Students Of Success

Nine of the ten record setting King (Chinook) Salmon were caught in Alaska’s Kenai River. The average size of Kings in Alaska is 20 pounds, but typically the Kenai yields 50-pound Kings. King Salmon spend 2 to 5 years in the ocean before they come back to spawn. Thus, the size of these fish can vary quite a bit. The largest King caught on the Kenai weighed 97.25 pounds.

What makes the Kenai such a popular spot for fishing fanatics? There are certainly other rivers in Alaska that host greater numbers of salmon. (This isn’t to say that the number of salmon in the river is small. There’s plenty to go around for all wanting to have a great day, week, or month fishing.)

This river draws fishermen for three primary reasonssize of the Kings, abundance of varieties of salmon, and the number of runs for each type. Along with the King, the Kenai is stocked with Sockeye (Red) Salmon and Coho (Silver) Salmon, with each of the species having two runs between May and October. And then there’s the size of the Kings. If you want the best chance of landing a trophy Chinook Salmon, the Kenai River is the place to be.

It’s a short jaunt from Anchorage to the 80-mile long Kenai. The first time you see the river, you may simply be stunned. With striking sapphire waters created by glacial melt, the river is simply breathtaking. Conservation measures have been instituted to preserve the natural beauty and nurturing environment of the river for residents and visitors.

During fishing season, the Kenai supports thousands upon thousands of salmon, making it relatively easy for many fishermen, especially those working with licensed guides, to catch their limit. Additionally, the river is home for world-class rainbow trout, which are the envy of anglers everywhere.

The Kenai is divided into three sections. The upper part is 30-miles long, flowing from Kenai Lake located on Cooper Landing and going to Skilak Lake. Rafters, drift boaters and other recreational and sport enthusiasts have easy access to the river at Cooper Landing.

The upper part of the Kenai flows down to and ends at the Russian River, a tributary that plays host to thousands of Sockeye Salmon. Just down river from this tributary is the Kenai River Ferry, which transports thousands of fishermen to the river’s far bank. This section is popular with anglers and it’s often packed.

Going down river, you’ll find many miles of beautiful views, natural settings, and bountiful fishing. In this stretch between the Russian River and Jim’s landing, despite the fact that it’s bordered by the busy Sterling Highway, you will experience isolation and peace due to the natural buffer created by trees and thick vegetation.

The Kenai River meets Skilak Lake, forming the middle part of the river, which goes to Soldotna Bridge. If you’re looking for wildlife and true isolation, this section is for you. With a ten-mile stretch that has no boat access and a variety of animals, including moose, bear, and waterfowl, the Kenai embraces the wild. To get to some prime fishing, you’ll need a boat; however, some parts of the middle river can get too low to navigate. Throughout the summer, the Kenai rises, allowing boats easier passage.

In this remote section you’ll find some of the best trout and Silver Salmon fishing on the river. Unlike the upper and lower parts of the Kenai, this section has fewer sportsmen, guides, and visitors on it.

Soldotna Bridge marks the end of the middle section and the beginning of the lower part, which terminates at Cook’s Inlet. Before the inlet, the river can get very busy. Its banks are fairly crowded with businesses and homes. Along with being congested, the river also has some sandbars and large rocks, making it tough to navigate.

The second King run, in June and July, is the most popular with anglers looking to land the next world record salmon. The lower river has easy access and many of the approximately 400 registered guides can be found in this section.

The King (Chinook) Salmon can be as large as a man and as tough to haul in as any sport fish. It’s the prize catch on any Kenai River fishing trip. For anglers looking for some of the largest salmon in the world, this section of the river offers the greatest opportunity for hauling in the ultimate catch and coming up with the biggest fish story.

This article was written by Paul Mroczka sponsored by www.alaskafishon.com/. Alaska Fish On is a licensed and registered Kenai river fishing guide service providing affordable packages for the novice or experienced fisher. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link pointing back to www.alaskafishon.com/.

