FISHING THROUGH HARD WATER

The ice is forming on the ponds and lakes! It is the 6th of December, 2010 here in Northeastern Ohio, and by the looks of things, it could be a long and cold winter! This is good news for us ice fishermen! The lake that I fish is a 12 acre pond with the water depth a maximum of 10-12 feet. Once the ice has obtained a thickness of 4"-5" I can be fairly sure it is safe for me to venture out on! As mentioned in my last post, I will cautiously work my way to the areas I want to fish by "TESTING" the ice thickness with a spud bar. The areas I want to fish are the same places we caught fish right before ice up. My auger allows for an 8" diameter hole (Ohio regs call for nothing larger than 12") which has proven to be big enough for the fish I catch! When the hole is opened, I will take my ice jig and lower it to the bottom to get a general depth of the area. I usually start fishing about a foot off the bottom and will shallow up if no bites occur within a few minutes. My choice of bait is generally maggots on the end of a small pin-min type panfish jig. I will load 3-4 maggots then drop the jig through the hole. I use a very small bobber (just large enough to float the jig) and a small split shot about a foot above the jig. On deeper water, a bobber is rarely used and the jigs are allowed to suspend and be vertically worked while watching the line and the "very light" rod tip for signs of a bite. This area of the country offers a couple of larger lakes that hold Walleye but for the most part the fishing is for Bluegill, Crappie and Perch. It always seemed funny that Bluegill are usually a secondary fish when fishing open water but become the primary sought after fish through the ice! Most of the strategy for ice fishing is the same as open water fishing. If you don't find the fish at one spot, move to another or try a different color jig and as mentioned earlier, different water depths! Once the fish are located, they should be in abundance! Other baits  that are commonly used are wax worms, minnows and spikes,which are a large maggot. Short rods are made for ice fishing and are adviced due to the fact that they are easier to use because they get you closer to the hole. My rods are no longer that 25"-30" and I have small reels attached with no heavier that 4 pound test mono. The newer flurocarbon line like Berkley's Vantage is great to use! The best advice I can give here is to have really warm boots that are water proof and insulated. There are all kinds of material used now for insulation but to be honest a cheap and effective material is the felt pack liner. For years all I had was a set of felt packs slipped into a pair of old buckle up rubber boots and these worked just fine! You might want to invest in ice spikes or cleats for the bottom of the boots. These really help on a slick ice surface and take it from me, when you slip and fall, hitting that ice is like hitting cement! I carry a plastic 5 gallon bucket that holds all my tackle when I'm moving around and then I use the bucket as a seat and to carry the fish back home! You can spend alot of money on equipment such as a power auger, fancy cold weather gear, sleds to haul your equipment and ice shanties or tents along with heaters and lights, or you can buy or make a good, sharp spud bar, have a decent pair of warm weather coveralls and boots, like I mentioned earlier, buy a cheap ice rod for under $15 and a few panfish jigs plus maggots and be set to go! For the doubters, it will be next to impossible to get them on the ice but for the ones who really enjoy the winter, it's a very interesting way to spent the day and hopefully take home some very good eating!

WINTER HARD WATER FISHING

Today is November 30, 2010. Although today's weather is above normal with rain, tomorrow is suppose to be near normal with snow showers. It's often said about the weather here in Ohio, "if you don't like the weather today, wait until tomorrow"! There has been some skim ice on the ponds already but it hasn't been cold enough to start a good ice over. I was checking the weather in Minnesota the other day and found the weather at Mille Lacs lake to be in the low twenties for day time highs and near "0" at night! This area usually ends up with over 3 foot of ice and their ice fishing season runs through March! If we get the right weather here in Ohio, I've seen our season run from mid January till mid February. It takes several nights with temperatures around zero to make good ice on our lakes. I refer to "Good Ice" as being hard and 6" or more in thickness! A rule of thumb states that 2" of ice can support one 200 pound man, 3" can support a small group that are spread out, 6" of hard ice will support a car. I mentioned "Hard Ice". If the freeze isn't interrupted by warming temperatures or rain and snow, the ice should form a hard, thick covering. If there is a period of snow during the freeze over, the ice will take on a cloudy, softer form and will require thicker ice to be safe! Personally, I never traverse on the ice until it is at least 5" thick. I'm a large guy at over 350 pounds and I don't like to take chances! When I think the time is right to check out the ice, I approach from the shallows, and using a spud bar, I attempt to see how solid the ice is by chopping small holes close to shore! If I'm happy with the results then I'll move further out and open another hole. I'll do this until I reach the first area I want to fish then I'll use my auger to open my fishing hole. I will use this method over the entire lake or at least the areas I will be fishing. The thickness of the ice can vary according to different underwater conditions or any structures like boat docks, rocks or wood that is protruding through the ice. These objects will draw heat from the sun and actually melt the ice that is surrounding them! You should never venture out on new ice alone. Keep in mind that the surface water is at 32 degrees and can be extremely life threating if you should break through! Ice fishing is a great sport and a fun way to make it through the long winter months. Use common sense, dress accordingly, have good equipment and you will find out just how much you will enjoy fishing through "Hard Water"!

THE LAST FISHING DAY OF 2010

Today was probably the last open water fishing day for 2010! We got out around 11a.m. and fished until 4p.m.. The day was sunny, breezy and COLD! The air temperature was 45 degrees, the wind out of the southwest at about 10 m.p.h. and the water temperature was around 43 degrees. Not the most perfect fishing day that we have enjoyed! We did, however, manage to catch 6 bass each for a total of 12 fish! My buddy caught all of his on spinners, using a C.P.Swing tipped with a yellow and white Uncle Josh Fly Strip and a chartreuse Rooster Tail. I used a black jig/plastic combo and a Smithwick Rogue jerk bait to lure my bass. The fish didn't seem to be on any pattern but were randomly scattered. Some came out of deep water while some came from the shallows. It was good to end the season on a high note since it's always good to catch bass and not get skunked on days like these! The small 12 foot boat is pulled from the water and turned over until spring, when we start the whole process over again! I've started making out my wish list for Christmas, wanting two new casting reels and rods to go with them, a new spinning outfit and maybe a new 9 foot fly rod with 7-8 weight line for bass fishing, plus several new fishing lures that are due out on the market soon! Over the winter, we will probably make a trip down to Wheeling, W.Va. to Cabala's and maybe one to Toledo, Ohio to Bass Pro Shops. I really need to get rid of some of my older tackle before I buy new but it is all like old friends to me and I don't know what to give up! It's hard for me to believe that my favorite casting rod is over 25 years old! We've had fun this fall with bass fishing and will be ready to get back to it come spring. I've yet to decide if ice fishing is in the cards, only time will tell! I'll let you all know so keep reading!

INDIAN SUMMER BASS

This week has been really beautiful here in Northeastern Ohio! The sun has been bright with temperatures in the low to mid 60's. While most folks are starting to think about the up coming holidays and trying to get all their last minute fall yard work done before the snows of  December come, here we are, still catching Largemouth Bass! The weather these past two days (Nov.10 and 11) has been great and the fishing has been even better! The temperature has fell back into the low 30's at night but has rebounded into the low 60's during the day along with "Bluebird Skies"! My buddy and I have found some really good Bass this week. The one thing about fishing this time of year is when you find a fish you will find serveral in the same area! The weapons of choice has been Rapala Husky Jerks, Smithwick Rogues and CP Swings with a yellow and white Uncle Josh Fly Strip! The nice thing about using the smaller Husky Jerks is they can be worked really slow and since they are a suspending lure, they hover in the water when stopped! The water temperature was 46 degrees and the Bass didn't hit the baits very hard but instead would just "stop" the bait or hit while it was stopped and then it was the pure weight of the fish on the end of the line as they fought! Not keeping a count of the fish we caught, I would say in the two days we landed around 30 Bass, a dozen Bluegill and several "Jumbo" Yellow Perch that reached an amazing 12-14 inches in length! Being a small, private lake the only creatures we had to share the water with were about 180 Canadian Geese and 4-6 Mallard Ducks! It was very interesting to watch the geese as they kept their distance from us and at the approach of evening, they took off to find their supper. The geese were in the extreme upper end of the lake and reminded us of a squardron of aircraft when they took off! They divided into "Wings" of 6 groups and would swim into the middle of the upper end before going airborne. The group behind would wait until the group ahead was well into the air and clear of the take off area before they would jump off. The flights of geese were so perfectly timed with the lapse between flights that it made for very interesting  viewing! It was two perfect days to be out on the water and with nature all around!

