Fishing Rods And Reels, How To Choose
May 29, 2009 by Tim Stokes · Leave a Comment
If you are new to fishing and have spent anytime looking at all of the rods and reels that are available you have probably found yourself asking which ones should I choose. Today I am going to give you a few tips on how to pick the equipment that is right for your fishing trip.
The first question to yourself should be, what kind of fish am I going after on my next trip? You are not going to want to use the same equipment fishing for rainbow trout as you would for salmon or even shark. Ok, so that last one was a no brainer but I thought I would go off the deep end of the fish spectrum.
When looking on the internet or at your favorite fishing store, you are going to see just how light the tackle that is needed for your typical rainbow trout versus a large salmon. If you have reached this conclusion then you have made your first important discovery. Light tackle equals light fish and so on and so forth.
The next thing you are going to get confused about is what brands are the best. A lot of this is going to be your personal preference. You are going to buy fishing rods and reels that you love and some you hate. I think this is why E-Bay was created, so you could get rid of your sub par tackle.
I have owned equipment by most of the standards in the fishing world, Penn, Shimano, Seeker, Shakespeare and the list goes on. What I have now is because the combinations I have made I feel comfortable with and know I am ready for the species of fish I am going after.
As a new or even accomplished fisherman, use your resources to figure out what maybe best for you. One method is to read buyer testimonials from an outdoor store. I have found that fishermen are brutal or enthusiastic when it comes to their reviews, in other words they tend to tell it like it is.
When I am trying to figure out if a piece of tackle is any good I will look for something that has at least three reviews. Then I will try and base my purchasing decision on what the buyers are saying.
I hope this article has helped you with your decision process when you are shopping for fishing rods and reels. Just use the resources available to you and pick the best equipment for your target species and budget. Good luck on your next fishing trip, Tim Stokes.
What You Should Know About Saltwater Fishing Tackle
May 18, 2009 by Tim Stokes · Leave a Comment
Are you ready to go saltwater fishing? If you are, then you need to know about saltwater fishing tackle. The tackle that you use is for saltwater fishing can be vastly different from what you use in fresh water. Although just like fresh water fishing, you are going to pick your gear depending on your needs.
Lets take a look at how to determine what type of fishing tackle you need for ocean fishing.
Tackle such as two speed reels which are used when fishing for large species of fish and different types of rods are needed depending on what you are fishing for. I have about five different rod and reel setups for ocean fishing, a lot of the serious saltwater fisherman right now are saying, is that all??
When you want to learn about saltwater fishing tackle, the internet is a great resource because there is a lot of information on this subject. You can learn what a beginner needs to use because you don’t want to use any professional fishing tackle until you understand how to successfully catch saltwater fish. A good two speed reel can cost several hundred dollars, so it pays to do some research to find what you need.
Plus, when you research online, you will have all kinds of websites that carry all sorts of things you need for saltwater fishing, so you will have a good chance to look at everything that is available. It is a good idea to research the different fishing tackle that you find and learn what you can about it before trying to use it. This will help you use it correctly when you try to fish with it. Otherwise, you will not have any luck fishing because your tackle won’t be doing what it is supposed to. So, make sure you know how to correctly use all of the tackle.
It is also a good idea for you to take the time to find someone in your local area that knows all about saltwater fishing. This will be a great big help, especially if you are new to the sport. They can show you the best tackle to use and let you know any important information about using it. So, if you can find someone who will be willing to talk to you about saltwater fishing, you will definitely learn a lot.
The key to having success with saltwater fishing is to definitely have the right saltwater fishing tackle. Without the right equipment, you will just end up getting frustrated because you won’t catch anything, no matter how hard you try. So, make sure you do your homework before you go out and try fishing for saltwater fish. That way you can make sure you are successful right from the beginning of your fishing journey. Good luck on your next fishing adventure, Tim Stokes.
Four Largemouth Bass Fishing Tips
May 17, 2009 by Tim Stokes · Leave a Comment
Have you tried fishing for largemouth bass yet? The thrill of hooking one of these beautiful creatures can be as addicting as any illegal drug. There are many different methods and techniques used to catch largemouth bass; today I am going to cover just four.
Here are four largemouth bass fishing tips that you need to know.
