Trolling In Saltwater For Halibut Tips

Halibut are big, ugly, mean fish and it is not uncommon that people hauling them on to the deck lose fingers. They have a raw power that is craved by sports fishers throughout the world.

They are extremely tasty fish (under 50lbs) and grow over 550lbs, so heavy fishing equipment is needed to get them up. A sturdy boat rod and a reel capable of holding a few hundred meters of braided line at 0.90 diameter,with titanium trace is safe.

One extremely good method is trolling after them with large jigs around 7 to 15 oz. The jigs will entice them in very deep water too, but for trolling you should stay close to the coast and find water depths between 10 to 50 feet deep. During the summer months they come closer to land to breed.

They are clumsy fish on the take, so tie extra fishing hooks by looping one or two under the jig and setting the hooks in the silicon at the tail. This can help catch more than the single hook of the jig alone. Colors that work well are white pearl, fluorescents and dark with glitter speckles running through them.

Long Magnums and Crankbaits are the best fishing lures for Halibut. They are effective in most colors, but the brighter, more florescent, the better.

Trolling speeds have to be slow, between 3 to 5 knots and keep an eye on your depth whenever possible. The shallows can sometimes throw the odd peaks at you unexpectedly.

Halibut prefer lying around in shallow water but they often fly from time to time. At a glance these Goliath flatfish can reach over eight feet in length by five feet wide and are easily mistaken as schools of fish on fishfinders.

Biggest Threats to World Oceans

Did you hear the one about a salmon named Rusty who wrote his book of poems whilst living in the Titanic? Aptly titled ‘The Titanic Verses’.

The Titanic disaster may have been a while ago, but it keeps rusting away in Davy Jones, locker alongside ships, submarines, oilrigs and other vessels that have fallen prey to Mother Nature or our own wraths throughout time. Pollution is one of the biggest threats to the Oceans, but unsustainable fishing is the largest threat to ocean life and habitats. 76% of the world's fisheries are already overfished or fully exploited and billions of unwanted fish die needlessly each year.

Commercial fishing ships have more efficient technology and better nets than ever. Some ruthlessly ignore fishing regulations in protected areas. Their anchors, trawling nets and the occasional spills from oil tankers and rigs are also contributing to the carnage out there.

New pollutions have also become more common since the dawn of aquaculture. The antibiotics in farmed fish and shellfish cause parasites to drop off them. These create deadly gauntlets for the wild fish migrating through the same waters. Storms, otters, seals all play their parts in escaped fish, eventually spawning hybrid freaks in our rivers and oceans as well.

The amount of people shore, coastal and sport fishing in the oceans of the world make for a massive portion of the fish taken out, but never officially accounted for. We anglers can play our roles in helping sustainability by carefully playing and handling the fish we place back and by only taking what we need to eat (and all our trash) home. Disgorging fishing hooks gently can also help more fish not only to live, fatten and fight another day, it may even save more poets like Rusty.

Orangefin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus). Juvenile anemonefish often dive deep into the mouth of their host aurora anemone when threatened.

Shore Fishing for Beginners

The best periods for shore fishing are at the tail end of storms. The theory is that turbulences underwater churn up the silt on the bottom and attract fish closer to shore for a dazed or exposed meal.There are always plenty fish at all other times too.

Be safe and careful. Seaweeds and slimethrivein rocky tidal zonesand are lethal as black ice. If you plan on fishing fromthese areas, minimize problems by always fishing with at least one other.Unpredictable swells have also caused many needless coastguardrescues so be vigilant at the water’s edge when retrieving fish. Areferee’s whistle is a small practical lifesaver to keep next to your waterproofed(charged) phone and remember not all networks reach the shoreline. Study the local tide timetables too and remember the general rule of thumb that fishing the tide in from about three hours before to two hours after full tide is usually most fruitful.

It is rare not to lose a few fishing hooks and other tackle when shore fishing. If your hooks become stuck don’t lift your rod too hard to try and free it. Setting the drag to full and pointing the rod straight at the problem then slowly walking backwards will often remedy the situation. Because we use stronger lines along the shore, if you keep tension on the line like this, for long enough, the hook will give in first and straighten. Walking as far as you can to the left or the right of the snag and then tightening can also help you break free from the problem.

Saltwater is extremely caustic so get religious at rinsing rods, reels, linesand fishing lures immediately after each trip. It will save you time, equipment and cash.

