Rainbow Trout Fishing - 3 Ways to Catch More & Bigger Trout on Your Next Outing

More than 25 years ago I had the pleasure of learning about rainbow trout fishing from an amazing angler who was able to catch trophy trout out of heavily fished rivers and streams in central Pennsylvania. Over the years I've used and refined the techniques he taught me to take my personal rainbow trout fishing experiences to the next level.

In this article I will outline 3 techniques that will help you become a much more successful rainbow trout angler. As a matter of fact these tips aren't reserved exclusively for rainbow trout. They are effective for any species of trout (or other fish) that swims in small rivers and streams. If you want to catch more and bigger trout, simply implement these tips into your fishing repertoire.

Be On The Water At The Best Times - When it comes to any type of fishing, including rainbow trout fishing, we always want to be on the water at the most opportune times. There are certain times of the day and month that fish are most active and many times this is determined by the weather and moon. More specifically, this is determined by the barometric pressure and the phase of the moon. Knowing the simple rules pertaining to these two forces of Mother Nature and the behavior of fish will help you catch more and bigger trout.

Get Away From Other Anglers - Trout are very sensitive to their surroundings and if there is a lot of fishing activity going on, trout will become much harder to catch. This is why you want to get away from other anglers as much as possible. This might mean walking "just a little further" down the river. Basically, you want to do what most others are too lazy to do. Is there a little deep water to cross? Cross it. Is there a bunch of brush in the path making it difficult to go on? Traverse the brush and move a little further down the river. You want to try to get to water that gets just a little less fishing pressure.

The Bottom Is Your Friend - Whether fishing a small lure such as a roster tail or live bait such as worms, allowing your offering to bounce along the bottom, while it flows naturally with the current, can make a huge difference. When rainbow trout fishing with live worms, a gang hook rig should always be used. This is the best way to present a live worm as bait. Allow you gang hook rig (and thus live worm) to flow naturally with the current, bouncing along the bottom as it drifts. Our multi colored friends find this offering hard to resist.

I realize that these tips may seem a little over simplistic, but the fact is that this is precisely what makes them so effective. My mentor believed that there was no need to overcomplicate fishing, and I tend to agree. The beauty is in paying attention to the details and staying focused. I promise that these 3 rainbow trout fishing tips will help you catch more and bigger trout.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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By Trevor Kugler

Largemouth Bass Bait - What Are the Best Baits For Largemouth Bass?

In this article I'm going to list some of the most effective types of bait for largemouth bass. This article will list the natural baits and the more popular lures that imitate them. Any of these baits can be used live as largemouth bass bait as well. As a matter of fact, fishing with live bait for largemouth can be extremely effective, and any of these baits work great for these voracious predators.

One of the main things to remember when it comes to fishing for largemouth bass is that these fish love cover. Some types of "bass fishing cover" would include: lily pads, submerged trees or brush, flooded creek channels, and drop offs. They use cover to ambush their prey, and all of the baits below are prey for largemouth bass.

Large Aquatic & Terrestrial Insects - Large insects of all kinds are great largemouth bass bait. Depending on the body of water you're fishing in, the insects will change, but some of the more common are: hellgrammites, dragon flies, and large nymphs. The most popular artificial largemouth bass baits that imitate large insects are soft plastics, or Berkley's Gulp products (which are just like soft plastics, just more effective).

Crayfish - Crayfish are a very effective bait for largemouth bass. These freshwater crustaceans are like candy for our silver friends. Large crayfish are an excellent bait for large bass. Live crayfish are difficult to fish with, but it can be done effectively with gang hooks. Some of the most popular artificial lures would include: The bush bug, Paca Craws, and the GYCD Fat Baby Craw.

Bait Fish - Bait fish are great bait for these bass, and the bait fish that's most prevalent in the body of water that you're fishing is your best bet. Bait fish can be used live or as artificial lures. Some of the more popular live bait fish for largemouth would include: scuds, shad, minnows or shiners and sunfish. Some of the more popular artificial versions that can be used as largemouth bass bait would include: The KickTail Minnow, Rapala's, Smithwick Rogues, and the Bomber Model A.

Frogs - Frogs are a great bait for these predators. As a matter of fact, largemouth bass are so predatory there don't even have to be a lot of frogs present in your fishing water for frogs to be effective. Live frogs are very difficult to fish with, but can be extremely effective. Some of the more popular artificial frogs would include: The Spro Brozeye Frog, Mann's Superfrog, and Berkley's Power frogs. All of these artificial frogs are very effective largemouth bass baits.

So, what are the best baits for largemouth bass? Any of the above will work very well, and should be added to your bass fishing arsenal sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, the "best" bait for largemouth will vary from situation to situation. Hence the reason fishing for largemouth bass is so addictive and enjoyable, it's a puzzle that never truly gets solved.

More Largemouth Bass Bait Choices - http://www.jrwfishing.com/fishing_lures.html

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By Trevor Kugler

What Makes For a Great Halibut Fishing Season

Make no mistake about it. Halibut fishing can be year-round. Alaskan and Californian waters are stocked with fish that almost anyone can have a great fishing season anytime. However, the key to making the season successful is to catch one or two of the bigger games. After all, what is a better way to end the season than landing yourself a 400-pound monster? It does not matter if this is your first time fishing, or that you are a seasoned angler, or that you are doing this on a professional basis. There are ways to ensure that you will get a great halibut fishing season this time round. Here are some tips:

Acquaint yourself with the local fishing regulations. Seasoned anglers and professional fishing enthusiasts know that nothing will defeat your purpose faster than being poorly prepared to face the fishing season. The one mistake most first timers make is concentrating on the hooks and baits to use. Although these are indeed important to any fishing trip, the primary consideration should always be the actual fishing ground.

There are many regulations and local laws surrounding specific fishing grounds. Some may impose a strict 2-catch-per-person rule. Others may ban certain fishing paraphernalia or bait. Others may be limiting the number of actual fishing enthusiasts out on boat on a particular day. Make sure that you know precisely what the local conventions are, especially if you are on a catch-and-release "license."

Acquaint yourself with the local weather situation. Halibut fishing on a balmy Californian weather is different from doing the same activity in a balmy Alaskan weather. Weather is a huge factor especially if you intend to spend the greater part of the day fishing. As a rule, halibuts start biting shortly after mid-morning and just a few hours before dusk. So if you are comfortable in your fishing gear and on your boat, you can maximize your time on the water.

However, if you are getting too warm for your clothes (in Californian weather) or your tootsies are almost falling off (Alaskan weather) you will become too impatient and lose all the really good bites. Also, make sure that the actual day you are planning to be out on the water is cloud and potentially rain free. Halibuts tend to stay less prone to hunt when the weather turns foul.

Acquaint yourself with the fishing environs. You have your bait. You have your hooks. You have been sitting on your boat doing everything humanly possible for the halibuts to start biting. But the thing is: nothing is biting - not the Pollock's, not the cods and certainly not the sand dwelling halibut. Although technically, any bait can land any fish, halibuts have been known to be "selective" predators. They do not just pounce on anything that comes floating. They may take a nibble, but that does not mean you will be landing the fish on your boat anytime soon.

The trick is to serve the halibut something that resembles the available fish food in the area. If brightly colored marine crabs are bountiful in the area, you might want to try one or two fluorescent baits. If squid is abundant, you might want to switch to baiting your lines with chunks of fish meat, intestines and gunk. These do not necessarily attract the halibut, but these do attract the squids. Sooner of later, the halibut is bound to score on an attached line, lunging for its meal.