CATCHING BASS ON A COLD AND WINDY OCTOBER DAY

Today is Saturday, October 23, 2010. My buddy Bill and I have spent the last two days on the lake in search of our favorite fish, Largemouth Bass. Yesterday started out very chilly with the temperature around 40 degrees at 10 o'clock in the morning. There was also a westerly breeze of between 10 and 15 mph. We got on the lake at 11 o'clock and fished until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The fishing started out slow but picked up during the afternoon. We always say that we are going to count and keep track of the number of Bass we catch but never do! We found a good number of fish yesterday and the size was alittle above average which was a bonus! The Bass were hitting various lures from crank baits to spinner baits but for the most part they were caught on Rapalas and Smithwick Rogues. I thought the Bass would run into the shallows chasing the bait fish but they didn't.
Today's weather was an improvement from yesterday with the temperature getting into the low 60's but the wind was still there for a while and a heavy cloud cover moved in during the early afternoon. The fish weren't as agressive as yesterday but we still managed to catch our fair share. I also found some Black Crappie, Bluegill and serveral large Yellow Perch that would have made the perch fishermen of Lake Erie quite envious.
Today, we changed up our lure selection a little by using more straight in-line spinners which immitated small bait fish. We are hoping to give it another try next week and are starting to talk about taking a couple of trips next season and try our luck at other lakes. My mind actually started thinking about ice fishing which I haven't done in years. I'll have to tell you about some of those experience later on. If you can, leave me some comments or tails about your fall fishing. I can always talk fishing and enjoy hearing how other folks do it!

PICKING THE RIGHT TACKLE

   These days, there is so much talk about picking the right fishing tackle, rods, reels, lines, baits,etc., that it can be quite confusing to the novice angler! If you ever watch some of the pro fishermen, they have so much tackle that I wonder how they keep from stepping all over it! You must kept in mind that since these people are pros they probably have all their tackle given to them, for endorsements and advertising purposes, from all the big name tackle manufacters.
   For us every day anglers, things aren't always that easy for us to obtain the tackle that we would really like to have so, we must settle for less expensive rods and reels and instead of having a half dozen or more of each style rod, maybe we can only afford one or two!
   By last count I had 4 casting reels and 6 casting rods, 6 spinning reels and 7 or 8 spinning rods, 4 fly rods and boxes full of lures, hooks and miscellaneous stuff and junk! Much of my tackle has seen better days and a couple of my outfits are over 40 years old! I'm not extremely protective of my things so I don't take very good care of my stuff. The simple fact that they are good pieces of equipment has allowed me to continue to use them today!
   I haven't changed line on some of these reels for years, mainly due to the fact that there are only 3-4 outfits that I use on a regular basis. I do go over each and every outfit each spring and if I feel things need addressed, then at that time, I will do what is needed. Naturally, this is not the way to maintain your fishing tackle and I am advising you not to do what I do! You can look at the cost of tackle today as a major expense but one that will give you years of good service with the right up keep!
   I look at new tackle every day, either by visits to the area stores or on-line, and I try to plan what I'm going to buy or replace next spring. I really need some new casting equipment since this is my primary rod and reel combination that I use for my Bass fishing. I want to purchase a 7 foot casting rod that has a fast to medium action and good for lure weights up to 3/4oz. I will team this with a high speed reel that has at least 6 ball bearings and  6.3:1 retrieve.
   What I look for in new rods is #1) the feel of the rod. I don't want it to weight a ton because I might be casting this all day. #2) the recommended lure weights, which you will find on the lower end of the rod. #3) The action of the rod. A fast action rod will feel stiff through out the length of the rod with the exception of the rod tip. This will give the rod more backbone for horsing fish from cover. A medium action rod will have more of a bend from the tip into the mid portion of the rod. These will be better for crank baits fishing because of the give of the rod under the weight of a hooked fish. #4) I look at the number of guides on the rod. I actually think this may be the most important issue of all! The more the better and check to see the spacing of the guides are proportionally set down the length of the rod. Depending on a person's size should also be a key to determine the length of rod he or she will be comfortable using! A taller person will be more at ease casting a longer rod than someone with a shorter stature! The best length to start with is a 6 footer and work up from there. When a spinning rod is desired, all of the above should be taken into consideration. The average length of an all purpose spinning rod is a 6-7 foot rod. If an ultra light outfit is wanted, say to use for Bluegill and Crappie, a rod of light weight, limber body and length of 5-6 foot and a small reel with 4-6 pound test line is the way to go!
   There are many styles and makes out there and everyone has their preference. I feel if my guide lines are considered, any rod will work just fine!

MY FAVORITE LAKE IN COLUMBIANA COUNTY

   In my photos, the small lake that I am fishing is where I grew up. This is a 12-15 acre lake located in the north western portion of Columbiana County. I have been associated with this small body of water all of my life! My parents bought a partial of land here in 1947 for $500. Dad built our home on the property in 1961. Dad started fishing here in the mid 1940's and fell in love with the lake and decided to become an associate. The lake has always been private, open only to it's members however, during the 1960's it was opened for pay to fish to the public.
   If I had a $1.00 for each fish I've caught out of this lake, I'd be a very wealthy man today! I've seldom gone there without catching fish and some of my friends, that have been with me, have said that this is the best water they have ever fished!
   It was primarily a Largemouth Bass lake when Dad started fishing it but it also held Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Catfish and a few Suckers (in the early days).
   The lake is approximately over 170 years old, having been constructed as the result of the old Sandy and Beaver canal system that was attempted between 1835 and 1850. A branch of said canal runs northwest and southeast of the lake and the lake ( I believe) was constructed as a reservoir for the canal.
   I would have loved to have been around at that time to have witnessed the construction. The lake has changed so much in my life time due to sediment filling in the shorelines. There used to be some major drop offs along the edges but the mud and muck has taken those away!
   There used to be abundant lily pad growth and not much weeds but today it's just the opposite! The pads used to be so thick that half of the lake was covered with them and it looked like you could walk on them! The membership has always been fighting a never ending battle against the vegetation problems and today with the older members, I think it is a lost cause!
   The majority of the members don't fish and cann't see the importance of a good lake management program! There are basically too many fish in the lake (since there are no fish being removed) and the size of the Bass have decreased through the years as a result! A thriving fish population is obtained through a good harvesting and catch and release program! For instance, if large Bass are the goal then the population of average size fish needs to be thinned out. The state of Ohio's D.N.R. recommends that 10 Bass under the length of 10 inches be removed per acre of fishing water plus one Bass of 15 inches every year. Then the primary food source, let's say Bluegill, should be reduced at the rate of 300 - 500 bluegill over the 6 inch size, per acre per year! This will allow the smaller Bluegill to be more readily available to be food fish for the Bass, allowing them to grow larger! That's a lot of fish for a 12 acre lake, especially when no one fishes the water!
   Having said all the negative "stuff" about the lake, there is not a day that goes by that I don't want to be on that water! My buddy and I still manage to have a real good time and the Bass fishing is still good even if the fish are on the small side! I'm just as guilty for not taking fish but at the age of 60, I am just too lazy to clean them! We keep saying, "maybe today we will bring some home to eat", but never do!