Summer Muskie Fishing Tips

The long summer nights are the best, if not the most picturesque times for any angler and for Musky hunters they can be the best memories of our fishing trips. Summer sun also brings the heat and fluctuating water temperatures as we rotate around it and that always makes a Musky feed well.

Mornings and evenings are when trolling big lures usually attract Goliath predators that hit with a vengeance. Make sure you know your fishing tackle, always use traces and play these fish so they can be released and survive.

During the heat of the day the fish can often go off feeding. Presenting lures by speeding up, slowing, down, twitching, jigging or trying toplures will encourage them to take. Strips of mackerel or herring on a bobber about one to two metres depth may be the easiest way for you to enjoy the midday heat, kick back and wait until the early evening. If you’re adamant on getting Musky on a sunny midday then look in as many locations as you know exist at your locale. Underwater islands, drop off points near weedbeds and almost any shaded area may offer Musky action.

Large spinner baits, jerk baits and bucktails get the aggressive fish. Crankbaits over 10cm and large spoons are all round best fishing lures on the Musky menu. Jigs can be lethal when all else has fails, plus they don’t get caught up in weeds as easy as other types of lures.

Check out fishing regulations on Musky species. A large landing net will always be your friend for Musky. Make sure you handle these beauties carefully and remember that a large fish can take around 15 years to attain 50 inches. Shooting a fishing video can be easier and fish friendlier than mounting a trophy fish.

How To Teach Kids Fishing

Whatever our role with any kidswe teach the genteel art of fishing to,first and foremost should be toteach careful handling of any fish they catch.

Most of us remember our first ever rod caught fish flapping and gulping for water in front of us. Those of us who were lucky to be young at this point probably had the instinct to hold up our trophy with both hands. The chances we dropped it or it slipped almost surely sealed its doom.

Today, we are wasting so many small or non-edible fish, so sustainability is good to keep in mind when passing on our skills to the young.

Also, there are not many sports where the prize involves bludgeoning it to death. Depending on how this ceremony is performed and witnessed it can cause long lasting trauma. Demonstrating the technique should be bothsubtle and humane.

The survivors they mayreturn stand a much better chance of fattening to fight another day if kids learn thattheir ecstatic little fingers burn fish and that wetting their hands first or using the nearest clump of grass as an insulator alsogives a better grip around the slimier species.Other techniques such astentative disgorging, placing rather than throwing, holding the lure andshaking the fish off either in the water or close to its surface areother excellent wisdoms to instil.

The organization, safe assemblage of tackle, casting and other techniques of our sport are down to us and what best suits them. Kids can also learn a lot fishing knowledge before they set foot on the banks, boats or shores by playing free online fishing games. Studying fishing tackle tips, fishing videos and fishing regulations, should produce wiser, more ethical anglers everywhere.

Bass Fishing Gear Essentials

A rod and reel with the correct action and balance for you alone are the obvious pieces of equipment for any fishing trip. Bass fishing always demands you choose a combination that best suits the environments you’ll be fishing in. Make sure you invest wisely and go for the best combo your budget will allow; otherwise you’ll be back for a new one before you know it.

Bass fight furiously hard to avoid the fresh air and looking at your face and most Bass fishers prefer a monofilament line over a braided or Kevlar, but it is a matter of choice to each angler. Fluorocarbon lines offer more disguise and stretch and some would argue more success when it comes to deceiving coy fish into the take. Again, it is an individual choice and you will find many answers online or at your local tackle dealer.

Learn as much as you can about the homes of Bass, even free online fishing games can inadvertently offer insights into Bass habitats.

Bass baits fall into two main categories, soft and hard. Both kinds are a must if you want plenty of action. Soft baits include: creatures, frogs, lizards, craw daddies, worms, minnows, nymphs, flies. Hard baits: include crank baits that float, sink, skim or pop along and under the surface. Also spoons and spinners, bait hooks, weights, bobbers, and extra jig heads should all be part of the same essential Bass fishing parcel.

Good quality fishing pliers and scissors kept conveniently to hand will always be handy for most angling. A landing net, old rag, pocket scales, waterproof camera, all make for safer fishing handling and memorable picture galleries.

Hydrographic maps, fishing tackle tips as well as any knowledge of new areas you plan on fishing, also raise your odds.

Top Ontario Fishing Spots

With over 250,000 lakes and a myriad of rivers, Ontario has delighted anglers and kept taxidermists busy throughout the year. All seasons see trophies emerge from the shallows, depths and currents of this remarkable fishing trove.

