Best Places to Travel for Fishing

By Top Towers

Jan

6

Fishing is one of the World’s favorite past times. On any given weekend you will find fishermen out on rivers, lakes, and the deep seas to catch their dinner, a trophy, or just for a good time. If you are an avid fisherman there are many extraordinary locations you can travel to experience some of the best fishing in the world.

Salmon fishing in Alaska is a very popular activity through mid-May and June. Kasilof the River Kings is an eight mile river where fishermen can catch twelve to thirty pound King Salmon and the occasional Trout, all while enjoying the great landscape of Alaska. Some Alaskan resorts even offer a guided fishing trip down the river for the best possible fishing opportunity.

If salmon fishing in Alaska is not your thing, try big game fishing for marlin in the Madeira Islands of Portugal where the Blue Marlin can reach up to one thousand pounds. In mid-May through June the giant Blue Marlin arrive just off the coast of these beautiful islands to make for a warm fishing getaway.

For a different type of sportsman’s challenge travel to Ontario Canada’s Sydney and Kilburn lakes to catch some of the largest Northern Pike in North America. In these trophy waters Pike can reach up to forty pounds and be over fifty inches long.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico also offers a large variety of fish to catch including Snapper, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi and Tuna. A fisherman can enjoy the tropical weather while reeling in lots of different species.

There are many more locations around the globe for the passionate fisher to travel to in search of the ultimate game, such as Key West Florida and the frigid waters off Scotland’s coast. A lot of people will find Miami vacation rentals so that they can travel the short distance from south beat to Key West.

However the locations above offer fabulous fishing, great scenery, and are places the family will happily travel to if you happen to invite them.

 

Finding Great Deals on Fishing Equipment

By Top Towers

Dec

19

Buying fishing equipment can be very expensive, especially when you are first starting to take up the hobby. However, there are some great ways to get bargains and big savings on very valuable fishing equipment. This article guide will give you some good ideas on where to find the best deals.

Garage Sales

Garage sales are a fantastic way to get unbelievable savings on fishing equipment. If you find fishing equipment at a garage sale it is usually because someone no longer needs it. It could be they had excellent equipment but because of age, or health reasons they can no longer enjoy fishing. They will be happy to have someone get the equipment that will use and enjoy it. The price will certainly always be half of retail price. Occasionally if you buy something else first, some small item, they will just give you the fishing equipment. This is especially true for the tackle box full of lures. They may want money for the box and have never looked to see what is inside.

Swap Meets

Swap meets are also a great way to get bargains on fishing equipment. Everyone has some thing lying around the house, or in the garage, that is no longer want or needed. For someone else that will be fishing equipment, so you make a swap. You will usually get a good deal especially since cash is rarely involved.

CraigsList

Craigslist has two uses for fishing enthusiasts. Many people list garage and swap meets on Craig’s list and that helps you find the two sources listed here, above. There is used or factory direct equipment offered on Craigslist too. Make sure you know the ins and outs of doing business online before you send any money.

Black Friday or Boxing Day Sales

These two big sales days are the best times of the year to buy fishing equipment from a store. Even specialty fishing store or giant sports outlets have fishing gear on sale on these two days. Take advantage of that opportunity even if you found some equipment from the other sources listed in this article.

Best Boats for Fishing

By Top Towers

Nov

17

Fishing is such a great leisure activity, combining sport and passion. Where you live can impact not only your choice of fishing spots, but the type of fishing you are accustomed to. If your home sits in close proximity to a nearby lake or river then you will find a lot more freshwater fishing. On the ocean, or bay area saltwater will surround your fishing escapades. Here are some tips on helping you choose the best boat for your fishing type.

If you are planning on doing freshwater fishing then you have a variety of choices. There are of course the fast, bright color bass boats that sit low in the water and can be constructed of fiberglass or some aluminum types as well. Most of the bass boats come equipped with a trolling motor as well as the larger powerful boat motor for your racing fast moments. If you prefer other freshwater fish, you have some great boat varieties. They will have same basic construction, with aluminum or fiberglass, and small center consoles, or dual consoles, and depending on your use, these will work for many activities as well as your fishing trips. The larger fiberglass boats can come with some impressive instrument panels, global positioning systems and depth finders. They do make small fiberglass and aluminum boats that can be transported easily, they can come equipped with smaller horsepower motors. The aluminum boats do hold up better than the fiberglass over time, but do make more noise, and you fisherman like the quiet sound of nothing while they are on the water.