THE UNDERSTANDING AND USAGE OF SOLUNAR TABLES

    The term "SOLUNAR" is the combination of the words "SOLAR" and "LUNAR" and the study of "SOLUNAR" deals with the effects on fish and wildlife that occur during different times of the day caused by the combined activities of the sun and the moon.
    The study of the sun and moon and how their movements effect fish and wildlife has been on going for hundreds of years. The "NATIVE AMERICANS" depended on the harvest of fish and game for their survival and learned how important the solar and lunar influences were to the success of an adequate harvest of game.
    It is a know fact that wildlife are more active during certain peaks of the solar and lunar movements and at different times of the day and night, most noticeably at dawn and dusk.
    In 1926, John Alden Knight started research into the solunar activities and their effect on wildlife. His research resulted in a publication of tables which showed periods of "Major" and "Minor" activities. During Knight's study, data was analyzed pertaining to over 200 record catches of fish. The analysis showed that 90% of the catches were made under the effect of the "NEW MOON" and while in a solunar period.
    More studies were done at Northwestern University, by Dr. Frank A Brown, using live oysters that he had brought to his lab in Chicago, Illinois. Oysters open their shells at each "High Tide" and tides are controled by lunar influence. Dr. Brown discovered that the oysters opened their shells corresponding to the times that the moon was directly "overhead" and "underfoot" for Chicago.
    Solunar tables have been in use since 1936. These tables show the time frame when "Major" and "Minor" periods of solar and lunar activities occur and gives windows into periods of significant increase in wildlife activities.
    The terms "MAJOR" and "MINOR" are related to the position of the moon. The Majors occur when the moon is directly overhead and directly underfoot (on the opposite side of the earth). The Minors are when the moon is half way between the overhead and underfoot positions. There are two Majors and two Minors in every 24 hour period. These periods are predicted to be when fish and wildlife are most active.
    If possible, try to schedule your fishing and hunting periods within the major and minor periods of the day or night for a greater success of your outting.
    The facts and figures of this article were published through the Weather Channel.

PASSED RESOLUTION ON LEAD AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE

Back in September, I posted an article on the proposed ban of lead in fishing tackle and ammunition. Here is the lastest adopted resolution from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency:

RESOLUTION #1-2010
LEAD AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE

WHEREAS, lead is used for ammunition and fishing tackle due to its unique properties
and ease and cost of manufacture; and
WHEREAS, lead from ammunition and fishing tackle under certain circumstances of
exposure may pose health risks to wildlife; and
WHEREAS, state fish and wildlife agencies have primary trust responsibilities for most
fish and wildlife resources in this country; and
WHEREAS, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents the collective
perspectives of the state fish and wildlife agencies, played a key leadership role in
resolution of the debate over regulation of lead shot for waterfowl hunting in the 1970s
and ‘80s; and
WHEREAS, state fish and wildlife agencies have been proactive in implementing
regulations, educational initiatives, and other efforts to reduce lead exposure to fish and
wildlife in cases where population‐level impacts have been documented;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
adopt the following principles regarding future regulation of lead ammunition and lead
fishing tackle:
1. Future regulation of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle is best addressed by the
individual states, rather than federal agencies.
2. State fish and wildlife agencies should proactively address issues associated with
wildlife population health, and cooperate with the respective state health agencies
where human health issues have been substantiated, related to lead ammunition and
lead fishing tackle.
3. Decisions related to future regulation of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle
should be based on the best available science related to wildlife population health.
4. Effective human dimensions strategies should be developed to ensure good
communication and understanding by hunters, anglers, and shooting sports interests.
5. Collaboration with industry, conservation organizations, hunting, angling, and
shooting sports interests is essential, and AFWA and the states should continue to lead
efforts to bring this about.
6. State agencies should focus regulation efforts where population‐level impacts to
wildlife are substantiated.
7. Public education and voluntary programs may be used where appropriate in lieu of
regulation.
8. Any new regulations that restrict use of lead ammunition or lead fishing tackle should
include multi‐year phase‐in periods to allow industry, retailers, and hunters and anglers
necessary time to transition and phase‐in non‐lead substitutes.
9. State fish and wildlife agencies should lead efforts to develop the best science, and
AFWA should provide this information to members for their use in bringing hunters,
anglers and various interests together to determine the need for and nature of any
needed management approaches to use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle.

Resolution passed September 29, 2010.

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!

TAKING CARE OF YOUR FISH AFTER THEY ARE CAUGHT

In the last segment I talked about the importance of maintaining your live well. Now, I want to talk about the physical handling of your fish. Fish are sensitive creatures and great care should be practiced while handling them! When you catch a fish, the first thing to do before handling the fish is to wet your hands. The fish have a protective coating or "slime" on their scales and skin to aid in fighting infections and deseases. By wetting your hands, this will help in keeping this slime from being removed! Care must be taken with lifting the fish. A fish that is too large to be properly supported in one hand, if held horizontially, needs to be supported at the tail or stomach area. If held vertically, holding by the lower jaw such as a Bass is an acceptable method. You can break the jaw of a fish if the body is not supported! When releasing the fish, just don't "THROW" it back in. Gently lower it back to the water and then release it. If the fish put up a stuggle before landing, take the time to hold the fish in the water and gently work it back and forth to help it recover it's strength and breathing! The fish should swim out of your hand(s) when ready to go!
If you happen to hook a fish deep in the mouth, use extreme caution in removing the hooks. The area around the gills is a super sensitive area and will bleed very easy. If you cann't get the hook out, it is better to cut the hook or the line before releasing the fish. The hook will disolve in a short time with little damage done to the fish! If all else fails, this should be a fish for the frying pan!
Careful handling of fish and a good release will help insure a better fishing experience in the future!

TAKING CARE OF YOUR FISH AFTER THEY ARE CAUGHT

I am a strong believer in "CATCH & RELEASE" of your fish. This does not mean that you cann't take some home for the table but use common sense and limit your take home amount! Releasing larger fish will help to establish a good population of larger fish in the future! Now, having said all of that, there will be times when fish will be kept in a live well for a weight-in during a tournament or until the end of your day! To ensure the health of your fish so they can be released, after you win the big prize, takes some care and planning before you catch a fish.
The first thing to know is the capacity of your live well. This can be determined (if you do not already know) by filling your well with water to full capacity, then using a measuring device, measure the depth of the water in inches, then the width of your live well, then the length of the well. You then want to convert the inch measurement to feet by dividing each measurment by 12. when you have the three measurements converted, multiply them together then multiply this number by the constant of 7.5, this will equal the capacity in gallons of your live well.
There are additives for the live wells to help protect the fish. Three of which are produced by SURE LIFE LABORATORIES. These are "CATCH AND RELEASE", "PLEASE RELEASE ME" and "FORM". More information on these products can be found by going to their web site at www.surelife.com and can be purchased through BASS PRO SHOPS.
DOUG HANNON, A.K.A. "THE BASS PROFESSOR", recommends using HYDROGEN PEROXIDE to increase the oxygen content of the water in the well. Hydrogen peroxide has similar chemical make up as water only 1 part more of oxygen then water. You only want to add 1 ounce of hydrogen peroxide to 3 gallons of water again, you must know the capacity of your live well!
The water temperature of the well should never exceed 65 degrees and needs to be checked on a regular basis. You can add ice to bring the temperature down but be aware that most tap water will contain Chloride which will kill the fish! The "CATCH AND RELEASE" product mentioned above will absorb the chloride there by not harming the fish! Another idea is to take water from the source you will be fishing, and freeze it in small plastic water bottles or ice cube trays. This way you will illiminate any chloride from getting into the well! More to follow!

