Bluefin Tuna Kite Fishing Techniques

by Captain Ryan Collins

BlueFin

There are numerous variations of kites in the marketplace. Some which fly with relative ease, and others which prove more difficult to get a handle on. We have had success using Boston Big Game kites, along with Power Chute and Mega Mouth fishing kites. Obviously kites need wind to operate, and the more breeze there is, the easier it will be to get your kite flying high. However, making a few modest adjustments in gear can result in a big difference in how well your kite will perform in blustery, along with calm conditions.

Utilizing a kite reel packed with 100 pound braided line has a few distinct advantages over a reel loaded with dacron. Braided line isn't going to allow any stretch, whilst providing more line strength with less line diameter. Basically this means that the kite connected to braid will lift less weight compared to the kite connected to dacron. The extra strength supplied by braid will even help ward against breaking off a kite in gusty conditions.

Loading your 50, 80 or 130 class reel with braided line can help make kite fishing more potent and efficient. A reel loaded with 2oo pound dacron can still be fished with a kite, however the bulky dacron (when compared to the thin diameter of braid) can make it more difficult to fish with a kite during calm wind conditions.

When we first began fishing kites we employed simple, run of the mill kite clips. Now, with a year of experience under our belts, we found that using kite clips with rollers makes life easier. The rollers enable the main line coming from our 80 and 130 class reels to slip very easily through the clips with less resistance. This helps keep our baits positioned happily on the water's surface, rather than dangling in mid air-due to the friction produced by non-roller kite clips.

Employing an elastic bridle to rig live baits will help to decrease the amount of damage to the bait. This is very important because live pogies, mackerel and bluefish quite often require a considerable amount of time and energy to acquire. It is important to keep the baits alive and frisky. As a substitute for traditionally hooking a bait through the top of the back or through the snout, a bridle enables an elastic to be threaded through the bait-much like stitches through skin. This way the opening pierced through the bait is significantly smaller than that created by traditionally hooking the bait. The bait will swim long and with more vigor due to this small alteration in technique.

Braided drop lines also ought to be part of an angler's kite fishing arsenal. Drop lines run from the ball bearing swivels, that are spaced throughout the kite reel's braided line, down towards the ocean's surface. The length of these lines may need to be changed depending on wind conditions. Affix a roller kite clip to the tag end of the drop line. Your main running line will pass through the roller kite clip. Drop lines allow your main line to remain closer to the water's surface, instead of towering high in the sky.



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Fishing for Striped Bass in the Cape Cod Canal

by Captain Ryan Collins

The Cape Cod Canal is amongst the most challenging and rewarding locations along the entire East Coast of America to catch striped bass. Few places on earth provide the shore bound angler a better chance at connecting with a bass in the 40 pound range. .

The man-made land cut has generated amazing fishing the past few seasons. The spring run of large striped bass has been just as impressive, if not more impressive than the famed fall migration.

If next spring is anything similar to the spring of 2011, enormous schools of trophy size striped bass should enter the canal during the second half of May. For the serious striped bass angler, the "Big Ditch," as it's referenced by canal regulars, could very well produce several of the biggest striped bass of the year.

Timing is Everything

The canal will support a population of stripers from May through October. But to really cash in on great canal fishing, an angler has to be present at the canal when a large biomass of fish moves through the land cut.

Unfortunately it is inherently tough to forecast when this will occur. However it may help to stay up to date on Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay fishing reports. Reports of huge schools of surface feeding striped bass in Buzzards Bay will frequently trickle in a few days, to a week, prior to a canal blitz.

These stripers are on a northward migration trek that often times brings them directly into the Cape Cod Canal - as opposed to the longer trip around the arm of the Cape. During this time of the year the canal is stuffed with herring, mackerel, and whiting as well as a plethora of other prey items. The canal effortlessly sets the stage for a top notch fishing opportunity.

Top-notch fishing usually occurs in stages as biomasses of bass migrate through the land cut northward into Cape Cod Bay. Often time's spectacular fishing will occur for a day or two as the school migrates through the canal. A phase of slower fishing ensues, before the next large push of bass transpires a week or so later.

I remember a Thursday morning last season when anyone who could cast a plug more than 30 feet was into big bass. It did not take long for word to get out, and by the weekend the canal was stuffed with anglers. However the biomass of stripers had quickly exited the canal late Thursday/early Friday. I did not see a single striper taken that Saturday morning.

Top Water Action

The top water bite at the canal can be downright nutty during the spring. In other words there are not many places in our neck of the woods where a shore bound angler can cast surface plugs to 30 pound bass.

With that said, not everyone will take advantage of the fantastic top water action during spring at the canal. Lengthy casts of more than 200 feet will often be needed to reach breaking stripers.

