Sports Magazine

Archive for the ‘Fishing’ Category

One of the most popular hobbies right now is recreational fishing. It provides a natural environment for recreational or sport fishers to practice their skills. In the United States, the fisheries are regulated by local, state or federal authorities. With the increase in its popularity, recreational fishing has stirred up some issues regarding the rights of individuals put up against environmental sustainability. Before you participate in recreational fishing, you should first weigh its pros and cons like what you’ll do when deciding to get a policy from Sovereign Insurance or not.

Advantages:

1. Recreational fisheries rake in good income in the local economy. Anglers and sport fishers spend dollars in the rural area just to practice their hobby.
2. This activity is supported by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations.
3. When humans fish, they help keep the fish populations balanced.

Disadvantages:

1. When managed improperly, recreational fishing might disturb the natural balance in the waters and cause a decline on the number of fish.
2. Abuse of fishing can also arise especially on public wildlife refuges.
3. A good analysis on the cons and pros of recreational fishing isn’t possible without good data, hence, the rights and responsibilities of anglers and sport fishers aren’t really that clear, unlike the policies stipulated when obtaining a health insurance.
4. Since the agencies protecting the fisheries have limited resources, anglers might overfish and become a threat to the existence of some species of fish.

As the leaves fall off the trees and the nights get longer and longer, we know that winter is just around the corner. Some mornings there is ice along the edges of our favorite lakes and streams. When the weather changes the fish also start to change their feeding cycles. Here are some tips to help with the late fall fishing season.

Some regions have fishing seasons so it is important to check the fishing regulations to make sure the species you are after is legal to catch. Bass fishing and Striper fishing become closely regulated as winter arrives in some lakes. Some lakes also close totally to any fishing so be sure and check the rules.

Fish are cold blooded animals so as the water gets colder their metabolism slows down. They try to conserve energy and eat as big of meals as they can with the least amount of energy. With that in mind, use bigger worms and put more salmon eggs on a hook. Try using a treble hook with a worm on each hook. Another technique is to load each hook of a treble hook full of salmon eggs so it looks like a cluster. Even mixing the hooks with worms, grubs, and salmon eggs might cause them to bite hard and fast.

Because the fish have slowed down they will eat less often and will be less likely to chase a crankbait. This means that you need to slow down your retrieval speed so they will give chase. This also means when you are working an area, you will need to space your casts a little close. In the summer you may space your casts 10 to 20 feet apart, but this time of year you should space them 5 to 10 feet apart.

For more information on fishing regulations please be sure to check the resources available at the World Fishing Network.

Scotland is renowned for its many varieties of world class fishing.  Whether you’re an amateur sportsman or a professional angler you’ll find discover countless opportunities to fish the many streams and rivers and delight yourself with a deep sea outing. Every year hundreds are drawn to Scotland in efforts to real in their share of salmon, trout and wild pike.

Salmon is the ultimate prize in Scotland and the rivers Spay and Tay, Dee and Tweed are known for producing giants upwards of 30 pounds.  The Tay River holders the recorded record of 64 pounds dating back to 1922.  While it is unlikely that you’ll lure a salmon that size today, every year fish weighing around 50 pounds are still plucked from Scotland’s waters.  Even the smaller coastal rivers Luce and Lochy, Stinchar and awe that flow along the western shore are said to occasionally produce Atlantic Salmon tipping the scales at 20 pounds or more. Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone who has ever spent a few hours on a frozen pond waiting for a nibble knows how different ice fishing is from standard reel or fly fishing — extreme patience and a good deal of resistance to cold is a major requirement, but additional ice fishing gear and supplies are required to ensure that you come back from a fishing trip with a decent haul.  Ice fishing rods in particular are different from their warm weather cousins; certain lines and reels are requiring to bring in different types of fish, while the entire range of equipment must be able to handle the cold and the snow.

Micro rods are naturally the smallest type of rods, with the least amount of tension feedback and able to catch smaller fish or bait fish rather than the larger types.  Use micro rods to land a perch, a sunfish, a blue gill, crappies, or even smaller sized bass.  A stronger rod weight with heavier design can be used for jigging and hauling in a heavier fish or even a game fish, including lake trout that can weigh as much as thirty pounds.  Many fishing companies manufacture specific types of ice fishing rods, advertising instant efficiency in your next fishing trip.

A finesse rod is a nineteen inch graphite rod with a small spinning wheel that allows for short sight fishing, so that experienced fishermen can directly look down on their catches and land them without laborious hauling.  A dead stick rod works best for catching minnows or other small bait fish, floating on the ice edge with the bobber; the dead stick rod shows action as minnows pass by without alerting or alarming the fish.  For large walleyes and lake trout, a spinning rod works best to bring in the bigger sized hauls.  These rods are much more sensitive than their smaller counterparts, but are designed to take punishment from passing or landing fish.

It’s that time again.  The rivers in Oregon are open for fishing.  If you’re like many anglers, you wait anxiously for winter to end so you can get back on the river.  There is a lot of Oregon property that is accessible for fishing.  The Sprague river starts in Bly Oregon and meanders through Beatty, Sprague River, and eventually merges into the Williamson river which feeds Klamath Lake in Klamath Falls.

There are a few places along the Sprague river that is accessible to the public.  Much of the river is banked by private property but the river is floatable if you have the time and ambition.  You can access the river behind Chiloquin high school.  There is also access on the Winema National Forest.  The upper boat launch is about two miles East of the town of Beatty.  Be prepared for a very long day if you plan on floating it.  The first public place to get out is about 20 miles downriver.

