Why a Blacklight Will Take Your Night Fishing To A New Level
October 31, 2007
If You Have Never Used A Blacklight While Night Fishing, You’re Missing Out
We all know the benefits of night fishing - bigger catches and calmer waters are just two, however, night fishermen have several challenges that “day time” fishermen do not have to deal with.
One of the most difficult challenges is, of course, being able to see your line to find out if you have had a hit. Here is one way of easily being able to watch your line at night.
Use a blacklight and a fluorescent fishing line.
When fishing at night, it may be a few seconds before you know you have one on the line. By this time, the fish could already be under your boat or have begun it’s mad dash to the opposite shoreline.
By using a blacklight, your florescent line will glow in the dark, making it sometimes easier to see your line than during the day. You’ll be amazed at how your line lights up in the dark waters.
There are several types of blacklights on the market specifically made for night fishermen. Probably the most popular is the “Stan Sloan” brand. Cabela’s also has an Optronics brand blacklight they are selling for about $50.
The Best Backpacking Food
October 30, 2007
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner. There really is no “best” backpacking food. There are reasons to bring certain foods, though. Here are ten foods, and the reasons you might want to consider them.
1. Nuts. This is one of the most calorie-packed foods you can take. That means less weight to carry. With lots of protein and other nutritonal benefits, nuts are one of the best backpacking foods.
2. Olive oil. Add a little to your soups or dip bread in it. The best of the oils health-wise, you can eat it before sleeping, to stay warm, because fats generate heat when digested.
3. Trail mixes. Any mix with raisins and nuts is great for backpacking. Vitamins, minerals, protein, and the best reason - convenience.
4. Corn products. Tortilla chips or corn nuts are convenient, and they don’t seem to cause the tiredness that potato chips and other simple carbohydrates can cause.
5. Ramen noodles. When you need a hot meal fast, there isn’t much that’s better.
6. Instant coffee. A necessity for caffeine addicts, and it’s good to have a stimulant available for emergencies.
The Secret About Night Fishing Line
October 29, 2007
The Best Type Of Line For Night Fishing
Here is a topic that is often debated between night fishermen. Depending on how you like to fish at night, here is what you should look for in general:
If you are going to be fishing with a blacklight, you will want to be sure you spool up a clear blue fluorescent line. The clear blue is especially made to work well with blacklight night fishing, so it is highly recommended.
When you go night fishing, never use a line that is less than 20lb test. 20lb is the minimum weight you should even think about. You won’t be dealing with those wimpy “day fish”.
Ideally, if you are blacklight fishing, you will want to use the 20lb clear blue fluorescent line. When the blacklight hits that line, you will be amazed at how well that line shows up. Of course, if you do not need to watch your line closely (such as when you are using a spinnerbait) then the color is not as important.
Why do you need a minimum of 20lb test line?
Old Sturbridge Village ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 2
October 28, 2007
Once described in a 1950 article as “The Town That Wants to Be Out of Date,” Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated village of early 19th century New England. You’ll be whisked back to the dawn of modern commerce and experience what life was like in a typical New England Village of that time.
This is the second part in the series of popular attractions for New England vacations with a historical theme. Others in the series are Plymouth Plantation, Mayflower II, and Mystic Seaport.
Old Sturbridge Village opened to the public in 1946 and received 5,000 visitors in its first year of operation. Today nearly half a million visitors a year experience the authentic buildings and wonderful collections of artifacts on display.
Located 60 miles west of Boston off exit 9 on Route 90, Sturbridge Village is set among 200 acres of rural Central Massachusetts.
Since opening nearly 60 years ago the village has survived a destructive hurricane, flooding, and the occasional fire - look for the high water mark notched on the Gristmill on the millpond from Hurricane Diane.
Some Things You May Not Know About Luring Fish In The Night
October 27, 2007
Night fishing is becoming more and more popular recently, and for good reason.
Not only do you get cooler temperatures, less competition and congestion for the best areas, but there are also many more opportunities for bigger catches.
When it comes to night fishing, do you need special bait?
Yes and no. Depending on where you go, you may need to adjust the colors of your lures and plastics. In general, many fishermen like to use heavier tackle at night because it is easier to ‘feel’ the lure. Also, by using stronger equipment, it will be easier to land the bigger fish you will come across at night.
Here are a few lures you may want to try next time you are out at night:
- Hair or rubber jigs - 3/8 ounce or heavier - Spinnerbaits. - Poppers and wobblers topwater lures. - Plastic worms.
We have found when using topwater lures, our best success is with black and deep purple lures. For other lures, we have the best luck with dark, non-black colors (red/purple/brown).
