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The tarpon is one of the world’s finest sporting fish. Stunningly beautiful and known as the Silver King, their aerobatic leaps make them a favourite of anglers worldwide. From March to July thousands of tarpon pass through Key West Harbour en route to their breeding areas and fishermen are drawn into town in order to pit their wits against them.

There are many different methods for catching tarpon, the style changing depending on the type of water that you are fishing. Tarpon can be caught in shallow river inlets and also on sand and mangrove flats. For these venues the favoured method is either fishing a fly coupled to a very strong rod and line or using an artificial lure. At other venues such as Islamorada the preferred method is livebaiting with small fish such as pilchards or herring. The favoured fishing style in Key West is chumming with shrimp boat trash. Let me explain what we mean by shrimp boat trash. Many shrimp fishing boats work the waters in the Gulf of Mexico and apart from netting shrimp they also net a lot of small fish called menhaden. These are sacked up and sold as bait to the tarpon fishing boats in Key West.

The method involves the skipper cutting the manhaden into small pieces and continually throwing them behind the anchored boat to attract the tarpon. The fishermen use a whole menhaden on the hook, and it is drifted back in the current towards the feeding tarpon.

The tackle suggested for Key West tarpon fishing is very simple. Our favourite rod for tarpon fishing is the 7ft 9in Conolon Boat  12-20 lb test curve rod from ABU. It sells here in the UK at £74.99. ABU also offer a 3 piece version (the Conolon Boat Traveller) which probably better suits the visiting angler. That one retails at £79.99 in the UK. Incidentally, I use that Conolon Boat rod to fish for sturgeon on the Fraser River near Vancouver and last year caught my biggest ever fish with a length of 9ft 1inch and weighing…who knows, with only two of us fishing there’s no way you can lift such a beast but I’d put it at around 400 lbs. Anyhow, back to tarpon fishing. The most widely used reels for tarpon fishing are the TLD15 and TLD20 lever drag multipliers from Shimano. The TLD 15 sells for around £80 in the UK, whilst the TLD 20 is about £15 dearer. Whatever reel you choose, it has to be super free running, since you’re attempting to make your bait drift down in the tide at a similar speed to the bait being thrown in by the skipper. My own preference is for the larger TLD 20 because the larger spool turns more slowly when you are drifting your bait down in the tide with the other advantage that it needs less turns of the handle to reel in when the bait has drifted as far you want. You’ll need the reel fully loaded with nylon, I prefer the grey Ande nylon in either 15lb or 20lb breaking strain. At the end of the line is tied a 10 foot leader of 50 lb fluorocarbon and a large circle hook. Naturally all of the light tackle boats have top class tackle for you to use if you don’t have your own.

OK, now down to the fishing. Your captain will have motored out to one of the favourite spots, maybe the yacht basin, Bokacheeka, the entrance to Key West Harbour or maybe the North West Channel. The boat is anchored at the bow and if there are other boats fishing they’ll very likely be only a few feet to one side or the other. The idea is that if everybody is chumming then there will be a steady supply of bait going down to the tarpon, keeping them in one big pod rather than splitting them up. The skipper will start chumming with the pieces of menhaden whilst you hook a whole fish onto your hook. There’s a particular way to hook these baits but don’t worry, the skipper will demonstrate how it’s done. You now let your little fish drift down the current, paying particular attention to where your line runs from the spool of the reel. A bite can be quite gentle and will often be detected by the spool of the reel suddenly running faster. As soon as a bite is seen you have to reel like hell….don’t strike !!. The magic of a circle hook is that it seemingly hooks the fish itself once you tighten the line by reeling in as fast as possible.

Once a fish is hooked things will suddenly become hectic, the fish will likely jump clear of the water and it will certainly start running towards Cuba !!. Remember when playing a tarpon that if he jumps he’ll throw the hook unless you swiftly lower the rod to ease the tension on the line. This lowering of the rod is known as “bowing to the King”, and you’ll get plenty of comments from anybody else on the boat if you lose a tarpon because he jumped and you didn’t bow. If the hooked fish is of decent size the skipper will release the anchor and set off in pursuit of the fish. It’s not unusual to unhook a tarpon a mile away from where it was hooked. It can be a long and hard fight but with a bit of luck you will eventually have the fish alongside the boat ready for a quick photograph before it is safely unhooked to fight again some other day. I remember a ‘first-timer’ fishing with us one year. He hooked his first tarpon and as it jumped he excitedly asked “how big is that” to which one wag replied “about forty minutes” !!.

