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.

Trout Fishing Tips

There are many different species of trout found in the different parts of North America, these species include rainbow, spotted, lake trout, brown trout and many others both living in fresh and salt water. Fishing for brown trout is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon on the boat or from shore, it’s time to load up the tackle box with the proper fishing gear and see how many of these different species you can catch.

Brown trout live in smaller bodies of freshwater, adult brown trout have a brown or olive-black back, with lighter side colorings and a white belly. The maximum weight of these species is up to 44 pounds however this is only in larger bodies of water. These species tend to live a long time, an average of 10-12 years and it’s been reported that some live up to 18 years. Younger brown trout feed on insects primarily, an older brown trout feeds on bigger fish including whitefish, suckers, shad, and even other trout.

Using a lighter line when fishing for brown trout creates less friction with the water and slices through so that your line goes down to the bottom without having lots of line out. It is important to use a smaller lure because these fish are not a very big species and you want to choose a lure that will attract their attention. By using a lighter line and a smaller lure it will allow anglers to cast deeper into the water where these brown trout live during the summer months. Brown trout live in the deeper and cooler areas and depending on the season they swim deeper into the river or lake. Just after the ice melts they are about 10ft from the surface, mid spring they will be about 35 to 45 feet deep and in summer about 50ft to 60ft deep.

There are many way to find out information about the brown trout species including talking to other anglers or watching fishing videos online. With many different locations to find these freshwater fish, it’s time to try your luck and head out for a day on the water this summer.

More exciting fishing news and fishing tips can be found at the 2011 ICAST show.

Fishing Gear

When out for a day of fishing it is important for anglers to know the type of species they’re looking to target and what body of water they are fishing; saltwater or freshwater. Its vital to have the right fishing gear depending on the technique you are using, size of the species and the location of where you’re fishing.

Freshwater fishing gear is usually less expensive than saltwater and made using lighter materials. There are different types of gear used for freshwater fishing depending on the species the anglers are out to target. Many steelhead anglers use a long float rod and a light spinning reel or centerpin reel. The long rod helps reel in the strong fighting fish while using a light line. Or if you are fishing in murky waters for walleye you would use a shorter rod 6’-7’ and a 6-10 pound line test with a strong leader so these toothy critters won’t bite off your lure. Finally when fishing for crappie it is important to use a lighter rod and line because these species have very thin mouths and pulling too hard on your rod will cause ripping through the fish’s mouth.

Saltwater fishing can be more expensive then freshwater fishing because the gear must withstand rust and depending on the species they can be much heavier and larger. Tuna is one of the largest species caught by anglers and can weigh as much as 700-800 pounds. To catch one of these monster fish you need some very strong gear. Salmon do not weigh as much as tuna but it is still important for anglers to have the right gear. The rod does not need to be as heavy, although you want to make sure it can withstand larger sized salmon like 40lbs before purchasing your gear.

For more information and to check out reviews about the latest fishing gear check online for some of the new products that were released at ICAST.

One of the best methods for picking gear is to talk to other anglers who will help you get the best bang for your buck and have the most success on the water.

Carp Fishing Tips

Carp fishing is very popular among anglers worldwide. It’s a joy shared by anglers of all different skill levels. The average size of these fish can be found starting at 2ft and reach heights of 8ft and sometimes much bigger. With big fish like this out in many areas of water it’s time for you to get out and catch yourself a carp!

Crap fishing can be done during a nice summer’s day or some anglers even try their luck catching these fish at night time, both are a great experience and fun no matter what time you go. Crap mostly live in fresh water areas; however some of types of carp can be found living in salt water. Some anglers across the globe even enjoy eating crap, and here in North America this species an invasive species. These fish were brought here to control algae then escaped into local waterways and spread across several parts of North American.

In order to catch yourself a crap it is important for anglers to use the proper fishing gear. The bait used to catch these fish are mainly household food items including hot dogs, cheese, worms, corn, and prepared dough baits. You may also want to try making your own boilies using fishmeal, milk proteins, bird food, soya flour and eggs. These are all ingredients most anglers have in their homes, and making your own bait will save you money.

Carp eat by mouthing and then ejecting their food before finally swallowing. As a result of this a hair rig is often the best choice to use alongside your fishing baits. The hair rig uses a short line which is connected to the bend of the hook where your bait is placed. The fishing rig will allow for the carp to inhale the bait, and when it goes to eject it will be hooked to your line.

With all these carp fishing tips its time to go out and reel in some of your own. With so many different locations to fish for carp why not set out for an adventure this summer and fish abroad.

For more fishing gear info check out the Icast show.