the length of the plastic twister tail, or etc. use. This most depends upon the time of year and how aggressive the fish are. I would recommend a plastic bait in length of 3 to 5 inches.

2. The color of the plastic twister tail or ringworm will most often make a huge difference. Generally speaking, user more natural colors in clear water such as black, purple, and blue. When fishing dirty water use plastics with brighter colors such as orange, chartreuse, or yellow.

3. Hair jigs tipped with a 2 - 3 inch minnow can be really effective for both walleyes and sauger from winter to early spring time.

4. To catch a larger percentage of fish that are short striking your jig and minnow combination try using a stinger hook. A stinger hook is a small treble hook attached to the hook of your jig with a short piece of mono fishing line. When hooking the minnow towards the tail with the stinger hook be sure to leave slack in the line so the minnow can move and look natural.

5. Heavy or large diameter fishing line is a detriment to the angler, as it will reduce the action of a jig, and also requiring the angler to select a heavier jig to reach the bottom.

6. Don't be afraid to try fishing a plain jig tipped with a minnow, night crawler, or leech. On some days it can be just the ticket.

7. If your getting a lot of snags when fishing jigs you are most like using to heavy of jig, or not maintaining feel of the bottom when vertical jigging, meaning you are dragging. Although dragging can be an effective technique it is only practical on smooth bottoms.

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Western Basin home to jigging heaven

Author: Capt. Tony Denslow

A plain jig is an odd lure. It really does not resemble anything in
nature that a fish would eat.But dress it up with some color, deer hair, and perhaps a worm, minnow or grub and it becomes a formidable weapon in any fisherman's arsenal.
It has been that way for thousands of years. Jigs were used by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Even cave dwellers carved jig-looking lures out of bone to catch their fish. So folks
today are just carrying on a long tradition. Lake Erie anglers use a variety of jigs (we also call them lead heads) to fish for walleyes through the ice and for several weeks after
ice-out in the early spring. The rest of the year jigs get shoved to the back of the tackle box in favor of other more productive lures. Why just jigs early? Presentation is probably the main reason. Ice-out water is extremely cold, just a few degrees above freezing, and the
fish are still in a lethargic state. So a slow deliberate angling style is required, making the lead head the logical choice. On my last jigging trip we were fortunate to have a calm day with only a slight drift. Schools of pre-spawn walleyes were congregating over a
rocky bottom in about 12 feet of water. We were all armed with six-foot, medium-heavy rods and reels spooled with Berkley Fireline. I picked out a quarter-ounce dark brown bucktail
jig and attached the line without using a snap swivel. Baiting up is a little more complicated. You want to give as natural a presentation as possible. To do this, start the hook through the
minnow's mouth and out the gill, then twist and place the hook through the body behind the dorsal fin. When the jig hits the bottom, the minnow will appear in a swimming position. I made a short cast away from the boat and let the lure settle to the bottom before taking up slack. Once the line was tight I slowly raised the rod tip and I could feel the lead bump across some rocks. Then I slowly raised the rod tip higher this time, bringing the jig two-to-three feet off the bottom before letting it settle back to the bottom. During the fall, a walleye hit and I had my first fish. It was not a hard hit, just a tap before I felt the weight of the fish. This is a typical method of jig fishing for walleyes, but sometimes the angler will have to change lure weights and colors before finding the right combination. So keep the arsenal well-stocked. I have one plastic lure box that contains an assortment of jigs from an eighth-ounce up to a half-ounce. I usually purchase them in various colors from the likes of Walmart, Cabela's and Gander Mountain. A second box contains soft lure bodies such as curlytails, worms and grubs in basic colors. If I do not do anything else, I make sure that the color dark purple is included. Purple is a hot color for walleye jigging. I do not know why. A third box contains store-bought lures that I have had success with over the years. These include the Lindy Fuzz-E-Grub, and a lot of Cabela and Northland creations in as many colors and sizes as I can afford. In recent years, tackle manufacturers have come up with rattle tubes that can be attached to the jig. They are small but add big benefits to attract fish. Keep them handy. As soon as the ice is gone from the Western Basin, fishermen will start gathering in shallow off-shore waters and around the many reefs. If there is a jigging heaven this is it. Capt. Tony Denslow

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Capt. Tony Denslow is a retired news journalist who now operates a sportfishing charter business on Lake Erie.