WATER CLARITY AND HOW TO FISH IT

After a long hot summer such as we have had, the water clarity or color may be deeply stained from the decaying weeds and warm water. There will be a fall turn over when the air temperature comes close to the water temperature. This is when the surface water sinks, due to being colder, and actually will push the warmer water from the bottom up toward the surface. The same principle applies in the spring and early summer. At this time of season the fish will be scattered through out all depths and can be tricky to find. This water condition will only last for a short while and as the fall progresses, the water will begin to clear. Just remember, the fish are on a heavy feed preparing for winter and as long as there are bait fish in the area, there will be larger fish. If the water is cloudy, try using a darker color that will make a contrast to the surrounding area and allow fish to pick it out. Also, use baits with rattles built in. The added noise will allow the fish to zone in on the prey! If you are wanting to throw a spinner bait, use one with Colorado or Indiana blades. These are larger and provide more vibration which attracts fish. As the water clears try switching to lighter colors such as white spinner baits with willow leaf blades. Most prey are basically white or light in coloration which makes it easier to match with a white color! Keep in mind that the bait fish will be pushed into the shallows with the larger fish following. As the water cools, things will start to slow down on the bite however any sunny day will create a feeding frenzy and one not to be missed. I remember one such incident years ago will I was still a teen. I was working my trap line one evening after dark. My Dad was with me and as we neared the lake there was so much commotion from the other side, created by large Bass feeding on bait fish tight to the shore! It was such a remarkable sound that Dad went back to the house and returned with his fishing rod! We got into our boat and quietly worked our way to the other side. Dad had a small Rapala tied on and started to cast. The Bass were going crazy and were charging Dad's bait from all directions. For it being the end of November, the air was still fairly warm and we had a blast with the Bass! Just because it's getting cooler doesn't mean we don't have some great fishing ahead! Another thing to consider is the fact that the summertime boaters will be gone and there is a good chance you will have the water all to yourself so get out and enjoy!

AIR AND WATER TEMPERATURES ARE FALLING

Today is the 13 of September, 2010! It was a beautiful day with abundant sunshine! The temperature has been falling into the high 50's at night and this is causing the summer heated water to start it's fall cool down!
The fish are starting to get active in anticipation of filling their "BELLIES" with loads of fresh bait fish! This is an annual event in preperation of the coming winter! The bait fish are heading to the shallow areas and are being followed by larger fish.
Between now and ice over many really large Bass will be taken by the informed angler and I hope to be one of them! It is time to start thinking about those minnow imitation baits such as the time tested "RAPALA"! Make this bait flutter, dip and dive, giving it time to rest in between. Watch for the "ATTACK" because the larger Bass may just "suck it under" without much commotion!
I usally have at least three or four rods set up and ready to go. I'll have a Rapala on one spinning rod, a spinner bait on a casting rod, maybe a buzz bait on yet another outfit and always a swim bait such as a slug-o! If there is a heavy weed bed, I'll try a Johnson Silver Minnow with an Uncle Josh Pork Frog. I'll cast the Silver Minnow up on top of the weed mass and slowly pull it off then let it sink after it clears the weeds!
Another thing I like about fishing in the fall, I don't have to be up at the crack of dawn! The fish will be on the feed all day and I'll be after them!
If there is clear water along the wed beds, this is where I'll be casting the spinner bait. you want to cast as close to the weeds as possible and make your retrieve parallel to the weeds! If the weeds have open pockets, try the Rapala or the slug-o and work these openings for fish that are laying in wait of prey to happen into the holes! This is a very exciting time to be on the water so make your plans now and give it a try!

CATCH AND RELEASE

The idea of catch and release is still one of controversy among fishermen. I know when I was younger, I didn't follow a catch and release format. I always stayed within any limits that were imposed but I kept my limit of fish every time I went fishing! They say, "hind sight is 20/20" and after saying that, I wish I would have released some of the bass I'd caught years ago! The lake I fish used to have a good population of 2#-5# bass. Today that is not the case! Today you're lucky if you can catch bass over 15 inches in length! The lake was open for paid fishing years ago and had a lot more fishing pressure then it has had in the past 25 years. According to the State of Ohio D.N.R., 10 bass of 10 inches and one of 15 inches should be harvasted per acre per year. That seems like quite abit of fish (maybe that's why Ohio has such weak bass fishing on it's lakes). I now practice catch and release unless the fish is injured to the point I think it will not survive! Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conservation. After capture, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water before experiencing serious exhaustion or injury.

Effective catch and release techniques avoid excessive fighting and handling times, avoid damage to fish skin, scale and slime layers by nets, dry hands and dry surfaces.

1. Artificial lures (swimming plugs, surface poppers, jigs, etc.) are often rigged with multiple treble hooks. One disadvantage of these lures is that a fish struggling to escape capture will often hook itself with the remaining treble hooks, leading to additional injury. Anglers should try to use lures with a single hook if possible, or replace treble hooks with steel hooks (not stainless), or reduce the number of treble hooks on the lure. Bend the barbs down.

2. Bait fishing is a popular technique, however the baited hook is often swallowed so that the hook is deeply imbedded in the stomach ("gut"). To reduce "gut hooking" a fish, anglers should set the hook immediately before the bait can be completely swallowed, or use a "circle" hook. When a fish is "gut hooked" the best solution is to cut the line as close to the hook eye as possible. This helps to prevent severe damage to the fish's internal organs, which can occur while trying to remove a hook. If the hook is not stainless steel, it will eventually corrode due to the fish's stomach acids used in digestion. Please bend the barbs of hook down.

3. Tools used in hook removal can be extremely useful. Tools including needle nose pliers, hemostats, hook degorgers, nail clippers and wire cutting pliers can be very helpful in reducing hook removal time.

4. Handling methods depend on fishing technique used, how the fish is hooked, and size of the fish. Ideally, the fish should not be removed from the water. If fishing from a boat, try to prevent the fish from banging against the side or thrashing around the deck. Improper handling can cause internal injuries, skin abrasions, scale loss, or removal of the protective slime layer that prevents infection. When handling make sure that your hands are wet to reduce loss of protective slime coat on fish.

5. To release the fish, grasp the tail firmly and place the fish back in the water and slowly move the fish back and forth. This motion will cause water to flow over the gills, restoring oxygen to the blood stream. Recovery time will vary according to size and health of the fish. As a general rule, the longer the fish fights and the higher the water and air temperature, the longer it will take the fish to recover. An erect dorsal fin is a sign of a revived fish.
There is nothing more exciting than catching a large fish and then releasing it in hopes you or someone else can catch it agin! Good Fishing!

OPPOSE THE PROPOSED FEDERAL BAN ON LEAD IN FISHING TACKLE

I recently received this e-mail from Dave Jann from Jann's Netcraft on the opposition to the E.P.A. on the ban of lead in fishing tackle!

Oppose the Proposed Federal Ban on Lead in Fishing Tackle
Submit your comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing the proposed ban on lead in fishing tackle

The Situation
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.

It is important that anglers send your comments now! Let your voice be heard!

On August 27, 2010, the EPA denied the petition for ammunition but maintained the petition to ban lead fishing tackle. Supporters of hunting and the shooting sports have been successful in having ammunition excluded from this ban.

The petition was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jigheads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that less than one percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.

The reasons for opposing the ban are:

•The data does not support a federal ban on lead sinkers used for fishing. In general, bird populations, including loons and other waterfowl species, are subject to much more substantial threats such as habitat loss through shoreline development. Any lead restrictions need to be based on sound science that supports the appropriate action for a particular water body or species.