There are hundreds of locations around the world that are simply excellent locations to enjoy. You will see that many of them are listed here. Others, like the favorite one that you have may not be. There are many unique ways that you too can enjoy the waters the world has to offer.

Consider Manitoba, Canada

The area is known as Land of Lakes that have served to produce many trophy fish. Both still and fly fishing pros love the location. In Manitoba, you’ll catch some of the best northern pike and they will give you a good fight too. They strike hard and fast on the Daredevil lure. You can use flies with a good amount of success. You’ll also find brook and brown trout, rainbow as well as perch and pickerel. Go in the spring or the fall for the best fishing vacation here.

Good Old Long Island, New York

Here, you’ll find Montauk Point. Some of the world’s top naturalists have come to the conclusion that this is the place to find the most fish in the world. The point is a glacial cliff and you’ll find tuna, cod, mackerel, marlin, striped bass and white shark here. It also features the oldest lighthouse in the states. An inside tip is to cast from the rocks below the lighthouse and you’ll get some of the best fishing out there. Although spring and fall are the best times to go, you can come during the summer too.

Wyoming, USA
If you are looking to catch trophy trout in the US, a vacation to Yellowstone National Park is a must. Slough Creek is full of trophy trout, as are other streams within the Park’s boundaries, and they are all stocked regularly. Streams and rivers outside of the Park also offer great fishing opportunities, as do the waters of nearby Idaho and Montana. Wyoming is home to 62 native species, including Arctic grayling, burbot, channel catfish, shiners, chub, several trout species, suckers, goldeneye, mountain whitefish, shovelnose sturgeon, and a wide variety of smaller fish.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys offer a wide range of fishing opportunities. People come all year round to catch them. In fact, Hemingway himself fished here. The waters are still as excellent as they were then too. You’ll find tarpin and bonefish in the Marquesas Islands. You’ll find blue marlin, King mackerel, sailfish, yellowfin, shark snapper, and a wide range of others here too.

Head To Hampshire, England

Head just outside of London to get some of the best fly fishing opportunities. Here you’ll find trout and Atlantic salmon. Check out the Itchen and Test rivers too although they are on a private island and you’ll need to pay to get in, they are excellent opportunities nonetheless. You’ll find trout fisheries here, too.

Try Missouri, USA

Go to the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Here, you can catch bass under the limestone bluffs. You’ll find that the river itself has over two hundred different species including bass, channel catfish, sunfish, bullheads, muskellunge, walleye, shad, perch and trout. You’ll find more fish here than anywhere in the US.

Here are some tips for you.

Don’t take with you all of your equipment unless you really want to. You’ll find guide services will provide you with everything that you need.

They can also provide the necessary fishing licenses for you too. Get your information from here too. Make sure if you plan to go out of country that you are allowed to export and import the fish, though.

You can always ask other anglers where they like to fish. Some of the best locations for fishing are in those small, hideouts that are closely guarded secrets!

Niall is a keen fisherman always looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and great deals to help you find a Eagle fish finder or other GPS and Sonar marine navigation systems. www.fish-finder-review.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Fish-Finder-Review.com

Picture it: a father and son waiting on a harbor over a lake, their bare legs dangling over the water, each of them holding a fishing rod. It’s a scene bound to endear children and excite families, simply because fishing has long been used by humans for both relaxation and industry.

Put simply, fishing covers all activities involved in hunting and catching fish and other aquatic animals such as octopus, turtles, shellfish, and squid. Fishing first began about ten thousand years ago. Fishing was considered a game for the lower classes in ancient Greece, but the Chinese regarded the skill as a gift from the gods.The ancient Egyptians were known for their fishing implements and improvised fishing methods, most of which are captured in illustrations in the pyramids, and in papyrus documents.

Fishing today can take on many forms, from the simple boat on the lake, and occasional conversation amongst friends or relatives; to the larger, industrial boat in the middle of the sea, with its gigantic net.

The following are a few types of common fishing methods.

