Walleye Fishing

Every true angler knows that no matter the species being fished the prime time starts when the ice melts. This is when male fish will start moving into shallow spawning grounds and more importantly 1-3 pound walleyes.
To seek out the best spawning points you'll want to look for shallow sloping sand bars or points with small rocks and gravel. This is when the male walleye will start actively feeding. This feeding frenzy will last around a month before and after spawning. The bigger female walleyes are difficult to catch while the spawn is in full swing, but can be caught during the pre-spawn.

Your best method for catching active male walleye is in early spring fishing very slow. Fast moving bait isn't going to attract them as they are cold-blooded and the water temperature is what regulates their metabolism. Wait until the late spring for your more aggressive fishing methods.

You've heard of 'Location, Location, Location' for keying in on business opportunities, however it also applies to late winter and early spring walleye fishing. Add 'Presentation, Presentation, Presentation' to that, and you will learn that image is key to this species of fish. Look for cover and obstacles in some sort of pattern. Cast out and entice them to come out and snag your bait, presenting a natural image. Typical walleye will dart out and grab the bait, and return back to its cover to finish the meal and await the next.

One keen difference between the walleye and other fish species is their tendency to remain in the shallow waters throughout the year. You'll locate more aggressive walleyes in these shallow regions sticking to their cover than you will in the deeper waters.

Understanding the physical properties of the water is an advantage you should focus on. The water's current will determine whether the fish are holding out in groups or scattering. In strong currents walleye tend to group up in tight patterns along structure.

Concentrate on the shallower waters and locate schools of bait fish as this is the walleye's main forage. The fish that are going to get you the strikes are the ones that are keeping up with these schools in as little as 2ft. of water.

I always say the best techniques and tactic will come from the local anglers. Ask questions and seek advice and tips. Wet a hook and good luck on your next walleye fishing trip.

Blake Stoffregen writes for various websites including http://www.4fishin.com, a online fishing equipment store. He's an experienced web developer and enjoys fishing as well.

Meals on Reels

Can You Gain Anything From Fishing, Besides A Tasty Meal?

There are many people who find that fishing is more than just a hobby. It is a way of relaxing and enjoying what life really can give to you. The feeling of being outdoors is nothing short of perfect after a long week at the office. From kids to the elderly, fishing is just the perfect way for you to enjoy what nature has to offer. Leave stress at home and come into the world of fishing at least just for a bit.

Think that fishing is boring? If you picture fishing as a sport in which you'll just spend your day on the side of the lake dozing, you can be wrong. Although this is quite fine for some, most anglers are out there for the challenge. Not only do you have to have skill to cast and get the fish to take hold, but you have to reel him in and land him too. It can be quite a challenge.

How To Learn To Fish

There are several things that you can do to learn how to fish. And, none of them are hard to do. Here are some tips for you to take advantage of.

1. Get in some research. You'll find many websites online to help you learn about what's out there and how to get it. You can head to your library if you prefer too.
2. Learn about the skills you need in how to books. Subscribe to a fishing magazine and learn even when you can't get out to give it a try.
3. Do you know someone that loves to fish? Ask if you can go with them next time they head out. This is a great time for some bonding as well. Buy just the basics or even borrow them.
4. A great way to learn to fish is through the professionals in your area. You can find them through your local bait shop or look them up online. The Conservation or wildlife center in your area may be able to help you too.

Not only can you learn to fish anytime that you want to, in virtually every seasons, you can also learn to fish at day or at night. If you are after a certain species, find out when they feed. Make sure to know where they like to hide too. Some will bite virtually anytime of the day, in any season and with just about any bait. Others are picky. All of this knowledge isn't something that you need to know now though. You'll learn in your training as well as through experience.

One thing to note, though, is that you are likely going to need a fishing license. These can be obtained at the local fishing tackle location or through the Conservation and Wildlife Services in your area. Don't assume you can fish anywhere either. In private lake's, you'll need to get permission from the owner.

