Chances are you have at least heard of the Carolina Rig. If not, you have been missing out on one easy technique to catching your limit almost every time. Top anglers have used this little secret to win many a Bass tournament. Best of all, it is very simple to set up and implement. As with every rig and technique, all anglers have their preference-you will want to tweak this given different situations. Feel free to experiment with the different aspects of this rig.
I will try to keep this simple, and not too long-one could go on for pages about each aspect of this rig and the theories behind it. I will stick with the most basic set-up. You will need fishing line, a swivel, a bead, 3 feet of leader line, and your hook.
Starting with the main line coming from your reel, slide on the weight(3/8 oz.bullet weight will be sufficient in most cases)-You also can use an egg weight, depending on what type of cover you are going through. The bead will go on next-either glass or plastic will be fine. Some anglers feel the clicking noise this generates helps attract fish. Others just want the fish to pay attention to the bait, and only use the bead in conjunction with an egg weight. In this case, it is just to protect the knot from coming in contact with the sliding weight. After the bead is on, tie on a small barrel swivel- this will prevent the weight from sliding any closer to your bait. We then tie on a length of leader line to this. This can generally range from about 18-36". This will depend on how you are using this rig , and where the fish are at. A fishfinder(sonar) comes in pretty handy for determining where the fish are at, as well as how far off the bottom they seem to be staying. Now we just need to tie the hook on and we're all set.
Next time I will discuss the various methods of fishing this rig. Trust me, you are not going to want to miss this. This simple rig has helped me put countless Bass on the end of my line.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Fishing Artificial Worms
The plastic worm is one of the more dependable artificial baits for largemouth bass. There are "weedless" versions of this worm if you find yourself fishing in heavy vegetation. These come in a large variety of colors, some are even scented. You will find that depending on varying light conditions, Bass might favor one over the other. Always carry both dark and light colored varieties. You also will want to have an assortment of worm weights(Bullet weights). Select a worm weight based on the speed you want your worm to drop, current speed and thickness of vegetation where present.
You will want to work the worm slowly back along the bottom, or through cover by simply raising up the tip of the rod a couple feet, then allowing it to sink. Try to keep the line tight so you can feel the action as the fish begin to hit. Usually you feel a couple light hits before she decides to grab hold. Drop your tip and let the fish take out the slack before setting the hook.
If you are like me, you will soon find your favorite(lucky) worm. As a child I always would use a purple worm, with a white strip down its' back--and it couldn't be weedless! Since then I have learned to try a larger variety of artificial lures. All with varying success-But I still always carry at least one purple worm in my tackle box....
You will want to work the worm slowly back along the bottom, or through cover by simply raising up the tip of the rod a couple feet, then allowing it to sink. Try to keep the line tight so you can feel the action as the fish begin to hit. Usually you feel a couple light hits before she decides to grab hold. Drop your tip and let the fish take out the slack before setting the hook.
If you are like me, you will soon find your favorite(lucky) worm. As a child I always would use a purple worm, with a white strip down its' back--and it couldn't be weedless! Since then I have learned to try a larger variety of artificial lures. All with varying success-But I still always carry at least one purple worm in my tackle box....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Customize Your Spinnerbait
Don't you hate those "short" strikes!
You seem to be getting hits, but that darn fish is just not grabbing hold. It can be very frustrating, believe me!
Well, the pros' have a little secret that can help out dramatically with this problem.
They like to add a trailer hook to their their spinnerbait. That bass might come up short on that first hook , but you will have a pretty good shot at snagging him with that second hook....
You don't need to only stop at one trailer hook on this set-up. Some of the Pros' have been known to use up to three trailer hooks!
-Next time your out on the lake and can't seem to get that big Bass to grab hold, try this little technique out--I can guarantee you will see a much better result--it certainly helped me out.
You seem to be getting hits, but that darn fish is just not grabbing hold. It can be very frustrating, believe me!
Well, the pros' have a little secret that can help out dramatically with this problem.
They like to add a trailer hook to their their spinnerbait. That bass might come up short on that first hook , but you will have a pretty good shot at snagging him with that second hook....
You don't need to only stop at one trailer hook on this set-up. Some of the Pros' have been known to use up to three trailer hooks!
-Next time your out on the lake and can't seem to get that big Bass to grab hold, try this little technique out--I can guarantee you will see a much better result--it certainly helped me out.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Cast Your Nets: Fishing at the Time of Jesus
As many of you know, the Bible references fishing/fish numerous times. Fish were, and still are one of the best sources of nutrition on our planet. It is a shame that we polluted our waters, putting fish and ourselves at danger--but that is for another blog....
I came across an article written by Elizabeth McNamer. The article was titled: Cast Your Nets: Fishing at the Time of Jesus. With Easter just behind us, I thought some of you might find this an interesting read:
Fish in Scripture
The importance of fish in the Bible is well substantiated. In the Book of Genesis, we find that fish are the first creatures to appear (1:2). They are the only species not taken into the ark, suggesting that they were self-supporting! In Leviticus we read of laws regarding which fish are kosher and which are not.