To read wonderful stories about Alaska Fishing please visit http://www.bestalaskafishingtrips.com

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By Rick Martin Jenkins

What Everyone Ought to Know About Halibut Fishing

Halibut fishing is extremely popular for two reasons. One, that its white flaky meat makes for good eating. Two, these fishes are huge - and we all know catching huge fish makes for good story telling. Seriously speaking though, trying to land a halibut can be an exhilarating affair. Alaskan species can grow to a staggering 400 pounds, while its North American counterparts (particularly those that grow in Californian waters) grow to a size that is not that far behind. Spending the day out to catch these really gorgeous fishes can certainly yield great results, if you know how. However, fishing for this odd-eyed beauty is not as simple as tossing it a line and crossing your fingers. There are certain tricks on how to tickle the halibut pink.

Choose your bait with care

1. First of all, halibuts are opportunistic feeders. They will try to take a nibble (or more likely, pounce) on anything that looks remotely edible. This is the reason why many people will try just about any lure to get the halibut to bite. However, some fishes will certainly get to biting, but not that often as you might hope for and the bigger prizes will most likely stay away. So how to you coax the sand dwelling, heavier-than-normal halibut to bite more often? Well, you have to consider the delicacy of the moment. Most predatory water feeders will lose caution if they are offered something that they are currently enjoying.

For example: some Californian halibut species may have been feeding on squid for the past few seasons, and squids remain bountiful in the area. Any lure that resembles these aquatic creatures will most likely get a bite than those that resemble tastier looking "treats" like a small fry on hook or a dripping mackerel head. The same is true when it comes to Alaskan halibut species. Some may be literally gorging on the abundance of marine crabs.

Any brightly colored lure that moves like a crab will very likely coax the shy giants to have a nibble. It's easy enough to figure out what the fish is going for at the moment. Simply take a general survey as to what the most abundant smaller marine life is in one area. The more plentiful these "baits" are; the more chances that you will get more bites and a heavier catch.

Keeping the catch or not

There are some anglers who like to keep their catch, and there are those who prefer to have a few pictures taken and return the fishes to their watery domain. Depending on where you are currently throwing your lines, catches are sometimes limited to 2 per person. This allows for a sustainable sport fishing practice, and helps keep the area stocked with large halibuts.

If you are the latter type of angler, it would suit the fishes better if you use circle hooks (as opposed to J-hooks) to land a bite; and fine meshes as nets when you are hauling in the catch. The circle hooks will make the fishing process less damaging to the mouth parts of the fish. The fine mesh makes it less damaging to the delicate tail of the halibut. Any injury in those areas will mostly likely cause the halibut flesh decay, and the fish is bound to die in the water sooner than anyone wishes for.

To find the best Alaska Fishing Lodge please visit http://www.bestalaskafishingtrips.com

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By Rick John Jenkins

Best Bass Bait-Rig of the 2008 Season

Okay, this year I am going to combine both the rig and the bait for the best bait and rig combo. This season I crown Mizmo Scorpion/Picasso Shakedown as the best bait-rig of the 2008 season.

The combo Mizmo Scorpion/Picasso Shakedown shaky jig head was responsible for the most Bass caught in the 08 Bass season. The shaky rig incorporating the Scorpion was lethal. It was a great season for Smallmouth Bass numbers, as a matter of fact, because of this bait and rig combo, it has been one of the best to date!

'Easy' is this shaky rig combo's middle name. Cast it out there, let it fall to the bottom and let it sit for a bit. With the rod tip at about eleven o'clock start shaking the Scorpion. Now, while quivering the rod, slowly work it back to you then reel in the slack line. You cannot over shake as far as I and the Bass are concerned. It's a simple tactic for a simple combo.

When I first saw the Mizmo Scorpion I quickly envisioned it on my Picasso Shakedown jig head and it was Bass magic right off the bat. The scorpions slender shape and paddle tail make it appetizing for the Bass and by making it quiver while its sitting on bottom it becomes a 'no brainer' and the Smallmouth just have to take it.

When choosing the Bait of the year I put a lot of thought into it. Many good traits have to come to mind for it to be a winner. Consistency is a strong advantage of this combo as well as durability and long lasting characteristics. During cold fronts it performed well too bringing the most important trait to mind and that is confidence! I had so much confidence in the Scorpion Shakedown combo that if a cast came in empty handed I was convinced there wasn't any Bass in the vicinity! That's scary!

I have to consider the fact that it brought in not only quantity, but quality Bass overall. By using the shaky rig combo of the Mizmo Scorpion and Picasso Shakedown jig head it is inevitable that in this coming year Bass will also fall victim to its 'allure.'

Visit Nic DiGravio at http://www.probassfishing.ca Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nic_Di_Gravio

By Nic Di Gravio

The Proper Way to Load Fishing Line on to a Spinning Reel

Loading fishing line onto a spinning reel is a simple process yet many anglers experience problems after they load the reel with new fishing line. There are a number of reasons for this and I hope this short explanation will eliminate them for you.

How many times have you seen or maybe even done this yourself? You purchase a new spinning reel and when you go to install the line you have someone stick a pencil through the center of the spool the line comes on, and while they are holding it you start reeling the line onto your reel. You fill the reel to where it is level with the spool lip on the spinning reel and think you have done a good job.

Ok your spinning reel is now full so you tie on a hook and weight or maybe a lure and go to cast and as soon as you open the bail of the reel your line jumps of like it was a spring that was just released. Now you get this mess cleaned up and the line back on your reel and try to cast knowing the line wants to jump off the spool this time you make sure you keep the line tight with your finger when you open the bail ah ha you fixed the problem. Now when you go to cast again your line comes off in a big tangled mess that looks something like a loosely built birds nest.

Let me tell you I have been there myself and if you will follow these simple steps you will avoid 99% of these problems.

Let's start with tying the line to the reel spool this is a simple process so keep it that way. Just tie a simple over hand single knot to the end of your line and pull it tight. Now put two wraps of line around the reel spool and again tie a simple over hand knot and pull the line tight. The knot you tied to the end of your line will snug up against the knot you just tied on the spool and will tighten as you pull on the line. Then you can trim the excess line which is left behind the first knot and you are ready to start filling the reel.

Place the spool of line down on the ground with the label side up. Now you want to stand to where the spool of line is directly under the tip of your rod. Grab the line between your index finger and thumb so you can apply pressure to the line as you reel. You want to apply just enough pressure that you can feel the tension as you reel but not so tight that it makes the reel hard to turn. Turn the spinning reel handle and start applying the line after about fifteen turns of the handle stop. Lower you rod tip a little toward the spool of line, the line hanging from your rod tip to the spool should hang straight, if it wants to twist simply turn over the spool of line and repeat this process. The line should now hang straight without twisting.

After you have the line hanging without twisting when you remove the tension of the line you are ready to start loading the reel spool with line. Continue to apply just enough pressure with your index finger and thumb to the line as you reel. Once the line is within an eight of an inch of the spools lip stop reeling and your reel is now fully loaded with line. If you are using a heavy line on the reel say anything over 25 lb. test you may want to give yourself a little more room between the line and the spool lip.

You are now ready to start fishing and you line should stay on the reel with out getting those annoying twist.

Author: Bob R. Smith
Is an outdoor enthusiast if it has to do with the outdoors he has tried it. His true passion is steelhead and salmon fishing with over forty five years of experience fishing for these great fish. He has built a web site to share how he saves thousands of dollars a year purchasing his fishing gear from eBay members. If you to would like to save on your fishing gear and pick up some helpful fishing tips along the way please visit his site at http://www.steelhead-salmon-trout-fishing.com/

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By Bob R Smith

Fishing Tackle Equipment - What You Need to Know

I am an avid freshwater fisherman and fishing tackle equipment collector. I love the sport and the peacefulness of being out on the water without a worry in the world.

I love waking up on an early April morning before the sun comes up for a full day of great fishing! The best days are the ones when you make it to the boat ramp just as the sun is barely breaking through the grey sky on the horizon, and the water on the lake looks like a sheet of glass. This is every fisherman's dream because you know it is going to be a wonderful day for some great fishing.