Fishing is something that you can quickly enjoy. Even if you have not real experience, you still can learn and enjoy all that it has to offer. So, instead of spending this weekend on the couch in front of another television program you have seen already, head out onto the lake and enjoy some quality time with fish.

Niall is a keen fisherman always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals to help you find a fish finder [http://www.fish-finder-review.com/eagle-fish-finder.shtml] or other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. [http://www.fish-finder-review.com]
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com
Meals on Reels

Cat fishing Information To Better Help You Reel In Your Next Large Catch

An interesting piece of cat fishing information is the catfish is a group of fish that contains various types of species. Although you'll find some catfish in saltwater areas, they predominantly live in freshwater. You'll discover, also, that there are catfish which can grow to substantial size. However, you'll find that most of them grow to be around ten to twenty pounds or so.

Other than Antarctica, lovers of cat fishing all around the world are able to find freshwater areas in which to take part in their favorite sport.

Cat fishing Information: Identifying a Cat

If you're wondering how to best identify when you see a catfish, just look for their well-known barbells. These extended organs are quite similar to the whiskers on a cat of the feline variety. They can be found right near the catfish's mouth and the barbells are useful to help a catfish understand its environment and what's going on around it.

The interesting thing about a catfish's barbells is that, unlike your feline cat, these allow the fish to actually catch a meal in low visibility waters that are cloudy and dark. Why is this? It's because the barbells have taste buds that allow the catfish to find food.

Cat fishing Information: Beware the Dangers

What many people don't know about the catfish is how it can actually release a powerful protein from its hollow leading ray that's located on its pectoral and dorsal fins. Whenever it feels angered or scared, the catfish will use this protein to sting its victim. This strong protein can even hurt a human being enough to send that person to the emergency room.

Now, be aware that the Electric Catfish can definitely give you a nice electric shock. This is because this species doesn't have that hollow leading ray and, thus, can't excrete that stinging protein. However, with its ability to shock you with up to 350 volts, it's just as dangerous.

Cat fishing Information: Noodling

For the most part, you'll be fishing for your catfish prize with your rod and reel. However, if you're up for a different type of challenge, you can always take a stab at what's called "noodling". This is when you get right in the water and catch your prize by hand.

The Native Americans used to use noodling and after the Great Depression, which is when the modern version of noodling became popular, this fishing method became a real sport for cat fishing enthusiasts. What happens is that you'll select an area such as logs, rocks or other surface features that are submerged just below the surface of the water.

Wherever you can wade through shallow water is where noodling is done. As a noodler, you'll most often have a spotter that helps you catch your catfish. A stick is placed into a hole where the noodler feels a catfish may be. This helps to ensure that you aren't instead going after a turtle or snake.

Then, you'll actually use your own hand as bait by placing it into the hole. Because the catfish feels scared and threatened, it will bite the noodler's hand and hold on. This allows the noodler to pull the catfish right out of the water so that the spotters can grab the fish and throw it into the boat. The spotters are also there to ensure that you don't get pulled under if your catch has too much weight on you.

As you can see when learning cat fishing information, noodling is a sport that comes with its own set of risks, making it fun, exciting and dangerous for those looking for a thrilling way to go about cat fishing.

Mr. Clark loves cat fishing and is the creator of the Cat fishing Help Center website, where he discusses everything to do with cat fishing information [http://www.catfishinghelp.com]. Isn't it time you get all the facts, tips, techniques and strategies you need when it comes to cat fishing in ponds [http://www.catfishinghelp.com/catfishing-in-ponds]?

Meals on Reels

Time To Get Ready For Fishing

Hey guys...time to get out your rods and reels wherever you live, go through, sort and figure out what you need to get replaced, fix up...or just for the heck of it....plan on buying a new rod and reel (maybe you can get this one by the little woman...or old man as the case may be!) As a woman, I love to go fishing with my husband, even bait my own hook (learned as a young girl to bait the hook and not make a face and squeal!!) My husband is grateful for that, since when he sits down to fish, he does not want to be disturbed! Serious business for him!

