Fishing Tackle: How To Tackle Any Questions You Have

Fishing is a sport that requires you to be prepared. Sure, you can grab any sort of stick, attach a rope to it and TRY to catch something. But, in today’s wide world of products, you can do so much better and become that much more successful at fishing. There are several things that you’ll need and that’s what we will talk about here.

First, what is fishing tackle? This is the equipment you’ll need to get your bait out there. You don’t need to spend a fortune on it, but what you should do is get the right products for your needs instead.

The Rod And The Reel

The most fundamental product that you need is the rod and reel. For a beginner, go with a lightweight choice that has a spinner reel on it. You can even purchase them together. As for length, go for about six feet for the adults and four to five for your child.

Next on the list is fishing line. It is also called filament. You’ll need to know which weight to get. This is called the pound test. The larger the pound test number is, the stronger the line is. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you’ll need to choose the line that is about the weight of the fish. For a small, light rod, go with up to six pound test. If you are using a large sized spinning reel, go with a stronger line. For bait casting reels, go with six to thirty pound test. The most popular options are the eight to sixteen. Don’t always think that heavier is better though as many of the fish will be able to see the line and won’t go near it.

Also in your equipment, you’ll need a fishing net. This will help you to catch your bait and can help you bring the fish in.

Options In Bait

There are many options in bait that you’ll need in that tackle box. First, we’ll talk about which live choices you have. Go with earthworms to start. You can dig your own or get them from the bait shop. You can go with mealworms or grubs as well. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you are likely to have a type of bait to use to catch them. Ask your local anglers for information about which seem to work the best for your area.

There are several other products that you will find that you’ll need in the way of tackle. Here are some of them and what they are good for.

Bobbers. These are floats that you’ll attach to your line to dangle your bait in front of the fish. They give you some extra weight when casting. They will sit at the top of the water. Small is a better way to go and make sure it is just enough weight to keep the bait from dragging.

Hooks. You’ll need to choose the right size for the job at hand. When using live bait, buy sizes from six to ten. For bullhead or catfish, you’ll need larger hooks. For catch and release fishing, look for fish hook barbs that can be flattened. To choose look for the size that is about the right size for the mouth of the fish you are trying to catch. Too large and you won’t get a bite and too small will leave you with the hook in its belly.

Sinkers are next. These are weights that come in a wide assortment. They are used to keep your line from floating under the water. Split shot sinkers are tiny and they are by far the most popular. But, some weights can get up to a pound in weight. Make sure that they are lead free though when you purchase them.

Leaders. These are small metal pieces with an eye on one end and a pin catch on the other. The pin is used to slip a hook or lure onto it. You’ll then thread the line through the eye and knot it. They are helpful when it comes to changing hooks and lures. You may want to consider them when you are after muskellunge, walleye, or northern pike as they’ll keep the fish from biting through your line.

Swivels are used instead to attach hooks and lures without a leader. There is an eye on one end and a pin clip on the other. The same process is done as with a leader except that the pin clip opens much like a safety pin. They protect your line from tangling as your bait moves in the water.

In your tackle box, fill it with several very important things. For example, you’ll need a good quality fishing knife. This will help you do many things from cutting tangled line to cleaning your catch. Also, make sure to have a pair of needle nose pliers in there to help you remove hooks safely. It is wise to have a first aid kit on hand as well and make sure it includes antibacterial lotion. In fact, the tackle box itself should be organized with all of your gear and kept clean. Some will even come with the artificial bait you may need.

The best place to find all that you need in fishing tackle is through the web. You’ll find some of the best products here. Not sure what to purchase? Ask a local professional to help you to know what works well in your area. This can lead to some excellent fishing experiences.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Cinneide:
Niall Pesci is a keen fisherman who is always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals to help a Fish Finder and other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. 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

Choosing a Fishing Knife for your Summer Fishing Adventures

An avid fisherman is typically able to tell you the contents of his tackle box: fishing hooks, line in various weights, shiny and dull fishing lures, colorful bobbers, an extra reel, needle nose pliers, a flashlight, maybe some fishing scissors and a fishing knife. Each of these tackle box items is an important element in both successful and not so successful fishing trips to the river. Having the right kind of gear, the kind that will withstand a variety of elements, is key.

