Why braided fishing line is the best choice when finesse fishing for bass
Sensitivity: Braid has very low stretch, which means that you can feel even the slightest movement or nibble on your bait. This sensitivity is especially important when fishing in deeper water or when the bass are being finicky.
Strength: Braid is much stronger than monofilament or fluorocarbon lines of the same diameter. This allows you to use a higher pound test line without sacrificing casting distance or sensitivity.
Abrasion resistance: Braid is highly resistant to abrasion, which is especially important when fishing around rocks or other underwater structures that can damage your line.
Small diameter: Braid has a small diameter for its strength, which allows you to spool more line onto your reel and cast farther.
When it comes to finesse fishing for bass, braid can be a good choice because it allows you to feel even the slightest bites and set the hook quickly. However, it can also be more visible in clear water and may require a fluorocarbon leader to make it less visible to the fish. Ultimately, the choice of line depends on the specific fishing conditions and personal preference.
A Tribute to Papa Jim: Fishing Adventures off the Avon Pier in OBX, North Carolina
As the sun sets over the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and connection to my beloved Papa Jim.
As the sun sets over the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and connection to my beloved Papa Jim. It's been years since he passed away, but every summer, my family and I gather at the Avon Pier in OBX to honor his memory and share in our passion for fishing.
A plaque that bears his name is nestled next to the pier, a poignant reminder of the bond we shared and the countless fishing adventures we had together. As I cast my line, I know that Papa Jim's spirit is with us, watching over our family as we continue the tradition that he loved so dearly.
Surrounded by the calming sound of the waves and the laughter of my family, I find solace and excitement in the art of fishing. The Avon Pier is an angler's paradise, teeming with a rich variety of local fish species like red drum, flounder, and Spanish mackerel. As the night falls, we often switch gears and focus on shark fishing, an activity that has always fascinated me.
Between June and August, the waters off the pier come to life with an array of shark species, including blacktip, sandbar, and the occasional hammerhead shark. My heart races with anticipation as I feel the tug on my line, reeling in yet another remarkable catch.
Night fishing at the pier is a truly enchanting experience. As the darkness envelops the sky, we gather around the warm glow of lanterns, sharing stories of our past fishing adventures and the wisdom that Papa Jim once imparted upon us. Grandma Kathy, the ever-watchful matriarch of our family, sits nearby, her eyes full of pride as she oversees our fishing escapades.
The camaraderie of our family, bonded by love and a shared passion for fishing, makes each trip to the Avon Pier a cherished memory. Every cast, every catch, and every shared moment is a tribute to Papa Jim, who instilled in us the importance of family, love, and the pursuit of adventure.
As the night gives way to dawn, and our fishing lines are reeled in for the last time, we gather around the plaque that bears Papa Jim's name. We reminisce about the man who inspired us, the family patriarch who taught us to cherish the simple joys of life, like the thrill of the catch and the beauty of a summer night spent with loved ones.
As we leave the Avon Pier, our hearts are full of gratitude for the memories we've created and the enduring love that connects us to Papa Jim. His spirit lives on in the gentle waves of the Outer Banks, in the warm embrace of family, and in every cast and catch that pays homage to the man who first showed us the magic of fishing.
A Steelhead Adventure in the Ashtabula River, Ohio: Guiding You Through a Memorable Experience
Guiding you through a memorable Steelhead fishing experience in Ashtabula River.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of standing knee-deep in the Ashtabula River, Ohio, surrounded by its magnificent landscapes, breathing in the crisp, cool air, and experiencing the adrenaline rush that comes with reeling in a powerful steelhead. The thrill of steelhead fishing in this mesmerizing setting is a life-changing experience, and I would be honored to guide you on this unforgettable adventure.
Nestled in the northeastern part of Ohio, the Ashtabula River is a hidden gem for anglers seeking a unique steelhead fishing experience. Boasting an abundant steelhead population and breathtaking surroundings, this river offers the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories.
