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Kayak Fishing - Do You Really Need A Net?

Kayak Fishing - Do You Really Need A Net?

This has been a hot topic discussion as of lately so I figured I would put my 2 cents in. Do you really need to carry a landing net when kayak fishing? The answer is YES, you need to have a net with you on your kayak to land fish more consistently. I believe it is one of the most important assets on your boat. I strongly believe that I have lost many fish before simply because I did not bring a net. It's true that a net may not have made a world of a difference, but why take the risk? You may not think you need one now, but give it time and eventually you will start to carry one. No one likes losing fish. Especially when you are in a tournament and each fish could make the difference between winning and losing.

It's frustrating when you get a fish right beside your boat and you can see it, but never land it. I always bring one along with me, and I will never leave it at home again. I like to CPR - Catch, Photograph, and Release... catch being the most important word there. 

If you happen to hook up with a pike or muskie, then you will need some lip grips to get it into your kayak. It'll be much easier to lip grip the fish when it can't go anywhere inside the net. Also, if you even try to grip a bass by the mouth, you run the risk of sticking your own treble into your hand while trying to retrieve the fish.

One last note here. I'm a believer in carrying a net everywhere, but I know there are times when it simply causes you to fail. Whether you take too much time to grab the net, or you accidentally snap the line with it, there will be times when a net won't be the best option for you. 

Musky bites through net

This is a picture taken after I ALMOST caught a huge muskie. Brand new Rapala Husky Jerk snapped in half as it jumped out of the water. My friend luckily caught it in the net, but one second later it dug its head into the net and managed to open up a hole large enough for it to fit through. The holes were only about an inch in diameter and it was a brand new net. After that catastrophe, I had to tie the hole shut with a little bit of my stringer just so I could use it for the rest of the night.

If you don't own a net, you can pick one up for yourself in the  net category.

  • John Harley
Top 5 Spinning Reels

Top 5 Spinning Reels

If you’re looking for just the right spinning reel to round out your fishing kit, then you’re going to love what we’ve found for you. Whether you prefer salt water fishing or freshwater fishing, we’ve got a reel that’s going to be just right for you. 

Okuma Cedros Spin CJ30s Reel

Whether you’re out to catch a tuna, snapper or jack species fish, this reel is going to be the one that helps you get it into your boat and onto your dinner table. The Okuma Cedros Spinning Reel features precision elliptical gearing, and dual force drag system as well as a hydro block water tight seal. The machined aluminum, two tone anodized port spool and ALC rigid die cast aluminum frame mean this beast will be able to stand up to a very large fish and put you in control of the fight.

Penn Pursuit II Spinning Reel

Like all of the Penn products, this Pursuit II Spinning Reel is incredibly durable. With features like infinite anti-reverse, stainless steel ball bearings, an ultra-lightweight, corrosion resistant graphite body and a machined and anodized aluminum spool, you can rest assured that this amazing reel is going to help you bring home your fish dinner. Salt water approved, this amazing reel will make your next fishing adventure successful and fun.

Penn Spinfisher Spinning Reel

When you’re going after that really big fish, you want to make sure you’ve got this world renowned reel on your rig. The Penn Spinfisher Spinning Reel has a truly sealed drag system, enhanced gear ratios on smaller sizes and a new thicker, heavy duty aluminum ball for incredible strength and rugged durability. When it comes to a tough fight between you and a large fish, then you want to make sure you’ve got this spinning reel to help you get your dinner into your boat.

 

Abu Garcia Cardinal SX40 Spinning Reel

When it’s time to turn your fishing trip into a successful time retrieving your favorite fish, then it’s time to get this amazing Abu Garcia Cardinal SX40 Spinning Reel. Featuring an Everlast bail system, a lightweight graphite frame and body, a stealth oscillation system and a machined aluminum spool, this spinning reel will provide you with an evenly running spool and a smooth retrieval.

Shimano Baitrunner Front Drag Spinning Reel

When you’re looking for an option filled spinning reel that’s top of the line, then you definitely want to check out our Shimano Baitrunner Front Drag Spinning Reel. Both freshwater and saltwater approved, this amazing piece of engineering features a propulsion line management system, propulsion spool lip, varispeed oscillation, oversized septon grips for both comfort and power, waterproof drag, a repairable clicker and much more.

