River Fishing Tips

Welcome to our section on river fishing tips. The goal of this section is to educate both novice and expert fishermen on how to improve their river fishing skills.

Natural Fishing Bait

Good freshwater natural fishing baits include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers.

Resep Umpan Kukus Ikan Mas Empang Harian

Berikut ini adalah pengalaman mancing saya di empang ikan mas harian pake umpan putih kukus, umpan ini sangat azip.

Tips dan Trik Mancing Ikan Mas Galatama

Untuk meningkatkan kepekaan gigitan ikan mas, gunakan kenur super.

Mengenal Karakter Ikan Mas Dalam Memancing

Bila kita sering memancing ikan dan ditanya “Bagaimana mengenal karakter ikan dalam memancing ikan mas?”.

Friday, 20 June 2014

Mengenal Berbagai Jenis Umpan Pancing

Para pemancing mania tentunya mengenal dan mengetahui bagaimana cara membuatumpan pancingyang baik. Bergantung para pemancing, mau memancing ikan dimana, di laut atau di sungai? Berbeda tempat dan air maka berbeda pula karakteristik bahan untuk membuat umpan memancing ikan. Umpan ini bergantung pada model pancingnya, peralatan yang di gunakan, dan ikan yang menjadi targetnya.

Olahraga memancing termasuk olahraga rekreasi yang di gemari para pemancing mania dan orang biasa pada umumnya. Memancing dilakukan sebagai penghilang kepenatan dan kesibukan beraktivitas tiap harinya. Olahraga ini bisa dilakukan di akhir pekan dengan keluarga maupun bersama teman. Selain itu, bisa juga dilakukan bersama dengan komunitas mancing mania.

Para pemancing ini sebelum melakukan aktivitasnya selalu menyiapkan umpan pancing menurut tempatnya memancing. Dalam memancing, harus dibedakan menurut tempatnya, yaitu memancing ikan dari lautan atau ikan dari air tawar. Oleh karena itu, umpan pancing yang di gunakanpun berbeda karena tidak sama habitat ikan yang hidup didalamnya.

Jika memancing dilakukan di laut, belum tentu ikan saja yang di dapat, tetapi bisa juga mendapatkan buruan yang lain seperti lobster, kepiting, rajungan, penyu, cumi-cumi, maupun gurita. Adapun memancing di air tawar bisa mendapatkan belut, kepiting air tawar, udang, dan masih banyak lagi. Selebihnya olahraga memancing tetaplah menarik walau tidak mendapatkan ikan sekalipun.

Dalam memacing kita harus mampu memlih umpan pancing yang baik dan sesuai dengan selera ikan yang akan kita pancing nantinya. Dalam memilih kategori untuk umpan terbagi manjadi dua, yaitu umpan alami dan umpan tiruan. Umpan merupakan bagaian dari alat pancing yang gunanya untuk membuat ikan tertarik untuk memakannya.

Umpan Pancing Bahan Alami

Umpan alami adalah umpan pancing yang bahannya berasal dari makluk hidup. Pada umumnya pemancing mengunakan cacing sebagai umpannya, dan umpan ini hanya bisa di pakai ketika memancing di air tawar. Sebenarnya, memancing ikan tidak harus memakai cacing tetapi bsia memakai umpan yang lain disesuaikan dengan letak wilayah peraiaran dan jenis ikan yang hidup didalamnya.

Di sini akan di sebutkan sedikit banyak umpan yang sering di pakai oleh para pemancing selain cacing, yaitu:

• Ikan

Ikan adalah umpan yang sering di pakai pemancing ketika berada di lautan lepas, di perairan air tawar juga bisa seperti danau dan sungai pada umumnya. Ikan yang di pakai bisa ikan hidup atau ikan yang sudah mati, bergantung keadaan. Dengan memakai umpan ikan yang masih hidup kita bisa memperoleh pemangsa lebih cepat karena ikan hidup lebih cepat dalam menarik perhatian ikan pemangsa.

Adapun dengan memakai ikan yang sudah mati gerakan umpannya pasif karena tidak bisa bergerak dan ikan pemangsapun jarang yang mau mengejar untuk memakannya. Mengunakan ikan mati bisa di lakukan dengan memakai teknik yang benar seperti teknik pancing pelampung atau teknik seret sehingga ikan akan bergerak mengikuti gerakan pelampung.Itulah yang akan menarik perhatian ikan pemangsa nantinya.

• Udang

Umpan pancing ini sering dipakai pemancing ketika di laut atau di muara sungai. Jenis ikan yang terletak di dua habitat ini begitu mengemari udang sebagai makanannya sehingga cocok kalau mengunakan udang sebagai umpan memancing.

