How many fish you catch is determined by how you hold your mouth - Really!

Believe it or not, the way you hold your mouth will determine how many fish you'll catch!!! No lie (insert big grin here) The question is - Are you using your outh the right way to catch more fish?

My youngest son and I were fishing on Au Sable River and we were both using the same rod, reel, line and lure. Everything was exactly the same. The problem was - which happens for many of us who take our kids fishing - I had caught about a dozen bass and he hadn't caught any. Big problem - and we were only standing maybe 10 feet apart. I wasn't winning any father of the year award this fishing trip!



He finally said to me "Why are yu catching all the fish and I'm not?" I thought for a minute & said "Well, you're not holding your mouth right". I had to come up with something witty so my boy didn't feel like giving up on fishing. He gave me that "yeah ok" kind of look all our kids have given us at times and said "Well, how am I suppose to hold it?". I looked at him and said "like this". I made a crazy contorted face, stuck out bottom lip and basically just made my face all messed up. So, I looked over and seen him trying to mimic the face I made and I just kept fishing away.

I never thought any more about it. Except for the occasional looking over at my son to see if he was making any progress...... lol......

Well, a couple of months later, he went up to the his grandparent's cabin in the mountains of Colorado and was fishing for trout with his Opa. He was standing by the stream Opa came along to check on him. Opa kept watching and talking to him and really scrutinizing him. Eventually Opa asked him "is there something wrong with your face? Are you sick?".

Well, Opa almost fell into the water when he heard his grandson explain to him that if you make this face you're more like that to catch more fish. Needless to say, this has been an ongoing discussion in our house every year that my sons go fishing with their Opa!!!

His Opa tried not to laugh and Oma (my mother-in-law) who told my wife and it got back to me. Well, as you can imagine - now wehn we go fishing we're all trying to out do each other's catch and when we do it's because we "made the perfect fish face"....... Great memories!

A little diddly about Bass Fishing & the BAIT used........

When most people think of Bass Fishing Bait, usually basic information, not particularly interesting or beneficial is what most come up with . But believe it or not there’s a lot more to choosing the right Bass Fishing Bait than what meets the eye.

Most of this information comes straight from the Bass Fishing pros who know what type of the bait is best to lure your fish. I love following what these guys are using because every year they come out with new lures & bait that's always better then the year before. Make sure you read all of this because it'll just about guarantee that you’ll know what they know and have a greater edge to catching more fish.



How can you catch a big fish? How can you attract those fish when daytime? How can you have the best catch of your life? May be you need to "seduce" those fish to come into your fishing rod. But what you really need is the best fishing lure.

Fishing lures is very important to bass fishing because it will help you catch more fish or even win that very important fishing tournament.

There are tons of types of lures used specifically for bass fishing. There are fishing lures for luring small fish, for fish living in shallow waters, for fast swimming fish, for big and large fish as well as for a big-mouthed fish.

In Bass fishing you need to pull the fish’s attention towards you. Fishing lures help you to excite the fish awareness. Some of the lures contain a rotating and shaking action and it produces an overall thrill for the starving trout, pinfish or bass into a feeding emotion.

Some of the Bass fishing lures create a glittery charm for the fish and works in wonders in catching your favorite fish. The manufactures have come up with a multi-color design so that the fish can see the lures clearly and get attracted.

A fish-like imitation also makes a fish swims fast towards it. This is one of the oldest form of fishing lures.

Other Bass Fishing lures are also designed to be thick in the middle and have a curve at the both edges to create an angle when it is soaked on the water. The design and its actions of the fish lures will also let you manipulate the fish and you will catch them in the easiest way.

To look different from some of the other fishermen, some guys have a different color for their fishing lures, like the silver, gold plated, red/white, firetiger, lightning flash, rainbow color, shades of red gold and the yellow slash.



Bass fishing lures comes in tons of different sizes too; some of them are thin, some are big with tiny edges, depending upon the size of the fish you want to catch. If you want to catch a small fish and the fishing lures you are using are very big the fish might think that the lure is really a predator and he won't take the bait. Fishing lures should also depend upon the size of the fishing hook.

