Unfortunately for anglers, acquiring all the fishing gear you need can begin to get expensive, but there are several things you can do to make finding and purchasing fishing gear more affordable.

One way to get cheaper fishing gear and tackle is to track down what you need on ebay. Ebay fishing gear can provide an affordable alternative to buying everything new from the store or catalog. In many cases, the fishing gear you find in the ebay fishing section may be new, still in the package, or barely used. The fishing gear on ebay may be posted by consumers who have no need for the merchandise any longer, or maybe they didn't have the luck they hoped for. In other situations, wholesalers and retailers will post overstocked or out of season merchandise to recuperate some of their costs and keep from carrying that inventory for a year.

Of course the standard ebay practices and safe guards still stand with ebay fishing merchandise. Seller ratings are important and one must always be wary when doing business over the internet. However, the possibility exists that the expensive, almost new rod and reel combo listed for a bargain price is in perfect condition, could be a piece of junk considering what it costs. The only way to know is to physically find one and examine the quality or to get in contact with someone who has used this pole.

One of the best outlets for finding out the quality of fishing gear is to seek out a fishing forum online. A fishing forum may have a section for product reviews and ratings, or you can start a new thread and ask if anyone has used or heard about the product you're considering. You may discover from fellow anglers on a fishing forum that the heavily discounted item you have your eyes on is a dud and should be avoided.

Fishing forums are also a great way to track down good deals on fishing gear. Usually anglers are quick to tell when they got a good deal and don't mind passing that information along to others. However, just because someone says a product is the best they've used doesn't mean that it's necessarily top shelf quality.

Many times stores will create bargain bins full of slow moving, or out of season products. After a certain point, companies try to dump their inventory to make room on the shelves for better selling, more profitable products. When this happens, you can get some fairly aggressive deals. However, if you take advantage of these offers, you might end up buying some fishing gear that you won't be able to use for six months. For many anglers, the wait is worth it considering the price these items typically have.

There are good deals out there all the time for anglers but, like the fish, they usually won't fall in your lap. You have to be on the lookout and find the deals before they're gone.

Once you own an aquarium the tank maintenance will be one of your most important responsibilities. It is certainly not as much fun as you get from decorating the tank or selecting your fish, but without proper fish tank maintenance, you will be endangering the lives of your fish.

Fish tank maintenance is an essential part of your new hobby as an aquarist, and neglecting this will lead to problems with both the fish tank and the long-term health of the fish. Fish tank maintenance can sometimes seem like a bother for the aquarium owner but it doesn't have to be that way. Perform your fish tank maintenance on a regular schedule and you'll ensure that you never miss out on what needs to be done.

Maintenance

Now that you have learned about establishing a fish tank and you understand the cycling process, you will better understand the process of maintenance and cleaning. If your tank contains too many fish there will be excessive waste, food particles, and chemicals in the water, making maintenance difficult and the tank unhealthy. Set up your tank with a manageable number of fish and develop a schedule for carrying out regular aquarium maintenance tasks and it will make your hobby more enjoyable. Arrange the fish tank so that future tank maintenance tasks remain as easy and efficient as possible.

Cleaning

Your maintenance and cleaning schedule should not take very long to keep your aquarium sparkling and healthy. Cleaning your fish tank not only helps with the appearance of the tank by removing algae but can also prolong the life of your fish, as no pet can live in an unhealthy environment. Algae can be removed from the tank glass with an algae magnet or scraper. Remember to regularly remove any dead leaves from live plants. Do not overfeed your fish as this will cause excess waste in the water which will settle at the bottom of the tank and need to be removed.

Filter Maintenance

Aquarium maintenance must include regular cleaning of the filtration system as well as the interior of the tank. Cleaning the filter is usually a monthly task. This involves removing the filter medium and cleaning it under running water. When the filter medium becomes too worn it will need to be replaced. Remember, however, that the filtration system also contains "good bacteria" which aids in the breaking down of ammonia and balancing the nitrites in the tank, so rinse the filter quickly to remove large particles but do not be over-zealous in your cleaning.

Once you have your fish tank setup and cycling correctly, you need to set a schedule for cleaning that is strictly followed. Fish tank maintenance is an important aspect of your setup and it is necessary to integrate this into your overall scheme.

Some aquarium owners perform too much fish tank maintenance. Ideally you want the fish tank to become a self-sustaining system and not one where you are burdened with fish tank maintenance all the time. Establish a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance every two to three weeks and your fish should remain healthy and happy and your aquarium should sparkle.

This might sound like a simple proposition; after all you can just carry the container you buy the worms in with you while fishing, right? Of course you can, but my point to this article is that there is a much more effective and efficient way of doing it. As a matter of fact, transporting live worms while fishing doesn't have to involve the container they are purchased in at all (other than for storage). With a very simple yet effective solution, you can have your live worms right at your fingertips at all times.

This very simple yet extremely effective solution is a called a bat bag. A bait bag simply hangs off of your fishing vest, shirt, or belt and carries your worms while you are fishing. The process works like this: You buy your live worms, just like you normally would. When you get to your fishing area, you simply pull the worms out of the container that you purchased them in and place them into the bait bag. The worms simply "ball" up and wait to be used. They don't crawl out or anything! If it's hot outside, simply dip the bait bag into the water, to cool the worms off. This keeps them fresh and lively. Not only is a bait bag the best way to transport live worms while fishing, it also eliminates the need to take the bulky container on the water with you, thus eliminating the possibility that the container gets left behind.

A bait bag will change the way you fish with worms. It makes live worms so much easier to fish with you won't believe it. So how do you get a hold of one of these bait bags? Simple, you can make one yourself or you can purchase a bait bag, the choice is yours. What's important is that you begin using one sooner rather than later. Another cool aspect to using a bait bag, is that when your done fishing, you simply return the unused worms to the container that you bought them in until the next time you go fishing. If you're like me, there are a couple of containers partially full of worms in my fridge thanks to the fact that I use a bait bag. The money a bait bag saves you in not wasting worms is worth any price that you pay for it, whether that price is in money or time.

What composes a fly line? What are its strongest points and qualities and how it greatly affects the type of fly fishing experience a fishing hobbyist could possibly gain. There are more to fly lines than what it is made for but its overall performance usually relies on the entirety of a fly rod and the composition of the fly line.

Nowadays, fly lines are generally made of a nylon monofilament material but even this type of material also varies with how it is presented. A line can be braided, can appear fused or with a co-filament. But what you need to realize is that a line could have any of the three appearances mentioned above but it's still better to secure a premium line. It may not be as cheap as the ordinary lines but the quality you're going to get from premium lines is worth what you've paid for.

