Free Tips for Successful Halibut Fishing

Coming north on an Alaska halibut fishing trip can be exciting and a bit overwhelming. Dressing properly for your halibut fishing trip can make the difference between a good time and an uncomfortable time. The weather in Alaska no matter what time of year can be unpredictable. There are two certain precautions that one can take to make sure he or she isn’t caught off guard.

First, always dress in layers. Even in the peak of summer the mornings can be darn right cool, sometimes even cold. Your base layer should always be a quick wicking synthetic. I always advise against cotton fabrics. Cotton isn’t near as breathable nor has the wicking power of the synthetic garments. Cotton, when wet takes forever to dry and can leave the fisherman uncomfortable for the extent of the halibut fishing trip. So stick with synthetic base layers. After the base layer you may add as many long sleeve shirts as the weather report calls for. The beautiful thing about dressing in layers is that you can shed off layers anytime you wish and put layers back on when you are feeling chilly. There are many great types of light-weight fleeces being made today. The best type of fleece you can have on is one that is light-weight and that can stop the wind. When you are heading out to the halibut fishing spots you might be on the back deck of the boat, usuallly in the morning. The back deck can be quite cool and the wind can chill the bone. A good fleece will stop the wind and make you feel nice and cozy. In addition to the layers, a medium to light-weight coat should be brought along. You’ll sure wish you brought one on a cold Alaskan morning.

Wearing the proper pair of pants can also be critical for comfortable. I highly advise against the wearing of jeans. Cotton jeans when wet are miserable and won’t dry for the entire time of your halibut charter. Again, try and wear a synthetic blend pair of pants. As for footwear, I recommend a light-weight wool sock and a waterproof boot of some kind.

Finally, one of the most important precautions to take on any fishing trip is to bring along the best rain gear that you can afford. Both the pants and the jacket are a must due to the unpredictable weather in Alaska. It can look beautiful out in the morning and by mid-day it’s pouring rain and the temperature could drop ten degrees or more. Always bring rain gear, if you don’t bring anything else, always bring rain gear.

Always dress in layers and always bring rain gear. Those two precautions will ensure you being comfortable on your halibut fishing charter, leaving you to fully concentrate on catching those huge halibuts.

Stevie James is an experienced fisherman who has set up a Free Fishing Information website to offer free tips, techniques and tutorials that will really help you on the way to more successful and more enjoyable fishing!

Barramundi Fishing in Thailand, an Amazing Days Fishing for the Ultimate Predator

 

Firstly, I have to admit my ignorance, when I was told that there were Barramundi in Thailand I was very surprised. Thinking they were only native to Australia, it was pointed out to me that these fish in fact populate many freshwater lakes throughout Asia. So I went along to Bor Num Lake with a friend of mine (John); who is also a keen angler and has been living in Bangkok for over thirteen years.

 

The lake is actually called Bor Num Barramundi fishing park, and the ticket for the day cost 100 Thai baht (approx 2 British pounds or 3 US dollars), excellent value for money. It is possible to hire spinning rods and tackle for an additional 100 baht per person. Bor Num Lake also offers the chance to try your hand at fly fishing; the price is the same which ever code of fishing is chosen. It was suggested to us that we use lures when fishing for the barramundi, we were in total agreement -lure fishing always appeals- as the action and excitement is second to none when fishing for predators using this system.

 

It turns out that fishing for barramundi is extremely popular amongst Thais, especially at the weekends where many come to enjoy the fishing activities. Though catching and eating your quarry is something that has never appealed to me, many anglers here, Thais and foreigners alike do. You can enjoy these fish in the restaurant for -an additional cost- if you so wish, the fish is prepared by the local chefs to your taste (the lake is frequently stocked, to counter the fish taken for the pot).You can always put the fish back if this is not your bag.

 

There is not much protection from the sun here, so one must stay well covered up as the sun will easily nuke the skin, even sun block struggles to keep the rays at bay. So a good hat and a long sleeved shirt are the order of the day.

 

The staff were very friendly giving us plenty of tips and advice, without which I feel we may have struggle to catch; when fishing here one needs to use different techniques than when at home fishing.

 

The Barramundi have been farmed commercially in lakes here in Thailand for over twenty years, they are extremely aggressive hunters and when hooked give one serious fight. Usually clearing the water with energetically charged leaps, which causes large splashes as they land again, bringing the angler much approved applause and cheer from the local observers.

 

We found that poppers with a fly attached to a 30lb leader proved to be the most successful lures (as recommended by the guide). Barramundi have a sharp gill plate and the larger fish can cut through 40lb Fluorocarbon shock leader in one swipe. We used bait casting rods 6 feet in length and bait casting reels which are used specifically for lure fishing (they look very much like multiplying reels).

