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Fishing Equipment
De-winterizing Your Boat
Waking up your boat after a long hibernation is an
anticipated chore we all eagerly await. There's no better feeling come
spring than hearing the engine smoothly purr for the first time - ready
to breathe life into another full season on the water.
Bucktail
Spinnerbait Restoration, Repair and Modification
Musky tackle takes a beating and I have yet to meet one angler who pampers
their equipment. The fact is, baits wear down and eventually need
maintenance to get them back into trophy-catching shape. This article will
focus on repairing bucktail spinnerbaits, looking at: tying bucktail,
replacing blades, hooks and wire bodies, and painting components. Let's
start with the most complex, how-to tie bucktail.
Spinnerbaits:
The Swiss Army Knife Of Lures
There aren't many pieces of water in Ontario that don't have either
smallmouth or pike in them. In a lot of cases, largemouth, walleyes and
muskies are also available. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a single family
of lures to cast and troll for all of the above? What if it solidly hooked
the biters, came through all kinds of cover cleanly and was safe and easy
for releasing fish?
Local Lure
Manufacturers
I was one of many anglers wandering the isles at The Valley Fishing and
Outdoors Show in Carp, Ontario in early April. I enjoy going to shows to
check out the latest tackle in anticipation for the upcoming season. What
really caught my eye this year were some of the Ontario-made, hand-poured
plastic baits available. There was an array of baits in many of the
booths. Tubes, worms, shads, craws and many others were available in
various colour combinations and sizes.
Local Lure
Manufacturers - Part Two
Last year I wrote an article for this newsletter on local lure makers.
Since penning that piece, I've continued to look for even more great bait
makers residing close to my home town. Here's the scoop on three
Ottawa-area lure makers you might want to consider contacting to fill a
void in your tackle box for the upcoming season.
Fishing Rod
Totes and Carrying Systems
A common trait among anglers is the enthusiasm we share when it comes to
buying rods. Rods for spinning, baitcasting and trolling applications.
Rods for jigs, topwaters, cranks and worms. If truth were known, we really
have more rods than we can shake a stick at!
A Case for
Quality Nets
To me there's nothing wrong with keeping the occasional fish for the
table; however, most of my fish I release. Catch and release has been a
mainstream practice for the past few decades. Most anglers are familiar
with the basics of how to play, handle, and release a fish to ensure the
best chances of post-release recovery. One tool that will keep
catch-and-release procedures safe for you and the fish is a quality net.
Tricks of the
Trade for Trailers
Whether it is to pull a boat or transport an ATV, the majority of outdoor
folk rely heavily on trailers to get their equipment from point A to B.
Most of us know the reasoning behind ramp etiquette, as well as the
importance of hitch strength and ball size. But what about the real
nitty-gritty, the tricks of the trade that can only be gained through
years of pulling on the road? This guide showcases some of the tips I've
learnt over the seasons, which have helped make my trailering more
enjoyable and worry-free.
Live-Bait and
Hook-Selection Primer
Since the inception of angling, live bait has been a hands-down winner. No
matter what lure or fly you tie on your line, duplicating nature is a
formidable task. Although an artificial lure might resemble and even act
like the true prey of fish, the texture, taste, and movement of real food
can seldom be beat.
From The Truck
to The Fishing Hole and Back
Cold-Weather Safety and Comfort Gear For Late Fall Fishing. Some
fishing gets better and better the later and later fall goes on. I'm not
talking about the trips where you might pack an extra sweater or rain suit
in the weeks after Labour Day. To me, late fall means trailering your boat
on roads that may be snow-covered or icy, really cold weather and
sometimes, really rough water. The leaves are long gone. Launch ramps are
often frozen. The docks are up on shore. Fishing aside, there are going to
be days where simply launching or loading your boat presents the biggest
challenge. And once you get out there, minor equipment details and extras
really take on extra importance.
I Tried
Fluorocarbon Leaders.
About this time last year, I decided to really start experimenting with
fluorocarbon leaders. I wanted to see how well the stuff held up, and if
there really were any noticeable advantages. I picked up a few spools from
different manufacturers, and started tying them and fishing them right
away. Once muskie season opens, that's all I fish for. But from ice-in
until the end of June, I used my new leaders for everything from lakers to
crappie, from four to eighty pound test.
