One important thing that people forget to learn when they find out how to fish for bass and how to catch bass is what types of fishing lures for bass they should use. They think that because they know how to catch trout and some trout fishing tips that the same trout lures could be used as fishing lures for bass as well. This unfortunately is false most of the time. While there are some fishing lures for bass that can be used for other fish such as trout as well, usually the technique if not the whole lure is unique to bass FISHING RODS. The most important thing you should remember is that what lure you use to fish for bass should depend on what the weather is like. There are different types of fishing lures for bass you should use in the cold weather, and different types you should use when it’s hot outside.
Cold Weather
In cold weather, to stay warm bass usually stay up at the surface of the water. Because of this, it is best to use spinner bait or even live bait such as minnows. Most advanced fishermen that I have talked to really like using live bait during the colder months as they feel that they have had more success with it than lures. However, if you choose to use lures, I would recommend Rapala lures, Heddon lures, or Strike King lures. Also, if you are using live bait, don’t forget to bring along fishing hooks and fishing rod holders! It may seem obvious, but many fishermen, new and advanced alike forget this quite often.
Warm Weather
In warm weather, bass do just the opposite of what they do in the cold weather. Instead of staying at the surface where it is warm, they dive down to the deeper parts of the lake where it is cooler. Also, they stay in shady areas possibly covered by overhanging tree branches and other shrubbery. In order to fish in these areas, it is most easily accessible by fishing boat, though it is possible to do so from shore. In order to have your lure get seen by as many bass as possible, you want your fishing lures for bass to go as deep as possible. This is why many experienced fishermen use plastic worms or heavier fishing lures for bass that they can bounce along the bottom of the lake to attract bites. Fishermen also like to use live bait during the summer as well.
Where to Get Fishing Lures for Bass?
Fishing lures for bass can be found in almost any discount fishing tackle shop, but my favorite website to buy wholesale fishing tackle is Fishing Tackle Unlimited. It has a great selection of bass fishing lures and even better customer service! They also sell many other pieces of fishing equipment such as Shimano rods, Shimano reels, Daiwa reels, Penn reels, and fishing waders.
I hope that you have learned a lot about what fishing lures for bass are best. Now it is time for you to head out and start experimenting with what works for you! Make sure to take along a camera and video camera so you can take bass fishing videos and fishing pictures of your trophy fish! Good luck!
Did you hear the one about the guy who went ice fishing and came back with 50 lbs. of ice?
Well, if you found yourself here your at least one step ahead of this fella, that is unless you intended to bring home some ice.
Ice fishing is actually a very simple sport but must be practiced with some caution.
WHAT you say?
Seriously before you set out to catch any fish on “hard” water there a couple of things you should be concerned about. Firstly, make sure you are equipped with the proper attire. Setting out from home on a nice sunny day is fine but once you approach your destination things may have drastically changed or may change without notice. This would also be a good time to check the weather channel or newspaper for the up to date weather forecast.
Secondly, remember to check the ice conditions wherever you go, there are local ice hut operators or locals who are willing to help make your trip safe.
A friend of mine told me once, “You can always take it off, but its pretty hard to put it on if you haven’t got it!”
My advice, purchase a good floatation suit. They are warm and if you happen to break thru the ice it will probably save your life.
A warm dry set of gloves, preferably without fingers is a must. This way all the fingers share the warmth. A full face balaclava is also required as well as sunglasses. A scarf can help but be cautionary of the vehicle you are using to get you out to your favorite spot. You don’t want to have it get tangled up in a chain or track.
Several layers of clothes are a benefit just for the luxury of taking them off. Another good idea is to have a FISHING RODS buddy. They are not only there to enjoy the day with you and help make the fishing story a real tale but if an emergency arises they are the only support you’ve got.
We still have a few small things to do before setting out. Make sure your transportation is trustworthy, a general maintenance check will do, tell someone where your going and how long you expect to be gone and last but not least, a simple thing like a compass, so you don’t get lost.
Okay, are we having fun yet. Now that we have got all the scary stuff done, its time to leave, right …. WRONG !
You forgot the gear.
A general rule of thumb regarding gear is to choose the equipment you will need to match the fish you are seeking (e.g. the larger the fish, the heavier the tackle).
Of course you won’t be able to get to them if you don’t have a hole. So depending on the ice and your wallet or both, you are going to need an ice spud or hand\gas auger. You can purchase both but if you just happen to have a friend that welds you can get him to make the spud up for you out of a 6′ x 2″ piece of flat steel and round bar.
