Choosing The Right Fishing Gear

“Fishing Kit Basics”

Choosing The Right Fishing Rods, Reels and Line


Before going deeper into the technicalities, make sure that a fishing license is secured. To be an amateur fisherman there are basic pieces of fishing equipment needed to complete your exciting journey in the fishing world. Knowing the line type and matching the right rod and reel to the fishing technique is just basic common sense. Match these tools appropriately and expect a more enjoyable experience for a more comfortable fishing. There are several things that causes the reel to turn into a bird's nest, don't worry, even experienced fishermen encounter this every now and then.

The main objective is to match the rod, the reel, the line and the lure. These will only cost a newbie around $25 to $40 and they could last for years. The 3 main issues when shopping for a rod are: Guides that are attached to the rod; Grip or handle holds the rod and could come in either cork or foam. They come in different lengths so the comfort to the user must be considered; and the reel seat where the reel is connected.

Dealers make a lot of fishing rods that could either be single or consist of two or more pieces when assembled. The connection is very simple; just connect the male and female ends together to make sure the guides are lined up. This would only last for a minutes. Sometimes, lubricants are needed. When shopping for a rod, slightly bend it to get the feel of it. Again comfort should be considered when using the equipment.

Rods of any type will work. It should be around 6' long and medium weight. Even a long stick will work. This should be long, straight and flexible so it will not easily break. The most popular rod is Graphite because it is so light yet so strong. Wispy rods should be up to 4m long to be used for long casts in moderate winds.

There are a lot of fishing lines to choose from and it can be very confusing to find the best. It is mostly made of nylon and "monofilament" that comes in spools of different lengths that are called Tests. The larger the fishing line the thicker it is in diameter. Find a piece of a 4lb. or 4 lb. Test that is almost 10' long for the basic rig.

The basic rule is that all the gears should match. To summarize your fishing kit, it should include other stuff as well: net, stringer, line clippers, fishing knife, first aid box, a pail of bait, sunglasses, fishing hat, and talking about the basics, don't forget your SNACKS!

Fishing Rods, Reels and Line

Fishing Rods

Freshwater Fish Recipes

Stuffed Carp Recipe

This method can be used for any whole fish, just adjust the cooking times according to the size.

Baked Carp

1 large carp
Olive oil for brushing the fish
Stuffing
4 slices white bread - crumbed in the blender
1 small onion - finely chopped
2 sticks celery - finely chopped
2 oz (50g) butter
2 tspns dried thyme

Heat the oven to 450F or 230C.

Wash and dry the carp.

Fry the onion and celery in the butter until they're soft. Mix in the breadcrumbs and thyme.

Stuff the fish and tie it with some string to keep the stuffing in.

Brush the carp with oil and then bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

The carp will produce some flavored juices once cooked and this should be spooned over the fish when you serve it.

Poached Salmon Recipe

4 salmon fillets
1lb (500g) potatoes
finely chopped spring onions
1 bag mixed salad leaves
olive oil
6 slices prosciutto
Dressing
4 tbspns mayonnaise
1 tbspn white wine vinegar
1 tbspn chopped fresh dill
3 tbspn olive oil

Place your salmon fillets in a microwave dish, sprinkle lemon juice and pepper over and cover.

Microwave for 5 to 6 minutes until the fish is just beginning to flake. Allow it to cool a little and remove all skin and bones and break into generous sized chunks.

Cook the potatoes until tender - about 10 to 15 minutes in a pan of boiling water - cut into pieces.

Combine all the dressing ingredients together - taste and perhaps add a little bit of sugar if you want to.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and slice the ham into strips - fry until crisp.

Take the salmon, potatoes, spring onions and then pour over the dressing - mix together gently.

Put the salad leaves into a serving bowl and pile in the salmon mixture - top off with the crisp ham.

This poached salmon recipe would be good served with crusty bread as a main course or in individual portions as a starter.

Salmon Salad

4 fillets of salmon
lemon juice
black pepper
bag of mixed salad leaves
handful of fresh basil leaves
2 ripe avocado pears - peeled, stoned and diced
12 cherry tomatoes - halved
2 carrots - peeled and grated
2 tbspns olive oil
2 tspns balsamic vinegar

Heat your grill and brush the salmon fillets with oil, lemon juice and season with a few twists of black pepper.

Cook about 6 minutes, turning half way through - brush with oil as you turn.

While your salmon is cooking, assemble the salad.

In a large bowl, tip in the salad leaves, avocado, tomatoes and carrots and mix them all together.

Combine the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and pour over the salad.

Mix thoroughly so that the salad is coated with the dressing.

Put the salad onto individual plates and top with the cooked salmon.

Serve this with some fresh crusty bread and butter or some boiled and buttered new potatoes.