The following are some tips on what to look for when purchasing a durable fishing or fillet knife to all those would-be and experienced anglers out there.

When choosing a fishing knife, the size of the fish being lured needs to be considered. A ten inch blade would be excessive if you typically fish stocked rainbow trout or crappie in your local river. The larger blade could damage the meat of smaller fish during cleaning if you are not careful. On the other hand, a small fillet knife on a medium-to-large catfish or grouper would be time consuming and potentially impossible. If you fish a variety of species, consider owning multiple knives in various lengths and widths. There are a number of fishing knife sets with multiple blade styles available on the market. If you have one knife that you really like, maybe it has a handle style that suits you, see if the manufacturer makes other size knives in the same style.

The next item to consider when choosing a fillet or fishing knife, is the quality of the blade. You want to look for stainless steel blades that can maintain their sharpness. You also want to try to buy one that can be sharpened easily throughout a fishing season. Stainless steel is recommended because of its stronger resistance to rust; fishing knives encounter a lot of water. You will want the same durability and strength in your fishing knife as you would a hunting knife. However, with a fillet knife, a tempered blade that can cut smoothly and thinly is ideal. When purchasing a fillet knife, look for one that is serrated in a portion of the knife, toward the handle is best. Having the serration in addition to the smooth sharp blade will be helpful to cut through tougher sections and bones and will keep you from needing a second serrated knife.

The final items to consider are all about your personal style. There are a number of knives available depending on the type of fisherman you or the recipient of the knife is. Consider how frequently you use a fishing knife during your fishing trips. If you tend to constantly be reaching for yours, purchase a folded knife that can be put in your pocket or hang from a fishing vest so it will be easy to get to. If you have a messier tackle box with little organization, consider purchasing a fishing knife that comes with a sturdy knife sleeve or one that folds to avoid accidentally cutting yourself or damaging the blade while it is moving around in the box. If you have arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome, try out various knife handle shapes to find one that is comfortable for you. There are a number of knife options available; don’t settle for anything other than what will best help you as you fish this summer.

Consider these tips as you put together your tackle box and gear this summer. Whether you are heading to the river, lake or ocean, a quality fishing or fillet knife is an important addition and just may help bring in the record breaking fish.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Ben Anton:
Ben lives in the Northwest and writes for DLK. He invites you to read about proper fishing knife maintenance and usage at our easy to use multi purpose knife website.

se knife website.

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Avoid Snags

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.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Cinneide:
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 or other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. 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

Walleye - Learn the facts that can help you catch the trophies

This pike-like freshwater perch is a 'perciform' fish native to the northern United States and southern Canada. Walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus, or Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) is considered the North American relative of the European pikeperch, although they are not from the same family.

Walleye are usually larger than perch and can be distinguished from them by their scale color. Some walleyes are often referred to as yellow pike or pickerel, although this name should be discouraged because they are not pikeperch or pickerel fish, but yellow walleye is the right name, also used to distinguish it from the extinct blue walleye.

Walleyes show some of variation across watersheds, and its peculiar name comes from the fact that their eyes, not unlike those of cats, reflect light. The light on the eyes of the walleyes is the result of a light-gathering layer called the tapetum lucidum. This characteristic allows the fish to see well in low-light conditions.

Because Walleyes feed at night so anglers often look for them in the knowledge of their luminescent eyes. This fish can also see well in stained or rough turbid waters, giving them an advantage over their prey. Walleye is often found at the breaking waters of Minnesota, in the Mille Lacs Lake, Brainerd Lakes Area, Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Kabetogama Lake, Leech Lake, Saint Croix River and the Mississippi River.