Don’t forget to weld a “T” on the top and grind the flat bar down to a chisel point.
If you are in good shape and have the time the hand auger is great but if you intend to fish several spots and don’t want to tire yourself out making holes get a gas auger. Look for an auger with at least a 6″ cut just so you can get the big ones thru the hole.
Next, you’ll need an ice skimmer. I suggest the aluminum one because if you are in a hut with a stove just warm it up a little and touch it to the hole and voila … instant skim! Also, tie a light chain or rope on it just in case it falls down the hole.
Well, your almost there. You can’t catch anything without some type of jigging rod. They come in all types, sizes and styles but look for one with which you will be comfortable with. This may take a few outings to discover, so see if you have a buddy who will lend you his or hers. Another general rule of thumb, a light rod for perch and panfish using 2 to 4 lb. test, medium action for trout, walleye, whitefish, etc. and 6 to 10 lb. test.
If you are energetic an have a second hole you can also use a tip-up. They range in price from several dollars to around twenty-five bucks. Well, this should get you started. The rest you can learn from patience and experience. Good Luck and Good Fishing!
P.S. One last thing… remember to take a light lunch with you, just in case they decide not to bite or your fishing technique is off for the day. I can remember a few times when we had to have “fish lip soup”, it wasn’t very filling.
Well, seeing as you have made it this far. I guess an obvious question would be “When is the best time to go ice fishing ?” Everyone I know wants to get out there as soon as possible. It is probably because the fishing seems to be a little better or more likely they just want to be the first one to haul one out of the hole.
It is true that the fish are relaxed and in the best feeding spots because they haven’t been hassled for several months. Trout in particular spawn in the fall and can be found in deep water at this time. You can find them on bars, shoals, rocks and fingers. Perch, pike and walleye tend to look for shallow, weedy lakes because the oxygen level tends to be a lot higher.
Once the little villages spring up and the anglers take their toll the catches tend to decrease but don’t despair they are still out there. You just have to work a little harder.
So you need a few pointers because you’re just not catching your limit.
Well what is it that you do in the summer time, whether you are fishing from shore or boat if your
not getting the bites ?… You move.
I do it all the time, it’s not hard if you’ve got your own sled and make sure you’ve got a power auger, you’ll need it. In order to be mobile you really need to be prepared. This includes a portable shelter, flotation suit, auger, sled or 4×4, fish finder and GPS. Give yourself about 10 to 20 minutes per hole. That’s enough time to find your depth, scratch the bottom for debris, rocks, sand, etc., set up your fish finder and locate fish and at what depth. It also allows you to try your technique to see if they are interested. If you happen to have the hydrographic map of the lake or fished it before it helps. Try making calculated moves, such as holes, shoals and weed beds.
If you can afford it, get yourself several rods and rig them up with different presentations. Not only do you become a quick change artist but it saves tying on different lures when the weather isn’t friendly.
Jigging is really an art form. Not to fast and not to slow, kind of a rhythm thing. Keep in mind it is okay to jig hard at first, you want to attract them, get them interested. Once you’ve done that slow down to a twitch by using only your wrist or trolling from one side of the hole to the other. Alternatively you can raise the rod tip a few inches and lower. Stir up the bottom a little.
Make sure your rod is short, stiff and with big eyelets. It’s hard to fish in a hut that’s only 4 x 6 with a 3′ rod. You only get one chance to set the hook, so if it moves you don’t want the rod to bend. Having your line get frozen because of clogged eyelets just isn’t any fun.
PAY ATTENTION!
No, I’m not trying to wake you up from your daydream but feeling a hit is not the only way to get fish out of the hole. If you see the slightest movement, either side to side or up or down, set your hook! Remember, if your sending your lure down and it stops and your not where your suppose to be, you probably have one on the line.
Now, if you want to get them up the hole you’re going to need to hook ’em, so keep your hooks sharp. The easiest way to test is when you push the point thru the minnow, if the point doesn’t go in easily either sharpen it or replace it. Speaking of hooks, size is important, the smaller the bait the smaller the hook. Also, if you’re using a large hook on small bait you restrict its movements and could possible even spook your game.
Timing the hook set is crucial when using minnow bait. It is well known that most fish attack from the side, so don’t try to set the hook at the first sign of movement or tug. Allow the fish time to swallow the minnow. Okay, so you lost your patience had him and lost him. Don’t be in a hurry to change your bait, put the line back down the hole. Remember, he just lost supper and if he’s hungry he’ll be back. Wait a couple of minutes and if you don’t get a response your welcome to change your bait.
