Category: Fishing

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Best Fishing Rods and Reels for Beginners

If you’re just getting into the world of fishing, you’ll quickly find out there’s hundreds of options to choose from

Knowing where to start can be daunting. Not to worry. We’re going to break it all down for you. And we’ll start with the two most basic pieces of gear: the fishing rod and reel.

There are many kinds of fishing rods on the market and they differ on what kind of fish you are targeting and what kind of technique you plan to use. To keep things simple, we’re going to focus our selection on slow action rods which tend to be the best alternative for beginning fisherman.

KastKing Combo Spinning Rod and Reel

The KastKing combo kit comes with the Mela spinning reel and a Blackhawk travel rod. When you consider the fact that both of the components are each one of the best available in the market, in their own rights, it’s no wonder that their combination is one of the best products for beginners to choose from. The Blackhawk travel rod has the exceptional quality of being extremely light while providing a powerful throw. The Mela spinning reel is a best selling product, owing to the fact that it’s a 10 + 1 corrosion resistant which, unlike the other cheaper quality reels, prevents rust from setting in. After everything has been taken into perspective, the KastKing combo is one of the best choices available for beginners at the lowest possible price.

Sougayilang Fishing Rod Reel Combo Kit

The Sougayilang Fishing Rod Reel Combo Kit is another great option for beginner fisherman. . Sougayilang offers such fishing rods that are durable and able to withstand heavy usage, owing to the fact that they’re made up of high grade carbon fiber. On top of that, these fishing rods come in varying sizes and specification, meaning that they can cater to individuals of a wide range of heights. Additional features such as the fully adjustable cast control, the line lay oscillation system and the high tensile geared aluminum spool cement this option as one of the best of its class.  

Redington Crosswater 890-4 Fly Rod and Reel Combo Kit

If price is no object, then the Redington Crosswater 890-4 Fly Rod and Reel Combo Kit is a great choice.  The Redington brand has a reputation for producing innovative, high performance rods for both freshwater and saltwater applications.The Redington kit comes with a lot of exceptional features, with long ranged casting, excellent flex and easier casting being the center of attention. The fact that the Redington rod is small enough to fit into most of the kayaks using the supplied case means that it’s one of the handiest fishing rods going around. If you can afford it, the Redington Crosswater 890-4 Fly Rod and Reel Combo Kit is a top quality choice for beginners.

PLUSINNO Fishing Spin Spinning Rod and Reel Combo

A fishing rod is the most important piece of equipment that you require for the sport of fishing. However, getting the best rod doesn’t mean that you’ll have the best fishing experience and will be the best at the game. Why? Well, it’s because a fishing rod is a tool that is at the whim of you, the fisherman. What it achieves for you and your fishing experience will depend, obviously, upon the kind of magic that you can conjure with the rod in your hands!

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Ice Fishing Gear Checklist for the Winter Fishermen

Ice fishing has always been a popular practice for humanity since time immemorial.

It has come a long way in recent years with all the advancements in tackle and tactics pertaining to the practice of ice fishing to help anglers catch more fish and make it more of an experience to remember. When it comes to putting more fish to sleep in the winter season, you need to be well equipped to make it a worthwhile fishing trip. While there may exist a lot of seasoned fishermen who have their own ice fishing gear lists based on their specific needs developed over the years and an approach all figured out, there are those who do not know quite where to start. This is why you would be better off checking out this ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen before getting started.

1. Ice Tools

Before you can actually reel in a fish, you need to make a suitable hole in the ice in order to get to them. Here are a few tools that make up an important part of the ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen.

Ice Auger

Augers are the most primal tools which can be used to drill the adequate fishing hole into the ice. They come primarily in three varieties. There are the hand driven ones, the propane powered ones and the electric augers. The kind of auger you will need depends on where you are fishing but for someone who is starting out, you should be good with just the hand powered auger. They are the cheapest version of all augers out there and they will definitely get your blood pumping when you are out there in the icy landscape. If you need to set up multiple fishing holes throughout the course of the day, it would be wise to have a gas or electric auger with you. Pay attention to all the instructions when you are using an auger to drill the ice.