Other states with walleyes in their waters include Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Montana and Nebraska, besides of Canada, particularly in the Ontario and Toronto areas. Walleyes may be found lurking in turbid waters, but their natural habitat is located in clean waters, particularly deep mesotrophic lakes and moderate to low-gradient rivers.

Walleyes are "cool water" species that grow to about 30 inches (75 cm) in length, weighing approximately 15 lb (7 kg), although their growth rate depends sometimes on where in their range they occur. Southern populations usually grow larger and faster than other fish of the same family, however females of all walleye species grow larger than males.

It is not normal to find a walleye older that 5 or 6 years, but it is known that they can live for several decades. The oldest walleye recorded reached 29 years of age. Walleyes are olive color in dorsal and golden hue on the flanks, broken up by 5 dark saddles extending to their upper sides, and distinguished from sauger by their white coloration on the lower lobe of the tail.

Walleyes are best caught when the water temperatures get below 55º F, this is the reason why this fish is the favorite catch during fall, when also the turbidity of the rivers subsides the visual stimulating of walleyes, which can see their food floating, making it easier for the angler to see their activity.

There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Robert W. Benjamin:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's. Get a Credit Card or Fast Cash Loan! www.rb59.com

Sucker Fishing - Learn the facts that can help you catch the trophies

The sucker fish family of the Cypriniformes order, also known as Catostomidae, is a family of freshwater fish with 80 species, native to North America, eastern Siberia and east central China, particularly in rivers but also in any other freshwater environment. Catostomidae is abundant in northern Minnesota, where they are harvested and smoked.

Suckers feed on insects, dwelling organisms such as worms and crustaceans and worms, as well as small fish for the larger suckers. All species are characterized by their mouth, located on the underside of the head, having thick, fleshy lips that give them their name because it enables the fish to attach to rocks in the quicker flowing waters.

Sucker species include the Genus Carpiodes, with the River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio), Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus), Carpiodes dialuzona, and Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer). The Genus Catostomus include Utah sucker (Catostomus Ardens), Yaqui sucker (Catostomus bernardini), Cahita sucker (Catostomus cahita), Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis), Mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus), and Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius) among others.

Suckers of the Genus Chasmistes species include Shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) and June sucker (Chasmistes liorus). Genus Cycleptus with Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) as the most representative, Genus Deltistes with the Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) and the Lake hubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta).

There are many other species such as the Genus Hypentelium, Genus Ictiobus, Genus Minytrema, Genus Moxostoma, Genus Myxocyprinus, Chinese sucker, Genus Thoburnia, and Genus Xyrauchen. All of them less than 2 feet (60 cm) in length, with the largest species reaching nearly 40 inches (1 m) in size.

Sucker is not fished for recreationally in North America and not highly prized for their flesh; however, there are some of them appreciated by fisherman and anglers, including the Quillback, Highfin Carpsucker, Lake Chubsucker, Sharpfin Chubsucker, Spotted Sucker, River Redhorse, Blacktail Redhorse, and Grayfin Redhorse.

Quillbacks live in large streams and creeks if permanent pools are present, although in Florida they are restricted to the larger rivers avoiding entering into the smaller tributary streams. Quillbacks can be caught at the Escambia, Choctawhatchee and Apalachicola rivers with no danger of population decline.

Carpsuckers are basically commercial fish in some areas of the central United States, because they are good to eat, although basically bony. Small species are important food items for game fishes. Large variety of suckers can be found in north Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin, northward from Louisiana to the Texas-Oklahoma border and particularly along the Gulf Coast, from Louisiana eastward to the Choctawhatchee River of Florida.

There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Robert W. Benjamin:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's. Get a Credit Card or Fast Cash Loan! www.rb59.com

Trout Fishing - Learn the facts that can help you catch the trophies

There are many different types of fish which individuals fish for exclusively these days. One variety of fish which is highly sought after by fishermen everywhere is the trout. There are many different subspecies of trout which come in a variety of colors, lengths and weights. This freshwater fish is touted as one of the favorites among game fish found in lakes, rivers and streams.