Retired couples often start a tackle shop as a means for not only staying busy, but also for keeping a small supplemental income coming in. If you are in an area that is near some sort of body of water and fishing is popular there, then you might be able to profit from opening a bait and tackle store. Small towns are famous for having one place where the local fishermen meet at to socialize. Your new tackle store may have the potential to become that place, which could prove to be very profitable for you.

If a fishing tackle shop is the type of business that you choose to open, then in addition to the obvious fishing tackle and bait that you will need to stock, you should also consider installing a kitchen and acquiring a liquor license. For those fishermen who wish to meet up before heading out to the lake in the morning, you could profit greatly by providing them a place to grab some breakfast and coffee and socialize before setting out. The liquor license would come in handy in two ways. Number one, many fishermen feel that there is nothing better than grabbing a case of beer and heading for the lake for some fishing and fun. Number two, when the fishermen come back in the evening, you could profit by giving them a place to stop in, show off their catches for the day and grab a cool pint before heading home for the night.

Be sure that your tackle shop has all of the different types of bait that you will need to allow the local fishermen to catch every type of game fish available in your area. This may include maggots, earthworms, minnows and other live bait, in addition to a large variety of artificial bait. Be sure that you have a good selection of other tackle, including rods, reels, lures, fishing line, and floats and sinkers. You could provide fishing licenses and boat registrations, and in the off season, you could consider providing hunting licenses, becoming a check station for local kills, and selling hunting equipment.

Your bait and tackle shop will be successful if you learn the value of variety and change. You should rotate your stock to match the season and the activity that is occurring during that particular time of year. You must be willing to keep your store open for long hours if you expect to make any kind of a profit from it. Opening before dawn when the fishermen are just starting out, and closing after dark once the fishermen have returned will be the key to a successful tackle store operation.

Frequently there are considerations in people’s lives that can contribute to them a excessive deal of stress. It might be new job responsibilities or the simple demands of helping to raise a family. People turn to hobbies as a way to relieve their minds of stress and pressure of their day to day lives. Some people knit, some individuals scrapbook and then there are others who to sports. One such sport that can definitely give you time to think and reflect fishing. Learning how to fish is an excellent way to connect again with nature and enjoy the outdoors. If you are prepared to adopt this exciting hobby

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It just might surprise you to learn how Nova Scotia Rafting can be very unlike the rafting we find throughout the US and other places. Nova Scotia rafting is unique in that down its rivers there can be places where tidal waves can form! Waves of up to 16 feet have been known to form.

Rafting simple doesn’t get much better than in the Nova Scotia region, even the best american white water rafting can’t quite compare to the enjoyment it can provide. Catching the highest tide will provide you with the most white water rafting fun in Nova Scotia. At times Nova Scotia rivers have risen as much as 30 additional feet while rafters battle down them. This can provide some exciting moments when those white water waves are at their highest. Many of these white water trips are for the more experienced rafter and can be dangerous for children and novice rafters.

A rapid hunt, finding the one that best suits your rafting

It goes without saying that there are going to be a range of different rapids that requires less or more experience. There are going to be rapids that require at least some experience and expertise, whereas others will be okay under guidance for the general public.

White water rafting in Nova Scotia offers a variety of rafting packages to choose from and rafting trips which include children are generally safe and relaxing. Other more aggressive rapids are available for the novice rafter but require you to be at least 12 years of age. These rapids are certainly action packed, but you will still be able to enjoy a pretty awesome scenic view.

For those that have had experience in american white water rafting and or additional places, rafting in and around Nova Scotia can offer you a more intense rafting experience. Rafting on tidal waves in Nova Scotia is something new, something that no seasoned rafter would have found in the US, so if you’re looking for something more, Nova Scotia is the place to go. Nova Scotia offers something new and exciting for all who embrace outdoor sports, whether they be experienced rafters or not. For one Nova Scotia’s rivers provide something new for rafting and also Nova Scotia has beautiful countryside and will provide a beautiful place to be at one with nature.

