Custom Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing Rods
Legendary kayak angler Jim Sammons shares the best way to make a ‘Rocket Launcher’ style rod holder to keep your rods out of the salt while you paddle your kayak. For all the latest kayak fishing tips and tricks visit www.kayakfishingtales.com
Duration : 0:2:55
Funny Big Game fishing clip. Man catches huge Goliath Grouper and gets uppercut by its tail.
Duration : 0:1:48
If you’re keen to find a fun family activity, then give boat fishing a try. There’s nothing better than heading off on your boat with the wife and kids, talking about the fish you plan to catch that day.
It’s important to realize, though, that there are lots of different types of boat fishing, and each one has specialized boat requirements. You can do everything from dangle some bait on a string over the side of a canoe, right through to high-tech rods and a powerful cabin cruiser. It just needs to be seaworthy – the rest is up to you! But if you’re keen to buy a boat, you need to do some homework first. It can be very confusing walking into a boat show or dealership and seeing so many choices. You need to think about what you’re planning to do with the boat before you can decide which one to buy. Here are some popular boat fishing choices.
Freshwater Boats.
If you enjoy fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers or streams, then you don’t need a massive boat. Instead, choose an aluminum or fiberglass boat. Make sure it’s easy to transport and lightweight. Popular choices include bow riders, runabouts or walley boats, with either a small or dual console. These boats are fine for family freshwater boat fishing outings.
Offshore Saltwater Boats.
Fishing out on the open sea is the most common thing people think of when you mention boat fishing. Most people enjoy fishing offshore because they get the chance to catch huge fish and use heavy tackle. It’s important to have a dependable, heavy boat for this type of fishing. You’ll encounter plenty of different weather and situations on the open sea, so you need to be able to rely on your boat. You can choose twin or single outboard motors, and you definitely need a cuddy cabin or a center console. If you want to spend a bit more, you can start to look at the more luxurious boats, including a bluewater or convertible with luxury quarters, and maybe even an elegant living area. Bigger boats generally have powerful inboard diesel engines as standard.
Inshore Saltwater Boats.
If your tastes run to tarpin, snook, trout, bonefish or redfish, then you will want a boat suitable for inshore saltwater fishing. It’s best to have a light boat that is smaller than a 25-footer. All you need is a single outboard motor. You’re likely to be in shallow water at least some of the time, so something like a flat or baby boat works well. These have a spacious deck you can use for casting, and are still float well in shallow water.
Bass Boats.
This type of boat is generally suitable for tournament and sport fishing. They’re colorful, fast, and ride low in the water. It’s preferable if the bass boat has a trolling motor mounted on the bow. Generally they have a platform at both the bow and stern ends, which makes casting much easier. You can choose from aluminum or fiberglass.
Float Tubes.
These don’t really qualify as boats, but fly anglers find them very handy for fishing in mountain streams, ponds and lakes. A float tube is simply a flotation device containing a seat. The angler is partially submerged when seated in the float tube, and uses fins on his feet to navigate around on the water. They’re tricky to handle, and fly-casting requires lots of practice. You can choose between round float tubes, which are similar to an inner tube, and pontoon float tubes, which have an air chamber either side of the fisherman. The pontoons are slightly eiasier to maneuver, as their v-shaped design reduces the amount of water resistance.
It’s always a good idea to speak to experienced anglers who either have their own boat or use one regularly. They can give you lots of help in deciding which type of boat is right for you. Read magazines, guides, and talk to your local boat charter service. Fishermen generally love to talk about boats, and you can learn a lot to help you select the perfect fishing boat for your needs.
Stephen Dolan
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/boat-fishing-tips-and-tricks-82557.html
Know Before You Go
First, do your research. What you want to catch dictates were you want to go and fish. Once you decide where you want to go, find out what charter boats are in the area. Read magazines, get on line and put some time in to find out all you can about your options. When you have a couple of possibilities, call them up, drop them an email, ask them questions, not just “how much is it?” but “what is the best time to come? What fish are in season? What type of tackle do you have on board and in what classes? Can the weather stop you going out? Do you fish under IGFA Rules? Is the skipper an IGFA Certified Captain? What about beginners? Can you put me in touch with a couple of previous clients? What types of fishing can you offer?
Try to find out if they are a serious charter boat with good equipment, a good crew and they know what they are doing!