Auger Extensions

If you happen to live in the more colder areas and the standard sized auger won’t cut it, a good ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen would include auger extension as well. The standard sized auger can only drill so far. The extension will help you drill through the remainder of the ice while allowing you to operate the auger safely.

Ice Hole Cover

The last accessory pertaining to the ice hole you should take along with you is a cover which will help to keep the hole open for longer. It is most helpful in colder temperatures. These covers are typically made with plastic or rubber. They have single or several holes so you can still put down a line into the water while the cover is on.

2. Rods and Tackle

Once you have the fishing hole drilled out, the next items on the ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen fall under the rods and tackle category.

Ice Fishing Rod

Lightweight rods with small reels which make it easy to cast a line down a hole even in restrictive spaces.

Tip Ups

Fishermen rely on these as an alternative. A tip up is a rig with a fishing line attached to it. It fits over the ice hole and whenever there is a fish taking the bait on a tip up, it triggers a flag indicating to the fisherman. The advantage of tip ups is that several can be set up at the same time, increasing the number of potential fishes that can be caught.

Ice Fishing Tackle

The selection of bait depends primarily on where you are fishing and what you are fishing for. There are various sinkers, bright colored baits and flashing lures. You can even use live bait to catch the fish.

Depth Finder

there is no levee for a guessing game if you are serious about your fishing. In this ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen, you absolutely need a depth finder. There is no way to determine the depth under the ice without something to help you. You can use more technologically advanced sonar based depth finders or you can make use of simple clip-on depth finders. It depends on your preferences. Start off with the low tech method and upgrade as you gain more experience.

3. Extras

You’ll be facing extreme weather when you are out there on the ice trying to put the fish on ice. Here are a few things, which will complete the ice fishing gear checklist for the winter fishermen and ensure you enjoy your adventure out on the ice.

  • Boots
  • Gloves
  • Base Layer
  • Ice suit
  • Ice cleats
  • Ice shelter
  • Ice anchors
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Fishing Gear for Beginners

Starting a new hobby or a new sport means you have to ensure you have the right supplies and gears.

If you have decided to start fishing, you need to invest in the essential tools to get you started. Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to advance gear and supplies. Here is the recommended fishing gear for beginners to get you started on your new hobby:

Reel & Rod

There are many ways of catching fish like using a cage or a net. However, we are assuming you want to go for the classic method – using a reel and rod. There is a wide range of high quality reels and rods available in the market. To ease your confusion, you should begin with a sturdy basic rod with a reel attached. This is a no-frills and simple option that you would be able to use for years.

Line & Hooks

Fishing rods typically comes with a line and hooks. Whether it does or doesn’t come with line and hooks, you would still need back up. The basic and simple fishing line most commonly used is a monofilament which is an effective all-purpose line. It is best to avoid using embellished and fancy hooks in the start. Invest in basic and simple products for both line and hooks.

Bait

It is highly unlikely that you would be able to capture a fish without using bait! The most common is live baits. You can opt for mealworms, grasshoppers, maggots, grubs, or earthworms. You don’t even have to buy bait; just dig in your yard to collect worms. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty or don’t have a yard, you can easily get live baits from any bait shop.

Bobbers

Also known as floaters, bobbers assist you in determining when you get bites from a fish. A bobber will sink when a fish takes a bite. The minute this happens, you have to reel in the catch. The most commonly used bobbers are round white and red plastic ones. A slip bobber is another type of bobbers which is typically used by advanced users.

Sinkers

A worm and a hook are too light to sink much deeper. It is essential to add in a weight to your fishing rig so that you can go compensate for this restriction. A sinker helps in adding that extra weight as they are made from lead. However, lead sinkers are being outlawed for environmental reasons. Other sinker options include bismuth, steel, tungsten and brass. Make sure you have a few extra ones as you are bound to lose some while fishing.

Plastic Worms

Although live baits are most effective, it’s always recommended to have a pack of plastic worms with you, especially in case of bass fishing. Plastic worms come in a wide range of sizes and colors. The easiest to use are the plastic worms with long tails.