Of all of Ontario’s many jewels, its centrepiece is, the aptly named, Lake Superior, the world’s largest (surface area) freshwater lake. Superior is popular with salmon, steelhead and lake trout hunters.

Quetico Provincial Park and the Albany River system are legendary amongst dedicated anglers. The wilderness here is a utopia for poets, photographers and fishers alike with its rugged mountains, lush forests and sheer waterfalls. It also boasts world record brook trout and trophy sized walleye.

Muskie and Northern pike fishers no difficulties attracting fish to their fishing hooks anywhere around Ontario, but rumor has it that Tweed and in particular Lake Stoco find various arenas where tremendous muskellunge battles take place.

The Almaguin Highlands, in the North has been praised by many as one of the finest fishing areas in Canada, but keep in mind that fly-ins may be needed to reach any of that action.The chain of lakes here also ensures hundreds of miles of shoreline with superb small mouth bass regularly taken around the six-pound mark.

The sheer diversity of Ontario’s fishing action ranges from the James Bay lowlands to the popular Bass and Muskie Mecca of Killarney Georgian Bay.

Algonquin Provincial Park, the Grand, the Niagara, Maitland,Ausable, and the Saugeen are just a few other spots that willguaranteetight lines.

If you are a competitive angler you may wish to enter many of the Ontario destinations holding annual fishing contests with terrific prizes.

Whateverspot you head on your quest for Ontario’s gems,remember, there are somany lifetimes of waters to explore.

Shore Fishing for Beginners

The best periods for shore fishing are at the tail end of storms. The theory is that turbulences underwater churn up the silt on the bottom and attract fish closer to shore for a dazed or exposedmeal.

Seaweeds and slimethrivein rocky tidal zonesand are lethal as black ice. If you plan on fishing fromthese areas, minimize problems by always fishing with at least one other.Unpredictable swells have also caused many needless coastguardrescues so be vigilant at the water’s edge when retrieving fish or snags. Areferee’s whistle is a small practical lifesaver to keep next to your waterproofedphone.Study the local tide timetables too and remember the general rule of thumb that three hours before full tide and two hours after is usually fruitful.

You will always need agood sharp knife for cutting bait and keep bait fresh and covered or in a container with some water. Long nose pliers will also be invaluable for disgorging fishing hooks. A rag for drying hands and the usual weatherproof footwear andsensible attiregoes without saying. Every angler should carry some kind of basic first aid kit to handle grazes, cuts and occasional abrasions of the sport.

Distance casting is the major factor in shore fishing. Heavier linemeans a larger reel to hold enough of it.A long sturdy rod will be your saviour to easily handle the heavier weights needed to launch your baitsor lures out.

There are many fishing tackle tips on what to do if your hooksget stuck fast. Setting the drag to full and pointing the rod, not lifting it, straight at the problem and gently walking backwardswill often remedy the situation and prevent costly breakages.

Get religious at rinsing rods, reels, linesand fishing equipment after each trip. It will save time, cash and anyembarrassing tales in the future about the one/s that got away.

Rainbow Trout Fishing

Participating in a rainbow trout fishing game, can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you have this summer. As one of the feistiest fish in Canada, the rainbow trout is known for its toughness and is also one of the more tasty meals you will ever eat. Today we will be looking at one of the fishing world’s greatest species, the rainbow trout.

As we mentioned earlier, the rainbow trout is one of the more challenging fish to catch. Known for its high jumps and sturdy grip, the rainbow trout makes many fly anglers feel as if they have been in the ring for 12 rounds with the champ; by the time they are finally able to reel them out of the water. While many trout anglers use circle lures, and dead bait, many more experienced anglers have found that a simple fly rod and live bait tends to be the most effective tools to capturing more than one rainbow trout.

What’s perhaps most intriguing, but also most infuriating, is that the rainbow trout changes its tendencies at a moment’s notice. Meaning to say, you may have success using one angling technique one day, but that same technique won’t necessarily be as effective on a different day. Furthermore, the rainbow trout changes its pattern as the fishing season progresses.

For instance, at the start of the season in April and May, you may not even have to leave the dock, as the rainbow trout will gravitate inshore to catch their food. However, in the summer from June to end of August, you may have to walk in the lake and catch the trout using a fly rod. Then making matters more intriguing, from September until the end of trout season in November, you will have to use circle lures and live baits to attract the trout to your fishing line.

For more fishing tips and gear advice you can check out the ICAST fishing show.