Old School Bass Fishing Secrets Course

When you are looking for Ohio fishing report information for lake Erie there are two main hot spot areas that you need to Focus on. The majority of the many fishing reports you can find for the Ohio Lake Erie Area will concentrate on the Western Basin and Central basin. Both These areas are excellent fisheries for multiple fish species, but proper planning is important when going on a fishing trip to these areas.

It is very important to be well informed on where the best fishing spots are for the the fish species you are going to target. A key ingredient to a successful fishing trip on lake Erie is a good and accurate fishing report. For example if you plan on targeting Lake Erie’s Small mouth bass you will need a fishing report that tells you where the small mouth bass are located and what baits they are hitting on. Once you have decided to fish the western or central basin, you can get local fishing and weather reports for these areas. Refer to the current fishing Western Basin and Central Basin hot spots I copied from the Ohio Department of Natural resources below. If i was planing a summer walleye fishing trip i would identify only the information that is specific to Walleye.

If I wanted to plan a summer walleye trip in the Western Basin of Lake Erie I would concentrate my pre-planning in the areas of:West Sister Island, Northwest of North Bass Island, East of Kelleys Island, Toledo Shipping Channel.

A good fishing report web source will provide you with up to date current fishing report information, a link for the current weather conditions, Ohio’s fishing regulations and a source for fishing maps.

Western Basin Fishing Hotspots Walleye Winter- Breakwalls; Lakeside, Marblehead, Catawba. Ice Fishing; Reef Complex, Bass Island Area, Catawba, Marblehead.

Spring-Maumee River, Sandusky River, Sandusky Bay, Reef Complex, Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Marblehead

Summer-West Sister Island, Northwest of North Bass Island, East of Kelleys Island, Toledo Shipping Channel.

Fall-Kelleys Island, Bass Islands, Breakwalls; Lakeside, Marblehead, Catawba

Yellow Perch Winter-Ice Fishing; Catawba, Bass Islands, Marblehead, Sandusky Bay

Spring-Catawba, Marblehead, Bass Islands, Kelleys Island

Summer-Catawba, Marblehead, Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Toledo water intake, Metzger’s Marsh Pier

Fall-West Sister Island, Toledo Shipping Channel, Marblehead, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Bass Islands, Toledowater intake

Smallmouth Bass Winter-Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Marblehead

Spring-Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Marblehead, Sandusky Bay, Reef Complex

Summer-Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Marblehead, Sandusky Bay, Reef Complex, Maumee River, Portage River, Sandusky River

White Bass Winter-Bass Islands, Sandusky Bay, Marblehead

Spring-Maumee River, Portage River, Sandusky River

Summer-Bass Islands, Sandusky Bay, Marblehead.

Fall-Bass Islands, Sandusky Bay, Marblehead

Additional Opportunities Winter-Bluegill (ice fishing, harbors and marinas); Catawba, Marblehead, Sandusky Bay

Spring-Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike; East Harbor, West Harbor, Sandusky Bay

Summer-Largemouth Bass, Bluegill; East Harbor, West Harbor, Channel Catfish; Sandusky Bay

Fall- Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike; East Harbor, West Harbor, Sandusky Bay

Central Basin Fishing Hotspots Walleye Winter- Breakwalls; Huron, Huntington Beach, Lakefront State Park, Fairport Harbor.

Spring-same as winter, plus Grand River and nearshore areas from Vermilion – Conneaut.

Summer-Ruggles Reef, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula, Conneaut; inshore early, offshore late.

Fall-Huron, Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula, Conneaut; eastern locations early

Yellow Perch Winter-Breakwalls; Huron, Huntington Beach, Lakefront State Park, Fairport Harbor.

Spring-Breakwalls and nearshore locations: Huron, Lorain, Lakefront State Park, Mentor Headlands, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula.

