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How To Cast a Spinning Reel

The sport of fishing may seem very simple on the surface, but this is easily one of the most detailed and intricate sports around when you really get into it. From fly fishing to simple and traditional casting into a pond or lake, to the growing trend of kayak fishing, there are many different elements to master if you want to be an excellent fisherman. If you are looking to step your fishing up to the next level, one of the skills you should focus on mastering is the casting of a spinning reel. This staple of traditional fishing is a great way to haul in more fish and make it all the more enjoyable. If you are struggling to master this technique, here are a few helpful tips and tricks to follow.

Before you hit the water, a great way to master this strategy is to go to an open area of grass and practice you release. Once you have tied on a practice plug, tied your know and set the drag on the pole, you are ready to go. You should always wield the rod with you dominant hand so you can have more control over it. With the line extending out of the reel, pin the line against the bottom of the rod with your index finger. Once you have pulled the ball out on the rod, you are ready to cast.

Raise the rod vertically and flick it back so you get a little bend or lag in the pole itself, then cast the rod out toward your target while releasing the line with your index finger all in one fluid motion to insure the furthest and most accurate cast possible.

When it comes to casting a spinning lure, there are also several release techniques that can equate to either more distance or better accuracy, whichever you are looking for. If you are wanting more distance with the overhead cast, which is the motion discussed earlier with the rod raised up vertically and thrown out as far as you can. If you are needing to cast out over a shorter amount of space or looking for some closer rang accuracy, pitching is the ideal casting technique for you. This method involved you raising the rod vertically, but allowing enough line so the lure reaches down to the reel. After grabbing the lure with your opposite hand, lower the rod and flick it out, releasing the lure and sending it to your mark.

What casting technique is your favorite or most successful? Be sure to let us know in the comments! Happy fishing!

Top 3 Kayak Fishing Tips

Kayaks are a great way to get back to nature and enjoy the water, but did you know they’re also a great way to enjoy fishing? With a bit of preparation and knowledge you can get much closer to your fish in a much quieter and serene atmosphere when you’re fishing off you kayak. We found some great articles that will help you get started and learn what you need to know in order to have a fabulous kayak fishing experience.

#1: What to Wear

In this article by John Veil, Michael Bartgis and Mike Soudee for chesapeakebaykayakanglers.com, you’ll get some great tips on just what to wear for your kayak fishing experience. Of course, a lot of what you’ll need to wear depends on the weather. In the warmer seasons, the most important thing to remember is that you want to stay cool while limiting your sun exposure. You’ll want to make sure that you have a hat and sunglasses and at least some sun screen for any exposed skin areas. When the weather is cooler, think about waterproof clothing that will keep you warm and dry. The article goes into great detail and even has some wonderful suggestions if you’re brave enough to get out on the water in the very cold winter months. You’ll want to  read the full article here for all of the helpful suggestions on what to wear.

#2: How to Rig the Kayak

While rigging your kayak for a fishing trip is a very individual preference type of affair, this article posted on Jaxkayakfishing.com gives you some great tips and tricks on how to rig your kayak to make your fishing trip successful. With many kayaks today being built with fishing in mind, you don’t have to have that fancy upgrade to still enjoy fishing and have a place to take home your catch for dinner.

#3: How to Keep from Drifting

Tony hart writing for yakoutlaws.com gives us some great advice on how not to drift, and how to use drift to your advantage when you’re fishing from your kayak. He gives us tips on how to use a drift anchor to help you drift in the direction you want to go without having to use your paddles and scare the fish. The author uses a lot of humor in this article, while he also imparts a lot of very valuable information. He explains that there are drift anchors you can buy, or with just a bit of work how you can make your own. He also gives detailed instructions on how to attach it to your kayak and how to use it when you’re out on the water.

Kayak of the Month

Fishing Online’s kayak of the month for May 2015 is the Jackson Kayak Big Rig. The Jackson Kayak Big Rig is a new design from Jackson Kayak and is a Sit-On-Top (SOT) kayak that fits only one person. It weighs 92 pounds (93 pounds including an Elite Seat 2.0—more on that below) and is capable of supporting a maximum of 450 pounds. It is 13 feet, 2 inches in length, and 37 inches in width. It is known for its stability and excellent performance, and Jackson Kayak created it with an eye for all of the best features in similar fishing kayaks!

