Online Fishing Forums Change the Way Anglers Fish For Information and Photos
March 31, 2008
As the landscape of the World Wide Web changes at lightning speed, so do many online trends. Communication and the exchange of information have become instantaneous and the rate at which we can find and receive information is incredible. A recent trend that has caught on with online anglers "fishing" for more information is online fishing forums.
There are many websites that offer online fishing forums where anglers can talk and discuss in an organized environment about the topics that appeal to them most. In general, online fishing forums have a main posting board where anglers can talk about general fishing subjects. Then usually there are more specific subjects sub- topics where specific popular topics can be addressed.
Online fishing photo galleries have become probably one of the most popular topics on online fishing forums. Now anglers can share a photo of their catch with thousands of other anglers and it has become a virtual bragging board.
However, the really useful part is that you can see who’s catching what species, when and where. Before the Internet, finding out that type of information was nearly impossible. You either had to be physically at the particular location and happen to know the person or you would have to wait to get to the location to see how the bite was.
Introducing The Two Guys With Flys
March 30, 2008
Just when you thought you had seen it all. Just when you thought what in the world can I get for a unique and different Christmas present,Fathers Day gift,or executive gift– along comes a fun and unique gift just in time for this years’ Christmas season. FLY TACKS, a new product from TWO GUYS WITH FLYS, INK, previously the makers of nothing!! FLY TACKS are handsomely, hand-tied flies from Oregon, that are PUSHPINS. That’s right, no more boring bulletin boards around the office. Who wouldn’t like to have the latest company memo held in place by the ever present ? GREEN BUTTED SKUNK? Everyone will notice the latest pay scale increases when they are posted by the always popular ? EGG SUCKING LEECH. Got a co-worker that always claims he couldn’t find your message? Stick it to his pile with a MUDDLER MINNOW, and he is sure to get the point!!!!
All kidding aside, fishermen and non-fishermen alike, will enjoy these conversation pieces,and the gold plated pushpins are a handsome addition to any bulletin board.
Bass Fishing? Watch Out For the Gators!
March 28, 2008
Lakes in certain parts of the country contain more than something you want in your livewell. Alligators. They can be no more obvious than a rock or a log, so be careful. You want to get a bite, not get bit. Let me share one of my bass fishing experiences with you. This is bayou country. When I go to the lakes south of Houston, I have to watch for gators. So I’m always keeping an eyeball peeled for ‘em. But sometimes … So last night I look and everything is clear so I walk down to the water and start bass fishing. After a few minutes, while I’m looking around I see this big log. This big log that gets oddly thinner at the end up on the shore and thicker in the water, and has odd bumps on it. Hold on .. that doesn’t look right. I look further up the log to see how far it extends into the water and… It has 2 big ol’ eyes … lookin’ at me!! And it’s only 10 feet away (just a quick couple of steps for a gator). Ooookay! I slowly and calmly reel in my line (on the outside - on the inside, I’m in total panic) pick up my gear and move on. So I go over to this other part of the lake, and now it’s dark so I get up on a pier. I’m sitting in the woods in the dark and I hear something walking down the pier towards me. Not heavy enough to be human footsteps. With what little bit of starlight there is, I can see something about the size of a medium dog coming at me. What do I do now? Well, I can’t see what it is, but I can tell it’s not a dog. So I get aggressive towards it to see if I can scare it away. Fortunately, it worked. I pointed the tip of my fishing pole towards it and it scampered away. As it left I thought it looked like a large raccoon. Probably nothing to worry much about after all, but they can be aggressive and rabid. But it’s creepy in the woods in the complete dark not being sure what’s around you. Then, in the water, I see the outline of this huge catfish swim right up underneath me below the pier I’m on. Wow! That’s a big one! I’ve got to move bait up and fish under the pier and catch him! So, I decide to put a light on it and see if I can get a better look at this monster. I aim the spotlight straight down into the water and… Hey, look at that weed … there were no weeds along this pier earlier. Hmmm. So I lean further over the pier to get a better look at this mystery weed …. YIKES! THAT’S NO WEED - IT’S A CLAW - A BIG CLAW! There is a gator right underneath me!! Apparently (and I was able to confirm this on follow up visits) the gator is savvy to the fact that people catch fish and put them on stringers around the dock; making a great free and easy meal for the gator. That’s enough. I’m goin’ home. Forget all about that macho stuff and learn how to play guitar.
Bass Fishing - Recreation or Obsession?