The Ideal Season for Steelhead Fishing
The Ashtabula River provides prime steelhead fishing opportunities from late September to early May. These migratory fish, a strain of rainbow trout, return to the river in the fall to spawn. The peak periods for steelhead fishing are during the fall (October and November) and spring (March and April), with a lull in the action during the coldest winter months.
Choosing the Perfect Equipment
Having the right equipment is essential for a successful steelhead fishing trip in the Ashtabula River. A sturdy rod, either a spinning or fly rod, 9-11 feet in length and rated for 8-10 pound test line, is an excellent choice. Pair it with a quality reel featuring a smooth drag system to handle the powerful runs of these fish.
For spinning gear, opt for monofilament or braided line in the 8-12 pound test range. Fly fishing enthusiasts should consider a 7-9 weight rod with a large arbor reel and a floating or sink-tip fly line.
The Art of Lure and Fly Selection
Attracting steelhead requires an array of lures and flies that will entice these aggressive feeders. For spinning anglers, some popular choices include:
1 Vibrax spinners
2 Little Cleo spoons
3 Jigs with marabou or soft plastic tails
4 Live bait, such as minnows, nightcrawlers, or spawn bags
Fly anglers will find success with various patterns, such as:
1 Egg-sucking leeches
2 Woolly buggers
3 Egg patterns, like glo-bugs or nuke eggs
4 Nymphs, including stoneflies, pheasant tails, and hare's ears
Wading Through the Ashtabula River
As we wade through the captivating Ashtabula River, each step offers a new opportunity to explore its beauty and uncover the perfect spot to cast a line. The experience of guiding others through the river, witnessing their joy and excitement as they reel in their first steelhead, is deeply rewarding.
The memories forged during these steelhead fishing adventures are truly unforgettable. Together, we'll navigate the river, exchanging stories, laughter, and the joy of fishing. I can't wait to share my passion and expertise with you, guiding you through an experience you'll treasure forever.
If you're ready to embark on a one-of-a-kind steelhead fishing journey in the Ashtabula River, gather your gear and prepare for a remarkable adventure. I look forward to guiding you through this captivating experience and creating unforgettable memories together.
Fishing The Bighorn River In Thermopolis WY
Fly fisherman’s dream.
What comes to mind when you think about the outdoor experience of a lifetime? What little detail would you remember for the rest of your life? Which little moment would change your entire outlook on both life and nature?
It was January 26th, my birthday. I had not expected any crazy gifts knowing that my parents just spent a fortune on getting my first buck mounted. We were eating at a BBQ place near us with my grandparents and sister. To be quite honest, I had absolutely no clue that my parents were about to give me some of the most exciting news I have ever received.
After everyone at the table had gotten their meals, my dad respectfully got everyone’s attention, and said that he had a surprise for me. Just the way my parents looked at each other right then, It was evident that this was not a small thing.
With smiles on their faces, my parents began explaining how they had worked with my cousin to schedule a week long fly fishing trip in Wyoming during my spring break. They told me I would be fishing the Bighorn River in Thermopolis. As you can imagine, I instantly started researching the river and area. The first thing I remember thinking is how absolutely beautiful and truly stunning the river was. And honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole thing was that my dad was coming with me and we would have a whole week to fish together.
As the trip neared, I began to tie up tons of flies for the trip. Whenever I had a few minutes free, I would be in my room tying dozens of immaculate flies specifically matching the forage in the Bighorn River. It would be 11:00-11:30pm and I would work tirelessly to perfect every pattern. Perfectionist? Maybe. Little bit of OCD? Also maybe. But it sure would prove to pay off.
3 weeks later:
Finally, my dad and I had arrived in Wyoming. We rented a small house near the river where we met my cousin, his brother, and his father. We spent most of that night prepping the fly shops worth of gear we had, and making sure everything was set to leave early the next day…
Everyone woke up about 5:00 the next morning, anxious to get fishing. Since the stretch of river we were fishing was so long, my cousin brought 3 inflatable kayaks. We would paddle down the river until we came to a good looking hole, beach the kayaks, and fish. Believe it or not, the ticket was a fly smaller than your pinky finger nail. A size 20, Black Zebra Midge seemed to consistently get bit along the whole stretch of river we fished. Scuds, Sowbugs, Egg Patterns, and Micro Pheasant Tail Nymphs also seemed to do the trick.