One of the things you need to look out for a fly line is its ability to resist abrasion. During fishing, rocks and other hard objects in the water could rub against your line so it's important for your line not to break easily. It would be an awful fishing experience to have your line replaced every other dip in the water.

Next to this is the strength of the line. You need strength to hold the weight and force that's pulling your line down. It wouldn't be too difficult to find a strong quality line since most lines that are sold can hold more than the weight indicated it can maintain. Then we mention how lines can stretch reliably. Stretch lines are also important because it helps in setting hooks in the water and easily assists in detecting strikes as well. Also, when you've already caught a fish, a stretching line makes pulling a lot easier.

Then we count in the stiffness of the line. A line's stiffness is related to its stretch but with a stiffer line, casting could become less than easy. If you want to throw a perfect cast, avoid the stiffer ones but if reliability in the water is your aim, you could go for the stiff lines since they can easily detect movement in the water.

And lastly, there is the visibility of the line as well. You could opt for the most visible lines for the fish to make sure that they don't see any sign of traps of fishing. But visible lines aren't bad at all. It's good to use visible lines because they are easier to spot in the water especially when there is an activity going on.

Is there anything more enjoyable on this entire planet than fishing with light tackle? For me, fishing with light tackle is as much fun as can be had while clothed! I'm telling you if you've never experienced the thrill of catching an 18 inch Rainbow Trout on 4-pound test, while standing in the current of a flowing stream, you need to put it on you "things to do" list! Light tackle fishing makes the great sport of fishing that much more enjoyable. As a matter of fact, once you become proficient at light tackle fishing, fishing with what's considered "normal" fishing tackle won't feel right anymore.

In my world, light tackle fishing means using monofilament fishing line that's no larger than six pound test. I personally use four-pound test, but that's neither here not there. Is this 6-pound test thing some sort of rule? No not at all, it's just my preference. What is a rule is that rods and reels should be of the "ultra light" variety. Every fishing rod and reel has an action. For example, heavy, light, or ultra light. For light tackle fishing your rod and accompanying reel should be ultra light action. When purchasing them, just look at the manufacturers descriptions of the products. The description will tell you what the rod or reels action is.

When light tackle fishing, I prefer to use live bait (especially worms) as well. Of course small lures can be employed as well, it's just that I prefer live bait. A very effective technique, that when couple with light tackle becomes extremely effective, is the use of gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply two small hooks tied in tandem. They can be tied yourself or they can be purchased, it makes no difference. What's important is that they are employed when using light tackle and live worms.

The bottom line is that light tackle fishing is not only more enjoyable, it makes you a better angler as well. Using light tackle forces the angler to learn how to play their catch, rather than just "winching" it in. This aspect alone makes light tackle fishing well worth any time, effort, or money that it may cost you to get set up. As I said before, once you become a proficient light tackle angler, you'll find it difficult to fish any other way.

The decision to play a hole or a round conservatively or aggressively plagues every golfer at one time or another. Which of us hasn't been tempted to hit the "miracle" shot-the kind that players talk about in the clubhouse years later. But gambling too often in golf can be costly, especially if you're a professional. Take Phil Mickelson. He's been criticized for gambling during the final round of tournaments. His aggressiveness has cost him tournament victories-and million dollar purses-on some occasions.

If you're not familiar with the 17th at Sawgrass, it's one of the most pressure-packed holes in professional golf. It's a par three, 137-yard hole, whose green sits in the middle of water. Miss the green, which probably seems as big as the head of a pin when hitting, and you're in the drink. Hit it and you might still have a long putt for a birdie. In addition, as the next to the last hole on the course, the 17th sets up perfectly as dramatic finishing hole. Talk about ratcheting up interest to the finish a tournament.

Obviously, the island hole is a challenge for all golfers, whatever their golf handicap. For players with high golf handicaps, just hitting the green and not the water spells success. For tournament players, however, the challenge is more strategic than tactical. Do they play the hole conservatively or aggressively? Do they go for the pin and the birdie, or do they go for the fat part of the green and the par? Heading down the stretch, the wrong decision can be the difference between winning or losing the tournament.

Of course, there are times when you must go for it. But playing conservatively is often better than going for it, even if it costs you a stroke, as I tell players during golf instruction sessions. To paraphrase Jack Nicklaus, as a golfer you'll face times when you need to gamble to have a chance at winning. But being conservative when boldness is not imperative is better in the long run. The trick is knowing when to be aggressive and when to be conservative.

If you have doubts as to whether you should go for it or play it safe when opportunity knocks, try splitting strategies during your next several rounds. In the first round play the front nine very conservatively. That means doing things like hitting the driver only if the hole is wide open, playing for the fat part of every green, and laying up on par fives unless you have a mid-iron shot or less to the green.

Then play an aggressive back nine. Hit your driver on every par four and par five. Shoot for the pin every time, regardless of the difficulty, and go for every par five on your second shot. In your next round do the opposite. Play a conservative front nine and an aggressive back nine. Compare the scores over the course of several rounds. See if being aggressive or conservative significantly improves them.

But don't take the result to determine if you should always play either extremely conservatively or aggressively. Rather, let the result help you decide what your strategic tendencies should be when you're not sure how to play a specific hole or course. If you are the type of player who gains nothing by being aggressive or it costs you strokes when you do, play conservatively instead. And keep that big number off your scorecard.

It can be difficult deciding when to gamble and when to be conservative. It's something only you can decide at the time of play. However, if statistics tell you that you don't play your best being aggressive, play conservatively. Doing so will help you cut down your golf handicap over the long haul.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse

The weather is warming up, which means it is time for some fishing. If Michigan is your destination, you can't do worse than the Lake Hubbard Fishing Resort.

Tucked up in the Northeastern part of Michigan is an 8,800 acre lake called Lake Hubbard. The lake is the 2nd largest inland lake in the State and is a poplar destination for both vacationers and serious fishermen. The lake was important in the early history of Michigan as military outposts along its shores were used during the Indian wars in the area. In recent years, several full service resorts have been built in the area. These resorts offer all the amenities from restaurants to golf course, but it is still the natural lure of the cold and scenic waters of the lake that make a Lake Hubbard Fishing Resort a nirvana for an angler.

The large is large. It spans a full 7 miles across at its widest point from North Bay to Backus Beach. It is stocked with bass, perch, pike, and trout. The real treat here is that strange northern cold water fish called the walleye. The walleye gets its name from its strange eyes that reflect light in the same manner as a cat. This strange eye gives the walleye extraordinary vision especially in dark and unclear water.

This is why the walleye is most active at night and many fishermen like to take advantage of this trait and pursue them at night. However, this misses the chance to combine the hunt for this elusive game fish with a chance to view some of the most scenic views in North America. National Geographic Magazine had an article that selected the ten most beautiful lake views in the World, and the view from Mt. Maria along Hubbard Lake was on the list.