Heck, I even use live bait...squirmy worms, pale wax-worms (that look disgusting I might add) and even the slimy minnows! My best friend (another girl...) found her love for fishing just a few short years ago. Her husband is the one who just goes along for the ride and watches. He's very accommodating to her new passion and keeps her supplied with the latest fishing gear. Only one fault I find....she cheats and wears gloves when baiting her hook and taking the fish off the line! Cheater! I say! Cheater!! I have pictures to prove it too!

These good friends of mine live in Kansas City, Missouri and we visited them a couple of years ago. We all had a good time visiting while staying at their trailer in a park beside a lake south of KC. We enjoyed fishing, swimming and taking all of our daughters along (their two and my one and only). They owned paddle boats that the girls meandered around the lake in, and we even found our own little "Gilligan's Island" in the middle of the lake. Lots of fun laughing and catching fish, laughing at my girlfriend's "gloved" handling of the fish she caught.

One of the best parts of the trip was going to Springfield and visiting their Bass Pro Shop!! Wow, was that awesome! If you cannot find what you are looking for there...you ain't gonna find it anywhere! We spent a good part of the day there, managed not to totally blow our budget, but came close!

Then we left and stopped to eat at a restaurant called Lamberts- the Home of the Hand Tossed rolls! And yes, they are hand tossed....from across the room from the server to you! And they are delicious! And all the servings there are BIG! My daughter just wanted a salad, and when she was served, it was big enough to feed four people!! It was awesome-- we were stuffed and had enough food in our doggie bags for another meal!

This was a fun vacation for all and one well worth repeating. Bonding with friends and family with a common interest in fishing and boating makes for a good memories and future outings for all to enjoy.

That trip is where we started mulling over our ideas of starting a business selling fishing tackle and gear on our own, hence the creation of http://www.franksfishinghole.com/ Feel free to visit our website. Check out the picture on our "about us" page from that summer vacation. Wish we were back there now!

Frank and Liz have begun this journey to take a different turn in our lives. Our goal is to have a family business, so we can spend more time with our family, tend to our loved ones, as this life is flying by so fast. It's time to reflect, take inventory of where we are, and look ahead to where we want to be in the future. We want to promote family unity, prayer and bring God back into people's lives.

You can't help but think about how great God is when you are out on a boat in the middle of the lake early in the morning, seeing the sunrise peak up over the horizon of the lake. When the water is calm, the sun is dancing off the waves of the lake, a peace comes over me that you cannot get anywhere else. Being close to nature, the smell of the lake water, the sounds of the birds, the water lapping up against the boat is the most calming, soothing feeling...better than any anti-depressant any doctor can prescribe. This is what puts the love of this sport in a person's heart. AND, catching that Big FISH. Come visit us at http://www.franksfishinghole.com See ya there!

Meals on Reels

Trolling Reels - Saltwater Lever Drag Two Speed Fishing Reels For Big Game

Trolling reels are typically used for offshore big-game trolling in open water. Trolling is the process of dragging both bait and lures behind a moving vessel, which is a productive way to locate schools of migratory fish. The reason being, when a boat trolls over a school of fish, the wake and commotion on the surface emulates a ball of bait. This triggers the feeding instincts of many offshore species and immediately sends the leading edge of the school towards the commotion to investigate, with the rest of the pack following. As the most aggressive fish in the school frantically try and chase down this commotion, the trolling lures, jigs and baits are the first hint of a meal that they come across. They charge at them with reckless abandon, inhaling what appears to the fish as vulnerable stragglers, desperately trying to catch up with the rest of the pack.

As soon as one of the trolling lures or baits is inhaled, the trolling reel begins to sing, with the clicker of the reel creating a loud noise that notifies the angler to get ready. This sends the anglers into a dash for their gear, yelling "hook-up", which immediately causes the captain to throw the vessel into neutral to stop the boat. As the momentum of the vessel carries the boat forward, the crew begins to throw live bait, either by pieces or in full scoops. By now, the rest of the migrating school has caught up to the commotion and is met with the temptation of live bait, sending them into a feeding frenzy.

