Tag Archives: Fishing

Fishing Tackle ? and Your Wallet

You have your fishing rod, you have your bait. Let’s go fishing! No my friend, you are mistaken. When I first started fishing many years ago, this is what I believed was the necessary apparatus. I was wrong. I went to my local fishing tackle shop and was quickly told that I needed: good quality fishing wire, fishing hooks, a fishing reel, nets, rigs and lures, floats, the list goes on. I quickly realised that the cheap rod and bait I believed I needed turned into an expensive investment that cost me well over four hundred pounds!

Luckily for you, you have what you are using now: the internet. As you may have known, or should know, shopping online is much cheaper then shopping in your high street. This is why I urge you to shop online for your fishing tackle. With more and more people shopping online, fishing tackle websites are significantly cheaper then fishing tackle shops. I have seen on many websites special deals such as buy one get one free hooks. One deal I came across was selling a Berkley B1 12 FT carp rod 2.75lb at a significantly reduced price from£219.99 to £119.99, that is a one hundred pound saving! Deals like this should not be missed. I have never in my life witnessed that much discount on an item in a store, unless the item has become redundant. The deals I have found are not simply selling redundant stock; they are being sold as special offers. Theses offers are constantly changing, which enables one to buy many types of fishing tackle at reduced prices.

It is also important for one to consider the price at which fishing tackle is increasing. With technological developments of fishing tackle such as LED baits that blink to attract fish, fishing tackle is becoming more expensive. Even though these new types of fishing tackle are improved and are proven to catch more fish, I feel that the price they are charging does not reflect how useful they would be. I have still been able to catch fish in the past, the fact that I have these new technologies at my disposal means I have catch a few more fish, but ultimately I still catch a fish if I don’t use these new innovations. If you are the more serious fisherman who prides himself on the amount of fish caught, then it would be in your best interest to purchase more expensive types of fishing tackle. However if you are more of a amateur, it would be right to say that you would be better off using the more simpler, cheaper fishing tackles. 

The general fact that online stores are beginning to sell more than local stores is why their tackle is priced lower then means that it is financially better to shop online then stores. This is why I say, be you a professional or amateur fisherman the online route for your fishing tackle is the way to go if you want to save money and untimely catch more fish.

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Making -using Sausage Meat for Big Fish!

Sausage meat is now part of carp and cat fishing history having proven its worth as a very effective cheap bait ingredient for small and big fish (many thousands of times, and for decades.) But how do you make effective baits and ground baits using it? Let’s see a few very proven big fish suggestions right now…The first ideal part about sausage meat is how cheap and easily available it is. It comes in various forms and grades and as usual it is best to get the freshest product possible. This kind of meat is just not fashionable today which means right now is a perfect time to be exploiting it! The second is it very simple and easy to use and you can either mince it up or use the minced product for more details you can login to www.newbies-guide-to-making-software.com The nutritional value of pork sausage meat is very stimulatory to both carp and catfish and has a fair proportion of those important fish stimulators; amino acids and oils. Pork sausage meat is often made with bread crumbs and it is very simple to make bait by simply mixing it with eggs and very cheap wheat flour to help bind it up into a dough. How to make one of the cheapest protein based baits: For example, using half a pound of minced sausage meat, mix it in a bowl with about 3 large hens eggs and 2 table spoons of ordinary cheap wheat flour (or more if required) and kneed this into a stiff pliable dough. 

This can be used as fishing bait immediately as paste or you can bag it up in bags with a tie to make the bag air tight and store in the fridge or freeze it for use next session. This bait is pretty much instant on most carp and catfish waters and although very basic and simple will produce lots of fish. Like the majority of carp and catfish baits, the best way to start fishing with it is to feed perhaps 2 to 6 pounds of it into your swim in advance. (This is certainly not absolutely necessary however!) For instance, over a period of 3 days prior to fishing, start introducing paste pieces about an inch in diameter just by pulling them off your balls of dough you have made. The effect of pre-baiting is that the fish will be far more prepared to eat your bait with even more enthusiasm when you start actually fishing; so hold onto your rod! Sausage meat in this form makes fantastic ground baits too. Fishing paste balls has always been extremely effective, but these days you might prefer to make your baits more resilient to smaller fish so they are still intact when the big ones arrive! All you need to do is make your baits about an inch in size and they don’t need to be perfectly round either; in fact the more different to commercially produced machine rolled baits the better the effect! 

Just put on a pan of boiling water (half-filled) and get some absorbent paper towels or convenient towels flat and ready to receive your boiled baits to dry upon. Just add about a handful of baits at a time and keep the water boiling at all times. Boil your baits for anything from a minute to 5 minutes; the longer boiling makes them harder, but this loses more attraction in the process. To help attraction there are so many choices to add to your bait, or just to keep results coming or go to www.instant-software-products.com For instance you could add sea salt at about a heaped teaspoon per 2 eggs worth of bait mixed, or add curry powder at a heaped teaspoonful per egg used in the mix or more depending on the form of curry powder used. You might just add a teaspoon of black pepper powder per egg used. Other examples of well proven kitchen favorites are yeast extract products like Marmite or vegemite; add at a heaped tablespoon per egg, or even Parmesan or blue cheese. The fact is that there are thousands of additives, liquids, flavors and some very refined and advanced bait ingredients and extracts you could use. 

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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/