12/28/09

The Top five Essential Boat Parts

It’s tempting for a new boat owner to want to get their new baby afloat and hit the open waters. Turning that key for the first time does come with some responsibility. It’s a good idea for the beginning boater and even the old pro to remember the importance of checking out boat parts before they set sail.

Here’s what to look for when inspecting boat parts:

Navigational equipment: Do a quick check of these vital boat parts before pulling away from the docks each and every time. Whether you’re using a simple compass or more advanced GPS, having the navigational equipment working right is very important for a smooth journey.

Engines: Make sure the boat motor is operating as it should. All that’s really necessary here is to fire it up and listen for any irregularities. Most boat owners become acutely aware of what their engine should sound like. Many even become old pros at fixing minor problems, such as engine flooding.

Lights: Even a daytime trip can turn into a nighttime excursion when something goes wrong, so checking out these boat parts doesn’t hurt. Do a careful check of every light from the running lights down to the spot.

Communication devices: It’s not a good idea to plan on heading out into open waters without having a good communication system onboard. Check the system before each outing to make sure it’s working.

Safety equipment: It’s never a bad idea to check these out in advance of a trip, too. From the boat seats to the life vests, these should be considered a standard part of any boat part function check.

Many boat owners keep spare boat parts on hand to have in the event of an emergency. From back up batteries to small tools and parts to fix the engine, a good supply stowed under a seat or in a compartment isn’t a bad idea. An extra set of light bulbs for the lights, tape to repair seats and floatation devices and so on are also smart to have on hand.

Boating is a great pastime, but it does come with some responsibilities. Making sure boat parts are in good working order before each trip is a great way to make sure each trip is fun, safe and memorable.

For great deals on boat parts, visit http://www.boatersmarinesupply.com

Four Easy Methods to Receive Six Pack Abs

4 Hints For Obtaining Six Pack Abs

1. Keep a record of your outcome and development — Obtaining six pack abs is a route for professionals. If you wish to achieve something you have to perform like one. That illustrates keeping record of your growth and outcome, the workout that you do, the diet you take, and the improvement of your abs. Always have a little diary and a fountain pen with you to the gymnasium and note down what you perform (kind of work out, quantity of reps) so you will come to know what does for you and what does not and when to exchange exercises’ customs. You will obtain quicker and outstanding results.

2. Do not perform the equivalent abs exercises always — Your abs muscles require diversity to develop in a proper way. You observe, your muscles turn into accustomed if you perform the similar exercises repeatedly. At what time, it happens; your muscles are not improving as they should. Modify you abs exercises’ schedules per 4 weeks.

3. Uphold a hygienic diet - Most of the persons starve themselves in the expectations of dropping their stubborn belly overweight. It is just an error. Moving on a low calorie meal disturbs muscle growth. Your abs wants food to build up. Just confirm to eat a sensible quantity of food per day. Choose lean protein items (turkey, chicken, eggs), bread, whole grain, healthy carbs such as yams and fruits, potatoes and vegetables. A hygienic diet will let down your belly chubby and assist you construct that six pack abs at the equivalent time.

4. Perform cardio and full body power workout - Majority of persons abandons doing cardiovascular action or concentrate on their stomach muscles on their own. You have to be healthy all over to drop all your extra bellies fat and carry out those attractive, ripped six pack abs. If you would like to have the six pack abs quick, confirm to perform at least two cardiovascular exercises sessions and two full body power sessions every week.

Most of the persons consider that obtaining six pack abs receives a long period. And for a few it works. I can inform you from individual experience that it does not need to be this manner. You can have the six pack abs in a couple of weeks. It all based on, how you perform the things. Go after the four guidelines I brought in this editorial, and you will get wonderful results quicker than you can imagine.

want six pack abs?

Learn the secret to burning belly fat and getting six pack abs at www.sixpackabsadvice.com there’s two free gifts in it for if you act now!

12/24/09

Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats are lightweight ones. Their sides and bows are made from flexible tubes that contain pressurized gas. Some of them are specially built to be dissembled and packed so that you can store them or take them anywhere you'd like easily, without worrying how you'll carry them. Should they get punctured, they can easily be patched with a rubber coating. The repairs don't cost a lot and there are a lot of places, like specialized stores, where you can fix them.
Inflatable boats can be found between 2 and 7 meters and up to 300 horsepower. These types of boats are commonly used for transportation and shallow water play. They are ideal for weekends with your kid or if you feel like getting away from the town noise for a while.  
Inflatable boats make boating so much easier and economical. You don't need a lot of fuel, you can take it anywhere due to its flexibility.
If you think of buying one there are a lot of firms that create them.
You could choose a Sea Eagle. It's been over 4 decades since Sea Eagle started selling inflatable boats and kayaks, using all the best materials and accessories. Fishing, camping, exploring, you can do all that when being a proud owner of this type of boats. You can be sure that you won't get your boat scratched when hitting a pontoon. That's right; the quality of the materials used is so good that nothing can happen to your boat. Perfect for getaways with the guys, speeding, not worrying about turning upside down if waves bump into your boat.
Another trade name for inflatable boats is Zodiac, but during time it became sort of a generalized trade name when asking to buy a boat. "I want to buy a Zodiac" doesn't necessarily mean that one wants the brand, but an inflatable boat.
You can find them starting $10,000 up to $60,000. Of course you can find tens of other brands, even at lower prices. For instance Sirocco. Their prices start with $1,000. Like other types of boats, the inflated ones can be found new or second-hand. There are a lot of dealers whom you can ask about information when intending to buy one. The specialized sites are a very good start in choosing a vessel. You can opt for the size you want, the price you are willing to pay, the horsepower you need, the material, the fuel you desire or the brand. You can find very good inflatable boats on sale, you'll get special prices, offers, contacts. When choosing any kind of boat you need to consult a specialist so that you are sure that you'll choose the best-suiting product for you.

Find Inflatable boats and hundreds of other boats for sale with Boat4U

How to Mount Your Fish Finder Transduer

There are several different methods you can use to mount your fish finder.  In this article mounting refers to attaching the transducer to your watercraft- boat, kayak, float tube, etc.  "Mounting" your fish finder display is a separate topic. The common methods are: transom mount, thru hull, and portable mounts.  There is also a "Shoot Thru" hull mounted transducer, but this type is less common. 

 

As the name suggests, a transom mount model mounts on the transom of the boat.  The best mounting location is at the bottom of the transom, with the transducer face (bottom) parallel or nearly parallel to the transom itself.  All major manufacturers recommend that installation be completed out of the water. In order to minimize turbulence and aeration around the unit, do not mount the transducer along strakes, behind thru hull fittings or other hull irregularities as they can cause unusual disturbances around the transducer and cause improper readings. 

 

Thru Hull units, when properly installed, typically offer better fish detection and overall performance than other mounting methods.  Since this mounting method requires drilling or cutting a hole through the hull, all thru hull installations should be completed while the boat is in dry dock.  As with transom mounted models, thru-hull transducers should be completely submerged in water with good water flow through the unit.  Objects such as strakes, fittings and propeller wash can disturb the water flow and cause inaccurate readings.  Work to avoid any areas where the water flow will be uneven or disturbed.    To eliminate leaks it is imperative to seal any holes between the transducer and hull.  It is generally best to have a professional install a thru-hull model.

 

Portable fish finders are the easiest to install, if they need any installation at all.  Some portable fish finders have a transducer with a suction cup mounting system.  Just take these models and stick the suction cup to your boat, kayak or float tube beneath the water line so that they are completely submerged.  Again, make sure the transducer can have free, uninterrupted water flow.  Humminbird also makes a line of portable fishfinders that use a clamp to attach the entire fish finder to your watercraft.  The transducer is at the bottom of the fish finder shaft and will be submerged as all transducers should be. 

