Outdoor Sports

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Archive for the ‘Fishing’ Category

17
Nov
2008

So, you’re planning on fishing in Alaska? Do you know the area’s different species? What types of fish you can expect to encounter? If not, keep reading for an overview of the area’s most abundant fish species during your next fishing vacation.

Pacific Salmon

There are four major species of Pacific salmon in Alaska: Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon), pink salmon, silver salmon and sockeye salmon or reds. They’re a great game fish, but usually less popular with cold water fly fishers than, say, trout or Arctic char.

Pacific salmon only spawn once in their lifetime and then die. And though they don’t eat upon returning to fresh water, they will strike surface and subsurface flies. Fly fishers also need to be prepared to do battle with strong fighters. With sockeyes and chums weighing in at 3 to 10 pounds and king salmon tipping the scales at 12 to 100 pounds or more, fly fishers need to be ready.

Steelhead Trout

The steelhead is actually a type of rainbow trout, named for its beautiful silver body and steely color. Like salmon, they like to swim in open ocean or bigger lakes, however they’ll spawn in nearby rivers. The steelhead will spawn multiple times in its lifetime.

The steelhead is strong, large, high-leaping and long-running, making it highly prized among experience fly fishers. It’s also a great catch for the dinner table and an overall tasty fish. The fish averages between 4 and 12 pounds, but can often exceed 20 pounds, particularly in Alaska.

The Grayling (Trout Family)

The graying is a unique fish, easily identifiable by its high and broad dorsal fin and almost neon blue color on its body and fins. For fly fishing, Alaska graylings are both prized and easy to catch. The fish aren’t very discriminating and tend to go for almost any fly.

That said, Alaska graylings do have a few preferences. They tend to like active, moving insects, smaller insects and also dry flies. The fish will also feed on minnows and crustaceans, though traditional light flies seem to be the most effective.

An Alaskan grayling will typically grow to about 4 pounds, but they’re a tasty catch and well suited to the dinner table.

Alaskan Arctic Char

As a trout, the Arctic char lives for the pure and cold waters of Alaskan lakes and streams. The fish makes a great catch that’s lively and strong, though willing to fall for more flies and slightly easier to trick than the rainbow trout. For fly fishing, Alaskan arctic char is an easy lure, but a fantastic catch on any fishing trip.

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1
Oct
2008

If a person is serious about locating archery products for their bowfishing expedition then they may have a hard time. Most retailers do not stock this type of equipment and some have never even heard of this type of fishing. However, it does exist, and for those that like to hunt big fish in both fresh and salt water areas then this is the sport for them. The key is to having the right equipment to make the hunt that much more exciting.

The key catching the big one when it comes to bowfishing is having the right archery products in had. You will need to have the right equipment such as the right bow, arrows, reel and line needed to easily pull in even the biggest of fish. The major investment in this exciting outdoor sport is however the actual bow, and a good bow for bowfishing should either be recurve bow or a compound bow, depending on the type of fish that you want to hunt.

Other considerations to keep in mind when finding archery products for bowfishing is the line that one will use for the bow and arrow. The line is not just one’s typical fishing line. Because the fish that are going to be caught are very large and heavy one will need to have a line that has a test of a least eight pounds and the strongest goes up to a six hundred test. Most line is made out of braided Dacron or very heavy gauge nylon.

The choice what archery products you but for your bowfishing adventures can make or break your success. For as long as you make choose the right bow, arrows, reel and line then you can be assured that you will have the chance of catching a whopper of a fish to take back home and brag about to your family and friends. The sport of bowfishing is unique on its own as it is the form of archery and fishing that tests the skill of shooting the bow and arrow to the ultimate test, no matter if your purpose is to have fish to eat or as trophy to mount on the wall.

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8
Sep
2008

Don’t wait for the summer months to enjoy fishing, even with the frozen lakes and the cold weather, you can still have fun catching a variety of fish, so, what are you waiting for, prepare your ice fishing gears, wrap yourself, and build up your tent. There’s no better fun way to enjoy the cold months, but to go outside and play. Ice fishing is an on-going trend, and a loved activity, by townsfolk who live and experience more and thicker snow for long months. Even in Wisconsin, their ice fishing catch comprises approximately ¼ of their yearly catch, which means that Wisconsin ice fishing is getting more popular.

Because their citizenry has a high regard and attention for Wisconsin ice fishing, they have implemented rules and regulations to maintain the order and respect in such environment. When you try Wisconsin ice fishing, you must have or at least carry always your fishing license, as they are strict with this rule. For you to familiarize with the Wisconsin ice fishing regulations, you have to get a copy of their updated regulations list, which shows the restrictions, regulations, changes, and other important notes and tips that you’ll find useful to experience the true Wisconsin ice fishing style. As long as you stay within the boundaries stated, and you follow the rules mentioned in their regulations list, then you’ll definitely have a safe and happy Wisconsin ice fishing.

Most people try Wisconsin ice fishing to catch the Wisconsin fish — the trout, maybe you would also be hooked in this sport because you want to enjoy catching the different types of trout. Well, you may be in on a surprise because Wisconsin has different trout stream categories where you can find various kinds of trout. Wisconsin is proud to have such fish-filled waters because not only has Wisconsin ice fishing gained pride in it as a hobby but more of treating it as a sport and habit.

Wisconsin ice fishing is truly one of the most populated and popularized areas when it speaks of ice fishing, not just because of the layers of ice they have, but more of the recognition they give to what ice fishing is all about. If Wisconsin hasn’t taken the initiative to care for what they have, and to enjoy it for what it is, then there wouldn’t be any value in the environment tribute one offers when he fishes.

