The past weekend my brother and I went fishing for some pike, at Canal Lake, which is located in the Kawartha region of Ontario, Canada.  We fished from shore casting a variety of baits to see what the fish wanted.   A little tip for fishing from shore is using a lure that can be thrown a long distance.  A lure that can cast further gives you a better advantage because it always you to cover more water. 

            Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits was our lure of choice.  Fishing was a little slow because of the funny weather we have been having with an inconsistency of warmth, which is needed to really get those fish in a feeding frenzy.   Lipless crankbaits worked the best and produced numbers of fish but no lunkers were caught.  The way we worked the bait was casting it out as far as we can and reeling the lure in at a steady retrieve just over submerged weeds.  We used 7’MH crankbait casting rods and 7.0:1 burner reels.  Our reels were spooled up with 14lbs fluorocarbon line.   Another tip that I would suggest is use a fluorocarbon line conditioner I can’t stress enough how much it helps with reducing bird nests and the prevention of line coiling.

            All though we did not catch any fish to be bragging about we still had a fun day out on the water.  Any day of fishing beats any day at home.   Not catching “Big Bertha” is only motivation to go out fishing again.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

“You Have Too Many Lures…”

“You have too many lures, you don’t need any more!” Is a phrase that I hear from my family and my friends when they find out I purchased new fishing lures. But are they right to say that I do in fact have too many lures? To be honest, they are partially right because line, hook, and worm would do just fine. After all, it is the most trust worthy bait ever used.

However, fishing for me is more then just sitting and waiting with a worm under a bobber for a fish to bite. I enjoy pitching a jig, ripping a jerkbait, and skipping a finesse worm under a dock. Lures offer more opportunities to catch fish. They are designed to imitate the real thing and to be used as a tool to hunt for those fish. The key word in the previous sentence is hunt. Lures allow you to go out and find the fish. Whereas, when using live bait you are sitting and waiting for the fish too bite.

I’m a collector and I enjoy seeing my tackle trays being filled with various types of lures. And it is only fitting that I do fall victim to the latest bass fishing trends. More notably, the swimbait trend. These giant lures with the most realistic paint finishes are a different lure then from prior years. Who knows maybe the next lure you by may be worth a pretty penny in the future.

Yet, the main reason as to why I purchase lures comes bake to fishing and catching more fish. I want to be prepared for any situation that nature throws at me. Whether it’s a lake that is clear or dirty or even filled with weeds I want to have lures that will best be fit for each situation. The key is being able to use the right lure in the right situation. You can’t use a hammer to screw in a 4 inch screw. It is important to have the right tools for the job.

The bottom line is that I buy so many lures because I realize that there is no one lure that can catch fish and be used all the time. Different situations call for different lures. This is a hard concept for the weekend angler to grasp. However, once an individual embraces the sport they too, like a bass, will fall victim to a new lure.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

Peter Natev

02/12/08… When it comes to choosing the right rod, nowadays it may be harder and more frustrating than ever. After all, any rod could technically do the job. However, there is more to it than just going to the store and picking up any rod. Each style of rod plays a critical role. Fishing rods can be best compared to golf clubs. One can use a putter only for each hole, however that individuals score will not be his best. That being said, it is important to discuss about the two styles of fishing rods (spinning and baitcasting), the different powers in rods, and what rod is best for what lure.

Spinning Rods are what many fisherman are aware of and most likely started of with when they were first introduced to this sport. Spinning rods are great for light line and finesse tactics. Line from 6-14lbs. is generally used when it comes to bass fishing. Lighter line is best used in open water situations where the water is clear and when the bass are finicky. Baitcasting Rods are commonly used on the pro curcuit where power fishing applications are applied. Baitcasters are great for hauling out those big brutes out of heavy cover. Heavy line can be used such as 40-65lbs braid. Baitcasters are also great for getting pint-point accuracy in ones cast. Although, baitcasters do take a while to get used to, once mastered it it sure is a joy to use.

Medium power rods are great when a lure requires a lot of give in the rod. When looking for a spinning rod medium action is pretty much the norm. Not much back bone, thus not very powerful hook sets. Medium-Heavy rods are used for when an angler wants a little more back bone and a softer tip. These rods are used for casting long distances, yet still has the capacity to set the hook when the lure is far out. Heavy powered rods are great for pin-point accuracy when it comes to baitcasting. These rods are pretty much all back bone to turn that big basses head away from the cover her calls home.

Here are some examples of lures and which rods they should be set up with: Jig=Heavy powered baitcasting (needs the backbone for a good hookset). Frog= Medium-heavy to a heavy baitcaster ( need to be able to pull the fish out of the slop and pads) . Jerkbait= Medium spinning (needs light line for clear situationto get most action out of the lure). Texas rigged worm= Medium-Heavy baitcaster (can cast the light worm a good distance). Crankbait= Medium baitcaster (to help absorb the hit of the fish, which will prevent from ripping the hooks out of the fishes mouth).

I hope the information I provide has given you the incite and made you more aware as to what rod will be best for you on the water. When you have the right tools, it can make all the difference in the world. Remember that the more information you have when it comes to choosing the right rod the better choice you will make.

‘Till next time: May your fish be Monsters and your hook sets be Massive!

Peter Natev