Jun
25
Catch and Release
June 25, 2007 | 1 Comment
There are many reasons to use the “catch and release” technique while fishing:
· Catch and release because - The increasing popularity of recreational fishing has led to the problem of too many anglers, not enough fish
· Catch and release because – It’s important to catch as many fish as possible, as it helps you to improve your techniques towards catching that big fish we all dream of.
Releasing the fish allows it to grow, so maybe the next time it’s caught it’ll be the fish of your dreams
· Catch and release because - It offers a sensible way to extend the fishing trip after a reasonable or legal catch limit has been reached
· Catch and release because – Be kind to the sea, the sea will be kind to you J
There are many reasons to Catch and release, but choosing to do so is not enough.
You don’t want to release a dead or dying fish, so there are a few things to consider while using that technique, to help improve your fish’s chance of survival once released back into the water:
- Try to land the fish as quickly as possible
The longer you fight the fish, the more exhausted it gets and it lessons its chance to survive.
(It would be a shame to release the fish just to see it taken by another predator J ) - Do not let fish flop about in shallow water, on the ground, or in the bottom of your boat
- Try to avoid using a landing net. If you must, use landing nets made with soft or knotless mesh
- DON’T USE A GAFF
- Removing the hook carefully is most important
- Remove the hook quickly, keeping the fish underwater
- Use long nose pliers to back the hook out, back it out the opposite way it went in
- If the hook is very deep within the fish or it can’t be removed quickly, cut the leader close to the fish’s mouth and let it go. It still got a fair chance to survive
(because of situations like that it’s better to se steel hooks that will eventually rust out) - If the fish is bleeding form the gills, it is likely to die and you better keep it
- Try to reduce the handling of the fish
- Leave the fish in the water as much as possible during the release
- If you must handle the fish, try to use a wet towel
- Keep your hands wet. It helps to prevent removal of the fish’s natural protective mucous layer, and reduces the chance of the fish’s skin getting infected
- Release the fish
- Return the fish to the water headfirst
- Release the fish by holding it upright in the water, facing the current
- If the fish is not strong enough to swim own his own, hold it gently by its tail and move it back in forth till he can swim away on his own
Please practice catch and release whenever possibleTake a picture to show your friends, and after enjoying the excitement of catching the fish, learn the joy of releasing it.
Happy fishing 
Jun
24
Save the whales (and the rest of the ocean :-) )
June 24, 2007 | 1 Comment
Save the whales (and the rest of the ocean)
While fishing, I found myself changing weights at least once every time I go fishing.The need for changing weights is caused by many different reasons: the weight is stuck at the reef; a fish took the rig etc.Attaching a new weight is a bit of a bother – you always have to have spare weights, it’s a waste of fishing time (very precious time when I manage to get away from the daily hassle) but you never think about the most disturbing issue (at least I didn’t) – you pollute the sea!Just like many other fishermen, I like to prepare some of my fishing gear myself.
It’s true that everything can be bought today, but it’s much more exciting to work with home made fishing gear (and my most popular lures are those I made myself).
The only tackle I never play with is weights.
I thought of doing it, but after reading about the pollution hazards that’s caused by the led I’ve decided that it’s best not to play with it.
So, if led is so poisons for humans, it can’t be too good to the oceans, can it?
For many years there was no alternative, but recently I came across the best solution: an internet shop (www.thebesttackle.com) is selling weights made of stone.
The weights are made of pebbles, each has a swivel drilled into it, and the weight’s weight is clearly written on each pebble.
Working with the weight is much easier as your line goes through the swivel, if you want to change a weight you don’t have to cut the line, and most important – if you loose the weight it’s just like throwing a stone to the sea – no ecological damage done!
When ecological gain is achieved and my well being gets even better there’s no doubt – from now on only stone weights for me!
Happy fishing
Jun
11
Fishing Lures
June 11, 2007 | 1 Comment
LURE FISHING is one of the most exciting ways of catching predatory fish.The sight of the first predator attacking your lure and gobbling it is a sight you’ll never forget.
There are five main types of lures: Spoons, Spinners, Plugs, Jigs and Soft Lures.
Within each category there’s a huge diversity, in this post I’ll try to cover the basics.
Spoons:
Spoons are named so because of the shape of their head that resembles a spoon.
Spoons are excellent lures for beginners, as they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive.
The spoon lure’s action resembles a real fish, as it flickers and wobbles through the water. Its bright colors and random movement helps it attracts the predatory fish.
Spinners: The spinner bait has one or more metal blades located close to the swivel or head.
When reeling the spinner in, the metal blades spin, rotating the lure as it’s being pulled through the water, making the blades shine and flash as the sunlight reflects off of it .
You can find spinners with additional feathers, plastic tassel or even a tail attached, to make the lure more attractive when targeting specific species of fish.
Plugs:
“A Plug” refers to a whole family of lures made of hard plastic or wood that imitates all manner of baitfish, usually attached with two or three treble hooks.
Plugs are designed to look and move in the same way as a small fish, which often swims in distress.
Plugs come in a great variety of colors, sizes and shapes, and are divided into a few “families”: top-water plug, float diver plug, crank-bait plug, jerkbait plug and suspending plugs.
The plugs world is so rich; I’ll have a dedicated post for it in the next future.
Jigs: One of the most basic and effective lures for targeting any predatory fish during any time of the year is the jig.
A jig is a heavy, lead-headed bait with a single hook. The jig’s color may vary between brightly colored to black, and may have additional feathers, tails or reflective parts (the additional parts’ color can be altered to change the appearance of the bait quickly and economically).
Jigs are usually used for fishing close to the bottom of the sea, where the jig is bounced off the surface, giving the “jigging” motion to the lure.
When using a jig, it’s best to use a fast action, medium-heavy to heavy rod, in length of 1.80 meters to 2.4 meters.
Soft Lures:
Soft lures are mostly made up of scented latex and are divided to two main categories: soft baits and soft sticks often referred to as fry worms.
The soft baits are featured with a thicker head and belly with a tapered tail, sometimes forked like a baitfish. When using soft bait it’s best to reel it back as slowly as possible.
The soft sticks do not have a defined head or tail; rather, they look like short blunt-end worms. These sticks are most often presented as drop or drag baits.
That was just an introduction to the lures world, a separate post for plugs and posts about lures fishing techniques are yet to come.
Happy fishing
Jun
4
Fishing waders
June 4, 2007 | 2 Comments
Fishing sites I like
- How to Make a Diaper Cake - This Diaper Cake Gallery will help you understand how to make a diaper cake