5 WORM TRICKS FOR BASS

Thread a plastic worm on a hook below a 5/8-ounce bullet weight, cast it out, and feel for that electric tap-tap on the end of the line.

The Texas-rig, as it’s known, has probably produced more bass bites than any lure and technique in the history of bass fishing. While great, a Texas rig should not be an angler’s sole weapon in his or her worm-fishing arsenal.

The following five techniques for fishing plastic worms are good alternate methods for standard Texas-rig fishing.

Not every tactic works every time on the water, but these methods allow fishermen to greatly increase their options, putting more largemouth, spotted bass and smallmouths in the boat at times when the standard Texas rig fails.

No. 1: The Carolina Option

A Texas-rigged worm works great in heavy cover. An angler can fish it through stumps beds, brushpiles, grassbeds—the thickest, fishiest cover available. For more open-water situations, like a main-lake point, a hump, or gravel flat, there’s a better option that will cover more water more quickly, and that option is the Carolina-rig.

The difference between a Carolina rig and a Texas rig is that with the C-rig the hook and weight are separated by a length of line (3 feet is standard), a swivel, a bead to protect the swivel knot from the weight, and then a 3/4-ounce to 1-ounce round weight.

The weight stirs up silt and creates a commotion when dragged across the bottom, getting a bass’s attention, and then along comes the worm, often floating up above the bottom and slowly sinking as the bass sees it. The Carolina-rigged worm is a great option, often used as a search bait to find schools of bass on main-lake structure.

No. 2: Wind Drifting With Worms

In strong wind, many worm fishermen turn to other lures, like spoons, crankbaits, spinnerbaits or jigs. While those lures and their inherent tactics can be good, more anglers should use the wind as their ally in presenting worms to bass.

To work windy water with worms, motor upwind and use the trolling motor to make a controlled drift over the water you intend to fish.

The trick is to make controlled drifts, with worms cast out behind a boat, using the wind to move you across spots holding feeding bass. Try to hold the boat sideways to the wind, but if the drift is too fast, sometimes turning the boat in-line with the wind may be better. A sea-anchor also can help slow a drift in very strong wind.

No. 3: Hole-Hopping Weeds With Worms

This same technique can be employed using weedless spoons, spinnerbaits, and weedless plastic frogs, but rarely are those lures better at probing holes in weed beds than a plastic worm.

The technique is simple. Just cast far back into the vegetation, and using rod work, guide the worm to open pockets in weeds. Often bass follow the motion line of a worm crawling across the top-side of weeds. So when the lure hits an opening, the bass is already there, mouth open and waiting. Sometimes bass blow up on worms skittered across weeds. When that happens, glide the lure as quickly as possible to the closest hole, allowing the bass to find and hit the lure.

There are two good options for probing holes in thick vegetation. For longer casts where an angler moves the worm across the weed bed and then lets it fall in the holes, use as light a bullet weight as you can effectively cast. A 1/4-ounce is plenty. Too heavy of a weight won’t allow an angler to move the rig across the surface of the weed beds.

Or, use stealth to move in close to weed bed and drop a Texas-rigged worm into the holes. In thick weed beds without many holes, anglers “punch” the weed beds with heavy 1 1/2-ounce weights that penetrate the surface vegetation. For punching, an angler will need a stout rod and heavy line to get a bass to the boat.

No. 4: Bottom-Hopping Worms

The standard retrieve method for an angler using a sunken plastic worm is a slow crawl that imparts a snake-like slither to the lure across a lake or river floor. That retrieve has been the undoing of plenty of bass. But retrieving a worm in only that manner is akin to fishing a crankbait with only one speed, winter or summer, fall or spring, cold water or warm.

At times, bass want a super-active, high-hopping, pulsating and gyrating plastic worm—just like at times they want a spinnerbait moving fast or irregularly; or a topwater plug zigging and zagging. Try hopping a bottom-contact worm a foot or two, or more, off the bottom if your usual slow-crawl isn’t producing. For summer fishing, high, aggressive hopping is my standard worm retrieve when fishing a Texas rig.

No. 5: Wacky Worming

In clear water for spooky, pressured bass, a wacky rigged worm is one of the most deadly ways to unnerve bass. Another plus for the wacky tactic is not many bass have seen a worm rigged and fished this way.

Wacky-style rigging is pretty simple. With a standard worm hook, simply barb the lure once through its middle. Usually the lure is used with an exposed worm hook, and often no weight. If weight is desired, it can be set up with a split-shot pinched on the fishing line a foot or two above the worm hook. A better way is to insert a nail-type sinker into the worm plastic, head or tail. Usually a thin-diameter worm is used to get the most action from the lure as it falls through the water column. Hooking a worm wacky style also worm at times when using a Carolina rig on main-lake structure. Drag the Carolina rig a little more aggressively than normal to get the wacky-style worm to impart the pulsing action.

