BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

Our sandhills secret

By Ev TarrellAvid hunter, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiast

Standing up front on our 16-foot john boat, if I jumped up only slightly, I could accomplish two things:  see over the cattails that smothered the front of the boat and also keep my dad’s anxiety at bay just enough to allow me to maintain my controversial perch atop the bow.   anything more than slight jumps definitely would have me sitting down in the seat like I was continually being questioned to do.  there was for sure something very special behind that wall of cattails. From my “bird’s eye view,” I could make out a secret pocket of water secluded behind the mass of vegetation that smothered the shallow end of this Sand Hill’s lake.  “It’s cool back there,” I exclaimed. “I reckon we’re gonna have to  get a run at it and ram through em’…it’s the only way.”   my dad smiled and calmly came back with “I reckon we can pick our way through, boys; just be patient.”  twenty seconds later, the last of the clinging cattails gave up their grasp and we floated cleanly into our private “mini lake.”  While cooler minds had once again prevailed, ramming those reeds clearly would have been a lot more fun! the chatter between my brothers and me was typical of grade school boys. “Dad, this is awesome back here.”  “I’ll bet no one else has ever been back here!” “We can’t tell anyone about this spot, ever…OK?”   Dad just smiled.  I’m sure we sounded like we had just found buried treasure. Truth is, we had! to this day, I am uncertain if that secret pocket was really that special or if it was just the warm may weather, or maybe just the evening bite coming on, but we started catching fish like crazy!   Huge bluegills, huge perch, and even huge largemouth were hitting basically anything sharp that we could tie onto our lines. we even had bass “tearing away” at my small brother’s bobber as he retrieved it back across the top! honest! Now that is fishing! that was Memorial Day weekend 1976, my brothers and I were fresh out on summer break, and we had just “cut our teeth” on fishing the Sandhills of Nebraska in may.   Even though I later learned that our secret pocket was not so secret, it’s still there. I saw it two years ago when I had a chance to return to that lake and dangle a few tear drops through the ice for some huge bluegills. despite being almost 35 years later, you know I walked right to that pocket without even a sideways glance.  strange how outdoor memories are forever burned into our minds. my wife prays that just a small of that same skill set would somehow manifest into even the slight ability to locate car keys, checkbooks, TV remotes or maybe, just maybe, recall our anniversary. So far, no meaningful progress along these lines but “we” have made it one of my goals for 2012 ! the fishing trip I just described was truly a very special day on the water and one that I will never forget, but it is still just one of many incredible days I have had fishing the Sandhills. Even though bass may not “tear away” at your bobbers on every trip, great fishing is more the rule than the exception when it comes to mid-spring fishing in this incredible area of Nebraska. here is a frame-up of “how”  “when”  “where” and “what to expect” when hitting the Sandhills this spring. where:  All regions of the Sandhills have great lakes that basically “come alive” in may and offer great action on a variety of game fish. two great areas that “float to the top” of the list though are the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge south of Valentine and the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge north of Oshkosh.  these two federally managed systems, offer multiple lakes and opportunities at numerous species of fish as well.   on the Crescent Lake system, try Blue Lake, Crescent Lake, and Island Lake. Blue and Island can offer some hot action on perch and largemouth.  Island offers a chance at crappie as well, and Blue Lake holds some great bluegill.   on the Valentine system, for bass try Watts, Pelican, and Hackberry Lakes. Fishing for northern pike can be fantastic in this system, and your best bets are Clear Lake, Dewey Lake, and once again, Pelican Lake. Panfishing is excellent in most of this refuge.   Many State of Nebraska owned and also privately owned Sandhill lakes are available for fishing.  one of my all-time favorite Sandhill lakes is state-operated Smith Lake Wildlife Area south of Rushville. This lake offers incredible action on a variety of game fish and provides trophy-sized fish of almost every species. When: the time to hit the Sandhills is now! While may is just awakening, the excellent fishing is kicking off particularly in the shallower lakes that have already warmed.  the fishing will continually get better as may unfolds and then start to get tougher into mid-June as vegetation starts to accumulate and makes the fishing more hard. How:  almost all species of fish are relating to the shallower water and the reed beds that thrive in these areas. For panfish, casting small artificial in these areas works extremely well. Don’t forget the ancient standby, though:  panfish still love the ancient “bobber and bait” technique!  there simply is not a better rig ever invented for kids than a excellent ancient-fashioned red and white bobber, so don’t be too proud to get back to the simple side. Northern Pike are very predictable and regularly willing to bite in many of these lakes! Spinnerbaits, spoons, and crank baits all work well for northern. For bass, go with soft plastics, spinner baits, and shallow-running crank baits. Top water techniques come into play for bass in early morning and later evenings. Top water bass’n” on the Valentine Refuge can be incredible and it is worth carving out an evening just for this opportunity. at the end of the day, almost all fish in these lakes are shallow right now, so don’t try to out reckon it. Concentrate on the weed beds, and experiment with a variety of lures and retrieves until you find the key.   what you should know: the Valentine and Crescent Lake refuges have been well managed over the years but there are a few unique regulations that are part of this management program. only electric motors are allowed and, while gas engines are permitted on your boat, fuel lines must be disconnected at all times. Overnight camping is not permitted on either of the refuges and fishing is allowed only during daylight hours. Travel time is permitted around this fishing window though. Live minnows are not allowed on either refuge. almost all of the lakes mentioned have functional boat ramps and docks on the more popular locations. Incidentally, Watts Lake on the Valentine Refuge has excellent access for the handicapped fisherman.   While many state length and bag limits apply on these federal refuges, many special restrictions are in force as well. If you plan to fish either of these two refuges, going on line beforehand, stopping at the refuge headquarters when entering, or both are “must haves.”   As far as the state lakes that are available in the Sandhills, again, many options are available. go on line at outdoornebraska.ne.gov for details on available options. I have spent a lot of time in the Sandhills chasing a variety of critters and setting hooks on whatever would hit my lures.  I can promise you that we are truly blessed to have such an incredible resource so close at hand and one that is so much like it was thousands of years ago. And, as if the beauty were not enough, the fishing is simple and the fish are eager to bite a lure or worm as well.  the locals claim that they have even seen Sandhill fish raise small white flags out of the water saying “Take me!  take me!”  Now that’s fishing!   OK, the “bass hitting the bobber tale”… I promise is 100 percent true, but that last part—a small debatable, maybe.  See you out there!

