Muskie Fishing Tips – Jigging Fall Muskies

Most anglers think big when hunting lunker muskie, but if you want to catch more muskie think smaller baits and tackle. I caught my biggest muskie while fishing walleye with a plastic worm in September. More often than can be coincidental people catch a muskie while fishing other species. Most anglers look to heavy tackle, large baits and trolling as the way to catch muskies. Personally I become bored or just tired of trolling all the time.

Now one of my most successful tactics used especially in the fall is used for fishing large walleye and at the same time muskies. I use medium size tackle and large walleye baits especially jigs. Fishing weed lines, drop offs and shoals as you would for walleyes will also attract as many muskies as walleyes. The first time I realised this I did have some success for large walleyes and had just caught and released a nice 7 pounder that was followed to the boat by a large muskie.

The only change I made was to make sure I was using wire leads and good stong swivels. Using 6 inch plastics worked just fine and the result was a fun great day of fishing. In all the two of us caught and released 9 walleyes from 5 to 8 pounds plus 5 muskies all in the 15 to 20 pound range. Although not the lunker; that most muskie hunters look for. But it proved to me that the muskie can be caught on lighter tackle and smaller baits.

Conventional thinking tells us that in the fall; the remaining muskie, are large, therefore bigger is better. However, my experience is that smaller baits are often the perfect morsel for that elusive muskie.

Equipment And Presentation

When I say smaller baits I am referring to large or oversized walleyes jigs. As mentioned this approach evolved on a body of water with a large population of large walleye. Now using the idea that big baits means big fish or walleye. I began tossing 5 to 6 inch plastic shad-bodied jigs along weed lines. I landed a number of big walleye, but to my surprise, the muskie were also going for the same bait. The big plastic jigs became an important part of my muskie fishing arsenal. All large plastics work just fine.

Colour seems less important than creating a real flash. Two-toned baits, mainly dark and light combinations, create more flash when drawn through the water. Adding some metal flake also ads that extra flash. Just experiment and you will find a combination that will work for you and get that strike you want.

Generally I use ball-head or stand-up-head jigs with medium gauge wire hooks. It’s surprising how well a single hook can handle even a large muskie. Often you will hook the fish in the gristly flesh in the corner of the mouth. Jigs also make landing and releasing muskie easier; there are then no large treble hooks flopping around to damage the fish or you. Deeply hooked fish can be released by clipping off the hook with pliers.

Single strand wire leaders seem to work best especially along weed beds. I use a hay-wire- twist to attach the wire to the jig head at one end and a small swivel at the other. Watch for kinks in the wire, but these leaders are more weedless than the standard models because of the snaps and swivels.

I prefer a medium action 6-foot spinning rod and a reel spooled with 12 to 14 pound test monofilament. A medium-heavy bait-casting outfit also does the trick, in both cases make sure the drag is working properly.

Even if you prefer the conventional approach, keep a lighter outfit close at hand for when muskie follow, but don’t hit, or they strike short. Using lighter tackle and a jig is also a good approach when there are two of you fishing muskie. One angler throws conventioinal baits, and the other throwing jigs. Then you are always ready to react to follows and misses.

Vary the speed of your retrieve when jigging up muskie. I have had luck in late fall, by using violent rip-jigging motion. It’s tiring, but effective. Experiment and you will find something that works for you.

When battling a muskie on light tackle, be careful not to fight it to exhaustion, thereby increasing the chance of delayed death if you plan on catch and release. Ideally, you should release a fish by simply grasping the single hook with a pair of needle nosed pliers, while it’s in the water at the side of the boat. Cut off the hook if the fish is hooked deeply. Muskie fisheries are a fragile resource, so do your best to release that muskie no worse for wear. Now next season that muskie will be ready to fight another day and make that day a great day for another angler.