•Depending on the alternative metal and current prevailing raw material costs, non-lead fishing tackle products can cost from six to 15 times more than lead products. Non-lead products may not be as available and most do not perform as well. Mandatory transitioning to non-lead fishing tackle would require significant changes from both the industry and anglers.

•A federal ban of the use of lead in fishing tackle will have a significant negative impact on recreational anglers and fisheries resources, but a negligible impact on waterfowl populations.

•America's 60 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
Anglers are encouraged to support voluntary angler education programs for the use of lead sinkers and should urge state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to do the same.

How You Can Help
The EPA has opened the petition for public comments. Please take the following two simple steps to oppose this ban.

1.Officially submit your comments opposing this ban using the EPA’s comment page at www.regulations.gov. Comments are due by September 15. You can copy and paste the template message below into the official comment form.
2.Enter your zip code at the bottom of this page to voice your concerns directly to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Your letter to EPA Administrator Jackson will also be copied to your two Senators and House member.
Template Message
I am writing to oppose the proposed EPA ban on lead in fishing tackle. This ban would have a significant impact on the recreational fishing community with minimal benefit for the referenced waterfowl. Lead is used not only in sinkers but in a wide variety of fishing lures and other tackle components.

The petitioners’ document is replete with commentary unsupported by scientific data and rife with misunderstandings about the use of lead sinkers. Although the petition is aimed at reducing waterfowl death from lead sinker ingestion, a study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shown that less than one percent of birds die from ingested sinkers. Lead fishing tackle does not present a population level problem to any bird species. In fact, loon populations are increasing throughout their breeding range.

If a particular body of water is of concern, the issue is most effectively addressed by a local science-driven process, not a national ban. Fisheries and recreational fishing methods are best managed by state agencies.

While supporters of this ban claim that there are many comparable alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs, this is not the case. Depending on the alternative metal and current prevailing raw material costs, non-lead fishing tackle products can cost from six to 15 times more than lead products. Non-lead products may not be as available and most do not perform as well. Mandatory transitioning to non-lead fishing tackle would require significant – and costly - changes from both the industry and anglers.

The resultant decrease of fishing tackle purchases will diminish the dollars for fisheries conservation through fishing license sales and the federal manufacturers’ excise tax on fishing equipment. Something our country can ill afford.

I urge you to deny the lead ban petition, because it will have a significant negative impact on the recreational fishing community and only a negligible impact on waterfowl populations.

Thank you for your consideration.

FISHING WITH DAD

Over the 55+ years that I've been fishing Ive had numerous fishing friends! I have spent the majority of my fishing by myself but it was, and is, a special day when I have someone with me! The one person that I owe all my knowledge to, is my Dad! I have to say that he was my best fishing buddy of my life! We lost Dad 22 years ago and when he past I lost quite abit of my enjoyment for fishing! I have some beautiful memories of time spent with him on the water! Dad really loved to fish and when ever he hooked a nice fish, I got so much enjoyment just watching the fight! When I was a small lad, Dad had two or three guys that would go with him but as soon as I was old enough, he had to take me along! I know I really tried his patience but he stuck with me and I listened and learned. My first trip to Canada was in the summer of 1966. Mom and Dad had been there several time before but not with me. Dad was so excited just getting ready for that trip. He went out and bought all kinds of tackle including a huge hip roof tackle box and he filled it with every kind or fishing lure you could think of! When we arrived at our camp, I unloaded the car while Dad took a nap (since he drove all night to get there). I set up all the tackle then grapped my spinning outfit and headed to the dock. It wasn't long before I caught my first Smallmouth Bass. It wasn't big but it was a start. I then caught a fish that I had never seen before. This fish was long and skinny and had a mouth full of teeth! I had to go wake up Dad for an identification which he confirmed it to be a small Walleye. I was ready for more. The next morning we headed out on the lake. The area that was recommended to us was known as the "TRIANGLE" because it was in the middle of three points. It also had over 100 feet of water which made me nervous since I never fished water this deep. I mentioned all the tackle that Dad had bought well, we fished with nightcrawlers most of the time! We started out wind drifting and Dad started to pull into weeds, so he thought! It dawned on him that we were in too deep of water to be hitting weeds so he "SET THE HOOK" into what turned out to be his largest Walleye of his life! I never saw him this excited! He was actually shaking! I went to net the fish and missed on the first try which caused some anxious moments for Dad. I didn't miss the next time! That Walleye weighed 6# with so many teeth. We had a great week and made return trips in each of the next two years! Needless to say I have now caught several Walleyes with a couple in the 8# range. I could sit here all day and talk about Dad and that is just about fishing. I'll wait until later to tell you of our hunting trips! I hope you have fond memories of fishing with someone you love! It cann't be beat!!

FISHING CRANKBAITS FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS

This has been a really tough summer for Bass fishing but knowing where to fish and what to throw can make the difference in the cast to catch ratio! For the most part, I've found that using a lure that can get down from 7 to 15 feet deep along the edge of weed beds will catch Bass! One of the best lures for this is a medium to deep running crank bait. Not only is the lure an important factor, so is the type of tackle being used as well as the type of line that is on your reel!. Here are my 5 best tips for selecting equipment for fishing crankbaits on weed edges:

1.)Using a crankbait rod that has a soft action tip that flexes when the fish hits allows the bass to suck the crankbait in when it hits. A soft action rod also allows the bait to bounce and deflect off the bottom and bounce off cover in a way
that makes fish bite it. And lastly, a soft rod keeps you from pulling the hooks out of the fish during the fight. A good crank bait rod should bend at least 1/3 of the way down the rod and have a soft feel. When using a wide wobbling crankbait on your rod, you should be able to see the rod tip actually vibrate and pulsate at
the same speed as the lure itself. Most companies make a specific model for crankbaits. Most pros will use a fiberglass or a graphite/fiberglass composite rod. It seems funny that the fiberglass rods are what I started out with so many years ago and the trend changed to graphite and boron and now things are reverting back to the glass rods again! Like they say,"What Goes Around Comes Around"!

2.)You need to use a line that transmits vibrations well. This means use either fluorocarbon line or a low stretch mono. I like to use TRILENE VANISH line which is a invisable (in the water) flurocarbon. I have found this to be a soft, small diameter line that holds up very well for me! I rarely use a line heavier that 12# test. You can go heavier to 14# or 17# fluorocarbon if you have big fish and real heavy weeds.

3.)Sometimes I take the split ring off my crankbaits and just use a snap lock to change baits. This lets me change baits faster and usually gives the baits better action. Do not use a snap swivel. The swivel is extra weight that hampers the movement of the crank bait.

4.)Most of the time a wide wobbling crankbait is better in warm water. Use a tight wobble in cold water. For fishing grass you should have three basic crankbaits....one that runs less than two foot deep, one that dives 4 to 6 feet deep and one that dives about 10+ feet deep. The baits you get should be very buoyant and made of balsa or plastic. The ideal crankbait around weeds, floats
very easily so that when you stop it in the weeds and it is stuck the bait has a chance to float up and away from the weeds before you continue the retrieve.

5.)A good weed crankbait will have a round bill or a coffin bill. A square bill is better for rocks and wood and will often pick up more weed than a round bill. You are always going to get stuck in the weeds but a round bill is easier to clear from the weeds when you fish it. Which ever style you use, use a stop and go retrieve and occasionally, give the rod tip a little jerk. These actions cause the crankbait to have a stutter effect which will cause many a Bass to hit!

Well that's the basic equipment considerations for cranking the weeds. Crank baits are a big favorite of mine! I've caught some very nice fish on them and I never seem to have enough crankers. I'll talk more on this subject at another time. Until the next time, Good Fishing!