Some tips every fisherman should know:

It is very important to know the conditions in which you will be fishing. First, and most importantly, what kind of fish are you trying to catch? There is a big difference in the ways you fish for different fish. If you are trying to catch bluegill you do not want to use a large crank bait.

Second, you should know the conditions of the water and weather. If it is a nice clear day you can use darker colored lures because the fish will be able to see them through the water. If the water is dark and murky you might try a lighter colored lure to draw their attention.

Third, think about the time of day that you are going fishing. If it is evening or getting dark outside try throwing on a catfish rig and some chicken liver. (Caught biggest catfish I've ever caught on chicken liver!) If you are fishing in the early morning try a floating minnow or top-water plug to catch a monster bass looking for some breakfast. If you are trying to catch something midday throw on a bobber with some live bait. (You are sure to catch some bluegill with live bait!)

Lastly make sure you bring all your fishing tackle equipment for the trip. There is nothing more frustrating than getting out on the lake and realizing that you have left your favorite lure at home or that rig that you really wanted to test out.

If you remember all of these tips you should have a much better fishing experience and you will be able to better plan that perfect fishing trip you have been dreaming of all this time!

Everything you need to know about Fishing Tackle Equipment to become a better fisherman.

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By Matt D Reed

What Bait to Use During Your Halibut Fishing Run

It may be as easy as attaching a head of a mackerel on a line and throwing it overboard; but then again, it may not be that easy at all. Halibut fishing need not be an overly complicated process but you may want to reconsider "traditional" bait for less conventional baits, especially if the fish isn't biting. Believe it or not, you do not need to buy those expensive lures; nor do you need to learn a new fishing technique. What you have now may work fine. However there is a bit of sprucing up to do when it comes to your halibut feeding education. For this, you would need: a bit of research on the fishing area, some prep, and a lot of time on your hands.

The fishing ground

The actual location of the fishing ground dictates what sells and what does not sell with the sand dwelling halibut. You do have to remember that the fish adapts to what is currently available in the open waters. Although the halibut is notorious for being an opportunistic feeder, this does not mean that it will lose its caution when introduced to a "new" meal.

Try to see what marine creatures are most abundant in the fishing grounds. It is with all likelihood that the halibut will be feeding on these as well. So if you bait your line with one or two of these creatures (or make lures that "act" similar to these); your chances of landing several fish is good. If you want to land a really big monster, experts are saying that you need to have larger bait as well.

One more thing, seasons bring changes in the available food for the halibuts. So what may have been successful baits for the last few seasons may not be "attractive" baits now. Your catch may just have shifted to an entirely new diet.

Preparation counts a lot

An ill-prepared fisherman is a poor fisherman indeed. And that maxim is true for anglers too. If you really want to score several large halibuts, you really need to prepare big time. First of all, as stated above, you need to know the exact bait you should be using. If you have done your research correctly, you will know that some bait shops in and around the fishing area may not be able to supply you all the things you need. In which case, try to pack (from home or en route to the fishing grounds) everything you might possibly need on a day out on the water. Lines, hooks and weights are essential, of course. The question is: are you keeping your catch or are you releasing them afterwards?

The J hook would be more advisable if you are performing the former, while the circle hook will be more beneficial (to the fish) if you are performing the latter. Also try using a fine mesh net only when it comes to halibut fishing. The delicate tail fins of the fish are bound to get damaged in the larger meshed nets.

Enjoying your time on the water

Fishing entails a lot of presence. Halibuts are known to "inhale" attractive bait in an instant. But sometimes, the fish needs more time to be coaxed into actually taking the bait. Just sit back and enjoy whatever view you have. If you do all these things, you might just have a great closing entry for your day: preferably a monster halibut on your deck.

To find the best Alaska Fishing Lodge please visit http://www.bestalaskafishingtrips.com

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By Rick John Jenkins

Stream Trout Fishing

One of my favorite sports is stream trout fishing. I'll give you a little background about my experience trout fishing. I used to live in New in Jersey, where I did most of my trout fishing. And most of it was done with my friend Art. NJ stocked a lot of trout in the Spring as did Pennsylvania and New York. So I guess you could say we fished a lot for stocked trout. But we also fished year round, so a lot of the fish we caught may or may not have been for that year's stocked fish.

Art and I caught a lot of fish. We didn't keep but what the limit allowed, but we caught a lot of fish. We also mostly fished with bait, usually nightcrawlers and salmon eggs depending on the time of the year. In the Spring we used a lot of salmon eggs, the rest of the year it was nightcrawlers.

Our tackle of choice was ultra-light spinning rods and reels, Fly rods were OK, but we caught a ton more fish with spinning tackle. Again, Art and I caught a lot of trout. What's a lot? Anywhere from 22 to 54 trout a day. One day we caught 103 when our friend Fred was with us. Of course there were many days when we caught nothing or maybe one or two.

This background is so you get the idea that I'm not just some yahoo spouting off about trout fishing, that only read about it in a book. (I may be a yahoo, but of a different kind).

George Aughey shares what he learned in years of fishing for stream trout fishing in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His experience and expertise along with his tell-it-like-it-is style of writing should be a big help to people just learning how to fish for trout. For the last 25 years Mr. Aughey has been in the Financial Services industry using an educational approach with Clients. Most people in today's economy are having a rough time financially and probably spend too much time worrying to find the time for fishing. He and his wife Mary have a company, Equity Benefits, LLC, which specializes in helping behind in their mortgages to keep their homes. To learn more about saving and keeping your home, Contact George at: 651-967-7730.

Or, visit their blog at: http://www.yourmortgageloanmodification.com/save-your-home/.

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By George Aughey

Homemade Trout Dough Bait Recipes

There are obviously many types of trout bait sold in retail stores, but making homemade trout dough bait is a great way to really involve yourself in the process of catching some trout. Homemade trout bait recipes can easily be altered based on what colors, flavors, and smells are successful for trout in your area. The following are guidelines for making two different types of homemade trout bait.

The first type of homemade bait is meant to entice the trout's taste buds and sense of smell by employing cheese and garlic. First, take a quarter of a pound of Velveeta and melt it in your microwave. Then, create the dough by mixing together the melted Velveeta, 2 cups water, 1 cup flour, 1 cup cornmeal, ½ cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon garlic powder (you can always add more garlic powder to create a stronger smell). Once you have mixed these ingredients until they form a pliable dough, fill a stockpot with water and bring it to a boil. Form the dough into small balls and cook in the boiling water for 1-2 minutes as if you were cooking dumplings. After cooking, dry the dough balls out by laying them on some sheets of paper towel.

The second method of creating homemade trout dough bait is done by utilizing food coloring to attract trout visually. The use of sardines will also cater to their sense of smell. In this recipe, combine 1 cup water, ¼ cup light corn syrup, several drops of food coloring (your choice of color, just make sure it is bright) and about 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a small saucepan and allow it to heat up. Mix ½ cup flour and ½ cup cornmeal in a bowl and add this mixture to the saucepan. Continue to cook over low heat until the mixture has thickened. Remove the saucepan from the stove and add to the dough mixture ¼ cup Marshmallow Fluff and one can of sardines. You will want to puree the sardines in a blender or food processor so it is liquefied before adding it to the dough. Allow this mixture to cool, and then mix in some cotton balls, which will help give your bait some texture and shape, and then form the dough into small balls. This recipe is very smelly but the discomfort you may experience while cooking up this concoction could lead to some very big rewards the next time you are trout fishing.

Both of these trout baits can be attached to a treble hook and used with a bobber. By engaging several of the trout's sense at one time, you will find that these dough baits are some of the best rainbow trout lures you could ever use.

Steve writes about trout bait and trout fishing Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Turley

By Steve Turley

Crappie Rods & Reels - The Good, Bad & Ugly

Crappie rods & reels have come a long way since I started my fishing career at the age of 5, the only thing I could or should I say was allowed to use was a cane pole and did I ever see some take off across the lake. My dad graduated me to a closed face Shakespeare crappie rod & reel setup that wouldn't cast 10 feet. Modern technology has come a long way these days, now the average person has the daunting tasks of listening to all of the crappie rods & reels salesmen tell you just how great these crappie rods & reels really are, I call them the good, bad & ugly series. Yes there are still some crappie rods & reels setups that are bad, you get what you pay for and if this is your sport then invest in one that is going to last.