The Jackson Kayak Big Rig is built ready to accept the Raymarine Dragonfly Fishfinder as well as the Power-Pole Micro stake out system. It also comes equipped with enhanced Cuda-Type rod storage and protection capabilities. In the area of its single seat, it has peg footrests, and the seat itself can alternate between patented hi-lo seating adjustments. The seat is actually an Elite Seat 2.0, as previously mentioned, which is a new seat from Jackson Kayak that improves upon its previous kayak seat in a totally ergonomic way. The Elite Seat 2.0 is made with three-dimensional mesh fabric for increased comfort and aesthetic appeal. If you’re going to spend the entire day fishing, you might as well do it in comfort and in style! The seat area also comes with adjustable and/or removable lumbar back support, otherwise known as the Therm-a-Rest lumbar pad. The Elite Seat 2.0 is sturdier than previous Jackson Kayak seats and is definitely something to experience.

Other features of the Jackson Kayak Big Rig include several rod and tackle stagers, holders, and tracks; and improved Coosa-style hatches. The Jackson Kayak Big Rig also has a low profile, which can result in less wind disturbance. It comes complete with bow and stern deck rigging and an area for an optional rudder, should you choose one. Finally, the Jackson Kayak Big Rig has a retractable casting brace for support when casting your fishing line, and a standing bar and leaning system for when you need to reel your catch in! You can even safely rest your paddle in this area if you need to use both hands to cast or reel.

Although this kayak is impressive, it is definitely accessible to kayak fishermen and fisherwomen of all levels of experience. It stays stable during paddling and has the potential to move quickly and smoothly with solid, straight tracking, which helps to control any drifting in the water. You want to trust your kayak to stay as stationary as possible while you are casting your line! Even though it moves quickly, the Jackson Kayak Big Rig can navigate tight quarters or smaller waterways with its excellent maneuverability.

If you are interested in purchasing this kayak, it ships from our partners at The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak, LLC near Leechburg, Pennsylvania. It comes in the colors Forest Camo, Dorado, and GI Jackson, and is priced at $1,699.00. Check it out!

Top 3 Fishing Myths

If you’ve ever enjoyed the wonders of fishing, you’ve probably also heard quite a few myths about the subject. Beyond the typical, “I caught a fish this big” there are also other myths, that if you hold them to be true, could be limiting your enjoyment of such wonderfully relaxing activity and keep you from getting some great dinner options as well. We went to the net to find some of the most popular myths to debunk and we found our top three favorites to bring to you. Learn what’s true and what’s not and plan your next fishing trip with a little more confidence.

#1: You Can’t Fish During Off Season

One of the most prolific myths about fishing is that you can’t fish during off season. This article posted on Newenglandkayakfishing.com, has a few things to say about that and the answers may make you start packing for your next fishing trip. Just because it’s not fishing season, doesn’t mean that fish stop eating or that you can’t go enjoy a day out on your boat and make a great catch for dinner. The trick is to know what the fish you’re looking for are doing. When the weather gets cold, but things haven’t iced over yet, the fish haven’t suddenly disappeared, they’ve just gone out a bit further and are a bit closer to the bottom. Changing your strategy and approach to meet the fish where they are will reap great benefits when it comes to your fishing experience and your ability to provide some fabulous fish dinner.

#2: Bass Become Dormant in Cold Water

If you’re a bass fan but cold weather has always deterred you from fishing for your favorite meal, then you’ll be very excited by this article by Steve Quinn for Discoverboating.com. In the article he discusses several myths about fishing, but our favorite was his debunking of the myth that bass become dormant in the winter. Aside from anecdotal evidence of people catching bass even with lakes are frozen over, there’s now photographic evidence from underwater cameras that show the bass swimming in both shallow and deeper waters, and even coming in for their close up on the camera. You’ll want to get all the great information by  reading the full article here.