Robert Phillips
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/muskie-fishing-tips-jigging-fall-muskies-54962.html

Fishing is Fun for Everyone

Fishing has to be one of the greatest pastimes ever invented. It is also probably one of the oldest. Early man had to eat, and those succulent Salmon would just call to early men as they saw them in the pristine waters of a streambed. Early fisherman used their hands or sharpened sticks to catch fish. The earliest recorded use of fishing lures was in 200AD in Aelian’s Natural History. The earliest recorded instances of fly fishing were written in 1210 as part of romance novel. The first really comprehensive book about fly fishing was written in 1496 and titled Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle. This book was the first to put fishing forward as a gentlemen’s sport on a par with hunting, then a sport for kings and nobles.

Nowadays of course we don’t live or die based on whether or not some fish is caught, so there is a much less stress and a lot more fun to be had. Thank god for that, it has become a real pastime and no longer needs to be an occupation.

New England waters are among the most productive on earth. The winter cycle allows Nutrients to be brought into the upper layers of the water resulting in an incredible bloom of life beginning in the spring and lasting throughout the summer into early fall. Phytoplankton and zooplankton bloom in massive amounts, bringing in the small filter feeding fish, which are followed by the larger predators and so on. Thus New England waters are famous for good fishing.

Rhode Island is a great summertime destination for both fresh and saltwater fisherman. Striped Bass have come back in a big way, although there are very large numbers of small bass the large ones are still being overharvested. Other species like Bluefish and Flounder are very abundant. Many people come to Rhode Island during the summer just to enjoy the fishing, especially from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, since RI has a superior fishery.

There are many ways to enjoy this sport. Many fish from shore, sitting in a chair on the beach with baited rods, waiting for that telltale hit and relaxing. Quite a few own boats and fish from them on their own or with their friends. Others vacation in RI around Newport or South County and charter a boat to take them to and enjoy a day of fishing. Of course, there is also the avid fishermen who live just to fish. All these different people can find satisfaction somewhere along the 400 miles of coastline in the Ocean State.

The sites can be quite as interesting as the fishing itself. Fishing from shore and watching the surf come down the Charleston breachway, now there’s a sight. It is especially interesting watching a boater attempt to charge down the breachway on the way into or out of Ninigret pond, with rocks on either side of them and huge waves going into the breach. Sunrise in the morning on Narragansett Bay can be a very beautiful site. Of course, nothing beats the excitement of a huge school of small baitfish jumping out of the water as rapacious Bluefish smash through them. It is quite a sight to see as the surface of the water boils with the action. Just makes you want to grab a fishing pole and throw something in there while they’re still slashing. Of course, the most fun of all is when you have a fish on the line and the drag is singing as he makes a run to escape, with you holding on as the rod is bent over double. Its very exciting, and something we can all enjoy at on e time or another.

Author
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/fishing-is-fun-for-everyone-128546.html

Coastal Florida Land Prices to Continue to Climb

Price trend of the real estate sector depends largely on the location of the land in question. The prices of the land always increase if the surroundings or the nearby areas are of a greater significance.

Having the land situated next to a historical landmark or a coastal line considerably increases its market value, especially for a certain class of buyers.

The Coastal Florida Land

The Charlotte County in Florida enjoys an excellent coastal border. Due to this fact, the scope for other activities like fishing and general enjoyment along the beaches increases along with.

For clearer details, the Charlotte County alone has near to 120 miles of waters and aquatic preserves, a series of gulf coast beaches and a number of placid harbor areas. In fact, Charlotte’s beaches are widely regarded as one of the major attractions, being home to abundant bird life, dolphins and sea turtles.

The Charlotte Harbor is also considered one of the most favorite fishing destinations. The place attracts a number of locals and tourists, especially on Sundays.

This along with many other facts makes the Charlotte land area a very attractive location for commercial development.

Trend of Prices

The prices of the coastal Florida land have been rising at quite a rapid pace. The main reason for this is the limited amount of space available as compared to the level of demand.

Besides, due to the availability of a vast number of recreational facilities around, the area reportedly has good scope of being developed for tourism purposes.

In fact, there have been several media reports widely acclaiming the coastal land of Florida to be the best form of real estate investment in the region.