• Cumi dan Sejenis Sotong

Cumi dan sotong merupakan pilihan alternatif umpan yang baik bagi pemancing di tengah lautan. Umpan ini begitu disukai ikan-ikan pemangsa. Sebagai umpan, cumi dan sotong lebih awet digunakan dan mempunyai daging yang lebih ulet dan alot. Kalau tidak di makan habis oleh ikan yang kita dapatkan, cumi dan sotong yang masih bagus keadaannya bisa kita pakai lagi sebagai umpan sehingga lebih hemat.

Umpan Pancing Bahan Buatan

Bahan dan bentuk dari umpan buatan ini memiliki nama yang bervariasi. Umpan buatan ini secara karakteristik dibuat menyerupai ikan atau cumi-cumi bergantung ikan mana yang mau kita pancing. Umpan buatan ini ketika dipakai mampu bergerak layaknya ikan atau cumi-cumi yang masih hidup dengan catatan kita harus mengunakan teknik tertentu untuk mengerakannya.

Untuk menggerakannya, bisa memakai teknik seret atau mengunakan perahu yang bergerak.Ada juga produsen yang membuat umpan pancing buatan ini dengan teknik tertentu seperti suara untuk menganggu ataupun menarik ikan untuk mendekat dan memakannya.

Jenis-jenis umpan ini bermacam-macam tipenya, antara lain:
  • Green Highlanderuntuk memancing salmon
  • CapellaatauSquid Jigbisa untuk ikan marlin
  • Lureuntuk ikan apa saja
  • Inchikuuntuk memancing ikan dasar
Masih banyak lagi jenis umpan buatan ini, semua bergantung bagaimana Anda mengunakan untuk memancing ikan sesuai dengan habitat hidupnya.

Memasang Umpan Pancing Terbaik Memancing di Laut

Cara meramu umpan pancing ini menjadi umpan yang sesuai selera ikan yang kita pancing itu butuh pengalaman yang lama. Namun, bagi pemula tidak perlu pesimis karena pengetahuan tentang pengolahan umpan ini bisa di dapatkan dimana-mana. Selain pengetahuan bagaimana meramu umpan yang baik ini, kita juga akan mengetahui bagaimana cara memancing yang baik.

Umpan disini haruslah mampu menarik ikan untuk memakannya. Berikut ini ada beberapa teknik memasang umpan pada kail dan umpan yang baik di gunakan memancing di laut:

1. Memasang ikan hidup dengan mengunakan dua kail

Memasang ikan pada kail dilakukan dengan mengunakan dua kail sebagai pengikatnya atau mengunakan dua mata kail. Ikan yang di gunakan sebagai umpan haruslah ikan hidup sehingga ikan pemangsa langsung tertarik untuk memakannya.

2. Memasang umpan pada pelampung berbentuk balon

Memasang umpan pada mata kail dan mengunakan teknik pemasangan mengunakan pelampung berbentuk balon. Gunanya untuk menghanyutkan kail mengikuti arus sehingga ikan akan mendekati kail yang berisi umpan.

3. Memasang umpan dengan ikan hidup pada satu mata kail

Memasangkan ikan pada satu mata kail, ikan yang dipasang harus dalam keadaan hidup sehingga ketika dipasang pada kail ikan masih bisa bergerak dan itulah yang akan menarik pemangsa untuk mengejar dan memakannya.

4. Memasang potongan umpan pada dua mata kail

Potongan ikan dipasang dengan mengunakan dua mata kail sehingga ketika ikan pemangsa memakannya bisa terkena salah satunya atau bisa kena kedua-duanya.

5. Memasang umpan sotong dengan dua mata kail

Sotong dikaitkan pada mata dua mata kail dalam satu bagian sehingga pemangsa akan memakan ketika melihatnya.

6. Memasang umpan dengan dua kail melalui teknik ikatan ganda
Kail diikat dengan mengunakan ikatan ganda sehingga ketika ikan memakan umpan tali pancing bisa bergerak naik turun mengikuti ikatan tali. Pemasangan ikatan harus kuat, jadi ketika ikan menariknya tidak akan putus.

7. Memasang umpan pada kail yang diberi pemberat
Hal ini berguna untuk menguatkan tali utama pada pancingan sehingga ketika ikan besar memakan umpan pada kail, tali tidak akan putus.

8. Memasang sotong pada satu kail dengan jahitan
Memasang sotong pada mata kail, tetapi dengan metode menjahitkan mata kail dengan benang tali kail searah sehingga ketika pemangsa memakannya, mata kail langsung mengenai mulut ikan.

9. Memasang potongan sotong dengan dua mata kail searah
Potongan sotong pada bagian kepala di pasang dua mata kail searah, sehingga ketika ikan memakannya tidak akan lolos ketika satu kail lain seumpama terlepas.

10. Memasang potongan ikan dengan satu mata kail
Irisan ikan dipasang dengan satu mata kail dengan teknik di jahit searah sehingga mata kail tersembunyi dalam potongan ikan.