#3: Government is Micromanaging Fishing

In this article by Lee Crockett for voices.nationalgeographic.com, we get several fishing myths debunked, but one of the most surprising was the debunking of the myth that government is micromanaging fishing. When looking at it logically, the Magunson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is only trying to limit fishing on species that are in trouble. The limits currently on these fish will relax over time as the populations grow and there’s not so much danger of wiping them out. The goal is to ensure that our children and their children and all the future generations will be able to enjoy fishing these species.

How to Fish in the Spring

When it comes to fishing successfully, it may seem that luck plays a very big factor in it. Any true fisherman knows however, that hauling in as many fish as possible really comes down to a variety of different strategies. No matter what season you are fishing in, you will always have to apply these different strategies in order to have a fun and successful day. If you are fishing in the early spring, this can be a great time to hit it big when it comes to your catch. If you are heading out on an early spring morning for your fishing outings, here are some important tips and tricks to follow.

Arguably the most important part of being successful in your early spring fishing is selecting the right spot to do your fishing. When it comes to a good day in the early morning during this time of year, sticking to shallow waters is a great tip to follow as the fish will generally migrate to this warmer spot in the lake or pond. Be sure to keep your eye out for spots where the sun is shining on the water as the sunlight will quickly heat up these spots, making it a popular spot for fish to gather in.

Another important thing to note is the type of bait you are using to reel in your catch. Using live bait is a great way to entice the fish more as the cooler waters will usually make them a little more wary to open their mouths and go for a bite. When it comes to spring fishing, patience is the biggest key to success.

If you are after bass during the spring, a good rule of thumb is to opt for a larger lure. These larger lures will in turn give you more opportunities to catch bigger bass, so make sure you are using a strong enough rod that can handle a large amount of force if you are fighting a catch.

If you opt to use a more traditional spinnerbait lure for your fishing expeditions, this is the best time to really take advantage of them. With the proper one, fish will bite at it at a very high percentage, especially in the shallow, warmer waters you will be venturing into.

Spring fishing is by far one of the most fun and exciting times of the year to fish as the reward can be very high. If you follow some of these simple tips and tricks, you will be hauling in big fish in no time.

Top 3 Reasons to Go Fishing

Aside from being a fun activity that gets you back to nature and gives you not only time to relax but also excitement when you catch something, fishing is good for you and for the economy. With a lot of flak going around by people who don’t understand how good fishing really is for the environment, economy and your health, we thought it would be helpful to find you some great articles on the benefits of fishing. Who knows maybe you’ll be able to get some non-fishing folk interested in this wonderful activity.

#1: Boosts the Economy

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of economic impact fishing has on the economy then you’ll want to read this article by Karen Brasher for msucares.com. According to the article, there’s a $727 million dollar positive impact enjoyed from fresh water fishing and over $46 million dollars in salt water fishing and that’s just for Mississippi. In addition, hunting and fishing related jobs add up to over 66,000. Between the benefit received from hunting and fishing license fees as well as the money spent on equipment the economy receives a fantastic boost from our nature loving friends. You’ll want to get all the great information on how fishing is a positive thing for our economy by  reading the full article here.

#2: Good for Your Health

If you’re ever in need for some good arguments on why you should be allowed to fishing, then you’ll definitely want to read this article by Spencer Durrant for wideopenspaces.com. Fishing is, in a very real way, good for your health. Depending on the kind of fishing you do, there are a lot of benefits you can mention in your argument. Fishing is good for relaxation and getting your head clear by being quiet and getting back to nature. It’s also can require quite a lot of physical activity from climbing and walking to your fishing spot, to the arm and shoulder work out you get casting the line and reeling in your catch. So the next time your spouse wants you to give up your fishing time, first try to invite them along so they too can learn to enjoy it, but if that doesn’t work, have them  read the entire article here so they know how important this activity is for your physical and mental health.

#3: Spend Time with the Family

Even if you’ve never fished a day in your life, this article by Apryl Parcher for mykidsadventures.com will show you how to teach your kids how to fish, and of course you’ll also learn how to in the process. Learning how to fish is a very positive activity for children. It gets then interested in the outdoors and lets them experience nature at a very basic level. In addition, it gives them a better idea about how some food gets to their table. This article will give you step by step instructions on just how to teach your kids to fish and how to teach them about aquatic ecosystems.