Bass Fishing lures also vary in the weight, some fishing lures are ultra light and they are angled so that it will spin. The angel the fishing lure will be consistent on its action, it can also have the territorial defense against the instinct of the predator fish.

Added features to the lures like a life-like fish shape can also be a very effective way to catch the attention of the fish. These fishes have three-dimensional images that will make the lure look irresistible, hopefully!!.

Several types of life-like fish lures have sparkling eyes so that it would be easy for the fish to identify the lure and the fish will get tempted.

If you want to have deep fishing lures, those with tight design will exile, break and do better than any other crankbaits. Because of the features a wobbling effect in swallow water. There are professional anglers who add some blood on their crank baits so that hungry fish will immediately swim towards the lure. Afterwards if the fish already take up the scent of blood, the fish will bite the hook.



Basically you got to choose the best way to attract the fish for you. It;s not about fooling the fish, it is about thinking of the best idea in order for you to attract them.

Go fishing! There's nothing better..........

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Ahhhhh........ Fly Fishing!

OK let's face it, fly-fishermen are a differnt breed of fishermen on just about every level. Any and all fly-fisherman will be excited to talk about the amazing peace that comes from a fly fishing experience. All of a sudden, as they're telling you their story, you're embraced in the arms of nature where beautiful scenery surrounds you & all that’s left of your modern world are remnants of your fleeting stress. No more cell phones, pagers, and computers. You're now surrounded by birds, sunshine, and the sounds of water. It's no wonder so many fishermen plan a fly fishing trip as often as they can. The draw of fly-fishing is definitely the cool, calm, relaxing feeling one experiences!

Fly fishing differs from traditional fishing in a number of ways. Not only are the supplies and tools used for fly fishing totally different from traditional fishing, but the way the fisherman fishes is different as well. This is the main reason that so many fishermen are drawn to fly fishing. Fly-fishing is called fly-fishing because of the bait that it uses – artificial flies that are made from synthetic materials and constructed to replicate insects of all varieties – fly fishing often requires that the fly fisherman – or "angler" – actually be in the water. Unless it's really warm and the fisherman is wearing shorts, usually a pair of waist high waders are worn. This way you can remain dry and can fish for a longer period of time. This is a much more participatory experience and a fly fishing trip is built around this connection with nature.

First and foremost, it's necessary to choose the type of fly fishing that appeals most to you, as well as the type of fish that you are most interested in attracting. Once you have a destination in mind, you should refer to the multitude of fly fishing guides that will tell you what particular time of year would be most suited for fly fishing. The types of fish available in these locations will alert you to the type of flies that you should stock for your fly fishing trip.

Many fishermen incorporate a fly fishing trip into a vacation on a grander scale. For instance, fly fishing in Alaska can complement a sightseeing adventure before or after; heading to Canada for a fly fishing trip can be tagged on to a leisurely drive up the east coast. Fly fishing lends itself to a great many adventures and because it requires a natural setting, a fly fishing trip almost always promises to be beautiful and relaxing.

Look first to fly fishing guides that will alert you to any resorts that offer fly fishing trip packages. This can be a wonderful way to save money and organize your vacation in a way that takes the most advantage of the time that you have. Of course, the Internet offers a spectacular amount of information on planning a fly fishing trip. With a little bit of research and an adventurous spirit you will be well on your way to a journey of a lifetime.

Not all fly-fishing has to be done by standing in the water. Some people like to fly fish from their canoe. But there are advantages and disadvantages to this unusual combinations of activities.

People usually fly fish from land, standing still in water or from a larger boat. Fly fishing from a canoe may seem crazy at first, but there are many advantages to be had.

There are also disadvantages, but after you overcome them, you're sure to have a wonderful fishing adventure.

Disadvantages

You will have to overcome some disadvantages before you even try to fly fish from a canoe. You might find it hard in the beginning to maintain control of your line since you are closer to the water than usual. If you catch a fish, you might find it difficult to reel in without tipping the canoe. Especially if it is a giant fish!

