Fishing Information


Fishing Equipment Tips


Cheap Sinkers

Spark plugs make excellent disposable sinkers. Need some cheap (free) fishing weights? Go to any gas station and ask for them. Then, loop a rubber band through the electrode and then tapping the wire down the plug can be attached to a loop of monofilament. The rubber band stretches when the plug is hung up, and even if the extra stretching force isn't enough to break free, the band will break before the monofilament.

Jig Weights

Jigs are one of the most versatile game-fish catchers in either fresh or saltwater. It is so important to have the right weight jig for your line weight. If the jig is too heavy for the line, you will loose your jig far too easily. If the jig is too light for the line, its swimming pattern will be disrupted and it won't be ass effective. This simple chart will help you select the correct jig:

Line Strength Jig Size
4-lb. Test 1/16 to 1/8 oz.
6-lb. Test 1/8 to oz.
8-lb. Test to 3/8 oz.
10-lb. Test to oz.
12-lb. Test 3/8 to 5/8 oz.
14 to 20-lb. Test 5/8 to oz

Treble Hook Replacement

When replacing the treble hooks on your lures, there are a few things to consider. Chang the split ring too because it is subject to stress and rust. Use a stainless-steel split ring for strength. They do not spread or rust as to most of those that come wit h the plugs. Don't, however, use stainless steel hooks - they are more easily bent out of shape by a fighting fish. Also, if a fish gets away with your plug, stainless steel will not rust out, as a plain steel hook will. Lastly, get some split-ring pliers - they make changing your hooks easy.

Extra Springs

If you use a spinning reel, you have probably had a spring break when the fishing gets really hot. Always carry extras (use a 35mm-film canister) - and make sure to have a little screwdriver along as well. Practice changing it before you go out

No-slip Soles

If your winter boot soles are worn, just cut the liner to match the sole of an old sneaker. Fasten the felt to the sneaker sole with a non-soluble glue. Please a heavy object on top of the sneaker overnight, and by morning you have an all purpose non-slip shoe.

Snag-proof Spinners

Treble hooks are oftentimes "trouble" when using spinners, causing snags. Make them snag-free by removing the treble hook and replace with a single hook. Next thread on a three to four inch twister-tail grub and Texas-rig it.

Downriggers

Need to drop your bait down deep? Fish are very uncooperative creatures, and don't always hang out near the surface. If your depth sounder is alerting you to fish down deeper, a downrigger can really help out.

If you aren't exactly sure what it is, it is simple. It is a spool holding between 200-600 feet of steel cable. There is a weight attached that is between 6-12 pounds. Additionally there is a quick-release line gripper, just like a clothespin.

The fishing lines from your rods are attached to the quick-release mechanisms. Then the entire thing is dropped down to the depth you want. The bait is far enough from the weight and line gripper not to spook the fish. If you get a bite, the line is released from the gripper, so it is just you and the fish!

Some downriggers have fish-attractant properties (either electrical, or a special kind of paint), but not most of them.

Downriggers work great for deep trolling, and some even have an electronic crank that will bring everything up. If you need to get at deeper schools of fish, these are highly recommended.

Nail Polish Helps

Does your spoon, spinner, or plug get the paint chipped after only a few casts? Use clear fingernail polish to protect the paint and increase durability. Carry a bottle with you when you are fishing, and give it a shot.

Ferrules

If there is dirt on your ferrule it can contribute to rapid wear. Make a plug out of wood to help keep the female ferrule clean.

Is your ferrule stuck? Use "Liquid Wrench", which you can get at any auto-parts store. Just spray it around the male ferrule and let it drip down. In a few minutes you will be able to pull it apart.

Getting Out Line Tangles

Use a pair of large fabric needles to work out these tangles. They have a smooth finish which won't damage the line as you work the mess out. They are also handy to sew canvas tarp, leather, or carpet strips.

Pocket Tackle box

Attach a cord to your pocket tackle box, so you don't worry about dropping it in the water or leaving it behind. Just drill an undersized hole near the back of the box and insert a small eye-screw. A know will stop the cord from slipping through the eye. Just put a clip on the other end so that you can secure the rope to a belt loop or buttonhole.

Avoiding Line Twist

Line twist is the leading cause of fouled fishing. To check for it, pull off enough line to span your outstretched hands - about 6 feet. Next, bring your hands together in front of you, causing the line to drop into a loop. If the loop wraps around itself, you have line twist. Remove it by trolling about 100 feet of line behind a boat. Next install a ball-bearing swivel to prevent future line twist.

Knots Are Key

One of the most important things in losing or landing a hooked fish is your knot. Be certain the knot you are tying is strong and properly tied.

To make sure, tie your usual knot and test it against other knots. A good test is to take two four-inch sections of a broom handle with the screw eye in the center of each. Tie a knot in each screw eye and pull steadily until you see which knot survives. Do it 10 times to get an average. The knot that holds best should be your new knot.

Anchor Pulley, Keep it Quiet

If you use an anchor pulley, you risk spooking the fish as most pulleys eventually start to squeak. Try this alternative to a pulley:

Get a large U-bolt, a few nuts and washers, and an old-style glass or porcelain fencepost insulator.

Slip the insulator on a U-bolt, drill a couple of holes to accommodate the bolt, and tighten it to the mounting surface. The anchor rope will slide freely in the insulator's groove, and the anchor lowers and raises as effortlessly as with a pulley, especially once the rope is wet.

Casting Poppers

Casting poppers with a fly rod is awkward. To get better distance bore a slightly undersized small hole in the popper, just big enough to fit a BB in. It should fit snugly and will give you another 30 feet of casting distance at least.

