Posts from — August 2009

No matter what sort of gear or equipment you use, you cannot catch fish unless you fish where the fish are. These tips will help you figure out how to read the water and figure out where the fish are hiding. Using the techniques suggested here will improve your fishing success.

1. Ask an experienced angler to share his favorite fishing holes or ask an employee in the tackle store for suggestions of areas that have recently provided good fishing. 
2. Look at the direction of the waterflow, if applicable. When fishing in streams and rivers, the current is usually the determining factor on where fish will hold. Fish often sit directly downstream of a boulder or other current break because it takes less energy to maintain their position here than in the main current. These spots also have a constant flow of food drifting by that makes for easy feeding, and often as a result, successful fishing. 
3. Observe other fishermen at the location and note the type of gear they use, the types of fish they catch, and what lures and baits are working. 
4. Use the sun’s position to help you determine where fish might be hiding. All fish like spots that provide cover from other predators. If the sun if straight overhead, you probably will not find fish in shallow, exposed areas. More likely they will be in the shade, deeper pools or among rocks or vegetation. 
5. Look for heavy insect activity or hatches in the water. You will often find fish in the middle of the action gorging on the emerging bugs before the action is over. Depending upon the type of insect, hatches can take place in both fast and slow water. 
6. Look for areas that combine factors from all the previous steps. A spot that is shaded and has a log underwater will provide cover, a current break for the fish, and if enough water is flowing past, a constant supply of food being swept by. 
7. Look for areas in lakes where fish can find food or comfortable water temperatures. In lakes principles similar to rivers and streams apply, but there is usually no current to consider. A lake might look the same everywhere at first glance, but inspect more closely and you will find coves with more insect activity, deep channels that provide cover and cool water mid-summer and shorelines with boulders that are cover and ambush points for fish. 
8. When you head into the ocean to start fishing, you need to keep the same principles in mind. Most of the ocean does not have very many fish, so any structure, natural or man-made, will usually hold fish. Both reefs and sunken debris will be home to small fish, which in turn attract larger fish. 
9. Take your time and observe the water before fishing. Look for activity above and below the water. Eagles or seagulls fishing for small fish are often a sign that more fish will be in the area. Look for fish rising to the surface or jumping at insects. Take note of locations where you see fisherman catching fish and notice what makes that area different. 
10. Use an electronic fish finder when other methods do not work. The device uses sound waves transmitted through water to detect the depth between the boat, the bottom of the water and any object in between, hopefully a fish. 

A pair of polarized sunglasses will cut down on glare and make seeing into the water easier.

Try reading a local guide book before heading to a new location to gain insight on likely spots to start you search.

While towing sounds pretty simple, it usually is only simple in perfect conditions – calm winds and seas. When things are easy like that you need only get in front of the other boat and toss thi a line.(Note on tossing a line: coil the throwing line so there are no kinks. Separate the coil in two with the bitter end of the coil in your throwing hand, the rest of the coil on the other hand. Then toss the line over and past the receiver. The hand not throwing should be laid open and pointing toward the receiver so the rest of the coil will easily exit the hand.)

Nylon is the best line for towing because it is very strong and yet stretchy. When waves or wake make the distressed boat jerk, the nylon line will absorb the jolt.

Most folks just tie the line to the stern of the towing boat. But, that is the worst place you can secure it. Riiber, when you turn a boat the point on which it turns is usually near the bow and the stern swings out. If the tow line is on the stern, this restricts the stern from swinging out and thereby makes steering the towing boat almost impossible. So, the tow line should be as far forward as possible.

Keep the boats in the similar wave patterns by adjusting the length of the tow line so that both boats are either going up a wave or down a wave at the same time.

Always tow at moderate speeds. Think safely.

Don’t spook the fish. By keeping a low profile and not alerting the fish to your presence you can ensure that the fish keep biting. These tips explain specific measures you can take to keep from spooking the fish.

1. Fish early in the morning or late in the day if there is lots of sunshine and you are fishing in shallow water. Fishing is acceptable at any time on an overcast or rainy day. 
2. Try not to cast your shadow. Stand back and stay low to keep your shadow away from the area of your line. 
3. Fishing by wading in shallow water requires a longer cast. Wading causes the stirring up of sediment and water movement, which will definitely spook the fish. Fishing in shallow water requires short casting if you are in a boat or on a raft. 
4. Manage your watercraft. Keep noisy engines off, use a raft and poles or invest in a trolling motor, which keeps noise down. 

Fishing is a quiet sport. Explain this to any guests who are unfamiliar with the rules of fishing. If you have to bring a talkative person with you, make sure you invite them on a windy day. This includes noisy kids and mother-in-laws.

If you are new to fishing, and don’t want to spend a lot of money, try buying an inexpensive rod (or borrow one) and some bread. Find a nice perch on a dock, take a small piece of bread and roll it into a tight ball, put it on your hook and lower the line. You are just as likely to catch a fish as anyone else. Try not to lean over the dock and look in the water so the fish don’t identify you as a person looking to eat them.

Make sure you really want to go fishing. Once you’re on that boat, there’s no getting home, unless you want to take a long swim. Jumping overboard will definitely spook the fish.

When on a paid fishing trip on a professional fishing b oat, let the captain do all the work. Sit back on the comfortable, leather fishing chair, put the rod in the rod holder and sip your favorite drink. The captain will know how to handle the boat to keep the fish from scattering. When you do catch the big one, the pro will help you reel it in, you get to take a picture with your prize catch and you get all the credit.

If you do decide to eat what you catch, then you will need to clean the fish preparing it to be eaten. Preparing fish involves gutting, scaling, and possibly filleting the fish to be eaten. These tips guide through these different processes step by step.

1. Set up a fish cleaning table outside and place it near a water hose. 
2. Rinse fish thoroughly with fresh water and determine if fish has scales, such as fresh water Perch. Fish without scales, such as Catfish, have to be skinned prior to cooking. Use the tip of a spoon to scrape the scales off the fish and rinse again. 
3. Use a sharp fillet knife to remove the fish head by placing the fish on the table and inserting the knife below the gills. Cut the head off and rinse again. 
4. Slice down the center belly of the fish and open the gut to remove and discard entrails. Rinse fish thoroughly, removing membranes and other unwanted particles. Pat dry with paper towels. 
5. Decide whether to cook the fish whole or to fillet the catch. Small fish, like Perch, are usually cooked whole and larger fish must be filleted. 
6. Assemble cooking utensils and ingredients for deep frying your fish. Place ample amounts of cornmeal, half as much flour, salt and pepper to taste in a flat dish, stirring to blend seasonings. 
7. Heat cooking oil in a cast iron dutch oven to 400 degrees and dredge fish in the cornmeal mixture. Drop fish into hot oil and fry once on each side until it floats. Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towels. It is ready to eat. 

Overcooking fish will make it dry and tough. Always keep fish in the refrigerator or on ice before preparing. 

Use extreme caution when frying to prevent injury.