When you head out to saltwater for your great fishing expeditions you need a boat that can handle an array of weather conditions, and you need to understand the difference for offshore and inshore boats. If you are staying inshore you can use a lighter vessel that could be a flat boat or what they call a bay boat. Normally these have a single outboard motor, range around twenty three feet and have a shallow bottom that will float in low level water. If you fishing is going to take you offshore then you need to prepare for a basic center console, single or twin outboard motors, or inboard diesel engine and some will come with cabins or salons as well. Offshore fishing is more for sport fishermen and the boats are much larger than your freshwater or inshore models. A typical offshore boat can be around thirty to seventy feet and while there are some constructed of wood, the majority are going to be fiberglass. The newer models will have hydraulic steering, some great state of the art equipment, stainless steel holders for the rods and reels, and many come equipped with accommodations that make it feel like a home away from home. Saltwater boats need to be cleaned and washed often to keep them from damage.

Boats are an expense no matter what the size. You need to understand the requirements for keeping the boat clean, running strong, maintaining the motor and equipment just like any other vehicle you might own. Fishing is the easy part of owning a fishing boat, but they are wonderful escapes and provide great family adventures. So understand what type of fishing you will undertaking, and then you can figure out which boat is best for you.

 

How Much Do Fishing Boats Cost To Buy And Maintain?

By Top Towers

Oct

27

The ability to truly answer the question of how much a fishing boat would cost to purchase then take care of, really depends on a lot of things but the overall cost will end up being expensive no matter what. The least expensive fishing boats would be Jon boats, usually powered by a small motor or even just ores. These will run you a price of about 500-600$ generally, sometimes a little more or less. It really is based on the condition of the boat and how old it is, but a mere few hundred dollars is nothing compared to the many thousands you will be shelling out for a commercial grade bass boat.

If you would rather not get a Jon boat, there is no where to go on the price scale but upwards from here, unless of course you are fishing in an inflatable raft. To buy an economy grade, used but in good condition bass boat would run you anywhere from 4,000$ to 15,000$. The 4,000$ figure would be on the lucky end of the scale if you walked away with a deal from a friend. Otherwise you may end up with a boat that doesn’t last too long, or one that needs repair, in other words you will definitely get what you pay for with boats.

Now that we know the bigger costs involved with actually purchasing a fishing boat, that initial cost may pale in comparison to the yearly upkeep costs depending on how much use the vessel sees. If it is used frequently, things have more opportunity to come unhinged, rust, and degrade in general. This means more money out of your pocket, and these little repairs can really rack up. Not all boats are incredibly high maintenance like this, but many are, and as the owner it would be a never ending expense. If you have a love for bass fishing and it gives you joy, then it is a more than necessary expense. However be aware that the costs involved can get pretty steep, so be wise about which model you choose and make sure that the purchasing decision is being weighed carefully.

 

Fishing Equipment for Beginners

By Top Towers

Sep

15

Fishing is an enjoyable hobby that is not difficult to get equipment for. One of the easiest ways, and most cost-effective, ways to start fishing is with surf casting. This type of fishing limits the initial equipment you’ll need, and there are no extra expenses such as boat rentals. You also get the benefits of relaxing on a beach while you fish.

Your basic setup will include a surf rod, spinning reel and sand spike. Your sporting goods store can show you the different types of materials that are used in surf rods. You want a relatively light-weight rod that is flexible and gives you a good casting distance. Fish usually bite in deeper water, and a good casting-distance can make a big difference. Pair the rod with a decent lightweight reel and have the dealer load it with good-quality fishing line.

Get a sturdy sand spike — your fishing gear is an investment, and many a careless fisherman has lost his rod and reel from wedging them against a rock, or using a makeshift spike. Find a rock and hammer your spike firmly into the sand before you get distracted with the fishing.