Another disadvantage might be the tendency of the canoe to disturb the water. If you can stay motionless and are accustomed to the boat then disturbing the water will not be a problem. When you get over these few disadvantages, you will experience the best fishing ever!

Advantages

The advantages of fly fishing in a canoe are significant if you can overcome the disadvantages listed above. Being in a canoe lets the fisher go over more water quickly. This is essential for good fly fishing. You can also get into untapped fishing holes that otherwise they would not have been able to reach. Such locations usually do not allow motor boats, so a canoe is excellent! Another advantage is the silence. They don't have loud motors or propellers, only smooth, quiet rowing. This is an essential factor for fly fishers!

If you have a canoe, you are ready to try fly fishing. It's helpful for you to own the shortest canoe you can get. A shorter boat will make fly fishing a lot easier. Try it sometime. It's relaxing and fun.

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Kids love fishing too!

Kids love fishing too! Surprise surprise. Sometimes as an adult, we like sharing our hobbies and passions with our children. But, it can be difficult to decide which hobby or passion is appropriate to share. The reason is, obviously, childern aren't little adults. They are after all - children. Children tend to have shorter attention spans for the most part. That makes it difficult to figure out when they're ready to learn something new. Unless, you're like me because I sometimes am like the kids in that I too have the attemtion span of a gnat....... or so I'm told! I don't think so though. Ooops, I digress.

Fishing is a wonderful hobby of many people around the world not just in your small niche of time and space. Lots of people get excited to introduce their kids to fishing the minute they can hold a fishing rod. The problem is, if you're a fisherman/woman you know this -- fishing is a lesson in patience. Let's face it, sometimes even us adults seem to fail that lesson miserably at times when fishing. Fishing is a way to teach them all about how to be patient and how important it is to learn about pecision and safety.

When you take your son/daughter fishing, the most important thing to keep in mind is their safety. What kind of fishing are you trying to introduce? Are you thinking about a day of bottom fishing? Does pier fishing suit your needs? Are you going to go all out and take your child for a deep-sea fishing excursion? How old is your child that you're taking and teaching about fishing? How big is he/she? What kind of fishing gear does he/she need?

Regardless of what you decide is best, you should have the basic safety essentials with you at all times. A first aid kit is mandatory because whenever a kid is involved accidents will happen. Children tend to get poked, scratched, and barbed, so you need to be prepared. If you're going to go deep sea fishing (or freshwater fishing) and are going to be far away from the shore, make sure that you have life jackets and make sure that your child is wearing one even he or she has no intention of getting into the water. Keep in mind your child's abilities when it comes to swimming. If you do not think that they are a strong swimmer, you may want to keep your boat docked. Actually, even if you consider them to be a strong swimmer, you'd be surprised at how quickly your body gets tired when you're even just treading water. If you've never done it before, you might want to do a little water treading just to see how exhausting it can be. You'll be a lot quicker to make sure your pride and joy is safe with a life vest.

Not only is it important that they wear a life vest when fishing off shore - but make sure their vest is the right size for them. If they are wearing a life vest that's too small or too big it won't help them for very long. The cost of a life vest is very small compared to the cost of the life of your loved one. Don't take a chance, it's not worth it!

Make sure to buy and stock your child's tackle box. A youngster's first tackle box should be small and lightweight. There is nothing complex about the contents of a beginner's tackle box. All your son/daughter needs are some pre-tied hooks, some bobbers, a couple of weights, swivels, and small scissors or fingernail clippers to cut their line. A tackle box is a fingerprint for many who view it as a personal expression. Let your child see the basics so that they can build their own to represent themselves one-day. I've taken my kids to the local dollar store and let them pick out a couple of lures each which is always something they look forward to. Or maybe it's the gum and chocolate that I let them get "as long as they don't tell their mom".......... haha.

Make sure to lead by example when you take your kids fishing. Teach them how to keep the line taut so that they will be able to react if a fish bites their line. As soon as your child feels the bite, teach them how to set the hook. Tug back on the rod in order to firmly set the hook in the fish's lip. Take time with your kid to let them learn techniques like "playing the fish". Part of the fun of fishing is the struggle between the man and the fish, so let your child have the entire experience and not just a partial one.