Cheap and easy depth finder

Using two felt-tipped markers (red and black) mark an anchor rope as follows: A single red mark around the rope at five feet, a red and black mark at 10 feet, a single red mark at 15 feet, two black marks at 20 feet, a single red and two black marks at 25 feet and three black marks at 30. Use the color code red for every five feet and multiples of black for 10 feet.

Netting baitfish

Increases the efficiency of your minnow scoop by putting a bend in it. Just turn the wire handle down 90 degrees, then push the net back on line. The forward-positioned net makes it much easier to trap a baitfish against the inside of an open-top bucket.

A Cheap Anchor For A Fishing Boat

For holding a good-sized boat over a rocky bottom, use a large swivel snap to fasten four fee of heavy chain to a standard mushroom anchor. You can get one from a junkyard. The chain boosts the anchor's weight and holding power, provides convenient handles for lowering and raising, and gives extra leverage when an anchor jams in rocks or snags. When he brings it aboard, he coils the heavy chain on a bed of old foam-rubber pads so it doesn't rattle around or dent his boat. In calm water, he simply unsnaps the chain and uses the mushroom anchor by itself.

Copyright 2005 EveningSecretFishing.com Fishing

Frank Faldo is a Long-Time Fisherman and friend of EveningSecretFishing (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/10_Fishing_Gems.php )

Feel free to use this article on your website or anywhere else - but all links and bio information must remain in tact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Radioactive fish Northern Vermont bass test positive for strontium, cesium
Brattleboro Reformer
By BOB AUDETTE / Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO -- Fish taken from a lake in northern Vermont had similar levels of strontium-90 and cesium-137 as fish taken from the Connecticut River near Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon. During a Feb.

and more »


Newfoundland and Labrador Compass

Fishing standoff heats up
The Telegram
More than 50 unionized crew members from the fishing trawler Newfoundland Lynx have been locked out by Ocean Choice International. — Photo by Terry Roberts/The Compass Tension between the fisheries union and Ocean Choice International (OCI) has ...
Fishing standoff unfolding in Bay RobertsNewfoundland and Labrador Compass

all 9 news articles »


Lewiston Sun Journal

Ice-fishing events are at mercy of Mother Nature
Lake County News Sun
1/29/12 Lake Zurich Len Miglieri and Ed Nuemann stock their sleds and pull their gear to the lake for some ice-fishing on Bangs Lake at sunrise on Sunday, Jan. 29th. An ice-fishing derby, with headquarters at Bangs Lake Bait Company, had proceeds going ...
Derby, free fishing to take place Feb. 19Lewiston Sun Journal
Hundreds gather for Tupper Lake fishing derbyThe Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Lake Colby Fishing Derby March 3, 4North Country Gazette
Northumberland Today -NewsChannel 9 WSYR
all 7 news articles »


Wired2Fish (blog)

Being First: A Fishing Strategy for Staying Ahead of the Competition
Wired2Fish (blog)
I'm not talking about a specific fishing hole but the next “piece” of the fishing puzzle that no one else had found that day, that week, that month, that season … yet. I learned at an early age that knowing a good spot was not nearly as effective as ...
Extended fishing report for Feb. 6Santa Rosa Press Democrat (blog)
MN DNR Weekly ReportDuluth News Tribune

all 3 news articles »


Minnesota Ice Fishing Shanty Rentals that Won't Leave You Cold
Yahoo! Sports
Contributor Network 12 hours, 27 minutes ago Headed to Minnesota for an ice fishing excursion and wondering where you can rent a lake-front cabin and an ice shanty? Well, I have you covered. Looking for copious amounts of perch?

and more »


Homosassa Fishing Report 2/6/12
The Ledger (blog)
I began in waist deep water while wade fishing with Mark Nichols and Jerry McBride of DOA lures. We casted a variety of their artificial baits. They caught a ton of fish and I caught about a half ton using the DOA three inch shrimp and CAL tails near ...
Mother Nature forgot it's wintertime, so let's go fishingTCPalm

all 2 news articles »


PennLive.com

Reporter's Notebook: A fish out of water
Carlisle Sentinel
So, as I walked around and around tables full of hunting and fishing gear at the Outdoor Show, I felt (no pun intended) like a fish out of water. With the bright blue jacket I was wearing, I probably even looked like one, too. Luckily, a nice man named ...
Show organizer says visitors demand a purchasing option at the Eastern Sports ...Patriot-News (blog)
Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show a nine-day extravaganzaThe Tribune-Democrat
Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show Begins at HarrisburgDaily Local News

all 91 news articles »


Very good ice fishing in northeast Washington
The Seattle Times
Those who enjoy ice fishing and like to catch quality trout should consider a couple of lakes in Okanogan County. One is very much overlooked, and I suppose the reason is that it is a winter lake, that is it is managed to open in the late fall and ...
Rainbow trout coming to Lake MendocinoSanta Rosa Press Democrat

all 3 news articles »


Reversal of fishing ban proposed
The Advocate
By Koran Addo NEW ROADS — After a 21-year ban, commercial fisherman may be allowed to fish on False River as part of the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' efforts to improve the oxbow lake's water quality in small, incremental steps, ...



Cumberland Courier Newspapers

NSW Recreational Fishing Trust funds available
Cumberland Courier Newspapers
FISHERMEN with thoughts on how to improve the fishing in their area but without the means to reel the idea in, are invited to apply for government funding. Organisations and anglers are now invited to apply for NSW Recreational Fishing Trust funding, ...
For-profit fishing limited on reefs; new law cuts commercial harvestGeorgetown Times
Regulatory Agency Treats Recreational Fishermen UnfairlyThe Ledger

all 3 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007