January 1st, 2009 — Boating, Fishing, Tips and Tricks, tuna
If you eat tuna, then chances are you’ve already sampled this delicious variety of the popular fish. While blue fin tuna are also popular, yellow fin tuna are by far the most commonly caught variety and the one that is commonly used in commercial foods. While you may not have the same equipment as a commercial fisherman, that doesn’t mean that you can’t go out and catch your own Yellow Fin tuna. With the right gear and the right techniques, you can sample a fresh caught tuna and see just how delicious this fish can be.
To get started, you’re going to need to make sure that you have the proper equipment. This is a very large fish with a lot of fight and your standard rod and reel will not cut it. You’re going to need to need at least a 50 pound class trolling reel at your disposal, and a line that can stand up to this fish. Most weigh north of fifty pounds, with fully mature fish getting close to 150 pounds, so keep this in mind when you are shopping for your gear.
The right kind of line is also vital for catching a yellow fin tuna. They can be pretty fierce, and they are usually found only in very deep water. We recommend using a 50 pound test line, especially for deep water fishing. It is not uncommon to have to go to a depth of 600 feet to catch a Yellow Fin tuna, so you’ll want to make sure that your line can stand up to this kind of struggle and depth.
The hook is also key to successfully landing a Yellow Fin tuna. This fish has a very large mouth and they are very adept at slipping hooks. Go for the biggest hooks you can find, usually in the range of a Number 10. It should be at least three inches long, and preferably, a little bit longer than that.
For bait, your options are pretty open here. A Yellow Fin tuna will bite on dead or live bait, but we have found that live bait works pretty well. Go for larger chunks of bait to ensure that they will catch the hook. Otherwise, they can bleed you dry pretty quickly. This is a smart fish, so you’ll need to be pretty wily in your own right to get one.
Squid works very well for catching Yellow Fin tuna, and is pretty easy to find. If all else fails, you can use smaller fish as bait, such as mackerels. You may need to check for any restrictions on using this type of live bait before you get started. Some areas will not allow live baiting, while others do not care.
To find your Yellow Fin tuna, look for large disturbances in the water. They like to travel in big groups and it is not uncommon for them to make quite a bit of noise, which attracts sea birds and other creatures. Spotting them is not terribly difficult but these tips will make catching one a lot less difficult.
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Originally posted 2008-08-18 05:00:02. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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December 29th, 2008 — Bluegill, Boating, Fishing, Tips and Tricks
Bluegill are a fun fish to catch and since they are in larger supply than a lot of fish, chances are you’ll have plenty of opportunities to test your skills. Here are some can’t miss techniques to improve your chances of catching that bluegill.
The average bluegill weighs less than a pound and although they are not a physically imposing fish, they do have quite a bit of fight in them considering their size. Depending on where you are located, bluegill may also be called panfish.
1. Get the right equipment.
Bluegill really don’t require anything fancy, but you’ll want to make sure that you are using a lighter pole and the right sized hook. Remember, they are a little small, so a big hook will be out of place. We find that a small number 6 hook usually works best, but some people will go to a number 10.
2. Find the right kind of bait.
Although you can use lures to attract a bluegill, you will want to make sure that you are using the right kind of bait to reel them in. Bluegill prefer live bait and worms usually work the best. However, tiny minnows can also work very well. Just remember that your bait is going to need to be on the small size in order to allow the fish to get completely hooked.
3. Get a bobber.
Since you may not feel the actual bite happen, you will need to use a bobber to make sure that you can tell when you have one on the line. A small red and white bobber will work just fine, you don’t need to have anything fancy to catch a bluegill.
4. Perfect your technique.
Since you’re dealing with a small fish, you’ll have to change your technique a little bit. If you are overly aggressive when you’re reeling one in, you’ll just rip the hook right out of their mouth. Go a little bit to the side when you feel a bite and then gently start to reel them in. The key is slow and gentle movements.
However, all these tips won’t help if you’re not looking in the right place for bluegill. We find that they generally are found in shallow water, usually near the edge of a body of water. Look for small stands of foliage and you’ll most likely find at least a few bluegill in the area.
Chumming is a bit controversial when it comes to catching bluegill and not all lakes or rivers will allow it. However, if you are in an area where it is permissible, you can try this technique, especially if you will be fishing for a few days. Drop your chum in the water and keep doing it several times a day. You’ll be training the bluegill to come to you and you should have pretty good results.