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Fishing Hook Styles and Uses

Author: Escalure Fishing Tackle

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Hook Eyes: ("loop" at the forward end of the hook)

The place you tie your line or clip your swivel or leeder. Eyes can be ringed, tapered, looped, open, flatted, swivel or needle.

Eyes can also have alignments which are either straight or ringed, turned up or turned down.

Shank: (section that begins at the first point of the bend to the eye)

Bend: (section of hook that bends around

Gap: (distance (size) from the point to the shank)

Throat: (distance from the bend to the point)

It is important that you realize that gap size and throat length will either help or hinder your hooking of your fish.

Now that we have the definition of a hook done, we can move on to bigger fish.

Hook Styles:

If you took all hook shapes or styles you could probably put them in 3 categories, live bait hooks, artificial bait hooks and manufacturer use hooks. Live bait hooks include Octopus, O'Shaughnessy, Straight and Aberdeen.

Artificial bait includes Aberdeen, Sproat and Kahle. Manufacturer hooks are used for making artificial flies, jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Circle Hooks:

Circle hooks are really a must if you practice catch and release. Let's take a look at what happens when your fish strikes. The mouth opens wide and your fish swallows your bait and hook into its stomach or gut and then starts to swim away. Your hook and bait is then pulled back where it penetrates the lip area.

Other style hooks will just penetrate in the gut area and that's where the problem rises. Even if you cut the leeder, there is a good chance the fish will die anyways and it is impossible to get your hook back without damaging and killing the fish. Baiting a Circle Hook is easy, loop your bait into the hook so it enters about half way and make sure the bait does not spin, just once is good enough. Fish the same way you usually do with or without weight, cast or just peel off some line from the reel and set your drag. The idea is to get your bait into your usual strike zone.

Now, comes the fun part. You have to ignore the temptation to "jerk" your line when you get a strike and set the hook. If you do this you defeat the whole purpose of the exercise and the hook will simply pull right out of the fishes mouth. If your line has tension on it from the strike, you already have the hook in a position to set and grab the lip on its way out.

Selecting a Hook

Now that you've become a hook scholar you want to rush right out and buy some, right!

Whoa! Not so fast. Here are a few tips you need before you purchase. Quality has to be a number one concern. Just like anything else you buy, not all hooks are created equal.

- check the hook to see if the eye is closed all the way

(if it's not your knot could slip off at the most inopportune moment)

- check that the eye is smooth and not full of paint.

(otherwise your knot could nick after you're tied on)

- the point for sharpness

(gently, drag the tip across your fingernail, if it starts to dig in its sharp)

- that it is formed properly

(if it is to sharp it will bend on contact)

(barb is proportional to hook size and has the proper shape)

- temper or flexibility

(gently flex the hook and watch that it returns to its original shape if it doesn't it isn't tempered, if it breaks it's over tempered)

Finally, this is the part that really hurts on a hook. Open your wallet and in foresight say to yourself, "if I had just spent a couple of bucks more, I would be mounting that giant bass on the wall".

How to Hook Live Worms For Fishing

The answer to this question seems simple enough, right? I mean putting a worm onto a hook or hooking live worms for fishing isn't brain surgery, it's just putting bait onto a hook. While this is obviously true if you want to catch more fish and hook live worms for fishing in the most effective way possible there are certain simple rules that should be adhered to.

In this quick article I will outline these simple rules, rules that have been learned through more than 50 years of combined experience using live worms for fishing. These ideas were introduced to me by my fishing mentor, a man who used live worms for catching fish for many years, more than twenty years ago and I have been using them ever since. The bottom line is that if you want to know how to hook live worms for fishing this article will show you.

The rules are being listed in no particular order and should all be added to your fishing repertoire.

Always Use Small Hooks - Many fishermen make the mistake of using fishing hooks that are entirely too large when using live worms for fishing and end up hooking the worm over and over again creating what I like to call a worm ball. This is not at all effective, especially for larger and more experienced fish. When using worms for fishing the focus of the offering should be the worm and not the hook, which in why small hooks are a must when using worms for fishing. Hooks that are size 6, 8, or 10 (or even smaller) are ideal for fishing with live worms and any hooks larger than size 6 should be avoided.

