Five Tips to Become a More Courteous Fisher

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Before you head out on your next fishing trip, it will pay to know some of the rules of common courtesy. If you’ve been noticing other fisherman glare at you while you’re out and don’t know why, it’s possible you may have been violating some of the unwritten rules of fishing – or even some local laws. To make sure that you are more courteous the next time you’re out looking for Muskie, here are some rules of common courtesy you’ll want to follow.

1. Give other fishers their space. Fishing is often a territorial sport, so if you crowd another fisherman or bring your boat too close to theirs, you’re being obnoxious. You’re also being dangerous, as you want to keep plenty of space between each boat. Some potential consequences to fishing too close together can include scaring away the fish they were trying to catch and creating a wavey wake that throws the other fisherman off their balance. Be sure to keep your distance.

3. Throw a few back. Don’t come into their lake and catch up all the fish. You might think this makes you look good in front of other fisherman, but they’ll only resent you for showing them up. Be sure to throw a few fish back – including some large ones if you have caught some already – to keep the sport in the area alive.

4. Respect the professionals. If you’re in an area where there are professional fisherman around, be sure to give them plenty of space out of respect for their livelihood. This doesn’t always apply to inland lakes, but in coastal areas, you’ll see a lot of commercial fishing boats and you don’t want to get in the way of them and putting food on their family’s table.

5. When in doubt, think. If you’re getting glares, ask yourself, “would I be annoyed if I were them?” Try to put yourself in their shoes and see if your behavior’s been obnoxious. You can’t please everybody all the time, but you can work to be more thoughtful.

Photo Credits: bugeaters

Children Fishing Safety Tips

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Fishing with your children is a very relaxing and fun experience, but it could become a horrifying one if you’re not properly prepared for the worst. Being safe should be one of your prime concerns while out on a fishing boat, especially if you’re taking the trip with small children. This article will outline a few tips and precautions that you should take before going on your boating trip.

Basic Rules

It’s important that before you go out onto the water that you let any children know the basic rules that they need to abide by on a boat. These rules include no running, looking around you before you cast, and making sure that you keep your floatation device on. You should especially explain why each of these is important, as kids might not instantly realize that they could hurt someone else if they hit them with their cast. If they refuse to abide by the rules, find some way to lightly punish them that will make them realize the importance of the rules.

Buddy System

During a fishing trip it’s important that you stress the dangers of the water to everyone. It’s not a bad idea to establish a buddy system in which two people are with each other at all times. If you don’t feel comfortable with two children being the buddies in the buddy system simple pair one child with one adult. This will ensure that each child is properly watched by a respective adult.

Supplies

It’s important that you bring any sort of supplies that you feel you may need while on a boat. It will be hard to get back to shore and to the car if there was a medical emergency so make sure that you bring a first aid kit and any medication that you may need. It’s also a good idea to bring more personal items such as sunscreen or insect repellent. The last thing you want to remember about your fishing trip is how you were sunburned and got bitten by mosquitoes the entire time. If the weather is hot it’s important that you bring a sufficient supply of water or other cold drinks so that your family and friends don’t get dehydrated.

Take some time and read over the supplies listed in this article and consider any additional supplies you may need. Bringing children on a fishing trip can be a hassle, but if you develop a few basic rules and remember to bring any supplies you need then you will be sure to have a safe and fun fishing trip.

Photo Credits: XcBiker

Five Distinct Fishing Techniques

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

If you’ve ever taken your child out swimming and haven’t been sure about what kind of techniques to teach, don’t worry: you’re not alone. Many of us who would like to consider ourselves fun-loving and adventurous are willing to go out on a fishing trip, but how often do we really know what to do to actually catch the fish? In this article, we’ll take a look at five distinct fishing techniques that you can employ to actually look like a professional.

Doodling

Doodling is essentially a fishing technique that relies on using the worm as your chief type of bait. This will probably work better on the smaller fish that congregate toward this type of food, so keep that in mind. Doodling will entail using your worm by shaking your rod after dipping it in the water, then waiting a good half a minute for fish to approach your hook. After that, you can give your rod another shake and try to draw it around a bit.

Night Fishing

Night fishing usually emphasizes hunting the bass that tend to be interested in what you have during this time of the day. If you’re going to be night fishing, you have to make sure that you have all of the proper equipment and know all of the local ordinances involved.