• With the proper skill, and with only a few pieces of equipment, some fishermen can catch fish by hand – without the fish even slipping out! Hand fishing is still practiced in some villages around the world, where shallow waters near rivers, or by the sea, can be a source of fish for the evening’s meal.

• Using a spear, a bow, and a keen eye, some fishermen can engage in spear and bow fishing. This requires great strength and dexterity, and it has been practiced for centuries. In fact, with the proper equipment, fishermen can use only a bow and arrow to catch fish!

• Other fishermen cast nets out in their body of water of choice. Such a method, sometimes known as cast net fishing, can allow farmers a larger catch – this, however, can also lead to them catching unwanted (or unintended) animals or even objects. These include dolphins, seals, or even trash.

• Larger fishing vessels engage in trawling, or dragging a large net through the sea, allowing the net to catch whatever it can gather. Like cast net fishing, trawling can catch other animals, like sharks or baby whales.

• A more damaging version of trawling is dredging, where the seabed is disrupted in the hopes of getting more fish to swim nearer to the surface and into the net.

• A common method of catching fish is by using a fishing line, with bait attached at the end. This is done usually for recreational purposes, and involves some skill and “getting the fish to bite.” A variation of this method is fly fishing, in which colorful, feathery objects serve as lure, and where a fishing line is cast at a certain angle onto the surface of a body of water. The fly fishing enthusiast often stands knee-deep in the water while this is done.

• Ice fishing is a variation of line fishing, this time done through a hole on the surface of an iced body of water. Ice fishers cut out a hole in the ice to expose the still liquid water, and the fish swimming below.

• Some fishermen lay out fish traps, which are contraptions meant to lure fish and cage them in, so that fishermen may take them out much later.

• Not all fishing methods are mild. Some fishermen, in their wish to catch more fish, use toxins such as cyanide to poison whole populations of fish, which they can then gather by hand. This method, however, poisons even juvenile fish, leaving no more fish for the next generation, and no harvest for the next catch.

Another dangerous method involves the use of dynamite. This is common in the waters of Southeast Asia, where fish often hide in corals.

• Electrofishing is a new, non-invasive method of catching fish. It involves passing electric currents through water, prompting a fish to be lured to the source of the current, then disabling it for the moment so that it may be harvested. Electrofishing, though relatively simple, needs skill to assure that no unintended animals will be harmed.

Fishing is always an exciting and relaxing activity – and it can lead to a delicious dinner too! If it is done with minimal damage to the environment, then there will surely be enough fish left for fishing to endure in the generations to come.

Khieng ‘Ken‘ Chho - Online Fishing Resources. For more, visit Ken’s website: http://fishing.1w3b.com/

In the hustle and bustle of day to day living in the 21st century, many people have their eyes open for activities that provide a much needed break from rushed routines. In this regard, when it comes to a sport that can be enjoyed by all members of a family, many people turn to fly fishing. Fly fishing has enjoyed continuous popularity with people of all ages — from senior citizens to children who have barely learned to walk.

What many people do not realize is that fly fishing is actually an ancient form of angling. In other words, fly fishing has been around for thousands of years. Initially, fly fishing was developed primarily by ancient peoples to catch trout and salmon. However, as the centuries progressed, fly fishing came to be used to catch other types of fish, including carp, bass and pike. Indeed, in this day and age, fly fishing as a technique even is used in salt water fishing in certain circumstances.

The reason that so many people enjoy fly fishing is really twofold or on two distinct levels. First of all, people obviously like actually taking off to a lake, pond or stream to cast for fish. However, a good many men, women and children also enjoy the preparatory process of making flies. For many people, fly tying is a much loved activity.

The making of flies to be used in fly fishing really has developed into something of a specialized art form. Certainly, the creation of flies has become an important hobby and past time enjoyed by people the world over. Over time, there have developed organizations dedicated to fly tying. Additionally, specialized schools favoring different types of fly tying have been created, drawing adherents from all across the globe.