Most of the different subspecies of trout are found in cold water lakes, streams and rivers. They tend to migrate from place to place and swim in the various areas of the water. They are found throughout the United States as well as parts of Asia and Europe. As for the menu items which trout desire, they mainly feed on aquatic flies such as mayflies and dragonflies. Zooplankton and small fish are also a delicacy for certain types of trout, depending on where they are located.

One of the interesting characteristics about the trout is that they have fins which are lacking in spines. This tends to separate them from some of their other fish counterparts. As for their average age and size, this tends to vary greatly among the various subspecies of trout. In general, trout tend to live many years and can get to great sizes, some even topping over 50 lbs. or more.

There are a few things which trout fishermen can do in order to yield the best catch. First and foremost, those who fish for trout may find that they will catch the most trout by using a particular fishing method. Those who use fly fishing techniques will be most likely to catch the most trout in the fastest time possible. It is important to point out however that rod fishing is also an option.

Trout are attracted to certain types of bait and lures. Some which yield the most interest from trout include spoons, jigs, flies, salmon eggs and worms. Once the trout bites, it is important to set the hook as quickly as possible. In order to catch as many trout as possible, it is important that one engages in their fishing as quietly as they can. As trout are easily scared off, it is important to move slowly and use a natural looking bait or lure so as to be effective in catching this popular fish.

There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:

http://www.fishingstringer.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Robert W. Benjamin:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's. Get a Credit Card or Fast Cash Loan! www.rb59.com

Fishing...No Place For Excessive Thinking!

There's no place for excessive thinking when you're fishing in the surf on one of the most beautiful beaches in America. I was walking the beach on a beautiful sunny morning at the end of spring, sighing with contentment as I looked out over the Gulf of Mexico. After the serenity of an early morning tide had lessened somewhat and the few early morning beach walkers had drifted by, it was time to throw my bait into the water. I was about to have a ball catching Pompano on the beach at St. George, Island, Florida.

I had gotten up at 6:00 AM to get a head start on the fish. I try to think like a fish sometimes, nothing elaborate, just your basic survival thinking. When the sun comes up in the morning, I'm hungry. I suspect fish feel the same way, so thinking like a fish, I try to give them what they like to eat for breakfast. I know that a shrimp to a fish is like bacon and eggs to people. With this knowledge I loaded up on live shrimp at one of the three bait shops close to where I was staying.

This was the first day of my vacation on this island and I was determined not to think at all. My brain was on vacation too on this small barrier island on Apalachicola Bay. It boasts that this is the way Florida used to be. If that means there are no huge condominiums, hotels or water parks, then I guess this is the way Florida once was. There are three restaurants that are open during the season and one market. If you don't get to the market before 6pm, you're out of luck because that's when they close up shop for the day.

There are hundreds of privately owned homes that you can rent by the week which is what I did last year in mid June. Comparatively, houses on the island seem to cost a little less to rent than those in the rest of Florida's Gulf Coast. Just down the road a mile from where I was staying is the St. George Island State Park. Still digging out from one of the 2005 hurricanes, the park was only half open when I visited. I only needed an entrance into the park to be able to walk on about 9 miles of uncluttered beach. Along that beach is where I hooked a fish I will never forget!

Parking the car in the designated space, careful not to get in the soft sand on the shoulder of the road through the park, I pulled my fishing stuff out of the trunk. This particular morning I carried my rods and reels and tackle box, along with 2 foot lengths of PVC pipe I had cut for rod holders. I also brought along a lounge chair and cooler to keep the fish I would catch. I felt like a pack mule as I struggled toward a particularly inviting piece of beach.

Although I was almost exhausted by the time I reach my chosen spot, I had the positive attitude all fishermen have just before they make that first cast! After struggling from the parking lot to the water's edge, I dumped all the equipment I had carried from the car. I made a vow that the next time I came to the beach to fish; I would have invested in a cart of some kind to carry all the junk I had brought with me through the soft sand of the beach.