Hook The Worm In A Natural Manner - When using a live worm for fishing the worm should appear as much as possible like it does naturally. If large worms such as night crawlers are being employed this probably means that the worm should be pinched in half to that it appears as natural as possible, and not have too much of the worm "hanging" off of the hook. In order to hook live worms in the most natural way possible a set of gang hooks should be used. Gang hooks have two small fishing hooks tied in tandem which is perfect for fishing with live worms and hooking them in a natural manner.

Use Light Line - Many anglers tend to use fishing line that much too heavy when using worms for fishing. Many fish have excellent eyesight and can see the fishing line in the water. If the fish you are attempting to catch can see your line they are less apt to bite. Again, you want the focus of your offering to be the worm itself, nothing else. This is why using light line is very important when using worms for fishing.

Now you know the tips for how to hook worms for fishing. Employ these simple tips and start catching more and bigger fish of all kinds.

When a Fishing Hook Isn't Really A Fishing Hook

This may sound like a stupid title for an article, but it's true. When you think of a fishing hook, what do you think of? Just a plain old fishing hook that you put some bait on and try to catch a fish, right? Well my fishing mentor took the concept of a simple fishing hook and transformed it into the perfect fishing hook for all types of bait fishing. I think the concept was used in saltwater fishing, but he brought the concept to freshwater fishing.

This concept is the gang hook. A gang hook is simply two hooks tied in tandem. Two small hooks, hooks that are smaller than you may be accustomed to using. Using smaller hooks makes the hooks all but undetectable top the fish. It's a beautiful system. Not only is it a beautiful system, but it's a very effective system as well. Although gang hooks are effective for all types of bait fishing, they are the most effective way to present a live worm that I've ever seen.

So how do you get your hands on a set or two of gang hooks? Simple, you can go somewhere like JRWfishing and purchase them or you can do a little research and tie them yourself. Just do a search on the internet for fishing knots to find out how to tie a "Snell knot". Once you can tie a Snell knot, you're good to go. Simply tie two in tandem and you've made yourself a set of gang hooks! Now just devise a great way to carry them, and you're ready to catch some fish.

This is when a fishing hook isn't really a fishing hook. It's simple, easy, and incredibly effective. The bottom line is that once you begin using gang hooks , you won't use any other method for fishing live bait, especially worms. It's as simple as that.

Fishing Tips For Bass - Baiting the Hook For Success!

When it comes to fishing tips for bass, baiting the hook will either make or break you. There are some specific things to remember to make the most of of your day on the water.

1. The sharper the better - When baiting your hook you want the hook sharp. You can either replace your hooks or purchase a hook sharpener. Hooks easily get dulled when hooking random debris or hitting bottom. Just like your favorite pocket knife, the sharper the better.

2. Make it look natural - You want to present the bait as naturally as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by using gang hooks. If your not familiar with gang hooks they will be well worth your time to check into. They will help provide the most natural presentation possible.

3. The bigger the hook doesn't mean, bigger the fish - I think this happens quite often. When I was first learning how to fish i did the same thing myself. You use a giant hook, wrap the worm on and expect to catch a giant fish. You can easily correct this by using gang hooks. you can use much smaller hooks and get a much better effect. Some of the largest fish are caught with the smallest hooks.

4. Are your hands clean? - That could be a bad thing when it comes to fishing. The easiest way to remove any scents that may be on your hands would be, simply rubbing your hands together with a handful of dirt. This will neutralize any scents on your hands and make the bait even more attractive for a potential fish.

These fishing tips for bass can improve your fishing experience. Whether your out with your buddies on a Saturday afternoon, or fishing with the kids on Sunday morning.

Why Gang Hooks Are So Effective As A Fish Catching Tool

Gang Hooks are, by far, the most effective hook set up that I've ever used. They help me catch many more fish (especially trout) than other anglers. You might ask, "How do these hooks help you catch more fish? Isn't a hook a hook?" I can understand how you could be thinking exactly that, so I'm going to try to explain why gang hooks are so effective.

First of all, you probably don't know what a gang hook is. A gang hook is simply a pair of hooks tied in tandem. That's it, that's all they are. In most cases a gang hook also consists of a pair of hooks that are considerably smaller than you're probably accustomed to. I personally use size 10 hooks for my gang hooks, and for those of you who don't know, a size 10 hook is pretty small. So, my personal preference is to tie two size 10 hooks in tandem on four pound test monofilament.