11. Memasang umpan dengan ikan hidup pada dua mata kail dan batu pemberat

Mata kail di beri pemberat sehingga akan menguatkan dua tali utama yang terdapat 2 mata kail.Inilah teknik memasangumpan pancingsesuai dengan umpan dan mata kailnya. Umumnya, para pemancing mania mengunakan teknik-teknik ini ketika melakukan olahraga pancing di lautan. Olahraga memancing memang mengasyikan untuk melepaskan ketegangan, apalagi kalau mendapatkan tangkapan yang besar. Mari, kita memancing kawan!


Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Umpan jitu ikan Mas harian/lomba/kilo gebrus

Umpan Jitu ikan mas harian/lomba/kilo gebrus...sudah banyak yang memberikan berbagai macam umpan ikan mas jitu tapi rasanya kurang lengkap jika saya tidak menambahkan...berbagi pengalaman saja berdasarkan hasil yang memuaskan jika saya menggunakan umpan berikut ini.:
Umpan Jitu ikan mas 1.

Bahan :
  1. Telur bebek/ayam 2-3 butir
  2. Susu bubuk sachet 2 bungkus
  3. Margarin 2 sendok makan
  4. Kroto 1 ons (tambahan) karena tanpa kroto pun hasil cukup memuaskan.
  5. Biang Susu 1/3 sendok teh (tambahan)
  6. Essence Amis premium STRIKE/essen racik STRIKE  lainnya
Cara pembuatan :
  1. Masukkan telur beserta putih telur dan susu bubuk  ke dalam wadah, aduk hingga rata.
  2. Tambahkan margarin + Teteskan 7-9 tetes Essence amis premium  STRIKE dalam adonan pertama hingga rata.
  3. Masukkan adonan ke dalam plastik setengah kilo..ikat rapat tanpa ada udara tersisa.
  4. Rebus adonan dalam air mendidih 5-10 menit/ sampai adonan benar2 lengket untuk menjadi umpan
  5. Tambahkan kroto/cocol ketika umpan akan di gunakan..dan siap2 STRIKE....jangan sampai lengah dengan kumbul atau pelampung anda karena pastinya dia akan selalu bergerak dan STRIKE setiap saat.
NB. jika umpan terlalu keras atau lembek siapkan wadah tambahkan air hangat + biskuit keju (biskuit Kli..niss..crac..) yang telah diremas halus..aduk kembali hingga rata sampai umpan benar2 cocok menurut anda.

Friday, 2 May 2014

The Changing Colours Of The Fall

As fall starts to show its presence across the country, the lakes will soon bean to transition, as the leaves start changing colors, anglers should give some thought to the changing conditions when selecting the lures and colors as well. It can be difficult to decide the correct color of lure to use this time of year. Anglers must consider the water clarity and the type of forage the bass are feeding on and how the time of day affects the brightness of sky to choose a lure color. However as the smaller lakes will soon be beginning the turn over you will see clear water, clouded water and muddy to dark water all in the same lake on the same day. Even aquatic vegetation will begin to change colors in the fall due to temperature and the amount of sunlight and water clarity. In this season of change anglers sometimes are at odds as to what to throw, and with so many different changes and so many different lures, it would be impossible to stock all the colors and lures now available into one tackle box.

After the spawn in the spring bass are feeding on shad, small bream, perch and bluegill, making lures colored in greens, blues and other natural colors that resemble these fish more effective in specific lakes with clear water. In dark or muddy water bright colors such as chartreuse, yellow and orange seem to get the attention of bass better than other colors. One thing that lure manufactures have long over looked is that beneath the waters surface fish see colors differently than we do with the human eye does in the air. The color a bass will see is depending on depth (and clarity) due to a prism effect as light (or heat energy) is absorbed by the water. This is why black is a productive color on any given day and in many conditions and depth. Black is last color lost in low light, and the color that all other colors appear to be in deeper water with less light (or heat energy). Red is the first to go followed by the colors of the rainbow, yellow, orange, green, blue, and violate until all fade to black

Now that fall has arrived, soon the bass will be schooling and starting to chase bait fish into the shallow creeks, and in shallow clear water, matching the bait in color with a lure is always the best choice. Hours of research and time on the water with trial and error, has proven to anglers that there are no set “rules” in selecting color of lure to fish. As the bass hold at different depths, their perception of color changes, and trying to compensate this natural illusion with color changes to turn the head of a bass can be difficult.


Confidence can be the most important factor in what works, and certain baits and colors give anglers that needed confidence. I recommend that anglers follow trusted guidelines like I have mentioned in this blog and experiment with different colors and combinations to discover which ones work best on their home waters during this time of transition. It is the best practice to buy and keep on hand a few basic colors than it is to buy every color on the market, until you have fine-tuned the waters you fish to the season you are fishing. I have learned when Mother Nature changes the colors of the leaves I have to change the color of my lures I use.