A weedless hook can be used, or one can be rigged weedless by threading one end of a rubber band through the hook eye, then securing the other end of the rubber band under the hook barb. Weedless-hook wacky worms are great for fishing deep, clear-water weed edges, docks and standing timber.

A plastic worm is a great bass lure. But don’t limit your worm fishing to Texas rigs fished slowly and with finesse. The worm is a versatile bait.

Originally posted on   by Bob McNally

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Fishing In Oregon: Family Fun


Fishing in Oregon is Great for the Whole Family

Oregon has a reputation for having some of the best fishing in the country. Fishing in Oregon is great for groups of adults, but if you have a young family, you can still take advantage of Oregon’s beautiful scenery and enjoy fishing together. Fishing in Oregon is a great way to remove yourselves from the business and overstimulation typical of everyday life and immerse yourself in the quiet of nature with loved ones. An inexpensive pastime, fishing is a wonderful family activity that you and your family will remember as treasured moments together. It’s a great daytrip option and can also become a family tradition. Fishing is a low-key sport, suitable for men, women, and children of all ages. When fishing in Oregon, you can soak in the beautiful lake surroundings, not only while fishing, but also while you enjoy a picnic together in the great outdoors. Or why not make a camping trip out of it and roast up some of the day’s catch?

Various Kinds of Fishing in Oregon

Fishing in Oregon offers an array of places to explore, each with its own unique characteristics. Information and ideas can be obtained through the Oregon Department of Fish and Game, which is the perfect resource for fishing enthusiasts.

Fishing in Oregon is a possibility basically wherever there is a body of water. Rivers, estuaries, streams, and lakes, all of which are plentiful in Oregon, house an impressive range of fish species including salmon, many types of Trout, Sturgeon, Bass, Shad, and Crappie. The Sandy and Columbia Rivers are among the most popular places to fish for Salmon and Steelhead. The Rogue River, Coquille River, and Coos River offer some of the finest Salmon fishing in Oregon. The McKenzie River and Tillamook Bay are also Oregon fishing hotspots. Sturgeon, another sought-after variety of fish, also available in Oregon rivers as well as Oregon bays and the Pacific Ocean. Oregon fly fishing, specifically Trout fly fishing, and salt water fishing are other possibilities when it comes to fishing in Oregon.

Ways to Go Fishing in Oregon

Various boats are another way that fishing in Oregon varies. For instance, you can fish from a powerboat or you can go on a trip involving drift fishing or back trolling. In addition to researching and navigating your own fishing trips in Oregon, you can also consider hiring a guide. Often these guides enable hassle-free experiences of fishing in Oregon, especially for those who may be a little less experienced. For instance, they often include gear such as fishing flies, tackle, and bait as well as rain gear.

Things to Keep in Mind When Fishing in Oregon

Make sure to make arrangements for fishing licenses when you are planning to go fishing in Oregon. Resident and non-resident day licenses are necessary for those age fifteen and older. Fishing in Oregon, of any variety, requires a license, so make sure not to overlook this important step before you enjoy the sport, experience of nature, and world-class fish that go along with fishing in Oregon.

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Florida’s Deep Sea Fishing


Deep sea fishing is becoming a very popular sport especially to those who love fishing to begin with.
The experience of deep sea fishing is very different than the one that the old fashioned and traditional fisherman are used to, this is more of a science than the calm and solitude sport of fishing.

With proper accommodations and an excellent sport fishing guide, a visit to Florida could definitely be considered an adventure in and of itself. It is not uncommon for Floridians to engage into the thrills of interacting with live fish and using equipment for catching all sorts of fish while boating.

The following provides basic ideas on various sports fishing in selected areas in Florida

Deep Sea or Offshore Fishing

This type of sports fishing maximizes the speed of motorboats to travel several miles out to sea and reach out even to deeper water. This area allows enthusiasts to angle for favorite sports fish like the sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, and tuna, using necessary gadgets and equipment.

This sports fishing has put Florida into a hotspot for some fishing actions. In fact, written below are among the top deep sea fishing fleets being sought for by most tourists.

Catch ‘Em All Sports fishing Charter

This sports fishing fleet is concentrated in the middle of the Florida keys. They offer quality fishing adventures in the rich fishing grounds near the waters of Islamorada and Marathon, Florida.

Reef and Wreck Fishing

The sunken ships and submerged reef cover can sustain big amounts of baitfish. This scenario attracts various species of aggressive and large sport fish like Goliath Groupers, Mutton, Snapper, Permit, Barracuda, Sailfish, Kingfish and many other species.

Bay Fishing

This sports fishing is angled for fast-runner type of fish such as Jewfish, Cobia, Permit, Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, and even Barracuda that usually swim through the local bays of Florida.