Lures

Usually, a worm and hook can be enough for your fishing needs. However, in some cases you might want to utilize some advanced lures to pump up your fishing game. There are countless kinds of fishing lures to select from – spoons and spinners, top water lures, and minnow imitations are a few examples. Each lure type is created to behave in a specific manner to attract the attention of the fish. For instance, large and medium sized fishes prefer munching on minnows, and many fishes get attracted to the spinners which create a spinning action when tossed into water. There is no right type of lure; it is more of a personal preference. Try out a few to determine which one works well for you.

Needle Nose Pliers

You would need this to take out the hooks from the fishes you catch.

First Aid Kit

You, hopefully, won’t experience any major injuries or medical emergencies while fishing but small cuts and bruises are possible. For instance, a hook getting caught in the thumb, or scraping your knee if you fall down or other such small injuries. For such incidents, it is always recommended to have a first aid kit with you. Add in a waterproof medical tape, small bandages, Neosporin, and some band aids. This should be enough to tackle any fishing related injuries.

There is no need for a huge or multi layered tackle box if you are a beginner. Get a small container and add in all this basic fishing gear. Keep your box organized and updated so you can go fishing instantly whenever you want. As you start getting a hang of it, you can try out advance gear to take your fishing game to the next level.

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What Are the Different Kinds of Fishing Lures for Bass?

Fishing is a sport enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

The adventure and fun is in mastering technique and patience rather than physical strength or fitness; which is why people from all ages and genders find it easy to take up.

Apart from technique the second most important thing with fishing is a clever selection of bait. Whether you are just getting into fishing for the first time or planning to pick it up after a break, you may find yourself getting overwhelmed with all the different varieties of lures that are available in the market today.

In this article, we take a look at the different kinds of fishing lures for bass that are popular and proven to be effective.

Plastic and Rubber Worms

Plastic and rubber worms are the top lure for bass fishing. The squiggly bait looks very real and often fools the fish into striking at the hook.

Worms come in a variety of sizes, colors and design. If you are using these worms, the trick is to be patient and take it slow. It usually takes some time before you get a catch.

The fish mostly get hooked as the bait is sinking through the water. Cast your lure into the water and then slowly lower the rod while reeling in the line. This gives the worm a slow, natural decent.

When you get a hit, you will feel a light pull on the pole. Give it a hard hookset while keeping the line steady to make sure that the hook holds before reeling in.

Jigs

Skirted jigs are good for fishing because they can be used all year around and work in temperatures from 40 degree to 90 degree. This fishing bait can be used in depth from 2 feet to 40 feet.

Jigs are not for novices though. This bait requires skill and expertise. Fishers use this bait mostly for short range flipping and pitching. The key is to be accurate and make a soft entry when hitting the water. It can be tricky to get the hang of this bait at first.

Bass usually take the bait when it is sinking through the water. The speed at which it drops and moves through the water determines if the fish will bite.

Crankbaits

This bait is great for covering a large body of water in short time. Crankbait are popular because of their effectiveness at catching fish in different environments.

To use properly, simply case one out into the water as far as possible and crank the bait back to you. If there are bass in the area, they will bite.

Crankbaits are sold in a variety of sizes, shapes, running depths and weights. Depth and weight are particularly important for this type of bait. If the fish are six-foot deep in water, you won’t be very successful using a crankbait that runs four feet deep.

Spinnerbaits

These fishing baits are popular because of their effectiveness and ability to catch bass. Most beginners would find it odd how effective these baits are given the odd shape and appearance.

The bait is made of a thin wire frame, similar to an opened safety pin. A large number of shiny, thin blades are attached at one end. A small weight with a hook is attached to the other end.

The lure is used by casting it into the water and retrieving it over a distance. As the line is being pulled, the blades spin in a dazzling circle which is meant to attract the fish. Most anglers retrieve the spinnerbait in a straight line but it can also be effective if you jerk the line sideways to see if the fish will bite.

Jerkbaits

This lure is more popular in colder months but it can be just as effective in summer as well. It can be used in shallow or deep water with a slow or fast fishing action.