I LOVE THE FALL

Fall is my second favorite season of the year! There is so much to do with all the fall festivals, football games, senic drives looking at the fall colors, getting ready for another hunting season and least we forget, the great fall fishing! When I was a teenager I had an agenda that I followed weekly! The only thing that I didn't want to do was go to school! I would sit in class and stare out the window and watch the clock until school was out! I would get off the school bus around 3:30 to 3:45p.m. and be in and out of the house before 4:00 and headed over the hill to the lake! I usally used only one or two baits, either a 3" Rapala or a Johnson Silver Minnow with an Uncle Josh Pork Frog in green. Both of these work really well! Back then the lake I fished had a good population of 2#-4# Largemouth Bass and it was a rare occasion that I didn't catch three or four bass in an evening! As the season progressed, I would spend the late afternoons hunting squirrel and wait until the weekends to fish. Friday evening we would go to the local football game. I would be up early on Saturday and into the woods for more squirrel hunting and the afternoon would find me on the lake! Every once in a while I would have a tough time deciding whether to go hunting or fishing! It was a hard life but someone had to do it! Of all the Bass that I've caught in my life, I had to wait until I was 19 to catch my first 6# Bass. Since then I have been fortunate to have caught several in the 6#-8# range and it never amazes me on how shook up I get seeing the size of those Bass! Most of these larger fish have come in the fall of the year, when they are on a very active feed pattern, adding weight for the winter ahead! If you can get out fishing between now and ice over, do it! You may be graced with your biggest catch of your life!

OHIO WATERS

I've lived in Ohio all my life and have truly enjoyed living in this state! Having said that, I must confess I have never been a fan of the Ohio Department of Natural resources! I live in the Northeastern part of the state and have seen very little done in this area to entice or reward the sportsmen of the area! Most of the improvements have been aimed at the larger populated areas such as Columbus and the southwestern portion of the state! There are some beautiful lakes and reservoirs in these areas. In Columbiana County, where I live, there are three lakes and two major hunting areas plus the Ohio River and Beaver Creek Wildlife area. Guilford Lake is the largest water area with 360+ water acres followed by Highlandtown with 160+ acres. There is "NO" fish stocking done at either lake, like at some of the bigger areas in the state. Very little is done for fish management unless it is done by private fishing clubs and organizations. I haven't heard of any creel census being taken and I never see or hear of a fishing report from these lakes! The state stopped stocking anything but catfish and saugeye and has given up on Bass, which is the one fish most anglers are after! I realize it is very tough on the state, due to econmic problems, to maintain their wildlife areas but I still feel there are ways to improve the fishing without much expence! Our state government has been looking at ways they can take money from our O.D.N.R. and transfer it to the general fund. If that happens, our sportsman dollars will be useless to the future of our wildlife habitat and fisheries! I would like to see a push from this area's outdoorsmen to work with our D.N.R. to better this area and even be able to bring people into the area for its fishing and outdoor activities!

FINDING BASS ON A HOT SUNNY DAY

We were blessed with another hot sunny day today. The temperature was in the high 80's with a bright, calm sky! We got a late start again this morning but still managed to find a couple of smaller Bass in the shallows. I pulled out one of my old favorite lures, a CREEKCHUB PLUNKER! This bait has been out of production for a number of years but can still catch fish! I was pretty careful not to get it hung up for fear I would lose it! I did manage one small Bass on it but that was it! We switched to crank baits and found Bass stacked on a drop that hadn't been effected by the sun. The sun was almost high in the sky but the drop was on the east side of the lake and was still in the shadow of the sun. We took several Bass from this area before we called it a day! I know I'm ready for cooler weather and the return of Fall! Fall is my second favorite season for fishing. The fish are on the feed to store fat for the winter and will be actively feeding and chasing bait into the shallows, back of coves and bays and, if available, up feeder creeks! This is the time I like to use spinner baits and jerk baits. Hopefully, We'll be fishing up to December!

AUGUST, "THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER"

This has been a really warm summer! A person doesn't want to be too far from an air conditioner these days let alone think of spending the day out on a lake in the baking sun and heat! If you enjoy fishing as much as I do, you suck it up and take plenty of liquids with you and hit the lake! Naturally, the best time to fish is the early morning hours and again in the evening. The lower light provides more shaded areas and the fish will be more active. The warmer water also increases the metabolism of the fish and makes them want to feed more! This can be a huge advantage for us fishermen! On bright sunny days, head for the weeds. This is an important source of cover for the fish as well as for their food sources. If the weed beds are close to deeper water, so much the better. Try to fish the irregular structure of the weed beds such as weed breaks, points, cuts etc.. Watch the formation of the weeds. If the weed stems surface and the main foliage spreads out on the surface, fish will be hiding underneath this coverage. Try dropping jigs through any openings in the weeds, the smaller the openings the better! Fish the weed edges. If the weeds generally thin out before disappearing there propably is a soft muddy bottom under the weeds. If the weeds have an abrupt ending the bottom is either sandy or rocky which both are excellent to hold fish. Again, jigs work really well here but any plastic baits such as worms, grubs or tubes would be ideal to use. However you go about it, it might be down right nasty to be out there fishing but a few nice fish will work wonders at easing the discomfort!

FISHING ON A HOT AUGUST DAY

My buddy and I went fishing today in the mid-day sun and heat! We started out at 10a.m. and fished until 2p.m.. Man was it HOT! We were fishing buzz baits, crank baits, C.P.Swings with yellow and white fly strips, and small jigs. The fishing was slow for the most part however, we did manage to catch about a dozen Largemouth Bass with the biggest being around 14"-15" long. We found Crappie and nice Bluegills on the small jigs and spinner/fly strip combination. My friend Bill, has been using a newer product, put out by GULP FISHING PRODUCTS, that resembles maggots. He has been adding these to his flies (when using his fly rod) and today he added them to his C.P.Swing. He has also used this product on a bare hook and has had good success catching Crappie and Bluegill. The product is actually a soft plastic that has been impregnated with a very strong fish attracting scent. This is an excellent product to have handy when you don't have live bait. It is very effective. Bill also had a container of 2 1/2" emerald shinner GULP that looks like small minnows. They come in a plastic container filled with a liquid scent solution. I added one of these to a 1/32oz. jig and caught some 8"-9" Bluegill. I was quite immpressed with this product. If you can find it at your favorite outdoors store, pick up a couple of containers and give it a try. It might just save your fishing day!

FISHING FOR CRAPPIE

As you can see from my photos, I love to fish for Crappie! The top photo, I'm holding a nice Black Crappie and in the bottom pic I have a very nice White Crappie! These fish are actually two different Crappie species but both are excellent fish to catch. The difference in the two is in the markings and in the dorsal fins. Notice, on the Black Crappie, its color is generally darker with dark spots on its sides that have no apparent pattern. The White Crappie is a lighter color and its side markings run in a vertical bar pattern. The White Crappie seem to grow to a larger size and weight. As mentioned earlier, both are an excellent fish to catch! They are agressive hard fighters and "OH" so good to eat! Both these fish will range in a shallower water level than other fish but, like all fish, will need to search out deeper areas due to weather conditions. Notice that their eyes are situated on top of their heads which shows that they feed on object above them. When fishing for Crappie I generally do not fish deeper than 6-9 feet. The most popular method of fishing for Crappie is to use minnows for bait. Rig your line with a light and thin gage hook and add some light weight, such as split shot, about a foot above the hook. I prefer to use a stick bobber rather than a round one. The stick bobber gives less resistance to the fish and is easier to pull under than a round bobber. These fish have a tissue thin mouth area so there is no need to "CROSS HIS EYES" when setting the hook! Being gentle will help to prevent the hook from tearing out and give you more opportunity of taking more fish home! Another effective method is to use small jigs in the 1/32 to 1/8 oz.size. Either soft plastic tails or maribou work really good. Use these either under a bobber or just cast them on light weight tackle. These fish travel in schools so once you find them you should be able to catch a bunch in a short amount of time! These are great fish for the kids to catch so take them out and have a blast!