If you can, talk to the skipper before you go out. Tell him/her what you would like to catch, your level of experience and if you would prefer calmer waters or are happy to corkscrew all day if the fish are there.
You are out there to have fun, not sit in a corner looking green and feeling miserable. If you start to feel unwell, tell the crew ! Here in Kadavu, we can always move to calmer waters.
A good charter boat will take your wishes into consideration when deciding how and where to fish.
When You Step Aboard
Listen to the safety briefing. It’s not just done to fulfil Maritime Safety regulations, it will also give you information about that particular boat, where emergency items are stored, where you can sit and where you should not go or sit during cruising for safety reasons.
Be prepared. Talk to the skipper or deckie. Ask questions like “what do I do when a rod goes off? And how do I do it?” We always establish the experience of our guests and we tell you what to do and show you how to do it. The last thing the deckie or the skipper wants is to lose a fish because of simple confusion on the deck.
I once watched 3 anglers begin, and continue with, a lengthy discussion on who should pick up a screaming rod whilst a nice sailfish of about 100lbs tail walked away from the boat. Despite us backing down, the sail took over 700 yards of 30lb mono and spooled the angler just as he finally reached for the rod.
Don’t fiddle with the equipment, even if you are experienced and understand its operation. Lever Drag Gamefishing reels have their drag settings carefully tested and set to a drag setting appropriate to the type of fishing you are doing and the fish you expect to catch. If you accidentally bump a reel setting – tell the crew.
The crew should be more than happy to explain the use of any piece of equipment and why it is set as it is.
On a Game boat, everything has a place. The crew may need to get something quickly so be careful not to move things around. Don’t rummage through tackle drawers or pull out equipment and toss it back in a mess. At best, you will annoy the crew (who will have to sort it all out again and at worst, you may get a hook through your hand.
When the deckie takes a leader or gaff in hand, stay well back. Only the angler and the deckie should be at the back of the boat. It you are there too, you are in the way. If you are marlin fishing, this is positively dangerous. Crowding the deckie not only blocks the skipper’s view, it endangers the life of both you and the deckie. You and he could be pulled overboard if a hand or foot gets tangled in the leader. If the deckie is tracing a big marlin and you get in the way – it’s a tense and potentially dangerous moment. Don’t be offended by the stream of loud four letter words directing you to move back.
You will get your chance to take close up pictures when the fish is tagged and under control.
When a fish comes aboard, stand well back and listen to the deckie’s instructions. They are for his safety as well as yours. Most lures used have 2 or more hooks. One may be in the fish’s mouth, the other may be swinging free – just waiting to catch you.
A colleague of mine got a 10/0 Stainless Steel hook embedded in his calf when a mahi mahi got loose on the deck. Very painful and that was the end of the days fishing.
A good charter boat will do everything it can to ensure you have an action packed, fun filled day of fishing. It is, after all, in their best interests that you go home and tell all your friends how good the fishing was and what fun you had. If you are out there flogging a dead horse (its rare but it does happen)….don’t blame the crew….they will be even more frustrated than you are!
Some Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
* Take a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. You will get a lot of glare reflected off the sea, even on cloudy days.
* Take a camera.
* Wear non marking soft soled shoes.
* Ask if you are fishing under IGFA Rules – You just might catch a World Record!
* Ask, if you want to come up and see the bridge.
* Eat your catch – you won’t ever eat a fresher tastier fish than one that you just landed.
* Respect the boat. Don’t trash it. Rubbish makes its way to the bilge and can block bilge pumps.
* Enjoy the whole day’s experience, not just the fishing!
Don’t:
* Brag before you go about how many fish you are going to catch. It’s bound to blank your day.
* Step on board wearing high heels or shoes that may damage or mark the deck.
* Play with fishing equipment settings. (Even if you do know what you are doing)
* Put a rod butt down on a teak deck – It will damage the teak. All rods go in rod holders.
* Crowd round the deckie with a camera when he is tracing or gaffing a fish. STAY WELL BACK.
* Bring a hand held GPS. If the skipper sees it, you won’t be going to any of his secret hot spots.
* Access the foredeck or engine room. They are out of bounds unless the skipper specifically tells you otherwise.
* Litter. Never throw any type of rubbish (including cigarette butts) overboard. Turtles eat butts and die.
* March up to the bridge, plonk yourself down in the deckie’s seat and put your feet up on the console. Unless you want a swim.