If you haven’t done it yet, why wait? Try Wisconsin ice fishing now and experience another kind of ice fishing you’ll always remember.

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13
Aug
2008

If you want to be a success when catching largemouth bass, you need to be informed of a few interesting details about these wonderful fish. Largemouth bass can be identified by the jagged edged stripes on both sides of the fish which are created by clusters of dark spots, although some largemouth bass are all black in color. Another characteristic that makes largemouth bass identification easier is that their upper jaws extend past their eyes.

The feeding habits of largemouth bass change over their lifetime – juveniles feed on plankton and various species of insects; young adults feed on small fish; and adults feed on birds, rats, and mice.

Using their sight, smell, and hearing senses, they seize their prey under the cover of brush, grass, or drop offs. A largemouth bass’ sight is its most sharp sense and it takes full advantage of this fact while searching for food.

Some of the best largemouth bass fishing can probably be done in spawning beds. Shallow waters with average temperatures between 64 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit, such as small lakes and ponds, are where the largemouth bass spawn.

The male largemouth bass creates small depressions for the female to lay her eggs. She can lay up to one million eggs in a spawning season. Once the eggs are laid the male largemouth bass stands guard to ward off potential predators.

Largemouth bass fishing can be one of the most challenging and exciting forms of angling. These large fish are not timid – once hooked, they will always put up a fight. This is why largemouth bass fishing is so exciting! It is quite a challenge to catch largemouth bass, which makes it very rewarding for fishing enthusiasts young and old.

Some techniques used for largemouth bass fishing are doodling, flipping, and pitching. When casting your line it is crucial that you are accurate. The different types of casting are overhand, underhand, and sidearm. The following are helpful hints that must be borne in mind when casting:

* To create good momentum, the lure should hang just below the tip of your rod before you cast it.
* Try to land your lure on the surface of the water as quietly as possible.
* Always cast your lure beyond the position of the fish that you wish to catch.
* Use your wrist to good effect when casting.

You can use soft plastic baits and hard baits when fishing for largemouth bass. The types of soft plastic baits include tube baits, plastic worms, grubs, and soft jerk baits. The types of hard baits that are used are crank baits, swimming spoons, spinner baits, jigging spoons, jigs, and vibrating bass lures.

It is common practice among anglers to release largemouth bass alive. Largemouth bass respond well to catch and release because of their hardiness, and the ability of their large mouth to withstand repeated hook injuries without compromising their ability to feed or causing damage to their gills.

There is much more to be learnt with regard to largemouth bass fishing – this article merely highlights a few important largemouth bass facts that you should know. Largemouth bass fishing is a hobby that is enjoyed by thousands of people of all ages all around the world – appropriate for solo fishing excursions and group trips alike.

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31
Jul
2008

Bass fishing, both professional and amateur have gained in popularity over the years, with competitions proving to be a particular crowd pleaser. Of course, the available selection of bass fishing lures has grown alongside this explosion in the popularity of the sport. The time of day or night you are fishing, the location, and depth and type of water are all things to be taken into account when deciding which bass lures and bait to use. To become familiar with the most common and effective choices, consider the following suggestions:

Are Jigs Right For You?

Jigs are lead-headed heavy baits with a single hook and considered by many to be the most useful of baits particularly when fishing in murky waters. Jigs are useful for getting the attention of fish at rest. When using jigs, remember to give them enough motion to fool the bass into thinking of them as live prey. The ideal water temperature for this bass fishing lure is below 60 degrees. They are also perfect for night-fishing.

Do You Prefer Rubber Worms?

Rubber worms are far easier to work with, and just as effective as the genuine article. An added weight in the structure of the lure allows a slow descent to the bottom of your fishing location. If you are fortunate, the bass will go for the rubber worm but if the lure makes it to the bottom without any action from the fish then you simply have to reel it back upwards and drop it once more.

Spinner Baits

The unusual shape of spinner baits are constructed with an over-sized metal attachment that spins. These lures draw bass with their motion rather than by resembling their natural prey. Spinners are lures which do a good job year round, but especially during spawning season when hunger is less likely to motivate bass to bite.

Catch Them Out With Crank Baits

Crank lures work by imitating the motion of an injured fish and are used as top water lures or as sinkers. In addition, the cranking noise attracts the bass but the approach needs to be slow in order to give the impression of a fish the bass can easily feed off.

Poppers

While poppers are similar to crank baits, they are set aside solely as a top water lure. As they skim across the water a popping noise is heard. Summer is the best time to use poppers and slow reel action is required.

Go For the Larger Catch with Grubs

Grubs can be especially useful for smallmouth fishing, as they are geared towards larger catches. A grub is essentially a bare jig head with a soft plastic body on a hook. When a highland reservoir is short of ample cover, this type of lure is extremely successful. Grubs are most effective in deep, clear waters, with smoke, salt and pepper, yellow and white being the best colors to use.

Target Your Bass with Tube Baits

When surrounded with inactive fish or angling in clear water, tube jigs target the bass wonderfully. A 6 to 6.5 foot rod with medium action and a spinning reel is best for these shallow water drop baits.

Vibrating Lures

A tremor is generated by the plastic or metal used in this type of lure when it is taken out of the water. These bass fishing lures sink to the bottom and are positively bass magnets. An Assortment of spinner baits are offered in this category, including tailspinners, which are heavy, compact baits of metal that uses a small spinner to attract the bass. Vibrating lures are great for fishing near currents and obstacles such as stumps and grass beds.

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