Apr

28

Trout Fishing Basics. eBook for beginners.

One of the biggest investments a fisherman will every make is the purchase of a fishing boat. Just like cars, fishing boats come in all shapes and sizes and varying levels of quality. To avoid buying a “lemon”, it is always advisable for the potential boat owner to educate themselves on the ins and outs of boat ownership.

All-Purpose Fishing Boats
These boats are intended for those who fish for just about everything. They can be made of aluminum, wood, or fiberglass and sizes usually range from 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 meters) in length. Aluminum boats are generally the least expensive option available, with prices ranging from $1,500 up to about $25,500. Keep in mind that these prices are generally without a motor, which will have to be purchased separately.
Wooden boats are still being made, but they are difficult to find, and very hard to get. Used wooden fishing boats are readily available in the classifieds section of your newspaper or any number of places on the Internet. Maintenance is the big issue with wooden boats, as the wood is susceptible to dry rot and fungus, and so must be painted and kept in good shape at all times.
Fiberglass boats are probably the most widely used these days. There are many manufacturers and styles of fiberglass boats, and prices range from about $8,000 to $30,000 for a new boat.
A general purpose fishing boat will usually have spaces for fishing gear and several bench seats or pedestal style seats with backs. The driver’s area will be very simple; some boats can be found that even use a steer-by-tiller layout. These boats are almost always outboard powered, and are usually trailerable. The capacity range for a general purpose fishing boat is 1-4 people.

Tip! The favorite crab for crab fishing is the blue crab, which is called Callinectes sapidus scientifically. And like its name,the blue crab comes in shades of blue, olive-green, and red.

Bass Boats
Bass boats are almost self-explanatory. They are purpose-built for getting to bass quickly. This is the sort of boat you see on those ESPN fishing tournament shows. Bass boats usually have larger outboard motors than the general-purpose boats and have much more storage space as well. Additionally, bass boats will have a full complement of fishing electronics such as depth and fish finders.

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There are usually raised casting platforms in the bow of the boat, and quite often in the stern as well. There will usually be provisions for a trolling motor near this platform. Most bass fishing boats are made of fiberglass, but they can also be found in aluminum. Bass boats are usually between 16 and 25 feet in length, with prices ranging from approximately $10,000 to $30,000+. These boats can be trailered and are comfortable for up to 4 people.

Center-Console Fishing Boats
Because of their design, with the control station in the center of the boat, these boats allow for fishing from almost any place on the deck. Additionally, the center station allows for easy netting of fish. These boats are generally larger than the other two types, and usually have much larger engines, though still outboard as a general rule.

Tip! There are different methods of crab fishing, which are quite cost effective and others that need a lot in terms of money and time. You can use a dip net to catch the crabs.

Because of their versatility and pricing, these boats have grown in popularity in recent years. Some of these boats even have small cabins and toilets. Some of the larger center-console design boats can even be used for offshore saltwater fishing. Center-console boats range in size from 16 to 35 feet in length and are generally trailerable. The larger varieties can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people. Prices for center-console boats range from around $15,000 up to over $60,000.

This article gives a general overview of some of the items to consider when shopping for a fishing boat. For more specific information, as well as suggestions on where to purchase a good fishing boat, be sure to visit Fishing Boat HQ

Allen Bohart is a fishing fan, and enthusiastic writer for about any subject that interests him. He is also co-owner of The Fishing Bobber, a site for and about fishing enthusiasts of all levels.

Popularity: 8%



Apr

26

Tip! If you plan to go crab fishing onshore, then the best time is when the tide is rising. For onshore crab fishing, you’ll need a dip net, long string and some type of bait, like eel, chicken necks, or small fish.

“The water is high; must be generating at the dam.” These words might be the bane of a long anticipated fishing trip. But it doesn’t have to go that way. As they say in the sea, “you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can change the direction of your sail”. Time to go against the grain.

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You would think it is true that trout face upstream. However, what is really true is that they almost always face into the current. Sometimes the current goes backwards. So when the water goes against the grain, so must your presentation.