However, a wide-open bite is not always the result of a hook-up while trolling. When the fish are down, or when the conditions are far from ideal, trolling will produce the majority of the catch, with no feeding frenzy following the trolled up fish. On these days, it is essential to land every troll fish and having the right equipment is critical in accomplishing this. Trolling rod and reel combos are the most expensive combos on the market today. Due to their importance in locating roaming schools of open water fish, manufacturers like Shimano®, Penn®, Daiwa®, Okuma® and Accurate® incorporate the finest materials and technologies to ensure strength and durability in producing the best fishing reel capable of handling record-breaking trophies.

Trolling reels are typically found in the lever drag system. On these types of fishing reels, the drag pressure adjusts with the slide of a lever, which is located on the top of the reel to the right. Designated markings of, or similar to free spool, strike and full are found on reels like the Penn® International series, Shimano Tiagra® and the Accurate Twin Drag® saltwater trolling reels. Most later models come in a two- speed version, with two separate gear ratios that serve different purposes. The high gear is to gain as much line as possible with every turn of the handle, sacrificing torque and power. Low gear, on the other hand, provides tremendous torque and in return, sacrifices the ability to retrieve a substantial amount of line per crank. When properly utilized, both gears are designed to maximize the chances of quickly and efficiently landing scale-busting size fish.

The most noticeable difference in a trolling reel are the two rings that sit atop all trolling fishing reels. These rings are part of the frame and hold an enormous amount of strength. Trolling straps are attached through these rings, as well as big game harnesses and on some occasions, a back-up rod and reel combo, a common practice when fishing on long range boats out of San Diego for huge blue fin and yellow fin tuna. Trolling reels are so strong and powerful, I have even seen anglers cut these rings off and even go so far as to make custom frames to readily access the spool and use trolling reels as live bait reels. I do not recommend this practice, as many of the latest star-drag conventional reels will serve the same purpose.

With the high prices of fuel, trolling around in offshore waters can be very costly. That is why every serious big-game angler should consider having the best saltwater tackle available when it comes to their arsenal. The properly maintained saltwater combo can mean the difference in coming home with a trophy of a lifetime, or coming home skunked, carrying an empty sack.

I have been fishing for over 20 years of my life and hope to continue to do so for the next 30. I have dedicated myself to sharing what I have learned through those years in the hopes of promoting this popular outdoor recreational activity by providing commentaries and reviews, video tutorials, fishing tips and more. Come visit my site at http://spinningreels.com for freshwater and saltwater fishing information.

Meals on Reels

Rainbow Trout Fishing - Drift Fishing Meal Worms

One type of bait that often gets overlooked when you talk about rainbow trout fishing (except of course when it come to ice fishing) are meal worms. These weird looking "worms", that look like a cross between a grub and a small alien, are often used for as bait for rainbow trout under the ice, but once the ice melts are quickly forgotten as anglers opt for more "traditional" types of trout bait.

This is a big mistake as meal worms can be an excellent bait when they are "drift fished" in rivers that contain hungry rainbow trout. One of the best times to use this particular trout bait is during the spring, when river flows are generally high and muddy. This seems to be because when rivers flows are high a lot of interesting food sources get "washed" into the water that wouldn't otherwise be present. Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that drift fishing meal worms is an extremely effective trout fishing technique.

So how does one go about drift fishing with these little creatures to catch rainbow trout? The first thing that is needed is a seven to seven and a half foot ultralight rod with matching reel that is spooled with either two or four pound test fishing line. The long rod will give you plenty of "feel" as your meal worm (s) drift through the current and the light line will be invisible to the trout that you are attempting to catch, which means that you will receive more bites.

You want to rig a single #8 or #10 single fishing hook or a set of double fishing hooks such as gang hooks that are of equal size onto a 12-18 inch leader that is attached to the end of your fishing line using a small swivel. A meal worm is now "threaded" on to the hook (or one 'mealie' on each hook in the case of gang hooks) by starting just below the meal worms head and coming out 1/4 of the way before the end of the meal worms body. Much like you do when you thread a plastic grub onto a jig head, but in this case the live meal worm is the "body". Weight is now added to your line above the barrel swivel to keep your meal worm (s) as close to the bottom as possible as the drift is taking place. When rainbow trout fishing with meal worms you want the bait to be as close to the bottom as possible because this is often where the trout are feeding.

