Rainbow trout are plentiful in California and this is a fish that is particularly fun to match wits against. If you are completely new to trout fishing, or just look for some great new tips, there are a few sure methods that you can employ to increase your success rate with rainbow trout. There is a lot to be said for technique and with these methods, anyone should be able to start catching more rainbow trout consistently.

Before we get started, it is important to discuss the time of year when you will be most likely to catch a rainbow trout. Although some have success in the summer months, this is a fish that is going to be easier to catch when it is a bit colder outside. We recommend late fall and throughout winter as the best seasons to catch rainbow trout. Early spring can also be a great time to try your luck. Although you can catch them at any time of the year, you’ll be able to have a lot more luck when it is colder outside.

Now, let’s talk about bait. We prefer to use live bait for rainbow trout, but there are a few good synthetics out there that will get the job done. For live bait we highly recommend using smaller sized baits, such as minnows. We’ve had the best luck with nightcrawlers, but blood worms also work very well. Some people swear by maggots, but that’s a little too much for most people.

It is important to note that rainbow trout will not respond to dead bait. This is one of the main reasons that synthetic baits just don’t work as well. If you are using this type of bait, you’re going to need to get some that are lively in color and have a bit of movement. Otherwise, you’re going to be wasting your time. Look for synthetic bait is as realistic as possible.

Your line is also very important. This is not a fish that you’re going to want to manhandle and heavy test weights aren’t needed. You can go with around a six pound line, or even lighter. Any heavier than that and your luck will go straight out the window. It is also important to work on how you hold the line. Lightness is the key, and the wrist plays a very vital role. You’ll want to practice holding your line still and keeping it pretty loose. However, you’ll want to be able to snap that wrist into action once you get a nibble. With a little practice, this becomes second nature.

Lastly, a big part of your success rate will come with where you are fishing for rainbow trout. Look for coves and outcroppings of land out on the lake. This will most likely be the best spot to land your rainbow trout successfully. This is a tricky fish, but with a little practice and a lot of patience, you can be successful.

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Originally posted 2008-08-20 05:40:10. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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If you are looking for a new experience and the chance to increase your take of fish, there are a lot of benefits to fishing at night. It’s not for everyone, but with practice, you can do quite well. Using the right techniques will make a big difference in your success rate, and will ensure that your night fishing trips are not only profitable, but safe as well.

1. Do a complete check of the boat.

If you will be going out onto any body of water at night, it is vital to make sure that your boat is in great working order. Stock it with all of your supplies ahead of time and make sure that you have enough fuel. Keep in mind that many lakes and rivers prohibit boating activity after sundown. Double check before heading out to make sure it is allowed where you will be fishing.

2. Get set up before it is dark.

It requires a little more effort and time, but it is a lot easier to get situated and make sure you have everything you need when you can actually see. Load up the boat in the daytime and head out onto the water a little before sundown. If you will be fishing from shore, you can still get set up while there is a little light left.

3. Use the right bait.

If you think it is dark on the shore or in your boat, try a few feet down in the water. Although fish do have excellent vision, even they have some trouble at night. This means that you will need to use the right combination of bait and possibly lures. For bait, anything that is really smelly will work best. Even if the fish can’t it, they will be able to smell it. For lures, metallic or glow in the dark types will work best in darker water.

4. Keep the noise down.

Fish have very sensitive hearing and they are particularly cautious at night. Keep your noise to a minimum. This is one of the other main reasons that we recommend getting set up well before nightfall. It gives you a chance to quiet down and for the fish to return to normal.

5. Movement is important.

Lures that move a lot or casting techniques that create a lot of waves will be beneficial. As we mentioned above, fish do have a little trouble at night and will rely primarily on smell, hearing and noticing a big motion in the water. Use all three to your advantage.

6. Go chumming.

Chumming works best at night and you will get to experience what a feeding frenzy looks like if you are in a good spot. Some prefer a chum line, or you can use it directly on your boat. Either way, this will make a big difference in your level of success.

Remember, safety should always come first, especially when you are fishing at night.

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Originally posted 2008-07-29 05:20:09. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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If you are up for a challenge, there is nothing like the feeling of being able to land a king salmon. These fish have an incredible amount of fight in them and they will really make you work to land them. There are however some techniques that you can use to greatly increase your chances of reeling in a monster king salmon.

The first step is knowing when to try your hand.

While it is possible to fish for king salmon all year round, you won't always be successful. If it is too cold out, your odds of landing one are greatly reduced. Try to schedule your fishing trips for the warmer months when the fish are more active and much more likely to take your bait. If you are traveling to Alaska for some fishing, this is particularly true. While there are many fish that can be caught in winter, the king salmon isn't one of them.

Next up, you'll need to remember that king salmon like to swim very deep in the water.