When you start thinking about taking your child fishing, you have certain advantages to teaching them when they're younger rather than older. Younger kids have a greater absorption rate with a desire to soak up as much information as they can. Take that time that you and your child are sharing & educate them about catch and release regulations and fishing for food as opposed to pleasure. If your child decides that they want to let the fish that you catch go, make sure you know the right way to release. Cleaning the fish can either make a child vomit (hey - some adults can't handle it either!!) or ask when the next trip is going to be, so use discretion in regards to age when preparing your catch for dinner.

Obvuiously as a fisherman you're well aware that there are good days and bad days when fishing with your kids. Kids have a tendency to not listen, become disinterested fast or fall asleep at inopportune times. Patience is the key to taking children out for a day of fishing. Yes, even though you learned about patience when you became a fisherman, now you've got to learn about patience all over again. This time at a different level.

Repetition will also make your child more comfortable with the whole process. Regardless of whether a fish is caught or not, take the time to bond with your child while using fishing as an excuse. Sometimes it's not the actual act of catching a fish as it's more the time making memories with your kids. Did I actually say it "not all about actually catching a fish" --- hahaha..... that's lame. Go out and do your best to catch the biggest fish you can and take it home to mama! Oh yeah -- bring the camera unless your phone takes good pics. The first fish your youngster catches will be the thrill of a lifetime! Probably your's too.

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How to buy a fishing rod and reel - 6 tips

First of all, buying a fishing reel isn't really difficult, but you do need to do a little bit of thinking and consider what you're going to be using the reel for. Different types of fishing and different types of fish require different reels. I came up with 6 key points on buying your next reel so that you know what to get and you get exactly what you need.

1) Make sure you look for good grips. Be sure that they're non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where your non-cranking hand sits). Sometimes the grips are made of a rubber material and sometimes it's a synthetic leather type material. Some even have a wound elevated bump on them sort of like a hockey stick. This makes sure that when your hands get wet (which they will whether from water or sweat depending on how hard your fish fights!!), you can still control the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands. Trust me, there's nothing worse than setting the hook and fight to reel that fish in only to lose him becasue you've lost your rod/reel! Been there done that........ bleh!

2) Ball bearings are one of the most important parts of any reel you buy. Basically ball bearings control 2 things, a) the smoothness of the line going thru the reel when you're reeling your fish in, and b) how fast the reel stops. The more ball bearings you have in the reel, the smoother the action will be. Two ball bearings are common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, and 5 or more in top end reels. That's one of the reasons you'll see a difference in the price of reels even though they "look" the same. The other factor that ball bearings influence is how much the reel spins backwards after you stop winding in your line. This should be as little as possible since it affects your control over the line and lure. A simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let go of the crank handle. Now try and pull a little line out of the reel. If the handle turns backwards, you'll have less control. More ball bearings means that this 'unwinding' is reduced - which trust me is very important.

3) You need to check the line capacity, or strength of any reel for 2 points of information. First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and then how many yards/metres of line can be put on the reel. You want to have a reel that is designed for the line weight you are going to use. Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for 6 lb. test will only give you headaches.

4) What type of reel you're looking at - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning. The type of reel you use affects the type of fishing you'll be doing. Reels are designed for different purposes and produce different effects on the lures and bait that you use. If you're fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. These reels don't produce too much action in the lure, and allow very accurate casting control. Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons and spinner type lures.

5) What type of fishing/size of fish are you looking to bring in. Obviously if you're headed out to do some deep-sea / saltwater fishing you won't be wanting to use a 6' bamboo pole! I assume you already are aware of that though....... This points to #4. The type of fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is the size and type of fish you're trying to land. Different fish species aren't only different in size, but also their overall strength and fighting attitude. For example a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a 3 lb. smallmouth bass and so you'll need different reels. Likewise if the areas you fish are loaded with underwater hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, (stumps, fallen trees, big rocks, etc.) you might want to get a sturdier reel than if you always fish in open, clear waters.

