That’s right, the reach of computers has now entered the realm of bass fishing – you can’t escape them. Old timers might not like the idea that bass are somehow related to computers. That’s not the way we did it, right? Well, have you ever kept a log when you fished for bass? Many old timers did; in fact, that was considered a mark of the dedicated bass fisherman, that he studied out his prey. You probably had a notebook in which you jotted down such information as the bass’ depths when you were catching them. You were sure to record the cover you found there, and you must have jotted down which your of lures or bait did the trick. You kept these logs for each trip and often referred to them when fishing the same place. You were collecting information, old timer, something computers do too. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s bass lures that Work and then there’s lures you can mount on the wall or sell at your next garage sale.

Spring has come and the sun will be shinning late into the Autumn this year, and the fish are promising to be jumping in the boats, especially that most desirable of fish, the bass. You need only to assemble a formidable selection of bass fishing lures to entice them.

Now bass fishermen, like any fishermen, differ sharply on which are the best bass fishing lures, the ones sure to get that strike every time a fish comes into sight and smell of that slimy delight. Live swimming grubs or lures imitating grubs have proven effective for snatching those bass 10 to 15 feet deep. Live grubs wag their tails in a subtle manner, which brings attention from those bass below, so if you’re using artificial grub, make sure their tails will wag gently as you fan cast around your boat. Use a steady retrieve, slow and smooth. Shad colored grub lures are especially effective.

Many bass fishermen use spinner baits, but may find these sink too slowly and the action isn’t fooling the bass. Interestingly enough, a one half ounce Sonar has properties that call those bass like a school of shad. The metal blade vibrates and the lure sinks quickly, hitting the bottom with a hard thud. The size of a threadfin shad will catch the eye of any bass. You’re sure to land your max using these.

Switch blades are popular bass fishing lures for catching bass, the , the Reef Runner Cicada, and Wordens Showdown are popular and very effective lures. These lures are normally fished vertically, but many cast them for more extensive coverage. Cast these out about 15 feet, let them fall to 20 feet, then pump it back up to 15, repeating until you’ve completed the retrieve. Aim in another direction and try again. The more area you cover, the greater likelihood you’ll hook that big fish.

Soft plastic bass fishing lures have also produced good results. These are constructed almost like a fly. The hair and feathers are neatly tied to their soft, plastic bodies. Some sparkling flash material is also attached to the body. Nothing beats flash to spark a bass’es interest. These lures may imitate worms, shad or grub. They are more a work of art than a lure, but perhaps there are art loving bass out there too. Read the rest of this entry »

The great state of Oregon is of course well known for its natural beauty, and that beauty is on full display at the famous Columbia River Gorge National Park. This gorgeous park is filled with natural wonders and visitors from around the world flock here for fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing or just to enjoy the grandeur of nature.

There are many must see sites for first time visitors to the Columbia River Gorge National Park, but one of the most remarkable is the breathtaking Multnomah Falls. This natural wonder is not to be missed, and all visitors to the Columbia River Gorge National Park should carve some time out of their schedule to see it.

Standing some 620 feet tall, Multnomah Falls is the second highest waterfall in the United States. This double tiered waterfall is truly remarkable, and well worth the hike. Those who want an up close and personal view of this spectacular waterfall should be sure to visit the Benson Bridge – this bridge lets visitors see the falls from between the upper and lower tier.

Any visitor with an interest in fishing should try his or her luck both above and below Bonneville Dam. The sturgeon fishing is particularly great in the Columbia River, but the waters in the park are also filled with small mouth and large mouth bass, walleye, shad and more. . Salmon fishermen and women should check out the Little White Salmon River, also within the borders of the park.

Washington State has its share of great Columbia River fishing too. A Columbia River Fishing Vacation could be a memorable event for the avid fisherman. There is a nice little guide to catching salmon on the Columbia River and elsewhere HERE. Read the rest of this entry »

Outdoor pursuits are very popular in the state of Michigan, a state abundant with rivers and streams. There are also several lakes, including the Great Lakes of Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, St.Clair and Erie. Michigan fishing vacations promise terrific catches in the midst of great scenery. Various companies hire out charter boats and organize vacation packages for different kinds of sport fishing. Corporate packages are also available for some out of office bonding.

Fly fishing and ice fishing is catered to along with more common types, and Michigan fishing is good for the scratch beginner or the expert. Rivers and streams are good spots to catch brookies and browns. The numerous inland lakes are ideal for smallmouth, perch, trout, walleyes and northerns.

For sheer scale, nothing can beat the sight of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, where the catch is likely to be salmon, rainbows and lake trout. The laws with regard to catching salmon, state that the fish must be a minimum of 10 inches in length. Giant Lakers are plentiful in Stannard Rock, a shallow water reef in the middle of this Great Lake. These can be caught with jigging and casting. Little Bay du Noc in Northern Lake Michigan is the place for walleyes.