Springfield, MO (PRWEB) February 13, 2012

2012 Spring Fishing Classic quick Sheet

•     what: Spring Fishing Classic
•     when: U.S. Locations Feb. 24-March 11 Canada Locations March 9-25
•     where: 54 Bass Pro Shops store locations across United States and Canada
•     how much: Free
•     why cover it: one of the most well loved and fun pastimes we remember as kids is going on family fishing trips. As parents ourselves now, we want to pass on this tradition to our kids. An ever-increasing number of families are learning Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World stores and flocking to their award-winning venues to learn the great outdoors together. at Bass Pro Shops, families can take advantage of Outdoor Skills Workshops, sit in on educational seminars and listen to professional field experts—all for FREE– that will allow them to make great outdoor memories together to last a lifetime.

Last year, more than 5 million people attended the Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classics—lending credibility to the U.S. statistic that more people go fishing than go to Orlando’s Disney World—the world’s number one resort –30 million anglers vs 16 million Disney visitors (sportsmenslink.org). And, in Canada, more Canadians would rather fish than golf and play hockey combined –18% vs. 7% and 6% (csia.ca). Plus, there will be great interview and photo opportunity potential with anglers, customers and area visitors

•     Special events:

Fishing Seminars by Local Pros or Conservation Groups– U.S. Locations February 24-26, CAD Locations March 16-18

BASSMaster University Weekend with National Pros and Seminars – U.S. March 2-4. CAD -Toronto March 10-11, Calgary March 10

Reel Trade-In – U.S. Locations Feb 24-29, CAD stores—March 9-14

Bass Pro Shops Next Generation™ Weekend—U.S. locations March 9-11 CAD locations March 23-25. Noon to 5pm each day– Friday-Sunday

Daily Door Busters, Rod Trade-in, Vendor booths–see specific store listing for dates

Plus, customers may register to win the “Awesome Fishing with mark Zona” Sweepstakes. one Grand Prize Winner will be selected nationally and will win a 2-day fishing trip with mark Zona in Traverse City, MI and a $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card. the trip will be filmed and the show will appear on the Outdoor Channel. the winner and one guest will receive complementary travel and 2 night’s lodging—a total Sweepstakes Package value of more than $10,000.00. in addition, each store will select a first Place Winner for a Fishing Prize Package with a retail value of $370 US and $445 CAD.