Descriptions of methods of fishing are given in the Book of Habakkuk: a hook, net and seine are used (1:15). Job sarcastically asks if one can capture a leviathan with a hook (40:25).
In 1 Kings, fish are associated with the wisdom of Solomon (5:13). In the Book of Tobit, Tobiah is told, “Cut the fish open and take out its gall, heart and liver and keep them with you...its gall, heart and liver make useful medicines ” (6:3-7). Later, Tobiah uses the fish gall to remove cataracts from his father’s eyes.
When Jerusalem was rebuilt by Nehemiah after the Babylonian captivity, a Fish Gate was built into its wall (Neh 3:3). Fishermen are mentioned by Jeremiah, when speaking of bringing back the Israelites from Babylon: “Look! I will send many fishermen, says the Lord, to catch them” (16:16). And a large fish prevents Jonah from going on his cruise of the Mediterranean and lands him back where he should have gone in the first place.
Jesus preached in terms of fishing, almost echoing Jeremiah when he says to Peter and the other fishermen: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:11). Two miraculous catches of fish are related in Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-8). All of the gospel writers attest that he fed thousands with fish and bread. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a dragnet (Mt 13:47-48). He paid taxes with a coin found in the mouth of a fish (Mt 17:27). Jesus is depicted as preaching from fishing boats and sailing in fishing boats. The crowds that followed him carried bread and fish (Mk 6:35-40). The hungry asked for fish (Lk 11:1). Jesus was given fish to eat after his resurrection in Jerusalem (Lk 24:42), and he cooked fish for his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Jn 21:9). He traveled to and from places in the company of fishermen. And, most importantly, Jesus choose fishermen for the important job of spreading his word and building his church.
You can find the rest of the article here.
I came across an article written by Elizabeth McNamer. The article was titled: Cast Your Nets: Fishing at the Time of Jesus. With Easter just behind us, I thought some of you might find this an interesting read:
Fish in Scripture
The importance of fish in the Bible is well substantiated. In the Book of Genesis, we find that fish are the first creatures to appear (1:2). They are the only species not taken into the ark, suggesting that they were self-supporting! In Leviticus we read of laws regarding which fish are kosher and which are not.
Descriptions of methods of fishing are given in the Book of Habakkuk: a hook, net and seine are used (1:15). Job sarcastically asks if one can capture a leviathan with a hook (40:25).
In 1 Kings, fish are associated with the wisdom of Solomon (5:13). In the Book of Tobit, Tobiah is told, “Cut the fish open and take out its gall, heart and liver and keep them with you...its gall, heart and liver make useful medicines ” (6:3-7). Later, Tobiah uses the fish gall to remove cataracts from his father’s eyes.
When Jerusalem was rebuilt by Nehemiah after the Babylonian captivity, a Fish Gate was built into its wall (Neh 3:3). Fishermen are mentioned by Jeremiah, when speaking of bringing back the Israelites from Babylon: “Look! I will send many fishermen, says the Lord, to catch them” (16:16). And a large fish prevents Jonah from going on his cruise of the Mediterranean and lands him back where he should have gone in the first place.
Jesus preached in terms of fishing, almost echoing Jeremiah when he says to Peter and the other fishermen: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:11). Two miraculous catches of fish are related in Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-8). All of the gospel writers attest that he fed thousands with fish and bread. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a dragnet (Mt 13:47-48). He paid taxes with a coin found in the mouth of a fish (Mt 17:27). Jesus is depicted as preaching from fishing boats and sailing in fishing boats. The crowds that followed him carried bread and fish (Mk 6:35-40). The hungry asked for fish (Lk 11:1). Jesus was given fish to eat after his resurrection in Jerusalem (Lk 24:42), and he cooked fish for his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Jn 21:9). He traveled to and from places in the company of fishermen. And, most importantly, Jesus choose fishermen for the important job of spreading his word and building his church.
You can find the rest of the article here.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Early Spring Bass Fishing
The warmer temperatures that will soon blanket the northern states brings forth some excellent early spring bass fishing opportunities. Often in the early spring you can load your boat with bass if you know where to find the fish and what lures to fish once you locate them. There are several techniques that you can employ to catch these lethargic fish in the early spring months just after the ice disappears from your favorite lake.
One of the first things you must do is locate fish in the spring is to locate the warmest water in the area of a lake that you are fishing. One of the easiest ways to determine this is simply by looking up and seeing where the sun is hitting the banks or use your temperature gage to determine where the warmest water is. There are several locations that bass seem to gather in the early spring months including rocky banks, bluffs, flats, and main and secondary points.