There are plenty of crappie rods & reels that are around thirty dollars, you take the rod with your little pinkie and bend it over double, and the reel that comes with it you will probably strip the plastic gears when you catch a sizable crappie with it. I am going to show you that spending a little extra money will bring you a lot of great times with your new crappie rods & reels setup that will last for years to come. You have to look at the type of reel that you like, do you prefer a spinning reel, closed face or a small to medium size baitcaster.

Abu-Garcia Revo S series has 8 ball bearings with 1 roller bearing solid case with a carbon matrix drag system, 3 words for this one, bad to the bone for around 100.00, I have had mine for a few years and all I have had to do is clean & change the line. I also have enjoyed my spinning crappie rods & reels, a couple of my favorites that will cast a small jig a country mile is my Shimano Symetre with a rear fighting drag and virtually no line twist, you can adjust fighting drag as you go without breaking your line for any size crappie you bring up, then add a falcon low-rider rod to it and you can feel the slightest bump. This is a winning setup for the crappie angler for around 200.00 dollars and it will last forever.

Everyone has a budget but in my opinion these two crappie rods & reels setup will make you a hero on the boat or pier fishing with friends or family or in a crappie tournament. I also like the rods that I buy to be a medium action rod, here is the reason for this, when you are fishing heavy cover whether it may be stumps, rock piles or a brush pile you need to have a strong enough rod to be able to get them out of the structure that you are fishing. Using a light action rod in my opinion the crappie have control over you, a lot of people say that you will catch more crappie using a light 4 pound line, that is fine if you are fishing clear waters, but in murky or stained waters I use 12 to 14 lb line and most of the time catch my limit. Tight lines to you all and remember, when you want performance for years to come then do your research that will best suit you for all of your crappie rods & reels.

Take a look at our crappie rod & reels pics at http://www.fishingforcrappie.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Tannery

By Robert Tannery

Catch Largemouth Bass - 3 Highly Effective Lures and Techniques For Using Them to Catch More Bass

When it comes to catching largemouth bass, using artificial tackle can be very effective. Just go to any place that sells fishing tackle and you will find that there is no shortage of bass fishing lures to choose from. You can try them all, but that will be hard on your wallet. So, which one do you choose? In this article, I will share three highly effective lures that have brought me a lot of bass fishing success and I will discuss techniques for using them effectively to help you catch more bass.

The first is a spinning lure called a rooster tail. It comes in several different sizes and many different colors. The lure has a tube shaped body, a spinning blade and a treble hook. Because of its small size and light weight, I recommend using a quality bait casting reel in order to get adequate distance when casting. Cast the rooster tail near logs, rocks and banks and let it sink a bit so that it is at the level of the fish. Retrieve the rooster tail at a quick steady speed to ensure the blade spins. Occasionally, vary the retrieving speeds from slow to fast and work your rod to make the rooster tail twitch, giving the illusion that the lure is in distress. Repeat casting and retrieving, varying your casting distance and location.

Next, is a top water lure called a hula popper. The hula popper has a unique shaped popping head that makes noise in the water and a hula skirt that drives bass wild. There are many different colors and variations. The best time to use the hula popper is at night and in the warmer months. You can cast this lure in open water, but the most effective places are near lily pads, rocks, or logs. After you cast it, wait until the ripples disappear, then twitch it occasionally while keeping the line tight, so that you're ready to set the hook when a bass strikes. This is a highly effective lure that attracts big bass.

Last, is the very simple, but very effective plastic worm. The plastic worm comes in various sizes, colors and designs. I have tried most, but find the most effective is the plain purple worm or a black worm with a pink or reddish tail. Cast the worm near logs, rocks and lily pads where bass may be hiding. Reel the worm in very slowly and be sure to keep the line fairly tight. When the fish hits the bait, you want to be ready to set the hook; slack in the line will prevent you from setting the hook effectively.

The rooster tail, hula popper and plastic worm are all highly effective lures to use to catch largemouth bass. The rooster tail and plastic worm can be effective any time of day, but the hula popper is most effective at night time. To get the most of your fishing excursion and catch more largemouth bass, try alternating between these three lures and use the suggested techniques I outlined.

For the best source on Shimano Reels visit The Reel Shack and find freshwater and saltwater reels like Baitrunner, Spheros, Tekota and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_L

By Dennis L

The Best Bait For Trout Fishing

In this article I'm going to discuss some of the most effective baits to use while fishing for trout in order to determine the best bait for trout fishing. Is this possible? Is it possible that there's a "best" bait for trout fishing? I'm not entirely sure, but after fishing for these wonderful fish for more than 25 years I can honestly say that some are certainly better than others, and one in particular is certainly my favorite.

Before I get into the trout baits themselves, it's important to know the type of trout that you're attempting to catch. Not the species of fish, but the kind of trout. There are two basic kinds. Stocked (or planted) and native. Stocked trout are placed into the river or lake by the governments' fish & game department. Native trout on the other hand were born and live in the water in which they reside. Actually stocked trout can become native after living in said body of water for an extended period of time (2 or more years).

Why do I mention stocked and native? Simply because both manners of trout tend to eat different kinds of bait, and as an angler you should be aware of this fact. Stocked trout eat baits such as corn, marshmallows, dough baits, and cheese. Native trout, on the other hand, tend to shy away from such baits, and tend to eat "live" baits such as worms, minnows, and crayfish. Basically, native trout are much more savvy (and more challenging) to catch than stocked trout.

One of the most popular (and effective) baits for trout fishing are synthetic baits that are shaped into live bait shapes. These baits are shaped like worms, minnows and crayfish (to name a few) and are impregnated with fish catching scents. The most popular manufacturers of these trout baits is Berkley, and are named Powerbait and Gulp. These baits, rigged on a set of gang hooks can be extremely effective.

Another popular bait is small spinners and spoons, such as Rooster Tails and Phoebe Minnows. Both native and stocked trout will bite these lures. These baits are effective in both the flowing water of rivers and streams and still the water of lakes. The important thing to remember in regards to these types of lures is to keep them small. 1/8 to 1/3 ounce will usually suffice.

The last bait that I want to touch on for trout fishing is the old standby live bait. This may indeed be the best bait for trout fishing. Live crayfish, for example, are probably the best bait for large trout. I live crayfish that's allowed to flow naturally with the current of a small trout river is a great large trout bait. Live worms are extremely effective for trout fishing as well. As a matter of fact a live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks and allowed to flow naturally with the current of a small river or stream is a great "all around" trout bait, and could very well be the best.

Does this article give you an answer to the best bait for trout fishing? Not one single answer, but it certainly gives you the best options that are available. Now you can go out, give these baits a try, and determine for yourself which is the best.

In my experience live worms are hard to beat when trout fishing (especially in rivers and streams), but for you it may be different? The cool thing about fishing is that there's only one way to find out. Get out on the water and figure out your best bait for trout fishing.

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

By Trevor Kugler

Trout Bait - Tips For Choosing the Best Trout Bait

When it comes to fishing for trout it seems that our choices of trout bait is almost endless. In this article we're going to cut through the BS to find the best trout baits and some tips for using them. All of the tips in this article have been tested and proven through more than 50 years of combined trout fishing experience.

Trout bait comes in two basic varieties; live and synthetic. Live bait includes worms, minnows, leeches, etc. Synthetic bait includes Power Bait, salmon eggs, Berkley Gulp products, etc. Below I will outline the most popular and effective of these two categories of trout bait. You can then experiment and find your favorite bait.