Casting

When you’re fishing, casting is one of the most fundamental techniques you use in order to get your hook into deeper waters, plunging your hook into an undisturbed area of the lake or stream you’re fishing in. Overhand, underhand, and sidearm casts are different ways you can try to cast with greater efficiency – just make sure to stick with one technique to really get it down pat.

“Playing the Fish”

Playing the fish is a term that refers to what you do with a fish once it appears you’ve actually lured it into a bite. This will typically entail a quick jerk to “set the hook” into the fish’s flesh, followed by setting the “drag” on your rod to prevent the line breaking.

Flipping/Pitching

The “pitch” is a type of cast that causes very little disturbance to the water – instead of flicking your rod in order to send the hook out deeper into the lake or stream, you simply let the button loose and drop the line manually into the water, giving you a more stealthy way to pursue your fish.

These are just five things to keep in mind when you’re out fishing – remember that any one technique will take a bit of practice before you get it down to an art, particularly if you’re a beginning. The more you learn and the more experience you gain, however, the better you’ll understand which technique to employ and why.

Photo Credits: nugun

Canadian Fishing Excursions

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Canada is on the top of the list when it comes to monumental fishing. Canadian fishing trips guarantee any fisher unlimited fishing options that are jam packed with thrilling and fun filled adventure. The lakes are pristine, the rivers are meant for fly fishing, and there is a nearby spot for any type of fishing that you may have in mind. The opportunities are endless. Canada is full of various waters including rivers, lakes and anything in between. You should know which waters that you prefer before book an excursion. The weather in Canada is uncertain so if you head to some of the desolate fishing areas are sure to include a small survival kit that includes first aid materials along with everything that you will need to fish. Many fishermen rely on seasons to dictate what type of fishing they will enjoy so since Canada has four seasons you might want to make that a consideration as well. Feel confident to fish for sturgeon year round but fish such as salmon and trout vary from region to region. Other fish seem to have peak seasons but the locals will be glad to assist you in any questions about fishing.

If you are interested in catching trophy fishing then Canada is the place for you to enjoy your fishing excursion you will never forget. Because of Canada’s limited population many areas for fishing are very secluded and out of the way from most people. Canada is very sparsely populated and therefore has pristine fishing locations in areas that are remote from human inhabitants. The Canadian lakes are filled with sport fish because of the low pollution levels which is much lower than other countries.

When you go to Canada for fishing this is what you should expect, ample fishing for northern pike, brook trout, Atlantic salmon, rainbows, Coho, arctic char, steelhead, king salmon, lake trout, Muskie, walleye, and bass. From one end of Canada to the other there are so many Canadian fishing lodges and numerous resorts that thrive on making your fishing vacation one that you will not soon forget. While you are there consider a fishing charter so the captain can put you right on those fish and you will easily be able to catch your limit in no time.

What Kind of Boat Should You Buy?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

If you’re an avid fisherman, you’ve probably had consistent access to one boat or another during your tenure out in the water. But if it’s come time to upgrade – or buy a new boat entirely – you’ll have to ask yourself what kind of boat is right for you. In this article, we’ll explain the different types of boats and why they might or might not fit your specific needs.

Boat Type #1: Aluminum fishing boats.

Many fishing boats are made from lightweight aluminum and include a simple steering motor in the back. These boats are typically built with no-frills: they’re simply about the fishing. If you are buying a boat simply for yourself, or are on a tight budget, this might be the boat for you. You can use it to fish or to take relaxing cruises around the lake.

Bowriders are some of the most common boats you’ll see on the lake, a sort of all-purpose boat that is targeted to the whole family. They work well for fishing, cruising, and typically will have more seating as well as accommodations for swimming. This is the type of boat to get if you have a family with different needs. You can use it in the morning for a fishing trip and in the afternoon for water skiing.

Boat Type #3: Pontoon boats.

Pontoon boats are the slower boats built as “floating docks” that you won’t really be using for water skiing. These are also a good boat for the family, and the amount of space will be great for fishing. If you have an adventurous streak, this might not be the boat for you, but it is frequently the type of boat that lakeside families really enjoy.

Boat Type #4: Walkaround boats.