Loading the tail end of an aerodynamic surface plug with weight can noticeably increase casting distance without harming the action of the plug. Using ultra thin braided line as well as the best rods and reels money can buy will surely help. However nothing can beat perfect casting technique.

Striped bass are relatively simple to fool with top water plugs when the bass are aggressive and focused in on larger prey items such as tinker mackerel. It can be a completely different predicament if the fish are focused on smaller prey such as juvenile whiting.

On numerous occasions last season, canal fishermen witnessed smaller stripers feeding aggressively on small prey items at the crack of dawn. All efforts to hook these fish went unrewarded as it was nearly impossible to reach these breaking striped bass with a plug that matched the small stature of the bait these smaller stripers were feeding on.

However as the morning and tide progressed, the smaller prey items were replaced by mackerel. Larger bass replaced the little guys, and everyone began hooking up. Things change rapidly this time of the year at the Cape Cod canal



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Tackle Tip: Fishing Knots - How To Tighten Them So They Don't Come Loose

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pete_Nalleweg]Pete Nalleweg

As someone who previously used to have to ask for help with tightening down my fishing knots so they wouldn't come undone, I understand how embarrassing it can be to not be able to tie your own knots.

So instead of annoying your fishing buddy by constantly asking for help, or losing gear and fish to loose knots when you try to tighten them on your own, use these easy tricks to get your fishing knots nice and tight.

Getting knots tight is not a matter of strength. Children have the ability to do it if they know how, no matter how slippery your monofilament line is. You just have to use the right techniques.

1. Lubricate your knot before tightening it.

Dish soap is the recommended lubricant, as it will not damage your line. It's a good idea to keep a small squeeze bottle of dish soap in your tackle box or the pocket of your fishing vest. However, you can use saliva in a pinch.

Making the knot slippery with lubricant will help your knot slide nicely into place when you tighten it.

2. Don't rush when you tie your knots.

If you're not paying proper attention and rushing to get your knot tied, that is when mistakes happen. Take the time to ensure your knot has the right number of wraps for the weight and type of your line, that it is nicely lubricated, and that you have made it good and secure.

Those extra few seconds you take to tie your fishing knot can mean the difference between landing that trophy fish or loosing it.

3. Use pliers on heavier lines.

Tying knots on heavier weight monofilament line can be tricky, as it doesn't want to bend to your will as easily as a lighter line. A small pair of pliers attached to your fishing vest can be a lifesaver in this case. I keep mine on a retractable line so they can't get lost.

Use the pliers to tighten down the knot when you fingers can't get it nice and snug.

4. Don't use your teeth to tighten your knots.

Fishing line is harder than the enamel in your teeth. If you constantly use your teeth to pull the line tight or to cut your line, you risk wearing a notch into your teeth. Try explaining that one to your dentist!

If you need to use something to grip the line, use pliers and save your teeth.

5. Wear gloves when tying knots in super braid line.

Super braid fishing line is notorious for cutting up fishermen's hands when tying knots. So to protect yourself, use a pair of gloves when using this type of line.

If you follow the tricks above, your fishing knots will be nice and tight and the fish will make it into your boat every time.

For more [http://www.bestfishingknots.com]fishing knot tips, sign up for the Fishing Knots With Pete free newsletter at [http://www.bestfishingknots.com]http://www.bestfishingknots.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fishing-Knots---How-To-Tighten-Them-So-They-Dont-Come-Loose&id=6087066] Fishing Knots - How To Tighten Them So They Don't Come Loose

Tackle Tip: Rainbow Trout Lures - The Top 3

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler]Trevor Kugler

If you are going fishing for rainbow trout one of the most important things to be mindful of are the types of rainbow trout lures that are employed. I have been fishing for these beautiful fish for more than two decades and in that time have learned that some rainbow trout lures are better than others and will list the most effective of these lures in this article. The bottom line is that if you fish for rainbow trout with spinning gear, these lures should be a part of you trout fishing arsenal.

Before getting down to the lures themselves it's important to point out one thing about rainbow trout that every trout fisherman needs to be aware of. These fish are normally found in very clear water, have very keen eyesight, and are very aware of their surroundings. These facts are probably more true in river fishing scenarios, as opposed to lake fishing scenarios, but are nonetheless worth mentioning. For all of the reasons outlined above it means two very important things to the trout fisherman; be mindful of your shadow and be mindful of your fishing line.

You can easily spook the trout that you are attempting to catch by casting your shadow on the water you intend to fish and you can easily spook the trout that you intend to catch by using fishing line that's too heavy. And can you guess what happens if a trout gets "spooked"? Yep, it will tend not to bite. So, be mindful of your shadow and your fishing line any time that you are fishing for rainbow trout.