Once you will be out in the fresh sea air, the waves hitting the sides of the boat and you start to feel the excitement of a new fishing trip you will understand that deep sea fishing is certainly something that can provide both a challenging and fun vacation as well as a relaxing, away from it all, the kind of trip that many look for.

Alaska Fishing Lodge: The Nature’s Abode

Alaska Fishing Lodge: The Nature’s Abode

Fishing Fun!
Source: Flickr

The popularity of fishing in many areas has continuously dominated society. That is why along with its series of activities, people now realize the need for fishing lodges especially in places where fishing activities seem never ending.

Among all fishing lodges available in the industry today, the Alaska Fishing Lodges are among the most treasured and most popular fishing lodges in the United States.

The Alaska Fishing Lodge provides its customers full customer service satisfaction with their wide array of fishing activities and endless strings of fishing fun.

Normally, Alaska Fishing Lodges are made of logs; sturdily build to provide each angler optimum convenience and comfort. It is known for its spacious interiors, creatively decorated with the right embellishments, thereby, setting the mood for fishing and wilderness.

In addition, because it carries the true Alaskan heritage, Alaska Fishing Lodges offer services and products that can be afforded by anyone. With its affordable rates, the place is inhabited by people, who mostly want to enjoy life and fishing but cannot afford to buy the pleasures in expensive beaches and lodges.

Best of all, Alaska Fishing Lodges are perfectly located in areas where the waters are abundant with the different species of fish. Usually, these lodges are situated in a place where trout, northern pike, and grayling mostly inhabit the waters.

On the other hand, most Alaska Fishing Lodges are built big enough to occupy 16 guests, in which each guest can avail of personal and individualized services.

Moreover, this type of lodge also houses a place where king salmon are abundant especially during the months of June and early part of July. Most lodges also provide a wide variety of fishing equipment, from rods to tackles and lines.

With all these beautiful features present in every Alaska Fishing Lodge, there is no better place to enjoy fishing and the wilderness like what this particular lodge can offer.

Staying in an Alaska Fishing Lodge is, indeed, an ultimate fishing experience.

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Inside Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques

Fishing makes great fun! Whether you fish for a living or for pure hobby, you have to be as smart as a fisherman should be.

Every smart fisherman has his own fishing techniques that allow him to catch the fish he has in mind. Like in bass fishing or fishing in fresh waters, the fisherman will always have to use bass fishing techniques suitable for the kind of waters he is fishing in.

The first consideration in developing bass fishing techniques that can bring you your dream catch is to choose the shore you are starting on.

You also have to be very in tune with the weather. Bass fishing is most productive in the Great Lakes and similar to the ocean, these Great Lakes are very dangerous if bad weathers occur.

That is why it is most ideal to do bass fishing during summer, especially if the place you choose to have your bass fishing adventure is a big lake, such as, Lake Erie.

The other thing to consider in bass fishing is if you’re going off-shore fishing or fishing on the shoreline.

When you are fishing in the deep, make sure that your boat is fully equipped with the proper safety devices. You must also know the regulations imposed by your state regarding bass fishing in respective areas.

Some fishermen use the trolling techniques in the deep sea fishing or off-shore fishing to catch more fish.

If you choose to bass fish on the shorelines, you only need small boats and minor fishing gadgets.

You may also want to watch out for waters that are very clear. If the water is clear, most fishermen are not able to make a good catch because bass fishes prefer discolored water. In fact, smallmouth bass fishes and many other species do not even stay in clear waters.

The contour of the underwater terrain is also something to consider when bass fishing. You may consult an expert in the terrain of the lake you are fishing and he will guide you to the best place to fish.

Of course your choice of fishing gadgets will spell much of your success in bass fishing. Choose the most durable hooks that will hold firm when opportunity is given.

The choice of baits is crucial. There are plastic baits that are okay; however, natural baits such as worms and flies are much better.

During the summer, one bass fishing technique is choosing to fish along Long Point Bay at Lake Erie. This is because during this time, the bass fishes, especially the smallmouth bass fishes, are swimming through the Bay on their way back to the main lake after their spawning period.

If you are an amateur in bass fishing, the best thing to do is to fish with a companion who is an expert in the field not only in fishing but also an expert in the flora and fauna of the river you are cruising or fishing in.

As a beginner, you may opt to fish only in the shorelines of the lake or you may try fishing in the smaller lakes. Smaller lakes offer a variety of bass fishes including the smallmouth bass and the white bass.

Bass fishing in the rivers is also fruitful to beginners. Catch that catfish and its fun. There are rivers with runs and pools and in many cases fish are stacked up in these areas where catching them is as easy as eating nuts.

Plan your summer bass fishing accordingly by developing and adopting bass fishing techniques suitable to the waters you aim to explore and the fish you wish to catch.