Called the “ultimate family fishing boats,” walkaround boats are popular on the Great Lakes as they typically are capable of hauling in larger fish like salmon and other anglers. These boats will often be equipped with rod holders, making them great for deep-sea fishing, as well, and leading to many walkarounds being used in coastal areas.

Boat Type #5: Houseboats.

For the true boat and fishing enthusiasts, what could be better than living where you fish? Houseboats can be parked along coasts and rivers and some people even choose to make them their way of life. They can also be fantastic to rent and experience for a brief period of time before returning back to land, or as a “trial period” to see how you really enjoy the houseboats.

Photo Credits: Jiths

Five Pieces of Equipment You’ll Need on your Next Fishing Trip

Friday, October 21st, 2011

If you’ve decided to take a fishing trip – extended or not – there’s a good chance that you’ll need to stock up on your fishing equipment. This might not be true for professionals, who might have all of the equipment they need handy in their garage or basement, but for the amateur, you’ll want to know exactly what to bring to make your fishing trip both fun and productive.

So what are the pieces of equipment you’ll want to bring? Here are five different types to watch for.

1. Fishing rods.

The absolute essential, fishing rods are the starting point for a typical fishing trip – if you haven’t used a fishing rod before, make sure that you try practice “casts” out in your yard. Casting with your fishing rod can be difficult to understand at first, but once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature. Make sure you find a good fishing rod and have good information explaining how to use it.

2. Fishing line.

This might go hand-in-hand with fishing rods, but it’s worth mentioning here because it plays such a vital role in the type of fishing experience you’ll have. Fishing line that’s tough but also barely visible will be what you’re looking for: you want to barely disturb the water, but you also want your line to hold up against some of the stronger fish you might have to wrestle into your boat.

3. Bait.

Bait might not qualify as “equipment,” but it’s a fishing essential. After all, it depends on the type of bait you’re using – while a worm might not be in your “equipment” box, a good lure will be something that you’ll keep with you. So make sure to know what kind of fish you’re targeting so that you can pick the appropriate type of bait, as well as how to use it.

4. A tacklebox.

Hooks, lures, bobbers, and other equipment need to be stored somewhere, especially since many of those individual instruments can be sharp. So make sure that you’re able to store them safely and efficiently in a good tacklebox. You don’t necessarily have to buy a new one – just make sure that you borrow one so that you’re not constantly tracking your fishing devices.

5. A boat.

Duh! Some people enjoy fishing from the shore, and in some cases (such as the coast) this can be a very productive way to fish. But to truly get a good experience out in the wild, make sure you can ride even a rented single-motor boat. You don’t have to break the bank here; just have fun.

Photo Credits: nugun

Tips for Merging Your Camping and Fishing Trips into One

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

For those of you with an entire family to please, finding an ideal summer vacation can mean coming up with more questions than answers. Will the kids enjoy camping? What might we do while camping? How can I get some fishing in? Should we go north or south this summer?

The clever vacationer will be able to answer many of these questions with one simple answer: one vacation that includes something for everyone.

Half of the battle of vacationing effectively is filling your time with activities and adventures that truly help you cut loose and relax. On vacation, idle time can often be wasted time. That’s why this article will explain how to merge a camping and fishing trip into one fun, easy vacation.

First, the other half of vacationing effectively is planning.

If you’re going to have a great fishing trip on top of a great camping trip, you’ve absolutely got to scout for the best sites that integrate both. Some great camping sites won’t have any access to good fishing, and some of the best lakes don’t have any camping possibilities whatsoever. You’ll need to search for a camping site, first and foremost, but you’ll also have to make sure it has access to a clean body of water that’s known for good fishing.

Second, you’ll want to consider how you’ll actually accomplish your fishing once you’re at the site.

Can you do it off the platform? Chances are you’ll want to rent a boat instead, so this should be one question you ask your campsite early in the conversation: are boat rentals available, and how much do they cost?

Don’t be afraid to ask about the local fishing, specifically the types of fish you can expect to catch and how deep the lake might be. These will give you clues as to what bait to bring, and a little more research will help you make the most of your fishing outings once you’re out on the water.

Once you’ve done the planning, much of the vacation will fall into place. Simply bring along the right baits, tackles, and tools you need to catch fish and be ready to enjoy a camping trip that will keep the entire family occupied.

Photo Credits: radcarper