During ancient times, fishers would craft flies using animal fur and bird feathers. Their goal was to create a fly that looked similar to insects and the like that fish naturally were attracted to as food. While the purpose of the handcrafted fly has not changed over time, the materials that are used to create flies has broadened greatly. In today’s world, the materials that people use in the crafting of handmade flies is limited only by imagination.

A notable number of families actually plan an annual vacation or holiday trip around fly fishing. They plot out travel plans that will take them to one or even several different fishing spots where they can spend truly quality time together fishing. In recent years, a number of resorts have been developed specifically for families who are interested in taking a fly fishing holiday.

With that said and when all is said and done, a family interested in fly fishing does not need to plan a grand holiday to enjoy the sport. Rather, they can spend a perfect day casting about in a local lake, pond or stream and create truly appreciated, fond memories for all — memories that will be cherished for years on end.

Written by Shell Gellner
A Great Place For Discount Sporting Goods
http://www.rifles-n-rods.com

Fall is by far one of the best times to fish any smallmouth lake. This is a great time to catch your limit of big fish.

Smallies like to stock up ahead for winter, a time when they are not as likely to get a belly full of shad or whatever baitfish is available in that lake.

So, the key is to locate baitfish. That’s where you will find the smallies.

Your focus in the fall will not be much different than in the spring. Set your sites on shallow shelves adjacent to deeper water (flats that drop sharply), also rocky humps and shoals with patches of grass mixed in.

Fish can be at any depth, but you will mostly want to look in 8 to 12 feet of water in the fall.

This is going to be a bit hit and miss because smallmouths gather in big schools of up to 50 fish. So if you don’t find them quickly, move on.

The best baits for this method are spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and hard jerkbaits fished quickly. These allow you to cover a lot of water fast. Keep the lure just under the surface.

When you do nail one and suspect there are more to be had, but they have refused your original offer, try using a slower moving bait like a soft plastic tube.

Work the area slowly and completely. Follow-up is extremely important to catching the maximum amount of fish from an area.

Once you have found them, you don’t want to leave any of them behind.

—-
By Bobby Ivie

Bobby Ivie is an avid fishman and owner of Fishing-Hunting-Camping.com. He makes the biggest part of his living on the Internet, NetBizWorkshop.net

This article may be reprinted as long as this source box is added and the source box hyperlinks are kept intact.
—-

It was time to leave Cooper Landing, and the friendly confines of “Camp Yuppie Fisher”.

It was time to head for Homer.

That’s Alaska not Simpson.

We had pre booked a Halibut trip out of Homer, the “end of the road” as Alaskans like to refer to it, but were a little concerned about the weather. We had heard of trips cancelled the same day we went Silver fishing with Alaskas’ very own “guide from hell” –Oscar the apron wearing Grouch. The trip was set up for Friday,and since this was Thursday, we had a full day to run amok, unchained, and unsupervised on the Kenai Peninsula.

What to do? Hmmm… I know!! Let’s go find somewhere to fish!!

There was a lot of real estate between Cooper Landing and Homer and that meant alot of rivers, streams, and creeks.Before leaving “Camp Yuppie Fisher” we asked around if anyone had fished much on the rivers between Soldotna and Homer, and evidently most of the Kenai guides were “homers” and didn’t fish many waters that didn’t feed off their home river.

We grabbed maps and hoped to find a river that had a little better Silver run going on, since the Kenai run had not really showed up yet. Other than that,we would just explore the 120 miles between destinations.

Off we went in the Chevy Malibu fishmobile we had rented, in search of our own Alaskan river.

The problem with doing your own self guided fishing trip in an unknown territory, is the “scout time” involved when trying to decide the where’s and how’s. Past rivers like the Kasilof(too big), the Ninilchik(too small), Deep Creek( too fishless), we would hop out and check out fishability of each river that had looked hopeful on the map. Finally we reached the Anchor river, and this one looked juuusssst right. Plenty of access, fish present, and a nice managable flow of water.

AND the Silvers were in!!