Baked Trout Recipe

4 to 6 trout (approximately 1/2 lb. each)
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt (or to your taste)
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc wine
2 Tablespoons Italian parsley
2 Tablespoons chopped green onion
2 Tablespoons dry seasoned bread crumbs
4 Tablespoons melted butter or margarine

Wash and dry trout. Rub the outside of trout with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt.

Arrange the minced garlic in the bottom of a buttered baking dish that is large enough to hold the trout in a single layer.

Place trout in the dish and pour the wine over the top.

Sprinkle with parsley, green onion, and bread crumbs. Spoon the melted butter evenly over the top.

Bake at 400F (200c) degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Trout with Prawns

12 oz (350g) trout fillets
butter
4 oz (100g) peeled prawns
white only from 1 large egg
1/2 tspn dried dill
2 fl oz (55ml) double cream
1 tspn lemon juice
fresh chopped parsley

Get two breakfast cups or small bowls and butter them

Cut the trout very thinly and use two thirds of it to line the cups.

Process the rest of the trout with half the prawns and the egg white.

Stir in the dill, cream, lemon juice and whole prawns and divide the mixture between the two bowls.

Cover each with a disc of buttered greaseproof.

Microwave on full for 5 minutes.

Stand for 2 minutes and then turn the bowls onto a plate.

Serve with buttered new potatoes, asaparagus and peas.

Baked Trout

4 trout - 12-14 oz (350-400g)
black pepper
butter
lemon juice
chopped parsley

Heat your oven to 350 F or 180C

Wash and dry the fish.

Oil an ovenproof dish and lay the fish in.

Sprinkle the parsley into the cavity of the fish and season with pepper and lemon juice, then dot with butter.

Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the fish is cooked through.

It will be firm to the touch.

Lift the fish carefully out of the dish with two spatulas, spoon the juices over and serve with some boiled new potatoes and buttered vegetables or a crispy salad.

How to Cook Perch

Perch with Parsley Sauce

Whole perch
olive oil
1 pint (300ml) milk
cornflour/arrowroot to thicken
handful fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Clean and gut the fish - then dip into boiling water for 3 minutes - this will make it easy to scrape the scales away.

Scrape away the scales.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and lower the fish into it.

Fry each side about 5 minutes, depending on the size of the fish - when they're 'flaky' they're done.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a pan and make up the cornflour/arrowroot as per the instructions.

I mix cornflour with a little of the measured milk.

Add the parsley just prior to the milk coming to the boil.

Remove the milk from the heat and stir in the cornflour (if you don't it goes immediately lumpy)

Return the mixture to the heat and stir until thickened - taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve the perch with potatoes and vegetables with the sauce poured over.

Microwave Fish Recipes

Trout with White Wine

4 trout
pepper
olive oil
1 lemon
1 tbspn chopped parsley
1/4 pint (150ml) white wine
1 tspn cornflour - equivalent arrowroot

Brush the cavity of the trout with oil and season with pepper, parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Put two of the fish in a roasting bag with the wine and secure with an elastic band.

Cook for 3 minutes - split the bag carefully and put the cooked trout in a serving dish.

Take another roasting bag and put the other two trout in with the liquid from the first bag - cook 3 minutes.

Transfer the fish to the serving dish and put the cooking liquid into a basin.

Blend the cornflour with a little of the liquid and stir into the rest of it - cook for about 30 seconds.

Pour this over the trout before serving.

It would be great with some buttered new potatoes and freshly cooked vegetables.

Freshwater Fish Recipes

Fly Fishing Tips

Fly Fishing Tips for Alaska Salmon

Alaska is known as one of the most bountiful areas with salmon, and is ideal for fly fishing trips.


Fly Fishing Video - Lesson 1

This is because of extreme tides along the West Coast and the gush of ocean currents that create an environment ideal for the breeding of thousands of baitfish.

It is also known as one of the best places to go if one wants to fly fish for giant King Salmon, the largest specie of salmon fish.

The best way to catch these giant salmon (in saltwater) is through trolling or by angling a baited line drawn into the water.

Fishing for giant King Salmon can be a year round activity (especially in Seward).

The most sought-after species of salmon are the following:

1. The King Salmon (Chinook) are the largest of all these species. Its weight averages between 20-40 pounds, the heaviest recorded of which is 112 pounds, and can be as long as 3-4". It has a blue-green back that is lightly spotted.

The average life span of a Chinook Salmon is about five to seven years.

Its flesh can range in color from ivory white to a deep red.

Common names for this specie of salmon include tyee, springs, mouth/kings quinnat and tule.

2. Silver Salmon (Coho) on the other hand is slightly smaller with an average weight of 8-12 pounds.

These specie prefer small streams in which to spawn between the months of July to November.

3. Sockeye salmon, on the other hand, are the most sought-after of its entire species because its flesh has a color of deep red and it has a firm rich flavor.