 

There are also some portable fish finders that need no mounting at all.  The Humminbird SmartCast series has a remote sensor fish finder that is wireless.  Simply attach the sensor to your fishing line and cast it along with the bait.  It will provide signals back to the display so you can see if there are any fish near your line.  This type of fishfinder is an excellent choice for shallow water fishing.

 

The last mounting method is the "Shoot thru" transducer.  Unlike thru-hull models, shoot thru models do not require a hole in the boat's hull.  Instead the unit is placed inside the hull and transmits and receives signals from there.  This type of fish finder works only with fiberglass hulls and as with other methods, placement is critical.  Usually a flat spot in the aft bilge area is the best location, but check with a professional. 

 

There are several ways to attach a shoot thru model.  They can be bolted on or some can be fiberglassed or epoxied to the hull.  There are also some shoot thru models that are encased in a special enclosing.  A professional can help you choose the right method for your fish finder and your boat.

 

Fish finder mounts can be difficult depending on the type.  If you have any doubts about how to mount your model, it is always best to get professional help.

Karen Janos is an expert on fish finders. When she is not fishing she is the webmaster for http://www.fishfindersdirect.com.

12/20/09

Extreme Outdoor Ventures: The Premier Hunting Gear And Fishing Gear Online Store

Extreme Outdoor Ventures is the leading online resource for purchasing hunting gear, fishing gear and much more, offering an extensive catalogue of top quality items at unbeatable prices. Customers are able to select the equipment and accessories they want from a massive line of exceptional hunting and fishing brands, purchasing the highest-quality equipment through an incredibly easy and convenient resource.

Extreme Outdoor Ventures was founded in an effort to provide hunters with the most convenient resource for their equipment, accessory and supply needs, providing an extensive range of items through a single, streamlined service. Since its inception, Extreme Outdoor Ventures has gone on to compile an exhaustive catalogue of hunting gear, fishing gear and more, giving every sporting enthusiast access to a wealth of products from one website. Extreme Outdoor Ventures is committed to providing rock-bottom prices on all items and has worked hard to maintain competitive rates on every item sold through its online store.

The Extreme Outdoor Ventures online store is fully supplied with fishing gear, hunting gear and more, providing customers with any product they require. The catalogue of items on sale at Extreme Outdoor Ventures includes a large number of categories, including bows, decoys, game calls, hunting accessories, outdoor equipment, sights, shop tools and accessories, hunting gear, fishing gear and more. Each one of the categories hosts an array of fantastic products within, featuring well-known brands and the latest in every area of hunting gear and fishing gear. Extreme Outdoor Ventures frequently features outstanding new products as well, allowing site visitors to conveniently access information on the newest and most exceptional fishing gear and hunting gear. Visit the online store often to keep up to date on the newest and most popular options in hunting gear, fishing gear and more.

Customers are able to take advantage of an excellent ordering, payment processing and shipping system at Extreme Outdoor Ventures. The online store features a fully developed virtual shopping cart that easily manages item ordering, wish-list creation and more. Extreme Outdoor Ventures wants every customer to make its website their home for hunting gear shopping and has worked hard to ensure that its system is the easiest method for compiling lists of desired items or simply placing orders. Customers at Extreme Outdoor Ventures can create accounts to manage or track their shipments and are able to pay through a secure and encrypted processing system. Extreme Outdoor Ventures accepts all major credit cards (such as MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express) alongside PayPal with gift certificates being added to the service in the near future.

With the Extreme Outdoor Ventures online store it's never been easier to find high-quality hunting gear, fishing gear and other sporting equipment. The affordable prices, convenient ordering system and extensive catalogue provided by Extreme Outdoor Ventures makes the site an unbeatable choice for any hunter.

For more information on Extreme Outdoor Ventures, its catalogue of hunting gear, fishing gear and more, visit ExtremeOutdoorVentures.

Extreme Outdoor Ventures is the leading online resource for purchasing hunting gear, fishing gear and much more, offering an extensive catalogue of top quality items at unbeatable prices. For more information, visit www.ExtremeOutdoorVentures.com.

Top Live Baits for USA East Coast Saltwater Fishing

Several species of saltwater fish found along the American East Coast make excellent live baits for saltwater fishing. Live baits are used extensively when fishing the surf, coastal areas, piers, bays and for offshore fishing.

Atlantic Silverside

Atlantic silversides live over sandy seashores and mouths of inlets. They are an important forage fish for predators such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and Spanish mackerel. Silversides are caught with seines, traps or small mesh cast nets. Their small size makes them difficult to fish as live baits but the results can be well worth the effort.

American Eels

The American eel occurs along the coast of North America from Greenland southward, living in a variety of environments. Although many anglers detest the slime and snake-like appearance of eels, they make excellent live baits for striped bass, bluefish and cobia.

Spot

Spot are named and identified by the distinctive dark spot above the pectoral fin. The species is also known as lafayette, goody, or Norfolk spot. Spot are common from Cape Cod to Florida and through the Gulf of Mexico. Spot rarely exceed 10 inches in length, making them highly sought after as live baits. These fish are abundant in near-shore oceanic areas, coastal bays, and estuaries.

Pinfish

Pinfish, also known as sailor’s choice, or pin perch is one of the most common inshore fish. It ranges from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico. Pinfish known to coastal anglers as a “bait stealer,” but are sought after as a bait for other larger fish. Pinfish are abundant from Tidewater Virginia southward. Pinfish are typically 4-8 inches in length and are usually considered as baitfish.

Pigfish

Pigfish are colorful members of the grunt family. They are marked with a bluish upper and a silver lower body. Each scale has a blue center and bronze edge, which forms a series of yellow-brown stripes on the sides and sometimes exhibits orange bands on the snout and head. The full range of pigfish extends from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico, although they are rare north of Virginia. Pigfish make excellent live baits for striped bass, cobia, sharks and other species.

Striped Mullet

Striped mullet are common in warm to temperate coastal waters. Immature mullet are 3 to 8 inches long, making an excellent choice for live bait. The fish have a rounded, silvery body, dark bluish green back and dark stripes on the sides, and a small mouth. They spend a great deal of time close to shore around the mouths of streams and rivers or in brackish bays, inlets and lagoons with sand or mud bottoms. Striped mullet can often be seen in coastal waters, jumping to evade predators.

Atlantic Menhaden

The Atlantic menhaden is a toothless herring with a blue, blue-green or blue-brown body. The sides, fins and belly are silvery, often with a yellowish sheen. Menhaden are a favorite prey of many predatory fish and other species, including bluefish, weakfish, striped bass and others. Menhaden can be caught using cast nets or seines.

Atlantic Mackerel

The Atlantic mackerel is native to both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. On the US coast, it ranges along the continental shelf from Labrador south to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Mackerel are caught in the ocean using leaders equipped with multiple jigs. The make excellent cut or whole baits for sharks, tuna, striped bass, bluefish and other Atlantic species.

Atlantic Herring

The Atlantic herring is one of the most abundant species of fish on the planet. They are small, pelagic fish known for their schooling tendencies. Herring are iridescent, greenish or grayish blue dorsally with a silvery abdomen and sides. They can be caught using jigs or cast nets and make excellent baits for predatory fish found in the Atlantic.

The author writes for several outdoor websites including Chesapeake Bay, Fresh Seafood and Commercial Fishing.

12/19/09

17 Ways to Use Fly Fishing Equipment Guaranteed to Land a Steelhead

The first thing you need to know before even getting out your fly fishing equipment is where the trout are feeding. There is no point casting where the fish are not. Trout feed on the stream surface, near the surface and in the stream's midsection a relatively small percentage of the time. They consume 75% of their total diet at or close to the bottom of the stream. If you can't see a fish breaking the surface once in a while or the water boiling near the surface it's pretty much a sure bet they are feeding near the bottom.

