Have The Time Of Your Life And Catch Big Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are largely in warmer bodies of water which has a shallow cover, irrespective of whether it is in the weeds or the rocky outcrops. In some of the lakes with blended habitat, the largemouth location overlaps with that of smallmouth bass.

In the course of the summer time they will be in deep underwater areas like submerged islands, rocky shoals and on weed edges. This is the kind of structure that will be most effective and suitable to capture these really hard hitting tail dancing fish.

Casting spinnerbaits or retrieving shallow running crankbaits in submerged weed patches also pays off. Bass of each species in deeper water can be taken with diving crankbaits. Largemouth techniques that get the job done elsewhere are also helpful. Fishing differs from flip-and-pitch kinds around the shallow, matted weeds, docks, and stumps, to thrilling top water jerkbaits, poppers, and hovering plastic worms.

Take into consideration that the time of year is also something to consider. Late spring to early summer depending on what the water temperature is at will be spawning time. The female will be on the beds guarding her eggs from anything that may come to invade her space. Top water lures can be especially exciting because the bass will kill it with much protective anger.

After the bass spawn can be a little tougher to get them to bite. They usually go into the deeper water and rest for awhile to recuperate from guarding and spawning. The males can be more ready to bite as opposed to the females. However you will need to locate them and present the right color bait and the correct artificial bait that will entice them to bite. Some lures will not work because you might fish them to fast or too slow for instance so be prepared to use many different styles and colors and possible at different depths.

Always make sure, at any time of the year that you are fishing for largemouth or smallmouth bass that you have different colors of lures and of course different styles of baits. What I mean is have jerkbaits, plastic worms, top water baits, spinners that you can run across the top of the water with speed. Just make sure you are prepared for anything because you will not know what they will hit on.

I have always been a proponent of learning as much as I can before I start to fish for a particular species. Read articles and tips from the experts that will help you be better at fishing for this great freshwater fish! Knowledge is the key to catching fish.


Jeff Bausch has been fishing for over 40 years. He started a lake map business with the best fishing spots marked plus a fishing newspaper many years ago. Fishing has always been a passion, now he is sharing his fishing knowledge about how to use lake maps and how to fish any lake with great success.

If you would like a recommendation on a book here is one I would recommend largemouth bass fishing extreme.

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For Great Fishing, Find The Edges

Fish have very few responsibilities in life. They concentrate on three things. Where can we eat? Where can we go so we don't get eaten? And where is the weather nice?

The weather part is to keep them in their preferred temperature zone. They can either go deep, go shallow or migrate. Deeper water is less affected by the surface air temperature and is more stable. Shallow water (especially with a dark bottom) will heat up faster from the Sun's rays, and cool down faster from rain and God forbid snow. Many species migrate to stay in their preferred water temperature.

The other two points, eat or be eaten is the focus of this story.

Dawn and dusk are by far the best times of the day to fish. Fish are often most active at these times. As a fisherman you have the advantage that your hook and line are not as visible as during the day and your bait is a lot more visible than at night. So the edge between light and dark is huge.

The edge of a channel or stream bed offers game fish three advantages:

1. A quick escape route if fish spot a predator near by

2. A buffet line usually travels through the channel providing a dining selection

3. The varying depths offer temperature variations so they can warm up or cool down

River, stream and lake shorelines are another edge. These can be very productive especially if they are steep or have downed trees or rocky shorelines. Shoreline irregularities provide shelter to baby fish and food sources like crabs, crayfish and frogs. Also, these banks are where insects take bad hops and fall in the water, providing additional opportunities for a quick meal. Downed trees and rocks provide shelter from currents and places for the predator fish to hide.

Rips, or places where currents collide, often stack up debris along their edges. These provide food and shelter for the smallest forms of life. Predator fish know this and travel these edges in search of food.

Many large fish can be caught right at the ocean's edge. This is where the waves break up the clams and other shellfish which provide the food to game fish. I have seen eight foot bull sharks hooked in water that was not up to my knees. They weren't eating the clams, but they were eating the fish that were there to eat the clams. Rarely do I see surf fisherman casting just beyond their feet. Usually they cast as far as they can thinking the deeper the water the bigger the fish, but this is not always true.

The next time you go fishing, look for anything unusual and try a few casts there. It could be a color change in the water, a washout from the beach, a bulkhead or pier, a jetty, etc. They all provide shelter or food to the little guys and that brings the predators.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more about inexpensive fishing, please visit my website: cheapfisherman.com.


