Tips and Tidbits
Choose the Perfect Fishing Boat
Buying a boat can dramatically expand your angling horizons and open up a world of recreational opportunities for your family. But, as with any major investment, you should be diligent in your shopping approach. To hone in on the boat that perfectly matches your fishing interests, ask yourself these five key questions:
- What type of fish species do you like to catch most often? Fishing boats are designed to operate safely and effectively in different types of water where certain fish live. For example, the walleye angler might jig in large lakes that can be deep and wavy, so having a stable, high-sided hull is important; the saltwater flats angler might chase redfish in very skinny water, so having a boat with a shallow draft is key; and a bass angler might need a versatile boat that rides comfortably in different rivers, lakes and ponds.
- Where are you going to fish? If you do 99 percent of your fishing on a certain lake or river, get a boat that works best for that water, and for the fish species that live there. Look around and ask other anglers what boats are proven performers in that place - odds are the answers will be very clear. If you plan on fishing in different spots for different species, you’ll want an all-around boat you can launch and put on a trailer easily.
- What gear are you most comfortable fishing with? For instance, someone who likes to troll for lake trout in deep water will want a boat that can accommodate downriggers. The fly fisher needs a flat open space at the bow of the boat, where anglers can stand and cast, and loose line won’t catch on seats, latches or cleats. The bass angler also wants a casting platform, and he/she wants a boat designed to handle a trolling motor. If you fish with bait or in tournaments, you’ll need a live well on your boat.
- Who are you going fishing with? If it’s just you and your buddy, you might want a specialized boat that’s dialed into the fishing you like most; a three-person skiff, for example. If you envision evening cruises around the lake with the neighbors, or pulling the kids on a tube, you’ll want a larger recreational boat. You never want to overload a boat, so it’s better to guess high in this regard. It’s usually smarter to fish out of a recreational boat than it is to make that specialized fishing boat do things it really wasn’t designed to do.
- What type of engine do you really need? All engines-inboards, outboards, two-strokes, four-strokes have their own advantages by way of power, speed, fuel efficiency, ease of maintenance and so forth. You never want to overpower your boat, but to get optimal performance, you may want to match your boat with an engine that has a horsepower rating at or near the maximum the boat is designed to handle.
When you answer these questions (and also factor in where and how you plan to dock, store and maintain your boat), you can start looking for options with different hull designs, engines and other accents that best fit your budget.
Here’s another hint: The many consumer boat shows that take place in winter months are the perfect places to see different models, and more importantly, ask some qualified boat experts specific questions about your needs and interests. Moreover, if you are on the verge of buying a boat, some of the best deals anywhere can be found at these shows. Check out boatshows.com for a schedule of events.
And for more help in selecting the boat that’s right for you and your family, visit: www.takemefishing.org/boating/the-boat-for-you/home.
Tips for Better (and Safer) Ice Fishing
Get your Winter Fishing Fix
Just because the lake is frozen solid, doesn’t mean the fishing action has stopped. Ask any seasoned ice fisherman, and she/he will tell you that the hot bite for perch, panfish, walleye and other species can be found by dropping jigs, minnows, wax worms and lures through a hole in the ice in the dead of winter. But a smart ice fisherman will also tell you that the real key to success starts with safety.
So when is the lake or river ice safe enough to fish on? Unfortunately, there’s no real definitive answer to that question. Ice safety can be influenced by a number of factors, such as water salinity, currents under the ice layer and the weight or pressure fresh snowfall places on the ice. Your local state fish and wildlife agency is best tuned into these nuances that determine safe ice fishing in your region. Check their recommendations regularly.
For example, Minnesota is home to some of the most avid and expert ice anglers in America, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends the following guidelines: Under 4 inches thick the ice is too thin for fishing, period. Between 4 and 6 inches thick, ice is usually safe for ice fishing by foot, so long as anglers are spaced apart and travel in single file lines. Ice between 6 and 10 inches thick is typically safe for driving ATVs and snow machines. Driving trucks and other vehicles is usually discouraged by state agencies, but the Minnesota DNR suggests that ice should be at least 10 inches thick for small vehicles, and 16 inches thick for medium-sized vehicles. If you do drive on the ice, remember to do so with your windows open, your doors unlocked and an exit strategy in mind.