Not alot of Silvers, but they were there. So were Pinks and rumor has it, some Steelhead.

Greg and I found a nice access point and saw a few fishermen working a nice pool filled with Salmon. Then I saw a fly fisherman walking back upstream with a chrome bright Silver dangling by his side and had my usual reaction. With big eyes and the excitement of a Labrador retriever I ran to meet the fisherman halfway back and gave him a hearty greeting.

I refrained from wagging my tail and sticking my “muzzle” up the backside of his waders, although I am not above that if it means I am going to catch chrome bright Silvers!!

Anyway, the fish was at least twelve pounds, and I had already used my stealth CIA like moves to shift my eyes from fish to fly in order to unlock the mystery of the Anchor river Salmon hatch.

It’s usually much more fun to feel like you have covertly discovered what to use on an unknown river, so when the fishermen said: ” use any green wooly bugger or pink fly”, I felt my James Bond glow fade away.

That was enough chit chat for me. I was off to the car to get suited up for battle.

Greg decided he was going to scout out what the back of his eyelids looked like, so I would be stalking Silvers solo.

I waded across the Anchor river,spying on Salmon that were moving up over the shallow rocks just below the big pool, mainly Pinks were heading up, but I could spot several Silvers in the big pool. The three or four fishermen that were working the pool were tossing lures, and occasionally they would snag a Pink.

I walked upstream about fifty yards above the big pool and decided to work the far bank where I had seen some Salmon rolling. About sixty yards further upstream another fly fisherman had hooked into a nice fish, and when I saw bright silver leaping from the water I knew what it meant.

It meant I was getting impatient–and I hadn’t even casted yet!

I tied on the new “rock star” of our Alaskan fishing trip-Pink Floyd- and within minutes had…what else…..a nice Humpy hooked.

That was nice, but I was after PURE SILVER BABY!!

I decided to go “green” and pulled out a green leech pattern that works pretty well for Steelhead on the North Umpqua in Oregon.

For about thirty minutes I had nothing, even though I was casting right over the slot where all the fish were rolling.

The Anchor river this time of year is more of a large creek and is easily wadable and quite fisherman friendly. In fact in most places if you happened to snag a branch or get hung up on a rock, you could wade right over and pull yourself free.

Not wanting to lose one of the few “green flies” I had–I exercised this option a couple of times.

I worked the slot up and down and then suddenly my line stopped. Like any Steelhead fisherman would do I set the hook.

Watch out!!

The line came tight and this time there were shoulders pulling back beneath the surface. Then the line peeled off in the direction of the underwater bearer of broad shoulders, and then out of the water flew the prettiest sight, a big beautiful Silver. Tail dancing across the surface once and then twice, I held tight and let the rod and reel do it’s stuff. It reminded me of Steelhead fishing and for the next fifteen minutes I was in fishing bliss as I fought that bright Salmon.

This fish was worth the price of admission.

If I had only caught one fish in Alaska, I would have wanted it to be this fish.

Self guided, existing fly out of my fly box, chrome bright fish on a river I had no idea had even existed before this afternoon and best of all, no grumpy burnt out guide around to get uptight and start mentioning tipping!!

Now I knew why most people like to catch Silvers up on the rivers in Alaska,especially on flys!!

By the time Greg figured out the inside of his eyelids pretty much look the same in Alaska as they do anywhere, I had a nice bright twelve to fourteen pound Silver clubbed and on the rocks.

I don’t smoke, but if I had a cigarette right then and there, I might have lit up–I was that satisfied!!

Whatever that means?

I fished for another half hour and caught another Humpy, but the fishing had slowed down and most people had left already. I was O.K. with that also–because this was a bonus fish and we were headed to Homer for some Halibut fishing…

to be continued…

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

Fishing boats have come a long way since the days when you had to purchase the large metal or wood boat with the massive gas guzzling motors attached.

Now even though these boats are still popular, some fishing enthusiasts are searching for alternatives to this expensive investment, and are now turning to the inflatable fishing boat, also known as the fishing kayak.