 

1. When you estimate the fish are feeding near the bottom, add a splitshot to help get your fly to the bottom.

2. Use a nymph net to sift out the various sections of the stream to see what insects are in the area.

3. Match the appropriate fly to the area hatch to entice the trout to strike.

4. When gripping the fly casting rod for an overhead cast lock your wrist straight and keep your elbow at your side. Your elbow should always stay at the same height, without bouncing up and down. 

5. Your cast should be perpendicular to your body and never from side to side. 

6. The fly needs to land directly in front of you as lightly as possible. 

7. If you suspect the trout are feeding on the surface, allow your fly to rest on the surface a couple seconds longer before retrieving it. 

8. Don't overdo the backcast with your fly fishing equipment– this will scare the fish when your line hits the water behind you. 

9. Fish early in the morning when the wind is less active and the bugs are more active. 

10. Avoid heavily fished areas where there is less activity disturbing the trout, and where the fish are more likely to be wild and prefer insects over pellets. 

11. When your fly lands on the surface, use slightly jerky movements to simulate the movement of real insect. 

12. You can also cast out and allow the fly to drift downstream so it looks natural to the fish. 

13. When you feel a strike, respond immediately with your fly fishing equipment to set the hook firmly and quickly. 

14. Cross the stream at the same angle with each cast but allow it to land 3 – 5 feet longer each time so you cover the entire pool. 

15. Remove the slack in the line before you begin your cast. 

16. If your false casting feels right, do not change your timing and delivery with the final forward cast. 

17. Use the thumb on your rod hand in a quick forward move at the end of the cast to add more power.

Robbi Gunter is a staff writer for Strong Business Credit , a website that helps small business owners launch or expand, and small businesses with no credit or bad credit obtain business-based loans.

Bluegill Sunfish - A Favorite Species of American Freshwater Fish

Bluegill sunfish are the most widely distributed panfish in North America. They are members of the same family (Centrarchidae a.k.a.Sunfish) as the largemouth bass. These colorful fish are well adapted to living in ponds, lakes, streams and even brackish water. Bluegill are often the primary food source for largemouth bass and other predators.

They rarely exceed 1 pound with 1/4 - 1/2 pound (7″ - 9″) being typical. Bluegill usually have a black spot or blotch near the base of the soft dorsal fin and a black flexible tip on the gill cover. The back and sides are dark green or brownish. The breast and undersides may appear yellow, red or orange. Males in the breeding season usually have a dark red to mahogany colored breast. The sides of the fish usually display a series of vertical bars, more prominent in smaller fish. The gill covers and chin are bright blue, giving the bluegill its name. Bluegill sunfish art is extremely popular mostly because the fish are so attractive and well respected.

Bluegill Sunfish Techniques

Most people started fishing as youngsters for bluegill and other panfish. Bluegill, ounce for ounce, fight as hard as any freshwater fish. Bluegill are fun to catch and make excellent table fare. Catching bluegill is common event throughout spring, summer and early fall. Some hardly anglers fish for bluegill while ice fishing.

Anglers target bluegills primarily with ultralight equipment or fly gear. Leaders in the half-pound to 3-pound class are common. However, new nearly invisible fluorocarbon lines and leaders allow for slightly stronger line to be used.

Baits for bluegill include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, redworms, earthworms, nightcrawler chunks and maggots. When using worms, be careful not to put too much bait on the hook, as bluegills are accomplished thieves. Some anglers target larger bluegills with live minnows or other large baits.

Bluegill lures include crappie jigs, ice tick jigs, microjigs, small spinnerbaits, small spinnerbaits, small grubs, small tube jigs, and miniature soft plastics. Fly fishing works great for catching bluegill. Anglers use a dry fly, nymph, panfish popper flies or terrestrial flies. Popular terrestrial fly patterns include crickets, grasshoppers, foam spiders, and ants.

How To Clean Bluegill Sunfish

1. Scale the fish with a fish scaler or dull knife. While holding the fish with one hand, use the tool to remove all scales. You must run the scaler or knife from tail to head in order to get the scales off. The skin should be smooth when all scales are gone.

2.Cut the fish’s head off. make the cut at the back of the fish’s gills. Cut through at this point.

3. Cut from the belly back to the vent, avoiding all organs. Remove all organs, saving the fish roe if any is found.

4. Cut off the tail and fins.

5. Rinse the fish and place on ice immediately.

The author is an outdoor enthusiast, web designer and writes content for several outdoor websites including Chincoteague Island Virginia, Virginia Saltwater Fishing and Fresh Seafood.

12/17/09

Bass Fishing Secrets ©

There is no secret when fishing for big bass. Just simple techniques that will catch you more bass and bigger bass every time you go out no matter what the fishing conditions are like. Hooking a great big old bass is one thing, but actually catching the bass without it breaking your line or getting loose is a totally different story. Bass are famous for having a bad temper they often strike or feed on something that is annoying to them. They are a very aggressive fish and 80% of the time that they strike your lure it is a reaction, the other 20% is actually hunger! So in other words if you piss them off you will get a strike. When fishing for bass try to use something that is an attention grabber. My personal favorite when fishing for big bass in new lakes is a big old multi - colored spinner bait. The spinner bait is a very effective bass fishing tool it grabs the bass attention and entices them to strike on reaction and not hunger leaving you with a more active fish and often a much bigger bass as opposed to live bait fishing.

For more helpful tips on bass fishing check out my Squidoo Page … http://www.squidoo.com/bass–fishing

Imagine… You are in the perfect fishing hole, with more than ideal conditions. The water color, temperature, wind, cover and structures surrounding you… just too perfect for the Largemouth Bass. You examine the surrounding area quietly, and observe underwater logs, rocks and weed growth along the banks. He’s nearby. He has to be, this is my chance, it’s perfect. You have no doubt that the 14 pound Trophy Bass that you have been searching for is within your reach. Yet, cast after cast, you just can’t seem to get a strike.  What would you do? Consider it a bad day and move on? Guess what… You probably just lost your Trophy Bass.

Largemouth Bass are tough fish to catch, they know how to play the game you really have to get into the mind of this fish to be able to catch it. Knowing where and how to catch Largemouth Bass requires deep understanding that can take you years to master. A couple tips for the next time you arrive in the perfect fishing hole. Start with something noisey like a buzz bait or a spinner bait or a lure that stays on the surface of the water, a real attention grabber make sure to comb the area thouroghly. After that is done and you still have not cought your 14lb trophy bass its time to step it up a notch, whatever you do don’t move to a new spot because you think there are no bass there.Your wrong!!!

A simple change in technique will land you that 14lb bass of your dreams. Switch that spinner bait or buzz bait to a 7 inch white plastic worm something along the lines of a slugo bait, It has to be white. Now comb that same area with a very slow twitching retreive. Remember when i said 80% of strikes are aggression strikes and the other 20% are hunger strikes. Well you know that there are no aggressive bass there because you thouroghly casted your spinner bait in the area. Now try a slow twitching retreive with the white plastic worm in the same area and you are going to catch that hungry bass. Most often the hungry bass are the big mama’s, and there you go you now have your 14lb trophy bass from a spot that you were going to leave. It is simple techniques like these that will catch you more bass and bigger bass every time you go fishing.

Click Here For Instant Access To my techniques for catching bigger bass. It’s a small e book but It’s packed with awesome tips and pointers. It’s plain and simple read my book and catch more and bigger bass your next time fishing! Feel free to share this article in any way just remember to include this authors bio box. Also check out my Squidoo Page for more helpful bass fishing tips.