Summer-Nearshore to offshore: Huron, Vermilion, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula, Conneaut

Fall-Offshore to nearshore: Huron, Vermilion, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula, Conneaut

Smallmouth Bass Winter-Nearshore, harbors and marinas; Fairport, Perry, Ashtabula, Conneaut; Cleveland artificial reefs

Spring-Nearshore; Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, Fairport, Perry, Ashtabula, Conneaut; Lorain, Cleveland artificial reefs

Summer-Nearshore to offshore; Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, Fairport, Perry, Ashtabula, Conneaut; Lorain, Lakewood, Cleveland artificial reefs

Fall-Nearshore; Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, Fairport, Perry, Ashtabula, Conneaut; Lorain, Cleveland artificial reefs

Steelhead Trout Winter-Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand rivers and Conneaut Creek; smaller tribs from Cleveland east.

Spring-Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand rivers and Conneaut Creek; smaller tribs from Cleveland east.

Summer-Offshore depth-controlled trolling from Lorain Sandbar – Avon, Cleveland – Fairport, Geneva – Ashtabula.

Fall-Piers, beaches and breakwalls from Cleveland east; Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand rivers and Conneaut Creek; smaller tribs during high water in mainstems.

White Bass Winter-Breakwalls and Warm Water Discharges; Lorain , Lakefront State Park, Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula.

Spring-Breakwalls and Warm Water Discharges; Lorain, Lakefront State Park, Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula.

Summer-Nearshore areas near harbors; Breakwalls; Lorain, Lakefront State Park, Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula.

Fall-Nearshore areas near harbors; Breakwalls and Warm Water Discharges; Lorain, Lakefront State Park, Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula.

Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and “how to articles at his websites. Visit his site at lake erie fishing report and download a free copy of his “78 fishing discoveries unleashed” You can also contact him his e-mail address:
admin@oldfishinghole.com

Beginning fishermen can learn a lot by talking to a pro bass fishing expert. They are a good source of information about the sport of bass fishing, as it has the mistaken reputation of being a hard sport to master. It is not. Skills can be learned on the shore of a river or a lake, and then taken out into a boat for some real adventurous fishing.

Fishing tackle is an indispensable part of fishing gear to any bass fishing professional and can determine the success or failure of the fishing trip. With plenty of bass fishing experience under their belts, professional bass anglers know precisely what terminal tackle they’ll need, either for freshwater or salt water bass fishing, before leaving shore. For example, if they’re looking for smallmouth bass or largemouth bass, then they’ll use the appropriate lures, and the right ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ flies. Among other essential items are swivels, a small metal unit that can prevent twisting or snapping of the line caused by rotating flies, or a strong tug by a large bass. Leaders are used to prevent damage, or cutting the line on fish teeth or rocks. Flies are small insect-like artificial bait, of various colors and form that attract bass. They will also take the weather conditions into account. Before leaving on the boat, professional bass enthusiasts make it a point to study weather conditions, via forecasts and bulletins, as well as the timings of high and low tides, etc. Only if such conditions are favorable, will they venture out.

Fortunately, there’s an ocean of online information on bass fishing, as well as television programs and magazines that feature this subject. These are all excellent sources to learn how pro bass fishing is done. If you intend to acquire the kind of skills that professional bass anglers have, then it will be helpful to know what it takes to get there. Fishing gear is first and foremost. The most important items to bass fishing professionals, after their boats, is fishing gear, and they pay serious attention to this. Such gear consists of sturdy and durable fishing rods, reels, line, swivels, leaders, weights, lures and flies. Depending on the weather and your fishing location, professional bass anglers also include protective clothing and other safety items.

Pro bass fishing may be something that you think you are interested in pursing. If this is the case, then get busy and buy some fishing tackle. Wait to buy your boat though because you may get into it and decide that you just really do not like it. If you need a boat for the short term, you can always rent one. There are many learning opportunities provided through bass fishing clubs as well. You just need to be sure that you are a patient and determined fisherman, because you will not be successful otherwise.

Do you have any types of activites that give you satisfaction and creates it’s own rewards? If you don’t perhaps it is time to find a hobby that can be your comfort against the manic lifestyle that so many individuals lead. You should learn fishing. It is a great way to devote a lazy weekend morning and has the ability to give you with the gratification of realizing that you were pitted against the forces of nature and won. Even if you are a person who doesn’t like to eat fish you still have the option to catch and release. A couple of hours on a lake or river might be exactly what you need but you will need supplies and the right tools.

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