There is one last thing to consider when it comes to choosing the best bait for these fish, which is the kind of trout you're fishing for. There are two basic varieties; stocked and native. A stocked trout is a trout that has been planted in the water by your states fish and game department and native trout are fish that were born in the water that you're fishing. Actually a stocked trout can become a "native" trout after living in a body of water for an extended period of time (say 2 or more years).

The point to knowing which type of trout you're fishing for, native or stocked, is that catching them is altogether different. Stocked fish eat trout bait such as cheese, Powerbait, and corn, whereas native fish won't bite such things. Native trout tend to bite live trout baits or synthetic trout baits that look and smell like live bait (such as Berkley Gulp products). All of that being said, let's discuss the most effective trout bait and tips for using each.

1. Synthetic Trout Bait - These trout baits include any of the numerous trout baits that are sold in little jars and molded onto hooks. The most popular f these trout baits is Power Bait. This trout bait is reserved for stocked trout and is quite effective. The best way to rig this trout bait is on a bottom rig that allows it to float off of the bottom. A single small treble hook or a set of pre tied gang hooks are the most effective way to rig synthetic trout bait.
2. Small Spinners and Spoons - These trout baits are effective for both native and stocked trout. The key with this type of trout bait is to keep them small. For the most part no spinner or spoon larger than ¼ ounce should be employed for trout fishing. Keep these trout baits ¼ and smaller and you will experience much more success. You would be surprised at the size of trout that can be caught using small spinners and spoons.
3. Live Trout Bait - This trout bait is the most effective for native trout, and actually works quite well for stocked trout as well. Minnows are very effective, but difficult to carry around. Crayfish are extremely effective for large trout, but again difficult to carry around and hard to find sometimes. The most readily available and effective trout bait has to be live worms. A live worm rigged on a set of Tied Gang Hooks is an extremely effective trout bait. Especially if your offering is allowed to flow naturally with the current of a small river or stream.

These tips will help you choose the best trout bait for your next trout fishing excursion. No matter which trout bait you choose, remember that nothing will help you catch more trout like spending time on the water honing your skills.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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By Trevor Kugler

Catch Crappie Fishing Minnows Amazing Method! Crappie Fishing Secret Part 3

How To Catch Minnows

If you are a beginning crappie fisherman and you want to give yourself a chance to catch some crappie, Then I suggest you fish with live crappie fishing minnows. And if you don't want to spend a arm and a leg at the bait shop here is a way to catch a ton of them quickly.

The best thing about this is, crappie minnows that you catch come from the crappies natural environment, in the exact water you will be fishing. Bait shop minnows are sometimes caught at different bodies of water, and will be "foreign" to crappie which can cause crappie to reject them as a food source. Plus, bait shop crappie minnows are usually more fragile-i.e. older, and dying from being in captivity. Amazingly this is a little used crappie fishing secret , that few fisherman use these days.

STEP#1 Walk around the lake looking for "shaded areas" close to shore. The best place to catch crappie minnows is by boat ramps or boat docks. Possibly because that is where fisherman dump their bait after they are done bringing their boats in.. but also because these areas offer good "cover" for minnows, along with food sources.

STEP#2 You need to find areas that are between water depths of 4 to 8 feet. You need these depths because of the limitations of your minnow catching casting net.!

STEP#3 Cast a 3-4 foot crappie minnow net with 1/4" netting holes. This takes some practice. The Idea is to cast the net "flat" so the largest area hits the water.

Step#4 If you can't find any good areas to cast your net or your just not catching anything , then I suggest you try it at night. You will need a good submersible fishing light to be successful at night, but your chances of success will be much greater.The submerged fishing lite will attract minnows like crazy! you can either use your cast net, build yourself a minnow trap and drop it down near the submerged fishing light or use a bait store dip net. All these methods work great and you will catch your crappie fishing minnows in no time flat.

Well I hope these tips on how to catch crappie minnows help you. This concludes part there of our Crappie Fishing Secrets Series.

Mark Fleagle Webmaster. 30+ Years Of Fishing Experience Expert Author At EzineArticles.com. Click This Link To Find Out More About how to catch crappie minnows.

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By Mark Fleagle

How to Bass Fish - Remember the Basics

Most insider bass fishing secrets revolve around understanding the bass itself. It also involves understanding your surroundings, your equipment, having the know how and basics under your belt and finally optimizing each opportunity. In effect, you are going about, creating the most favorable fishing experience and outcome possible.
An important key to bass fishing is what can be referred to as, 'predictable behavior' of the fish. This includes their habits, patterns, life cycles, the natural rhythm that is life and nature. By understanding how the bass lives in nature, you will increase your chances of success.

Searching for cover in rocky areas, stumps, and grasses all seem to be part of The Bass feeding habits. Taking advantage and considering this with every cast will benefit you greatly. Other factors like water conditions and clarity, the time of day you are fishing, the effects of sunlight, water displacement and vibration sensing, noise sensitivity, all add to fish survival skills. By paying close attention to these factors you will increase your odds of hooking that next trophy bass.

Understanding how The Bass perceives and relates to different colors and shade can always also help you to be more effective in you efforts. You choice in the type of lure, its color and nature of its movement etc. can all contribute to your overall fishing success.

You need to understand the habitat and those that live and thrive in it, to better interact with and enjoy fishing in it. An example of this is how the temperature of the water and available oxygen, dictate movement patterns and distribution of different fish species. Nature beats to its own drum, you have to discover and enjoy this if you are to be a successful part of it...

Practice makes perfect - there is no silver bullet, no quick-fish method that can guarantee you bites and more bass all the time. It takes preparation, hard work and commitment, persistence and rigor from the angler. Some days will be predictably better than others. No matter what the conditions, process and outcome, on the day, put it all down to experience and lessons learned. By remembering the basics logging and learning from each experience, your understanding, and confidence will grow and you will steadily improve as a bass angler no matter your level of experience.

Ken Garrett
visit http://gonebassfishing.com for helpful bass fishing tips and information

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By Ken Garrett

Fishing Bait Worms - The Most Effective Way to Fish With Live Worms

When it comes to the fishing bait worms, there is one way of rigging them that is much more effective than any other. I know what you're thinking. It's just using a worm as bait, how difficult can it be, right? Well, it's not that fishing with worms as bait is difficult, as you know it's quite simple. The issue is that there is a way that is much more effective than any other.

When most anglers use worms as fishing bait, what do they do? Yep, they take their hook and attempt to "thread" their worm onto said hook. In most cases this hook is pretty large so that not too much of the worm is hanging off for the fish to "nibble" on. This way of rigging a worm for fishing bait is the basic way that anglers have been doing it forever.

There are a couple of problems with the above scenario. First, your worm (or bait) ends up looking anything but natural. As a matter of fact your fishing bait ends up looking like some sort of worm ball, rather than a real worm. Secondly when a large hook is employed it is extremely visible to the fish and makes fishing for smaller mouthed fish all but impossible.

Neither of the above scenarios are a problem with smaller, more inexperienced fish. These fish will still bite your modified worm ball, but hooking them can be extremely difficult. And what about larger and more experienced fish? They will tend not to even bother with this type of offering. They "been there done that" so to speak. Not to mention the fact that fish rarely become large by being dumb and not paying attention to such things.

So what is the alternative to these types of situations? The first thing to consider is that when using worms for fishing bait, your worm should look like a worm. This means that it should be outstretched, just like it appears in nature. The most effective way to fish with live worms is by using a set of pre-tied gang hooks. These hooks allow live worms to be presented in an outstretched and natural manner, which makes a ton of difference in bite rates.

Gang hooks are simply a pair of small fishing hooks tied back to back. This allows live bait (especially worms) to be presented in a totally natural and effective manner. These hooks are, without a doubt, the most effective way to fish with live worms. They also work quite well with synthetic worms, such as Berkley Power and Gulp worms. The next time that you use worms as fishing bait, give these great fishing hooks a try.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

By Trevor Kugler

Cleaning a Fishing Reel

It can be a labourious task to clean a fishing reel and ensure that you maintain it after each trip. However, most fishing reel faults can be put down to the fact that it was not cleaned properly and now has corroded parts or instead underperforms. This is an anglers most frustrating problem.