Fishing Lure - The Key to Successful Fishing

Don’t you just love fishing? It has always been fun and challenging. You can also enjoy the peaceful and relaxing scenario whenever you are fishing. Imagine the cool breeze brushing against your face, while the trees whistle quietly at a distance, and everything around you looks soft and soothing. Then a splash of water breaks the peace, letting you know that there is a fish feeding out there.

As you fish, outsmarting your prey is a challenge. Your first goal is to lure a fish into biting your bait.And it’s not as easy as you think because making the fish believe that it is a real food for them can be hard. It is recommended to personalize or make your own bait. There are fishing tools and fishing lure parts available to help you out making your homemade bait. There’s nothing more satisfying than catching the fish on a lure you made yourself.

And as you catch a fish, the effort to land it without losing it is a challenge. You struggle with a fish on a rod and a reel, and all your good equipments will actually help you win the battle.

A fisher should be keen enough to feel the bite; this is the important area in fishing. Some rods actually give you the ability to “feel” the slightest movement very distinctly while other rods are very weak to convey the movement that the fisher barely feels it. But without a good lure, getting into this stage would be difficult.

Making a good lure depends on the situation. It’s not how you attract the fish with color but how you know its mood. We must keep in mind the 3 critical factors of making a good bait:

- Size
- Weight
- Presentation

Big bait is not always good. The waters in early spring is cold, you need to think small and light because the metabolism of the fish is still slow. Remember to keep it slow when luring, sink it slow and lift it slow. Fishes are not much of a chasing mood during that time.

Internet is my library…

12/15/09

Uptiding

Uptiding is a method of  boat fishing which was developed in the early 1970’s  ideally suited for the Bristol Channel due to it’s success  in shallow waters. Due to the strong tides in the area a 9′6″ 6-10oz rated rod  coupled with  a 7000 or 7500 size multiplier loaded with either 30lb mono straight through or 18lb mono with a 60lb shockleader .

Braid is also starting to become popular but the drag setting needs to be lowered as due to it’s no stretch quality there is nothing to absorb any dives made by the fish resulting in the hook pulling free.

Weights need to be 7-10 oz grip leads, ideally the fixed wire type as they have the best hold on the sea bed due to the actual weight being behind the wires. The strength  of fixed wire needs to suit the ground you are fishing over and ranges from fixed grip wires that don’t move for clean ground [Gemini Yellow's] Springy fixed wire that will pull out of the bed easily [Gemini Red] to soft wire that can be pulled free of any snags [Gemini Blue's]

Before casting it’s a good idea to hang the baited hooks on the grip wires making the cast safer, or to keep the entire cast outside of the boat which is safer still. The cast itself should be uptide from the boat at an angle of around 45 degree’s and a distance of 20-60 meters, getting the bait out of the scare area, the stronger the tide the further you’ll need to cast or if there are several of you up tiding from the same side of the boat the closer to the back you are the further out you need to cast to avoid tangles. Once the weight has hit the seabed keep on letting out line until it’s pointing roughly 45 degree’s downtide, this creates  a “belly” of line that absorbs the tide, wave and boat movement allowing your weight to grip and  stay on the seabed. Once the reel is in gear the rod’s tip should bend over in the tide.

There are two types of bites on an uptide rod the normal rattle of the rod tip  and the more common type when uptiding which is when the fish has taken the bait and had broken the grip wire’s out causing the rod tip to straighten. In either case due to the amount of line in the water striking the bite is pointless, the fish itself has normally set the hook due to the resistance of the weight when it has tried to swim off or broken the grip wires out of the seabed , instead reel in pointing the rod tip at the line until you can feel the weight then simply lift into the fish .

Hook sizes and styles explained

Hooks are hooks in most anglers’ minds. They figure they either need a big one or a small one, depending on the fish they are pursuing. Lots of anglers go through life completely missing the importance of using not only the right size sea hook, but probably most importantly the right type of sea hook.

It’s not just pure fishing luck that makes the difference in all sea anglers catching more than you. Most of the time it’s the hook choice you make on the day. A thick forged hook is not the right choice for small fish, fish with small mouths or soft lipped fish. A thin Aberdeen wire hook that can penetrate quickly in the inside of the mouth would be a better choice however you would also need a hook that holds its strength and shape.

Hook size is probably the first thing a sea angler should think of when buying hooks. Most are smart enough to know which hook is the right size for the fish they are after but it takes experience. Sizes from most manufacturers range from the very smallest freshwater trout hook at a number 32, to the very largest game fish hook at 19/0.

The size breakdown from smallest to largest looks like this:32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 11, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, 13/0, 14/0, 15/0, 16/0, 17/0, 18/0, and 19/0.

In sea fishing in the UK, average range is from a Size 1 to a Size 10/0 been a boat hook. For example Mackerel fishing, you should be using a size 1/0 hook, for Pollack from the shore you could use a size 3/0 or 4/0 and also you can use this size for most bottom fishing needs. Flatfish you are better off using a size 1 or 1/0 due to their small mouths. Remember all of these hooks come in a short, regular, or long shank version. The shank of the hook is the part between the eye of the hook and the bend. For example long shanks are very well suited for Sandeel baits, Lug or Rag threaded up the shank for a more natural presentation.

Fish hooks also come in several types. Knowing a few of the more popular ones and their uses can help you be successful:

O’SHAUGHNESSY
This hook is named for the specific design of the hook. It’s a standard hook, forged with a very strong bend. This hook is relatively thick, very strong, and not likely to bend out of shape. Generally designed for saltwater, it is good for general bottom fishing use. Sizes range from #3 to as large as 19/0.

ABERDEEN
They are generally made from shaped wire. Unlike the O’Shaughnessy, it can and does bend. It can be bent back into shape several times before it becomes too weak. However, once a fish is hook and the barb has completely penetrated, this hook holds very well. These hooks are modified with bends in their shanks for use in jig molds.

CIRCLE
Perhaps the best innovation in hooks to come along, circle hooks promote healthy catch and release. The design of the hook itself, when used properly, prevents fish from being hooked in the gut. Many sea anglers have a problem using these hooks because they require no hook set. If you do try to set the hook, it will generally come out of the mouth of the fish. These hooks are designed to move to the corner of the fish’s mouth and set themselves as the fish swims away from you. Anglers feel a bite and simply begin reeling, slowly at first, then faster as the hook gets set.

LIVE BAIT
These hooks generally have a shorter shank than other hooks. Whether that is to allow the live bait to swim more freely or to be less apparent to the fish is debatable. My vote is to allow the bait to swim more freely. These hooks come in regular and circle designs. Regular live bait hooks will be swallowed and result in gut hooks most of the time. Circle live bait hooks provide a greater chance for a good release.

 

BAITHOLDER Baitholder Hooks - These are very widely used by sea anglers. These are good hooks for worm bait they have a ringed eye and have 2 slices or barbs in the shank to assist with holding the bait up the shank of the hook.

KAHLE
The curve on these hooks makes them ideal for live bait. Made from the same wire as the Aberdeen hooks, they will bend if hung on the bottom of some structure. However, once a fish is hooked, the design of the hook prevents it from being straightened.
Hook Choice!

First, use common sense. As simple as that may sound, I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen people make some really bad hook choices. Match the hook size with the fish!
Second, use some trial and error and learn from your mistakes. No one became a good fisherman overnight. All of us had to learn either from someone else or by trial and error.
Thirdly, get a good brand of hook, such as Sakuma or Mustad. Try to avoid cheap hooks for the reason that they are just not up for the job, you don’t want to let that fish of a life time get away because of a crap hook bend out on you! If you are going to spend any money on Terminal tackle you hooks should be the number one first choice.