Kayak fishing has grown in popularity for individuals that enjoy the peace and tranquility of their favorite fishing spots, which allow them to get away from the traditionally hectic areas that attract the large amounts of fishermen and women. These congested areas such as the large lakes and rivers, bring many sport fishing boats that are bulky, noisy, and in most cases they smell of gas and oil.

With many inflatable boats and catamarans that can easily set-up in minutes, the fisherman can quickly stroll down their newly found winding trails, and hit their secret spots in no time to enjoy the un-chartered territories that supply unlimited fish resources.

The angler has much more on their catch agenda, and as the sport fisherman becomes more in tune with his/her environment, it only makes sense that obtaining a watercraft that is safe and non-polluting to our world is an added bonus.

Many inflatable fishing vessels are lightweight and only require a small electric motor to navigate through the water. This keeps the lakes clean, and offers you the added flexibility to get to your recreational fishing area quickly, so you can take advantage of the surplus of fish available!

Sports Fishing Should Be Fun And Affordable, Not A Second Mortgage!

Unless you’re a professional, and you enter many sport fishing tournaments, we believe that most individuals want to enjoy themselves without having to pay thousands of dollars for sports related boats that are only for entertainment.

Online Outfitters have taken the time to cater to this type of boat fishing need! They have designed many inflatable-fishing boats that range from small dinghies to large catamaran boats that can carry many persons and gear. Depending on what you’re looking for, these boats are all made with rugged materials, and can be customized with all the top fishing accessories to make your angling experience the most enjoyable on the waters.

If you’re really serious about getting your hands on one of these fishing vessels, you can easily go online and search for your desired boat in minutes. Once you have chosen the right one that fits your style and budget, the next step is to get more information, or take advantage of the online inflatable boat supplier’s trial period. This offer is very rare in the retail outfitter industry, and if you can find a local company willing to do this, jump on the chance to take one out and give it a try.

What better way to test out the inflatable fishing kayak or catamaran, to see if it achieves all your outdoor requirements! Remember, even though these crafts are not as expensive as the traditional fishing boats, they still are an investment in your future fishing adventures, and will play a large part in your leisure activity for many years to come.

About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable fishing boats! Read great article information and tips on many fishing boat styles, including kayaks for fishing, catamarans, and inflatable boats in a variety of sizes that can handle many persons, fishing gear, and outboard motors for a flexible and convenient outdoor adventure.

Why practice Catch and Release fishing? The fish population, and the size of the fish caught, have been on a steady decline for a number of years. This is due to the advancement of ice fishing technologies. Gadgets and advancements to other ice fishing equipment are making it much easier to catch fish in everyday ice fishing spots. However, we are seeing more and more anglers returning the majority of their catch to the water. While no one can deny the fact that a nice hot fish dinner after an ice fishing trip is very rewarding, most fishers are enjoying fishing for the sport, not for the food.

Another common practice used in combination with catch and release is called ‘selective harvest.’ This is the practice of minimizing the waste of fish, and providing a diverse opportunity for fishing while preserving fish conservation. The easiest way to do this is to practice catch and release. Only keep what you will definitely use. While catching and keeping the fish as a prize can bring you great joy, so can the release of the fish. This ensures that there will be fish for you to catch in the future. Releasing smaller fish also helps ensure there will be large fish in the water for spawning. Using the catch and release techniques means the fish will be in peak physical condition, and size, when you decide to keep a catch for food in the future.

All fishermen should keep the conservation of fish at the tops of their minds. Whether you fish for food, pure recreation, or for sport, when the fish are gone, there’s no more fishing. And with an increasing number of anglers reaching both highly accessible and more remote areas, conservation is becoming increasingly important.

There are also some more exact reasons to practice catch and release. Many water bodies now require you to catch and release. Also, as mentioned, physical conditions of the fish caught play a role. There is no reason to keep small fish, as these fish will grow, and ultimately produce more fish. There are also regulations in place for catch limits, zero catch limits and season restrictions which demand the use of catch and release.

