Tag Archives: Fishing

Fishing Tips

A Look at Fishing Forums

Why do fishermen catch fish and I come home empty handed? What do the fishing guides do to help insure success for a paying client? Fishing a new location while on vacation can be very difficult. Locations, baits, and gear are number one questions. Time of year affects fishing success. These questions are but a few answered at the fisherman’s second most favorite fishing destination…

Capt. Fisherall has made his weekly announcements on the fishing forum with little to no complaints. His reports always give the daily fishing conditions, including the fish caught and the bait and tackle used. Although he doesn’t give away his favorite GPS fishing locations, a fisherman could emulate his prescription and expect moderate success. Capt. Fisherall usually spices his electronic exchange up with a good ole fishing story and ends with an invitation to “Come fish on the USS We Use Tourist For Bait”. The fishing forum Webmaster doesn’t see any harm done, and Capt. Fisherall is welcomed and expected each week. Some newbie forum users chastise the exploitation of their chat sanctum while the Pros cheer him on and take notes furiously.

A totally new visitor pops a question “Can anyone tell me how to catch trout?” Well the forum has its’ seasoned granddads and smart-alecks who gently guide this fishing prospect through the paces of landing his first fish. The fishing forum has a general store atmosphere where the fire is warm all winter and the chin chatter is thin while the fisherman plies his art.

A new carp bait recipe has surfaced and a bass boat and trailer needs a new home, desperately.
Another fishing video is for sale.

Check out the wintertime catfish fishing techniques on Cedar Lake.

The third week of May the lake is “turning over” and the sand bass are literally jumping into the boat chasing shad!

Coho are showing up just a mile off Noyes Island.

If the subject is of interest to fishermen it is listed on the fishing forum. The mix is: fishing reports, classifieds, bulletin board, how to tutors, and a camaraderie that is what makes fishermen around the world immune the language barriers.

The fishing forum has its’ regulars like Capt. Fisherall, fishing professionals, novices and granddads all with a mindset to learn as much as they teach. The best unbiased fishing gear reviews are recorded without fanfare or solicitation on the fishing forum. New ways to tie knots and different types of fishing line together are shared without more than a “thank you.”

The fishing family gathered at the fishing forum are well known to each other by their hand chosen “handles”. Capt. Fisherall could actually be Capt. Jerry, and the USS Dancer is probably the real name of the USS We Use Tourist For Bait, or not…

The fishing forum buddies may not ever meet on the same streambed or pass each other on the starboard side, but on a regular basis they hail each other on their second most favorite fishing spot, … the fishing forum!

Want to find out about bowhunting elk and bowhunting pigs? Get tips from the Bowhunting Tips website.

Related Blogs

    Fishing Tips

    Fishing and Nigeria’s 2020 Goals

    The image is a strikingly ironic symbol of the state of Nigerian fishing in general. The country enjoys more than 850 km of coastline, besides an enviable number of well-stocked rivers, inland lakes, lagoons and creeks. The topography, soil composition and rainfall patterns in this portion of sub-Saharan Africa support an abundance of aquatic life across freshwater, brackish and saltwater ecosystems. However, tilapias, catfish, carp and other freshwater species make up 80% of all cultivation in Nigeria, with commercial maritime trawling and deep-sea fishing remaining relatively under-exploited operations. Though credible data on the sector is extremely limited, media reports indicate the fishing business contributed $60 million to the national economy in 2008, or roughly 4% of total agricultural output. The sector currently accounts for 40% of the country’s total animal protein intake and offers employment and livelihood to more than 3 million people, although its contribution to the economy is minimal.

    Estimated annual fish cultivation was pegged at 120,000 tonnes in the 1960s. The figure had halved by the beginning of the next decade and continues to fall; current domestic production hovering around just 400,000 tonnes. The sudden change in fortune came about with the oil boom of the 1970s, when the discovery of vast oil and natural gas reserves radically altered official priorities. Economic diversification was stalled as Abuja kept pumping back millions in oil profits into further exploration, to the neglect of all other sectors. Endemic poverty descended over large parts of rural Nigeria as traditional livelihoods began to wither away. The absence of inclusive growth flared ethnic tensions and provoked decades of civil war and recurring military takeovers towards the end of the last century. Despite its considerable foreign exchange earnings, human development indicators plummeted across the board as the Nigerian economy grew increasingly oil-dependent and unsustainable.

