Tips For Catching Crappie In Brush

If you're looking for some great crappie fishing fun, searching in the brush is a great way to go. Crappie love to hide in brush piles that are difficult to fish in so if you can learn to overcome this common problem with crappie fishing, you can start reeling 'em in and frying 'em up in no time!

When the crappie start to pile up under deep cover such as bushes and brush or fallen trees in the water, the best tactic for trying to catch them is to position your boat and yourself, just over their heads. When you fish in from above, you avoid the mess that can come with trying to cast from ashore into a brush pile.

Crappie fishermen know that some of the best fish around are crappie that hide in the brush. When you find a great brush pile on your favorite lake and spot the fish piled up around and underneath it, the real trick is just to discover how to get to it.

If you can position yourself above the pile and drop in with a good bait or lure directly into the pile above their heads, you can meet with fast action. Watch the crappie go crazy after your bait and then just start reeling them in.

If the brush crappie are located deeper in the water, it will require certain techniques to find success. There are several different ways to find the crappie that are located deeper. There are special electronic devices and fish-finders that will help you accomplish this task.

When it comes to locations for finding the crappie, you don't always need expensive electronics to help you (but they can be handy if you do have them). Instead, you just need to know the great places to look in the first place. For example, marked fish attractors that often get put down by fishery managers or lake organizers are a good start.

You can also look for any locations where brush tends to collect. In addition to shorelines, you can also look around docks, rubbage or floating debris in the water or shallow areas in the water.

When you've found a great place with fish in it, you can toss a buoy over to help you mark the spot. You don't want to just drive your boat right up in there and scare all the fish away or get caught and tangled in a mass of brush yourself.

Troll your motor and keep an eye on your graph (if you are using one). Now you can head in and fish all around your buoy, getting as close as you can without disturbing anything. If you can get a good position to just drop the line right down on the fish in their comfy spot, you will hit a goldmine for sure.

When you first begin, you will need to take some cues from the crappie on what type of bait they want. If something seems to be working on that particular fishing day, then roll with it and just keep using what works.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 12tipscatchingcr appiebrush. html for more information on Crappie fishing.

How To Fish Crappie Structure For More Hookups

When fishing area with heavy structure there are many things you can do to increase the amount of hookups. This article will discuss several methods that will help your overall performance on the water.

The first thing you must do is fish as light as possible. I would advise using four pound test line whenever possible. You can maybe go to line as heavy as six pound but no heavier. You also will need a light action graphite rod to feel the sometimes gentle pickups that indicate a fish in on the line. The reel is in this form of fishing the least important piece of equipment. Any standard functioning spinning reel will suffice.

One tackle change I have made many people adjust is the hook selection. When you are fishing heavy structure you do not want to spook the fish. Hookups into the structure are inevitable when fishing in this type of area. For these reason I advise using very thin wire hooks.

A Crappie, even a large one, is not strong enough to straighten a hook out to secure its release. A very thin hook helps in two main areas. First it is a better choice when you consider the very delicate mouth of a Crappie. You will lose less fish you have hook when using a thin wire hook.

Secondly when you get hooked up into the structure you are fishing it is easier to pull the wire hook free without disturbing the structure and consequently spooking the fish. It is very important when fishing heavy structure to not disturb it when you inevitably become snagged.

For bait nothing beats a small minnow. Most bait stores do not call small minnows "crappie minnows" without good reason. Over the long run it is undoubtedly the best bait for catching Crappie. You can use insects, earthworms, nitecrawlers and leeches and catch fish, but in the final analysis the small minnows out produces all of the alternative bait choices.

The manner in which you present your offering is very important as well. Crappies have one distinct feeding pattern that is different than most other fish. They like to feed at a preferred depth that can change from day to day and sometimes even from hour to hour. When you arrive at a fishing are you should be prepared to fish at varying depths in an effort to locate fish that are feeding. Many anglers use a fish finding rig that has a series of two or three hooks that are located precisely one foot apart to help speed up this process. I like to start fishing one foot off the bottom and then move upwards until I either start catching fish or declare an area no good.

When Crappie are actively feeding I simply attached my live offering onto as small a hook as I can use and wait for action. When however the fish are not feeding actively you will often have to be creative in your approach. A small jig head tipped with a minnow or maggot can often trigger strikes from fish when they would not otherwise feed. The key is to increase the size of your bait for fish that are not active.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 12howcrappiestru cture.html for more information on Crappie Structures.

A Beginners Guide For Locating Crappie

Locating crappie is the most important part of catching crappie. All the technique in the world, the very best equipment, the most wonderful secret bait in the world--none of that is going to put a crappie on your line if you can not find them. Learning how to spot crappie is the most important thing you can do as a crappie angler.