6) Size and weight of the rod-reel combo. This isn't overly critical since most reels are usually just a few ounces of each other in weight. But if you're going to be out casting all day long on a regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. The same holds true if you're buying a reel for your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it feels comfortable and you are able to reach the casting mechanisms and tension controls easily and without having to make awkwar

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Some of the Best FLY FISHING SPOTS in the USA

After talking to some friends about where we've all fished we started talking about fly fishing. Being a noob fly fisherman I wanted to know which ones they thought were worht going back to again Here are some the the "Best" Fly Fishing Spots in the United States according to these guys. Of course, you may have some of your own that yo think are the best too. There were so many I might have to make a blog on "The Best Fishing Spots" period!!!

All across the United States there are many beautiful, exciting places that are excellent or fly fishing. Here I'm just highlighting a few of the ones my buddys all liked.

Sitka, Alaska is a major stopover for salmon heading to British Columbia, Washington, and other Alaskan waters. Fly fishermen at Sitka have a higher fishing catch rate than any other marine area in Southeast Alaska. June is the best month for fishing this area. Depending on how much rain they've had at the time you might have to bring along "something" for the black flies though.

The Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona, is one of the best fly fishing spots for rainbow trout. The fish stick around all year in a 15-mile stretch of cold water that flows from the depths of Lake Powell between Glen Canyon Dam & the upper end of the Grand Canyon. Fly fishermen can also book a guide and go flats fishing for 25 lb. carp. This is probably the place I'll be heading to this summer since we're planning on traveling this way for our summer vacation!!!!!

Saltwater fly fishing is GREAT at Montauk Point, New York. Montauk Point is the easternmost point of Long Island and is best known for striper fishing. Fly fishermen have miles of beautiful shoreline to cast a fly. The river can sometimes flow rather quick so you might even want to bring along a tube to take a spin! Or, just drop a line and troll as you float down the river.

Gunpowder Falls, Maryland, is an excellent place to catch cold water trout. A deal was struck by the Maryland state authorities and Trout Unlimited to start cold water releases from Pretty Boy Dam. The result is a combination of wild and stocked brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Most of the fly fishing is in Gunpowder Falls State Park. Even though this is "The Place" for fly fishing in Maryland it's not over=crowded so make sure if you have a little extra time and you're in the area to stop and drop a line.

Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania, is one of the states top wild trout streams. It generally stays cool throughout the summer. There's about a five-mile stretch called the Narrows, near Lamar, that is a very popular area for fly fishing. You'll not be crowded out but you may see some fellow fly fishermen. My one buddy caught his biggest trout here and is planning on heading back this summer.

Driftless Area, Wisconsin, has many excellent fly fishing streams loaded with brown trout. I've been told that there's excellent access to all of southwestern Wisconsin's eight counties. There are 68 streams in Vernon County alone, including Kickapoo River and Timber Coulee Creek. Most fly fishermen in this area use mayfly and caddis imitations.

Laguna Madre, Texas, is full of rivers and lakes that are excellent fly fishing locations. Texas also has its southern coast, which is among the world's greatest saltwater fly fishing areas. The saltwater flats of Laguna Madre, next to Padre Island, are full of all different kinds of fish that make for a great fly fishing experience. Now who doesn't want to head down to the Padre Island area????? This sounded awesome to me and I hope to get here soon. May also be able to add some saltwater fishing here too!

Henry's Fork, Idaho, is a great destination for rainbow trout. If you're fishing the Island Park area, it's better to fish in runoff conditions.

Lake C. W. McConaughy, Nebraska, is the largest lake in the state and also has some of the best fly fishing. Another excellent fly fishing spot in Nebraska is the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area. It's a series of twenty sandpit lakes that have been carved into the Platte River basin. Red Willow reservoir is also a favorite of another buddy of mine and many other fly fishermen in this area of the country.


Kauai, Hawaii, is a great spot for fly fishing largemouth, smallmouth, and peacock bass. This Garden Isle also has excellent saltwater fly fishing. Oh yeah - how sweet is that! I never would have thought of fly fishing in Hawaii except for my friend who has gone here every year for the last 5 years. He doesn't always catch the biggest or the most fish but he said it's like fishing in Heaven. I wouldn't argue with that..............