The way to get both the view and a good chance for successful walleye fishing is to take advantage of something the experienced walleye fisherman calls the "walleye chop." This is a condition that occurs when the sky is overcast and the wind is blowing a bit churning up the water. Although windy conditions generally mean poorer fishing, it is just the opposite for going after Walleye. The walleye takes advantage of his better vision to feed during this period and your lure might just be on his menu.

You can find just about anything you could want from an ideal fishing vacation when you plan that trip for one of the Lake Hubbard fishing resorts. You can play golf and take scenic rides along the roadways that skirt the lake. Although it gets quite cold and the lake usually freezes over in the winter, ice fishing and winter sports are available. The changing colors of fall are breathtaking. Everyone knows the advantages of summer weather in the North. Yet it may be the spring that is the best simply for the fact that it is then that Mr. Walleye gets really hungry.

So you've decided on which aquarium to buy, been and purchased it, and set it up in a prominent location in your home – what next? Before you rush out and buy your freshwater tropical fish, you need to make sure you have all the equipment necessary. At the very least you need a lid for the aquarium, lighting, heating and a filtration system. It is very important you buy the correct size for your aquarium.

For instance, the lighting needs to be sufficient to light the entire aquarium, likewise the filter must be able to cope with the amount of water you will have, or it will not work to optimum efficiency. Buying a heater which will have to work hard to keep your aquarium at the correct temperature may be cheaper, but will end up a false economy, as it will soon break. If you are in any doubt as to what to buy to go with your aquarium, check with a reputable aquatic dealer.

You will now need to decorate your aquarium. For this you need gravel, and by this I mean special gravel you buy from an aquatic dealer, the quality is important. You also need a lot of it, because you need to cover the base of the aquarium by at least 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm). This will allow the plants to root properly, and if you have an under-gravel filtration system you will need this much to cover the filter.

To complete the decoration you will need some plants, either real or artificial, and you may want to consider some bogwood, which looks attractive in an aquarium, and as it has been treated it is suitable. Do not add shells or coral, as these can hurt your fish, and can also change the balance of the water, as well as be sharp and may hurt the fish. Aquatic dealers also sell other artificial decorations that you may want to purchase. Ensure that whatever you do you give your fish some hiding places.

Next, purchase a net, a bucket, a gravel cleaner and a glass cleaner – these are essential tools of the trade, and will be used often. I would also recommend buying de-chlorinator – tap water may be great for people, but it was not made for tropical fish. All the chemicals which are put in the water are not good for freshwater tropical fish, so the water will either need to be left standing for a couple of days, and be subjected to strong aeration, or have a de-chlorinator added to it.

Finally, purchase some fish food, so that when you bring your new freshwater tropical fish home you have something to feed them.

It's as simple as this: Fish Like Musselmeat. In reality they're stupid enough to eat anything, but as fishermen we know that giving them something they'll actually enjoy is more likely to result in a successful day's fishing than trying to feed them something they detest. So offer them a product that give them just what they want: real musselmeat. It's a rare treat for the fish, since mussels are generally so difficult for them to get hold of and get into, and, with their taste buds (or the fish equivalent, at least) quivering, they begin nibbling on your hook.

Musselmeat is ideal for blending in with other feeds and mixes straight from the tin. No messy preparation, no silliness. The hardest part with fishing with fresh mussels (apart from the massive hole in your wallet) is in removing the meat from the clam. The Pro Logic tinned version at least makes acquiring and preparing them just that little bit easier.

Musselmeat really stinks: it makes sense, since it's fish, and it's probably about to go off. It's lively and it smells just like it should. Obviously the fish don't care, and that's really all that matters.

A disadvantage of using tinned musselmeat over the fresh stuff is that it loses the 'milking' action that fresh mussels have when placed in the water. This attracts certain other types of fish to the bait. However, we feel that this is a minor point, and we don't think the hassle of real mussels in any way makes up for the price and inconvenience premium that you have to pay.

As with all good baits musselmeat is pretty versatile. Carp ace Derek Ritchie supposedly uses it extensively, so it's probably quite popular with Carp. Tench are attracted to it, too, and it has been suggested that it makes a good bait for chub and barbell.

Musselmeat in a tin can be crushed in the hand or through a riddle. It is great for incorporation in method feeder mixes, boilie mixes, and particle mixes, all directly from the tin.

And it's cheap, so why not try it out? As with all fishing bait it's all down to what works for you in your favourite spot.

A saltwater fish tank can be one of the most striking additions to any home or office. The color and brilliance of the fish and other saltwater creatures captivate just about everyone by bringing the color and activity of a coral reef right into your home.

If you are new to saltwater fish tanks then it is a good idea to seek the expert advice of a professional fish tank keeper before setting up your tank. It does take quite a bit of up-front work before you can even begin to introduce fish, corals, and anemones to a new saltwater aquarium. The water needs to be at the optimum ph, temperature and salt content before it is safe for living animals. Because the fish and other creatures are quite expensive it pays to have the tank properly set up otherwise you could end up with sick or dying fish whose cost is impossible to recoup.

The fish you can put in one of these aquariums are quite breathe taking. The lights of the tank help bring out the true colors of these fish and colored corals creating a lively vibrant habitat. One thing you can do to further the illusion of the deep blue sea is to add a solid blue background to your tank.

When it comes to choosing fish there are literally hundreds to choose from. Some of the choices include: Lion Fish, Puffer Fish, Clown Fish (think Nemo), Eels, Panther Groups, Trigger Fish, Shrimps, Crabs, and Dog Puffers. You do want to be careful with the shrimps, crabs and snails because they can and will eat any anemones you may have.

There are some saltwater aficionados who keep tanks with just living corals and anemones in them which can be quite colorful and entertaining, just at a more relaxed pace. You can keep some fish in these types of tanks but to be aware that some fish view coral and anemones as food. Even though anemones look like plants they are actually living creatures that need to be fed. This is actually quite fun because you can hand feed them. You place the on top of the anemones tentacles and then watch it curl itself around the food as it draws it into its mouth. It's quite an amazing thing to watch.

You will also need to research the type of fish you are interested in to see how they get along with other types of fish. It is important to remember that the dynamics of a saltwater fish tank will be much like that in a real coral reef. There is prey and there are predators so it makes sense to not mix certain types of fish that have this type of relationship.

There are also some types of saltwater fish that are poisonous with Lion Fish being the most notable example. They are pretty to look at and add to any tank but the spines on their fins are highly toxic if you get stung. If this does happen you will need to seek medical help.

Setting up a saltwater fish tank takes some time and planning but if it done right it will provide hours of entertainment for you and your guests.