Factors to consider

Before you decide on a coastal Florida Lot, you need to ensure a few things. The first thing you need to be sure is that your purpose of buying that particular land does not clash with the surroundings. For instance, if you intend to set-up a hospital or a health-care unit, a coastal area might not be advisable.

How to go about it?

The best way to get a deal in the coastal Florida Lots is to do some research on the internet for the right options. As an alternative, you can also contact your local real estate agent, who will then guide you accordingly.

Besides, you will find that many of the websites give a detailed list of vacant lots, along with an extensive account of the recreational facilities and landmarks around the place.

Buzz Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/coastal-florida-land-prices-to-continue-to-climb-64057.html

Fly Fishing Basics Are The Gateway To Understanding An Ancient Technique

Everyone knows the basics of fishing. There’s a rod, reel, fishing line, hook, bait; you cast the line, wait for a bite, and reel in your dinner. Experienced fishermen know there is more to it than that, but for most of us that description appropriately sums it up. However, there are many types of fishing, such as salt water and fresh water, and perhaps the most artful of them all, fly fishing. You have probably heard of fly fishing – it has been in recorded history for nearly 2000 years – and you probably know that it does not involve fishing for flies, but if that is all you know then a primer in fly fishing basics can bring you up to speed.

Unlike other forms of fishing, fly fishing does not typically use any kind of organic bait, live or dead. Instead, fly fisherman use artificial flies – ribbon, string, hair, feathers – as a lure to attract fish. The artificial flies are attached to the hook and line, and the fisherman attracts fish with movement that makes the fly look like an insect that is moving on or above the surface of the water. The nature of that artificial bait is the first and most important element to understand when examining fly fishing basics.

Another aspect of fly fishing basics, an aspect that separates fly fishing from most other variations of fishing, is the way the line is cast. Other kinds of fishing rely on casting a line and attracting fish with the bait, but fly fishing requires a much more skillful method of luring the fish. A fly fisherman casts his lure toward the fish and uses rhythmic movements to make the lure fly above the water, skimming the top, or even diving under the surface, all in an effort to replicate the movements of an insect that might entice a hungry fish to strike.

If you understand fly fishing basics, you might wonder what you need to give it a try. Fly fishermen usually use rods that are longer and lighter than typical fishing rods. The reel used is typically quite simple because it is generally used only to retrieve the hook and lure – and hopefully a fish! Before casting, fly fishermen usually create slack in the line by pulling some from the reel. That slack allows the lure to fly freely to the targeted area. Choosing the proper lure is another aspect of fly fishing basics that one should understand before setting off to cast their line.

Fly fishing implies that the lure is intended to resemble the characteristics of flies, but fly fishing is hardly limited to that. The sport has evolved in recent years, and many fly fishermen now choose lures and casting techniques that mimic the primary prey of the fish they are attempting to catch. However, specific baits and the eating characteristics of various species of fish are beyond the realm of fly fishing basics.

An understanding of fly fishing basics is not enough to prepare one to head off to the nearest lake or stream. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, or trying fly fishing yourself, spend some time reading on the subject, and if possible seek the tutelage of an experienced fly fisherman. Only then can you begin to understand more than fly fishing basics, such as specific recommendations on rods, reels, line weight, lures, and most important, the great places where fly fisherman must make a pilgrimage.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/fly-fishing-basics-are-the-gateway-to-understanding-an-ancient-technique-118476.html

Locating The Best Crappie Fishing Lakes

Some of the best crappie fishing lakes still manage to remain a bit of a secret to the majority of anglers, mostly because those who have discovered these fine locations for finding an abundance of large crappie do not wish to share their good fortune. However, guides and scouts have dug up some of the dirt on these excellent locations for crappie and other panfish.

Santee-Cooper in South Carolina is one of these crappie fishing lakes that does have a rather large claim to fame the world record panfish weighing 5 pounds 7.5 ounces was caught here. Check out the creek arms and their miles of brushpiles, where two-pounders are fairly common. The lake doesn’t freeze, and the relative warmth of the lake year round makes crappie in this lake grow quickly.