My personal favourites are Sakuma Singers and Mustad Worm hooks for flatfish and Mustad Aberdeen and Ultra Point Bass Hooks for Bottom Fishing for Huss off the rocks where a stronger hook is needed but a larger gape for bigger baits is required.

Finally, to all of you who are new to fishing, try taking these examples and build your learning experiences upon them. Trial and error are often the best teachers in any skill.

12/13/09

Fishing in Thailand, Krabi

Fishing in Krabi

Thai Freshwater Fishing offers fishing trips to the best fishing resort in Thailand. If your dream fish is an Arapaima, Giant Siamese Carp or Amazon Redtail Catfish, this is the place to go ! A  2 hour drive from Phuket or Khao Lak will takes you to the most amazing fishing venue in Thailand ! This fishing resort is the home of 2 world records with at least 14 species known to exceed existing world records !

The Fishing Resort in Krabi, which hold at least 30 different species of huge Thai and Amazon fish, is your best option for the exclusive Arapaima, Giant Siamese Carp and Amazon Red Tail Catfish, Plus many of other big fish not found anywhere else. This amazing Fishing Resort situated in Krabi has been designed and is managed by the well known British angler, Stuart Gillham and his son Sean.

Short list of species.

Arapaima, 40kg - 200kg+ Giant Gourami, up to 12kgs Gian Siamese Carp, 6kg -70kg+ Freshwater Stingrays, up to 80kgs Amazon Red Tail Catfish, 10kg - 30kg+ Wallago Micropogan (black Wallago) up to 25kgs Giant Mekong Catfish, 40kg - 120kg+ Giant Snakehead, up to 9kgs Julien's Price Carp, 10kg - 40kg+ Silver and Green Araowana up to 8 kgs Black Pacu, 12kg - 26kg+ Alligator Gar, up to 20 kgs Giant Catfish, up to 50kgs Tiger Cats Amazon, Red tail Leopards, up to 15kgs Spotted Featherback, up to 8kgs Thai Mahseer, up to 17kgs

This 9 acre lake is set amongst landscaped gardens with jungle and limestone mountains in the background.  This lake is now being considered as the best big fish venue in Thailand. The lake is designed with deep channels, plateaus, shallow areas and non–fishing areas making it the perfect habitat for the many different fish species.

About the Fishing
The fishing includes the use of 2 Free Spirit 10ft 6lb Tc fishing rods per angler. The rods hold Shimano big bait runner long cast reels. Rod pod and electronic bite alarms, all end tackle and a reasonable amount of bait. All anglers have a experienced english speaking guide on hand all the time.

All anglers are supplied with 2 rods. Only one rod can be used with fish bait. The other one can be used with maize and/or boilies. It is possible to use a third rod which can be hired by the day and also can be used with fish bait.

When you book a fishing package with Thai Freshwater Fishing you will be guided with the fishing guide from the fishing resort. They are fishing there everyday an know what is best ! They are the best fishing guides you can get.

http://www.thai-freshwaterfishing.com/fishing.html

Fly Fishing: What You Should To Understand About A Fly Leader

Many beginners are confused with the different terms used in fly fishing. That is perfectly understandable. As a beginner, you cannot expect to learn all the names of those fly fishing gears sold in the market, so if the guy at the fly shop counter tells you to use a leader to hold that small fly on the fly line, don’t freak out.

Even some old timers do not know what a leader is in fly fishing so do not be so distressed if you have no idea what the shop counter attendant is talking about. Instead of freaking out, just ask the attendant to explain to you what he or she is talking about. You may also ask him or her to show you what a leader is and to use it.

What is A Fly Leader?

Before you concoct some funny definition of what a fly leader is, let us get this straight. In fly fishing, a fly leader is that part of the terminal tackle system which allows for an almost invisible transition between the fly line and the tippet. Now, if you do not know what a tippet is, let us define it for you. In fly fishing, a tippet is the last 24 or more inches of the leader. You get to tie the fly on this part of the leader. If you are not clear on this part, you better ask that guy on the shop counter to show what this is all about. Holding the fly fishing leader in your hands is the surest way to get to know it better.

What does a fly fishing leader do? The leader separates the fly from the fly line so that you your fly line will not create a lot of disturbance when it hits the water. Since the fly leader is invisible, it helps fool the fish into eating the bait. In other words, you will most likely catch more fish if you have a good fly leader.

What Kind of Fly Leader Should You Buy?

There are many types of fly fishing leaders being sold in the market today. Fly leaders different in terms of length, strength, design and purpose. The most common types of fly leaders are around 7 1/2 to 9 feet long. However, if you prefer shorter or longer fly leaders, you can easily find fly leaders between 3 feet and 20 feet long. On the other hand, fly leaders vary in terms of design and purpose.

Some leaders are designed to catch trout and some are designed to catch bass and the likes. To find something that suits your needs well, ask the attendant to help you choose your fly fishing leader. Most fly fishing shop attendants knows all about fly leaders so ask for their assistance if you are in doubt.

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article’s author on fish pond pumps and pond water pumps.

12/12/09

Musky Fishing For The Novice

The musky is a North American game fish that is currently stocked in some form in thirty five states as well as provinces in Canada. Even though musky fishing pressure has increased over the years, there are still plenty of trophy musky in our waters. Catch and release fishing for muskies has really become popular in recent years which should increase the musky population. Many anglers now feel that a picture is just as good as a mount.

When fishing for musky it is definitely the bigger the better. Size limits over the years have increased which is a good thing that will protect the smaller fish. Good musky fishing states will usually have a minimum size limit of at least 44 inches and some go up to around 55 inches. A musky this size is generally classified as a world class fish. Certain states will even have size limits that are different for each lake.

Musky fishing takes a lot of patience and experience. Most muskies will stay in a certain range in a lake and you will only know this by continuing to fish. A good musky fisherman will have specific spots that he fishes to give the best chance of producing a good fish. This is much different than fishing for panfish which can be found throughout the lake.

Muskies will hang out near some type of structure or in weed beds. This structure provides shade and cover which is ideal for a musky because they are a low light species fish. The thicker the weeds the better and topwater baits are perfect for fishing in heavy weeds. When fishing for musky, don’t worry about the size of the bait as well because the larger the sucker the better. Muskies can consume a fish nearly half the size of it’s own body.

The best time to fish for muskies is shortly before it gets dark. They are a low light fish and prefer dark, overcast conditions with a little chop on the water. You will develop your own style and favorite conditions to fish for muskies with experience.

If you enjoyed this article about musky fishing, you might want to visit the following links - Musky Lures and Bucktail Lures.

12/11/09

Online Tackle Shops or Brick and Mortar Tackle Shops

When shopping for fishing tackle, you have 2 options….. Buy online, or buy in your local fishing tackle shop? I will weigh up the benefits of both of these options so hopefully you can make an educated decision as to where your money will be shipping itself off to.

Shopping online has many advantages; the first, most obvious one is that you can buy any time of day or night from the comfort of your home or office. As time is a precious commodity these days, what with a wife, kids, job and of course fishing all vying for your time, this could be the number one factor that sways your decision.

The selection at some of the online stores can dwarf that of the brick and mortar tackle shop as the shops do not necessarily need to carry any stock and can place an order from their suppliers as and when an order comes in. This factor also weighs into the final advantage of online shopping. Price! Due to the reduced overheads, the online stores tend to be a little cheaper than their brick and mortar counterparts.

The obvious disadvantages, however, also appear. You cannot make a purchase and head down to your local fishing hole straight away to try it out. Once your new piece of tackle does arrive, should it have been damaged in transit, this adds more time in sending it back and waiting for a replacement.

Despite the many advantages of online tackle shops, brick and mortar tackle shops still exist and do a roaring trade. Fishermen tend to like the atmosphere in their local tackle shop. As a fisherman, I have to admit, there are few better smells than a room full of fishing tackle. Alongside the smells, tackle shops are a great place to meet fellow fishermen and exchange a bit of banter.

