VARIOUS KNOTS TO KNOW FOR GREATER SUCCESS ON THE WATER

The Palomar Knot is a general-purpose connection used in joining fishing line to swivels, snaps, hooks and artificial lures. It is my primary knot to use when joining line to lure. It is a fast and easy knot to tie and I have never had it fail!  The double wrap of line through the eyelet provided a protective cushion for added knot strength.
1. Double the line and form a loop three to four inches long. Pass the end of the loop through hook's eye.
2. Holding the standing line between thumb and finger, grasp loop with free hand and form a simple overhand knot.
3.Pass hook through loop and draw line while guiding over the top of the eyelet.
4. Pull tag end of line to tighten knot snugly and trim tag end to about 1/4".

The Trilene Knot is a strong and dependable that make a reliable connection that resists slippage and premature failures. This knot can be used in joining line to swivels, snaps, hooks and lures. The knots unique double wrap design and ease of tying, consistantly yields a strong and dependable connection.
1. Run the end of the line through the eye of the hook or lure and double back through the eye again.
2. Loop the end of the line around the standing part of the line 5 or 6 times then thread the end between the eye and the coils of the line.
3. Tighten the knot with a steady, even motion without hesitation then trim the excess tag end just above the knot.

The Blood Knot is for tying different size lines together .
1. Place the two lines on top of each other pointing each in opposite directions. Wrap the lighter of the two around the heavier 5 times then bring that end through the area where the to lines meet.
2. Wrap the heavier line around the lighter line 4 times and pass the end through the opening now created in them. Make sure to pass the lines through the opening are running in opposite directions.
3. Wet the line and start pulling the running lines away from each other slowly and then make a quick jerk to snug up the lines.
4. Trim each end close so there is nothing to cause the line to hang up on or catch on weeds.

The Berkley Braid Knot is a special knot that has been extensively tested by Berkley's R&D people and has proven to be one of the best knots to use with braided lines.
1. Run double loop through the eye of the hook or lure.
2. Loop around the line 8 times then thread the loop back through the hole created at the eye and the coils.
3. Tighten knot with a steady, even motion without hesitation. Trim the double loop and the end of the braided line close to the knot.

The Arbor Knot provides a quick and easy connection for attaching new line to your reel spool.
1. Pass the line around the spool.
2. Tie an overhand knot around the standing line then a second overhand knot in the tag end of the line.
3. Pull tight and nip off the excess. Snug down the fisrt knot onto the reel spool.

It is extremely important to learn to tie good knots so find a piece of rope or string and practice so you will be able to use these when the time is needed!

COOLER WEATHER HAS ARRIVED

Today is Sunday, October the 3rd. It has been a cool weekend with todays temperature in the low 50's. We have picked up quite a bit of rain in the last 24 hours and after a very hot and dry summer, it is needed!
The water level of the small lake that my fishing partner and I fish has dropped to the point that makes it extremely difficult to get the boat in and out! This is nothing new for this lake. When i was a kid, we trapped muskrats in season and the lake was always low enough that you could walk around the lake on the shoreline that would be a foot under water during the spring.
We went fishing on Friday, Oct.1st and caught several Bass, Bluegill and a couple of Crappie. The fish seemed to be holding close to the deeper weed line and using jerk baits, we did quite well! All total we must have caught a couple of dozen Bass. They weren't large fish but certainly were fun to catch!
It won't be long before the really cold weather will put an end to our fall fishing! I used to ice fish but had to wait until mid January before the ice was safe to go out on! I generally used these few months in the hunt for rabbits. I no longer am physically able to go hunting so I usually spend my winter months in doors thinking about the way things used to be!
I started this blog site, mainly for my own entertainment and I have enjoyed it! I hope to keep writing and expanding the scope of this blog into a more general web site such as an online magazine. My hopes are to do some traveling next year, around the state of Ohio and report on the fishing conditions of various lakes plus give an insite of how to catch the fish at each location, the best way to get there and where to stay after you arrive. We might even travel out of state and try some neighboring waters.
I only wish I would have started this sooner but who's to say I might not have been ready to take on the challenge before this! I would appreciate any feed back, you as a reader, are able to give! My next upgrade I hope to add a forum for your suggestions! I will continue to have new articles all winter long, so stay with me!