Fishing

Getting a Good Chair

When you initially start fishing, it may seem very romantic or rustic to sit by a river bank, on tree stump or an overhanging branch and catch fish. However, this gets old very fast. Fishing is a pastime that requires a lot of patience and a lot of sitting time. This is why you need a good chair and here a few tips to help your purchase the right one.

· Decide on your budget, then go online and search through some fishing equipment sites. Most allow you to search according to price and this should suit your purposes.

· Pick according to the type of fishing you do. For fishing off a pier or a bank, the cheapest solution is a basic camping chair. If you plan to spend a few days at the location opt for a Quad Chair; this should not cost more than $20 and folds up nicely as well. If you are going after larger fish consider some specialized chairs.

· Always pick a portable model. Most chairs these days are made of aluminum and are foldable. Sometimes they even come with straps so that you can sling them over shoulder and free up your hands. However, specialized chairs are a little heavier and a little more difficult to carry, so keep this in mind when you buy one.

· Pick one that is comfortable. Sit in one for a while and see how it feels. After all, you will be sitting in it for days at a time and you need to feel as comfortable as possible.

· A long lasting chair is essential if you do not want to wasted you money. Pick one that has been treated to prevent mold and oxidization. It should also be able to withstand differing weather conditions.

Fly Fishing Techniques: Using the Dead Drift

Fly fishing is probably the best way to catch salmon, steelhead and trout, among other fish. There are many techniques for fly fishing, but the easiest to learn, thus the most common, is the dead drift. The dead drift technique is commonly used in small rivers, seams and fishing slots, and is done with nymphs. Its effectiveness is really high, especially when the water surface has very little to no activity. This article will shed light on the technique of dead drifting, as well as provide tips on how to execute it properly.

Dead drifting is best effective in fishing for steelhead and trout, and for fish in shallow water. The rationale for this is that nymphs that float freely on the water surface go along the river current, which is why trout steady below the surface, and wait for food to drift by them. To be successful in using this technique, you will need a strike indicator to help you detect strikes just below the surface. It will help you hit any movement below the surface. Choose light indicators which will not bother your casting, because they float comfortable despite a deep fly.

Best of all, make sure you can see your indicators under the surface of the water. You will first need to find a spot to dead drift in, casting upstream in your chosen water spot so that your fly can have time to sink before you get to your target water. Devise a drag free float for your line, so that your nymph looks as if it is free-floating. Relax and let the fly drift until it is below you, and then let your nymph rise a little so that it looks as if it is coming up. This technique will allow it to be followed and hit. It takes a lot of practice, so you may need to lift the nymph for a second trial.

Get a Small Boat

Pond fishing can be done in two ways,

1. Walking around the pond and fishing from the bank
2. Getting a small boat and heading out to the middle.

The second method is far more effective, but it obviously needs a little investment. Here are three options that could help you towards that method. All three are inflatable options and it goes without saying that you should pick quality products.

1. Inflatable Kayaks are surprisingly cost effective and versatile. The only problem with this boat is that it requires you to keep a little bit of balance. So wriggling around too much is not tolerated by the design. But since you are on a pond this will not matter much. Since it is a kayak, you can always take it with you on you river fishing trips.

2. Float tubes may seem a bit silly, but once you get into one you will see why it is a good option. The upright seating position is especially useful when you cast. It is also quite comfortable and holds you securely in place. Of the three options talked about here, this is the cheapest option and the most personal.

3. FoldCat pontoons are great for several reasons. It is big enough without being too big, you can take a friend along and it will keep you dry. Since you are on a platform, maneuvering about to get to the best position is really easy.
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from which will be kind to your budget. So why don’t you give it a try? You’re sure to improve the size of your catch by getting to the best spots in a pond!

Groupers love Crabs

The Myth of the Magic Lure

You would have seen plenty of advertising by various vendors claiming to have the “Magic” or “Miracle” lure. This will guarantee you good fishing in any condition in any situation. The truth is that this miracle lure does not exist.

There is a good enough reason why a miracle lure cannot exist. Fish are not mindless robots that do the same thing day in and day out. To a layman, this probably does not make sense. But to an experienced angler this is the absolute truth. Fish have their peculiarities and what they do and how they do it depends on a lot of things.

The location, water depth and water quality are essential factors in determining the type of lure to be used. Now throw into this mix the other variables of weather (rain, sunshine, cloud, cold), how much they have already eaten, mood (finicky, aggressive) etc., and you can see how complicated the process of picking the right lure can be.

The best way to overcome this is through experience. Start off with a small collection of varied lures and add to your collection as you learn more. Learn to note things down. For example if you have a really good day, then you should note down the time period, weather conditions, type of fish you caught and the type of bait that was used. This will help you when you next encounter the same conditions. Using this method, you can slowly build up your knowledge and become an accomplished lure picker. Remember, fishing requires a lot of patience but at the end of it all it is a very rewarding experience.

Basic Catfish Rig Tips

Catfish enthusiasts know all about catfish rigs. But for a beginner, the sheer number of catfish rigs maybe a tad bit difficult to get to grips with. So here are a couple of basic catfish rigs and tips.

The first type is a Deep Catfish Rig. The best basic approach here is to get a sturdy weight and attach it to the end of the line, instead of attaching it to the hook. This will especially help you in avoiding snags. Using a Palomar knot, tie a one ounce weight to the end of the line. Then, tie your hook about one and a half feet above the weight. If you are going after big catfish, it is advisable to use a circle hook which is 8/0 or even a 9/0. This will more or less guarantee that the fish won’t straighten or escape, because the hook setting will not allow them to do that. However, if you are after smaller catfish, anything ranging from a number 2 to a 2/0 will do the trick.

The other type of rig is known as a Shallow Catfish Rig. This is used for fishing in shallow waters, hence the name. This involves requires you to get some catfish bobbers. Fix a bobber stop at whatever depth you require; usually this is about 3 feet or so from the hook. Between the bobber and the hook, add a couple of split shots. Now follow the tips for hooks from the previous rig and you are ready to go.