  • John Harley
How Does the Weather Affect Fishing

How Does the Weather Affect Fishing

As the spring and summer approach, fisherman begin to come out in droves to hit the water for one of America's favorite past times. While the nicer weather is certainly the more appealing time to break out your fishing rod and tackle box, you can take to the water in any kind of weather, but keep in mind that different conditions will have a different effect on fish and will determine how successful you are in catching fish that day. So what weather affects how fish react and how can you adapt? We have a few simple tips and tricks to be aware of and learn so you can be successful every time you go out.

No matter what you are fishing for, different weather is going to affect the fish and how successful you are in reeling them in. Obviously the sunny and warm conditions are the most comfortable for the fishermen themselves, as these are the days where you will see more and more at the lakes and ponds. These kinds of days however can offer great camouflage for the fish, as the sun reflecting off the water creates a shiny glare, making it difficult for the fishermen to see the fish beneath the water. In these conditions, focus on shaded areas where fish are more likely to migrate to in order to stay out of the heat.

Cloudy and overcast days are also common conditions to find in the spring, making the middle of the day an ideal time to hit your favorite fishing spot. Around noon or so, the lighting resembles that of the morning or night during clear weather, often prime time slots for reeling in lots of fish. Go for shallow water and areas where weeds are growing if you want to hit the hot spots for fish.

fishing weather

When there is a slight rain or drizzle, this is an ideal time to hit the water. If you are fishing for bass, capitalize on the use of jerkbaits and topwaters in deeper waters as the rain drops can help lure the bass to the surface, giving you are great opportunity to score a good amount of fish.

For the angler going after big game fish, keep your eye out for days where heavy rains in the forecast. The more aggressive game will typically migrate to the shallow waters, giving you a great opportunity to get them to bite and bring in an impressive haul.

What conditions are your favorite to fish in? What methods have been the most successful for you in rougher weather? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! 

  • John Harley
How to Hold a Bass

How to Hold a Bass

Whether it is your first catch, or you have been stringing them up for decades, reeling in a big fish is always an exciting experience. From the hook, to the fight to bring it in, to pulling it out of the water, it is a fun adrenaline rush that is hard to match if you are an avid fisherman. When you bring in a fish however, it is important that you hold the fish correctly. If you are releasing it back into the water, there are special techniques that you should follow in order to protect the fish and allow it to swim away freely. If you are unsure of how to properly hold the bass, here are some helpful tips and tricks.

One of the many common things typically seen when a fisherman reels in a bass is grabbing it by the jaw, and forcing it open too wide. While the hook will usually not do significant damage to the fish, holding it by the jaw incorrectly can break and distort the bass' jaw, which will do serious damage once you let it go.

Holding the bass by the lip and jaw isn't what does the direct damage to the fish, it is how the rest of the fish is suspended in the air while you are lip-holding it. The proper way to hold the fish is vertically if you are grabbing it by the jaw. This process will remove any tension and stress on the jaw of the fish and still allow you to grip it firmly. The problems come when you try to raise the bass to a horizontal position with only the jaw. This will force the jaw to open wider than it is supposed to, causing the damage we have discussed. If you do wish to bring the bass up horizontally, be sure to support the rest of its body with your other hand so you keep the jaw line in tact.

Holding a bass

The other important part of bass fishing after the catch and hold is properly releasing it back into the water. While this may seem very simple and straightforward, you can cause problems for the bass if it is not done correctly. Many fisherman will try to shake the fish back and forth to get water in the gills, but this can get too much water in the stomach, causing swimming problems. To allow the fish to be safe and healthy moving forward, simply set it in the water and let it swim out of your hand.

Another rule to follow is to dip your hands in the water before handling the fish. This allows you to hold the fish without disturbing it. When you pick up a fish with your bare dry hands, you are rubbing off part of its protective covering such as certain bacteria that help to protect the fish.

Follow some of these simple tips and tricks and you will keep the bass safe and abundant for all the fisherman in the area.

  • John Harley
Crankbait vs. Swimbait

Crankbait vs. Swimbait

Fee-fi-fo-fish, what have you got in your tackle kit? You’re a giant water lover fond of reeling sufficient disambiguation and in search of lure clarification as it pertains to crankbait versus swimbait. The waters are very giving -- as is knowledge and the distinct benefits between the two lures.