Vexilar Upkeep
Eager to move, the angler quickly packed his gear, grabbed the rope to his
portable hut, and walked over to another hole several feet away. Upon
arrival, he turned, looking back to see that his flasher and a rod had
fallen out of the sled. "The walk was only a few yards, what were the
odds?" he thought. Is this angler you?
Trusting Tip
Ups
In ice fishing a lot of the spotlight has recently focused on run-and-gun
tactics with jigging rods. Yet in the shadow of this approach lurks a
tried-and-true technique that fools hundreds of fish each season -
tip-ups. Tip-ups are sometimes perceived as a secondary, or lesser, method
for ice fishing. However, when properly used these presentations can be
extremely successful, sometimes out-fishing jigging rods.
Fillet Knife
Facts!
There's nothing more satisfying to an angler than enjoying a home-cooked
meal of fresh caught fish. The aromas, the taste, and that prerequisite
feeling of fullness should be icing on the cake to an otherwise productive
day spent on the water. Now, actually catching those fish is always a hit
and miss possibility. Using the right tools to prepare your catch,
however, should essentially be a no-brainer.
A Case for
Quality Hooks
As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The
same logic can be applied to fishing tackle. Many of us won't hesitate to
buy quality reels, rods, line or lures, but for some reason hooks often
seem to get the short-end of our spending stick. Perhaps it's their
simplicity or small-size that results in anglers avoiding investing the
cash for quality hooks, but they're one of the most important pieces of
fishing gear you'll own.
Does Size
Really Matter?
No matter what kind of fish an angler targets, deciding on the appropriate
size of bait or lure to toss can often be a difficult decision. Whether it
is fishing for largemouth bass, walleye, musky, or even perch, the
question always comes up: "What size lure should I use?"
Anchors Away!
From the basic "cement-in-a-bucket" to the tried-and-true fluke or
grapnel, anchors come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. No matter
what size boat you skim across your favourite lake in, having an anchor on
board assures safe boating, while also permitting the angler to have a
controlled and drift-free fishing excursion.
Breaking the
Boat Out for Spring
I honestly think there's a direct correlation between melting snow and the
increasing need for anglers to get on the water. Just consider how many
countless hours you, or your friends, have spent sharpening hooks,
organizing and reorganizing your tackle box, and the cash you spend on
pre-season shopping for supplies. But here's a question: how many of you
take the time to properly prepare your boat for the upcoming season?
There's no better place to invest your anxious energy than boat and
trailer tune-ups and tinkering. Here's a list of some things you should do
before you hit the water this season.
Gear and Gadgets
Having the right tools, and knowing how to use them, are the greatest
assets a person can have in order to become a more proficient angler.
Fishing has become more specialized over the years, and following the
trends and learning to adapt are key to putting more fish in the boat.
Making Your
Own Wire Leaders
The transition between open- and hard-water fishing can be a painful wait
for anglers. We sharpen hooks, tie flies, and organize our tackle boxes.
Why not add making wire leaders to your list of things to do. In this
article I discuss how to make single-strand wire leaders. Although leaders
are nothing more than a section of wire with loops holding snaps and
swivels, it is the forming of the loops that is crucial.
Trolling
Motor Maintenance
The electric trolling motor is one of the greatest pieces of technology in
sport fishing today. Although relatively low-maintenance in design, these
motors do require attention now-and-then to ensure they're working
properly. Neglect to perform regular checks and you'll find yourself
temporarily without a motor and coughing up cash for repairs or a new
model.
Staying
Warm when Cold Weather Fishing
In autumn and winter anglers should ensure they are properly dressed for
cold weather conditions. I'm astounded, and slightly envious, of the
anglers I see wearing jeans who are able to fish the entire day in cold
temperatures. Although they tough it out, I'm confident they would be more
comfortable if outfitted with proper clothing and were dressed in layers.
Choosing the right clothing, along with accessories that will help keep
you warm, is an important consideration when heading out fishing because
if you're not comfortable, you're not mentally focused and you'll miss
fish - it's that simple.