When other anglers see my gang hook setup for the first time, their reaction is usually that of unbelief. They don't believe that a fish of any size could be landed using a gang hook setup that I'm describing. They couldn't be more wrong. I regularly hook and subsequently land twenty inch rainbow and cutthroat trout on gang hooks exactly like I'm describing. Not to mention the fact that I've landed trout in the five pound class and a walleye that was almost eight pounds on the exact setup being described in this article.

The bottom line is that large fish can be hooked and landed on hooks this small and regularly are. Using hooks and line as small as this does require the angler to "play" the fish for a longer period of time, but what angler has a problem with a good fight? Isn't a good fight one of the reasons we choose to fish in the first place? It most certainly is for me.

Using size 10 gang hooks has another deadly advantage. The anglers bait (obviously gang hooks are used for live bait fishing) is presented in a completely natural manner with the hooks being all but invisible. For example, if a half a night crawler is used for bait (my personal favorite) the angler hooks the top of the crawler through the first hook, then stretched the worm out and naturally hooks the second hook into the body of the worm. When the angler holds their bait in the air it is presented as an outstretched worm, the exact same way it will be presented in the water. The deadly thing is that this worm now has two hooks in its body to aid in your fish catching.

This is a totally natural presentation. The worm looks the same as if you just grabbed it and threw it in the water. The factors mentioned above are the reason why gang hooks are so effective. I suggest you give them a try as soon as you can, you won't be disappointed.

Lured to Sport Fishing? Jamaica Hooks More Than Your Attention

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Deep and productive waters only 15 minutes from shore, well-equipped sport fishing boats and scenic views add up to a quality fishing experience in Jamaica. Visiting anglers have a chance at landing blue and white marlin, wahoo, tuna and dolphin (dorado) in deep water that drops to thousands of feet beyond the reefs Blue marlin is the mostprized big game fish and catching your first marlin in Jamaica is well within reach. The Cayman Trench creates conditions of one to two knots of consistent current which helps clump together seaweed to form "weed lines"- these are every offshore angler's dream. Heavy rainfall also erodes riverbanks causing trees and other debris to drift out to sea. This floating matter attracts baitfish and tripletail sea bass seeking shelter from the sun, which in turn attracts bigger fish. Entire ecosystems exist under these weed lines which can spread out for miles and contain all manner of sea life, including large numbers of game fish. During the summer months when the wind is fairly calm and the sea is relatively flat the weed lines get bigger which therefore means more marine activity beneath the surface. On the south coast there are quite a number of banks and cays where you can find a great number of bottom fish, namely snapper and grouper. The largest bank along the south coast is the Pedro Bank. This bank is home to a variety of fish such as yellowtail, mutton and red tail snapper as well as grouper and shellfish. Fishing for wahoo and kingfish is excellent along the south coast due to the presence of these banks. The North coast also has quite a few banks and the three main banks located off the coast of Port Antonio are Henry Holmes, Grappler and Shipwreck. There is also a popular bank located 15 miles off the coast of Montego Bay called the Buckner bank. Strictly speaking there are certain periods of the year when different species of fish are more common. The dolphin (dorado) season runs from January through April, the black fin and yellow fin tuna season run from April to August and the core marlin season runs from August to December. Despite this, you will find that it is quite common for any of these species to be caught in Jamaica's waters year-round. So if you are in Jamaica right now, it's a great time to go fishing. Charter boats can be booked for full-day or half-day trips in most resort areas (see listings in Jam-boree's golocal pages). Prices vary little but be sure to enquire about whether beverages are included and who keeps the catch. Mounting of prize fish is available and some boats will arrange to have a fish cleaned and even cooked to order. A day of fishing in Jamaica is about more than just lines, bait and fighting marlin. It is a unique opportunity to experience the island's topographical beauty and coastline from offshore aboard a comfortable sportfisher with a professional crew that will ensure that whether you catch the "bigone" or not you have a wonderful experience. Listen to some music, enjoy some refreshments and keep an eye out for porpoises and sea turtles that frequent Jamaica's coastal waters.

Fly fishing and light tackle fishing

The river estuaries, flats, lagoons inshore sea grass beds and mangrove forests of Jamaica are home to many popular species of game fish including tarpon, snook and barracuda. Opportunities abound for exciting fly and light tackle fishing charters led by experienced guides. Most fish species are available all year.