Before I even begin, let me clarify something. I'm not talking about rubber worms that come in a thousand different colors. I'm referring to what Hank Hill calls "The good old American worm". When I say do you fish with worms, I'm of course referring to the live variety that we all learned how to fish with. I'm not sure of the reasons behind it, but I am sure of the fact that fish of all kind like worms. So how do you fish with and carry your worms while fishing?

Let's start with taking your worms fishing with you. Do you just carry the worm container with you to the area that you're going to fish? This is fine as long as you don't move around much. If you move around or wade (like me) carrying a container of worms is a pain in the butt! So I began using a bait bag, and would suggest that you do the same. It's really convenient. You can make one yourself or buy one, it makes no difference. The important thing is that you begin using a bait bag to carry your worms. The live worms are simply transferred into the bait bag, and then they are right there at your fingertips ready to be used as bait.

Now, how do you fish with live worms? Do you simply "thread" a worm onto your hook and call that worm fishing? If this is what you do to fish with worms, it's a mistake. That's how a ten year old fishes with live worms. The way to fish with live worms is through the use of a set of gang hooks. A set of gang hooks is simply two small hooks tied in tandem, thus enabling you to present the worm in a completely natural manner. You see, when a live worm is used as bait, it should look as if it were just thrown into the water. If you just threw a live worm into the water, what would it look like?

By employing a set of gang hooks, the live worm looks just like it would if you simply threw said worm into the water. This natural presentation is extremely effective, especially in the moving water of rivers and streams. If you like wading and fishing in rivers and streams, for fish like smallmouth bass, walleye, or trout, you need to begin using gang hooks. They are fairly simple to tie yourself or you can buy them, it make no difference, the point is that gang hooks should be used.

If you fish with live worms, these two tips will make you a much more effective and efficient angler. Remember what Steven Wright said about us anglers, "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore looking like an idiot." I couldn't agree more, and just want to help everyone avoid the 'looking like an idiot' part of the equation.

The proper fishing gear for what you're fishing for can either make or break your fishing trip. Before going shopping for fishing rods and fishing tackle, a little research can help you decide on what equipment is best for you. With all of the varieties on the market, there is sure to be something to fit your needs. Whether you are a beginner or a skilled fisherman, you can find the proper gear when you go fishing for your favorite fish.

If you're looking for a great bargain on fishing gear, try to do some fishing for gear and tackle that is out of season or overstocked. Stores will be willing to sell this gear for a discount rather than having to store it until the next season. You might want to spend a few extra dollars though, and get better quality fishing gear. You usually get what you pay for, so spending extra money usually means getting better quality. There is a certain amount of skill that you can use no matter what quality your equipment is though.

A good fisherman knows that one of the most important decisions of the day is what type of gear to use. Each situation presented to you as a fisherman calls for a unique set of equipment. Using a heavy setup on a smaller fish like a trout is silly, and is in fact counterproductive. Then it makes sense that a light setup of gear is best used on smaller fish, especially those that you have to set the hook yourself. The light weight and flexibility of a smaller rod will help you set the line quickly and react so that you don't miss out on a catch. If you find yourself in a lake with brush or lots of weeds, then you probably need something a little stronger in case your gear gets stuck in the weeds. A strong fish like a bass demands that you use a stronger rod and line, or else you will be out of luck when it comes time to reel in the big one.

Using the right tackle has a huge impact on your results as a fisherman. If you are able to match the right tackle to the type of fish you are searching for, chances are good you will come home with a full string of fresh catch. It is a good idea to build a tackle box with different types of lures and bait, each for a different situation. Water type, temperature, season, and time of day will all effect if a fish is going to bite. Choose tackle that fits the situation best. A good rule of thumb is to closely resemble the fish's natural prey with your tackle. Think about colors too; will a bright lure frighten a fish, or catch its attention? The answer to that question depends on the clarity of the water.

Fishing gear does not stop with the pole, reel, and tackle. Nope, there are many different fishing accessories that can make your trip a success, and likely a lot more fun. A net is often useful for grabbing the fish from the side of the boat after you have reeled it in. Needle nose pliers are also handy for getting those pesky hooks out of the fish's mouth. And don't forget about waders; they are best used along the shore or in a river, giving you a chance to get close to the fish you are trying to catch.

Some fishing gear is best suited for some fishing purposes but other fishing gear is designed for other regions and types of fish. With some careful research, you can find the best fishing gear suited for your purposes. You can also find quality fishing gear that you can use to catch several different types of fish in a variety of regions. Whatever your purposes, you can go fishing for the proper fishing rods and gear to meet your needs.

When you hook into a Coho Salmon for the first time, before it gets to the boat, you may think that the fish is much larger than it actually is. While being excellent fighters, they also taste great on the dinner table. Cohos are a Pacific salmon that are stocked in the Great Lakes. Let's look at some factors that will help you catch more and bigger Cohos.

Coho Salmon, as with most salmon, are usually associated with large bodies of water. This generally means you must comb through a lot of water to catch good amounts. For most anglers, this means trolling. Trollers apply a variety of tactics and tools to give them the advantage. Depth finders are a must for locating schools of bait fish and thus, Cohos. Some depth finders will also display the water temperature; a key factor when fishing for any species. However, water temps greatly vary depending on the depth of water you are fishing. In other words, the temp may be much cooler 50 feet down than on the surface. Sensors can be placed on a downrigger cable, which is, of course, in the fish's zone.

Every autumn, you can count on the Cohos to congregate in and around tributaries. Depending on the size of the tributary, this calls for a major change in techniques. Small, stream size tributaries call for gear you can easily cast and drift with. Casting spoons, minnow plugs, and crankbaits are popular lures. Real salmon or trout eggs, as well as artificial, are extremely effective when naturally drifted downstream. Waders are very convenient for reaching otherwise inaccessible spots. For larger tributaries, the same techniques can be employed from either the bank or a boat. Trolling can also be an affective method, usually within the parameters of the tributary mouth.

Until next time, have fun fishing, and remember - unless your line is wet, you ain't gonna catch no fish!

Sincerely,

Nicholas Cudzilo

Are you interested in learning more about the manufacturers, locations and news of sport fishing and more importantly, the fishing industry itself? Then there is no better way to learn them than AllCoast sport fishing. Online forums and fish reports are other tools the average fisherman can use to learn and develop new skills. However, AllCoast sport fishing offers valuable information on specific topics such as tackle manufacturers, tackle retailers, fishing charters, and various kinds of sport fishing events help in and around the country.