The attraction of crankbaits is both physical and dimensional. They are hard bodied, they vary in shapes and sizes and all have a visual lip or bill on the front; a design that allows the lure to get down into the water column. The size of the bill determines the diving depth of the lure. Bigger and longer bills equates to a deeper in dive. They also have two hooks – one on the bottom and the rear.

Crankbait is good to use in tough conditions when you know the bite may be a little off. They also tend to swim in a straight line, which can be an alert to prey that there’s something faux amiss in the waters. You want to work your crank bait to mimic the swimming movements of live bait. Think erratic in swimming motion and adjust. Crankbaits can be effective just about anywhere there are bass: ledges, steep banks, shallow flats, near grass beds, brush and stumps. They are great to use year round and in a variety of situations. This lure is of the most versatile lures in the tackle kit.

The attraction to swim bait is its shape, the external and internal rigging, the likeness of bait colors and the paddle tail that enables it to swim like a fish and in less of a straight line. They are manufactured with a soft body and they have no bill. Swimbait lures are designed with a seamed break in the center (and sometimes at the tail) allowing it to mimic the actions of live bait. The trick is to retrieve it in a steady and slow fashion to increase your hook up ratio. Bass love treading bait and this lure treads easy.

There are two main swimbait styles at current and they are wedge style tailed and boot tailed. Wedge will yield a more balanced tail design, allowing the bait to swim in a S-motion. The size and width of the bait will determine how much action it gives. A wedge is good in low-light conditions as well as stained and dirty water conditions. The design allows for the water vibrations to be plentiful which a fish will feel through its lateral line system and give it the ability to hunt that swimbait.

swimbait vs crankbait

The boot tail designed swimbait is one of the oldest designs. Grandfathered in because of its durability, it is an unbalanced design that gives this swimbait more of a rocking motion than the wedges S-motion. Also depending on the size of the tail it could yield our lure an uplifted rear. The lift is what creates the unbalanced rocking motion that prey also find attractive.

It’s the design details between the crankbait and swimbait that makes them differ. Opting to use either one will make all of the difference in the water and assist you in yielding fish to the boat. Good fishing. 

  • John Harley
Which Freshwater Lure is the Right Choice?

Which Freshwater Lure is the Right Choice?

Successful fishing depends on the fundamental fact that the lure plays a pivotal role. If you're having difficulty figuring out which lure to use in a certain situation then follow these steps for the best success.

The most effective fisherman is an informed fisherman, so first thing you would want to do is match the lure to fish. There are about 6 categories of fishing lures that we will look into:

-Spinner baits
-Jigs
-Plastic Worms
-Spoons
-Crank baits
-Flies

Spinner baits can be fished with a slow or rapid retrieval across the surface. They have propellers/blades that flash and splash, luring interested prey.

You can dance a jig around a jig bait. These lures have a hook and weighted head. They are normally retrieved in an up and down motion and can be fished in warm or cold water situations and are great for catching walleyes. They are light and small enough for fish to bite while still heavy enough to stay near the sweet spots at the bottom.

The plastic worm attraction is mainly a large-mouth bass fascination. They measure in length 4-10 inches, come in a plethora or colors and are so consistently effective that the concept has spawned a number of other soft plastic artificial lures into production including grubs, crayfish, and salamanders. This lure is good for surface fishing, in/near timber, brush, weeds and along rock drop-offs.

 

Spooning the paraphyletic is one of the oldest lures around and is an excellent way to draw fish to you. Spoon baits resemblance to the bowl of a spoon causes spoons to wobble from side to side as they are retrieved, which is what fish like.

fishing lure catches fish

Crank baits or plugs are made of hard plastic and are designed to be cast out and retrieved. They come several varieties: top water is specifically for surface fishing: poppers, wobblers, stick baits. Thin minnows are colored like minnows. Swimming crank baits and diving lures are common crank baits that enable deeper diving.

Flies are generally an annoyance, but not when you’re perched on the bank for the long haul. Fly lures are a big assist when fishing for trout. The are categorized in specifics to help you zero in on your search and conquer: dry, wet, nymphs and bugs are to name a few.

Get familiar with your prey and snag a bite today. Dress your hook for the part, make it relatively attractive to the fish and you will no doubt become a more relatively attractive fisherman to friends and family (i.e., hungry villagers).

  • John Harley