Preparing your fishing trip however should incorporate a full cleanse of your tackle and equipment, and the most important aspect of them is the reel. A good reel should last you for a long time due to the quality construction, however, like any mechanical device it also needs to be looked after.

There are however, a few things you can do in order to keep your reel in tip-top shape.

After you have removed the reel from the rod, you will need to take the handle off - these usually have a reverse locking system so you just need to unwind it. Next, with a damp cloth, wipe over the visible areas of the reel - make sure the water is clean and not salt water as this will corrode the components.

Depending on the reel you have you will then need to remove the sideplate. Some of the unclip, or unwind while others are screwed in place - you should consult the manual if you are unsure. To clean the inside of the reel, remove any dirt with a swab and be sure to get out any other debris. Apply some bearing grease, or WD40 to the bearings and gears while you are inside as well to keep them fresh as this is one of the main causes of reel failure. Once you are done it is safe to put the reel back together again.

You should finally give the handle a good wash as this is likely to have water, bait and all other dirt over it. Just rinsing in water should suffice, but again make sure it is clean water you are using.

As you can see, if doesnt take much to look after a reel, and if you do you will keep it performing like it did when you first got it. If you ever have a reel stop working while you are trying to retrieve a fish, perhaps its time to look into the maintenance of your reel.

--
Fisherman Dan is an expert angler with over 5 years experience. Be sure to choose the best fishing reel to suit your needs. If you need further advice, which fishing reel can help you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fisherman_Dan

By Fisherman Dan

Fishing Roaring River Trout Park

Main Species Present: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Suckers

The Roaring River in southwestern Missouri is one fine trout stream by any standards. It has it beginnings in Roaring River State Park, which is designated by the state as a Trout Park.The first stretch of water, or zone 1 is daily stocked with rainbows from March 1 through October 31, and artificial lures and flies only are allowed. The second beat of water, or zone two is designated as fly only, but Missouri definition of a fly is fairly liberal, and some single hooked spinning lures including single hooked rooster tail spinners and marabou jigs are allowed. Zone two is divided into one daily stocked catch and keep section and one catch and release section. This catch and release section is well known for producing behemoth brown trout. The third section of water in Roaring River State Park is stocked twice a week from during the spring, summer, and fall, and is open to catch and keeping fishing with all bait, lures, and flies. In all, Roaring River State Park has about two miles of stream, all of which holds trout.

Trout habitat does not end at the lower end of the Trout Park. It then becomes a White Ribbon Trout Area, which means it is stocked about once a month. Access to this section is from the Trout Park, and from Roaring River Conservation Area. The White Ribbon Area is known for having a lot of shallow, fishless water, but any good pools and riffles you find will hold many rainbow trout, as well as some brown trout, and even an occasional cutthroat or brook trout that may have migrated from the Beaver Lake tailwater. Year-round trout water only stretches about two miles below the Park, but they during wintertime trout can be caught all the way to where Roaring River becomes impounded by Table Rock Lake, and even in the reservoir itself. The lower river is a good early and late season trout fishery, and provides good bass fishing in high summer. The Roaring River is a small stream, fifteen to twenty feet wide in most places. It is beautiful, and productive even by the highest standards.

Davdison Manning is an avid outdoorsman spending over 100 days per year pursuing his passion for fishing, many of them in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. He details many of his favorite spots on his website Family-Outdoors where he writes articles not only on fishing, but camping and hunting as well. Read more about trout fishing in Missouri on his site at Missouri Trout Fishing where he discusses streams and trout parks in the Show-Me state. His other pursuits include many days spent in the field camping and hunting. Davidson loves to share his knowledge of the outdoors in the hope of helping others to find their own connection to the outdoors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davidson_Manning

By Davidson Manning

Fishing Trout Successfully - Tips

When fishing for trout there are several factors you need to consider to make sure you get a great catch. Your tackle is one of the most important things you need to consider first. The rod and reel you choose is at the top of the list for assuring yourself of being an effective and productive fisherman. You don't want to get the cheapest, but you don't need to get the most expensive either.

Also, don't grease the leader. This will make sure it doesn't sink too deep and will not cause difficulty getting the lure and line out of the water. If floating, it will have a shadow and scare away the trout.

Most trout are caught using the dry fly when trout are surface feeding, but using a wet fly if below surface feeding. Sometimes you will need to change your fly if you are getting no bites and this can make all the difference. Eventually you will find the fly that works for that particular body of water.

Lakes that are in higher areas tend to be more rocky than the low lying lakes and won't have a lot of brush or weed cover. The water will be very clear and will not have many places for the trout to find cover in the rocky lakes, although any trout found there will very likely be larger in size because they will like the clear conditions and deeper water.

Make your first cast your best because the trout will in most cases strike at the first thing that floats above it. Use the lightest possible line when trout fishing to achieve more success.

Although the trout are hitting in the upper or middle end, don't neglect the lower end.

Trout can be very selective and choosy and can try your patience. Sometimes using a lesser hackle fly or using a fan wing will do the trick.

Trout fishing can be a lot of fun. Use a few of these tips and you'll have some mighty good trout eating.

Did you find these tips useful? For more fishing tips and articles visit my fishing site at http://www.fishingtipsabcs.blogspot.com and get ready to do some fishing!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Roberts

By Marilyn Roberts

Fishing the Yampa River of Northwest Colorado

Main Species Present: rainbow trout, brown Trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, mountain whitefish

The Yampa River in northwestern Colorado has every characteristics of a first rate stream. It has great variety, offering great trout fishing as well as excellent fishing for bass, pike, and catfish. The Yampa above Stagecoach Reservoir is really no more or no less than a typical mountain trout stream, and there are plenty of small rainbow and cutthroat trout to go around. Below Stagecoach Reservoir, it becomes a tailwater fishery, and the section from the dam to Steamboat Springs is the best known, and the most heavily fished part of the river. This part of the river provides great catch and release fishing for huge rainbows and browns. This part of the river is the only section where you are likely to see out of state fisherman. From Steamboat to Hayden, the river is really at its best. This entire section holds both world class populations of trout, and northern pike. Water temperatures, and habitat are just about perfect for both species. This area isn't heavily fished, and the both trout and pike can be quite easy to catch. Between Hayden and Craig, the Yampa begins to become a warm-.water fishery. The upper half of this stretch has some pretty good trout fishing, but the closer to Craig you get, the lower the populations. Fishing in the town of Craig is possible, as there are several access areas. Here, you will find lots of big smallmouth and pike, and the trout fishing can be anywhere from quite poor to fairly good. This far downstream, the best trout fishing will be best in the spring. Below Craig, the Yampa becomes a warm-water river. The ten or fifteen miles below Craig holds many smallmouth and pike , as well as a small trout population. Soon, the river becomes very silty, and catfish replace the smallmouth and pike.

Access is easy along the Yampa River. Every section of the river listed above has ample wading access, so finding a place to fish isn't a big problem. From Stagecoach to Steamboat Springs, fly fisherman tend to do best, and midging is often the way to go. It should be pointed out that spinners and spoons can work well here. Below Steamboat, most trout are taken on spinners or worms, although fly fisherman can still do well. Rapalas work well for the smallmouth, and mouse and frog imitations in a variety of colors work well for the pike.

Davdison Manning is an avid outdoorsman spending over 100 days per year pursuing his passion for fishing, many of them in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. He details many of his favorite spots on his website Family-Outdoors where he writes articles not only on fishing, but also camping and hunting. Looking for recipes for wild fish and game? Visit his recipe section at Wild Game and Fish Recipes for recipes for venison, trout, as well as most other game and fish species.