Getting down to the business at hand, I rigged up my fishing line with a two ounce ball weight, tied on a couple of hooks with one and a half foot leaders. Searching through my bait bucket for the perfect shrimp, I grabbed one that I would have like to see simmering in a garlic-butter sauce and hooked him just behind the head and cast him into the gulf. I barely had time to take the slack out of the line before something practically jerked the rod out of my hand.

Right away I set the drag to allow the fish to run without breaking the line. I immediately reset the drag to compensate for the terrific strength the fish seemed to have. I began to get concerned when I looked and saw that over half of my fishing line had already been stripped off the reel. My fish was headed toward Galveston and there was little I could do about it!

I was using 12 pound test line and ordinarily I wouldn't have been concerned about a fish breaking the line, but this one wasn't acting like a two or three pound Pompano. More line was ripping off my reel so I decided to show this fish who was boss. I leaned back on my reel and started a pumping action the way they do on sports shows on television. The fish didn't like this maneuver at all! Suddenly my fishing line became limp. I was reeling in an empty fishing line. The line was broken!

I caught a few Pompano, and they were delicious, that morning but I never got another chance at the fish that got away. It was a great way to start a vacation. Looking back, I probably lost that fish due to excessive thinking. I should have left well enough alone and let the fish tire itself out. I learned my lesson; no more excessive thinking!

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Bob Alexander:
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, holiday eating and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: www.bluemarlinbob.com www.pompanobob.com

Fly Fishing Lines Reviewed

One of the most important disissions when fly fishing is choosing the right fly line for your fishing rod is imperative for success. Fly rods are rated for a given line - or more usually two lines.

Normally the line rating is written somewhere on the butt of the rod, usually as two numbers separated by a / mark. E.g. 3/4 or 7/8. These two figures demonstrate the manufacturers suggested fly line rating. The first figure is for a Double Taper line and the second for a Weight Forward line.

If you are a beginner, a double taper line is one where the thickest part of the line is in the center of its length and the line then tapers away equally towards the two ends.

A weight forward line has an altogether different profile. As the name suggests most the weight of the line, the thickest part, is concentrated at the front end. Behind this section is a long thin section of equal diameter line known as the running line.

The variation between these two profiles reflects the way the lines are used.

A double taper line is used when shorter casts are required, often on rivers and streams. In these conditions you are ordinarily casting to fish high in the water or rising. Because of the slower taper on a double taper line it is easier to cast more delicately and avoid scaring the fish.

One other exceptionaladvantage of the double taper line is that the taper is the same whichever end you use. So if you damage one end of the line you can turn it round and use the other end.

Fortunately the manufacturers do not charge extra for this - yet!

Weight forward lines are better for fishing the wider rivers and lakes where longer casting may be required. Because the weight of the line is concentrated in the front end the rod loads quicker. This makes it easier to build up line speed and momentum which helps to shoot line on the delivery, making for longer casts. This type of line is also better able to cast into or across awkward winds.

The main disadvantage of these types of line is that because more of the weight is concentrated in the front end, there is a much steeper taper to the line end. So these lines tend to land more heavily on the water. This makes delicate presentation more difficult.

The other disadvantage of weight forward lines are that there is a unmistakable right and a wrong way to put the line on the reel. The thin running line has to go on first so that the heavier forward end comes off the reel first.

Get the line the wrong way round and you will find it almost impossible to cast.

While it is always best for beginners to keep with the manufacturers’ recommendation for line rating, modern rods are far more receptive at handling various lines than older rods.

Apart from anything else the more experienced fly fisher develops a feel for when the rod is correctly loaded and can adjust his casting to suit heavier or lighter lines than recommended.

Hopefully, these guidelines help you to recognize and choose the right fly line for your rod and your fishing.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Boby Cork:
For more fishing artiles visit bobycork.blogspot.com You won't be disappointed, plus it will possitivly enhance your fishing trips