Happy Fishing

Bassin With Crankbaits - Colour Choice Tips and Techniques

In the blog I posted on April 28th I had promised to share my secrets for crankbait color choices and how to find the bass using electronics. In this blog lets look at color choice for crankbaits. This is going to be a long post, but will contain much information and crankbait tips. I have heard from several anglers who tell me that they just do not have any luck using crankbaits for largemouth bass, however, the tips in this blog will help you to understand why color is important and help you to catch more bass using crankbaits.

Bass eyes see in water, and our eyes see in the air. But there is an uncanny comparison in how a bass eye sees color and how a human eye sees colors. Cones in our eyes see colors and rods see things in shades of gray. Scientist and biologist have concluded that a bass sees colors much as a human sees colors. This theory is thought to be true for the reason that bass eyes have cones very similar to the cones in human eyes. One difference is the absence of a pupil in the bass eye. This is the part of our eye that dilates or gets bigger when light is dimmed.

This would explain why bass are light shy. They are structure orientated for more than reasons than just ambush and shelter, they prefer shade. Bass are most active in low light, morning and evening, but have some vision in darkness and stained and muddy water. A bass eye having no pupil, it adjusts to brightness by repositioning rods. In bright light cones are used with a majority of the rods of the bass eye being hidden behind the cones. As light dims more rods are positioned for sight. In dark conditions cones are of less use and the bass sees mostly with rods. To simplify this, cones see colors; rods see shades of gray. In dim light a bass sees in black and white. And a bass’s eye has more rods than the human eye and they function better. Thus it sees in dim light much better than a human can.

The temperature of the water and the Thermocline will determine the depth the bass will be holding, and this depth will affect the color of crankbait that you will need to fish.  (In my next crankbait blog we will get more into locating structure with electronics.) Once you find this target depth the bass are holding, finding structure at this same depth will provide bass. Select your crankbait according to its diving capabilities.

The larger the bill or lip on the nose of the lure, the deeper it will dive. Some lures will have the diving depth someplace on the lure and with most crankbaits, the packaging will display the diving depth, one tip is to write this number of feet on the lure with a fine point sharpie permanent marker. Also organize your lures by depth then color and label your lure box in the place for each lure with the diving depth. This will help you to quickly decide which lures you will be using, keep in mind that in a tournament time can be money.

If you have you ever noticed that the color of a lure seems to change in water and seems to change even more at different times of the day.  This illusion is because of light reacting with water. We will now look at how bass actually see the colors that we choose in crankbaits. Sometimes the color choice is paramount in the success of an angler’s creel. At different times of day, or in “different light” the color a fish sees makes it react.

Studying a prism will help us to see white light change into different colors beginning with red and then through the spectrum to purple.

When we see a rainbow in the sky it is the same thing, (Like the Ambassador guy above) we see light absorbed and or bent by water. A body of water however has an effect on light as well. The water absorbs light and turns it into heat, or converts light energy into heat energy. In this process some colors are absorbed much more than other colors. When we look at a crankbait in natural sunlight, we see all color waves. This is not possible once the color “wavelengths” enter water. The water actually absorbs the light. Reds are absorbed as heat before other colors while blues are absorbed last.

When we watch Hook n’ Look and other underwater programs on WFN, the absorption of light is what makes the water appear to be so blue. In water that is pure or perfectly clear water all red colors are absorbed and converted into heat energy before the light reaches 17 feet. After red is absorbed, then all variations of the color orange is then absorbed. Orange slowly fades into a dull yellow as an orange colored lure is fished deep. Yellows are filtered out after orange. And then the shades of green are the next to be absorbed. After this only blue light will remain. Once the blue shades are absorbed, then there is no light.

As blue light is absorbed lures appears in various shades of dark blue to indigo, violet and then finally black. A white lure out of the water still is white in the water, but it gradually reflects light and appears to be green then blue as it goes deeper. A red crankbait will appear bright red on the surface but cranked deeper it gradually turns black. This is because the absence of red light in deeper water.

Understanding this theory has apparently made KVD and Strikeking millions and he and the company have become very successful with the multi colored crankbaits from citrus shad to the “sexy shad” color that he has made so famous. For this reason I use crankbaits with an array of colors when fishing deep. This provides coverage as sunlight moves as well at different depths. When fishing in 20 feet of water or deeper, I like to start with brightly colored crankbaits. The reason for brightness over just a specific color is that I am looking for a lure that will reflect even a little light in the darkness of deep water.

Fishing a crankbait 15- and 18-feet when bass are holding at 20 feet, will determine if the fish are looking upward in a feeding pattern, or if you will need to fish deeper allowing the crankbait to search off the bottom bumping structure. By dive deeper than the depth the bass are holding will present frantic baitfish bumping into the structure with small thumping sounds as it hits solid objects, and as a crankbait strikes the lake bottom the lure will create clouds of silt, gravel or sand to billow up in the water (like a fleeing crayfish).