Bass fishing techniques vary from one situation with another. The few ideas presented to you here may help you in deciding and planning your next bass fishing adventure.

Lastly, please bear in mind that safety is the must be technique to adopt in any endeavor. Always check your gadgets for any defect and if you will use a boat, it has to be a licensed one.

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How To Choose The Right Fishing Boat


Source: Flickr


Do you love to go fishing?
If you do, then you know that it is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your time. And what you need then is the right fishing boat to help you get the most out of your fishing experiences. There are a lot of different types of fishing boats available. Different boats offer you different features depending on the type of fishing that you enjoy. Therefore, the first decision in choosing the right fishing boat will be to decide what type of fishing you plan on doing. This is important. For example, a bass boat would not work well for walleye fishing because it is not equipped to handle deep water and big waves.

You also need to determine what type of angler you are as well. In other words, do you plan on using the boat purely for fishing or would you like to use it for recreation as well, perhaps maybe even throw in a few skiing trips once in awhile. If you only want the boat for fishing then buy one designed especially for that purpose. If you like to do other water activities also then look for a boat with multiply features. Many of the newer designs such as the “sportfish” model are designed for excellent fishing and many other water activities as well.

The area in which you plan on fishing goes hand in hand with the type of fishing you plan on taking part in. For instance, will you be fishing in fresh water, salt water or both? If you will be fishing in saltwater, do you plan on going deep sea fishing or staying near the waters edge? These are important questions you need to consider to help you choose the right boat for your fishing needs.

Another question to consider is whether or not you will only be fishing during the day or if you will also be fishing during the night. If you do night fishing then you need to choose a boat that can provide you with some protection and is more comfortable than some fishing boats. Consider how many people will be accompanying you on your fishing trips. This is a big factor in choosing the right fishing boat. You will need to choose a boat that is big enough for everyone to fit comfortably and also have enough room to maneuver the fishing rods with ease.

You even need to decide if you prefer a fiberglass boat to an aluminum fishing boat. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on the type of fishing you plan on doing. The bottom line is, before you go out to look for that perfect fishing boat, take time to consider the things we have mentioned above. Asking yourself all the right questions will aid you in deciding which fishing boat would be the best boat to fulfill all your needs.

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What Makes Fly Fishing Special


Fly fishing is a special approach to fishing.
Fly fishing is different from bait-casting or spin-casting because fly fishing uses a weighted line to carry the nearly weightless bait forward when casting. Traditional fishing tackle is designed to have a nearly weightless line carried by weighted bait on the end. Because of this important difference fly fishing has its own gear, equipment and terminology.

Fly fishing also requires some different techniques than traditional fishing. Traditional fishing may involve casting a baited hook and waiting for a fish to bite or casting and retrieving a baited hook. However, fly fishing involves casting repeatedly with brief pauses to allow the fly to float in the current.

Fly fishing rods are different than traditional fishing rods in several ways. Fly fishing rods are longer than most fishing rods with their length frequently between six and nine feet. Some fly fishing rods are even longer than nine feet, particularly those rods designed for salmon or steelhead fishing.

Fly fishing reels vary from traditional fishing reels as well. Fly fishing actually does not require much use of the reel. Early fly fishing reels were little more than storage space for the line. Fish are not reeled in when caught; rather, the angler strips line with his or her free hand. Many fly reels still are very primitive with designs very similar to those used in the 19th century.

Fly fishing line is quite different from traditional fishing line. While traditional fishing line is made of a clear, monofilament material, fly fishing line is comparatively heavy and translucent. Fly fishing line may be designed to float or to sink depending on the style of fishing it is intended for; the line also may be tapered or level, again depending on the type of fishing that is planned and the preference of the angler. Fly fishing line is available in different weights. Heavier line can be cast further and has greater wind-resistance than lighter line. However, a lighter line may provide for more precise casting by an experienced angler. Fly fishing line is normally around 90 feet long but may be attached to a backer to lengthen the overall line available for fish that like to fight.

A leader is attached to the end of the fly fishing line. The fly is tied to the end of the leader. The leader is a clear, monofilament line normally between six and fifteen feet in length. The leader is tapered to a narrower diameter an the end of the line.

Fly fishing is also special because of the variety of fishing opportunities it provides. Fly fishing techniques can be used on streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Fly fishing works in salt water and fresh water, cold water and warm water. Fly fishing can open up many opportunities to fish new waters because the techniques and equipment are so adaptable.

Fly fishing includes an interesting history that extends back at least to the second century. Macedonian fishermen successfully used artificial flies on six-foot poles to catch fish with. Fly fishing popularity increased in 19th century England and Scotland before catching on in the United States.

Fly fishing is a historically interesting, challenging approach to fishing. Fly fishing offers many opportunities and variations to anglers. Fly fishing also includes a nostalgic element that may not be found with other fishing styles.

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