    National ambitions were renewed with the reinstatement of civilian rule in 1999, when Abuja embarked on an extensive programme of economic reform and restructuring. The government under former president O Obsanjo adopted a comprehensive roadmap premised on the objective of making Nigeria a significant player in regional and global affairs. Specifically, Obsanjo’s Vision 2020 document mandates sector-wide initiatives to propel Nigeria into the top 20 global economies in a time-bound manner. The present dispensation under President UM Yar’Adua remains committed not just to achieving the 2020 objective, but also the UN Millennial Development goals of universal basic human rights.

    It is in this connection that the fishing sector presents unique opportunities as both a poverty alleviation strategy and a tool for rapid entrepreneurial growth. Present levels of fish cultivation satisfy only a fraction of local requirement, with exports having to fill in for almost 95% of annual demand. Nigeria is in fact the top importer of fish in the African continent, sourcing more than 1.5 million tonnes of fish annually from international markets. Unofficial estimates suggest less than 10% of the country’s fish farming potential is currently being utilised, with as much as 60,000 hectares of unused land available for expanding the sector. The fact remains that Nigeria’s vast natural resources and human capital can be leveraged to promote extensive fishing as a means of ensuring not only exports but also food security. In principle at least, the Nigerian fishing industry has a lot to look forward to.

    Because of its extensive coastline and tropical climate, Nigeria has the potential to develop a diversified ecology for a range of commercially viable varieties of fish. The economic appeal behind fishing is tremendous, considering the secondary and tertiary enterprises it can generate. More efficient methods of inland cultivation and coastal trolling, executed in an export-oriented environment, can spur rapid growth of down-the-line industries. Fishing, by itself, has the potential of driving considerable enterprise development, transforming rural economies and generating direct and indirect employment opportunities in the process. Abuja’s primary responsibility lies in providing opportunities for export of fish and fish products to international markets. Although viable data on the subject is lacking, the aggregate economic loss due to reduced local fish production is significant and needs focused policy initiatives to correct.

    The enterprise potential of this sector is made doubly significant by the nature of the business. Fishing relies heavily on small and middle scale ancillary industries like canning, net-making and boat building, while supporting an additional base of activities in storage, processing and marketing. The net scope for employment generation, business development and poverty eradication through these allied activities make fishing deeply relevant to Nigeria’s quest for inclusive economic growth.

    Here are some of the most pressing arguments in favour of a rapid expansion of fishing activities:

    I. Aquaculture provides opportunities for optimal land use, allowing areas unsuitable for crops to be developed into economically productive ponds and fisheries.
    II. Focussed expansion of artisanal and small-scale fishing can help turn around rural economies rapidly by generating jobs and sparking enterpreneruial activity.
    III. In development-deprived areas and among rural communities, sustainable fish farming can help improve both nutritional and living standards.
    IV. Nigeria’s highly diversified tropical ecology makes fishing in brackish and fresh waters almost a zero opportunity-cost endeavour with infinite growth potential.

    Early in 2008, the fishing industry in the coastal Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom was paralysed in a wave of extortion and boat capture unleashed by sea-borne pirates. The attacks forced trawlers to go on an indefinite strike, bringing the local economy to a standstill and causing terrible loss of revenue to the regional council. While this particular situation was eventually resolved, security remains just one of several momentous challenges restraining the expansion of Nigerian fishing:

    o The absence of a sustainable and progressive fisheries policy represents a fundamental hurdle, with lax government regulation routinely forcing small-scale operations out of business.
    o Population expansion in coastal areas is giving rise to over-fishing and unscientific practices, destroying marine ecosystems and threatening underwater environments.
    o Organised fishing attracts high capital expenditure in Nigeria as most of the necessary equipment, boats, feed, technology and know-how has to be imported.
    o Infrastructure deficits severely hamper the storage, transport and marketing of fish in rural areas, making profitable urban markets unavailable to traditional fishing communities.
    o Despite specific government efforts, commercial deep-sea fishing is out of reach for local entrepreneurs; the activity remains limited to the purview of foreign-owned companies.

    Although the sector continues to receive sporadic government nudging and funding, the impact of these measures has been considerably restricted thus far due to lack of insight and effective implementation. Special schemes to promote fishing in target communities have also failed because of a low awareness about profitability in the business. Turning around this mindset could well prove to be one of the deciding challenges facing the Nigerian fishing industry. The nation’s history and unique circumstances will undoubtedly test its resolve to achieve formidable goals. Hopefully, the fervour of the Argungu fishermen and their quest for the biggest fish will provide some creative inspiration!

    Peter Osalor is a multi-skilled director, chairman of trusts, proprietor and consultant. Peter Osalor has been a successful entrepreneur since 1992 when he formed Peter Osalor & Co and which has since grown to a very large client base with a turnover of millions. He is currently a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria (ICAN). Peter is also a member of the Chartered Tax Advisors and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in Nigeria (CITN).