For more information: Contact Katie Mitchell (417) 873-5618                                             Larry Whiteley (417) 873-5022

Pros, events, seminars, vendor booths and times vary per store location and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Visit basspro.com/classic and click on the local store from the drop down box for more information ________________________________________

FISHING IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Free Bass Pro Shops Event features pro anglers, seminars, kids’ activities and more

Bass Pro Shops is dedicated to ensuring families continue to have fun together outdoors through their exciting, educational events such as the Spring Fishing Classic. Last year, more than 5 million people attended this event at Bass Pro Shops stores across America and Canada and this year promises to be even larger. And, it is at a price everyone can afford—free.

Plus, this year you could be the winner of the “Awesome Fishing with mark Zona” Sweepstakes. you could be selected as the National Grand Prize Winner and win a 2-day fishing trip with mark Zona in Traverse City, MI and a $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card. the trip will be filmed and the show will appear on the Outdoor Channel. you and your guest will receive complementary travel and 2 night’s lodging—a total sweepstakes package value of more than $10,000.00! in addition, 54 winners will be selected (one from each store) to win a Fishing Prize Package with a retail value of $370 US and $445 CAD.**

The 17-day event begins February 24th and goes until March 11th at 52 of the Bass Pro Shops retail stores in the United States and March 9th through 25th at the Calgary and Toronto stores in Canada. There’s new fishing products to browse through, live demonstrations to see, tips and techniques to learn, boat shows, kids events, and, it’s all FREE! Don’t forget to register to win the “Awesome Fishing with mark Zona” sweepstakes or one of the 54 packages being given away that include a Bass Pro Shops Extreme Baitcast reel, Bass Pro Shops Extreme Rod, Rapala Electric Fillet Knife, Kevin Van Dam Tackle System and a fishing vest.

The Spring Fishing Classic is the best time and place to pick up the secret techniques and strategies used by the best anglers in the world. This year you’ll have two weekends of seminars and tank demonstrations to choose from– select your favorite topic or pro or attend them all—they’re all FREE! (Seminars will be held at all store locations except Miami, FL; Branson, MO; Islamorada, FL; and Bass Pro Shops Outlet store in Springfield).

The first weekend (U.S. stores February 24-26, CAD stores March 16-18) features fishing seminars taught by local pros, conservation groups and other area experts. Topics and times are listed below: in the U.S. stores, Friday, February 24th and Canada stores, Friday, March 16th:

•     6pm: Advanced Small and Largemouth Bass Tactics
•     7pm: Local Fishing Tips and Techniques
•     8pm: Side Image Sonar: how to use it Effectively to Catch Fish

U.S. Saturday, February 25th and Canada, March 17th:

•     1pm: (topics vary per store: check local store listing)
•     2pm: Pre-Spawn and Post-Spawn Bass
•     3pm: Fish Finder Basics
•     4pm: Crankbait Fishing: Tactics and Importance of Matching Rod and Reel Gear Ratio to Various CrankBaits
•     5pm: Spinnerbait Basics

U.S. Sunday, February 26th and Canada, March 18th:

•     1pm: the Tackle and Tactics of Power Fishing vs. Finesse Fishing
•     2pm: Local Fishing Tips and Techniques
•     3pm: Side Image Sonar: how to use it Effectively to Catch Fish
•     4pm: Fish Finder Basics

The second weekend of the Spring Fishing Classic offers the BASSMaster University National Fishing Pros seminars and tank demonstrations March 2nd – 4th at the U.S. stores, March 10th-11th in Vaughan, (Toronto, Ontario) and March 10th in Rocky View (Calgary, Alberta). see and hear experts like 9-time BASS Angler of the Year Roland Martin, 4-time BassMaster Classic Champion Rick Clunn, legendary angler and TV host bill Dance, America’s favorite fisherman and TV host Jimmy Houston, 3-time BassMaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam and many more. Canadian customers will delight in “Facts of Fishing” TV host Dave Mercer and the Beasley Brothers. (Pros, seminar topics, and times vary by store and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. please check individual store schedules by visiting basspro.com/classic and clicking on the store from drop down box.)