As I said earlier, there are several critical elements in the world of sport fishing, and if you want to get valuable information on these critical elements, then you should use AllCoast sport fishing. With AllCoast sport fishing, you can learn more about specific topics such as:

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10. Angler's Center

Needless to say, if you want to get information on topics such as fresh or saltwater fishing lures, camping and fishing supplies, designer angler accessories and boat equipments, then AllCoast sport fishing will serve as a comprehensive guide.

It is really hard to determine which time of the week or day will be right for sport fishing excursions. However, thanks to AllCoast sport fishing, such information is now at your fingertips! Allcoast sport fishing reports give you special highlights and updates regarding specific regions. An AllCoast sport fishing report generally included all information regarding fish counts, trip types, anglers, and the daily catch. Note however that the reports are available for Southern and Central California area only. Reports from AllCoast sport fishing include information on topics such as:

1. Virg's Landing


2. Patriot Sportfishing


3. Sea Landing


4. Channel Island Sportfishing


5. Port Hueneme


6. Redondo Sportfishing


7. LA Harbor Sportfishing


8. Long Beach Sportfishing


9. Pierpoint Landing


10. Newport Landing


11. Islandia Sportfishing


12. Point Loma Sportfishing

So the next time you want to go sport fishing, be sure to check the fishing reports available through AllCoast sport fishing. The information you will get will save you a lot of time.

If you need more information about AllCoast sport fishing, we have a complete resource guide available for that purpose. Simply click the link below in my resource box in order to access the guide.

If you are looking for an additional piece of stunning furniture for your home or office you can not go wrong with a large saltwater fish tank. With the beautiful colors, the soothing sounds of bubbling water and the relaxing pastime of keeping fish, a large saltwater fish tank installed in your office or home will prove to be a great investment. A large fish tank is generally 30 gallons or more, and some custom-designed large fish tanks can hold hundreds of gallons depending on the size of your home.

When you have decided what type of large saltwater fish tank you want to purchase, you first need to ask yourself a few questions. The cost of keeping a large saltwater fish tank is usually more than a freshwater tank but a large fish tank full of beautifully colored saltwater fish is a popular choice for many home aquariums.

You then need to decide what you want your large saltwater fish tank made out of, whether it is glass or acrylic. Acrylic aquariums have become increasingly popular because they allow for custom designs to fit the home. Acrylic is more prone to scratching than glass, and is generally more expensive; however it does not alter the colors of the fish whereas glass, and its reflective properties, will distort when looked at from certain angles.

Once you have decided on what type of large saltwater fish tank you want and what types of fish, you need to decide what size tank you want. Large is considered in the 30-55+ gallon range will vary in price from roughly $100-$500 or more depending on the size and quality of the tank. Most companies offer package deals, which provide you with a large saltwater fish tank and all the necessary filtration devices. The size of your large saltwater fish tank will be a factor in deciding what size and how many fish you will be able to keep

You will, of course, have to get into the habit of feeding the fish and cleaning the tank, but the maintenance and up-keep for a large fish tank is easy. You need to clean the tank every 2-3 weeks, which means replacing roughly 20-25 percent of the water. You also will need to make sure the chemical levels in the tank are balanced using home kits and ensure your fish are fed at regular times.

With proper and easy maintenance, a large saltwater fish tank can be a great addition to a home or office, providing you a soothing escape and a hobby which you can enjoy for years to come.

Many anglers like to catch Smallmouth Bass. Smallmouth bass are a very hearty fish that can be found in a variety of different settings. Smallmouth can be found in all kinds of lakes and ponds as well as rivers and streams of all kinds. Water temperature doesn't affect the Smallmouth Bass like it does other fish so these fish can therefore be found in almost every state in the Union. For this article I'm going to focus on Smallmouth Bass fishing in moving water, such as rivers and streams.

In case you didn't realize it, Smallmouth bass can be caught in much the same manner that trout can be caught. As a matter of fact, the two species can be found in the same rivers in many instances. One of my favorite activities is to wade fish for smallmouth bass using ultra light fishing gear. Ultra light fishing gear meaning and ultra light rod and reel equipped with four pound test fishing line. When you hook into a 3 pound smallmouth and that fish has the current to use to its advantage with gear like this, let me tell you something…it's as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

So, what's the bet way to catch Smallmouth Bass in river situations? All of the normal techniques such as throwing spoons and spinners will work, as well as using minnow plugs such as rapalas. But the most effective technique that I've ever come across is using live bait rigged on a set of gang hooks. What are gang hooks? Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem.

Rigging a live worm is the most popular technique, and can be deadly for smallmouth bass when fished properly. To rig a live worm on a set of gang hooks is really quite simple. You simply take your line and tie a small barrel swivel onto it. Then tie the set of gang hooks to the other end of the swivel. Now add split shot sinkers to the line "above" the barrel swivel as needed. Rig the worm onto the gang hooks and you're good to go. The goal is to have the live worm bounce off the bottom as it tumbles naturally downstream. If you use this simple rig where Smallmouth Bass are present, watch out!

Smallmouth Bass are universally known as one of the hardest fighting fish, pound for pound, that swims in freshwater. If you have any experience with these fish, you know this to be true. Catching Smallmouth Bass in moving water is a ton of fun, and as I said, when these fish are coupled with gang hooks and ultra light gear, it's easily as much fun as can be found while clothed. Get out there and give it a try, you'll sure be glad you did.

If you are looking for an exciting fishing excursion, few fishing trips can boast of being as exciting as Alaska king salmon fishing. Whether you are a novice or a professional fisherman, Alaska king salmon fishing is sure to give the thrill you are looking for! There are certain tips and tricks which, if you adopt, will improve your chances of catching the king salmon (or Chinook). Once you learn these trips and tricks, you won't need to hire any fishing guides or charters in order to find out the best fishing locations in the state. In this article I will tell you of some such tips and tricks.

1. It pays to know about the behavior of the salmon species you are going after, and Alaska king salmon fishing is no different in this regard. King salmons usually move closer to the shore during spring time. Your selection of lures and baits will largely depend on the water conditions, temperature and clarity or cloudiness of the water where you are going to fish.

2. In the height of Alaska King salmon fishing season, there is daylight throughout the twenty-four hours. This means that unlike other fishing locations, you don't need to choose just the standard fishing hours in Alaska. In fact the ideal time for catching king salmons in Alaska is before the minimal dark or during the early hours of dawn.

3. Fishermen going for deep ocean fishing usually use cut herring or herring attractors as baits, and then use a slow trolling speed against the movement of the fish. In case you are not familiar with the movements of the fish, your best bet is to hire some expert fish finders.

4. Trolling speed generally depends on the tide of the water. If there is high tide then the trolling line would be longer than usual and the trolling speed will increase as well. Downriggers are usually used to discover the depths at which the salmons are feeding. Do note that such things can be done best by an angler who is experienced in king salmon fishing.