Dan and I planned our escape for Friday after work and headed northeast. We arrived at the river during the night; so we set up our tent as quietly as possible. Trying not to wake our fellow campers, we even pounded the tent stakes with firewood to avoid the noise of the hammer. In the morning, we found - what we were unable to see in the dark - high fast water tumbling down below the spillway. Not wanting to turn a trout-fishing trip into a hiking and sightseeing tour, we tried to figure out familiar water under unfamiliar conditions.

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The last time I had fished this same stretch of river tiny midge dries and droppers were the ticket. An ancient quote repeated by too many fishing writers, “One can never step in the same river twice” certainly came to mind. I took those first steps cautiously considering the roaring rapids. Boldly leaning against the current, I discovered it was roughly wade-able. (I say “roughly”, because of events that I will share in another story. Yep, I got soaked and bounced downstream a bit. Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get the scoop soon.) The little pocket water grooves and plunge pools I would normally fish were spate with cold aggressive water. The river was LOUD. The rush of water sounded so powerful it drowned out all of nature’s other noises. But - where to fish?

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Beginning experimentation with my previously successful rig, I quickly found the tiny dry midges unable to stay on top. They were essentially invisible in the churning water. It’s interesting how an angler tends to stick with the lure or technique from past successes, even though the conditions are absolutely different. Often, success breeds failure. Adapt! Switching to a tan, number 16 Elk Hair Caddis seemed to do the floatation trick. The old standby Pheasant Tail Nymph with a bead head, to get it deep in the water column, was added on five foot of tippet to the caddis’ hook bend. Seemed like a pretty cool fast water rig to me. I started throwing the rig upstream and “letting it ride” the wave of fast water - like an elk haired surfer. Dropping my rod tip to stretch out the drift, I’d slowly lift the rig at the end. Then I’d launch it back up to start it again. Not a thing. I kept trying this deeper version of my typical technique. Nothing. Nada. Empty set. I tried it again in the many runs and frantic flows around me. I moved upstream. Still nothing.

Tip! It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

Where are the fish? Hmmm, if I WERE A FISH, I’d get darn tired of fighting this swift current - I was thinking. Then I noticed something very telling. I had overcast on a slick run. My fly held momentarily in the soft water beyond the seam before the belly of the line jerked it downstream. I small trout took a swirl at my fly as it pulled away. Okay, now we’re on to something. Aha! Let’s try that again drag free. Rod tip high to make sure that it stays put in the slow water. Let it swirl around in this tricky water. Fish on! A jazzy little brown with nice coloration fought bigger-than-his-britches in the tough current. I smiled as I wet my hand to release him. Caught him on the nymph. Cool. As my father says, repeating the A Team, “I love it when a plan comes together!”

Tip! Check your line just above the lure frequently when fishing crankbaits around rocks, gravel, stumps, and other hard obstructions. They can quickly fray your line.

In the next hour I caught seven more trout. All, but one, were browns with a saucy little rainbow in there for good measure. The biggest of the browns was all of twelve inches. Not big fish. Beautiful fish. Some I caught on the dry and most I caught on the nymph. All were caught going upstream. Yes, upstream. The little eddies behind boulders and along points with cutouts at streamside created water that was going the wrong way - going against the grain. It took a delicate cast, and even more line control to hit these hot spots. But each good cast was rewarded with some kind of action. A swirl or a movement of a fish, a near miss, or a rise told the story of trout stacked up in this same type of flow.

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I am convinced that the right fly had nothing to do with catching these fish. The water is so fast that fish typically had only milliseconds to glimpse it anyway. I do know though that the PRESENTATION was the critical factor. Art Lee described it this way, “No fly is right unless it’s fished correctly.” On that point I completely agree. We spend a lot of time, money, and effort trying to match the hatch. But in water this fast, the key is going against the grain.

Scott is a lead editor and contributor to SouthwestSportsman.com, a website dedicated to the enjoyment of the Great American Outdoors.

Popularity: 5%



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