HI,

My name is Greg Knox and I have a fishing website called cheapfisherman.com.

On my site I give advice for the novice to average fisherman who can't afford a guide or yacht but wants to catch more fish. Fishing is an adventure, not and investment!

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Smart Bass Fishermen Plan Properly To Be Successful

Every smart fisherman has his own fishing techniques that help him catch fish. Like bass fishing or fishing in fresh water, the fisherman will always have to use what he has learned to fish the waters he is fishing, whether it's large or small bodies of water.

Some fishermen fish at night and some only by day. Others will cast for bass on smaller lakes around the shore structure and weed lines. I like casting near and around all the piers and boat docks. Bass are predatory by nature and like to kill something quickly and eat it. They will actually attack the bait or lure so you need to make sure you use the right test line. Anywhere from 8 - 15 pound test monofilament line is adequate as a rule. However it will depend on what kind of structure you are fishing. If you are fishing in thick weeds you need strong braid or higher poundage mono line to pull a big bass out of the weeds without breaking you line.

Many fishermen cast bass fishing lures like artificial worms and crank baits. Live bait can work real however the problem is that other smaller fish will bite before a bass does. I like to use many different artificial baits such as plastic worms. I fish a small lake that has lots of weeds therefore using a plastic worm with the keeper hook system it will now be weedless. Works great where you can get snagged up a lot in the weeds or rock piles or trees that down over the lake or river.

Fishing in clear lakes and waters is difficult at best. Bass prefer discolored waters and cover. Smallmouth bass and many other species do not stay in clear water too long. They need cover and oxygen which comes from weeds and grasses. Keep in mind bass do not have eyelids to close when they are in sunny clear water.

The contour of the underwater terrain is also a thing to consider in bass fishing. You may consult an expert on the terrain of the lake you are fishing or get a map of the lake that shows the depths and hotspots to fish. Just stop by the local bait shop where you are going to fish and ask them what's biting and what are people using to catch bass right now. Also ask about any special lake rules that the states department of natural resources has put in place on catch and release rules or what size fish you can keep or not. Check you fishing license guide you get when you buy your license. Sometime they outline new rules in effect for the new year.

If you can afford it, utilizing a fish locator or fish finder is very effective in locating under water structure to fish.

This is just part of being a smart fishermen or woman.

Of course your choice of fishing lures and baits will determine most of your success in fishing for bass.

Choose the most durable hooks that will hold firm when opportunity is given. Also keep your hooks sharpened at all times. Keep a small hook a sharpener in the tackle box. At the end of the day take a few minutes and sharpen your hooks so you are set for your next outing.


If you would like to read a very informative book on bass fishing here is my suggestion largemouth bass fishing extreme

I have many articles and tips on freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Go here to visit my website. MyFishingGoods

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What Are Fishfinders Really Capable Of?

Fishing equipment is central in the lives of anglers who always look forward to the time that they can get off from work and start fishing. These days, it is important for old school fishermen to realize that there is a modern device out there called the fishfinder which could help them figure out where the fish are.

Fishfinders also known as sounders and they are designed to locate fish by sending out an energy pulse and presenting the underwater features using the reflected sound energy pulses. These devices use sonar technology. The measurements gathered are presented on a graphical display that tells the fisherman what's going on where they cannot see.

What does a good fishfinder reveal? Aside from identifying where schools of fish are located, fishfinders also show underwater features and debris and plant life effectively differentiating them from the fish. The device shows the hard bottom features and the sediment as well. Sounders are useful to both commercial fishermen and sport fishermen and there are units that may be integrated to other systems such as GPS navigation systems and marine radar systems.

Fishfinders are compact and portable devices that have proven to be useful to amateur and professional anglers. There are variations in terms of screen resolution and size as well as the maximum effective depth. This means that there is definitely a fishfinder out there that fits your particular needs.

There are so many options to choose from. There are even fishfinders meant specifically for use in lakes and other bodies of freshwater, while certain models work best in saltwater environments. Anglers who prefer the quiet environment of lakes and rivers can find a lot of models that are especially suited to meet the requirements of the dark and silty underwater landscapes that characterize these bodies of water. Similarly, fishermen who prefer to try their luck in the open sea can procure a fishfinder that is designed and optimized for the swirling currents and the challenging terrain under the surface

How exactly do fishfinders assist anglers? Here are some of their basic functions:

· Identification of location of fishes using advanced target tracking technology.

· Presentation of detailed and accurate underwater terrain in color or grayscale.