5. There are several different types of lures available for king salmon fishing. The best lure is the one which suits the water conditions of the area in which you are going to fish, and more importantly, the type of fishing you are going to pursue. Popular lures include egg clusters, t-spoons, Wiggle Warts, Kwikfish, flatfish, spinners and tadpoles using a smaller boat set on a low trolling speed across the mouth of rivers and shallow bars.

6. Shore tactics used for Alaska King Salmon fishing are slightly different. Tools like heavier weights and a large spoon are used in order to allow the lure to appear to “bounce” off the bottom. This weird behavior of the lure will most likely attract and irritate the salmon, and this will result in a hit on the lure.

7. If you are going for king salmon fishing in Alaska for the first time, I would recommend you hire a charter or a guide, even though it will add a bit more to your budget. Once you become expert enough in the different kinds of fishing techniques you will be able to handle the whole thing on your own.

If you need more information about Alaska king salmon fishing, we have a complete resource guide available for that purpose. Simply click the link below in my resource box in order to access the guide.

If you are new to fishing then chances are that you are having a hard time distinguishing between different species of salmon fishes. The bad news is that the licensing of salmon fishes depends on the species of salmon fish you have caught. So if you are unable to differentiate between different species of salmon fishes then you may be accused of violating the license restrictions. Worse, you may even face fine or more severe repercussions. By the way, differentiating between different species of salmon fishes is not that hard, provided you have the basic knowledge of the different species of salmon. In this article I will tell of the various species of salmon that exist today and how to identity one from the other. Note that the different attributes of salmon fishes that I describe here generally applies to adult salmon, and may not apply to its young ones.

Chinook: It is easy to identify a Chinook- the lower gums of a Chinook are colored black. This is the reason why it is also known as the 'blackmouth'. Their back is colored either olive or brown and their sides usually have dark black spots. It is also the largest salmon fish available on the Pacific Ocean.

Coho: A Coho looks quite the opposite of a Chinook; it is also known as the Silver salmon. Its head and back are generally bluish green. Depending on the season when you catch this fish, its back is either red or wine-colored. The cover of its gills is usually reddish throughout the whole year.

Chum: It is a lesser known salmon fish however since we are discussing about all types of salmon fishes, it is important you know about chums as well. This will help you distinguish between all the kinds of salmon fishes available. One of the ways to identify chums is by watching their nature-they usually remain in salt water and hence, won't move very far inland. If Chinook is the largest salmon fish on the Pacific Ocean, Chum is the second largest salmon fish. It is easy to identify a Chum: they have a distinguished set of teeth, they have horizontal bars and they are usually colored either red or purplish blue.

Sockeye: Be careful when distinguishing between a Sockeye and a Coho. Since both salmon fishes share the same body color, you are likely to become confused when seeing them together. The unique thing about a Sockeye is that unlike other species of salmon, they usually spend about two years in a freshwater lake before moving out in the ocean. There are hardly any distinguishable feature between a male Sockeye and its female counterpart, except that the males usually have a bump on their backs and are more brilliantly colored than the females.

Kokanee: Unlike other salmon species, a Kokanee hardly ever moves out in the salt water. It spends its entire life in a freshwater lake, As far as features are concerned, they look very much like the Sockeye- both of them are red-colored and the males have a bump near the dorsal fin.

In order to become an expert in distinguishing between different types of salmon fishes, it is a good idea to invest in a wholesome book on salmon fishing. If you need more information about salmon fishes, we have a complete resource guide available for that purpose. Simply click the link below in my resource box in order to access the guide.

Many people that keep amateur fish tanks have come to love the cichlid varieties of fish. They are noted for their huge variety that display interesting and complex behaviors that are fascinating to watch. They are also noted for their beautiful markings and colors. One such species is the ever popular discus fish. This article will describe the typical nature of the discus fish and the ideal conditions and habitat for a discus fish tank.

Discus fish hail from the black water tributaries of the Amazon. The vegetation and substrate in these waters has a high level of humic acid that causes the water to be soft or have an acidic Ph level. The Ph level should be around 5.5 to 6.5 for Discus fish. The water temperatures range from around 26 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius. The water is generally slow moving.

Discus fish require very good water quality or they are likely to become stressed otherwise. Some people use Reverse Osmosis (R.O) water to get the quality right but as R.O. water is virtually distilled water it is not advised to use it without adding essential minerals and salts that all freshwater fish need. There are supplements that can be added to R.O. Water that will do this. Water should be changed regularly too.

The typical habitat of Discus fish is gentle water movement, a variety of plants and a diverse aqua scape of rocks, caves and bogwood. They prefer to live in a large tank.

Discus fish are generally placid fish but become very protective during breeding and nurturing of fry. It is sometimes a good idea to remove other fish during this time or partition them off.

They will eat most things from flake to live foods.

Discuss fish are some of the most beautiful cichlids you can keep however it can be a challenge to maintain the water quality to their liking. Soft water is often more difficult to maintain than hard water and discus fish are quite sensitive to this. This puts more responsibility on you to know how to maintain the fish tank and keep a regular schedule of maintenance.

If you're anything like me, you like to fish with live worms. Carrying live worms can be a pain in the butt. You have to carry that bulky Styrofoam container around with you the entire time you're fishing. In my case, I walk two or three miles every time I go fishing, crossing the river four or five times in the process. Because of all of this moving around, I would have to put the Styrofoam worm container inside a pocket of my fishing vest. This always resulted in the Styrofoam container breaking, plus pulling out the container every time I needed a worm was a complete hassle.

On one fishing trip I came up with an idea. What if I could take my worms fishing with me, and not have to take the container they come in? I came up with the idea of a little pouch. What if I had a little pouch or bag that I could attach to myself that would hold my fishing worms? So I did exactly that. Once I saw the "bait bag", I liked it, but then wondered if it would actually work? It seemed like the worms would crawl out, if they were just transferred to the bag for the day of fishing? So I tried it. I transferred the live worms into the bag.

Can you guess what happened? The little buggers didn't move. They just sat there waiting to be used. The worms nestled in the bottom of the "bag", like a baby kangaroo in its mothers pouch. It was amazing. Now the worms were hanging right on the front of my vest for easy access. My worms were literally "at my fingertips".

That was nearly 20 years ago, since then the bag has gotten a little bigger and looks better, but the technique of carrying my worms has remained the same. To me, Styrofoam containers are just what I buy the worms in, and then as soon as I get to my fishing area, the worms are transferred into my bait bag, so my worms are at my fingertips ready to be used. I would suggest that you get your hands on a bait bag, whether you make it yourself or buy it, so you too will never have to worry about those stupid Styrofoam containers again. Once you begin employing a bait bag to carry your live worms, you will never fish without it.