Now, If you don't have the sophisticated equipment that makes finding crappie a snap, just know that they really like cover. If you see brush piles, and it is summer or even winter, you are going to do ok. Just fish those areas, but if you have a depth finder, you are going to have an easier time locating the schooling crappie.

Most depth finders have the little fish symbols, and if they work for you, that is all good. Just know that, you can turn those off. It sometimes helps you get a better idea of what it is that is under your boat, not having those symbols clouding up the picture. Look for structure that just appears out of nowhere. If you are tooling along and spot a big brush pile or a log jam, or even submerged stumps and trees...you have a likely crappie hot spot. Just idle over it until you can see if it holds crappie, then, for best results, drop a couple of bouys to mark the spot. To start out, throw a few tube jigs to them. Use that as long as it works for you, but whenever it starts to slow down on you, switch to some swim baits such as curly tail grubs, and you can usually pull a few more fish out that way. Fish the edges of the brush rather than dropping right down into the middle of it for best results.

Another tip for using your electronic fish finder from a boat is the simple art of knowing what the schools of crappie are when they show up on your fish finder. Most often, these big schools look like a big, upside downward pointing Christmas tree. When you see this on your screen, you are about to hit the mother load. Just remember not to get over zealous and try to fish the middle of the school. The action of the bait entering the water and the fish being pulled out of the water will spook the fish, and you will lose them.

Fish the outer edges of the school, and you will catch your limit. When the bite runs out, just understand that schools are constantly on the move. Pull your bouys, and move on to the next structure you happen on.

Whenever you find a school, you have to determine at what depth they are holding. The easiest way to do this is to start with your line at the bottom.

Reel it in very slowly, and then when you get to a depth where you get a bite, mark your line with a magic marker. This will allow you to return to that depth easily.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 12beginnersguide .html for more information on Crappie fishing.

How To Catch Striped Bass On The Hudson River

Do you love going striped bass fishing? Have you ever been fishing for striped bass on the Hudson River? If not, you don't know what you're missing.

For many years the striped bass have been spawning in the Hudson River and this trend continues with even more fish than ever before.

Each year anglers from all over the nation come to take advantage of this great fishing opportunity. It's even become a tradition for many anglers and you may want to make it a regular routine for yourself as well.

The best time to fish the Hudson River for striped bass is during the last part of March until about the middle of June. However, April is the prime month when they are the most plentiful.

The size of these fish varies with the average weight being around twenty-five pounds but don't be surprised to see a few weighing up to forty pounds from time to time. The striped bass can grow to some pretty amazing sizes.

There are many options available when it comes to catching the striped bass on the Hudson River. You simply need to know a little about the area to determine which methods would work the best for you. Below are some tips that will help you reel in the striped bass while fishing on the Hudson River.

Tips for Reeling in the Striped Bass

The Hudson River is 315 miles long providing a huge area where anglers can fish from a boat or from the shoreline. During the spawning season this river is packed with anglers ready to try their hand at reeling in the striped bass. Below are a few tips that can help make your fishing trips more productive each time you go out on the water.

It doesn't matter if you're fishing from a boat or casting your line from the shore, you need to arrive early and choose your location wisely for the best results. If you get there too late your favorite hot spot may already be taken.

Herring is one of the striper bass favorite foods. Therefore, fishing in locations where this baitfish is plentiful will yield some nice results. One of the best places to find herring will be where the small streams are coming into the river. The herring will migrate to these areas and draw in the striper bass.

When fishing from the shoreline it's best to look for areas where there is shallow water. Any water that is about five feet deep or so will warm up much faster than the deeper water so the striped bass will be drawn to it.

Using a boat has many advantages because it makes it easy to get to locations that can't be reached any other way. You should also be able to find larger school of stripers when you are mobile. Trolling is one of the most popular methods used by the boaters on this river and it's recommended by the experienced anglers.

The best bait to use for catching stripers on the Hudson River would be herring since that's their natural food source but that's not the only bait you can use. Early in the season you can have some great results by using sandworms or bloodworms. Eels are also a great option that will work very well.

Of course, don't rule out artificial baits. Some of these will work just as well as live bait if it's presented correctly. A variety of spoons and spinnerbaits are the favorite of most anglers.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best bass fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askbassf ishing.com/ editorials/ 12stripedbasshud sonriver. html for more information on bass fishing on the Hudson River.

New Jersey Ocean Fishing Tactics

Are you planning on fishing in the Garden State? Whether you are a resident of New Jersey or someone looking to travel there, you can learn a great deal about the many fishing opportunities available to you in New Jersey.

When you want to learn New Jersey ocean fishing tactics, it's a great idea to start with saltwater fishing reports of the area as well as learning about saltwater charters and guides.