The river is quite active with fish.  There are trophy sized redband trout, lunker German Brown trout, rainbow trout, large mouth bass,  brown bullhead trout, and despite what the tree huggers would like you to believe, plenty of Sucker fish.  Fishing for large mouth bass peaks during the late summer and early autumn.

If you are going to float the river, be prepared by scouting the takeout location.  Since public access is limited, if you miss your take out spot, you could be in for a very long boat ride until you find your next chance.

The river is fished with spinners but bait is also allowed.  When you get into the Williamson, it’s artificial lures only so don’t get caught with even the tiniest amount of bait in your possession.  You can be cited for using bait even if it’s just in the boat or tackle box.

Despite the hassle of dealing with all the private Oregon properties, fishing the Sprague river can be quite enjoyable and productive.

Fishing is one of the most common way people like to “get away from it all” and getting back out into the great outdoors! Fishing is one of the most common activities to do while in the outdoors, particularly if you are going camping. Either way Fishing is a great way to relax and get away from the stresses of work, and going on a fishing trip and camping is an even better way to get away from life’s stresses. Read the rest of this entry »

If you like to go fishing, then an FRS radio is something that you should consider purchasing.  In addition, you’ll also probably want to make sure that you get a waterproof walkie talkie. So why might this type of radio be useful?  This will depend on whether you fish alone or with some buddies, friends or family.

Now, if you like to go fishing with your buddies, then the radio will have many uses, given that these radios have a pretty considerable range.  So for instance, you might be spread out somewhat around a river, so that you won’t have to fish so close together.  You’ll have your own little spots, where you can sit while waiting for the fish to bite.  Maybe you’ll be on a boat, or you’ll be on the shore.

So the radios can be great because even if you’re away from each other, you can still shoot the breeze.  Even if you’re located pretty far apart, you can still remain in constant communication.  And if you’re worried about making too much noise and scaring away the fish or other wildlife, then you can spring for a headset so that the radio will make even less noise.

Even if you prefer to fish on your own, the radio can still prove useful.  At least, it becomes a way to get in touch with the outside world, if you get bored or you need some help.  The range on these things is long enough so there’s a chance that you can contact someone, some distance away, if the person is on a channel that you can pick up.  So even if you’re alone, these gadgets still have a lot of value.

Just be sure to get a waterproof unit.  After all, you’ll be using it near a body of water, and even if you do your best to watch out for it, there’s still the chance that it might fall in. Go for a model which can be submerged safely, and it’ll be even better if it’s the able-to-float type.

The Northern pike is a voracious gamefish that inhabits fresh and brackish waters and trophy pike fishing is exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere. Pike have been introduced into areas that it is not native too and because of its carnivorous nature has shown it to be a danger to the other populations of fish. As an afterthought game and fish departments have tried to eradicate them from some lakes, but sports anglers love chasing those trophy sized northern pike.

The Northern pike is greenish in color with dark spots and its overall shape is that of a torpedo much in keeping with its lightening speed. The pike lies motionless in wait for its prey and feeds on almost any fish and they exhibit a cannibalistic nature of eating the young of their own species. The small to medium sized pike can be found in the backwaters among the weed and lily pads and they feed on frogs, minnows, bugs and their own kind.

You won’t find the big boys in the weeds. They much prefer more open water where they can ambush their favorite food, the walleyes. You’ll find them off points, around islands, on shoals and at the mouths of rivers and streams. They like areas of slow moving water and prefer clear water to turbid.

The techniques of trophy pike fishing vary but, all in all, they are quite easy to catch as they will hit almost any lure. Many trophy pike are caught while fishing for walleye as the like to stay on the outer perimeter of their traveling prey. Pike will hit jigs and rapalas, but one of the favorite lures is daredevils. Many anglers will cast high in an effort to slap the water with their lures thus drawing the predator in. Big trophy pike will often hit a lure, leave and hit it again.

Most people consider catching a trophy trout to be the holy grail of freshwater fly fishing. Trout have been known to grow to sizes of over 50 pounds although anything over 8 pounds is generally considered to be a trophy fish. Perhaps surprisingly to some, catching a really big trout is within most regular angler\’s grasp. It requires the right equipment, the right location, skill, a good cast, patience and just a little bit of luck to be successful. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to fishing there are a million ways to skin a cat.  And that is what makes it fun.  Granted there are times when only a given presentation will catch fish, but normally it is locating the fish and getting the bait in front of their nose.  Find the fish and you will be successful.  When it comes to the equipment used in fishing it is a somewhat similar conundrum.  You can buy one of dozens of different types, how could you possibly choose the correct one?  Thankfully there are generally some hard fast rules that you can follow to make your search successful.  It is definitely this was when it comes to finding the best fishing waders.

The first and foremost concern when it comes to waders is the fit.  There is nothing worse than being out all day long fishing and have to put up with an uncomfortable fit.  You will be cutting your trips short and enjoying the time you have out there less.  For this reason make sure that you find a quality pair that fit you with whatever clothes you are likely to wear.  If you are a large person (thinking 6 feet 4 inches and taller and 300 plus pounds) than you really can’t go with your standard off the shelf pair of waders.  You would be much better served finding a pair of big and tall fishing waders to use as opposed to simply using what you can find.  The same goes for children where you shouldn’t force them into a pair of waders that are far too large for them to move comfortably in.

The other key thing to consider is the bottom of the boot.  A sole that is rubber may work well in some applications, but if you encounter any slippery rocks or logs you are in for trouble.  It is much better to go with the felt sold waders and save yourself a bath out in the great outdoors.