Anyone who spends any length of time wading know that breathable fishing waders are the way to go. If you've never tried them, you should. In my opinion, breathable fishing waders are the most comfortable and functional kind of waders. Breathable waders represent the pinnacle of wader design and function. For the discriminating angler who wants the very best in wading technology, breathable waders are the way to go.

Breathable waders aren't normally much more expensive than neoprene wader, so given the choice I would go with breathable waders. If most of your wading is done in cold water, then maybe you should save the money. Neoprene waders tend to be much warmer than breathable waders, so if you're always in cold water, go with neoprene. The cool thing about breathable waders is that you can layer clothes underneath them when you're fishing in cold situations. That way they can be quite warm as well.

Breathable fishing waders come in one of two ways. With a stocking foot or boot foot. Again, this is a judgment call and completely up to personal preference. Stocking foot breathable waders have a neoprene sock sewn into them. Once you put them on, you then have to put on a wading boot. Boot foot breathable waders are just what the name suggests. Boot foot waders are the same thing, except they have a boot built into them. In other words, when you put boot foot breathable waders on, you're in effect putting your boot on as well. Which type to go with is completely up to you? If you do a lot of walking and wading while fishing, I would suggest Stocking foot waders and wading boots. If you don't move around a whole lot while fishing, go with the boot foot. Again, this is all personal preference. There is no right and no wrong answer.

The bottom line is that when it comes to fishing waders, for my money there is no better choice than breathable fishing waders. There are many different manufacturers that make them so which kind is your choice. The point of the matter is that if you spend any amount of time standing in water attempting to catch fish, breathable fishing waders are the way to go.

Fishing with a live worm doesn't have to be simply "threading" said worm onto a large hook and then chunking is out in the water. There are much better and much more effective ways to present a live worm while fishing. Many anglers don't realize this simply because they have never thought about it. After all is just fishing, right how technical do you have to get? You don't necessarily have to get more technical, you just have to use the best ways possible. And as far as fishing with a live worm goes, there are better ways.

The best and most effective is simply employing a set of gang hooks for fishing a live worm. A set of gang hooks allows the worm to be presented outstretched which much more natural than the "worm ball" created by threading a live worm onto a hook. This natural presentation is more effective. It will result in more bites because the worm looks like it does naturally. When is the last time that you think a trout or smallmouth bass saw a "worm ball" floating naturally down your favorite river? They didn't, unless of course there was an 11 year old fishing there last week!

Fishing a live worm is what fishing is all about. The words worms and fishing are almost synonymous. Everyone knows that worms are great bait for fishing. Begin employing gang hooks, and worms become even better. So, what are gang hooks? Gang hooks are simply 2 hooks tied in tandem. Simple enough, right? Gang hooks are very simple, yet very effective. That's why my fishing mentor was a genius! He's the first one that I ever saw using a set of gang hooks to fish with a live worm. As a matter of fact, he taught me how to tie gang hooks. Ever since I started using gang hooks to fish live worms 20 years ago, they are all I use. I simply won't go fishing without gang hooks in my fishing vest.

Gang hooks and a bait bag have literally become staples of my river and stream fishing. I use gang hooks and live worms to catch trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass in rivers and streams all over the country. I also use gang hooks to catch fish such as crappie, because they are also a wonderful way to present minnows. But I digress, this article is about fishing with a live worm, and the point is that fishing with a live worm shouldn't be done without the help of gang hooks. I would like to see the "worm ball" retired forever. Making a "worm ball" is simply not the way to fish a live worm, gang hooks are. To me, the "worm ball" gives fishing a bad name. I think reverend McLain said it best when he said, "Anyone who does not know how to catch a fish should not be able to disgrace that fish by catching it." Amen reverend, amen.

At this time of year, many anglers are reserved to fishing for trout from the bank of their favorite lake. We don't have the luxury of a boat and the rivers and streams are too high and muddy to fish effectively. So fishing from shore for trout is one of our only options, if we want to catch some fish. Luckily this isn't too daunting of a position to be in, especially when fishing for trout from shore usually means fishing for stocked trout.

Given a choice, I'll always fish for native trout rather than stocked trout, but again in the spring of the year there's not a lot of options. So we fish from shore. Although you can throw spinners and lures from shore in search of trout, I've always found still fishing to be much more effective. Still fishing with either live bait or synthetic bait has always been an effective technique for me.

Most anglers know how to rig a still fishing setup, but just for arguments sake, I'm going to spell it out. Begin by grabbing the end of your line and threading the line through an egg sinker. Now tie on a small barrel swivel (the barrel swivel act as a "stopper for the weight as well). The weight should be able to slide on the line freely. Now tie a set of gang hooks onto the other end of the barrel swivel. I suggest using #8 or #10 gang hooks. If you don't have gang hooks, you need to add a small hook to a piece of line and tie that onto the barrel swivel. This is now your still fishing rig. As you can see, it allows the fish to feel no resistance from the weight when biting your bait (this is key).

Simply cast this setup out, let it sink to the bottom, and wait. I usually give the fish 30-45 minutes and check my bait to make sure its still there. Then I re-cast, give it another 30-45 minutes. If I've received no bites in that amount of time, I change baits or move. In this amount of time, if there are fish around, you should receive a bite.

The techniques described above is the most effective way of catching trout from the bank. I always begin with either a live worm or Powerbait as my bait, and always use a set of gang hooks to increase my chances. Get out there and give it a shot, and remember what Steven Wright said of us fishermen, "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore looking like an idiot."

Aquarium gravel can play an important role in maintaining the habitat that is your fish tank. It can be used as part of the filtration system, as a nutrient rich substrate for plants or to change the properties in the water. In most cases however it is there purely for decorative reasons. People like to see a gravel bottom because it makes the tank look better and often offsets the colors of the fish. It also provides the fish with more things to do which makes better viewing for the Aquarist and his/her friends.

The type of gravel you want in your fish tank is also determined by the type of animal and plant life that you want in your tank. If you are looking for gravel for soft water this is generally because you have fish that are suited to soft water. Common fish include South American Cichlids like Discus and Angel fish. You may also want to have plants in you tank to recreate the natural environment of these fish. Then the gravel must be rich in nutrients and be firm enough to allow roots to take hold.

The gravel commonly used for this purpose is titled lime free gravel. Lime or calcium carbonate is the principle component that causes hard water. If you were to put gravel that was composed of calcium carbonate in then the water it would turn the water alkaline over time and could cause stress or ill health to your fish.

Lime free gravel is usually quartz or man made. Quartz gravel is ideal for plants as it collects nutrients and allows roots to take hold. You can also layer the substrate so that the base is lime free material and the top levels are more nutrient rich to encourage plant growth. Another consideration if you have bottom dwelling fish is to have smooth edged gravel so that the fish don't get damaged.