De-Mystifying Fly Fishing
I remember the first time I saw someone fly fishing. I think I was five
years old. My father, my sister and I had back packed to a remote alpine
lake. My trusty Zebco with the closed face push button casting reel, cork
bobber and jar of Puatzke’s, among my gear I couldn’t live without.
Positioned on a log vigilently eyeing my bobber for movement, a one-man
raft paddled past, and in no time the occupant was making wild movements
with the longest fishing pole ever. Mesmerized, I watched his graceful
movements like he was a black belt martial arts expert. When my father
came to check on me, I asked about him, my dad said he was fly fishing, a
couple of other fishermen gathered to discuss this exotic art. All agreed
it was a superior art form requiring more time than any one of us had to
learn, let alone master. I tried to study my bobber with earnest after
that, but it never seemed to hold the same pull it once had.
Buying a
Baitcaster
One of the most revolutionary products to hit the fishing scene has to be
the baitcasting reel. Different in so many aspects from the spinning reel,
anglers were now able to use heavier line and cast bigger lures, all
without the associated problems that earlier reels contained. But where do
you start in your search for a baitcast reel? The options and components
can be bewildering to a novice at heart, but learning the simple
characteristics that make a quality reel, will enable you to choose and
perfect your baitcasting skills this coming season.
Choosing
the Right Trolling Motor
Trolling motors have long revolutionized the sport of fishing. Anglers
in-the-know can now have total control over their craft at all times,
allowing them to fish precise areas and spots that seemed only a dream in
the past. With this added control comes one definite plus - more fish in
the boat. Jump on the trolling motor bandwagon, and figure out which one
is the right pick for you and your boat.
Spinning
Reel Maintenance
Reel maintenance is often overlooked by anglers and negligence leads to
damaged gear that can fail under pressure. This article is an overview of
spinning reel maintenance. To get the details on reel upkeep, I contacted
Steve Gribbon, owner of Reel to Reel Plus, a fishing reel and rod repair
company in Stittsville, Ontario.
Spring
Cleaning Your Fishing Equipment
As we bid farewell to winter and look to beckon in spring, anglers
everywhere begin to ready their equipment for the upcoming season. When it
comes to importance, the tools you use to catch fish can make or break
your day when out on the water. With this thought in mind, I've devised
this simple checklist for getting your gear ready and in top condition for
the most optimum performance and security. (Kind of like spring cleaning
the house, but much more enjoyable and rewarding!)
Five Tips
for Buying Boat Insurance
Buying boat insurance can be challenging for
any boater. That's because unlike auto insurance, boat insurance policies
are not standardized-coverage can vary widely for the same boat depending
on who sold the policy and how informed a buyer you are. But the smart
boater can make the right insurance choices with these "Top Five Tips for
Buying Boat Insurance".
Choosing
The Right Fishing Line
The strongest, and most fragile link you have
between yourself and a fish is undoubtedly your fishing line. Choosing an
inferior product in order to save a few bucks, or picking the wrong style
for the type of fishing you do, can lead to heartbreak when out on the
water. So what are the best lines to choose and when should you use them?
The following will hopefully explain the subtleties of the common "fishing
line."
Prepare
Your Fishing Gear for the Winter
As an angler, one of the things I
least look forward to is preparing my fishing rods and tackle for storage
over the long winter to come. Last year I put my gear in the basement and
basically forgot about it. I guess I was hoping there would be one more
fishing trip, unfortunately I had no such luck.
End
Weighting Means Control
Control wins in NASCAR. The ability to draft
and “trade paint” while jockeying for position. The dominance of one team
over another. Control is an underlying force that breeds success in
everything we do, fishing included. We see it in skilled fly anglers as
they strip line and precariously place poppers in the pads. In seasoned
jiggers, as they deftly tick lead across rocks and timber without
snagging, yet remain able to decipher the slight nip of a walleye.
Surprising to some, though, might be the fact that control is equally as
meaningful to a bobber fisherman.
Boat
Winterization Saves Headaches Next Spring
I don't want to be the
bearer of bad news, but it's that time again. The leaves are starting to
change colour, there is frost in the air, and snow in the weather
forecast. It's time to start thinking about winterizing you boat. With a
little time and effort you can keep your boat from becoming a maintenance
nightmare next spring.
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