Salty Vic provides fishing charters to several areas of the island including river, inshore and deepsea habitats, as well as technical fly-fishing lessons for adults and children. Contact Salty Vic at (876) 863-1599 for information and bookings.

Cayman Trench

Fishing in Jamaica is world-class due in part to the presence of the Cayman Trench that extends from the Windward Passage at the southeastern tip of Cuba toward Guatemala. At about half a mile off the coast of Montego Bay, the drop off begins, starting at about 400 feet and gradually sloping down to 3000 feet further

offshore. The relatively narrow trough trends east-northeast to west-southwest and has a maximum depth of 25,216 feet (7,686 m), the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea. This area is teeming with sea life as nutrients are carried up the wall from the abyss to make the waters uncommonly rich for tropical seas.

Tournaments

Several annual blue marlin tournaments are held in Jamaica, attracting world-wide anglers. The Port Antonio International Billfish Tournament, usually held in October, is one of the most celebrated and prestigious in the Caribbean. Each year this event attracts up to 50 boats, including anglers from the U.S.A. and neighboring Caribbean islands. Other tournaments are held in Montego Bay, Falmouth, Discovery Bay and Treasure Beach.

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7 Reasons Why Deep Sea Fishing Is A Great Adventure Sport

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7 Reasons Why Deep Sea Fishing Is A Great Adventure Sport

Author: Escalure Fishing Tackle

1. It's a chance to get out to the open seas. A chance to explore what the deep waters can give you as an adventure. The wind, the waves, the view. Deep sea fishing is your weekend ticket away from the bustling metropolis where the only chance to a relaxing ocean view is when the beaches are closed or on the pages of a travel magazine.

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2. The Learning. Learning a new skill is an adventure as you get to discover the tricks of the trade when it comes to deep sea fishing. You thought you knew everything about fishing until you met your skipper. Learn how to lure, reel and haul a mammoth catch. Get to know the equipment that you thought you were familiar with. New skills, new gear for a new adventure.

3. Get to meet underwater creatures that you only enjoy watching on television. Dolphins, sharks, manatees, and sea turtles all give you a spectacular scene as you charter deeper waters in which they live.

4. The Challenge. Deep sea is a very challenging sport. Luring and hooking your first catch is only half of the adventure. When deep sea fishing, you battle with your fish. Keep in mind that you are in the open sea with depths of over 30 ft. Fish in these areas are strong swimmers, something that they use to elude predators, bigger fish and yes, fishermen. A deep sea fishing battle is like a duel, a display of strength and endurance, man over fish or fish over man? In this part of your adventure you'll utilize the reeling skills that you've learned, with expert coaching from your skipper as your captain whom also assists by steering the boat slightly to give you a better vantage of bringing it in rather than breaking your line. To fishing aficionados, a fish battle is termed as the "dance".

5. The element of surprise. Deep sea fishing has a lot of surprises in store for you, and even seasoned fishermen are not spared from it. Now, it's most unlikely that your boat will be chomped in half by the descendant of Megalodon (an extinct megatoothed shark), and you suddenly become fish food. Not that kind of surprise. The unexpected of all unexpected will be that time when you get to face the biter at the end of your line, the one that you have been patiently and fervently hanging on to for the past 45 minutes. Once the fish is hauled out of the water, it is amazing to see a fisherman's face; (even seasoned ones) flurry though a succession of emotions as they view their catch. Now match the element of surprise with a handful of luck, you may even catch fish of unimaginable size, shape, color and most of all species. It's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

6. Deep sea fishing is a great way to re discover yourself. Be amazed at your accomplishments and stand in awe of what you can do. Deep sea fishing is an activity that breaks self imposed barriers that are often accompanied by words such as can't, won't and never, replacing them with can, success and, "that was fantastic! When do I sign up for the next weekend?"

7. Deep sea fishing is a sport where you create your own memories every time you get your line wet. There is never a fishing trip where you get the same results. Every trip is different from the previous which gives this sport its thousands and thousands of enthusiasts.

Land adventure sports are easily accessible and have their own thrill. But we have seen once too many of climbing, jumping, riding, and falling to even put a dent on the adrenaline meter. It's time to go where not all men have gone to, where only a select breed of adventurers find their adrenaline fix in the open seas.