Crew Talk Jargon Explained:
“Fiddler & Tweaker”: Somebody who can’t resist playing with reel drag settings or ratchets.
“Nibbler”: Somebody who stares at the outrigger tip when you are trolling 16” marlin lures on bent butt 80s and shouts “I think we just got a nibble!”
“Plonker”: Somebody who asks if they can bottom fish when you are 7 miles out on the Kadavu Trench in 1,000 fathoms of water. (6,000ft)
(I once had a guy stand up on the transom with the boat cruising at 22kts, wave at one of our resort dive boats following in our wake and decide to dive in. (My deckie Joe managed to grab him before he killed himself) Game boats and large quantities of beer do not mix. If you get drunk aboard one of my vessels, I will consider you a danger to the crew who will have to rescue you when you fall overboard. I will tie you to the game chair and drive home. Just so you know.)
Adrian Watt
http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/tips-on-going-on-a-gamefishing-charter-boat-124209.html
If it’s your first time to go for a deep sea fishing trip, there are some essential things to know to make it a fun-filled and successful one. Here are some of the key points when having a deep sea fishing trip.
Overlooked Things To Bring
For sure fishing equipment, food and clothing are the ones that are always remembered by people to bring on a deep sea fishing trip. However, there’s still some other stuff that a lot of people overlook bringing with them to a trip.
One good example would be a cooler. Bringing one with some ice, icepacks or even frozen water bottles are very important, since this is what you’ll use to retain the freshness of your catch and keep it cold.
Another one would be spare cash. Other than being vital for emergencies, you would need this just in case you get the biggest fish and you would have to get in on the pool. You also need this for mate tipping purposes for providing you help throughout your excursion.
Also seasickness medicine would be important too. Dramamine is one effective solution for that problem. For those who are already used to boats, this kind of problem may seldom be encountered. However, it would still be beneficial if you pack a small first aid kit. Try to bring band-Aids, stomach medicine, tissues, and disinfectants in the kit, just so in case minor injuries occur during the trip.
Best Locations For A Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Some of the best locations to have a deep sea fishing trip are: Bodega Bay and San Diego in California; Wildwood, or Cape May in New Jersey; Boston and Cape Cod in Massachusetts; Daytona Beach, Destin, Key West and Miami in Florida; Freeport, Galveston and Port Aransas in Texas; Gloucester in Maine; Ocean City in Maryland; and Point Pleasant in New Jersey.
These spots can give you a variety of fish to catch. They also offer you different views and experiences with nature. Each spot can have their own pro’s and con’s, however, one thing’s for sure they are great deep sea fishing spots!
General Deep Sea Fishing Overview
In general, a deep-sea fishing trip could last about four to eight hours, or more depending on how long you want it to be. You can arrange trips with your charter or party boast in the morning or afternoon. In fact, if you have a special occasion, you can even schedule evening trips. You can also do this if you’re the night owl type that might not be back to shore even until wee hours of the morning.
If you’re having one of these late night trips,especially during the colder months bringing a thermos that is full to the brim with steaming tea, hot chocolate or coffee would be a great way to keep yourselves alert and warm during the trip.
Freebies On The Side
The great thing with deep sea fishing is that sometimes you can get freebies on the side. Other than the adventure of being out in the waters, you may be graced with the appearance of some dolphins too. There are cases in which you can also have a glimpse of sea birds that are chasing each other playfully. However, the situation would not always be like this, since factors like location, weather, time of the day and how many people you are with on your boat could affect whether you’d see such blessings.
Nicholas Tan
http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/deep-sea-fishing-essentials-to-know-for-a-funfilled-deep-sea-fishing-trip-674967.html
I see whenever people are bass fishing on t.v. they always use baitcasters are they the best bass reel or can I keep using my spinning combo?
Actually, Pro fishermen all carry spinning outfit’s in their boats. Most use them for lighter tackle situations.
Once you master a baitcasting outfit it will offer you MUCH more control & accuracy in casting than a spinning outfit. However, it takes time to learn…….
Baitcasting Pro’s and Cons?
Pro’s-
1. NO LINE TWIST- Even the BEST spinning reel will twist your line causing snarls and loops. Because baitcaster’s are essentially just a "winch" they don’t create loops in your line.