It is common to find one about 100 feet down. You'll need to bring the right equipment with you in order to be successful. This means heavier lures, longer lines and a pole that can withstand the weight of this fish which can weigh in excess of one hundred pounds. There is nothing more frustrating than hooking a king salmon, only to have it get the best of your pole.

You're also going to want to focus on your bait and try a few different techniques.

By far the best bait to use for a king salmon is frozen herring. You will notice a big difference in your success rate if you're using this bait. Use a downrigger poll, and set up several different poles if you are really serious about making the catch. If you're not familiar with a downrigger lure, it's a very heavy contraption that can withstand the weight of a salmon. It's got a heavy cable that can be attached to your line with a clip. This is by far the best type of pole to use.

Patience, as with any fish, is the key to catching a king salmon.

It's a great idea to keep a little log of your various attempts and see which ones work the best. A fishing diary is a lot of fun to keep and you can learn a lot through the months as you go back over your past adventures. Try starting up a conversation with other king salmon fishers and see what they are using and what is working for them. With trial, error and a lot of patience, you will be able to land this monster fish and enjoy the fruits of your labors for many meals to come. King Salmon are well worth the effort, so don't forget to bring your camera along. You're going to want to record this catch for your next big fish tale.

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Believe it or not, the type of hook that you are using can have a big impact on your success rate with catching fish. While we all understand that big fish need bigger and stronger hooks, there are many different styles that can be used. Certain species of fish, such as large mouth bass, will need a very specific type of hook if you want to successfully catch one. Let's take a look at the different types of hooks that you can use and their intended uses.

Circle Hooks -

These are very popular in some circles and when used properly, they can be very effective. While they are not the easiest to bait, they are perfect for fish with large mouths. Instead of being able to grab your bait and run, that circle will impale their mouths and make it much harder for them to get away. This is a great type of hook to use on bass, as well as some trout. When you do get a nibble, don't immediately pull back on the line, since this will yank the hook right out of the fish's mouth. Let them do the work for you and you'll have a live one on the line.

Artificial Bait Hooks -

If you have been using your regular hooks with artificial bait, you may end up pretty frustrated at the end of the day. That is because artificial bait requires a specific type of hook in order to work effectively. The hooks for this type of bait are normally on the larger size and the point of the hook will be spaced further away from the body of the rest of the hook. You can usually find these located in the same section as artificial bait in most tackle stores.

Saltwater Bendbacks -

These are essential for saltwater fishing and can help you increase your success rate exponentially. This type of hook will have the point that bends out a little from the rest of the body and the shape is usually a little warped. This is ideal for larger fish that will have of course, larger mouths. By using a bendback, you should be able to hook your saltwater fish with a lot less effort.

These are just a few examples of the different types of hooks that are available. There are thousands more, but this should get you started. Remember, there is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to hooks. Each different type of fish may require a different type of hook. Read up on the different species you're after and find out ahead of time which hooks will be able to get the job done for you. This step can save you hours of frustration and you'll be much more likely to reach your take limit in a lot less time. Try out several different types of hooks to see which ones will work best for you and the fish.

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If you have been fishing on shore, and are ready to take it to the next level, or if you have been fishing by boat for years but would like to get better at it, there are quite a few tips that will help make your outings more fun and more profitable in terms of how many fish you can catch. While there are a few variables that cannot be helped, such as weather, lake conditions and fish behavior, these tips should help make quite a difference in just how lucky you are out on the water.

Take everything with you –

This sounds very simple, but it is all too easy to get out on the lake and realize you left something important back on shore. The less movement you can make through the water, the better off you will be. Make a checklist of all that you plan to take with you and then go through it before you pull out from shore. This small tip can make a bigger difference in your success rate and it can help cut down on frustrations.

Remember that noise is a factor –

Fish don’t like a lot of noise, and a boat will definitely disturb them. Pick out the place you want to try on the lake, and then once you reach it, turn off everything and sit as quietly as possible. You may need to give it a little while before fish return to that area. Don’t bring a radio with you and learn to love the quiet. Once you get this down, it will be a lot easier to find the fish you’re after.

Consider chumming –

Although this may not be allowed on some lakes, chumming the bottom of your boat will definitely help get more fish interested in hanging around you. Take your bait of choice and rub it along the bottom and sides of your boat before you get it into the water. The scent will remain and will serve to attract fish. This is a good tactic to try if you normally have a lot of trouble finding any fish out on the lake.

Be open to change –

You may need to change up your bait and lures to see what is biting that day if you are not after a specific type of fish. Take a wide variety of different baits and lures, both natural and synthetic and see which ones work the best. It’s also helpful to make a log of your findings for next time. You may also want to test out different line weights to see which ones are most effective for you.