With that being said, lets get down to the top 3 rainbow trout lures (in no particular order), what do you say?

Minnow Plugs - Minnow plugs are an excellent rainbow trout lure, but the one key is to make sure that you keep them small. From two to three inches is the perfect size for fishing for rainbow trout and a five inch minnow plug would be as big as you would ever want to use when fishing for rainbows. Rapala is the "king" of minnow plugs and rebel and Yo-zuri make effective minnow plugs as well, but the bottom line is that minnow plugs are an excellent choice as far as   rel=nofollow [http://jrwfishing.blogspot.com]rainbow trout lures are concerned.
In-line Spinners - In line spinners are what many people think of when they think of the term "trout fishing", and with good reason. Panther Martin and Rooster Tail spinners are by far the most popular and effective in-line spinners when it comes to fishing for rainbow trout. A key is to match the size of spinner to the water that you are fishing. In small rivers and streams in-line spinners as small as 1/32 ounce can be used and in larger rivers and lakes you probably want to bump your spinner weight up to as large as a 1/4 ounce.
Mini Jigs - Mini jigs are an often overlooked lure for rainbow trout, but the certainly shouldn't be. Although mostly used in lakes, mini jigs can also be fished in small rivers and streams. When I say mini jigs I mean mini as these jigs weigh from 1/80- up to 1/32-ounce. They are normally fished using very light line and long rods and in the case of the really tiny jigs a casting bubble or bobber is used to help with the casting process. Some river or stream techniques would include dropping a mini-jig in behind boulders or allowing the jig to run down a current line, the key to getting hookups is to watch the tip of the rod or any movement of the line as pick ups are very often quite subtle.

The bottom line is that the 3 aforementioned rainbow trout lures are extremely effective and should be a part of every serious trout fisherman's repertoire, there no doubt about it.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Fish artificial flies for [http://www.jrwfishing.com/castingbubblecombo.html]rainbow trout while using spin fishing gear!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rainbow-Trout-Lures---The-Top-3&id=6077867] Rainbow Trout Lures - The Top 3

5 Secrets for Spring Crappie Fishing

Fishing for crappie in the spring is different from fishing in the summer or fall. You will use different bait and size of bait than you would any other time.

You will fish different locations than you would during other months and you will have to watch the water conditions and the temperatures. You have to watch the spawning season closely to make sure that you get the male crappie if you do not want the females before they lay the eggs.

You will use a different technique in the spring than what you would use in other months. These are the 5 secrets for spring crappie fishing.

Bait

Make sure that you are offering bait that the crappie eats during the spring months. Because this is the time when spawning occurs, you have to offer bait that the fish will want. You can offer insects or very small minnows. The crappie is not interested in a fight so they will feed better on insects during the spring. If you have artificial bait, use something smaller than you would use in the summer and fall months.

In some cases, you can cut the minnow's head off and use the body and tail as bait. This appears smaller and is more the size that the crappie is after during spring.

Location

During the spring months, you have to look for where the fish are spawning. The males will stay with the eggs until they hatch. The females with lay the eggs and start their journey back to deeper waters. The males however, will stay and guard the eggs until they hatch. After the eggs hatch, you can expect to see the males start heading back to the deeper waters. Look in shallow waters near muddy bottoms and by fallen timber.

Water Condition and Temperature

You must no the water temperatures to know where the crappie are going to be. If the temperature of the water does not warm quickly enough during spring, the fish may be a little late to the spawn and their return to deeper waters.

The water condition as well is another concern. Crappies prefer clear waters but the white crappie can tolerate some strained water. If the water conditions are terribly strained, you might not be able to fish that day. Sometimes the wind and rain can stir up the water and make murky conditions.

Before and After the Spawn

Before the spawn, anglers can look around the areas where the crappie head to the spawning grounds. Shallow waters are idea for spawning crappies. After the spawn, you will see the females returning the deeper water while the males return a few days later.

If you want to catch crappie during the spring months, you can fish crappie during the and after the spawn. There are some ways that you can tell if you are getting a female or a male crappie during the spring months. Some anglers are not very happy when they catch the females when they are filleting the fish.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrappiefishing.com/editorials/5-secrets-for-spring-crappie-fishing.html for more information on crappie fishing.

Flounder Bait - What And When To Use

The flounder is a species that can be found in Canada and along the Eastern and Western coast of the United States. This is a unique fish with some amazing qualities. For example, when they mature one of their eyes will migrate to the other side giving them two eyes on one side. This has a lot to do with the fact that they lie half buried in the sandy bottoms of the ocean waiting for a tasty meal to go by. The eye from the side that is next to the ocean's floor goes through metamorphosis and moves to the upper side.