These are some of the best ways to learn New Jersey ocean fishing tactics as well as when, where and how you can fish the salt waters of this great state. New Jersey has a great history of fishing for ocean fish and other creatures such as the blue crab. Recreational blue crab fishery is very popular in New Jersey and people come from near and far to have a chance at this.

Blue crabs are abundant all over the coast of New Jersey and if you're ocean fishing, you may want to check it out. Many people find success using baited lines or traps from the banks of the shoreline or by fishing from a boat. But blue crab isn't the only thing New Jersey has to offer to ocean fishermen.

There are many ocean water fish that can be found off the coasts of New Jersey and many people enjoy taking charters, guided tours or their own personal boats out on the ocean to try out their ocean fishing tactics. You can find striped bass, sharks and much more in the ocean waters of New Jersey. If you've always dreamed of fishing in one of the best places in the Atlantic Ocean, then you need to know how to do it right.

When it comes to ocean fishing, most often you will be fishing in deeper waters. It's important to have the right equipment for fishing in deeper waters. You need longer, stronger lines, reels tested for strength and possibly even nets for helping you to bring them in. You may want fish finders or other types of electronic equipment to help you locate the fish in the waters, especially if fishing for larger deep ocean fish.

But not all fish in the New Jersey oceans are found deep. Bay fishing is also very popular in the area and there are ocean fish that can be found in shallower waters as well. The most important tactic in New Jersey ocean fishing is to make sure your bait and equipment match the type of fish you're trying to catch.

New Jersey Ocean Fishing Charters

If you're looking for charters, guides and great places to fish, consider these ocean fishing charters in NJ:

Babu Sportfishing Charters- This is a classic 31' Bertram flybridge sportfishing boat. The Babu is licensed by the US Coast Guard for carrying up to six passengers out of Atlantic City.

Jamaica- This is New Jersey's biggest part boat and is 125 feet long.

Night Hawk Fishing- This is a 100 foot long fishing boat that can hold up to 150 people. For over 20 years it has been sailing from the Belmar Marina and helping people fish for great New Jersey ocean fish.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltw aterfishing. com/editorials/ 12newjerseyfishi ngtactics. html for more information on Trout Fishing.

Where To Catch Speckled Trout In Alabama

The speckled trout has a long body that's covered with spots. The inside of the mouth is a yellowish color and they have two distinctive canine teeth that are very large. They normally have more spots when they are young which is what many anglers use to get an approximate age for the fish they catch.

The speckled trout is often referred to as "specks" and they can normally be caught anytime of the year. This makes them a very popular species because you are not as limited as to when you can go fishing.

If you live in Alabama or just visiting, you'll be happy to know that the speckled trout is very popular in this state and there are many areas where they can be found.

The average size for a speckled trout is usually one pound but they have been known to grow up to fifteen or sixteen pounds. They can be caught with artificial bait or live bait.

Many anglers prefer the live bait because it seems to get the best results. The best live bait to use includes live shrimp, mullet, croakers and menhaden. If you don't have the means to deal with live bait there are some artificial bait that will also get you some amazing results. Plastic tail jigs, mirror-sided plugs and bucktails are recommended the most for catching specks.

Alabama is great place to go fishing for the speckled trout or specks. They are plentiful and easy to find in this state. Search for the specks around rock jetties, reefs, shoal areas, marshlands and grassy areas. They can also be found around most any structure whether it's natural or manmade.

Where to Find the Speckled Trout

When fishing for speckled trout in Alabama there are several great places where you can try. One of the first places to visit is the South Alabama coastline. Sometimes it may be difficult to find a spot along this area for fishing.

However, that's not a problem because there are many other great areas where you can catch the speckled trout.

Orange Beach is a great option where you should give a try. If surf fishing is something you enjoy try fishing the Perdido Pass jetties. It's just a short walk from the beaches, which offers a wide area where you can fish from the shore as well.

Another option would be to go fishing on Dauphine Island. There are plenty of places for the public to park and it's an excellent area to go wade-fishing for the speckled trout. Search for the speckled trout around the rock jetties in this area, especially during the month of June.

If you like fishing from the beach visit the public pier where the speckled trout are plentiful. They are attracted to this area by the lights front the pier at night and they linger around the beach for awhile in the mornings. That is until the beach fills up with swimmers and sunbathers that scare them off.

If you are traveling by boat, the west side of Dauphine Island is an excellent location. The grassbeds here are great for finding specks. If you don't mind doing some walking then the Fort Morgan beach is an excellent area where you will find some great fishing opportunities.

Go a few miles south of the Dauphin Island and you will find Sand Island. This is another great place to go wade-fishing for speckled trout.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltw aterfishing. com/editorials/ 12speckledtrouta labama.html for more information on speckled trout.