In fishing for salmon in Alaska, one has to be well equipped with the right equipment (and donned with the appropriate apparel).

Listed below are some of the needed equipment/materials and tips for hassle-free fishing:

1. You must be clad in layers of warm clothes (not necessarily bulky ones as it can hinder in the fishing activity).

2. Over these everyday clothes, a waterproof overall, boots and bibs are likewise necessary to ensure that one would stay dry since after a hook-up, some fish may resist with maximum struggles.

3. Fleet or cruisers that offer services for fishing are usually stocked with bait.

4. A guide on board a cruiser ensures that even amateur fishermen will enjoy the activity by providing crash-lessons onboard. They usually hook the bait for the guest and inform the party as to where specific species of fish may thrive for selective fishing.

Come back for more Fly Fishing Tips and Techniques

Fly Fishing

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

Fishing Tips

Deep sea fishing is a wonderful and extremely enjoyable activity. Here are some tips that will make your salt water fishing adventure even better.

1. Watch the signs

If you see birds e.g. Seagulls that are feasting on small bait-type fishes, there are probably larger game-type fish below the surface of the water. Also, look for floating wood or debris. In most cases when you chance upon a large floating wood, you would find a large game fish in the area even encountering dolphin.

2. Stop, Snook and Listen

Fishing for snooks is quite similar as fishing for bass. Snooks like to be around ledges, posts and rocks.

3. Crabs for full moon

During full moons use soft crab imitations as bait. That's the time when crabs shed their shells and stripers come looking for them.

4. If you're looking for tunas, find the dolphins

Yellowfin tuna are usually found schooling with dolphins. So if you see a group of dolphins, chances are there are some tuna in the area.

5. Cut and Burn

If you have trouble cutting through a spiderwire braid, try using a lighter or a match.

6. Good Reef

The best place to fish is near reefs since big game fish feed on fish that live on reefs.

7. The Circle Hook

Use a circle hook if you would like a higher hook up ratio. These hooks guarantees more catch, because of the minute gap, and the reverse point. They are generally better for the fish since they do not hook in the gut just the lip.

8. Don’t have sea legs

Watch the horizon and stay on deck. These would generally help you if you're having trouble with sea sickness: Stay away from the boat fumes, breathing it only exacerbates the problem.

9. Anchors away

When your anchor is stuck at the bottom, try attaching a float to it. Return after the tide has changed in direction. This should be enough to loosen the anchor.

10. Fish where the fish are

A lot of fisherman have the idea that they should be catching their live baits over the reefs before going to deep waters. If the live baits are not in the area you're planning to catch the larger games, then why would you come up with the idea that the large fish are there. Wouldn't they be in the area where the bait fish are?

Bass Fishing Facts

Bass fishing has a fascinating history. It started in the late 18th century and continues to progress until today.

It probably was originally practiced in search for food among the people in the south of the United States. Since then, it has started gaining numerous audiences of all ages and nations. Today, countries such as Australia, Cuba, South Africa, United States and most of Europe participate in this kind of event.

Timelines

• The year 1768 or 1770 represents the birth of bass fishing sports. Onesimus Ustonson introduced his first multiplying reels to the fishing gurus and lovers. It was later developed into bait caster.

• William Shakespeare Jr. materializes the production of a level wind device and secured its patent on 1897.

• The William J. Jamison Co introduced the overly ornamented Shannon Twin Spinner in 1915 and was improved to create today’s spinner baits.

• In 1932, President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted the creation of Tennessee Valley Authority and encouraged the creation and building of numerous dams. These dams were later used for culturing different varieties of bass fishes.

• Five years later, DuPont Company filed patent for nylon fishing net, this was later developed into nylon monofilament fishing line.

• The year 1992 is one of the most glorious events in the history of bass fishing. Larry Nixon, the famous fisherman in the history of bass fishing won $1 M total earnings for this sport on this year.

Bass Fish

Several fish species that are being caught in the bass fishing events are the following:

• Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) - Largemouth Bass
• Micropterus dolomieui - Smallmouth bass
• Micropterus punctatus - Kentucky Bass

Other species of Micropterus are also caught but one that remains popular is the Largemouth bass. However, it should be emphasized that Australian Bass are different from the above North American Bass variants although most share similar features.

Perhaps, the most robust success of Bass Fishing was in the 1950s. The popularity of the game during this period is the springboard to the development of modern fishing equipments from bass boats, rods, lines, lures and various fishing gears.

Electronic gears were also incorporated among the host of equipments bass fishers used at that time. Reels of different types, which function in hauling and hoisting, were also created.

The contribution of bass fishing industry to the US economy records $50 to $70 Billion and the number continues to grow. Statistics show that the audience base of this sport is increasing and that more and more people are getting interested in it compared to tennis and golf.

Bass Fishing Facts

Bass Fishing