Backstabber Lures solved the issue hang ups on deep structure with the hooks being moved to the top of the lure. The company also appears to understand the importance of color as well with the range of colors available in their crankbaits.

The noise and the vibration will attract fish and provoke a reaction strike. Crankbaits that rattle and knock may help in deep, cloudy or dark water. Another tip to fish even deeper is to attach the crankbait to a one-ounce Carolina rig.  Keep in mind that light line will dive deeper than heavy line, but heavy line will rest on cover where light line will burry into cover. For this reason I stay between 10 and 14 lb test for deep cranking structure, and 17 – 20 lb test in heavy wood and rocks.

In shallow water crankbait color choice is vital, as a bass can see the lure more clearly. “Matching the hatch” with a crankbait is a good way to choose your lure size and color, however it pays to try a different color if you do not get bit soon. Bandit, Norman and Live Target Lures as well as many other manufacturers all do well with natural color patterns on their lures. In shallow water this is very important.

When the fish are feeding on shad and there are many of them in a school, I choose a color that stands out amongst them and fish below them. Citrus Shad, Bluegill, and other bright colors by Bomber, Rapala, and other companies, seem to make the lure stand out in a crowd so to speak. Knowing the bass feed on the stray shad that leave the school due to injury or weakness. This natural selection is helped by a color that makes a target stand out a little more than the rest.

As with any crankbait lure presentation, always start moving the lure fast. If you are not soon rippin’ some lips, change your retrieve to a stop and go or slow it down to a crawl. As Bill Dance says, allow the fish to tell you what they want.  I hope these tips help you to more effectively take advantage of crankbaits while fishing deep structure as well as shallow water.   

Happy Fishing! 
 
Source : http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/tips/post/bassin-with-crankbaits-color-choice-tips-and-techniques

Monday, 28 April 2014

Natural Fishing Bait




Good freshwater natural fishing baits include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers.

Freshwater bottom-feeders like catfish and carp are also attracted to cut fishing baits (cut-up bait fish) and prepared baits called dough balls.

Always check local fishing regulations to make sure the fishing bait you choose is legal for the lake you're fishing. Many lakes don't allow the use of rough fish minnows as bait because rough fish can take over a lake and starve-out the game fish.

Compare the cost of losing one worm to losing a lure and you'll see that fishing with live bait can be less expensive than fishing with lures; and if you find your own live bait, you can save even more money.

For more information on what baits to use for your target fish, check the Species Explorer section, or join one of our forums and cast out a question.
Cut Fishing Bait

Using fish cut into pieces attracts fish in a different way than whole, live fishing bait or lures. Fish that are attracted to scent are more likely to hit on cut bait. You can use any caught fish, including bait fish, to make cut bait. For best results, scale the fish but leave the skin on.

Catfish and carp bite on cut fishing bait.

Many species of saltwater fish like sea trout, bluefish and sailfish are attracted to cut bait. Go to the Saltwater Fishing section for more information on saltwater fishing bait.

Leeches

Leeches are excellent live fishing bait for freshwater walleye and northern pike, and are readily available from bait shops. Leeches should be hooked through the sucker in the tail. Leeches have suckers at both ends. But the tail sucker disk is larger than the head disk.

There is a simple rule of thumb when using leeches as live fishing bait. Don't fish them faster than they can naturally swim. The attraction is the swimming motion.
Tips and Tricks for Leeches

If you're placing leeches in your live well, give them at least one hour to adjust to the new temperature. So they can stretch out and swim naturally.

Leeches are hardy and will last a long time. You can keep them fresh in a refrigerator for many days.

Dough Balls

The fancy name is prepared fishing bait. They're commercially made, come in a can and are labeled for specific fish, such as trout, pan fish, catfish and carp. Mold the stuff all the way around the hook, including the barb or use it on a treble hook with a bait holder attachment.

You can also make your own dough balls. Try the recipe below.



Homemade Dough Balls

A tasty treat for catfish and carp:
  • Mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup yellow cornmeal and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl.
  • Take a 1-quart container of water and pour just enough of it into the mixture to make a heavy dough.
  • Roll the dough into balls about ½-inch to 1-inch in diameter.
  • Mix the rest of the water with 1 cup of molasses and pour it into a pan.
  • Add a flavoring agent, such as garlic, licorice, anise or strawberry gelatin.
  • Put the pan on the stove and bring the molasses, water and flavoring to a boil.
  • When the mixture is boiling, drop in the dough balls, but don't overcrowd them.
  • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Cool before using.

Want a simpler recipe? Just use the leftovers from your picnic lunch. Carp will bite on almost anything—hot dogs, buns, marshmallows and paper plates. Well, okay, not the paper plates.

Grubs and Meal Worms

Ideal for pan fish, sunfish and trout, grubs and meal worms are used often as live fishing bait and are readily available from tackle and bait shops. Use them singly or in multiples.

You can also harvest grubs from the soil and from the swelled and deformed leaves of trees, plants and vegetables.