March 25, 2008
First of all, we need to look at the word … recreation. When I break it down, it comes out re-creation. What this means to me is a re-creating of myself; a way to get away from it all and do some soul searching and some thinking and … re-create my ideas, inspirations and motivations; a break in the pattern that allows me to reconsider things in my life and make adjustments. But the term is large. Typically, recreation means activity. What do you do for recreation? Watch TV? Garden? Go out to restaurants or bars? What? It implies relaxation. It implies a way to get away from the normal grind and have an element of divergence; have some fun and forget it all. Not so for the bass fisherman. I know I have mentioned to people that I went fishing and they said, “Oh, that sounds relaxing.” What is relaxing about bass fishing? Probably nothing. There are times I go to be outdoors, and there are times I go to catch bass. Catching bass is not relaxing. In fact, bass fishing is hard work. If you want to throw in a live bait and hang by the shade tree, so be it. Granted, that is fishing … but not the style of bass fishing I’m talking about. What I am talking about is active bass fishing where you are in hot pursuit of the prey. Walking the banks … fishing from the boat … whatever your style may be, it is hard work. Why hard work? Every time I come home from a fishing trip I am worn out for a few days. That’s because I work hard while at play. I am up and down the banks hiking around the lake looking for my target: largemouth bass. I cast and I cast and I cast; always keeping the bait in motion and trying to find the fish. So, do I go to get away from it all? Or, do I go because I love the thrill of the hunt; the catch. If you think that serious bass fishing is a ‘vacation,” it’s not. Again, it’s hard work. Even if you’re not hiking up and down the banks, even if you are in a boat, it’s hard work. You are constantly casting, reeling and landing fish (hopefully). This will wear you out if you only fish occasionally. So, to me, bass fishing must be an obsession. I mean, certainly, I don’t do it to get occasionally, though it is that. And I don’t do it to forget the world and all it’s cares, though it does help with that. And I don’t do it because I am looking for a way to relax, though I do find it to be relaxing as well as tiring. What’s in it for me? I must do it. I am obsessed, maybe better described as addicted to the adrenaline charge I get when I catch a bass. I need the satisfaction of feeling powerful because I have fooled the fish in it’s own domain and I am now the king. I have to have that. By the way, I will have to write more later, because now I must recreate. Maybe I will see you there.
No Boat? Join Your Local Bass Club
March 24, 2008
Having been an avid basser for years, and not having the wherewithal to purchase a boat, I’ve often felt cheated and frustrated about not being able to get out to deeper waters (where I was certain the real bass were). Having succumbed to this delimma for some 40 years or more, I finally had something come my way that I never knew existed: my local bass fishing club. I mean, I knew bass clubs existed, but I didn’t know they were for me. For one thing, how can you join a bass fishing club if you don’t have a boat. Additionally, isn’t it just the best bass fishermen that are in these clubs? These guys do tournaments and such. Not sure if I could measure up. Low and behold, the old saying “you won’t know if you don’t go” proved itself once again. Thanks to an Internet buddy, I was enlightened. I got the address and went to my first bass club meeting. It was simple, friendly, fun and I was fishing with them that weekend. First off, let’s address the notion that you have to be a great bass fisherman to belong to one of these clubs. This is not true. In fact, most of these anglers are people just like me, only with a little more experience (remember, I didn’t have a boat - I was bank fishing). Most of these people are happy to share that experience with you. Secondly, you do not have to have a boat. In fact, most clubs are looking for non-boaters to help share the expense of the trip with someone who owns a boat. Brilliant! That really surprised me. Why didn’t I know this years ago? It makes perfect sense, yet somehow this information escaped me. Owning your own boat can be expensive. A decent boat purchased new can easily run you around $15,000. Ouch. Then there is the issue of storage, insurance, fuel, the trailer, something to pull it with, maintenance and a whole slew of other expenses that come with the package. But not for the non-boater. I paid my bass club dues (very affordable) and within 2 days I was out with the gang on my first local bass club fishing tournament - in a boat. My share of the costs was extremely reasonable compared to those in the last paragraph. It was a 3 day trip and we even shared the cost of a room. Don’t ask how the fishing was; that’s a whole other article. In this club, we go out once a month to a different lake and have our own little bass tournament. Each time we go out, the non-boaters are matched up with a boater (also a different one each time). This way, you get to learn a little something from everyone. So, if you are bank bound like I was, and want to head out for more exciting fishing, go online or open up the phone book and contact you local bass fishing club. You could be out on the boat in no time. Whether or not you catch any fish remains to be seen.
Catch Your Limit With These Fishing Supplies
March 22, 2008
Great fishing supplies are an essential when it comes to netting the big game out at the lake or the stream. You can’t expect the fish to bite, though, if you don’t bring your A game. And a big part of a top-notch game is the right gear–from rods and reels, to lines, lures, and tackle boxes.
On the other hand, even some weekend warrior with the most advanced, most pricey equipment won’t last very long on the lake if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Them fish can practically smell inexperience, and they’ll walk all over you–or swim, in their case–if you can’t fish worth a darn.