Other special events include:

• Reel Trade-In: If attendees have any ancient reels that don’t see a lot of action any more, bring them in during “Reel Trade-In” days February 24th-29th at the U.S. stores and March 9th -14th for Canada stores. they can be traded in for a coupon worth from $5 to $100 off the purchase price of a new reel. the donated reels will be given to local not-for-profit groups whose mission is to teach children about fishing and the outdoors.
• Bass Pro Shops Next Generation™ Weekend: U.S. stores March 9-11, Canada March 23-25 Noon to 5pm. Kids can get into the spirit of the outdoors with plenty of FREE events geared for them during the Spring Classic. Activities include Catch and Release Pond++, Kid’s Fishing Seminars at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm, Free Photo Download at Catch and Release Pond, and crafts from 12noon to2pm each day. Plus, the first 50 kids to participate each day will receive a special Bass Pro Shops logo drawstring backpack (while supplies last).
• Daily Door Busters, Rod Trade-in, Vendor booths—Determined by specified store locations. Each store will have vendor booths one weekend of the Spring Fishing Classic except the following: Miami, FL; Destin, FL; Columbia,MO; WorldWide Sportsman (Islamorada, FL); Branson, MO; Memphis, TN; and Myrtle Beach, SC.

get ready for a family summer full of fishing and outdoor adventures. Make plans now to attend the FREE Spring Fishing Classic event at your local Bass Pro Shops store.

**Contest rules: Customers must register to win the “Awesome Fishing with mark Zona” Sweepstakes or the Spring Fishing Package first Prize. the Grand Prize of the mark Zona fishing trip will be awarded to one winner selected nationally. Fifty-four first prize winners will be selected (one per store) and awarded a Spring Fishing Package. (NO BUY NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 02/24/12 and ends 03/11/12 for U.S. locations. in Canada (excluding Quebec), between 3/9/12 and close of business on 3/25/12.

++Catch and Release Pond, stocked with live fish, at all stores, except Calgary, Canada which will offer a Casting Pond inside store that does not feature live fish.

About Bass Pro Shops Group: Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 112 million people annually. the original store in Springfield, MO, at over 400,000 square feet and growing, is the world’s largest outdoor store. Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide. Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America. the Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 28 locations. the company’s Tracker Marine Group® (trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. the Resort Group (bigcedar.com) includes big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/bassproshops.

Read the full story at prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9188446.htm

Wintertime fishing has been excellent and with the forecast for nice weather through the weekend, it should continue. since the rockfish closure on Jan.1, anglers have been forced to look for other species to catch and they have been finding them. the half-day new Del Mar was out on Wednesday with 34 anglers and sacked up 145 tasty sculpin, 63 sand bass and 35 calico bass.

there has also been some excellent lobster hoop netting. Steve Herckt from Orange hoop netted the Marina del Rey breakwall this week and took limits of lobster in less than an hour.

“We set our nets at 5:30 p.m. and were headed home with 14 lobster for two of us in less than an hour,” Herckt said. In fact, Herckt said they threw back another four legal lobster as they had their limits.

“I don’t know what was better; the fishing or the meal,” he said.

The Victory out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach had 15 anglers on board recently, catching limits of sculpin, 300 sand dabs and 3 sand bass. “It’s better weather now than we had all summer,” said Don Ashley from Pierpoint Landing.

There also has been some nice halibut taken along the coast too. That makes for lots of options for wintertime anglers.

Captain John Ackley of the Westerly from Long Beach Sportfishing has the flowing game plot for this weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday, Ackley and others will conduct a half-hour seminar prior to the 9a.m. departure. “Beginner or expert, the seminar will get everyone up to speed so they can really delight in the experience,” Ackley said.

Ackley said he will focus the first part of these extended half-day trips on catching limits of sculpin (five per angler) and maybe some sanddabs.

“After we get everyone’s sacks full of fantastic eating fish, we are going to fish bass and halibut,” he said. “Wintertime bass fishing has been really good at times and there has been some really good halibut fishing too.”

To spice things up a bit more, more than $200 in raffle prizes will be given away on both the Saturday and Sunday trips. call Long Beach Sportfishing at 562-432-8993.

White seabass: The Liquid Coast Highway ran out to San Clemente Island out of Huntington Beach on new Year’s Eve and caught what is presumably the first white seabass of 2012.