Ten Skills - A Backpacking List
October 27, 2007
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a disaster - even though you brought everything you needed? Maybe you had matches, but couldn’t get that fire going. You need more than good gear to assure a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience. You need to know how to do a few things, and the following list will get you started.
1. Learn firemaking. Practice in your yard if you have to, but try to start that fire with one match. Try it the next time it’s raining too.
2. Learn to pitch a tent. Do it wrong and the rain will come in, or the the wind will tear the seams. Tents should be pitched tight, and you should be able to set your tent up in a few minutes.
3. Learn how to stay warm. Practice camping in the yard, to see how blocking the wind, wearing a hat, and eating fatty foods before sleeping can keep you warmer.
4. Learn to cook over a fire. It’s not as easy as it seems. Block the wind, cover the pan, keep the fire small and concentrated. Practice, and time yourself. Faster is better in a jam, and it’s always possible your stove will break.
Night Boat Fishing Checklist
October 26, 2007
Boat Fishing At Night Checklist
Here is an easy checklist of items you will need before you head out for a night fishing trip.
** Two Flashlights with new batteries in each.
-Sure enough, one of those flashlights is not going to work when you get out on the water. Of course, this usually happens when you only have one flashlight with you.
** Pair of needle nose pliers
-Since it is harder to see your line at night than during the day, you have a greater chance of hooking the fish deeper than usual with the delayed reaction time. The pliers will make your life much easier in these cases.
** Insect repellant
-A good mosquito repellant is critical to your sanity on the water. We have used “Skin-so-soft” by Avon and I think it works the best out of any of them. Anything with deet is better than nothing at all.
** Plenty of lures, line, extra rod & reel, etc
-This is an obvious one.
** Extra fuse for the boat.
-If you blow a fuse out on the water and your boat lights go out, you could be in trouble.
Backpacking Trips - Ten Essential Items
October 25, 2007
I’ve had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides, altitude sickness, and twenty-mile days - all in a summer weekend. Wilderness trips can be dangerous, but you can make then less so, by having the following ten essentials in your backpack.
1. Knowledge. What good is a compass if you don’t know how to use it? Play with matches if your fire-making skills are shaky. Learn what to do when you see a bear. Read a little, practice a little - knowledge is more likely to save you than gadgets.
2. Map and compass. These are together, because that’s the way you need to use them.
3. Matches and lighter. Bring both, or waterproof matches and a fire starter of some sort. Having two ways to start a fire is much safer.
4. First aid kit. Buy a pre-packaged one or build your own. Make sure it has pain relievers, bandages, disinfectant, and notes on basic first aid procedures.
5. Foot care. Your first aid kit needs moleskin, and maybe a pin, to treat blisters. Your feet have to be well cared for when you’re hiking miles from the nearest road.
Canoe Trip with Nature
October 24, 2007
A canoe trip is a great way to appreciate Nature!
A well-planned canoe trip is always filled with fun and adventure. If you love cruising the sea or the beautiful lake areas then a canoe trip would be a great choice for you. You can spend hours paddling about on a canoe trip and have plenty of time to enjoy the scenic beauty as it unfolds around you.
There are many such canoe trips available through canoe outfitters and trip coordinators worldwide. Depending on where you are situated, you can plan a canoe trip as part of your family holiday enjoyment or alternatively as part of a group outing.
A canoe trip is a popular choice for many people as it provides all the beauty associated with nature while the canoe itself is not that difficult to maneuver. The canoe used in modern day canoe trips is a relatively small and rigid craft. Depending on the size of the canoe used on your canoe trip, it is paddled along by one or more people sitting and facing the direction of travel.
The Truth About Night Fishing
October 23, 2007
Why Night Fishing Beats Day Fishing Any Day of the Week
Without a doubt, night fishing is better than day fishing for many reasons.
One of the biggest reasons is the size of the fish you can catch at night. In almost every circumstance, you will catch bigger fish at night than you can during the day. There are several reasons for this. Bigger fish tend to feed at night. Maybe the reason these fish were able to get so big is because they were smart enough to not eat during the day when dinner may include a fisherman’s hook inside it.
I like to think the big fish just sit around all day and take bets on which little fish is going to get caught by a fisherman. Ok, maybe that is a little far fetched, but it’s fun to imagine.
Bigger fish also seem to feed on baitfish in more shallow water than during the day.
Since the fish are less likely to associate night time to fishermen, they tend to take the bait with less resistance and hesitation. Almost like they are thinking to themselves “There is no way this is a fisherman’s bait, it midnight for crying out loud”. This results in better hooking of the fish.