In order to drift fish for rainbow trout successfully, you want to be standing in the river that you are fishing and cast parallel to a little upstream of where you are standing, close the bail of your reel, and hold your rod tip in the air. You want to follow your bait with your rod tip as it drifts until the bait is directly downstream of where you are standing. At this point, reel in and repeat the process.

You should feel your weights "ticking" along the bottom of the river as your meal worm drifts. When a hungry rainbow trout takes the bait, you will know it because a bite feels distinctly different than the bottom. In fact many time hungry rainbow trout will simply engulf your meal worm with a steady tug. In any case, any time that anything "out of the ordinary" happens with your drift, set the hook and it should be "fish on"!
When it comes to rainbow trout fishing, drift fishing with this live bait is a technique that should be a part of every serious spin fisherman's arsenal, there's no doubt about it.

Trevor Kugler is Co-founder of JRWfishing.com and has more than 25 years of fishing experience. He currently raises his seven year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country....Montana. Check out our blog which is focused completely on trout fishing tips that will help you catch more trout.

Meals on Reels

Tips To Get Superb Equipment To Have Fun With Fishing

With the ongoing popularity of outdoor pursuits, many people are turning to water sports to give them time to relax and get away from it all. One of the most popular by far is catching some wonderful fish specimens which also allow the sportsmen to be rewarded with a meal too! And for this aspect there are some wonderful fishing rods and fishing reels to allow for some great sports to be had.

Of course, angling is one of the oldest sports on record and men everywhere just love to get off on their own to commune with nature. Women too love to fight with those wily creatures and they take the sport very seriously. But making life easier is what the game is all about, and to this end the avid angler will certainly be keen to try out any new innovation on the market.

If it is deep-sea adventures that the angler wants to pursue, there is some great power assisted equipment out there which allows even the weakest of individuals to land a huge catch. Indeed, big game is what most people are after when they go on the ocean and swordfish is probably one of the hardest catches to land. Even sharks will be landed too so it takes some muscle, or some superb equipment, to get this big catch on board.

For those who are regular participants in the sport, they normally pick up odd pieces of equipment here and there along the way. But buying up a set of equipment is probably a good idea since savings are to be made. Suppliers know what the angler needs and usually puts together a really handy bundle to encourage them to buy in job lots.

Over recent years the poles have started to be made in very tough and light graphite material which allows the pole to bend and snap back much more easily than the traditional wooden poles. By buying up a set of pole and winding mechanism, the angler can normally expect to save at least ten per cent on the deal if not more.
Although it used to be that any new angler would learn the tricks of the trade from an older family member, these days people are far more into the 'teach your self how' courses available on the internet. Books with all kinds of tricks and hints are offered in abundance with some being written by world-class sportsmen.

Within these pages the new sportsman can learn all the ways to go after saltwater, freshwater, inshore and offshore varieties of catch depending on which arm of the sport he wants to try out next.

Naturally, flies and lures will play an integral part of any equipment that the angler will gather together and these are all explained in detail in the books and courses. This makes it much easier for them, of course, since at first they will not know which bait will be suitable in any given situation. But once they get the feel for the sport, they never look back!

Connor R. Sullivan purchased a couple of fishing rods online from a reputable outlet for a trip he and his family were taking out west. He also ordered fishing reels online for his fishing he recently purchased.

Meals on Reels

Types of Fishing Reels - Which Should You Choose?

You can tie a piece of line to a pole and catch fish, but it's a really tedious way to go about putting a meal on the table and frankly you're unlikely to end up with too many fish unless you're a Tuna pole fisherman. I'm afraid you'll have to buy a fishing reel one way or the other, as it is one of the most important pieces of fishing tackle.