9 Things To Expect When Deep Sea Fishing

The wind in your hair, the spray of salt water over the bow, the anticipation of a monstrous tug at the end of your tackle, the thought of catching something that would take more than 5 people to carry, that image of showing a picture of you and a fish with a body length longer than yours. Nausea?....Hopefully not. Here are 9 other things you might expect on your deep sea fishing trip.

1. Nothing shallow. As the word deep means, you will be setting off on a boat to deeper waters that are more than 30 meters deep. This will definitely bring you a certain distance away from dry land so make sure you have everything you need with you.

2. Expect that your fishing expedition will be dependent on weather conditions; wind that adversely affects the waters wave strength plays a great role in navigation. Your skipper will tell you more about this as deep sea fishing is inherently dangerous. But given the right precautionary measures, risks are minimized. If your trip is cancelled due to these reasons, no need to feel blue, fishing charters can immediately set your trip to another date and time so you can wet your line and enjoy it safely.

3. Deep sea boats are much bigger than the ones used for inshore fishing. They are made of sturdier quality to be able to withstand the elements of the open sea such as strong winds and waves. They are also made larger to accommodate those hundred pound monsters you that your tackle will hook.

4. Deep sea fishing is more physical than inshore fishing. If you are accustomed to sitting on your buttocks with one hand on the pole and the other with a can of beer, think again. Deep sea fishing will take more than all hands on deck. When you hook that first catch, it will be more than a jerk you can handle with one hand. The fish are bigger and swim stronger than inshore fish.

5. Different set of rods. Deep sea fishing utilizes the same equipment only with different specs. The tackle is more tolerant to sea water as salt tends to cause corrosion faster compared to normal inshore or freshwater equipment. Lines are made more durable to withstand game weight and pull. Multiplier reels also take place of the conventional reel to eradicate friction. The different gears let you have a more stable and stronger hold of your line as you reel your 100 pounder out of the water and on to your boat.

6. Run INS. Expect to meet more than your average pond frogs, or local lake creatures. You are in the open sea! Where you may get the chance to see the good, the bad and the ugly of the deep blue sea. Dolphins, manatees, puffer fish, and yes sharks! No need to feel anxious about this possible run in, fishing charters and your skipper are very knowledgeable of deep sea fishing spots and will ensure absolutely safe.

7. Expect action. Deep sea fishing is action packed. Strong gusts of winds and waves will make sure you get your adrenalin pumping, and you take it a notch higher as you hook your first catch. Expect of course that you will get wet and sweaty as you tirelessly reel in your fishing trophy for the day.

8. You will be expertly guided and coached throughout your adventure by experienced individuals who have the endeavor for the sport. Deep sea fishing is a totally relaxing sport and with the best fishing buddies on board, you wouldn't need to worry at all.

9. Expect amazing feats of visual satisfaction. Be ready to capture them on camera as you will be flanked by a number of memorable experiences on your trip. The beauty of the open sea, the rich and abundant marine wildlife and of course that moment when you bag the first catch of the day.

Deep sea fishing is a total experience for lovers of the sport. There is so much to see and experience in this adventure. This activity will totally take your mind off the inertia of life in the city. More than that, it also lets you add more to your personal achievements.

Experience Deep Sea Fishing in South Africa

My first ever trip deep sea fishing in South Africa starts with an early morning wake up call at 5.00am. I am staying at lovely guest house accommodation in Port Alfred situated on the coast of the Eastern Cape. With a sense of excitement I kick start my day with a strong coffee and prepare food to take with me for what I hope will be a successful days fishing. The night before I took some Sturgeon (seasickness tablets) just to be on the safe side as I am not sure what the Indian Ocean has in store for me. We make our way down to the boat and prepare everything. We have taken 2 boxes of fresh sardines for bait.

Port Alfred has a lovely marina with a river that flows into the Ocean. We have timed our exit from the Kowie River mouth to coincide with low tide to ensure we have the smoothest exit to the Ocean. Nevertheless we put on our life jackets and ride the waves at the river mouth out to the vast Indian Ocean. We are riding in a Butt Cat which is superb for the Ocean with the ability to ride over the oncoming waves. Our skipper is Des, an experienced fisherman who knows the waters off this area of the Eastern Cape, and asks us to hold on as he picks up speed crashing over the waves in front of us. This is great and a really exciting start to the day completely taking my mind off any potential seasickness.