FISHING A BUZZ BAIT

Every year there is a new fishing bait to hit the stores that is advertised to be the "NEW BASS CATCHER of THE SEASON"! "If you don't have some of these you might as well stay home!" Of course, I have to buy as many as I can! Several years ago, I was fishing with a friend who owned a tackle store. He had all the latest "STUFF" and I was anxious to see how some of the things worked. I remember it was a warm day in July and he wanted to catch a few Bass to display at a sportsman's club outting later that day! The first thing he tied on was a form of a spinner bait but instead of having spinners on the shaft, it had a propeller shaped blade. It was also very noisy and I thought no way would this thing catch fish! Boy, was I wrong! He began casting and started his speedy retrieve as soon as the bait hit the water. The bait rose to the surface and began its noisy chop back toward the boat. The bait hadn't traveled five feet, when a Bass smacked the living daylights out of that lure! I was totally awed by the sight! After watching this happen time and time again, he finally threw a buzz bait to me. Today, I never go out without a good supply of buzz baits. So many companies make these lures today and they are still one of the most exciting lures to fish! A word of advice, for the most part, a Bass will only hit a buzz bait once on a retrieve so it's a good idea to have a back up bait such as a plastic worm or a soft swim bait to cast back to the area of the strike. It's a good chance the Bass will hit this follow up technique! A good casting outfit is the best to use with a buzz bait and a high gear ratio reel for a rapid retrieve. Smaller buzz baits, in the 1/8th oz. size, can be worked with a spinning outfit easier than with a casting rod. Don't be afraid to use these baits in the middle of the day. They make such a commotion that a Bass will hit it just because it's there! Good fishing!

FISHING IN THE RAIN

I love to fish no matter what the weather but my favorite time to fish is on an overcast day with a chance of showers! There are a lot of people who are, lets say, "FAIR WEATHER FISHERMEN", that would no more think of being out on a rainy day than the "MAN IN THE MOON"! I have had some really successful days while getting my LARGE BUTT wet! I think the best days are a rainy day following a long, hot dry spell. The rain helps to "Wake Up" the water and cause better fish movement. I also think the fish stay active for longer periods of time which leads to more success! One such day comes to mind. My fishing buddy (Bill) and I decided to head out and get wet, I guess for lack of anything else better to do! We put on our rain gear and headed for the lake. After dumping out the water that had partially filled the boat, we pushed off. We headed to some weed cover and started throwing top water baits. We had found the right spot right off the bat and started catching Bass as fast as we could cast. The fish weren't large but the fishing was fast and furious! After about 45 minutes we realized that the boat had 2"-3" of fresh rain water in it and our feet were soaked. We didn't care. We bailed the best we could and kept right on fishing! You know you've been in the rain too long when you notice your fingers look like prunes! We had a blast that day and still talk about it and hope to repeat that experience sometime in the future. The moral of this story is to not pass up any opportunity to go fishing! You may find that a rainy day while give you the experience of a life time!

THUNDERSTRUCK JIGS AND THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT

On my last post I mentioned some good web sites to view. There is one that I wanted to make a special post on. "Thunderstruck Jigs" have made an amazing looking series of skirted jigs. They are made with football heads or rounded heads and come in various shapes, colors and sizes. The skirted material is made of silicon for durability. Jigs have become a very necessary weapon for fishing for various species of fish. They are so popular that you can find them anywhere and they are made by dozens of lure manufactors. The most intriquing aspect of the THUNDERSTRUCK JIG CO. is a special program that they have become involved with! It is the "WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT"! This project was founded on the principle that VETERANS are our nation's greatest citizens. The "WWP" seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflict in Irag, Afghanistan and other locations around the world! Thunderstruck Jig Co. has produced a special football headed jig and named it the "FREEDOM JIG". It has a red,white and blue skirt and sells for $5.00 with 100% of the profits going to the "WWP"! I think this is an extremely patriotic idea and I encourage everyone to go to www.thunderstruckjigs.com and purchase some of their products. Their web site is full of material, how to videos and a catalog of their products. Please, check them out. You won't be sorry!

The Advantage Of The Internet

Years ago there was no internet, so in order to find information one had to do it the hard way, ask questions, read about it in the newspaper or witness it! During the fishing season our local newspapers would run outdoor columns dealing with up dated fishing reports. Not anymore. The papers need all their space for ads to bring in money so they can continue to publish the every day news. Being 60 years old has been a major disadvantage for me in working with computers. If you can imagine, just think how big a computer was back in the 60's, when I was in school, and then look at the one that is in front of you right now! When I graduated from high school I had an opportunity to attend a computer programming school. I was so intimidated at the idea that I chickened out! Who would have thought that today if you didn't have a computer in your home or a laptop to carry with you, you would be considered to be from the back hills! Well, it's fairly obvious that I have one now, and even though I have to "hunt and peck" to type anything, I LOVE IT! I spend so much time on it searching for "STUFF", it has create a few arguements in the home live! Getting back to where this was heading in the first place, I have found so many "NEAT" web sites dealing with fishing! I thought I would list a few here today! Most of them have a forum that can be joined or just read if you don't feel like joining! Some have great videos and how to information. Some are for the sale of their products but are interesting to view, so here goes! 1) SPORTSMANSLIFE.com 2) OHIOSPORTSMAN.com 3) OUTDOOROHIO.com 4) PONDBOSS.com (if you need information on building or working on a pond) 5)LARRYSLURESandCRAFTS.com 6) NORTHSTARCUSTOMBAITS.com 7) AMERICANBASSOUTLET and my favorite 8) MYOUTDOORTV.com. If you cann't get out fishing, maybe you can at least key up some of these sites an have a look around! Good Fishing!

SOME FAVORITE FISHING LURES

When my Dad started me out casting for Bass, he kept the lure selection simple and easy. Our favorite lure in early spring and again in the fall was a Johnson Silver Minnow with a #11, green UNCLE JOSH PORK FROG. For some reason, Dad had come up with a way to trim the pork frog to give it more kicking action. He would lay it down (green side down) and using a shape knife, would trim most of the fat (white part) off. He would then find the hook hole and angle the knife blade toward the upper leg then cut off a wedge. When this was done on both sides, the pork frog had an arrow shaped head with about a 1/4" wide area at the hook hole. With the action of the Silver minnow, the frog would almost roll with the legs kicking. No matter how slow the spoon was worked, the frog always had action! Another lure was and still is a favorite of mine! It is a CP Swing. This is the simplest spinner made! Dad taught me to add a FLY-STRIP to one hook. Again, the Fly-Strip is another UNCLE JOSH pork product. It is only about a 1 1/4" long and about a 1/4" wide. Back in the "old days", we only had white fly-strips but today they are white, yellow/white, and red/white. These are a great addition to any spinner! The third favorite was a CREEK CHUB PLUNKER! It was your standard surface lure which you inparted the acton with a twitch of the rod. Then came one of the all time greats in the RAPALA! Everyone knows this lure! We started fishing it in the middle 1960's and what a fish catching bait it was and still is! All though the essence of the true fisherman is to have as much fishing tackle as possible, you can take these 4 lures today and catch Bass! Why not give them a try and hold on for some explosive action! As I said earlier, these are what my Dad started me off with so, tie one on the small one's line and watch the fun!!

How Do We Do It?

