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Fishing Tips

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Fishing Tips, Hints and Ideas

We were asked about the best way to catch night crawlers. Admittedly, we had never tried this but heard about it, so we gave it a shot. We had heard that if you lightly sprinkle a target patch of lawn in your backyard with a light mixture of water and vinegar, you can get night crawlers to come above ground. It worked for us!

If you are just beginning to enjoy the sport of fishing, purchase low- to mid-level brand name equipment and tackle that you can find almost anywhere. The basic equipment is often the best to learn with and you will be able to get a sense for what you prefer. As your skill level grows, move towards the higher-end rods and reels, etc., that you may now be able to make better use of and enjoy.

Know when to change strategies. If you are not having success within the first half an hour to forty five minutes, try switching spots or baits, lures or the depth you present your bait at. There is always a combination of factors. Relax and enjoy your surroundings and tune in to all the clues that nature provides you with. You'd be surprised how much a part intuition combined with common sense can play.

In reduced feeding conditions due to water temperature, try to use live bait and lures that can be retrieved slowly, in water from six to fifteen feet deep. A reliable indicator of ideal feeding water temperature is the presence of bluegills.

Plastic worms (rigged Texas-style) as well as lighter, soft plastic lures work well in the early spring. Anglers who fish towards the bank often have difficulty in keeping the line taut. Why? Because bass grab the sinking lure and instantly dart for deeper waters, most often in the direction of the angler. Fishresource.com recommends casting in parallel to the bank. The result is that when the bass strikes, it will grab the lure on an angle and as a result, provide the tension necessary to hook and reel in the fish as it heads toward the deeper waters.

Largemouth Bass have excellent hearing. Sounds travel from their deep-set ears through a series of connected bones and to an air bladder that doubles as an amplifier. Lateral lines on either side of their body contain highly sensitive nerve endings that also detect sounds and vibrations. Fishresource.com recommends a carpeted boat deck to help absorb sounds that may startle the bass. Generally, fish that are in water deeper than five or six feet are not bothered by the noise of electric or outboard motors.

When concerned about state and provincial catch regulations, there are generally three things the angler should be concerned with: 1) minimum size, 2) creel or daily limit, and 3) the season. The minimum size primarily refers to the length of the fish. If under the minimum, the fish must be returned to the water. The creel or daily limit refers to the maximum number of a particular species that you may keep, and the season refers to the dates or time of year that you may fish for a particular species.

Although we prefer and recommend live bait when fishing for rock bass, for those who prefer to use lures, or simply don't have live bait handy, we recommend small and light tail spinners with very little or no weight. Lures should be just heavy enough to cast into a light breeze.

One of the most important pieces of equipment you can remember to bring is your sunscreen, especially if fishing from a boat. It's best to apply it before your trip while you still have an opportunity to wash your hands properly. Remember, fish can detect even the smallest scents and particles in the water, and you don't want to be handling lures, etc., with fingers that smell like sun block.

Here's a tip that is probably easier said than done. Do your best to avoid fishing on weekends. Try to stagger your time on the water. Take a day off from the workplace and enjoy the peace and quiet that a weekday can offer you. Fishing on weekends can often be crowded and busy, and in turn, can affect the habits of the fish, if there is too much traffic.

Speak to one of the guides or the owners of the lodges and resorts that you visit. They are often folks who have lived on or near the local water all of their lives and are best positioned to advise you of seldom fished waters. They would like to see you come back another day and will do their best to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

Don't litter. There are enough people who discard garbage and fishing line in to the lakes and rivers, as well as all sorts of fast food containers, etc. Try and help the fish for future generations instead of harming them.

Be organized and keep your gear organized. The less time you spent crawling through your tackle box, vest, etc., translates into more time for your line to be in the water. You are there to fish. Spend your time fishing.

Make sure you maintain your equipment properly from day to day, including proper stowing and storage of rods. Rods can be very delicate and one that gets stepped on may appear to be fine until a little pressure is applied to it. Don't put an end to your fishing trip before it gets started. And whenever possible, bring extra or spare equipment, such as hooks and lures in case you snag and lose a few.

Do your homework. Know the local limits and stay within the law. Always have a scale or tape measure as part of your kit and make sure your license is in order. The fines are starting to get steeper for those who ignore the local laws or choose not to abide by them.

It's a good idea to keep a master checklist of everything that you need for your fishing trip. Keep a list of all the essentials and keep it somewhere that will encourage you to use it - such as taped to the inside top of your tackle box. You always know where it is and can always refer to it quickly and easily to make sure you don't have to turn around and come back.

Look to nature for hints and tips. Birds of prey, such as eagles, osprey, hawks and even sea gulls will often dive for fish and indicate where smaller feeder fish are. Take advantage of their "birds eye view" and pick up on natures own hints and tips.

A good rule for bass anglers is to be patient. Use a very slow and methodical approach starting in shallow waters and slowly working your way out to deeper waters. It will help you more accurately cover a patch of water before moving on to the next. Take your time and leave no stone unturned, so to speak.

Don't be caught off guard because of weather. Check your local forecasts before heading out on your trip. You should never have to pack it in early because you are too cold or you are getting rained on. Get off of the water if you can hear or see lightning and make sure you dress appropriately. You can also use the weather to your advantage, for example, overcast skies may highlight deeper and shallower water for you. It often accentuates dark water, which indicates deeper waters, and can help you identify drop offs or structure.

Apply your knowledge of the species you are after. Look to our detailed fish species pages to help you. Temperature, for example, can have a significant impact on different species. In seasons, such as spring and fall, where there are radical temperature changes from day to day, try taking a water temperature reading, and understand that many species will head to deeper cooler waters in the heat of the mid-day sun.

Electronic equipment can greatly assist today's angler. Fish finders are equipped to analyze depth, bottom composition, temperature, etc. They can make a world of difference. Two of the most important things to keep in mind when trolling, for example, are depth and speed. Modern equipment can help you optimize almost everything and assist you in bringing back better catches.

When fishing for larger mouthed species, or more aggressive species, such as bass, try to use a treble hook wherever possible. They provide a much better chance of sticking than a single and will help you land more by keeping them to the end of your line.

Get to know your quarry. Learn everything you can about the species you are fishing for. You can pick up on patterns and characteristics that will aid you in hooking more. Northern Pike generally dive after a strike and bass tend to strike upwards. Each species will cause a consistent yet different action against your rod, and learning to interpret these actions greatly increases your chances of reacting and making the right decisions on how to play the fish.

Snagged lines can be very frustrating, especially if you are using your favorite lure that you've had for years. The most logical approaches to unsnagging your lure is by lifting your rod as high as you can to change the angle of the pull more upwards. Failing that, side to side will sometimes unhook you. If you happen to be in a boat, you can position the boat above the snag or in the opposite direction. If all attempts fail, you are generally better off using your hands to apply the pressure to pull out the snag, instead of risking damage to your rod. If all fails, cut the line.

Another one of our tips to look to nature... You can read your surroundings to place you at an advantage in many ways. Let nature guide you - look to the bubbles and currents, structure and patterns in nature that can lead you to the fish. Drop offs, changes in water colour and numerous other natural signs can make a big difference when trying to find fish.

Boating Tips, Hints and Ideas

Fire Extinguishers: ensure any fire extinguishers you have on board are fully charged and mounted in the proper place and are the correct class of extinguisher for your vessel.

Freshwater Fishing Resources

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