There are eight great crappie fishing lakes in the Valentine Refuge in Nebraska, if you don’t mind the shallows many of these are only about five feet deep. This area is great for ice fishing, where you can find green weeds poking up through the ice and simply drill around them, coming up with some two-pound specimens even in the dead of winter. In fact, because these waters are riddled with weeds, crappie find excellent cover here.

Lake St. Clair is actually fed by St. Clair River which connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie and the Detroit River. However, because most anglers focus on the muskie and walleye in this shallow, unrecognized Great Lake, the fact that it is one of the best crappie fishing lakes in the country goes unnoticed. Of course, despite the excellent opportunities on the American side, there are even greater prospects in the bays on the Canadian side of the lake, where shallow basins and weedy bays abound. Winter ice fishing should concentrate on the shallow green weedy areas.

John Kerr Reservoir, or Buggs Island Lake, on the borders of Virginia and North Carolina, produces trophies for size and number of crappie. It’s not unheard of to find black crappie over four pounds and white crappie over five pounds in this 49,000-acre lake. Obviously one of the best crappie fishing lakes based on statistics, you’ll find large 2- and 3-pound slabs during prespawn spring months and shallow bites starting in mid-March.

If you like having your space, make a trip to the 114,000-acre Sam Rayburn Lake in Texas. Crappie here average between 1 and 2 pounds, with lots of larger specimens swimming around. Look for big rolling flats around 12-14 feet that are covered with hydrilla; this will be your best bet for finding a large school of crappie. As one of the largest crappie fishing lakes in the nation, there is plenty of opportunity for catching your fill here.

Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/locating-the-best-crappie-fishing-lakes-99832.html

Fishing Tips for Beginners

There are many kinds of fishing equipments in stores, numerous fishing methods in books, and fishing advices online. To make it all simple, here are the basic things you need to know for your first time fishing adventure.

1) How to fish with bait

* Tackle. To plunk the bait, you should purchase lead weights. The weight of the lead would vary depending on the current of the environment. Anglers commonly use and recommend bank sinkers with a number-two hook.

To avoid sinkers to slide, you would need a swivel to act as a stop. To protect the knot, you could use plastic beads between the swivel and weight. Using two appropriate swivels could allow you to rig the sliding sinkers.

* Bait. The commonly used bait for all kinds of fishes is worms. Another popular bait is chicken liver. Remember to buy fresh bait and keep them cold to avoid them from getting soft and allowing the bait to stay within your hooks.

Some of the commonly used baits are cut-baits which include skin from fried chicken, fish entrails, grasshoppers, salmon eggs, shrimps and crayfish tails.

2) How to fish – There are three basic methods for fishing.

* Plunking – It is the most common method used. Use a suitable amount of weight for you to be able to take hold of the bait in a position which is against any current. An option in plunking is to use minimal weight for the bait to move along with the water current.

* Back bouncing – It is done by lifting the bait out the bottom and raising the tip of the rod for one to two feet. Allowing the bait to walk with the current, you should free the back reel or spool. Repeat the steps when the lure settles down on the bottom. Back bouncing is effective in deeper water like fishing in a boat.

* Drift-fishing – It is a simple method wherein you cast upstream or downstream. This may vary depending on the current’s amount. You should count the appropriate depth and start reeling.

3) How to fish from a boat – It is important to determine in which location you would perform your fishing. Deeper water needs heavier jigheads compared when fishing on shore.

* With heavy weight which keeps your bait near the bottom of the water and the line straight down from your boat, you are able to drift the boat along with any current. A good technique of fishing on boats is trolling slowly with a fishing device called bottom-walker.

Fishing is easy as long as you’re enjoying the trip. Bring some of your family and friends along and make your first time fishing a memorable one.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/fishing-tips-for-beginners-10048.html

Bass Fishing – More Than Just a Relaxing Hobby?