Not meaning to brag, my Dad and I have always had the ability to, generally, outfish anyone who was fishing with us! This, on occasion, has been almost enbarrassing and compounded by the remarks made by the other fisherman, you could tell they weren't very happy! My Dad had a long time friend that was a very good fisherman on his own right but when he was with Dad, he just couldn't keep up! Some how I inherited Dad's fishing ability, probably because Dad taught me everything he knew about the sport! I, like my Dad, have tried to pass on my knowledge to others but I cann't be held responsible for what they haven't learned! I have a fishing body that refuses to fish my methods and gets very upset when he catches few fish and I, on the other hand, am pulling them in one after the other! He is constantly asking what I'm using, what color is it, how are you working it,etc..I will always remember a cold early April morning while I was still in High School. My Mother and I had been fishing all the previous week, under much warmer weather conditions, and had quite abit of success on Bass while fishing with worms from shore. A friend asked if he could come out on Saturday morning to try his luck and I said yes. A major spring storm hit on Friday and Saturday morning dawned with wind,clouds,temps in the low 30's and snow! I just assumed my friend wouldn't show but there was a knock on our front door at 9a.m.. He had walked about 5 miles to our place and looked like a snowman! After he came in and warmed up, we went fishing! I already had my rod rigged so I showed him how I was set up and while he started to rig his rod, I baited mine and cast it out, then sat my rod down to see if he needed any help. I turned to check my bobber and it was gone! I grapped the rod and set the hook into a 3# Largemouth Bass. My friend hadn't even had a chance to bait his hook! I proceeded to do this two more times during the day and was rewarded with two more Bass in the 3#-4# class. My fiend caught a few small catfish,bluegill and perch but no Bass. My whole life has been like that. Not to say I always catch fish. There has been many times I've been skunked, but as they say, "A BAD DAY FISHING IS STILL BETTER THAN A GOOD DAY AT WORK"! A Proverb comes to mind, "GIVE a man a fish and feed him for a day. TEACH a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime"! Go fishing and take a friend and/or child with you. You'll have a great time!

Carp fishing in the Ohio River

I was down by the Ohio River the other afternoon and was remembering all the fun we used to have fishing for Carp alone the river! My Dad grew up in Wellsville,Ohio and he spent many of hours along the banks and fishing for Carp and Catfish. He would make dough ball for bait and would add flavoring which the carp really enjoyed! There would be some days the bite was fast and furious and then days when we couldn't get a bite! the fish generally weren't that big but they put up a scrap! One evening Dad had invited two cousins(Bill and Ken) along and their Dad(Rodger). We got into some larger fish and were having a blast! My cousins fishing line was not as strong as ours and they were getting a lot of break offs. Some of these fish were well over 5# and their Dad was becoming more and more frustrated with every break off. Finally, on the next line break, Rodger went running into the river chasing the broken line. It was shallow and he must have ran out 30'-40' and up to his waist to catch the line. He was successful and he turned back to shore pulling the Carp with him! It was one of the funniest moments to witness that! Carp are not afish I would chose as a food fish however that doesn't mean I don't enjoy catching them! For some real fun, take your kids to the river and have a ball!

Spinning Reels

When I was growing up, there were two major spinning reels that were favored by fisherman. You could be sure that just about everyone had a MITCHELL 300 or a SHAKESPEARE spinning reel. We favored the Mitchell 300 and had about 6 of them. They were a simple reel to use and still are today. However,today things are a lot more complicated! We would mount our Mitchells on a 6'-7' fiberglass spinning rod with 6#-8# monofilament line and away we'd go! Today you have to consider how many ball bearings the reel contains, what size of reel you are comfortable using, what length rod you want to use, is the rod made of graphite or a composite of graphite and fiberglass or boron construction, what are you fishing for, Bass, Crappie or Walleye, do you want to use monofilament line, or any of the many non-stretch lines, are you going to be fishing clear water or cloudy to muddy water. Today's modern fishermen have to many decisions to make for just a casual day outdoors. If all this is too much, go dig or buy some worms and take the kids out fishing, they will love it!

Bluegill On A Flyrod

My Dad taught me how to use a flyrod early in my life. We used them to fish live bait for Crappie and Largemouth Bass. Then as I improved my casting ability, I was able to start using flies for Bluegill. I haven't found any thing that compares to the fun of catching big Bluegills on a flyrod! The lake, we lived at, had become over populated with small Bluegill under 5 inches in length. Dad and I used to take 5 gallon buckets, along with our fly rods, when we fished for Bluegill. Any gill under 5 inches would get tossed in the buckets. When the buckets were full, we'd carry them home and bury them in our garden area for fertilizer. We did this for three or four years. The average length of the existing Bluegill grew from 5-6 inches to 8, 9 and 10 inches. Very few people took the time to fish for gills because they were so small. Dad and I received a bunch of criticism from the neighbors about taking out all the fish. They did not understand that too many fish caused stunting and the fish would remain small. Once they saw the size increase of the Bluegill, everyone started fishing for them. To this day the Bluegill have maintained their large size and are a blast to catch! Try to keep in mind, there is only so much food in any pond or lake to support so many fish. It never hurts to remove fish for the health of the others!
Do your duty and take some kids to an area pond and let them have some fun catching Bluegill. Bluegill are good to eat as well so, catch a bunch and help the pond then cook them up and help yourself to a very tasty meal!

More Bluegill Fishing and My First Real Fishing Rod

Hi Folks!
I started my fishing "CAREER" fishing for Bluegills when I was 3 years old! Bluegills have stayed on my list of favorite catchable fish ever since. As I mentioned before, I grew up around a 12 acre pond and as I aged, I spent more and more time near the water. I would spent hours fishing day after day. Most of this fishing was done from the shore as I wasn't old enough to be out in a boat by myself, until around the age of 12! That didn't stop me from catching my far share of Bluegills,Yellow Perch, Catfish, Crappie and Bass! Dad would take me to other ponds and lakes in the county and sooner or later I would find a group of Bluegill in a corner just waiting for me to drop them a hook! At age 9, Dad bought me my first spin-cast fishing outfit! I thought I was in heaven! I could now start fishing with lures like the big people did! Dad took me out in the boat that first evening and talk about being excited, WOW! I put on a red and white Daredevil Spoon and started casting. Guess what I caught. Bluegill and more Bluegill while Dad caught Bass after Bass! At the end of the evening I did hook up with a 14 inch White Crappie and that made the evening perfect!
That will wrap it for today! Get out and go fishing. It's a great way to relax! And remember, take a small He and/or She fishing. They will never forget it!

Welcome To Ohio Fishing With Dan

Hello,
Welcome to my new blog "OHIOFISHINGWITHDAN"! I'm Dan! I would like to share with you some of my experiences fishing in Ohio from my earliest memories to the present!
I have been fishing since I was 3 years old, thanks to my Dad! I had the good fortune to have grown up at a private lake in Columbiana County and to this day it's still one of the best bodies of water I have ever fished!
I remember Dad digging earth worms from a friends composed pile (which at that age was just as exciting as going fishing) then He and my Mom walked me to the lake,put me in a row boat and away we went! Dad had already pre rigged the fishing pole so he baited it and dropped the hook over the side. It didn't take long before the bobber went under. Dad handled this one but gave me the chance on the next one. We were into a batch of large Bluegill and I was hooked on fishing from then on!
As I aged, my interest grew to Bass fishing with all it's fancy gear and techniques. You never seem to have enough gear or technique for the almighty Bass, however, I never tire of catching nice Bluegills to this day! Sure, I don't have to dig worms, because I catch just as many on small jigs and flys on a fly rod! It's quite a thrill to hook into a 9-10 inch Bluegill on a fly rod! If you haven't tried it, give it a try!
That's it for now so enjoy the outdoors and take that small fry out fishing! He and/or she will always remember it!