We head out for about 30 minutes before we drop our first anchor. Once we are settled we start to bait up our rods and drop our first lines. There are three of us on the boat so Des gives us expert advice on how to bait up and some tips on what to do when you get your first nibble on the line. I can't believe how far down my line goes before my weight hits the bottom! As soon as my line reaches the bottom of the Indian Ocean I can feel the fish biting. This is amazing I didn't expect to feel the bites so firmly. I know try and put into practice Des' tips on making a strike. After a few fruitless attempts I make a proper strike and I reel in quickly.

Of course it's a long way up and my arms are doing all the work but soon I can see the fish on the end of my line. The feeling is amazing! Des shows me how to bring the fish on board and then how to remove the hook from the fish. The fish is too small to keep but the taste of the catch has left me wanting more. Having returned the fish to the Ocean I bait up again. We spend about an hour in the first spot before moving on to a new spot. The Ocean is relatively calm and the weather is superb - always remember your suntan cream as the breeze out here can be very deceiving.

We stop for lunch halfway through the day to enjoy homemade sandwiches and cool drinks. Bobbing around on the Ocean we suddenly hear the noise of a familiar spurt of water made by a whale. Des points out the southern right whale about 600 meters away - incredible to think these mammals are cruising around near where you are fishing. We finish lunch and move on to a new spot. We enjoy in total about 8 hours fishing and catch enough good size fish for dinner later that evening. During the afternoon we spot lots of white water about a mile away from us - Des heads his boat towards the area and we are suddenly surrounded by 1,000's of dolphins as far as the eye can see. This is an incredible sight and I take lots of photos to capture the moment.

As we return back to Port Alfred I look back on an amazing first experience of deep sea fishing in South Africa. South Africa has miles of coastline with a great choice of accommodation to be found from Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Lodges and Self Catering venues. From Cape Town all the way up the Garden Route to beyond Durban there are numerous beach holiday places to stay where you can take a fishing boat charter.

Going on a Deep Sea Fishing Trip

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Fishing is a hobby that has endured both time and space. Since the earliest of civilizations, man has already understood the importance of gathering food from the bodies of water. Nowadays though, the sense of fishing has already morphed into more exciting activities rather than finding fish for food.

Deep sea fishing trip is a whole lot different matter and each experience is different from that of another fisherman. Aside from the satisfaction of being able to feast on your own catch, deep sea fishing also provides the peace of the sea and the solitude of the charter. It is also considered as a mental game wherein you must devise your own ways to catch more fish or to lure them easier into your bait. The technical aspects of deep sea fishing is also far more complicated than the normal boat fishing however, the major principles still remain the same in almost all cases.

Deep sea fishing is more a challenge than a need to find the fish. It tends to be more of an adventure towards the sea while having a fun ride. It is more of experiencing the rush and the waves of the ocean and the wind. Catching the fish is not secondary though. After all, you set out for it in the first place.

Obviously, deep sea fishing lets you explore the deeps. Thus, you would not catch ordinary varieties of fish but strange-looking sea creatures in particular. However, these are seldom caught as these require special machineries.

Deep sea fishing trip is a sport made for fishermen that embarks them toward the deepest parts of the water.

The most common destination for deep sea fishing trip is the Gulf of Mexico. There is literally a wide spectrum of fish varieties that would not only educate you on the wonder of the fish world but would also help you in memorizing the species. You will most likely find large schools of snappers and groupers but you also stand a good chance of seeing (and catching) fishes like Spanish mackerel, kingfish, tuna and the giant red fish.

The captains of the fishing boat in this side of the world are known to be experts and can warrant you of excellent deep sea fishing trip. These captains are also known or their professionalism and adhere to maintain the proper conduct, and rules and regulations at sea. Additionally, the crews of the ships often make all the arrangements for the fisherman on board which saves you from the hassles of finding and of looking for good fishing spots. Some would even clean and bag your catch for you.

Selecting the Best Equipment For Sea Fishing

As the conditions of river or lake fishing differ from deep sea fishing, the equipment used also differs. Although, the same equipment that is used for river or lake fishing can be used for fishing near the shore of the sea, the equipment for deep sea fishing differs to a great extent. Therefore, choosing the best equipment is very important for a perfect fishing experience.