· Single or dual-beam scanners make a wide-angle scan of the area for definitive survey.

· Quick set-up and installation features that allow for fast attachment to the boat and equally fast removal for transfer to another boat, when necessary.

The very best fishfinders out there not only serve as a quintessential device with multiple uses. They are also designed to be user-friendly to facilitate streamlined operations. Locating fish has never been easier with the most advanced models in the market today. Even entry-level fishfinders already have a gamut of features that veteran fishermen will also appreciate.

The best fishfinders out there not only differentiate between living fish, debris and vegetation but they can also point the angler toward the right direction. It is important to find a unit that fits the needs of the fisherman in the specific environment he prefers to fish in.


The best equipment to have for fishing is Garmin. Learn about my trusted angler equipment at www.garminfishfinders.org and get to know more about Garmin Echo 150 Fishfinder.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Gilbertson

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Reasons to Take Up Fishing As a Hobby

Fishing is the act of catching animals that live in aquatic environments. In the advent of human civilization, this activity originated as a means of livelihood. People fish so that they can cook and consume whatever they catch. Fishing has since evolved to become a leisurely pursuit. Millions of people around the world have taken up fishing as a hobby. If you are looking for something to do on your pastime and you love communing with nature, fishing should be on top of your list of considerations.

The major attraction of fishing for people is the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the outdoors. There is no better hobby than fishing to help a person unwind and put the mind at ease. Although it becomes hectic later on after that first bite and the battle between man and fish takes all of a fisherman's strength and will, the long wait requires patience. Keeping still is an exercise at serenity and alert awareness. As such, fishing could be the relaxing activity that could help an individual who consistently experiences stress every single day. Fishing can definitely help release the tension. The tranquility that an angler finds while engaged in the hobby can see them through when they experience rough times in daily life.

Here's another reason why it is a good option for a hobby. Fishing is an activity that can involve the whole family. A big enough fishing boat can accommodate everyone. While the angler takes on the fish, the whole family can relax and unwind as well. Fishing can bring the whole family away from the distractions of modern and urbanized living. Fishing can promote family bonding and open up lines of communication that may otherwise be clogged up at home. This is a hobby that could remove everyone from the hectic hustle and bustle and give the whole family a chance to reconnect.

Perhaps one of the reasons why fishing is one of the most popular hobbies of all time is that it is inexpensive. With almost no investment, a person can walk to a nearby lake or river, cast a line and start fishing. For sure, there are anglers who invest in their own boats and buy only the most expensive equipment. But a person can start engaging in fishing with a dime store block and tackle and nothing more. Amateur fishing gear is very inexpensive. If the budget is really limited, a beginner can just gather a few earthworms and use them to hook fish rather than buy bait. With only a handful of dollars, a beginner can readily engage in this popular hobby.

Another advantage of fishing is that it does not require any special training. Fishing is a self-explanatory procedure and if a person wants to have an idea on what to do prior to starting out, he can browse online resources. Anyone with the basic tools can start out the very next day and join the club that counts as members almost 40 million amateur and professional fishermen worldwide.

With all the reasons we have presented above, have you already decided if you will take up fishing as a recreational pastime?


The best equipment to have for fishing is Garmin. Learn about my trusted angler equipment at www.garminfishfinders.org and get to know more about Garmin Echo 100 fish finder.

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LED Lenser Head Torches

LED Lenser Head Torches

There will be instances when you need to have an area lit at night while having your hands free to complete other tasks. This is when LED Lenser torches come in handy. These torches are designed to be lightweight and fit around your head while providing you with high performance lighting from there patent pending reflector systems which create the brightest, most energy efficient LED lights available.

Since LED Lenser manufacturers hand torches, head torches and accessories, you will need to determine if the head torches are the best choice for the situation. In some cases, a hand torch may be enough to keep things illuminated and you can set it down as needed when working on a particular task, and all these torches come with LED Lenser's advanced focus system which comes in very handy as you can simply change from spot to flood beam by using one hand to slide the head forward. This does mean you need to determine the night-time activities you plan to do. If you just need it to light your path while walking, a hand torch will be enough. But if you plan to go jogging, going out on a fishing boat, cooking or doing any kind of physical activity, such as hiking, you will find the head torch is one of the best overall choices for you, this is where LED Lenser's H series of head torches gives you good choice.