A reel holds a fair amount of fishing line, and, together with the rod, allows you to cast your lure or bait exactly where you want it to go. It also assists you to fight or "play" the fish. So what sorts of fishing reels are available? Lets take a quick look:

• Spinning Reels - the easiest of all reels to use, with perhaps the exception of the spin casting reel shown below. Spinning reels come in all sizes from ultra light to quite large, large enough to fight oceanic pelagic. A big advantage of spinning reels is that they can cast very light weights, something that other reels can't easily do. Most spinning reels also come with a spare spool so that line weights can be changed at the push of a button or by undoing a knob and replacing the spool. A really good reel for beginners as well as the experienced anglers.
• Casting Reels:
  • Baitcasting Reel - low profile and round available. Bait casting reels are quite tricky to use without practice. Great for very accurate positioning of you lure or bait. Difficult to cast very light weights. Great for heavier line and big fish in amongst snags. The weight of the lure or bait is used to drag the line from the spool, whilst the thumb is used to control the line on a cast. Favored by many expert anglers.
  • Casting or Conventional Reel - not unlike the round bait caster, but normally used for dropping baits or lures from a boat or for trolling. Catch a Marlin with the bigger reels. Can be successfully cast with a longer rod, but without practice you'll end up with bunches of grapes.
• Spin casting Reels - like a spinning reel with a closed face and an eyelet at the front of the reel for the line. Can't see the line on the spool. Small line capacity. Normally a push button enables line release on a cast. Probably easier to use than a spinning reel and often chosen by a young first time angler. Normally mounted on top of the rod. Inexpensive.
• Fly Reels - a specialist reel for use with fly rods. Once the exclusive domain of trout, salmon and steel head anglers, but now used even for saltwater applications. Sometimes considered to be just a storage device for the fly line and backing, but if you latch on to a larger fish you'll be using the reel and its drag system to fight the fish into submission. Center pin and Mooching reels probably fall into the same category as Fly Reels, but they are used quite differently. Get some experience under your belt before you move to these.

There are other sub-categories, but these are the main ones.

HiTackle is a great place to find all of your fishing needs, from fishing rods, reels and lures to fishing apparel and even fishing books and DVDs. It really is a one-stop-shop for the angler.
http://www.hitackle.com

Meals on Reels

Meals on Reels

Meals on Reels

Meals on Reels is my dream come true.  Being a boater for most of my life I have owned many boats of different styles and sizes.  I started out with a 14' sportboat with a 35 horse outboard.  This was used for fishing and water-skiing.    I then bought a tri-hull boat and rebuilt the V-8 engine and did over the seats and carpeting.

After a long tow up to Maine with my buddy Dave, I found I should have rebuilt the transmission too.  It burned up on the maiden voyage.  After a long tow home while putting water into the radiator of the old Dodge Polara several times we finally made it back to CT.  This vessel was traded in on a new 18.5' Sea-Sprite bowrider.  This boat lasted through Rhode Island vacations, lots of skiing on the Connecticut river and even a trip to Block Island.  Next came "Moonlighting" a 24' SunRunner which had all the ameneties a couple needed.  Sue and I had a lot of great times on this boat traveling to Block and Rhode Island with friends.   Tending my own lobster pots and eating lobster at Hamburg Cove were memorable times. After some time off and starting a family I purchased the "Reel Therapy" with my buddy Nick.  We ran that vessel for 3 good years with trips offshore to the canyons for tuna and mahi.  Block Island and the Hamptons were back in the picture.

The Brewers boat yard in Mystic was a great summer hangout.  The latest chapter in my boating story came about after I had a vision while laying in the hospital after getting broadsided in a car crash while on my way to turn in the Pacifica.  My dream of having a boat with better fuel economy,  a smooth ride  room for lots of fishing all and lots of room for fishing came clearer in my mind.  The next day I was with my extended family on a vacation in Mexico.  I remembered the perfect boat from the boat show the previous year.  An e-mail later I found out it was still at the dealers and the boat show was only a week away.  After making a great deal I ended up the owner of a vessel which has won accolades and  is proven in the offshore arena.  

Let's see if she can catch fish!

If you are ready to go fishing or just want to weigh in on whats up on the fishing scene.  Contact me here

Meals on Reels