    Related Blogs

    Carp Fishing Equipment

    Fly Fishing Apparatus

    Fly fishing isn’t just a normal way of fishing because it uses specific tools to catch fish. . The most common associated fish caught with fly fishing tackles is trout and salmon, however pike, bass and carp are being caught as well.

    The basic apparatus in fly fishing is the fly rod, fly line, artificial fly line and fly reel. Each part of the tackle has its own vita role in catching fish. First is the fly rod which is used to cast the fly line. The length will vary between 7 to 10 feet depending on the environment where you are fishing. Usually, fly rod are made from graphite and fibreglass and in some cases bamboo. By using other materials, the fly rod will become lighter or heavier and it may also become stiff or bendy. Therefore, follow the intended materials for ht fly rod to work perfectly.

    Another part is the fly line which is a plastic coated line that can be found in variety of thickness. They also range in color but usually, bright colored fly line is used to attract the prey that is intended to be caught.

    Now let’s go to the major part of the fishing tackle which is the artificial flies. They are made by tying hair, feathers, fur and other natural and synthetic materials onto a hook. Artificial flies range from bright lively colours in order to stand out, or darker colours to match the environment.

    Another important part of the tackle is the fly reel. This one is used to hold the fly fishing line. The fish caught depends entirely on the kind of reel used. For bigger fishes, one should consider thicker lines and gears while for smaller fishes, a manual reel can be used.

    Feel free to visit http://www.sammaka.com/ for more info about fly fishing guidelines and equipments.

    Related Blogs

    Carp Fishing Basics

    Expedient Fishing

     

    THE METHOD:

    I knew I had to have some way to hold a fish once it bit, and a safety pin seemed to be just the thing! My Aunt had hundreds of these, and I picked out a shiny steel safety pin half the length of my thumb. I knew I needed some kind of line to fish with, and it occurred to me my Aunt had tons of string, (Like kite string), so I borrowed a ball of string. Armed with my new fishing tackle, I headed for the pond. All excited with visions of monstrous fish in my mind, I quickly spied a caterpillar on a leaf at the pond, and I tied the string around the head of the safety pin (double knot), then stuck the sharp end of the safety pin through the caterpillar.

    I unwound about 15 feet of string, and cut and tied the end of it on a large stick so I could hold it, and I gently tossed that caterpillar on a safety pin into the water under the shade of that big old oak tree. Not two seconds passed when the water exploded under the worm, and I watched in tremendous excitement as the caterpillar disappeared, and the side view of a huge (in the eyes of a ten year old) greenish scaly fish rolled over in the water. and dived under. I counted to five (as my Aunt had suggested to give the fish time to swallow the safety pin) and then a gave a sharp pull on the string. 5 minutes later I was holding a largemouth bass! (looking back now, I believe the fish was perhaps a pound to maybe a pound and a half). I caught two other bass that afternoon, with just kite string, and a safety pin.

    OTHER AQUATIC FOOD SOURCES:

    Bass, catfish, perch and carp are not the only survival food sources. Most bodies of water also contain turtles, and crawdads. In shallow brackish streams and shallow ponds, crawfish can be collected by the bucketful, by hand, in a short period of time.

    A popular method of catching many crawfish at one time is to build a small wire mesh cage (2ft x 2ft x 1ft) or a box with a hinged, closeable lid, cutting a 2″ round hole in one side, near the bottom of the box or small cage. Next, tie a raw chicken leg, or wing, or dead perch, or chunk of fish on the inside, on the bottom in the center of the box, or cage, and submerge where ever crawfish are present, wait 30 min. to an hour, and pull the box or cage out of the water. Crawdads (crayfish) are best boiled in salted, or seasoned water. after cooking, just separate the tail from the body, peel the shell off the tail, and enjoy.

    OTHER METHODS:

    During spawning times, carp, and catfish can be found close to the waters edge in lakes and ponds. Some may be caught by hand, if you are quick and agile, otherwise, fish in shallow water can be speared with a simple long knife tied to a pole, or scooped up in hand held fishing nets (if you own one). If you find yourself in a populated area, and can do nothing else, hang out at shores edge by other anglers, and watch what they are doing, and watch how they are doing it. If you see someone throwing fish back because they are “junk fish” ask the angler for the fish, chances are, He/She will be happy to let you have them. If you are fortunate enough to live in isolated areas, or have access to such, remember that bodies of water draw an abundance of game, both in early morning, noon and early evening hours. Isolated ponds offer an excellent chance of bagging game to bring home to the dinner table as well as offering alternate food sources of the freshwater variety.

     

    Related Blogs