Minnows

Basically, minnows are baby fish and a good all-around freshwater fishing bait. Minnows are readily available from bait and tackle shops or you can catch your own if it's legal in your area. Minnows come in different sizes. Use larger 'shiners' for bass and pike fishing.

For cast and retrieve, trolling and drifting, hook the minnow vertically through both lips or through the tail.

For still fishing with a bobber, hook the minnow through the back just above the dorsal fin. Take care not to damage the spinal cord. The key is to keep the fish moving on its own.

Tricks and Tips for Minnows

For really good action, hook the minnow upside down on a light jig. It will struggle to regain an upright position

Store minnows in a minnow bucket using the same water from which they were bought or captured, and take care not to crowd them.

Insects

Ants, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars are ideal to use as live fishing bait for catching pan fish, sunfish and trout. Brown trout are especially attracted to ants presented on a fly. Smallmouths and large trout prefer immature versions of mayflies, stoneflies, caddis, hellgrammites and dobsonfly larvae.
Tricks and Tips for Insects

You can buy insects or catch your own. Ants can be gathered from a nest and large insects can be captured with a net. Hey, get the whole family involved.

Freshwater Clams and Mussels

If clams or mussels are native to your area, they make a great live bait to catch the native fish.

To keep them fresh, gather the mussels and clams from shallow waters before or while you fish. Crack the shell open, cut out the clam or mussel and allow the bait to harden slightly in the sun so it stays on the hook.

Tie mussels on to the hook with thread, taking care not to pull too tight.

Crayfish

For smallmouth bass, use crayfish whole and alive, hooked through the tail.

For pan fish use the tail meat or meat from the large pincers.

For catfish, bullheads and carp, use dead crawdads threaded on a hook.

Crayfish can be bought from bait stores or captured by using a window screen or fine mesh net in the water. Stir the water to chase the crayfish into the net. Store in moist rags, damp moss or a bait bucket.

Cut Fishing Bait for Trolling

Use the thin belly area and cut long v-shaped strips to simulate a fish or eel. Include a pectoral or pelvic fin on the bait to increase the attractiveness to the fish. If necessary, scale the fish strip but thread the hook through the skin to help keep the bait intact.

Prepared Fishing Baits

For catfish, carp and crappies, you can buy a paste-like mixture of dough, blood, cheese and other proteins or make your own. Mold the stuff all the way around the hook, including the barb. Or use it on a treble hook with a bait holder attachment.

Freshwater Worms

Worms are a good bait for nearly all freshwater fishing. You can find enough worms for fishing from a few shovels of dirt in your garden or from a shaded, damp area. Worms can also be purchased in fishing tackle stores and bait shops. For walleyes and bass, use earthworms or night crawlers.

For pan fish, sunfish and trout, use smaller manure worms. You can find them in cattle and horse pastures.

Tips and Tricks for Worms

To prevent smaller fish from nibbling the worm without biting down on the hook, you can use just a piece of the worm.

If you have small worms, thread the hook through the side of the worm at several places along its body. For bait-stealing fish such as sunfish, thread the worm on the hook until the hook is completely covered.

Catfish Stinkbait
  • Fill a jar with pieces of a forage fish like shad.
  • Cover the jar with the lid, but leave the lid loose so gases will escape.
  • Put the jar in direct sunlight for a day or two.
  • Trust us, when you open the jar, you'll know if your catfish stinkbait is ready.

Eels

Eels are especially good used whole when trolling for striped bass. Simply hook them through the eyes or lips or cut the eel into chunks. Eel is tough bait, so you can use it for trolling and bottom fishing.


Source : http://takemefishing.org/fishing/freshwater-fishing/bait-and-lures/natural-fishing-bait/

River Fishing Tips




Welcome to our section on river fishing tips. The goal of this section is to educate both novice and expert fishermen on how to improve their river fishing skills. Instead of just making a huge list of tips we designed this section to first educate you on the basics of river fishing. We then follow up with some of the best river fishing tips and basic river fishing safety information. These tips combined with our many other tips that are specific to certain species of fish will help make you a better fisherman. You can get started below by learn about the basic theory of river fishing.




The Basics of Fishing in a River

River fishing is the method of fishing in a body of water that is defined by science to be a river. A river is a body of water that flows towards another river, ocean, lake or sea. You can fish a river from the shore, by wading or if the size and depth of the make it possible, via a boat. A wide variety of different species of fish (including popular game fish) can be found inhabiting rivers or at least navigating them to reach spawning grounds or to migrate. Fishermen will need to use specific types of fishing rigs or bait casting methods due to the natural movement of a river. Rivers are used by invasive species to invade other bodies of water making it vital for humans to never introduce any foreign fish or bait fish to rivers.