Bass fishing ures come in many different varieties. There are more types of lures for bass fishing than for just about any other kind of freshwater fish. With so many different shapes, styles, sizes, and colors you’d have a hard time trying out all of the options. It would take a long time to use every type of bass fishing lure. While there are many different types, some tend to be better than others. Most bass enthusiasts pick their favorites and stick with them.
Crank Bait Lures
Crank bait is one of the most popular lures among bass fishers. This type of lure got its name because of how it operates. They are connected to the line and then cranked back into the fishing boat. There is a vast array of different options when it comes to selecting crank baits.
Some crank baits will float atop of the water when the fisher is no longer winding the reel. Others will sink to the very bottom when the reel isn’t being turned. Still another type stays suspended in the water, not moving from the depth it was when the user stopped cranking.
Deep Water Crank Bait Lures
Some of these types of lures are intended for deeper water FISHING RODS and can go about 15 feet down below the water’s surface.
Medium Depth Crank Bait Lures
When fishing in water that is about 10 feet deep, you are better off using a different type of crank bait. The best choice for this depth has a medium lip that will hit bottom once it reaches a depth of approximately ten feet.
Shallow Water Crank Bait Lure
When fishing in water that is less than five feet deep, it is best go with a different option. For this depth, fishers should use a lure designed for shallow water. This type has a small lip and will make hit bottom at depths of approximately around 3 to 5 feet.
Top Water Bait Lure
Still another frequently use type of bass fishing lure is top water bait. This type of bait gets its name because it floats all the time. They float even when they are being cranked in. A disadvantage of this type of bait is that it is noisy. Noise is not ever desirable when bass fishing. It is particularly problematic when trying to lure fish at dawn or in rough waters under cloudy skiess.
Spinner Bait Lures
Spinner bait is yet another lure option for bass fishing enthusiasts. This style of lure is often used in bass fishing This type of baith is actually tied directly to the fishing line or attached to a tiny swivel. Spinner bait lures are bright and shiny, typically with blades that are either gold or silver. However, they are often painted in different colors. Some enthusiasts prefer metallic spinner bait lures, and others prefer painted ones.
The blades of spinner bait area availalbe in many different shapes. The best bass fishers know that sometimes the fish have to be outsmarted. The different shapes are created in the hopes of imitating the different fish found in the waters. The idea behind spinner bait is to trick the bass into making an impulsive strike.
Another unique characteristic of bass fishing lures is that they are used with rubber skirts. The rubber skirts travel alongside the lure and help attract more bass, theoretically. These rubber skirts are interchangeable, which allws for versatility. Many who enjoy bass fishing feel there is an advantage to using a variety of different colored skirts. They enjoy being able to remove one color skirt and replace it with another in the hopes that doing so will draw more fish.
With so many different options, bass fishing lures can get very complicated for anyone who doesn’t understand the dynamics of the sport of bass fishing.
Once a bass fishing enthusiast begins to to investigate the multitide of the different options for bass fishing lures, he or she will likley see that it all makes sense. To an experienced bass fisher, the vast array of available options is really not as overwhelming as it seem to a novice. The best thing for novice bass fisher to do is just to start trying different options and experiment until they are able to find their favorite lure.
Rods are basically made from carbon. Plastic, composite carbon combined with Kevlar, which is a kind of material that is bullet proof, or just high carbon. Since the carbon’s force and strength in connection to its mass is light, making it strong material that can allow thinner fabrication but still is able to keep the span and length. A rod that is lighter evidently handling will be easier, controlling it would be less tiring on ones arms and reduces resistance to air giving one an easier time accurately casting it, particularly on windy ways.
Rods come in silicon carbide, hard chrome or ceramic rings having a function of letting the line pass through. These are precisely used because of their smoothness having the function to minimize friction when passing through the line and keep the maximum strength. Silicon materials are a fact costly, so an alternative is bring into play ceramic rings like Zircon which when taken in to account, it is not as tough or as light, but is much cost effective. Rings made of chrome are better, although every season they require replacement, they do deliver excellent job of line running. At least thirteen rings are needed from the handle all through the tip, lesser near the handle, needing more close to the tip. The line can fasten itself to the rod, if you don’t have enough rings.