Whether you like fresh or salt water fly fishing, there are thousands of places to fish across the country that offer the fly fisherman endless opportunities and experiences. You'll find out when you're out there if you talk to some of the other fishermen where they think the best places are. The opportunities are endless, honestly!

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Fishing contest winner allegedly tells a whopper

Private investigators believe Wisconsin man smuggled in the winning fish

AP - Associated Press

updated 12:29 p.m. ET, Wed., Feb. 25, 2009

SOMERSET, Wis. - Lee Shehow had a whopper of a fish tale.

Shehow, of New Richmond, claimed to have won Saturday's ice fishing contest on Bass Lake in Somerset after pulling up a northern pike weighing 2.42 pounds.

TV cameras were rolling when he was asked what he would do with the grand prize, a $27,000 Dodge pickup truck. He replied: "Drive it like it's stolen."

Here's the Video


But private investigators working for the tournament suspected the winning fish was smuggled in.

Under contest rules, the winner was offered the chance Sunday to take a lie detector test and refused, organizer John Montpetit said, and that meant the prize had to go Tuesday to the runner-up, Monica Slimmer, of La Crosse, who caught a northern pike weighing 1.72 pounds.

Shehow denied cheating when interviewed by KARE-TV of Minneapolis-St. Paul. He said he caught the fish fairly and only gave up the prize because he didn't want to cause bad publicity for the Somerset Youth Athletic Association, which had put on the tournament as a fundraiser.

No phone listing could be found for Shehow when The Associated Press tried to reach him Tuesday night for further comment.

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I fish - therefore I am

Basically there are only two types of fishing. The first is saltwater and the 2nd is freshwater fishing. Most people start with freshwater because it's the easiest to find and the easiest to do in most parts of the world. Freshwater fishing can be done in a large lake eg. - Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario etc. or in a small pond or even a vacated gravel quarry.

The challenge with saltwater fishing is greater because you're fishing in deeper water with bigger fish, but it is not something everyone can do. Most saltwater fishing is done by the majority of fishermen just a few times in their life, unless of course, they live near the shore. Of course, it gets a little costly to go all of the time.

Freshwater fishing yields smaller fish in many cases, but you also can go whenever you want. There are a few remote areas where people live that might not have a lot of options. But for the most part people have many fishing spots near them where they can fish whenever they want. There are ponds, rivers, and lakes everywhere, to take advantage of and the cost is relatively minute compared to saltwater fishing.

With freshwater fishing you can always fish from the shore, or you can take a small boat with you when you go. Heck you can even throw a rod from a canoe, zodiac or even an inner-tube if you want! Each is fun, and most are not expensive. You may have to pay out a bit for a boat, but otherwise, fishing is not bad when it comes to price.

If you don’t know where to find freshwater fishing near you, you can always look online for both locations and equipment. You probably have some great fishing areas near you of which you were not aware. Some may be so close you may wonder how you missed them. You might also find that some areas that were really great for fishing once upon a time are no longer good. Check out reviews and stories from other fishermen in your area. Although some guys have more time than others, most of us can squeeze in a little fishing now and again to help take the edge off of the stresses of everyday life!

To some guys fishing now and again is fun but for others it's almost like a religion. Seems many men feel this way, and they love fishing for the chance to have a break from everything. When starting, almost all start out with freshwater fishing, and some won’t do anything else. But if you have a chance to you should definitely give saltwater fishing a chance too.

And then there are those who love to fly-fish. Now that's an amazing sport in itself. The discipline and patience needed for this type of fishing isn't for everyone. But it's definitely a great experience if you get the chance.

Of course if you're in an area where you have the option to do some ice-fishing that's a whole different way to fish. If you saw the movie "Grumpy Old Men" (I believe it was the first one??) then you probably remember the scene where there was a row of "shantys" all lined up with guys inside watching their poles go thru several feet of ice. Brrrrr.......

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