River fishing has a bad rap in some areas, especially rivers that run through urban areas. This is due to pollution and lack of water clarity. While pollution is an issue in urban areas water clarity is just the result of sediment and mud being brought up from the movement of the water. Fishermen should always be aware of any advisories that are made by local or state agencies regarding the consumption of fish in specific rivers. Many rivers have dams and water locks that help control the flow of water, these structures can be a great place for large fish to congregate as a result of water depth and temperature.

River Fishing Tips, Tricks and Techniques

Fishing in a river is a great way to catch fish. By using our below river fishing tips and techniques you'll be able to improve your success catching fish in a river. The below tips aren't specific to any specific species of fish but rather strategic ways to fish in a river. If you have any tips that can help other fishermen be more successful in a river please use our submit a tip form and we'll add it to the below list.
  • Get a Pair of Polarized Glasses - Depending on what river you plan on fishing in you may be able to see through the water with a good pair of polarized glasses. By being able to visually locate fish you can prevent a lot of wasted time searching for them.
  • Bottom Bounce Live Bait - An effective method for catching fish in the river is to use live bait and bounce it off the bottom. There are several types of fishing rigs that can accomplish this and will help present your bait more naturally. Make sure you also bounce your live bait with the current, never against it.
  • Find the River's Backwaters - Some of the most popular game fish that can be found in a river aren't too fond of heavy currents. Largemouth bass are a great example of game fish that will inhabit backwater creeks that break off the river and reenter it downstream.
  • Find the Weeds - If you can locate a calm area of a river that has weed growth you've most likely found a prime fishing location. Since weeds aren't very common in rivers fish will group together in calm areas of the river with weed growth. Don't be shocked to find a monster largemouth bass hiding in this area.
  • Fish Near the Islands - A lot of rivers will have islands in them and the slack area of these islands can hold some nice fish for you to catch. Be careful trying to wade out to any river islands, drop offs can appear out of nowhere and send you and your tackle downriver.
  • Talk to the Locals - The local bait and tackle shop or even fishermen along the shore can give you some great insight on what the best methods are for fishing in a nearby river. The actual location of fish in a river can be greatly affected by the weather and the moon. Locals who fish in the river often will be able to educate you on the best time and location to fish in the river.

River Fishing Safety

When you're fishing in a river you'll want to follow basic safety precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of other people around you. You should always know how to swim or fish with someone who is able to swim. If you're wading in a river make sure to use a wader belt to prevent water from filling up your waders if you fall over. If you're using a boat make sure to follow all local and state boating rules and regulations and remember that the depth and speed of a river can change quickly. Always check to see if there are any advisories regarding the consumption of fish in the river you plan on fishing in.


Source : http://www.fishingtipsdepot.com/river-fishing-tips.php

Fishing Tips : Freshwater & Saltwater Fish


Before catching fish, anglers must locate them. Much of North America is within a day’s drive of the oceans, an estuary, or some other marine environment. You can find fish nearly anywhere there is food, oxygen, and cover. If you have a boat, your choice of fishing locations gets even larger.

Where Fish Live

Not all fish can live in the same kinds of waters. Different species need different sets of environmental conditions, including:
  • Hiding areas, cover, structure, and the bottom
  • Salinity
  • Dissolved oxygen
  • Water temperature
  • Types and amounts of food
  • Tides and currents
  • Water depth

 Structure

Many fish species such as striped bass and grouper live or hold near structure. Structure refers to changes in the shape of the bottom caused by rocks, reefs, manmade objects, humps, ledges, and drop-offs. Structure causes fish to concentrate in certain areas. Estuaries and river mouths may have shoreline structures such as docks, logs, stump fields, brush, rock piles, grass beds, and downed trees that provide shelter, shade, and protection for fish. Islands, sand bars, rock piles, and jetties are also good places to fish. Fish inhabit certain types of cover because it provides them with protection and puts them in the best possible position to catch a meal.

Salinity and Oxygen

Some fish species like brook trout cannot live with much salt in the water, other fish, such as tuna, need salt, and some, such as striped bass, can live in salt or freshwater. Fish also need a certain amount of oxygen in the water. Species such as carp can live on less oxygen than trout. Living plants add oxygen to the water as does moving water tumbling over rocks. Decomposing plants and animals use oxygen from the water and many kinds of pollution also reduce oxygen levels. Thermal pollution may also be a problem, as warmer water cannot hold as much oxygen as cold water.

Temperature

Each fish species has a specific range of water temperature that it enjoys. Tarpon can thrive in waters as warm as 85 degrees F, while salmon and cod must have cooler 50s, 40s, and even 30s. Some fish tolerate a wide range of temperatures; others have very narrow requirements. Serious anglers find that a thermometer is a useful accessory for knowing when to try for specific kinds of fish. 

Food

The amount and type of food available in a body of water plays an important role in determining which types of fish you can hope to catch. The tides, currents, and water depth are also significant factors.  Scrappy bluefish will “blitz” retrieved lures right onto the beach while speckled trout haunt greater depths. Striped bass may slam baits on the surface, while perch will feed just above the bottom.