Keep these five rules top of mind when ice fishing, wherever you go:
Rule 1. Never ice fish alone and always let people on land know where you and your fishing party are going.
Rule 2. Always test the ice with an auger to accurately gauge its depth before you fish or drive on it.
Rule 3. Alcohol consumption with ice fishing is a recipe for disaster.
Rule 4. Always have extra clothing, blankets, a first aid kit and a cellular phone handy when you go ice fishing.
Rule 5. If you break through the ice, don’t grab the ledge and pull down (you’ll only break more ice). Instead, latch onto the ice with your arms, and vigorously kick and roll your way onto the ledge, then head for shore in the same direction you walked out. If you’re helping someone else who has fallen in, lay down flat (preferably in a human chain with others), and use a rope, pole, stick or your hands as a last resort, to reach the person.
Remember that ice fishing is typically safer on smaller bodies of water. Your most important asset is good judgment: if you hear loud cracks, see wet cracks, or sense the conditions aren’t right, save the fishing for another day. Consider wearing a life jacket. And always dress in warm layers to protect yourself from the cold. Remember, you don’t need to fall in to get frostbite or hypothermia.
Links to more info?
More ice fishing tips from TakeMeFishing.org
How to find fish under the ice
Sources:
www.nodakoutdoors.com/ice_fishing_safety
U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html
Minnesota DNR
New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_PDFs/Safety_on_ice.pdf
Hot Spots
Fishing in Florida
By Captain Chuck Simpson
President GAFF Entertainment, LLC
Winter's grip can seem tight and unrelenting in certain regions of the United States - often tempting avid anglers to trade their much-needed time on the water for hours in front of a warm fire daydreaming. But why? A warmer, more temperate climate awaits; a land of limitless aquatic possibilities; a paradise which boasts bountiful opportunities for the angler willing to travel—Florida.
Florida's stats scream “fishing destination”—salt and freshwater. Much of the state's border is defined by water: 1,197 statute miles of coastline, 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and 663 miles of beaches; approximately 4,500 islands of 10 acres or greater lie among its coastal regions. Interlacing Florida’s interior are 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways, and over 2,900 separate impoundments dot the state's landscape.
The state's coastal waters play host to numerous species of saltwater gamefish, thus offering a world-class destination—inshore and offshore. Shallow flats to the south and in the Keys offer opportunities to fish for bonefish, sharks, permit and tarpon among many other species. The estuarine rivers and bays are also teaming with gamefish. Depending on where you visit, snook, trout, redfish and black drum can be extremely plentiful. Offshore, winter opportunities can range from billfish, dolphin and mackerels to numerous reef-fishes, such as grouper and snappers—the possibilities are almost endless.
If saltwater angling is not your forte', freshwater lakes and rivers throughout the state provide plenty of excitement on the water. Florida has always been famous for its quantity and quality of largemouth bass and the impoundments in which they inhabit. Generally, largemouth spawning activity begins much earlier in Florida than in other portions of the U.S., thus offering a late-winter shot at a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-mouth. Striped bass fishing can be phenomenal in the tailraces below dams in the northern part of the state—like the Jim Woodruff Dam at Lake Seminole—which is home of the current state record of just over 42 pounds. Plenty of panfish populate the lakes and waterways found throughout the state for those seeking some excellent table-fare, and if you are in the mood for exotics, peacock bass are an established fishery in many of South Florida's lakes and canals.
With the vast number of recreational fishing opportunities and diverse fisheries Florida represents, it isn't any wonder the state is home to a large community of professional guides and charter operators who are willing to provide an angling adventure of a lifetime. But, if you prefer the do-it-yourself approach, there is plenty of information available to help you judiciously prepare for your own foray into Florida's aquatic wonderlands.
So the next time you are sitting around that fireplace wondering when the snow will melt or when the cold winds will cease, think about heading south to a place that boasts a great winter climate and even greater fishing.
Find more information about fishing in Florida on TakeMeFishing.org.
Ambassador Spotlight
Last edition we asked you to submit pictures of your most exotic fishing adventures. Have a look at some of the best!
View more exotic fishing adventure pictures on Fishington, The Fishing and Boating Capital of the Internet.
Submitted by: Ryan Clerico
Submitted by: William Rhein Submitted by: Pete Myers Submitted by: Andrew Heldt