Where light weight and weak fishing tackle would suffice for river fishing, deep sea fishing requires heavy and strong fishing rods as the fishes in the sea are much bigger and stronger than those in the river or lake. Fishing rods are available in different materials and the choice simply depends on what you aim or expect to catch on your trip.

Heavy graphite fishing rods are ideal for deep sea fishing as they are light in weight and are strong enough to even catch big fish such as a shark or marlin. However, they are not flexible and thus not ideal for fishes which try to resist a lot. Not to worry, fiberglass fishing rods are ideal for such type of fishes as they are highly flexible and light weight which makes them perfect for a fight with the fishes.

Finding the best rod can be a little problematic if you have no experience in buying rods before. Never the less, it is not that difficult that you would lose hope of finding a good rod. The internet is the best place for finding good fishing rods as you can easily hunt for fishing rods at far greater number of stores.

The internet can provide extensive knowledge about various types of rods available in the markets, what materials are used to make them and which type of fishes are they suitable for. You can even buy fishing rods on the internet by visiting the websites of many popular fishing rod sellers. You should always do some research on the products available and read reviews if possible to get an opinion about a particular product.

The hook and lure are also very important for catching big fishes. Big bait would invite big fishes while small bait would invite only small fishes as the big fishes would generally ignore it. Several types of lure and hooks are available which are to be used with only a specific type of fishes.

Therefore, it is very important that you take the right type of lure and hook for the fishing trip.

The fishing line must also be chosen carefully so as to support the weight of heavy fishes of the deep sea. Selecting proper equipment is the key to success on a fishing trip and the key to selecting the best equipment is the appropriate use of the internet.

Sailfish & Safety - Important Tips to Make Your Deep Sea Fishing Holiday a Great One

Manzanillo is known for many things, but it is most known for being the "Sailfish Capital of the World." Fishermen (and women!) come from all over to go deep sea fishing and hopefully catch "the big one." But there are a few things you should keep in mind before sailing the high seas.

Tip #1: Check the Weather Report

Your boat captain should be doing this anyway, but it never hurts to just look at the weather report and make sure there isn't a storm on the way. A good rule of thumb: if all of the other boats are staying docked, then you probably should too.

Tip #2: Double Check Your Gear

The day before your excursion, go through all of your equipment. Make sure everything works and that you have aren't running out of anything. Try to get this done before noon so you can get replacements before the stores close.

Do the batteries in your flashlight work and do you have back-ups? Do you have a functional first aid kit? Do you have a waterproof bag for your wallet and cell phone and does it attach to your clothing correctly? Do you have rations in case you are stuck on the water for a couple of days? Do you have a couple of flares in case you need to signal someone in the night?

All of these items may sound small, but could be very important if something happened.

Tip #3: Make Sure the Radio is Working

Before you let the boat leave the dock, ask the captain if he has checked the. If they have a GPS system, check to see if that is working too.

Tip #4: Find the Life Jackets

Hopefully, your captain will go through some quick safety features before you leave. Make sure you know where the life jackets, rafts and/or lifeboats are located. In addition, find out where the fire extinguishers are located.

Tip #5: Learn Meditation

Sometimes a minor problem can turn into a catastrophe if everyone panics. Remain calm and offer the captain and his crew help in handling other passengers. If they are your family, make sure that you are firm in your instructions and show confidence.

Tip #6: Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Some deep sea fish are very strong and can pull a person off a boat. Be sure that your fishing rod is securely anchored and that you are also attached to the boat in some way in case your rod gets free. If you have children with you, this is extremely important. Little Billy isn't going to win a battle with Señor Fish.

Tip #7: Leave Your Information

Make sure that somebody has a copy of your vital information before you leave. If your spouse is staying on the mainland, be sure that she knows what you are doing, the name of the charter company, when you should be returning and other information that will be helpful in case something happens. This includes any medical information and names and numbers of emergency contacts back home.

If you are traveling alone or your entire party is going on the trip, it is a good idea to leave your information with the front desk so that you have someone looking out for you.

All of these tips don't take very long and they could save your life. Make sure that your trip is a happy one and not a disaster.

We guarantee much better fishing results. Check out this new revolutionary invention and get ahead of your fishing friends. Buy the Award Winning 'Esca Lures' online at http://www.innovativefishingtackle.co.uk/
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/7-reasons-why-deep-sea-fishing-is-a-great-adventure-sport-3986001.html

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