The online stores' main disadvantage is the tackle shops' main advantage. Stock is there ready, waiting for you to pick up and take away then and there; you can hold it in your hands and inspect it to be sure that it is not faulty.

If you are unsure which piece of tackle you need or would like more information about certain features before you buy, then tackle shops are the ideal place to get your tackle. The staff will be knowledgeable about just about everything in their shop so can point you in the right direction or away from something unsuitable.

Ashford tackle have 3 fishing tackle shops in Ashford, Sittingbourne and Faversham as well as their online shop.

12/10/09

Lowrance X136 DF Fish Finder Features and Tip

Lowrance X136 DF Features

The Lowrance X136 DF Pro-Grade Sonar is a top notch fish finder.  Its dual frequency transducer, with depth penetration up to 2500 feet and sturdy waterproof casing, makes it an excellent choice for saltwater fishing or down rigger tracking.  It is sturdy enough to stand up to the saltwater elements and allows you to see to deep depths.  Its 16 level gray scale monitor also allows for easy sonar reading and will greatly assist in locating and identifying fish.

The Lowrance X136 DF fish finder also comes standard with ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) and depth alarms.  ASP allows the fisherman to filter out noise interference from avenues such as boat speed, water conditions, air bubbles and even vibration from the engine.  The filtering lets you see the fish clearly so that you can use your skill to catch them.  The built in depth alarms allow you to focus on fishing rather than worrying about whether you are too shallow or even too deep.  The depth alarms are easy to set and use.  Simply set a shallow alarm for whatever depth you feel is too shallow- even as shallow as 5 or 10 feet.  On the other end set the deep alarm to what is too deep for you- maybe the fish finder's maximum depth penetration of 2500 feet.  Now let the fish finder do the work for you.  If the depth of the water is ever outside the ranges you have set, the alarm will sound and you can quickly and easily make adjustments. 

 The Lowrance X136 has many other great features which are detailed in the owner's manual which comes standard with every unit purchased.  This model will truly make it easy for any fisherman to find fish and focus solely on their skills for catching the fish. 

  

Lowrance X136 DF Tip

 Many Lowrance fish finders come standard with a patented Fish Symbol system called Fish I.D.  The Fish I.D system is an excellent way for novice fish finder users to recognize fish-like signal returns on the sonar display.  However, Fish I.D. does have its limitations.  The microprocessor in the system can be fooled by other submerged objects and report them as fish.  Once you become comfortable with your new fish finder it is recommended that you use Full Sonar Mode and learn how to interpret fish arches effectively.  Even after you are an expert at fish arches though, you may want to use Fish I.D. when you are in another part of the boat of working with something that keeps you from watching the screen.  In these situations using the Fish I.D. functionality can be very useful as it comes with audible fish alarms.  By using the fish alarms you will know when a fish passes under the boat by the noise emitted from your Lowrance fish finder. 

 

 

 

 

Karen Janos is an expert on fish finders. When she is not fishing she is the webmaster for http://www.fishfindersdirect.com.

Lowrance X136 DF Fish Finder Features and Tip

Lowrance X136 DF Features

The Lowrance X136 DF Pro-Grade Sonar is a top notch fish finder.  Its dual frequency transducer, with depth penetration up to 2500 feet and sturdy waterproof casing, makes it an excellent choice for saltwater fishing or down rigger tracking.  It is sturdy enough to stand up to the saltwater elements and allows you to see to deep depths.  Its 16 level gray scale monitor also allows for easy sonar reading and will greatly assist in locating and identifying fish.

The Lowrance X136 DF fish finder also comes standard with ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) and depth alarms.  ASP allows the fisherman to filter out noise interference from avenues such as boat speed, water conditions, air bubbles and even vibration from the engine.  The filtering lets you see the fish clearly so that you can use your skill to catch them.  The built in depth alarms allow you to focus on fishing rather than worrying about whether you are too shallow or even too deep.  The depth alarms are easy to set and use.  Simply set a shallow alarm for whatever depth you feel is too shallow- even as shallow as 5 or 10 feet.  On the other end set the deep alarm to what is too deep for you- maybe the fish finder's maximum depth penetration of 2500 feet.  Now let the fish finder do the work for you.  If the depth of the water is ever outside the ranges you have set, the alarm will sound and you can quickly and easily make adjustments. 

 The Lowrance X136 has many other great features which are detailed in the owner's manual which comes standard with every unit purchased.  This model will truly make it easy for any fisherman to find fish and focus solely on their skills for catching the fish. 

  

Lowrance X136 DF Tip

 Many Lowrance fish finders come standard with a patented Fish Symbol system called Fish I.D.  The Fish I.D system is an excellent way for novice fish finder users to recognize fish-like signal returns on the sonar display.  However, Fish I.D. does have its limitations.  The microprocessor in the system can be fooled by other submerged objects and report them as fish.  Once you become comfortable with your new fish finder it is recommended that you use Full Sonar Mode and learn how to interpret fish arches effectively.  Even after you are an expert at fish arches though, you may want to use Fish I.D. when you are in another part of the boat of working with something that keeps you from watching the screen.  In these situations using the Fish I.D. functionality can be very useful as it comes with audible fish alarms.  By using the fish alarms you will know when a fish passes under the boat by the noise emitted from your Lowrance fish finder. 

 

 

 

 

Karen Janos is an expert on fish finders. When she is not fishing she is the webmaster for http://www.fishfindersdirect.com.

12/8/09

Commercial Fishing in New Zealand

Commercial fishing in New Zealand has really only got underway since 1960. 1960! These little islands are surrounded by a great mass of ocean, always have been, and yet commercial fishing has only became a growth industry in the last 50 years. Some things will never add up.

 

What are some of the possible reasons for this? The weather? - yes, but then that’s also always been around and other countries have coped. The lack of motivation with the population or the lack of Government driven incentives? - possibly. Yet the Maoris were canoe builders. To what purpose did they do this? Surely one can count fishing activities as one incentive to their canoe building? So maybe the New Zealand Government did not push the growth of the industry enough.

 

To feed a growing population, the catch would need to be massive. One would need many, many canoes, each loaded to the hilt to make any dent in the islands’ food source. Also fish have a very short use-by date. This would mean an extremely efficient transport system would need to be in place to move the fish inland and along the coast once they’d been brought to shore.

 

Line fishing and using nets and spears would be possible from a canoe, deep sea trawling on the other hand, would not . New Zealand’s coastline lends itself to small fishing ports, so it would be feasible for many small craft to work the coastal waters. In the history of its development there were many small whaling stations along the coast which adequately fulfilled the role they played.

 

However it was really the need to be able to source fish from the bottom of the ocean, where catches would be large, that determined the growth of commercial fishing in New Zealand.

 

Changes in world fishing regulations boosted New Zealand’s fishing ground to 4,400000 sq miles, making it 4th largest in the world, (some say 6th) It has an unusually wide continental shelf which means that the ocean around them teems with fish of a multitude of varieties.

 

However, the world consumer market asks for: cod and flatfish (these are flounder, halibut, plaice and sole), haddock herring and salmon, tuna, anchovies, grouper, hake, mackerel, pilchard, redfish (or ocean perch) sardines, sea bass, shark, snapper, sturgeon (and caviar) and whiting. This then is what commercial fishing in New Zealand must aim at.

 

The solution to harvest fish far from shore has been to site factory ships in the fishing fields. These are anchored while smaller ships go out trawling the area and returning, ideally, whenever they have a full load. The factory ship speedily turns the fish into a commercially viable product. The head, guts and bones are all used too, being made into fish meal which has a high demand. When the factory ships holds are full, then she returns to the shore of the country which owns her.