“We had two white seabass and 28 halibut to 24 pounds,” skipper Tino Valentine said. the epic halibut bite along with the first croaker of the year was helped along with copious amounts of live squid for bait. the vast amounts of squid not only provide anglers with the candy bait, but the market squid acts as a magnet for predators.

Whale watching: Orcas and gray whales have been seen off the Southern California coast with fantastic regularity this week, entertaining angles and whale watchers alike. “It really has been an incredible whale watching season,” Ackley said. as the Westerly was catching fish last week, three fin whales could be seen lunge feeding about 100 feet away.

blockage issues, I anticipated a small stay in the hospital to have a stint inserted to resolve the problems.

My friends told me having a stint inserted was no huge deal, that I would be in the hospital for one or two days, and that in a week I would be puttering about High Rock Lake as usual.

That script went terribly awry. Instead of a stint, I had to have double by-pass surgery at Forysth Medical Center, and my stay lasted more than one week before I was sent home to recuperate with instructions not to drive my car for about a month, let alone crank up the huge engine on my bass boat.

I’m now looking forward to the new Year and getting back to the outdoors after being confined to the indoors.

During my hospital stay, several fishing tournaments took place.

Members of the Tarheel Striper Club found the fish less cooperative at its Dec. 3 Lake Tillery tournament than it had at its Nov. event at High Rock Lake. Nonetheless, a fair number of stripers were caught led by the three-fish winning catch brought in by Jay Childress and Blake Phillips totaling 21.75 pounds.

Coy Hamilton of Lexington and Jim Karriker of High Point placed second with three stripers weighing 21.05 pounds.

After those scores, the poundage dropped considerably. The Asheboro team of Mark Unrue and David Wilburn ranked third with only 8.55 pounds on two fish, and Robert Steele of Lexington took fourth with a lone striper weighing 6.54 pounds.

Other scores were Jim Merritt and Chris Price, fifth, with 6.30 pounds on one fish, and Lexington’s Jerry Hill, sixth, with 5.50 pounds on one fish.

The club will hold its annual banquet Jan. 14.

*Three North Carolina teams received paychecks at the Dec. 17 Southern Crappie Tournament Trail contest at Lake Wateree, S.C.

The husband-and-wife team of David and Phenice Perrel of Germanton claimed awards totaling $300 for placing third with 12.09 pounds and for being the top male/female team.

Stanley’s Rick Warlick fished solo and took the fourth-place prize of $150 with 11.79 pounds. Kevin Hawkins of Ramseur and Wayne Niece of Biscoe ranked fifth with 11.79 pounds and collected $150. The tie was broken by the largest fish which Warlick had with a 2.17-pound crappie.

Martin and Sam Kennington, both of Kershaw, S.C., topped the 29-team field with 12.44 pounds and shared $700. they also took huge-fish honors with a 2.35-pound crappie that paid $180.

Joey Eudy of Fantastic Falls, S.C., and David Hinson of Lancaster, S.C., captured the second-place prize of $300 with 12.28 pounds.

*James Landon and Terry Goforth, both of Winston-Salem, won the Dec. 10 Carolina Crappie Association tournament at Blewett Falls Lake. Their weight of 11.10 pounds paid $979.

The Perrels finished second, winning $489. Rick Eudy of Concord and Darren Koontz of Richfield placed third with 10.04 pounds and had huge fish with a 2.30-pound crappie and collected $354.50.

David Swaringen and Lee Ford, both of Concord, took the fourth-place prize of $183 with 9.16 pounds. Tom Sprouse of Advance and Glynn Sharon of Madison had 5.95 pounds for fifth place and $142.

The circuit’s next stop is Jan. 10 at Badin/Tillery lakes with the weigh-in at God’s Country Outfitters in Albemarle.

*The Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo begins today at the NC State Fairgrounds and features Alabama’s Gerald Swindle, the 2011 Elite Tour champion. The “G MAN” is scheduled to appear at the Saturday and Sunday Shows.

Other seminar speakers include Wilson Fraizer, the sonar professor, John Crews, Elite Tour winner, Capt. Jimmy Price, flounder expert, Capt. Rick Bennett, flounder and puppy drum specialist, Capt. Butch Foster, bottom fishing expert, and Capt. Jerry Dilsaver, kayaking enthusiast.

Exhibit booths, the Oklahoma Bass Tub, and the catfish and trout pond complete the show.