Above all, enjoy yourself. Fishing for bluegill is fun and it is perfect for young fisherman that are just starting out.
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Originally posted 2008-08-06 05:55:31. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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November 21st, 2008 — Boating, Book Review, Fishing, fly fishing
When it comes to the great outdoors, LL Bean is probably one of the most recognized authorities on the subject. They have built up quite a following over the years with their outdoor clothing and accessories and it was only natural that instructional books would follow. If you are interested in learning about fly fishing, this may be the best way to find out.
The first part of the book goes into the basics of fly fishing, but also offers some incredible insight into the way that fish think, and how you can improve your techniques. The section on fly fishing safety should be read at least twice, especially if you are completely new to this type of fishing. The discussion on natural food for fish is fascinating and may change the way that you think about bait.
The second part goes into Fly Casting, cover not only the different techniques that you can use but also how to become a more effective caster. The advice in this section alone is more than worth the cost of the book and it's like getting several mini lessons in one great resource. The entry on false casting was very informative and we ended up learning a lot more about how to fly fish just from this section alone.
The last part covers fly tying and this is a large part of the book. Many different techniques are discussed and each one takes you step by step to help you develop solid fly tying techniques that work. We really enjoyed learning about the different types of fly tying and what you can do if you really apply yourself. If you are thinking about taking up fly tying as a hobby or as a business, this part of the book is incredibly beneficial and will go a long way towards helping you become a professional at tying flies.
The appendix also contains some great and useful information for fly fishing and should not be missed.
We recommend this book whole heartedly to anyone interested in fly fishing. Whether you've never set foot in a stream, or you are an old hand at tying flies, this is the perfect book to have. A little bit instruction, a lot of technique and some great insights are all packed into this one volume. It's a great primer on the sport, but it is also more than appropriate for those that need to brush up on some skills and learn more about fly fishing in general.
While many fly fishing instructional books are a bit dull, this one manages to escape that problem with ease. The prose is light, and you'll end up wanting to read the whole book cover to cover. Whether you are shopping for a gift for a fly fisherman, or you need to pick up some great tips for fishing on your own, this is a great resource to have.
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August 25th, 2008 — Bait, Tips and Tricks, mackarel
Trolling is a great way to catch fish, in lakes, rivers or even out on the ocean. If you have never tried this type of fishing before, it’s actually quite enjoyable and chances are, you’ll be able to catch quite a few fish. There are a lot of different trolling methods that have been used throughout the centuries, but there are a few techniques that everyone can use to improve their trolling. Here are some great tips to get you started.
First off, let’s talk about bait. That is an essential part of successful trolling. After all, if the fish just aren’t interested in your bait, you can troll all day and never catch a thing. We have found that live bait works best, but there are those that swear by dead bait. However, the key can be found in the size of the bait that you are using, as well as the type.
Mackarel works best and is just about the right size. For ocean trolling, we definitely recommend squid, especially during the summer months. You can play around with different types of bait until you find the one that works best with your own methods. The larger sizes will probably work best, depending on the type of hook that you are using.
Speaking of hooks, this is also an important part of trolling successfully. Since the bait is moving ahead of the fish, this allows the fish to strike at it, and if you don’t have the right hook, it can simply strip the bait and head for the hills. To prevent this, we recommend using a little bit larger hook, and you may want to thread the line through your bait to increase your chances of a successful catch.
Now, let’s take a look at your speed. While you will be moving, it is essential to check your speed to make sure that you are not going too fast. It is much easier to troll when you are going about 3 knots. Any slower and you’ve defeated the purpose, and any faster, you’ll be outrunning many of the fish you’re trying to catch.
Your line is also very important when it comes to successfully trolling for fish. You’re going to want to make sure that the test weight is durable and that it won’t break under pressure. Go for a little bit heavier line to err on the side of caution. Most of the fish that you will be trolling for will require at least a 30 pound test weight so this is a great place to start. Again, in many cases, experimentation works best to find the right weight.
Last but not least, it is important to hold your rod correctly. If you keep it too close to your body and your line is too tight, you may miss out on the first strike. It is best to hold the rod at an angle away from your body and keep the line a little slack. You can snap to when you feel the strike, but stay relaxed until you do.
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