One: When you attempt to catch the largemouth bass, the area that you decide to fish in is very important. You need to determine if there is a current, how much shade there is, if the water is clear or murky and even what the underwater terrain is. These are all things that you need to study and learn about in order to have the most success when fishing for these fish.
Two: One of the most important of the largemouth bass fishing tips is that you need to have the right equipment to catch these fish. Don’t get any items that are not quality because they will not do you much good. You have heard, “you get what you pay for” before, right? Well, when fishing for largemouth bass, this is very true, so make sure that you get only the best equipment.
Three: One thing that many people don’t realize is that the bait you use is vital to your success in catching largemouth bass. Using live bait is one way to go. Some of the best bass I have caught were taken using live minnows. You also have to take into consideration how you store your live bait for freshness. The best way to make sure you have good bait is to get the bait right before you start fishing for these bass.
Four: One tip that you don’t hear too often is to go out and try different things. There are many things that work when you are trying to catch largemouth bass, but if you don’t try new things, then you will never know if they will work for you or not. So, don’t be afraid to try new things, if it doesn’t work, then you can always try something else.
These are not all of the largemouth bass fishing tips that you need to know about. There are so many others that I will try to cover in upcoming posts. The above tips are very important, but don’t let them be the only tips you learn about. The more you take time to educate yourself on catching these fish, the better chance you will have. Good luck to you on your next fishing trip, Tim Stokes.
If you are looking for the right gear for your next fishing trip, be sure to check out my online fishing store. And for all of your bass fishing needs check out the Bass Pro Shops. Just click the banner below.
A Few Tips On Fishing Safety
May 6, 2009 by Tim Stokes · Leave a Comment
It’s the beginning of summer and I have started seeing a lot of snakes and other animals coming out of their winter hibernation. Since summer and fishing go hand and hand, I thought I would talk a little about fishing safety and what you can do to protect yourself.
A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine got bit by a snake while reaching under a dumpster for some trash. Luckily it was just a gopher snake protecting his hiding spot. Last week another friend caught a rather large king snake trying to crawl into the jacket he had laid on a loading dock. In both instances a non venomous snake was the culprit but it could very easily have been a poisonous species.
You can protect yourself from snakebites if you wear some simple protective clothing. If you are going through some heavy vegetation on your way to your favorite fishing spot, you might want to consider getting a good pair of snake boots. I never go out into the woods during summer time without mine on.
Treating a snake bite has come a long way since the days of the old snake bite kits with the razor, tourniquet and suction cup. If you head out to your favorite fishing spot and find yourself or a friend the victim of a snake bite the first thing you need to do is try and remain calm. The last thing you want to do is increase your heart rate allowing the venom to circulate through your body faster.
Remove all constricting objects from around the bite area and keep the limb lower than the heart. Apply a light constricting band, not a tourniquet, about 2″ above and below the bite, however never place the bands on either side of a joint (such as above and below the knee or elbow). This band should be made up of wide, soft material, which could be a handkerchief or shredded clothing.
Get the victim to the hospital as soon as possible. If you are able to identify the species of snake or can take a picture of it, this information will help doctors in the case anti venom is required. If this action will place you in any kind of danger just get out of the area and get medical help ASAP.
Here in the south we have an animal that likes the water and claims a few victims every year. The American Alligator is normally a reclusive animal but like most predators it is an opportunist and will attack if it sees an easy meal waiting for it. Be wary of your surroundings while at the waters edge. The alligator is an ambush predator and has a remarkable ability to hide along the waters edge ready to take down an unsuspecting victim.
And now here are some boating safety tips. These tips are really a no brainer but because there are so many boaters out there without brains I thought I would share them with you anyhow.
You maybe the safest boater on the water, wearing your life vest, never exceeding a safe speed for conditions and never drinking alcohol while driving. But just like driving your car, it’s the idiot that doesn’t have any common sense that you have to worry about. So look out for the guy that may have had a few too many, because he isn’t looking out for you. Be the safe boater like I described. The last thing you want is a tragic fishing trip rather than a productive one.
I hope these tips on fishing safety will have you ready for a safe and productive trip to the lake. As you can see by reading this article, a lot of unpleasant occurrences can be avoided by having a good situational awareness of your surroundings. Good luck on your next fishing trip, Tim Stokes.
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