That’s where practice comes in. Get in a few hours of fishing whenever you, wherever you. No matter if it’s off a dock on the bay or thigh-high in high tide in the Atlantic, cast away whenever you can find the time.
Just like any athletic pursuit or hobby, practice combined with the best fishing supplies makes for perfect angling.
Try to learn as much about fishing as you can, too. Instead of running off on your own, try to fish with buddies who’s fishing skills you envy. Or hunker down near a few total strangers and pick their brain while you’re all casting and reeling.
Fishing Fall Bass - Early Fall Fishing for Bass in the Northwest as the Seasons Change
March 20, 2008
You have just rolled out of bed, poured you coffee and there it is. You knew it was coming, but it is real, it is here. What am I talking about? It’s not taxes, the Grim Reaper or even your in-laws coming for an extended stay. It is the first foggy Fall morning. If you have spent any time in the Northwest you know what that means. From here on out the weather will never get quite as hot as it did all summer, and the nights will be cooler. Sure, we may get an Indian Summer and some nice days, but the fact is, things are cooling off. Now it is time to start thinking about what that means for our Bass fishing. With the falling temperatures, Bass will start to build up their Winter reserves. This can offer some fantastic fishing opportunities if you know what to look for. Big Bass that have been hiding deep all Summer are now moving up and looking for as much food as they can. Their feeding periods will also lengthen as the Sun drops to lower angles. All the better for us! Most experts would agree that Fall Bass are suckers for the right crank bait. This means you probably will grab lures that are a little bigger than you have been using all Summer. The Bass that have made it to Fall are smart and will be looking for lures that closely match the size and color of the prey fish that spawned in the Spring. Check out what is in your lake and match up to that. Another good choice is to grab your top water lures. Again, the big Bass are looking to load up on food and will be watching for any easy meals above them. Finding the Bass is of course key. But where are they? The simple answer is, where the bait fish are. These are most likely going to be found in closer to shore than they previously were, hanging out in the shallows and around the green plants. My favorite tactic to find bait fish is to bring along an extra pole rigged with a small jig and bobber and when I am exploring a lake, drop it out in front of me and let it sit on a hole before I start throwing my Bass hooks at it. I also toss it out when I am changing or re-tying lures. If there are bait fish there, then odds are, the Bass are lurking near by. Important things to look for are areas where there is cover for the Bass to move between their deeper holding areas to the shallow feeding areas. Also remember on cloudy and windy days or in stained water, the Bass may not retreat at all to their holding areas, but may spend the day feeding in the shallows. Pay attention to water that is shallower than you would normally expect to find big fish. I have seen large Bass lurking in water as shallow as one foot.
Fly Fishing Rods ? Getting The Bends
March 19, 2008
Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go with your ego, expected fishing environment or something else? While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.
Flexibility
Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.
Minimal Bend
A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a "fast" rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than rods with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast rods.
Moderate Bend
The Fishing Industry and Sponsorship
March 17, 2008
Should you approach the fishing industry for sponsorship?
First let’s look at it from the lure manufacturer’s standpoint. Just think of your favorite lure manufacturer for a minute. Now imagine that you work at their plant. One of your jobs may be to sort through the hundreds of emails, hundreds of faxes, and hundreds of letters each day from anglers seeking sponsorship via products and or cash. Included in those communications you will also find donation requests from - fishing clubs, non-profit organizations, company friends, etc.
Can you imagine having that job?
After a few days of employment wouldn’t all the resumes start to look the same? How about all the product or financial donations requests, wouldn’t they all start to look the same too? Of course they would. How would you know which one to support or sponsor?
Don’t think I made this example up ? I didn’t. The fishing industry as whole, whether it is manufacturers of: lures, line, rods, reels, boats, motors, sunglasses, hooks, tackle boxes, etc. is literally inundated, every single day, with hundreds maybe thousands of sponsorship requests.
Local Bass Fishing
March 15, 2008
If you are like me, you love to fish at the drop of a hat. While I do plan fishing trips, I also like to go on a whim.
Sometimes the urge strikes out of nowhere and I get up and go right now. Or, maybe I want to stop on the way home from work (or go instead of work like any bass fisherman worth his salt would do).
But then again, living in the city, there are not many places I can get to quickly enough to accommodate this habit. Most of the lakes in my area are over an hour’s drive away, which is reasonable unless you are in a hurry.
After being frustrated by this, I decided to start a campaign to help scratch the itch a little bit. Talking to people didn’t help much because very few of them were privy to any local fishing holes. So I turned to the Internet.
Bingo. I discovered a bunch of local parks that had ponds in them stocked with largemouth bass and catfish. So with that information and the help of Yahoo maps, I set out to learn every fishing hole in every local park that I could find. I’m still working on it.