When determining length of the rod, you want to take into account exactly what kind of fishing you want. If you want far out fishing, in that case choose a larger rod as this will offer you better control when you are playing the fish. If you are planning to go fishing in an area that is enclosed, you will need a shorter rod. Normally, the safe rod size to choose is13ft (3.9m). This is lengthy enough for a waggler but does not cast out too far.
Handles
Handles are made from either cork or foam. Whichever you choose, this is a matter of preference. Just try handling both materials so you can have a good +feel+ before buying it.
Action
Action is the term used in describing how the rod will bend when it is placed under the lot of strain and effort of a fighting fish.
There are two types of tip on a rod, the hollow and spliced tips. Hollow tips are good in catching carp, tench and chub which have a progressive or developing action making it sharp for quick bites, yet proficient enough to manage long distance strikes. Spliced tips normally are normally spliced to the end with two feet solid carbon. This rod is sharper so it is a good pick for fast acting fish.
When choosing a rod, these questions will help you pick the right one:
1. How frequent and where do you fish? Are you a beginner, a weekend warrior, or a tournament pro? If you are just starting out, you may need to budget and spend less money on your first rod. Once you learn the techniques and once you have decided that FISHING RODS is for you, that is the time to spend on more specific rods.
2. Freshwater or Saltwater fish? While there are a few rods that can be used for both fresh and saltwater fish, most rods are made for a specific purpose and application.
3. Spinning or Casting? The species you that you choose to chase will determine it.
4. Power, sensitivity, and your technique. The rod should match the way you enjoy fishing. If you like to fish with lures, then you should look for a rod that is comfortable enough to cast frequently all day long.
“What fly fishing equipment should I get?” I’m often asked that question by folk who are interested in learning how to fly fish. Sometimes, it seems so complicated. “Is it expensive?” is the second most often asked question.
Let’s start with the second question first. While you can spend thousands of dollars on gear, you don’t need to nor should you spend more than a couple of hundred dollars if you’re just starting out. Depending on what conditions you will be fishing, you might even get away with less than that, too. I recommend that you speak with casting instructor who knows your area and what conditions you’ll be fishing in at first. That person will be able to put you on the right track as to the specifics of what gear you should have.
To answer the question about what fly fishing equipment you’ll need to get started, here are the basics. You can of course purchase much more, but why not wait before spending lots of money to find out if you’ll enjoy the sport in the first place?
A fly rod
A reel that will hold the line
Line (usually a floating line will do fine if you’re targeting small to medium size rivers)
8 lb. test monofilament that you will use for leader material
Flies
Clippers
Sunglasses
Optional equipment when you are starting out:
Waders to keep you dry if fishing rivers
A vest or bag to carry gear (and perhaps your lunch and a flask filled with something to drink if you are so inclined)
Landing Net
And that’s about it. The conditions you will fish will dictate the length of your rod as well as the weight of the line you will be casting. Most beginners can get away with selecting a rod in the 8 to 9 foot range and 5-6 line weight (wt.). Unless you will be after big fish, you can get by with a very inexpensive fly reel. All it does in most cases is hold the line for you. In many situations where the target fish are trout, you likely wont even need to use the drag on your reel. In most cases, tension is applied to the line with your hand.
Although many fly anglers have all sorts of systems for determining the correct leader thickness and taper, don’t worry about that for now. Because the lure in fly FISHING RODS are very light weight, you are using the weight of the fly line and the ability of the rod to power the line forward when you cast your fly. Therefore, fly line is much thicker than the monofilament used in spinning or baitcast fishing. That’s where the monofilament or leader comes in – it is tied to the end of the fly line, generally an 8 foot length is fine, and to the other end of the leader, you will tie your fly.
Although it is fun to tie your own flies, at this point it is probably best to obtain some from someone you know that ties up flies, or purchase them for a shop that sells them. If it is a local shop, they will be able to advise you as to what patterns that will be most likely to entice the fish to hit. At first, stick with nymphs or wet flies. Dry fly fishing can be a lot of fun, but I’d recommend learning to cast and catch fish with a fly rod using nymphs.
Sunglasses are a must when fly fishing! The last thing you want to do is damage your eye with a misplaced cast and a fly stuck in your eyeball. Think safety first, no matter what you are doing. If you have decided to also purchase a pair of waders, make sure you are familiar with the water you will be wading in.
There are a number of resources available to you to help you decide what fly fishing gear is best for you. Read reviews of the gear that is available to you, talk to other fly anglers, and perhaps the best advice of all: Hire a fly fishing instructor for at least a half day. This will help prevent you from forming bad habits that will be difficult to break later on.