One of the most popular type of fish to attempt top catch in the entire United States is the Bass. There are four main species of Bass in this country: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky Bass, Guadeloupe Bass, and Peacock Bass. In this article, the Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass are going to be focused on simply because they are by far the most popular. Bass fishing has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry from it's humble beginnings in the late 1800s. The black bass has become the second most specifically sought-after game fish in the United States. The sport has driven the development of all manner of fishing gear, including rods, reels, lines, lures, electronic depth and fish-finding instruments, drift boats, float tubes, and specialized bass boats. The black bass, also known as Largemouth Bass, has even spawned many groups of people who earn their living fishing for them.

Largemouth Bass are found mostly in lakes and large rivers. While the same is true for Smallmouth Bass, smallmouth bass are also found it fast flowing rivers and streams. As a matter of fact in many areas of the country, smallmouth bass can be found in the same waters that trout swim in. Smallmouth can be fished for in the same manner as one does for trout as well. Largemouth bass tend to shy away from the types of currents and small rivers that trout are found in. Bass fishing is an incredibly popular pastime, and in some cases an incredibly lucrative business.

Fishing for bass can be a very expensive proposition, although it surely doesn't have to be. There are literally tens of thousands of techniques, lures, gimmicks, and plastic contraptions used in bass fishing. The options can become quite daunting. At the end of the day all a person needs to catch a bass is a live worm and a set of gang hooks, but with bass fishing, you can get as technical as you would like. As a matter of fact, one of the best ways to catch smallmouth bass is a live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks. Then simply fish that worm through the current of a river, letting it bounce along the bottom.

Some of the most popular bass fishing techniques are: fishing plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits, large jigs, and even live bait. There are literally too many techniques to list here, but the ones listed are the most popular. The bottom line is that bass fishing is more or less the grand daddy of fishing. Because of tournaments and organizations like B.A.S.S (which stands for: Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) the activity of bass fishing has become incredibly popular, and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. Honestly, when you think about it, how else could someone be convinced to spend $25,000 on a boat that mainly gets used on weekends only? Because what they are using that boat for is so much freakin' fun…Bass Fishing. Most Bass anglers would have a hard time arguing with this fact.

I consider fishing my number one expertise. In these articles I plan to share my knowledge with you and everyone out there. Some may choose to use it and some may not. Either way I hope you enjoy them and tell others about them.

For almost all their lives the large mouth will hang out in water from 5 to 15 feet deep. On occasion they will go deeper to find food or to get out of the sun. Almost always when bass are in the shallows you will find them by some sort of cover. Largemouth are very abundant in natural and man made lakes.

Natural Lakes

-Because shallow bays tend to warm faster in the spring time that is where the bass will move to. They move in there for feeding and eventually spawning.

-In the summertime the edge of weed lines is a great place to find the large mouth hiding out from the hot sunny day.

-Bays that we refer to as slop bays in the summertime will hold plenty of fish under neath the weeds. These areas are great for fisherman and great for the large mouth to find food.

-Humps in the lakes with weeds on the bottom are great places for summertime bass. The weeds and rocks offer shade that the fish can move into.

-Points and inside turns along break lines hold bass in the summer through winter. Gradually sloping structure is best in the summertime while sharp slopes are great in late fall and winter.

-The shallow flats in the late fall attract a lot of bass because they stay the warmest while the water in the lakes are starting to cool off.

Man-Made Lakes

-Old river channels tend to concentrate bass in the summer and winter. The fish move up to feed and then rest in the close by deeper water.

-Bends in river channels will hold more bass in summer than straight parts. Because the water stays warmer in the river channel it will hold large numbers of bass in the winter.

-Back ends of shallow creeks, especially with no flow have the warmest water in the springtime. Thus they draw bass in to feed and spawn.

-Submerged road beds, railroad grades, old buildings are all man made features that are important to bass and important that the fishermen know where they are.

-In the summertime you want to look for humps that are covered in weeds or fallen timbers. This is especially important if they are located near the main river channel.

-Along a creek channel or river channel with timbered flats are great areas for fishing from spring to fall. The one important factor to look at here is whether or not the fish have east access to deeper water.

In this bustling crazy world of technology we don't always have lots to look forward to except the same old thing day in and day out. Fishing is the one great way that I use to escape all realities out there.

I just want everyone to remember that a bad day fishing is always better than a good day at work.

Dale Mazurek

Anyone who has spent any time fishing knows that the state of Alaska is not only know as "the last frontier", it's also an incredible fishing destination. The state could easily be called "the last fishing frontier", and I don't think anyone would complain. Although Alaska is a difficult and fairly expensive place to travel to, the fishing is absolutely world class. Some of the best salmon runs in the world happen in Alaska, and the chance of a bear encounter while fishing is never out of the question in the great state of Alaska.

Did you know that Alaska is twice the size of Texas and has fewer roads than Delaware? How's that for a trivia question or two? The point is that it's true and with this much 'untouched' land, it leaves a ton of fishing opportunities. From Southeast Alaska, to the world famous Kenai River on the Cook Inlet, and into Alaska's interior - Alaska offers some of the best fishing in the world. Enjoy fighting to land monster halibut or a king salmon, or try your hand at fly-fishing for rainbow trout on a secluded Alaska stream. You can fish Alaska from an ocean charter boat, take to a river by jet or drift boat, or fly in by bush plane to a remote Alaska lake or stream. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to fishing in the state of Alaska.

Salmon and Halibut are two of the most popular fish to try to catch in the great state of Alaska, but are by no means the only species of fish that are fished for. If you are a trophy hunter, Alaska is the place for you. King Salmon can easily exceed 50 pounds and Halibut are not only enormous, but delicious as well. Halibut easily reach weights of well over 150 pounds! Halibut are world renowned for their "steak like" meat, and are a true delicacy.

When fishing for Alaska's salmon, you may have to compete with the bears. Salmon are not only sought after by people, but in Alaska bears need to catch them as well. The difference is bears need salmon for survival and humans' just think they do. The point is that when wade fishing on rivers and streams in Alaska, bear spray should be carried. Better safe than sorry, right?

There are distinct regions within Alaska, with rules for each. Once you decide on which region you intend on fishing, simply check the regulations for that area. If you're going on a fishing vacation, your outfitter will obviously help with this. Having an outfitter when visiting places such as Alaska is never a bad idea, in fact it's a very good idea. Luckily in this day and age a simple search on the internet will yield more Alaska guides and outfitters than you can shake a stick at, literally! The bottom line is that if you're looking for a true fishing adventure and some huge fish, Alaska is the place for you.