Now browse over to the tackle area of your sporting goods store. Pick out pre-tied hook and sinker combinations for any ground fish you’ll be fishing for. Make sure to get extras as tackle is often snagged on the sea floor. As you get more experienced, you can save money by tying your own rigs.

Be conservative in your selection of lures, jigs and spoons. These items can run into big bucks and not all are accepted by the game fish in your area at all times of the year. It’s better to select a few different ones and observe what the seasoned fisherman are using at the beach. Check the fishing reports for your area, as they will often advise you on the types of lures the game fish are accepting.

Consider whether you’ll want to keep your fish or release them. If releasing them, look into barb-less hooks. If you’ll be keeping some fish, you’ll want to buy a sharp fillet knife. As a fisherman, you have the obligation to use the fish you harvest. Seasoned fishermen will often fillet the fish right there on the beach and store the fillets in a cooler. You don’t have the mess of cleaning fish at home, and the skeletons and skin are returned to nature.

How To Fish

By Top Towers

Aug

2

Fishing can be one of the most exciting activities to partake in even though many people believe that all you do is sit around the whole time. It is true that this activity does require some patience, but it is a good chance to also collect your thoughts or spend time with a loved one.

There are many things that you need to understand when you learn how to fish. The first thing that you need to understand is how many fish are in the pond, stream, or lake that you are fishing in. You will want to go to an area that has a lot of fish so that you can be successful. Picking the right spot is important when learning how to fish. Going to ponds that are stocked can be a great way to get some good fish and build your confidence.

When you go fishing, you need to have some bait, a pole, and a hook. Those are the most basic things that you need to fish. When choosing bait, the simplest things to use are bread and earthworms. These will attract many fish, and you will be able to get at least a couple nibbles with either one of these baits. When baiting your hook, you want to make sure that the bread or earthworm is on the hook very securely.

Once the bait is on the hook, you have to cast your line out into the water. There are many different ways to cast, so you can go overhand style or a little more like a sidearm cast. You will find the way that you like best with some experience. You really want to try and cast in the area where there are the most fish. This will improve your chances of getting a bite. Once you get a bite, slowly begin to reel in the fish. This is usually the most difficult part of fishing. You need to be careful not to pull back too hard, because you could lose your fish.

Basically then, all you need to do is get a pole, some bait, and a good hook. Stick the bait on the end of the hook. Throw the line with the bait into the water, and then wait for the fish to bite. Once you get a bite, start reeling in the fish. Just keep trying if you lose a fish.

 

Different Types of Fishing Boats

By Top Towers

Jul

5

Aluminum fishing boats are tough and light, making them ideal for moving to and from freshwater lakes and ponds. They are normally very simple to operate and feature aluminum hulls with benches for seating. They can reach many areas other boats cannot (shallows, coves, inlets, and the like). Usually powered by outboard engines, these boats can be steered by tiller or remotely.

Center console fishing boats are slightly larger than aluminum or bass boats and can accommodate two or three more people. They are open boats with a center console for steering and are made to operate in rough ocean water. These vessels commonly come equipped with rod holders, outriggers and other gear.

Combination fish and ski boats allow boaters to enjoy both activities from the same craft. With enough power to pull one or two skiers, getting to the right fishing spot takes no time at all. Many boats of this type have compartments for ski gear that can be converted to a fishing platform with swivel seating.

Flat boats are popular in coastal areas where fisherman seek red fish and sea trout. These boats can float in and operate in less than two feet of water. Typical capacity is two or three people.

Multi-Hull power boats are yet another fishing craft option. Instead of a single hull, these boats feature two or sometimes three hulls, which provide a softer ride than V shaped hulls and greater stability when at rest. Twin engines provide power to carry more people and to get to the fishing spot in short order. Multi hull boats typically provide more space onboard as well.

Sportfishing boats are for going after large fish. The largest versions of this craft are big enough for a galley and often come with sleeping berths. These boats have the capacity and capability to stay on the water for days at a time.