Steep banks such as rocky bluffs will hold heat better than any other type of structure and is easily fished. Fish will suspend off of these rocky bluffs or hold tight against the rocks. There are several techniques you can use to fish these locations, but the best technique seems to be is to fish suspending jerk baits, spoonbills, and crankbaits. To fish these suspending lures use a jerk, jerk, pause technique or a sweep then pause technique. I have found that the jerk, jerk, pause technique works better on the days where the sun is out and the water temperature is warming and the sweep then pause technique works the best when the weather is less than favorable. Also try pausing your bait for longer time periods often these fish will sit and watch a suspending lure for a long time period before deciding to strike. Your pause could be as long a 30 seconds or a short as a 2 seconds depending on how aggressive the fish are. There are two main ways to position your boat when fishing deep water bluffs, you can position your boat straight out from the bluff then cast in to the bank or parallel the bank casting along the bluff. If the fish are hugging the bank then paralleling the bank seems to work the best.
Large flats with wood is also a excellent place to find fish in the early months of spring since the wooded flats will hold heat and flats attract baitfish in the spring. The best flats are ones that receive the suns light during the afternoon hours. Fishing flats in the spring can be fantastic if the fish move up to feed and they can easily be caught with jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic jerk baits. The fish that can be found on the flats are feeding on baitfish actively, and will often hit a faster moving bait. When fishing a spinnerbait on the flats make sure to bump every piece of structure that you can. This will often trigger a reaction strike from a bass that is lying on log, stump, or rock. When fishing a jerk bait on a flat use the jerk, jerk, pause technique to imitate a injured baitfish.
Main Points and Secondary Points are also excellent places to find bass in the early spring months. Fish will move to these locations to feed on baitfish that is attracted to the points. Fish generally suspend off these locations and can be caught with suspending jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Points with some type of structure such as a tree, stumps, chunk rock, or brush piles are excellent spots to load your boat with bass in the spring. Fishing can be fast and furious on points in spring due to baitfish randomly moving to the point which triggers the bass to feed all at once. If you hit a point that is holding bass you can easily catch tournament winning bag very quickly.
In conclusion, fishing in the early spring can be very rewarding and also can be very difficult to locate feeding fish. In the early spring months cold and warm fronts keep the barometer moving pretty regularly and can make fishing tough to say the least. However if you manage to get out on the lake when there is a steady warm front and use the techniques mentioned above you are sure to have a excellent day on the water.
Owner of Penns Ads which is a community guide for all of Central Pennsylvania where you can find and post classifieds, events, businesses, and more! Central Pennsylvania Community Page - Penns Ads
One of the first things you must do is locate fish in the spring is to locate the warmest water in the area of a lake that you are fishing. One of the easiest ways to determine this is simply by looking up and seeing where the sun is hitting the banks or use your temperature gage to determine where the warmest water is. There are several locations that bass seem to gather in the early spring months including rocky banks, bluffs, flats, and main and secondary points.
Steep banks such as rocky bluffs will hold heat better than any other type of structure and is easily fished. Fish will suspend off of these rocky bluffs or hold tight against the rocks. There are several techniques you can use to fish these locations, but the best technique seems to be is to fish suspending jerk baits, spoonbills, and crankbaits. To fish these suspending lures use a jerk, jerk, pause technique or a sweep then pause technique. I have found that the jerk, jerk, pause technique works better on the days where the sun is out and the water temperature is warming and the sweep then pause technique works the best when the weather is less than favorable. Also try pausing your bait for longer time periods often these fish will sit and watch a suspending lure for a long time period before deciding to strike. Your pause could be as long a 30 seconds or a short as a 2 seconds depending on how aggressive the fish are. There are two main ways to position your boat when fishing deep water bluffs, you can position your boat straight out from the bluff then cast in to the bank or parallel the bank casting along the bluff. If the fish are hugging the bank then paralleling the bank seems to work the best.
Large flats with wood is also a excellent place to find fish in the early months of spring since the wooded flats will hold heat and flats attract baitfish in the spring. The best flats are ones that receive the suns light during the afternoon hours. Fishing flats in the spring can be fantastic if the fish move up to feed and they can easily be caught with jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic jerk baits. The fish that can be found on the flats are feeding on baitfish actively, and will often hit a faster moving bait. When fishing a spinnerbait on the flats make sure to bump every piece of structure that you can. This will often trigger a reaction strike from a bass that is lying on log, stump, or rock. When fishing a jerk bait on a flat use the jerk, jerk, pause technique to imitate a injured baitfish.
Main Points and Secondary Points are also excellent places to find bass in the early spring months. Fish will move to these locations to feed on baitfish that is attracted to the points. Fish generally suspend off these locations and can be caught with suspending jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Points with some type of structure such as a tree, stumps, chunk rock, or brush piles are excellent spots to load your boat with bass in the spring. Fishing can be fast and furious on points in spring due to baitfish randomly moving to the point which triggers the bass to feed all at once. If you hit a point that is holding bass you can easily catch tournament winning bag very quickly.
In conclusion, fishing in the early spring can be very rewarding and also can be very difficult to locate feeding fish. In the early spring months cold and warm fronts keep the barometer moving pretty regularly and can make fishing tough to say the least. However if you manage to get out on the lake when there is a steady warm front and use the techniques mentioned above you are sure to have a excellent day on the water.
Owner of Penns Ads which is a community guide for all of Central Pennsylvania where you can find and post classifieds, events, businesses, and more! Central Pennsylvania Community Page - Penns Ads
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