2. Larger diameter line- You can use heavier lines easier with a baitcaster. Heavier Mono lines (with higher diameter) floats higher in the water column, (due to "drag") than any other line. This can be esp good for a variety of Bass fishing techniques including Topwater fishing, larger Swimbait fishing, large Soft Plastic fishing, Spinnerbait’s, Etc.
Because of this, being able to use (say) 14-17LB Mono line can completely change the "depth dynamic" of a larger lure over 3/8-3/4 OZ.
If you tried spooling 14-17LB Mono reel on a small freshwater spinning outfit it would not work.
3. Heavier Action Rods- Baitcasting outfit’s can be VERY stout, (compared to spinning outfit’s). And there are tried & true Bass fishing techniques that require a heavier action rod, (such as "Flippin & Pitchin"). Trying to find a spinning rod with enough backbone to do certain Bass fishing techniques can be tough.
4. Control and accuracy- Like I said above- Once you master a baitcaster you can cast VERY accurately to structure.
Baitcasting Cons-
1. Mastering Baitcasting- Learning how to successfully use a baitcaster is not a 1 day affair. You will have to practice and practice before you get even close to mastering…..
Most people who start baitcasting tend to quit because they have no patience. If you make the effort and practice, you will slowly realize how important baitcasting is to Bass fishing…..
2. Light lures and lines- Baitcaster’s are designed to cast lure weight’s from 1/4 OZ and UP. Anything under 1/4 OZ is best left for lighter line and a spinning outfit. Also, baitcaster’s tend to perform BEST when using line diameter’s from 10-17LB , (and UP).
3. The famous Birds Nest- Yes, you will experience one of these. And YES it stinks. But, as you improve your casting skill they happen less and less. And in my opinion, a Birds Nest is STILL not half as bad as a spinning reel snarl! (lol)
Hope this helps? Good fishing.
What are each used for and how do they differ from normal carp or float rods?
Specimen & Specialist rods are beefed up rods for catching the biggest possible species of a particular fish… the most common target species being Carp, Pike, Barbel, Chub & Tench.
They come in a variety of "Test Curves", most commonly….
1.25lb TC = usually an "Avon" style rod, used for specimen chub fishing on big rivers but can also be used for Barbel fishing & carp up to about 25lb but still sensitive enough to fish for Roach, Tench, Perch & Bream + as a heavy duty feeder rod. One of the most versatile rods you can own (and one day I even hope to be able to afford to buy one finally).
1.5lb / 1.75lb / 2lb TC = Usually a beefed up Avon style rod, or light carp rod & mainly used for specimen barbel fishing on Rivers (especially when it’s in flood, or there’s some really bad snags to contend with) + Carp fishing where casting as far as possible isn’t necessary.
2.25lb / 2.5lb / 2.75lb = Usually exactly the same as a Carp or Pike rod but called a specimen / Specialist rod instead of a "Carp Rod" or "Pike Rod" to imply they can be used for both.
3lb / 3.25lb / 3.5lb / 3.75lb / 4lb TC = Usually a very powerful Carp / Pike style specimen rod (almost more like a beachcasting rod) for extreme long range carp fishing, baiting with a "spod", or fishing for HUGE catfish (usually the "Wels Catfish").
Stalker rod = usually a shortened version of a carp rod (e.g. 8 – 10ft instead of the usual 12ft) used for stalking carp in awkward spots, and casting to any you happen to spot…. kinda like the approach often used in "A Passion for Angling" or on John Wilson’s "Go Fishing".
For those who have fished on a fishing boat, what are of the tools to help catch the fish and to lure them?
BOAT.
Fishing license with saltwater and second rod stamps
Rods.
Reels.
Line.
Hooks.
Sinkers.
Lures.
Leaders.
Tackle box.
Tackle bag.
Boat box.
Boat bag.
Bait (live AND dead).
Net.
Gunny sack.
Gaff.
Gloves.
Smokes.
Lunch.
Beer.
Jigs.
Irons.
Captain.
Skipper.
Pliers.
Nail clippers.
Filleting knife.
Pocket knife.
Car keys.
Money.
Clothes.
Boots.
Part 7 in the series on how to remove, repair, and replace fishing rod guides.
Duration : 5 min 25 sec
http://www.flyfishingvideos.wordpress.com/fly-fishing-videos/#doublehaul
A cinematographic journey into the soul of a fly fisherman. Watch as this fly fishing video carries you through amazing places including "Helicopter Fishing".
A must have for any fly fisherman's video collection.
Duration : 3 min 38 sec