The area is perfect for getting into the wilderness, away from traffic noise and polluted air. Companies run day trips, half-day trips and longer stays for Michigan fishing, hunting and sailing vacations. Visitors can stay in five star hotels or accommodation provided by all in packages. There is a varied choice of cottages, bed and breakfast establishments and even lighthouses. Many people like to stay by the lake in heated log cabins.
Read the rest of this entry »

FISHING RIGS

Remember the chase is better than the catch. As much as you would show off having caught rare variety of fish, it is sport worth playing anyway. The classic tussle between man and nature is a process worth enjoying by itself. The designing of the proper type of rigs is important to suit your fishing needs. Here are some important explanations:

LONG CAST RIG

Going with the flow efficiently is whole objective of this designing. Long cast rigs are primarily aimed towards lowering their resistance to water flow and cutting in with speed and effect. The same as the purpose of the jet design in air.

The lead line must be adjusted to as low in diameter as would insurable for safety. Even the bait should be streamlined. Use of clips to tighten the baits in common as otherwise they would dangle in water freely. Read the rest of this entry »

Fishermen in California have a wide choice of lakes which provide them with excellent fishing opportunities. One of the best in southern California for bass fishing is the Lower Otay Lake.

Located on the Otay River in San Diego County, the lake was created on the completion of the Savage Dam. Typical lake information includes its size which is around 1,100 acres and its average depth which is approximately 125 feet. The lake is considered one of the best bass fishing spots on the west coast as the many old dead trees and rock piles provide perfect habitat.

The other primary fish species in the lake include catfish, bluegill, crappie and bullhead. Fish limits are 5 catfish, 5 bass and 25 crappie with no limit on other fish species. The lake is a Bassmaster Tournament location and is a popular spot in California during the fishing season.

Other lake information includes that it is open for fishing on Wednesday and the weekend and this can be done by boat, from the shoreline or using a float tube. No overnight camping is allowed around the lake with the nearest campground facilities being 2 miles away. The nearest city is Chula Vista which is around 8 miles west of the lake with downtown San Diego being a 30 minute drive away.

The weather is generally fine throughout the year with little rain. The high temperature in the summer months reaches into the 80’s with temperatures in the 60’s more typical during the winter. Other local attractions include boating and hiking.

When planning your family vacation near the ocean you might want to consider deep sea fishing as a day activity to take your family on. Deep sea fishing can be an incredibly fun activity that every person in your family can enjoy. One of the most important factors to consider as you plan your family deep sea fishing vacation is which charter company you’re going to choose. There are plenty of options, so let’s go over some now.

What sort of experience are you looking to have?

The answer to this question has a lot to do with which charter co. you’ll want to choose. Some deep sea fishing charter companies focus specifically on reef and/or wreck fishing while others focus more on inshore fishing. Then you’re also going to have to determine which fish you’d like to target. Of course, this is going to need to be something you decide before you even take your vacation because each area is going to have its own unique fish.

What’s your level of experience?

If you’re an expert fisherman you’re going to get bored on a boat that’s catering to beginners. If you’re a beginner you’re going to have a hard time succeeding on a boat full of experts. Factoring your level into what charter company you choose is extremely important because it will determine how much fun you have and your chances of having a successful fishing trip.

Some charter companies also specialize in trips designed around families, so find the one that best suits your needs.

What does the charter offer?

The best way to find out what charters offer is to ask the captain. The captain will always be willing to tell you what you need to know so you don’t waste time or money on a charter boat that isn’t going to give you exactly what you’re looking for.

Part of understanding what you want and what the charter offers is Read the rest of this entry »

The new Yo-Zuri Sashimi Minnow is a groundbreaking, highly detailed lure that actually changes color, mimicking the color changing behavior of many baitfish. These new lures attract inshore and offshore gamefish such as Stripers, Bluefish, Wahoo, Tuna, and more.

The Sashimi Minnow is available in 7 different patterns and features an internal rattle chamber.

If you’re like me, you like to carry around a few versatile lures that can be used for different types of fishing situations that may come up.

Macks Lure has introduced a new ‘hybrid spinner’ call hummbait. The unique lure is designed to attract fish with noise, vibration & appearance. This lure can be used for several different fishing techniques from casting, to buzzbait or even trolling.

HummBaits comes in three different sizes: 1/4 oz. (Minnow), 3/8 oz. (Smelts), and 1/2 oz. (Shad). Prices range from $3.29 to $3.99. You can pick them up at MacksLure.com or perhaps even find a deal at ebay

The patented Kick Tail Lure swims like fish, with its tail. The award winning lure reproduces the action of a real fish in such a realistic manner that 8 pros couldn’t tell the difference between it and a live bait fish.Unlike most standard jointed lures, the Kick-tail lure is separated into 5 different sections along the tail, giving a realistic side to side motion while keeping the lure straight and free from the wobbling which  traditional jointed lures generally have.

The KickTail lure gets high marks for its realistic action and fish catching ability, lower marks for its durability. This lure is guaranteed to double your catch – or your money back.