The Benefits of Using a Boat

Fishing from a boat enables you to cover more water than fishing from shore. You can reach distant spots, frequently with deeper water, and use a range of techniques and tactics not available to the landlubbers. Different types of boats work best in different types of water and for performing different tasks. Canoes, skiffs, and jonboats can be ideal for casual fishing on quiet estuaries, back bays, and tidal creeks. Larger rivers, open water, and more extreme fishing demand more powerful V-hulls, "cathedral" hulls, or specialty sport fishing boats.

Choose the Methods that Suit You Best
  • Knowing which angling approach to use, and when to use it, is critical to having a successful day on the water. Locate a good tackle shop and ask a lot of questions. Buy a good chart of the area and study it for cuts and channels, holes or humps, all the good places that might hold fish.  Maybe even hire a guide. A day spent fishing with a guide is one of the best ways to improve your technique.
  • Once you find the fish, getting them to bite your hook becomes the challenge. Each of the various types of fishing lends itself to catching certain kinds of fish. Surf fishing usually lands a good variety of species, without the need for an ocean-going boat. Most any healthy beach can offer good surf fishing, but pay particular attention to rocky beaches, rock jetties, and fishing piers. A typical surf fishing setup matches an 8 or 9 foot rod and reel with 14 to 20 pound test line, although longer rods make longer casts. For many anglers, however, pier fishing can be the best possible way to spend the best possible day. Some piers stand over or near reefs or underwater structures that shelter numerous residents and draw schools of migratory fish. Pier fishing is a relatively comfortable way to introduce children to marine angling as the piers attract many smaller fish for the kids as well as larger species for the adults. Many piers also have the amenities and facilities families enjoy.

Inshore fishing means fishing within sight of land, often in estuaries, creeks, rivers, harbors, channels, and intercoastal waterways.  It also generally means fishing from a boat near shore, whether that boat is a dory in a Newfoundland fjord or a flats boat working the Florida mangroves. Likely catches include tarpon, redfish, snook, trout, cobia, shark, striped bass, sheepshead, whiting, pompano, mackerel, permit, snapper, and grouper.

Offshore fishing is frequently out of sight of land, often miles out into the open sea. This type of marine angling demands a vessel that can handle the waves and heavy-duty tackle to handle the big offshore species. Most anglers fish offshore on a charter boat with a professional captain and crew, going for billfish, sharks, tuna, dolphin, amberjack, mackerel, and many other species according to location and season.

Trolling and Chumming: Effective and Enjoyable
  • Either inshore or offshore, trailing lures or baits behind a slowly running boat enables anglers to cover a lot of water. Trolling is particularly effective for fish species that regularly feed on smaller fish. Outriggers--long extension spreaders--carry multiple lines out beyond the sides of the boat and enable trolling several lines at once.  When a bait is struck, its line snaps free of the outrigger, to be played with a shorter, sturdy boat rod.
  • Chumming involves ladling out dollops of ground fish, chopped clams, offal, or other natural attractors into the water to draw feeding fish. In some instances, the chumming forms a trail through the water that fish will follow for some distance. Chumming can involve a special-purpose, easy-to-clean grinder set up over one rail, or simply a bucket of chopped bait and a big spoon. 

 The Challenge of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing uses artificial flies designed to look like small bait fish. Initially focused on catching trout and salmon, fly anglers have taken on a full range of game and pan fish species. Many fly anglers use small boats—even kayaks and canoes—to get to hard-to-reach locations, even some inshore. Flies rarely weigh more than a dozen grams, consequently fly rods and lines must be specifically designed to assist casting the flies.  Saltwater fly fishing is rapidly gaining in popularity, particularly in estuaries, river mouths, back bays, and near shore.

The Best Times to Fish Sport Fishing Boat

There is no single best time to fish. Like so much in this sport, different species are active at different times, and those active periods vary in response to a host of environmental factors. In general, marine fish seem to be more active shortly after dawn and at dusk, and least active around Noon and early afternoon. Nevertheless, you can still catch fish at Noon if you understand what the fish are doing and adjust your angling tactics.

Picking the Best Season

Just like trying to determine the best time of day to fish, determining the best season requires that you understand what the fish are doing and adjust your tactics to respond. Fishing can be a year-round sport, but obviously, certain seasons will be more comfortable than others.

Successful anglers know the habits and availability of the different species. A range of environmental variables determines which fish will be in an area at any given time. Temperature, amount of daylight, predation, and food availability are key factors. Striped bass storm the mid Atlantic flats in the warming spring; salmon invade the creeks of Alaska’s Kenai in the long days of summer and early fall; and false albacore storm the early winter surf off Cape Hatteras.

Some species and some venues may also have times of the year when it is illegal to fish. Many states have closed seasons when various species are spawning. Successful anglers understand how all the factors affect their chances of catching a particular species.