Hours are 10 a.m.to 8 p.m., today, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for junior anglers ages 6-12.

Tony Garitta is a fishing columnist for The Dispatch

The following came from a Web Site called JD’s Fish Report.

this site is one of the more comprehensive because it communicates on a very elementary basis so that everybody can know. It is saltwater-oriented, where an elementary reader can know what it means to use a circle hook or know what a surf fish is and grasp what whale watching means. even a study of the love life of a California Sheephead is understandable.

The California Sheephead is a very weird fish. the male and female sheephead have different color patterns and shapes. Males are larger with black tails and head sections, wide reddish orange midriffs, red eyes and fleshy forehead bumps. Female sheephead are dull pink with white undersides. Sheephead hunt actively in the daytime but at night they hide out in crevices or caves and wrap themselves in a mucus cocoon.

Predators on the hunt can’t detect the fish’s scent through the mucus cover. this species of sheephead starts life as a female, but then becomes a male in later life. Females turn to males at about 12 inches and 7-8 years. Male sheephead have been aged to 30 years and a weight of 50 pounds.

Sheephead are powerful fighters and a very curious fish. when it was legal to dive for abalone, the sheephead would gather around a diver and inspect the diver closely and in some cases nip away at all the little shrimp critters hanging on his wet suit.

Sheephead are notoriously reef fish. They hang out in the rocks and the kelp and rarely over sand and mud.

They are best prepared for supper, baking them whole in the oven after scaling them and wrapping bacon strip around their sides. I like them cold for lunch.

Local saltwater: the rockfish continue to bring anglers many limits from San Diego to Central California. one day last week, the Enterprise from Long Beach Marina caught 36 sheephead seven sculpin, 76 whitefish, 70 salmon groupers, a lingcod and limits of 279 other rockfish. the Spitfire from Marina del Rey produced full sacks daily last week and limits of sculpin. the Sea Adventure has moved up from San Diego to continue fishing the local islands. It will be moored at 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro with a squid catching Light Boat to assure the availability of hot live squid.

But take heed, the rockfish season for 2012 closes Jan.1 and doesn’t open again until March 1. Recreational anglers will have to be content to fish for sculpin, which is open year-round. A reminder that to take a sculpin they must be 10 inches long and you can only have five fish in the bag.

MLPA: the really terrible news is that the Marine Life Protection Act takes place Jan. 1 and many zones will be off limits and forbidden to all angling from now on. MLPA is very terrible news because of the many fantastic fishing areas falling within these zones.

But there may be a light bright through with the possibility of legal action blocking the Jan. 1 closures. If you want detailed information about what is going on, go to the following website, keepamericafishing.org

Terrible news: Mike Hart a former Bass U.S. Open angler, was disqualified from the 2010 tournament for weighing in fish with lead weights in their stomachs. he pled guilty to the charges of petty larceny and disorderly conduct and was fined $1,000. the case is closed now, but Hart would be wise to lay low because many anglers who would have finished higher on the money scale have him lined up in their crosshairs.

The Xbox Live Indie game Link Attack, from Suspect Software, sounds like part of a headline. “a savage Link Attack leaves three injured, four dead”, in the world where zombie cosplayers roam the land, looking for victims to devour the hearts/brains of.

In actuality Link Attack is, as I mentioned, an XBL Indie game. Self-proclaimed as having “a classical puzzle style”, and using “imagery influenced by former Soviet Union communist propaganda”. for some reason that brings to mind a game where you match gems, but instead of gems it’s little hammer and sickles, and when you do well enough your power plant doesn’t melt, but your people still overthrow your Government.

Available for a mere $1 (80 MS Points, 50p), the game’s six modes, leaderboards, and local competitive play sounds like a good deal. give it a try for yourself right here to download it directly to a 360 near you, hopefully yours.

If you’re too bone idle to download something, check out the trailer available here.

Source: Press Release

Those are nice-sized specimens, too, such as Brooklynite Joe Lynch’s 4.6-pound pool-winning porgy on Tuesday’s Jet trip. Or the limiting-out trio aboard the Marilyn Jean’s Monday outing – namely Matthew Eichler from Gerritsen Beach, Tony Jojoma from Maspeth and Anthony Williams from Flushing.