Catch and release, and selective harvesting of fish guarantees the continued growth of fish populations and your continued enjoyment of fishing.

Find fishing information on a wide variety of subjects at Fishing-Source.net, including; habitats, fish spec sheets, fishing equipment and more.

Have you ever thought why fishing timbers is so productive? Well, for one, most anglers don’t want to fish them because they’re afraid of losing a $5.00 lure. This makes it better for us that are willing to take the risk. Sure, you get those who will throw a spinnerbait on the top of the timber but the fish are in the timber. You need to throw crankbaits or pitch a tube or jig to catch the fish. Most of the fish never see a spinnerbait. Also everyone knows that the bass will use that cover to break free if they can, again losing a lure in some cases.

So, how do you know where to fish in a lake full of trees? Well, you don’t pay attention to the trees to start with and look for structure below the surface. Creek channels are a good place to start. They are the freeways for bass. Look for points, road beds and bends. In the spring look for spawning areas. So, the first step in fishing trees is to use your topo map and depth finder. Once you fish an area throughly, then use the map and depth finder to find other places like where you caught fish. You will want to pay attention to the season too, different patterns for different seasons. Find cover that hold a variety of cover not just one type.

Trees that have vegetation nearby, different types of trees, trees by drop-offs are are good places to fish. If you have all standing timber and see one tree laying down in the water, then by all means fish the laydown throughly. Pine trees aren’t really a good place to start, maybe they give off a scent but bass don’t seem to like them very well. On the other hand cedar and oak are both good trees to fish.

Try fishing with a squared lipped crankbait that will reflect and have erratic movement when it hits something. Try flippin and pitchin a jig or tube. Get down to where the fish are, if you’re not getting hung up, then you probably aren’t where the fish are located. Once you start catching fish in timber then pay attention to the depth you catch the fish at, most of the time they stay in the same depth range in timber.

Fish timber, it’s productive, find the bottom structure you need and get down to where the fish are.

Charles has fished for bass for almost 50 years. He has fished from Florida to California and has caught more than 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is 12 pounds 14 ounces. Charles has owned two tackle stores in his lifetime. He now resides in Ohio. Charles is webmaster for: http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

The Low Down On Worms

We all know that plastic worms are one of the most productive lures there are, but did you know certain worms have special uses? I have a whole tackle box with nothing but plastic worms in it, hundreds of them!

Here is what I use a certain worm for:

Floating Worm…I use this worm in shallow water and mainly in the spring. I use no weight whatsoever and like to use it when the fish just start thinking about spawning.

Stick Worm…..I use this worm in 60-70 degree water. If you use it whacky style it will vibrate on both ends.

Paddle Tail…..This is one of my favorite shallow water lures. When I fish vegetation I use long casts and just reel it back in slowly.

Gator Tail…This is also a shallow water worm that I use in the summer. It’s also great on streams and rivers.

Curly Tail….I use this worm in the summer around stumps, docks, timber, lily pads and it’s one of my favorite when I fish deep water to 20 feet.

Straight Tail…This is one of my favorites for docks, timber and brush. I have found it doesn’t wrap around brush like most worms do.

French Fry….I always carolina rig a french fry and use it in clearer water. The action of this is amazing when you move your line and the weight comes up the line.

Ribbon Tail…I read about 30 years ago of people fishing with a 10 inch ribbontail at night. I’m here to tell you this works, I have caught some nice bass on a big ribbontail. I use a regular ribbontail when fishing 10-15 feet of water too.

If you like to worm fish now, try some of the types of worms above for specific conditions. I think you’ll like the results.

Charles E. White has fished for bass for almost 50 years. He has fished from
Florida to California and has caught more than 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His
biggest bass is 12 pounds 14 ounces.

Charles has owned two tackle stores in his lifetime and taught dozens of people to fish for bass.

He now resides in Ohio.
Charles is webmaster for: www.bassfishingweekly.com