How To Setup Speckled Trout Fishing Rigs

Speckled trout fishing is more than just a way to pass time for many people. It's a sport and hobby that is fun and entertaining. Specks are game fish and sought after by many anglers. One reason they are so popular is because they can be quite a challenge. They have an amazing ability to thrash around and put up a fight you won't forget even though they're not as big as some of the other game fish around.

You can find the speckled trout in underwater structures and in the shallows. They stay around depressions, sandbars, drop-offs, flats and oyster beds to name a few. So you can see they are easy to locate which is one reason they are sought after by so many anglers. When it comes to bait, live shrimp and worms are a couple of the favorite options that most anglers use.

When fishing for specks it's suggested that you fish around boat docks, rock piles, bridges, fallen trees and stumps. One of the most popular ways to catch this species is with rigs. The most popular choice is the Carolina rig, especially when you are fishing on the bottom of the water. The dry fly/dropper rig is the next popular choice when fishing for specks.

Setting Up Speckled Trout Fishing Rigs

To be successful when using these methods you need to know how to setup speckled trout fishing rigs correctly. When setting up the Carolina rig you start by sliding the weight onto the bare end of the fishing line followed by the bead.

These are left to move loosely up and down the line. Next, you need to attach the leader line. The leader line has a hook on one end and a swivel on the other. The length of the leader line varies according to where you are fishing but the average length is between twenty-four and thirty-six inches. Use a weight to help get the bait down to the bottom where the specks are. This rig also works great when fishing around structures.

If you are fishing with flies you will find that using a dry fly and a dropper rig will be very effective. Anglers like this method because it allows you to fish with two different flies at the same time, which doubles your odds of catching a speck. To set-up this rig you need to start with a large dry buoyant fly. It needs to be light enough that it will hold up the dropper and not sink.

If it's too heavy you will be spending too much time reeling in and casting your line instead of actually fishing. Now attach the fly to the leader.

Next, you need to tie your dropper line to the bend with a clinch knot. This can be tied to the hook or the eye, whichever you prefer. The length of the dropper will depend on where you are fishing and how deep the water is. Tie a small nymph to the end of the tippet and the set-up is finished. Choose a fly that is similar to the natural food source the speckled trout are feeding on. Make sure you use a weighted dropper so the line will stay tight. Slack in the line will cause you to miss a lot of bites.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltw aterfishing. com/editorials/ 12setupspeckledf ishingrigs. html for more information on Speckled Trout Fishing Rigs.

How Bay Fishing Differs From Open Ocean Fishing

When it comes to fishing, there are many different types and styles. If you fish yourself, you probably already know there are nearly as many ways to fish as there are people who fish. You also know that there is a difference in ocean fishing and freshwater fishing.

Different types of water and different bodies of water will have different types of fish that inhabit it and will require different techniques for catching it. In this article, we're going to take a look at two different types of fishing- bay and open ocean. We're going to talk a bit about these different types of fishing and the differing techniques that need to go into each one. This will help you better understand how they differ and how to get the most from your own fishing trips.

To fully understand how bay fishing differs from open ocean fishing, you need to understand what each of them is. Bay fishing is done in the bay waters and inlets which often connect ocean waters with fresh waters. The water is shallower here and fishing is usually done from small boats or flats, from long docks that stretch out over the bay or sometimes from the shore.

Flats are also known as skiffs and are designed for use in the shallow waters of a bay area. These are most often used for flats fishing and are great at catching fish such as redfish, snook, tarpon and bonefish. Because they can glide across the water smoothly without making waves, they don't scare off the fish the way a larger type boat would.

Bay boats are similar to flats and are a bit of a cross between that and a center console boat. They have higher gunwales that make them more versatile in bay waters. They are designed to help you go offshore in calm waters and catch bay fish such as tarpon, sharks, redfish, bonefish, grouper, snapper and more.

When fishing in the bay, you may also have to use techniques for fishing in brush or for fish species who enjoy hiding in brush that can be found in shallower waters and brushy areas. Techniques like skimming and top water fishing are sometimes needed in these areas.

Open ocean fishing explained : Open ocean fishing requires a different technique from bay fishing. Because you are fishing in deeper waters, the equipment and the technique must differ. Open ocean fishing is sometimes called deep sea fishing. You will find larger fish here in the deeper parts of the ocean. Open ocean fishing will require different equipment- longer, heavier poles, higher weight line, etc. You may also want nets for pulling in big fish and certain electronic devices to help with locating fish in the deep, darker waters- such as "fish finders". Open ocean fishing will yield fish such as marlin, large sea bass, shark, tuna and stripers and these are larger, heavier fish.

You need to be prepared with the right equipment for bringing them in. You also need to be able to find the fish.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltw aterfishing. com/editorials/ 12bayfishingdiff ers.html for more information on Open Ocean Fishing.