The flounder is a flatfish that can put up a really good fight once hooked. They also taste delicious and this is the two main reasons so many anglers go out searching for them. They are considered a predator because they do ambush their prey from the bottom of the ocean where they are very hard to see. They mostly feed off of smaller fish, crustaceans and polychaetes.

If you want to catch and reel in flounder you need to get their attention first. This requires using baits they are attracted to. So what types of bait do you need to use and when should you use them? It really depends on where and when you're fishing but there are a few basic rules that you can follow that will yield some pretty good results.

Which Flounder Bait to Use and When
The first thing that you need to know is that the flounder will usually respond best to fresh live bait. This is true in most all situations so you really can't go wrong when using live bait. Some of the best options will include worms, clams, squid, minnows, mullet and shrimp. When it comes to size you need to choose something just big enough to stay on the hook. If you choose anything bigger than this it will probably be too big to fit in the mouth of this species.

Use live bait anytime and anywhere that you can for the best results. However, there are times when you can't use live bait or if you simply prefer not to, then you can fish with artificial bait as long as you choose something that will attract their attention. The soft plastic lures usually work the best because these resemble live bait so closely. Stick with the ones that look like the bait fish they are attracted to naturally.

When using artificial baits it's important to make sure you use them correctly. They should move through the water in the same way that live bait would. If you're having trouble with your presentation it would be wise to practice before heading out on your flounder fishing trip. If you don't present the lures correctly, you won't get any bites from this species.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best salt water fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/flounder-bait.html for more information on salt water fishing.

River Fishing Tips - Tips For Catching Fish In Cold Weather

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler]Trevor Kugler

As a person who has been fishing in rivers,especially small rivers that need to be waded to be fished effectively (mainly for trout or small mouth bass) it occurs to me that catching fish in cold weather can be a difficult proposition. In fact in many cases catching fish while river fishing during the months of December, January, and February can be so difficult that many anglers don't even bother to try. Fish can be caught while river fishing in cold weather, it's just the the rules are different than they are at other times of the year.



In this article I will discuss a few river fishing tips to help you catch more fish during the cold weather months of December, January, and February. The first of the river fishing tips to consider concerning fishing in cold weather is where the fish are located withing the river system itself. During warm months when the water temperatures are warmer, fish are found throughout the river system. Fish can be found in pools, runs, and riffles during months other than January, February, and March, whereas during the cold weather months fish tend to congregate together in the deepest pools within the river. The biggest mistake fishermen make when attempting to river fish in cold weather is fishing in the same area's that they catch fish during other times of the year. When the weather is cold concentrate your time on the deepest pools in the river and fish these pools very thoroughly.



The next tip for catching fish when the weather is cold is obvious, but is nonetheless an extremely valid tip. You always want to be prepared for the weather when fishing in cold weather, and depending on your favorite style of fishing the most important part of your body to keep warm is probably your hands. Nothing can ruin a perfectly good fishing trip like cold hands, which is where a quality pair of fishing gloves and/or glove liners comes in to play. Glove liners can act as "fingerless gloves" as well, which is nice for being able to feel your fishing line for tying knots or feeling for bites while fishing and then when the fishing is over you simply slip your warm gloves over your glove liners to keep your hands warm and toasty. Wearing a beanie style cap is also very helpful for keeping your whole body warm when fishing in cold weather and is something that every cold weather fisherman shouldn't be without, seeing as how ninety percent of your body heat escapes through your head when the temperatures are cold.



The next of the rel=nofollow [http://www.jrwfishing.com]river fishing tips that I want to discuss in regards to fishing in cold weather is the size of the bait or lure that you use. In the cold weather months of January, February, and March water temperatures become extremely cold and because fish are cold blooded creatures, their metabolism slows down considerably. This means that the fish don't feed as often due to their slow metabolism and means that you want to downsize your baits when fishing in cold weather. For example rather than using an entire live worm as bait in cold weather just use a two inch section of a worm or rather than using a half ounce Rooster Tail use one that is 1/16 of an ounce and plan on "working harder" for each and every bite that you receive. In cold weather it is often necessary to put your offering literally in front of the fishes nose to get the fish to bite, which means that you usually have to make a lot more casts than you might be used to.



Keep these simple river fishing tips in mind the next time that you head out in search of fish when the temperatures are cold. They will not only help you to experience more success, they will help you be much more comfortable as well.



Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.



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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?River-Fishing-Tips---Tips-For-Catching-Fish-In-Cold-Weather&id=5798992] River Fishing Tips-Tips For Catching Fish In Cold Weather