His other pursuits include many days spent in the field camping and hunting. Davidson loves to share his knowledge of the outdoors in the hope of helping others to find their own connection to the outdoors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davidson_Manning

By Davidson Manning

Smallmouth Fishing's Best Kept Secret - The Gasconade River of Missouri

The Gasconade River that flows through the northern Ozarks of Missouri is a fisherman's paradise in every sense of the expression. It is widely considered to be one of the nations best smallmouth bass streams. It is both a good place to catch and release twenty Bronzebacks, or specifically target lunker bass in the three to four pound range. The smallmouth fishing is best from the river's humble beginnings in Wright County until Jerome. There are a lot of big bass in this part of the river, and the overall numbers are ample.

The entire river also holds catfish, rock bass, and bluegill. It is a great floating stream, and has many springs that flow into it that cause it to be navigable all year. The upper river is a medium sized or even small stream, but because of the streams such as the Osage Fork River, the Woods Fork River, the Big Piney River, Little Piney Creek, and Roubidoux Creek, the river is quite large by Ozark stream standards by the time it reaches the Missouri in Gasconade County.

The river is quite different below Jerome. It slowly becomes a largemouth bass river, probably the best stream largemouth fishery in the region, with five to seven pound bass relatively routine. Largemouths tend to hold in the warmer backwaters. There are also smallmouths in the lower river. They tend to stay in the main current where the water is colder and there is more oxygen. Catfish, rock bass, and bluegill can be found nearly anywhere. Because it has so many tributaries, the lower river can be silty at times, but it usually runs clear and is pretty. The Gasconade has far too many access points to begin naming them, but suffice it to say you will have no trouble finding a place to fish.

If you go to the Gasconade, you should also think of fishing the Woods Fork, Osage Fork, and Big Piney River for Smallmouth. If you want trout, hit Little Piney Creek, Mill Creek, Spring Creek, or Roubidoux Creek, all of which flow into the middle Gasconade directly or indirectly. In all, the Gasconade is well worth the trip if you like to catch smallmouth bass. If you need to get a canoe shuttle on the middle Gasconade or the Big Piney River, the Route 66 Canoe Rental can help you.

Davdison Manning is an avid outdoorsman spending over 100 days per year pursuing his passion for fishing, many of them in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. He details many of his favorite spots on his website Family-Outdoors where he has information on camping and hunting as well as fishing. Specifically, he has articles on a myriad of places and techniques. Consider reading his article Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Missouri where he provides additional tips on places and techniques for bornzebacks in the Show-Me state.

His other pursuits include many days spent in the field camping and hunting. Davidson loves to share his knowledge of the outdoors in the hope of helping others to find their own connection to the outdoors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davidson_Manning

By Davidson Manning

Fishing For a Better Lifestyle

A little more than ten years ago I was sitting around my apartment thinking, I've got to stop wasting my life. I'd get off work on Friday afternoons and go home and sit in my apartment until Monday morning. Now don't get me wrong, I did laundry, grocery shopping and some cleaning. But otherwise all I did was sit in front of my television and drink beer. I was even doing the same thing when I was on vacation. Great life, huh?

Why I fell into this lifestyle

One of the reasons I had this kind of life is that I always thought I didn't make enough money to do anything fun. But I was getting sick of this lifestyle, something had to give.

So I sat back and thought, what do I like to do? Truthfully, I wasn't sure because I had been leading this lifestyle I was in for years and had forgotten.

Waking up

Then it hit me. When I was a kid, my father and grandfather used to take me fishing a lot. Whether it was at the local lake or down at the New Jersey shore where we would fish and crab in the bays, or even every once in a while, deep sea fishing on a party boat.

So the more I thought about it, the more I thought I'd like to try getting back into fishing. Of course, I was trying to figure out if I could afford it. But I started to think the initial expense couldn't be that much. I could get a fishing rod and reel at the local department store for under $30. I could get a cheap tackle box for under $15.00. Then I could by some hooks, bobbers, sinkers, maybe even an artificial lure or two for not much more money. Oh, and of course I had to give the state their money so I could have a little fun, so I had to buy a fishing license.

All in all I know I spent less then $100 that first year on equipment and fished all summer long. Now, remember, I was just doing this to get out of the house. I wasn't looking to become the next Bill Dance or anything, I just wanted to start enjoying life and the outdoors little bit.

Go fishing

Think about it, especially in today's economy. If you could find something to do every weekend for the whole summer and it only cost $100, don't you think you might give it a try? Keep in mind, that equipment will last you more than one summer.

I don't want to be misleading, because you will still have to spend a little cash each time you go fishing. You've got to buy bait, whether it's worms, minnows, or whatever you find works for you. Heck, my girlfriend (now my wife) once told me her grandfather would use chicken livers to catch catfish, and man let me tell you it works. They cost less than $2 a container at the grocery store.

Finally, if you have children think of the memories you can be creating as well as the hobby you and your children will be able to share the rest of your lives.

So, get up, grab your gear and go fishing.

Not sure where to go or what gear to buy? Check out http://www.waters-edge-outdoors.com for gear reviews, information on lakes in the southeast U.S. and more.

Paul Klaebel is a Pennsylvania native living in Memphis, Tennessee. He loves to spend his free time on the lake trying to outwit the bass.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Klaebel

By Paul Klaebel

The Basic of Fly Fishing Techniques

Almost every angler catches his or her first fish on some kind of live bait. But to be a really good angler, you should be proficient with all types of sport fishing equipment: spinning, casting, and fly. Read all you can, watch videos, ask questions of people you know who fly fish or fly shop employees - but above all else, to really learn about fly fishing, you must go fishing yourself. You should spend more time discussing fishing techniques. By using a reasonable fly with basic skills, you'll start catching fish right away. You can decide for yourself which flies work best for you. Here are what I consider the eight most important things to remember, wherever you are fishing, and whatever you are fishing for. If you apply them every time you go out on the lake or stream, you are sure to catch fish!

1. Fish where the fish are. This may seem obvious, but it doesn't matter what fly you are using if there are no fish in the area.
2. Be able to cast a fly there. Good casting skills should be first learned on the lawn, and then honed on the stream.
3. Keep your fly wet. Go fishing as often as you can, and make the most of your time while you are out there.
4. Pay attention. Keep your eyes and ears open while on the water - notice rising fish, insects or baitfish the fish may feed on, and exactly where a fish was when it ate your fly.
5. Set the hook. To catch a fish, the hook must penetrate the fish's mouth. If you think that there's even a chance that a fish just ate your fly, set the hook.
6. Ask questions. Almost anyone who fly fishes loves to talk about it - your friends, people working in fly shops, people you meet on the stream or lake. Just ask.
7. Have confidence. It's hard to have confidence when doing something new. But if you have basic casting skills, use a reasonable fly, and keep it wet, you should EXPECT to catch a fish. And after you catch that first fish, the next one will be much easier.
8. Have fun. Even on days when things aren't going right, you can have fun!

With the information on this flyfishinginfolink.com - and lots of practice - you will become a successful fly angler, and have lots of fun catching all kinds of fish!

http://www.flyfishinginfolink.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Chia

By Sally Chia

Ways to Catch Trout - Two Effective Ways to Catch More Trout

In this quick article I'm going to outline 2 very effective ways to catch rainbow trout. Are these the only ways to catch trout? Of course not, but they are very effective ways to catch trout. These techniques will work for most any type of trout that swims in freshwater. One of these techniques was taught to me by my fishing mentor and the other has been learned through twenty plus years of experience. In any case one (or both) of these techniques will be valuable to most any trout angler.

One of the trout fishing techniques involves lures, the other involves bait. Trout bait come in 2 main forms; live or synthetic. Live trout bait involves things like worms, minnows, or bugs. Synthetic trout bait involves the various types of trout dough (such as Berkley Powerbait and Berkley's Power and Gulp products. Some synthetic trout baits will actually outperform live bait in many situations.