In fact, dubbing September “porgy awareness month,” Marilyn Jean’s Captain Ryan Smith is offering $10 discounts for his full-day trips. that courtesy is only for anglers booking online through Sept.30 at mj2fishing.com. Insider tip: buy at that special rate now and you can also decide to hold back and use that reservation for later blackfishing trips.

On the other hand, if you’re seeking black sea bass, then consider fishing Nantucket Sound for the jumbo-sized ones – like up to five pounds, from the decks of the Helen H out of Hyannis, Mass. those open-boat trips are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. and in those parts, sea bass regs are four fish at least 14 inches long.

Every week busy Captain Joe Huckemeyer also offers two-day tuna trips. these depart early on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the six-hour, reservation-only runs out to Hydrographers Canyon. Return is late the next day. Book at HelenH.com.

Whether trolling or jigging, his passengers have been returning with yellowfin and longfin tuna in the 30- to 80-pound range along with some mahi mahi up to 15 pounds. Applause for Joe’s 12-year-ancient son Tyler, who tagged along last weekend and scored a 68-pound wahoo.

Mitch Staschke of Guilford, Conn. walked away with last weekend’s Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth $25,000 top prize for his 15.41-pound bluefish – not quite beating his winningest 16.61-pound blue in 2001.

Don’t forget. The huge annual four-day Norwalk Boat Show opens Thursday at Norwalk Cove Marina in East Norwalk, Conn., with its show of all things nautical plus a new Sail Fest area. Save $2 off the regular $14 admission fee for visitors age 16 and older if you book online at nmma.org by Wednesday.

They’ve even got a water taxi to guide boaters to anchorage and then bring them directly to the west show entrance. just hail it on marine frequency VHF Channel72 as you near Norwalk Cove. this handy service will cost you five bucks.

I know this is a general question. I'm new to ice fishing but what kind of tackle should I get. the lake the house is on would have Northerns, Walleye, and some silver bass.

What would you suggest? I would be buying it from Cabelas online. I know jigs but what kind.

Spoon jigs work very well but really just have a look at the ice fishing tackle from cabelas and read and compare the reviews and see what people think of the product.
cabelas.com/catalog/browse/fi…

For the fish that you have in the lake, I would suggest that you buy some excellent tip ups. Beaver Dam makes some excellent ones that do not freeze in like cheaper ones, put 3-4 inch shiners on them and I think you will do well.

Use a plain treble hook and a minnow. Simple, but it will catch the most fish. use a size 6 hook for pike and a size 10 for walleyes. try it out.

Posted August 23 2011 – 05:51 PM

if you guys ever needed a reel oil that would keep the spool bearing freely w/o re-applying it every mo, TSI 301 is the best one in the market. Just don't get plastic parts get in contact with it. I've used Xtreme reel oil which I like it, but you needed to add a drop at least every week before using the reel. ReelX is okay but does not keep the bearing spin longer like Xtreme reel. Corrosion X is also excellent but sticky when you stock your reel for a couple of months without using it. i180.photobucket.com/albums/x102/baluga2/TSI-containers20bw-1.jpgHere's how I use it: 1. Remove the bearings to be oiled. 2. Flush the bearings with those airosol brake cleaners or Carb cleaner using bearing blaster. 3. Air dry the bearings using the canister duster 4. get a small glass bottle and add just enough to submerge the bearing complete. 5. soak the bearing. 6. take the bearing out of the bottle container and let it dry on a table napkin. This will be enough to remove all excess oil. 7. Re-install the bearings. 8. Now you would have less maint to do and more fishing time. This will keep those bearings spinning longer without re-oiling them every week before using it. I got those 8oz in can, I think it will last me a long time. the price is excellent but the shipping is a lot. oh well, at least it cut's down the reel maintenance big time and more time hunting for online bargains. oh, I still use the corrosion x for the reel handle, worm gear and others.

Can people provide me with legit online fishing equipment retailers? I've been fishing for about 6 years now, but I have only been driving to Dick's, Cabelas, and Bass Pro Shop and buying my equipment from them, since they are all located in my city. I believe that buying things online will get me a better deal than traveling to the store, since this applies to computer hardware.

tackledirect.com is pretty excellent. Prices are about the same as Bass Pro or Cabelas. I think fishusa.com is pretty legit too. I have gotten the best deals, by far, on Ebay.

cabelas is the best,but bass pro shops is excellent too