 

This whole processing operation requires a lot of capital and know-how to set up. New Zealand approached other nations to partner her in the start-up process in deep water trawling shortly after the treaty was signed which enlarged her fishing grounds. This then was the way forward from about 1960.

 

However, a documentary shown in July 2009 points out that New Zealand is now in a position to harvest its own fish without the help of foreign trawlers. More than half of all the fish caught are not processed in New Zealand, but in Thailand and China. (If you type into Google search – ‘Fishing in New Zealand Documentary’ – you will find more information.)

 

Local fisherman are affected to the point that if a quota is downsized, or falls into jeopardy of some sort, it is local fishermen’s quotas which are shortened and these reductions are given to the factory ships so that their quotas are not curtailed.

 

Only 55% of the vessels used today are those belonging to commercial fishermen of New Zealand, the rest are foreign owned.

 

Hoki and Orange Roughy are the most fish important catch in commercial fishing in New Zealand. The New Zealand government is very particular about managing and sustaining her fishing reserves. Roughly 90% of her reserves are untouched year-by-year. The Maori people today own a third share in the commercial fishing trade.

The factual information in this article is taken mainly from Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia

For more information about boats and fishing go to:

 

 

http://www.theboatingstore.co.cc
A retired high school teacher of geography and maths. Try ‘Quick Compare 35 Brand Name Kayaks’ to help you make a choice. Also if you would like a free ebook - an unusual story set in the days sailing by well-known and respect author Joseph Conrad, ‘The Secret Sharer’ or a book about travel in El Salvador ‘Slow Bus To Ahuachapan’ by John Drewman then email admin@theboatingstore.co.cc

A Deep Sea Fishing Family Guide

Deep sea fishing is one great activity that a lot of families enjoy. It's something that can give you and your family momentous experiences and priceless memories that can last for a lifetime. The family bonding experience with nature at hand is simply indescribable.

If you're new to this sport and wonderful past time, there are some things that you should know before you go on with your deep sea fishing trip. It is indeed one big adventure for you and your family. However, you should consider some things first to make your trip a successful one. Other than not forgetting to bring your camera, for those momentous snapshots, here are some things that you have to think about before even making some plans.

Judgment Time: Are They Capable?

First off, you should take a realistic look at your family's abilities and age. Let's face it, you can't really maximize a deep sea fishing trip if you're kids are still infants or toddlers. If you're deciding on what kind of excursion to have, deliberating on these kinds of factors are important too.

In case you'll be getting the service of a charter boat, this would play an important factor too, since most boat companies have set age limits. Generally, age limits start at about eight years old. You should understand that companies set these kinds of rules to guarantee safety on your part.

Additionally, you should consider the duration of how long you'd want to be on water. Most inexperienced fishermen would usually prefer half-day trips, so that it wouldn't be that stressful and still be enjoyable for the whole family. On the other hand, lifelong and expert anglers would definitely want to have overnight trips. However, regardless of how long or short you have been fishing, you should still remember your family's physical comfort would affect the trip's overall enjoyment. Factors such as attitude and age play important roles on how can your family adjust with a temporary boat life.

Be Distance Conscious

Another important consideration is how far away your target fishing location is from your home. The packages that you may encounter can vary greatly, depending on the company. This means the provisions that they'll give to you on the boat would also differ. If you will be travelling a huge distance just to fish, you might be more interested in availing packages that are all inclusive, which provides you with everything you'd need for the trip.

However, packages like these are usually hard to find, and of course, they are way more expensive than those for average day trip packages. An average package usually provides you bait and tackle. But if you'll need a license, some packages already include it, while some can charge you extra for the cost.

Know The Terms

Generally, boats would ask you to bring your own hats, sunglasses, clothing, sun block, medications for motion sickness and everything else that you think is important to bring. Make sure that you are clothed appropriately with a number of warm layers, since it would be colder when you're on water than being on shore.

Also, most of the day trip packages would ask you to bring your own food. If this is the case, you should plan accordingly. Try to pack items that are easy on your stomach, just in case that waters will be rough.

Webpages, Product, Video, News and Tips - Goshgo or Free Ebook with Master Resell Rights EbookisDead

12/6/09

The Humminbird Fishin Buddy 140C Color Fish Finder Tips

The Humminbird Fishin' Buddy 140C Fish Finder is a portable, color fish finder with Downlooking and SideFinder Sonar capabilities.  The Downlooking sonar sends sound waves from the bottom of the transducer into the water that is directly below the transducer.  The SideFinder sonar projects sound waves from the flat side of the transducer housing at the bottom of the transducer shaft.  The SideFinder sonar is able to see fish to the site of your boat and allows you to scan for fish where you cast.  A regular depth finder would not allow you to see these fish.

The Downlooking sonar function uses a 200 kHz beam which provides a 34 degree cone angle.  The Sidelooking function has a 455 kHz beam which provides a 10 degree cone angle.  The bottom surface is best seen when the downlooking functionality is engaged solely, but some bottom definition is obtainable when the sidelooking beam is engaged.

When the 140C Fishin Buddy is in use it is best to travel at slow, trolling speeds.  The Fishin Buddy can be damaged at high speeds and also if it is knocked against the bottom or submerged objects.  The owner should use lower boat speeds while operating the fish finder.  While the boat is moving the 140C Fishin Buddy will show variations in bottom composition, submerged objects, fish, bait fish and thermoclines so that you are able to see where to cast.

Getting Started with the Fishin Buddy 140C

Getting started with your new fishin buddy fish finder is easy.  There are 6 simple steps that are outlined in detail in the owner's manual.  The steps will be touched on briefly in this article.  For complete directions please see the owner's manual.

The 6 Steps 

  1. Attaching the Directional Handle
  2. Installing the Batteries
  3. Attaching the Control Head to the Fishin Buddy
  4. Connecting the Cables to the Control Head
  5. Assembling and Attaching the Fishin Buddy Bracket to the Boat
  6. Mounting the Fishin Buddy

Step 1

Attaching the Directional Handle is simple.  Merely screw the directional handle into the socket provided.  That's it!

Step 2

The Fishin Buddy requires 6 AA batteries (not included).  It is simple to place them into the battery pack and the manual describes this step in detail.

 

Step 3

The next step is to install the control head onto the Fishin Buddy.  The owner's manual includes detailed steps and diagrams to accomplish this task quickly and simply.

Step 4

Next attach the cables to the control head using the keyed connectors on the back of the control head.  The owner's manual includes a diagram of this step.

Step 5

The next step is to attach the mounting bracket to the boat.  In this step you have two options.  You may either use the C Clamp to mount the bracket temporarily thereby allowing you to use the Fishin Buddy on multiple boats or you can use the permanent mounting slots to bolt the bracket to the boat.  The choice is yours to make.

Step 6

The last step is to mount the Fishin Buddy on the bracket.  To mount the unit, slide the Fishin Buddy shaft into the mounting bracket support arm.  Then adjust the fish finder as needed.  You can adjust the shaft to make it the length needed anywhere from 24 inches to 40 inches.  Now all you have to do is go fishing and catch some fish.

The 140C Fishin Buddy is a great fish finder.  It is affordable and easy to use.  The controls are simple and its features will definitely help any fisherman to find more fish.  This model is especially good in shallow water and is a great way for more novice fishermen to get their feet wet with a simple to use fish finder.  Once you become more experienced then you can upgrade.

Have fun catching fish!

Karen Janos is an expert on fish finders. When she is not fishing she is the webmaster for http://www.fishfindersdirect.com.

Ice Fishing In Maine

I'm sure that every ice fisherman has a story to tell concerning their exploits on the ice but mine came back to me as I was peering at a picture of my deceased brother Lyndon which is on the dresser near my bed. My brother was one who would use a piece of equipment long after most people would have thrown it in the trash can and my story concerns one example of this fact!