It is designed as a longish lure and meant to look like an injured baitfish. The fisher jerks the rod around while reeling in to create an erratic movement that makes it resemble an injured, dying fish which attracts bass for an easy meal.

Jerkbaits give the anglers a lot of control but they do require good technique. These fish baits are more popular among experienced fishers.

Crawfish

One species of forage that Bass feed on throughout the year is crawfish. These small crustaceans reside in deep rocks and shallow weeds and they are active for most seasons except the coldest of winters.

You can attach a plastic craw to your hook and flip it into cover or drag it close to rocks where you find plenty of bass feeding. One of them is bound to take the bait and get hooked.

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4 Tips in Choosing the Right Fishing Canoe

You must be wondering why pick a canoe over the ease and comfort of a kayak when you’re going out fishing.

The thing is, fishing canoes will provide you with a lot more space where you can store your fishing equipment. It does not get simpler than that. Some people might find kayaks more convenient and suitable for their needs than a fishing canoe, but that is all based on personal choices. That being said, there is still the question of choosing the right canoe, which will be based on your specific needs going into the river hunting for fish. Here are 4 tips in choosing the right fishing canoe:

Size Matters

Get your head out of the gutter. Size is the foremost tip among the 4 tips in choosing the right fishing canoe. There are two very popular sizes for fishing canoes: the single and tandem canoes. Each of them have their uses, depending on the kind of fishing trip you’re aiming for and the number of people that are going.

Single Canoe

Some boats tend to be faster than others while there are those that are better to fish out of and some are just easier to store and manage. Kayaks offer an ease of use, they have good speed and are very light weight. Single canoes offer the much needed compromise between a better fishing boat, ease of usage, the storage problem and its weight without losing too much on the speed. Kayaks do not allow you to stand up and engage in fly fishing like you should be able to do. The angle is too inconvenient and there is barely enough space to move freely. Single canoes are great in the sense that they offer you the levee to move around and even stand up when you are in calmer waters and you want to do some good old fly fishing.

Tandem Canoe

It is like a solo canoe, only bigger. A tandem canoe is one which has more seats and be used by two canoeists. There might be a chance that you still want to engage in a solo fishing trip but you want to bring someone along with you (a human, not a K9) or you are someone who frequents the river with a fellow fishing enthusiast. Whatever the case may be, when there is more than one person who needs to get on to a boat for the fishing excursion into the river, you should get a tandem canoe. It offers more space, paddling it is less tricky since there is another person with you and you can easily engage in fly fishing. First time buyers usually end up buying tandem canoes because of their practicality. They move on to the solo canoes when they have a significant experience in canoe fishing.

Deciding on the Length

Again, not a joke. It is a necessary part of the 4 tips in choosing the right fishing canoe. The length of a canoe is an important factor since it determines the speed at which your canoe can travel along the river. When it comes to canoes for fishing, you do not require a lot of speed. The longer the canoe, the higher the speed it can reach since it is more streamlined when it is longer. When choosing a canoe for your fishing trip, solo or tandem, your canoe should only be long enough to accommodate the necessities. A shorter canoe will offer you the right kind of speed which you need to travel while fishing and a more stable platform for your fishing activities.

Material

Among the 4 tips in choosing the right fishing canoe, comes the factor of the material. It is necessary to know what your fishing canoe is made of and how that will affect your fishing excursion. Fishing canoe enthusiasts use carbon fiber or fiberglass canoes very popularly. When it comes to material, there is no such thing as the best kind of material for all fishing canoes. You should only get what you need. Carbon fiber canoes are very light weight which makes transporting them a lot easier but they are very expensive. You should invest in them if you are not someone strapped for cash. If you are not able to make a big investment into your fishing canoe, getting a plastic canoe is not a bad option. It might be heavier than the carbon fiber canoe but it does its job adequately.

The Shape

The last of the 4 tips in choosing the right fishing canoe is the shape. Just like with the length, the shape also affects the speed. Narrow and rounded canoes are faster but what you need for fishing trips is a wide and flat canoe. The wider hull provides you with more storage space and a more stable platform to fish from.