Try different times of the day and different spots on the lake – If it is midday and hot, chances are the middle of the lake where it is deepest will be the best spot to find fish. Conversely, you can also luck out when it is cooler by hanging around near the edges. Once again, you’ll need to experiment to see which position works best for you.

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Go into any bait and tackle shop and you’ll be astounded by the sheer amount of selection that is available. Do you really need all of this stuff? Depending on the type of fish you are looking for the answer is both yes and no. The key is finding the right mix of equipment that is essential. Not only will you save money, but you will be able to enjoy a higher success rate on your fishing trips. Let’s go over the essential fishing equipment that you really can’t do without.

1. A quality rod.

Buy a cheap rod and you’ll probably regret it, especially if you are going after bigger fish. Your main investment should be in a really good rod that will last for several seasons. The material is completely up to you, but most prefer a composite rod that will hold up to the stress of a big fish, but not completely overwhelm the smaller species. Check out these quality rods: Fly Fishing Rods, Freshwater Rods, Saltwater Rods, and even Vintage Rods.

2. A great reel.

If you have ever hooked a fish only to end up helpless snared in loose line and knots, you know how important a good real can be. A great reel however will never let you down. You may need to test quite a few before you find the one that fits your technique the best. Again, this is an area where it is ok to spend a little more money, since you’ll be ending up with a reel that will last for several years. Check out these quality reels: Saltwater Reels, Freshwater Reels, Fly Fishing Reels, and even Vintage Reels.

3. Colorful lures that mimic nature.

While you can spend loads of money stocking up on all of the latest lures, it is often the old standbys that will outperform them. Look for lures that are bright and do a good job of mimicking either real bait or a real insect. The brighter the better, especially if you are going after fish that prefer deep waters. Check out these quality lures: Fly Fishing Flies, Freshwater Lures, Saltwater Lures, Big Game Lures, and even Vintage Lures

4. Get the right bait.

This will depend largely on the type of fish you are seeking and it pays to do your research before you head out. At the end of the day however, you can pretty much guarantee that a freshwater fish will be happy to get a nightcrawler. Worms may not be expensive but they do get the job done, especially when compared to the more expensive bait that never seems to work.

5. A good net.

No matter how good you are, you’ll still need to have a good net at your disposal. Look for one with a smaller weave so that you can use it for any kind of fish and make sure that it can hold a heavier fish as well. If you’re noticing a few rips or tears in your net, get it replaced before you end up missing out on the catch of a lifetime.

6. A GPS system.

A fish finder with a GPS system can help you determine the terrain at the bottom of a lake and point out where you will be most likely to find the kind of fish that you are looking for.

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Halibut fishing is incredibly popular and challenging and there are thousands of different techniques that you can learn. However, there are a few standard tips (ok maybe not so secret) that will help you land that halibut, whether you're fishing from a boat, the dock or even the side of a lake. If you want to start really bringing in the fish, these tips will make a big difference in your success rate.

1. The key is the bait.

   Halibut are a tough fish to bait, and the best way to keep them interested is to keep changing your bait. We recommend changing every ten to fifteen minutes. It is a lot of work, but it will really pay off. Try rotating out your different types of bait. Once you land one, chances are that bait won't work again for a little while, so dip back into your rotation for more variety.

2. Use the right kind of bait.

   As you may have guessed, halibut are picky eaters. We recommend the use of the following baits for the best success: Octopus (if you can find it - squid will also work) Halibut Skin (only use the white side of the skin) Salmon heads, Mackerel innards, crab or cod. It's best to have as many on hand as possible so that you can rotate them frequently as mentioned above.

3. Use the right kind of lures.

   Once again, we're dealing with a pretty crafty fish here, so you're going to need to step up your game. We've found that Zzingers work very well, as well as lead heads. Your lures should be pretty big and it's a great idea to really try out several different ones while you're fishing. Often, it's the right combination that will lure them in, and knowing when to change things up. The lures can work very well if you've found that the above baits just aren't getting the job done.

4. Use the right tools.

   Halibut require a pretty strong line, so try to get somewhere between 80 and 120# test lines. Your pole should also be powerful and should be very quick on the reel in. Try practicing your technique off the water for the best results.

5. Keep trying the same location.

   While many people like to move around, this can actually reduce your chances of catching a halibut. If you're on shore, make sure you stay in about the same spot and cast deep. If you're on a boat, drop anchor and sit there for awhile. It may take a lot of patience, but you will land a halibut.

6. Don't be afraid to get a little smelly.

   The best secret to attracting halibut is to scent your boat and the water around you. It's a bit nasty but it works. Chum scent works the best and will make a big difference in the amount of fish that you catch. Just remember that if you store your boat in your own garage, you're probably going to want to wash it well before bringing it back home.

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