The bottom line is that either of these ways to catch trout will help almost any trout fisherman out.

1. The Spinner Technique - This trout fishing technique involves the use of small spinners such as Rooster Tails. One of the keys is to use very small spinners. I like 1/16 to ¼ ounce spinners. What color to choose is up to you, although I tend to like darker colors such as black and brown for trout fishing. Start by grabbing the end of your line and cutting off a piece of line 18 to 24 inches long. Set that piece of line aside. Now tie a small barrel swivel to the line coming from the end of your fishing rod, and tie the piece of line you just cut off to the opposite end of the barrel swivel. At this point tie your spinner onto the other end of the line that you cut off. To use this spinner effectively some weight will need to be added for casting. Add split shot sinkers above the barrel swivel for weight. The swivel will prevent line twist and allow you spinner to spin properly. Whether you're fishing in a river, stream, or lake it's always a good idea to 'snap' your rod as you reel in. This will give a great action to your spinner and result in more bites.
2. The Gang Hooks Technique - This trout fishing technique involves the use of pre-tied gang hooks. Gang hooks enable you to present bait (especially worms) in a totally natural manner. These hooks are also great for Powerbait trout bait. You can have two balls of Powerbait on your rig, rather than just one, which is a nice advantage. The best technique for using gang hooks is again to tie a small barrel swivel onto the end of your line. Now tie a set of pre-tied gang hooks to the opposite end of the barrel swivel. Your bait (or Powerbait) is now added to the gang hooks. Once again, weight is added by adding split shot sinkers above the barrel swivel. If you're making a still fishing rig simply substitute the split shot sinkers with an egg sinker.

These two ways to catch trout are extremely effective. Especially once they have been put into practice for a little while. As with anything, the more experience you get with these techniques, the more nuances you will discover, and thus the more effective they will become. In my opinion that's a great excuse to get on the water.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

By Trevor Kugler

Fishing For Smallmouth Bass - Presentation is the Key to Success

When it comes to fishing for smallmouth bass the presentation of your bait or lure is the key to success. In this article I'm going to discuss some of the simple reasons why this is the case. For those of you who don't know, catching smallmouth bass is a ton of fun and these bronze beauties are widely known as the hardest fighting fish (pound for pound) that swim in freshwater.

These fish can be found in lakes, rivers, and even streams. Catching smallmouth bass out of the flowing waters of a small river or stream can make them even more fun to catch. They have an uncanny ability to use the current to their advantage when hooked, which makes fighting them that much more challenging and fun.

No matter what type of water you go fishing for smallmouth in, one of the keys to success is your presentation. The bottom line is that you want your offering (whether live or artificial) to appear as natural as possible. These fish are very smart, and unless they are extremely active, they tend not to bite unnatural offerings.

Let's begin by discussing live bait. One of the most effective ways to catch smallmouth bass is by using live bait. The best way to have your live bait appear as natural as possible is to use gang hooks. Gang hooks are a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which allow live bait (especially live worms) to be presented in a completely natural manner.

What are some of the best live baits for these fish? Crayfish are probably the best, although they can be difficult to find and fish with effectively. Gang hooks are great for live crayfish. The second hook helps to hook 'short striking' smallies. Worms and minnows are also good live baits for smallmouth bass. Live bait is a great choice when fishing for smallmouth bass. The more your bait looks like it does in nature, the better.

Now, let's move on to artificial baits. The same principles hold true. If you're using a crawfish lure for example, it needs to look like a crawfish looks underwater. Try to stay away from unnatural and strange colors that don't look at all like the way the bait appears in nature. This is true for any artificial lure that's employed. If you're using a bait fish imitation, it needs to look like the bait fish does in nature.

When it comes to artificial baits for smallmouth bass, some of the more effective are Berkley's Gulp and Power products. These baits perform, look, and feel like soft plastics, except for the fact that they've been impregnated with fish catching scents. These baits can be as effective as live bait in many fishing situations.

The bottom line is that when you are fishing for smallmouth bass, presentation is absolutely a key to success. Make sure that your offerings are as natural as possible. The more lifelike that your offering appears to the bass the more bites you will get, it's as simple as that.

Very Natural Smallmouth Lures - http://www.jrwfishing.com/ktm.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

By Trevor Kugler

Live Bait Rig - The Most Effective Way to Rig Live Bait

Many years ago the brothers Al and Ron Linder developed the Lindy rig as one of the first commercial live bait rigs. This live bait rig is very effective and used to this day with great success. The Lindy rig is mainly employed when back trolling (trolling very slowly) for Walleye. The key to the Lindy rig is that the fish feel no resistance when they pick up the bait.

This rig comes in a variety of configurations and is a very effective live bait rig. The only problem with the Lindy rig is that it was developed for walleye fishing from a boat. This is fine, unless you don't have access to a boat in which case the Lindy rig is of no use to you.

Another place that a live bait (or just bait) rig is employed is in steelhead and salmon fishing. There are many bait rigs available for steelhead and salmon fishing that are very effective. Most of these obviously involve heavy line, swivels, some sort of spinner and a hook because salmon and steelhead are large fish. In the case of Steelhead fishing many times the bait is rigged under a large float.

There probably is no "most effective" way to rig live bait, as it comes down to personal preference and the type of fish that's being targeted. There is however one thing that is important. For the most part when live bait is used, you want that bait to look as much like is would in nature as possible. Natural presentation is the key to live bait fishing.

The best live bait rig for those of us who target fish such as trout, smallmouth bass, or even walleye but don't have access to a boat and are confined to the bank, is called a set of gang hooks. Gang hooks are nothing more that a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which enable live bait to be presented in a totally natural and effective manner.

If you like to target fish in the flowing waters of small rivers and streams, gang hooks very well might be the most effective live bait rig that can be employed. For example, if a live worm is rigged on a set of pre-tied gang hooks and allowed to flow naturally with the current of your favorite river or stream, the results can be dramatic. These hooks are even effective when used under a bobber.

Remember, no matter what type of fish you're targeting when live bait is employed the key is to have your bait appear as natural as possible. As anglers we want our bait to look as much like it does in nature as is possible. The more natural your presentation the more bites you will receive, it's as simple as that. At the end of the day just impaling your live bait onto a hook isn't good enough.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler

By Trevor Kugler

Colorado Fishing- Free Interrelated Resource Of Fishing

If you are searching information about Colorado fishing, you will find the below related article very helpful. It provides a refreshing perspective that is much related to Colorado fishing and in some manner related to trout fish, fishing rods, fly fishing forums or fishing tournament. It isn't the same old kind of information that you will find elsewhere on the Internet relating to Colorado fishing.

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Anglers are always on searches for top-rated fishing tackle and accessories. For a beginner, the collections of fishing tackle and related paraphernalia can look daunting and might be costly. With the advent of technology, anglers also long for something like a Gamin fishing tackle finder to point you in the right direction. Fish finder is now an important part of all fishing trips. Here you will get some simple advises on fishing equipments.

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Many people forget that they can get more information about any subject matter, be it Colorado fishing information or any other on any of the major search engines like Google.com. If you need more information about Colorado fishing, head on to Google and be more informed.

It is not only technique, although your skill has much to do with it, but also fly fishing can depend on the type of fly fishing lures you use.

Fishing enthusiasts can opt for deep sea, fresh water, ice or fly fishing trips. Arkansas and Kalian Rivers of Alaska are ideal destinations for trout fishing, whereas Snake River is noted for fly-fishing. Some of the most commonly found species is salmon, sturgeon, trout, grayling, steelhead, and pike.

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It was intriguing to find that many people, oblivious of their background, found this article related to Colorado fishing and other fishing tackle reels, fly fishing gear, and even fly fishing photos helpful and information rich.

So here is chance to get your free tips on Mexico Bass Fishing and in addition to that get basic information on saving money visit http://advice4unow.com/fishingnews

By DEEPAK KULKARNI