In the sixties he and I went somewhere ice fishing every weekend from ice in until it was almost too dangerous to be on the ice. One of our favorite places was in Duck Cove located in the upper regions of Moosehead Lake in Maine. Duck Cove seemed to be where unusual numbers of salmon, brook trout and togue congregated in the winter.

During this February period the weather had been quite warm and as we unloaded the snow sleds we experienced a certain degree of water just beneath the surface of the snow. The farther we proceeded from the landing in Rockwood the amount of surface water seemed to increase but it didn't seem to be much of a problem until we enter the inner portion of Duck Cove. Being the diehards that we were, we proceeded to set the five traps allotted by Maine law.

Some of Lyndon's traps looked like they were on their last legs but he proceeded to string out his traps farther and farther out from the area we had chosen to set up our gear. We had decided not to use our sleds any more than we had to because of the amount of water on the ice to insure our ride back the 10 – 12 miles back to the landing.

Soon after the completion of the setting of the ice traps and as we were sampling our menu for the day I noticed one of Lyndon's traps seemed to be kind of quivering and of course it was the trap about 200 yards out. Looking again, the trap was now not quivering but started to shake violently. My brother started to walk toward the trap and the closer he got to the trap the violent thrashing accelerated. My brother tried to hurry up his pace but the slush was preventing him from crossing fast enough. As he was about 20 feet from the trap there were three separate surges and the trap was bouncing up 6 to 8 inches off the ice and a final surge the trap went up into the air and went down through the hole. Although we tried by using weighted lures and an assortment of hooks we were unable to retrieve the trap and the enormous fish attached to the other end. This was an example of the need of all fishermen, regardless of the situation, to check and double check all equipment before each adventure and replace all gear that simply won't get the job done. I believe my brother lost a real trophy size fish because of his worn out gear. Note: The next week I noticed as we were getting ready to leave on our next fishing trip there were new editions added to my brother's pack basket.

http://www.lorsey.com is a small Maine based business.www.LORSEY.COM is where you can find top quality men’s canvas fishing vests by Kakadu Traders also mens fishing sunglasses, Ameristep Ice shelters and Precision Pak fishing packs at Lorsey.com

12/3/09

Big Game Hunting Essentials

The world of hunting western huge game animals isn’t the same in many ways over the past decade. Numerous reasons have led on to steeled hunting conditions for todays outdoorsman. Talking especially to deer and elk species, herds have been negatively affected in several manners. A few of the more important considerations include giving out too many tags per unit, predator preservation, illness, a larger number of hunters, the length of the season, and forest management. The modern hunter can push harder by exploiting the sleeker outdoor hunting gear high tech that is available today.
This review references 3 major methods to help attain your goals. The first choice is to pay big greenbacks for prize hunting tags. But if you fall into the class of the other 90%, like myself, then there is truly 2 strategies to enhance your odds. This might include going further into the badlands, hunting places that others might not check out, going where the game are from light to dark, scouting throughout the year, and learning animal habits.

Here are 2 necessary hunting gear packages, 1 for the bow hunter and 1 for the rifle hunter.

  • Sitka Ascent Jacket and Pant Combo - Sitka gear has taken hunting clothing to the next level with light-weight breathable but rough and warm gear.
  • Eberlestock bow and rifle pack - This lightweight back pack has the facility to contain your gear and pack out your game.
  • Knives of Alaska Brown Bear Combo - This Knives of Alaska combination set permits you to skin any deer or elk with the pup skinner and hack thru bone with the cleaver.

RIFLE HUNTING EQUIPMENT:

  • Badlands 2200 Hunting Pack - This back pack backpack offers the ultimate capability to pack all your desires in with you, and all your game out with you. With light, strength, numerous pockets, rifle sling, and beef packing capabilities, this pack is one of the more versatile on the market.
  • Rivers West Jacket and Pant - streams West offers apparel that’s tricky and warm enough for those cold rifle hunting days. Both these garments are water-resistant and extremely durable.
  • Knives of Alaska light hunter combo set - The light hunter combo brings the great skinning ability with both knives as well as an extremely pointy tummy hook that will work with deer and elk.

Although there are more products that you may use and need while bow hunting or rifle hunting seasons, outside of your bow and rifle, these items are critical in supporting your hunting fortunes. Good luck on your next hunting journey.

The author is an accomplished hunting gear professional and works with Diggs Outdoor Hunting Fishing and Camping gear to create their performance induced line of outdoor gear.

12/1/09

Deep Sea Charters. Great Fishing Fun Guaranteed

Trying to plan a deep sea fishing trip can be complicated and confusing. First, you must understand where you want to go and then locate the deep sea charters that operate in that area. When choosing an area to depart from, be sure to talk to other people who have been on successful deep sea fishing trips and listen to their advice. People can tell you where the best spots are and also places to avoid. We also recommend reading articles by fishing experts that describe deep sea fishing adventures and the type of fish that are caught in certain areas. Articles can be found in saltwater print magazines or fishing websites online. After you pick your location, you need to assess the charters that provide trips in the area.

Again, talk to other fisherman who have knowledge of the good and bad charters that operate in the area. Word of mouth is probably the best way to assess the fishing charters. It is also advisable to get online to see which guides are in the area, what kind of trips they offer, and how much they charge. Don't just choose the cheapest guide in the area. You want to make sure you pick a quality fishing operation that will provide safety and put you on the fish properly. A great charter will know the best spots to fish and waste no time in getting you there. Booking your charter is pretty easy. Most charters take calls over the phone and can reserve your spot. Some prefer that you email them or reserve your spot through the website. Before your trip, they typically require a deposit. Most charters require you then to pay the remainder of the fee on the day of the trip. Once there, you will need only proper clothing, refreshments, and maybe a fishing license. Most quality fishing charters will provide the rods, reels, and bait.

Fishing Tackle Catalog for your Fishing Vacations - Getting Back to Basics

It all starts with the fishing tackle catalog and ends with the vacation. Many families, especially those with children, went fishing on vacation, in part because that’s all they could afford to do. Sometimes a simple back-to-basics vacation can be just what the angler ordered from the fishing tackle catalog.

After you fished and cooked, you’d eat and take a nap and then go for a dip in the lake. Even if you were allowed to keep your catch, you wouldn’t be able to take them home on the plane.

You don’t have to pitch a tent in the middle of nowhere to have an affordable fishing vacation. There are other options that you won’t find in the fishing tackle catalog. Take the Coleman and eat the fish you catch for one meal and fry up bologna and potatoes or eggs and bacon for another meal.

Going on a vacation with another family can be the best time you’ve ever had, or your worst nightmare. If you are considering it, after gathering up the equipment you need from your favorite fishing tackle catalog, lay down some ground rules first.Part of the playfulness of a vacation is in not having to stick to schedules.If you have children, taking a family fishing vacation together might give them the time of their lives. If they already play well together and like one another, then they’ll probably love a few days together.

Weekends have always been special, because they mark the end of the work week and drooling over the fishing tackle catalog. Whether your weekend falls on a Saturday and Sunday or a Tuesday and Wednesday, if it is something you can look forward to every week, you’ll be even more productive during your workweek. Sometimes we just need to get away, and we are better able to deal with our responsibilities after we have recharged our batteries, so to speak. What if your spouse wants you to go with him on a weekend fishing vacation and you don’t want to? Plan something together for the following weekend that the two of you can look forward to. The vacation is much better than flipping through the fishing tackle catalog.

For more information, continue reading at:
Fishing Tackle Catalog for your Fishing Vacations - Getting Back to Basics

Garcia is an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and travel writer.