 

The lake is not a fish farm and it is quite easy to blank here if the wrong methods are used, but if you get it right a fantastic day will be had. The fish do vary in size form 1kg (2.2lb) up to and beyond 10kg (22lbs).

 

Unbelievably the first cast of the day resulted in John hitting into a monster, with in seconds this Barramundi leapt clear of the water creating much excitement in the camp (the guide pointing out that when the fish breaches the water, it is best to lower the tip of the rod, so as not to give the fish too much chance of shedding the hook) John then proceeded to wrestle for a further five minutes with his quarry, again the magnificent barramundi cleared the water several more times before finally subduing to the net. A 4.8kg fish on the first cast and about twenty more in total, not bad at all for a couple of beginners.

 

A few tips:-

 

It is debatable whether to use a tour company or not. If you are confident of finding your way and have your own transport then it is not essential to pay the extra for a tour company. The staff at Born Num is very experienced and probably knows more about their water than the guides from agencies.

 

If live bait fishing you must buy out the fish, you can not catch and release when live baiting due to the almost guaranteed take.

 

A small tip is appreciated but not compulsory for the guides at Bor Num – we gave B100 tip for good service all day

 

The guides are kept very bust usually looking after 5 or 6 anglers at a time.

 

Food and drinks are ordered via the guide, so you do not have to leave the waters edge.

 

Toilets are not European Style, but clean.

 

There is a very friendly atmosphere and the local fishermen are only too willing to help, giving friendly advice and tips without being too intrusive.

 

So all in all a fantastic day was had by all and we became hooked ourselves and will certainly be returning to Bor Num very soon.

 

Jason Butler is a free lance writer. He is currently residing in Thailand and enjoying life. Writing articles on Fishing and Steam engine models is a passion of his. He is also a scuba Diving Instructor with over ten years experience.


Contact Jason… divebutler@hotmail.co.uk

http://www.john-tom.com/

How to Keep Koi Carp

Though very often an expensive and vexing hobby, keeping koi is also very relaxing, beautiful, enviable and the hobby of a lifetime. Many people who invest in koi find they catch a fever of excitement that leads them to keep trying to find that perfect fish.

Not surprisingly fanciers range from the most simple of backyard ponds to tens of thousands of litre ponds with hundreds of fish and breeding programs. The fact that very well conforming specimens can fetch thousands and thousands of dollars is not surprising.

For the backyard koi keeper, however, simply having a good reason to have a waterfall might be enough. There is no right or wrong reason, only the desire of all to have healthy and happy fish.

There are over a hundred different types of koi registered for show in professional breeder and amateur clubs throughout Japan and the world, though new varieties are still largely shown in Japan.

Koi may be generally grouped according to and in combinations of:

skin colour skin pattern scale pattern

Whichever you consider most important or if you have your heart set on a very particular fish, there is one for every taste. In more than 16 categories, now, there are over a hundred types of koi and an infinity of variety in each type.

True koi are always judged from from above, and their ponds are designed to facilitate this. From this angle, one judges the conformity and harmony of the design depending upon which type of koi you’re looking at. That said, some characteristics are considered from the side such as the markings on the eyes and and cheeks.

On the other hand, many people who keep koi hybrids choose to view them from the side as well, especially those with unusual fins or scale patterns. Koi purists do not consider these actual koi.

There were once only a few colours, but with the pace of breeding development (and the financial incentive to do so) several new colours have emerged in the last 30 years with the injection of new material. These colours are arranged in in a seemingly infinite variety of combinations.

Markings are judged from above in special, bright blue pools that set off the bright, metallic colours. Outside of Japan the colours are known by their names in Japanese as well as the local language, since so much of the literature is translated from the original Japanese. For instance, colours include:

Ai – blue Aka / Hi red, though actually a rather dark orange that can vary somewhat Asagi – light blue (a greyish/silvery blue) Ki – non-metallic yellow Orengi – orange Shiro – white Sumi – dark black (sometimes called “india ink”)

They tend to have something of a metallic sheen unless otherwise noted. Generally these distinctions apply across the board and describe both underlying and overlaid colours. Additionally, there are a few distinct colour patterns that have special names:

Kohaku – red and white only Ogon – one colour only Sanshoku – any three colours regardless of the shape of the coloured areas

Just about any koi can be classified into one of the many types. However, most fish you’ll be looking at as a first time koi buyer fall into a few basic categories. Many of the fish sold in the US and EU are those who’ve been rejected from breeding programs that are in continual pursuit of the perfect koi. Just because it doesn’t conform to the accepted standard of show beauty doesn’t mean they are not unique and beautiful.

Sophie is a lover of Koi Carp and has collected and breed them for many years. www.HowToKeepKoi.co.uk