One of the important things to remember when you are exploring the options you have is that LEDs are one of the smartest moves you can make. Not only will they provide you with a good amount of light, but they also have the ability to consume less power, this is where LED Lenser's CREE LED comes in as it provides 100,000 hours of light from the one LED chip. It is a good idea to explore each of the LED Lenser torches to determine which models will provide you with just enough light in the darkness to complete any task you may have, there is a good range to choose from in the P series of torches.

To determine how much power the light has, you will need to pay close attention to the lumen. This is the standard of power used in LEDs. Typically, a 50 lumen torch will be enough for you to do most outdoor activities by yourself. If you need to illuminate a larger area, or provide light enough for multiple people, it is recommended you choose something with about 300 lumen's of light. Just keep in mind that the higher the lumen's, the heavier the unit will be and the battery life will be far less in the process. If possible, you may even want to consider one of the head torches that allow you to switch between low and high power levels and the new range now come with a boost mode which gives you even more power.

When you head out for the first time using these torches, it is a good idea for you to be sure you have enough batteries on hand. While using low power settings and taking advantage of regulated LEDs in the device is smart, you do need to make sure you have enough supplies to last you through the night. Part of this will be found when you routinely use the device, as it can give you a general idea of how long the batteries will last and the advantage of LED Lenser rechargeable torches is that they can also run on standard batteries as well as the rechargeable batteries that is supplied with them.

As you consider the options you have, it is a good idea to take a sensible approach in finalising which of the LED Lenser products will work best for you. Pay close attention to how easy it is to operate the device and to which device suits you best as there is lots of options and different settings available depending on the activity you plan to use it for. For the head torches you have the choice of the LED Lenser seo series or the high performance H series, and in the hand torches you have a large choice starting of with the P series and going the whole way up to the top of the range X series.

For a full range of torches and specifications visit our on-line shop http://www.flashlights.ie


Are you in the market for a high quality, high performance head torch, then look no further, the LED Lenser brand offer all of this as well as a 5 year warranty on all there torches, we are a retailer for the range of LED Lenser torches, head torches and accessories, there is a model to suit everyone regardless of your line of work or activity, check out the full range and specifications in our website http://www.flashlights.ie

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How to Catch Black Drum

Black drum can be identified by the vertical black bars on their sides. They are found from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. They have no teeth, but have some in their throat to crush oysters and barnacles they eat. Black drum reach maturity at 4 or 5 years of age and usually swim in schools. Their average weight is 20 to 40 pounds and they can live to be 30 years old. They prefer temperatures in the range of 53 degrees F to 85 degrees F. They like to eat crabs, oysters, mussels, and squid, and they are bottom feeders.

Where to catch them?

Black drum usually feed inshore at high tide and leave when low tide occurs. You can find them near jetties, bridge pilings, piers, boat docks, around oyster beds, bays, and marshes. They can be at sandy bottoms also. You can catch them from the surf, from an anchored boat or trolling. When fishing for black drum you might want to wait a few seconds before setting the hook as they mouth the bait. A lot of times when fishing the pier you can see them, and you can jig your bait in front of them. When you hook one they put up a fierce fight. I have had a few big ones break my line.

The best bait to use is squid, cut fish, clams, sand fleas, and shrimp. For lures use buck tails or jigs.

For fishing in a boat, use a 7 foot fast to extra fast rod with a reel filled with 30 to 45 pound test of mono-filament line. You can use the same rod and reel combination on the pier or jetty. If fishing on the beach, use a 8 to 9 foot fast to extra fast rod. At any rate, use a fish finder rig with the appropriate sinker for the surf conditions.

A fish finder rig is basically a sinker that is free moving along the line that is connected to the line by a swivel and then you have a bead then a snap swivel. Next is a black leader then the hook. The hook can be any size, but I prefer #2 circle hook. This hook is not that big, but not too small either. The weight holds the bait near the bottom and the crabs won't get your bait.

Some people use an already made chicken rig bought at a tackle shop. It is a fishing rig where you can attach two hooks and a weight at the bottom. The crabs love this kind of rig so I recommend putting small floats on the rig.

Another tip is to check your bait every 15 minutes if you don't get a strike. If you do find the fish, most strikes happen a few seconds after the bait hits the bottom. To find the fish, ask your local tackle shop where the fish are biting; most tackle shops will be happy to tell you. Also check for the size limits of the black drum in your area. I hope these tips are helpful and make your fishing trip more enjoyable.


I love to saltwater fish and have been doing it for some time. For more tips on saltwater fishing, and a great free mini course on surf fishing visit http://tipsforsaltwaterfishing.blogspot.com

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