The species of Trout we caught were rainbows, a few browns, and some cutthroats. After having the Brown Trout elude me in Arkansas the year before. It was one of the best feelings ever when I finally caught two browns. I thought it could not get any better, until I caught a tank of a Cutthroat Trout on my own custom midge variant. It was by far the coolest and most beautiful fish I have ever caught. The colors on that species of trout are truly breathtaking.
I can go on forever about this trip, but one thing is certain. I will never forget the memories I made in Wyoming! Thank you so much to my parents for making all of this possible and giving me every opportunity.
Tyler J Hanus
Was Just Trying To Eat My Chips!
The first hour and a half of fishing all I was getting was picked clean by crabs.
It must have been 5 or 6 years ago. We were on our yearly North Carolina trip, staying in a small town called Avon. Even as an 8 year old all I wanted to do when we were there was fish. Honestly I wouldn't catch much and it is still the same way when I go now. I only fish from the beach and I truly think that the beaches we go to are way over fished. Another thing is that we go in the summertime. One day I hope to go in the fall when the fishing is at its best.
We were about 3 days into the trip and I remember waking up at 7:00 and doing the same thing that I had done every day. I would wake up and run down to check my crab trap. We rented a house on a canal and it was perfect for me because I got to go down there and fish and crab whenever I wanted. That morning was no different. I went and checked my trap and then began getting ready to go to the beach. We stopped at my favorite bait shop on the way to the beach. It is called Red Drum Tackle. The guys there are always super friendly and give you local knowledge on what has been catching fish. We ended up just grabbing some shrimp and squid.
When we got to the spot on the beach we let out my dog and ran down to the water. I felt things moving around under my feet and looked down. There had to be thousands of sand fleas right there. I found some really big ones and put them into a bucket with sand and water for bait.
The first hour and a half of fishing all I was getting was picked clean by crabs. I was young and it made me really upset, but even at that age, I was determined to at least catch one fish. After what seemed like the thousandth time of reeling in my baitless top bottom rig, I decided to try the sand fleas for bait. I asked my dad to cast out so the bait would get far out. I setted the rod in the holder and grabbed a bag of lays chips. I had been very hungry and had not eaten all day because I was busy fishing. After grabbing the chips I went and sat down by my rod holder. My bait had already been out 10 minutes without a bite.
I was almost finished with my chips, and suddenly my rod shot out of the holder flying into the water. My dad, who was up by the car, ran down and barely grabbed the rod in time. He handed me the rod and I remember him saying, “Tyler you have a big fish on”. I grabbed the rod and tried to reel. I could barely move the handle. I had never had such a big bend in the rod and I was scared it was going to break. Out in the distance I saw a giant fish jump out of the water. I realized it was the fish I had hooked. It must have been 150 yards out. The shape of the fish was long and serpent like. Looking back I think that it was a spanish or king mackerel.
I continued to reel and then the worst feeling in the world. No more weight on my line, No more bend in my rod. It was over.
As quickly as the fish hit it was gone.
The Absolute Best Steelhead Pattern!
An absolute killer Grest Lakes Steelhead pattern!
After all of the flys I have tried and patterns I have thrown, there has always been one that stands out above all. My all time favorite Steelhead pattern is a trout bead with a beaded prince as a dropper fly. If the water clarity is fairly good I will fish a natural color bead and a black prince with purple legs. For the bead I just slide it up the line and tie on a small egg hook. After that I position the bead about an inch and a half to two inches above the hook and peg it using a toothpick. I then tie my fluorocarbon tippet to the bend of that hook. The length of your tippet all depends on the water depth and your personal preference. I normally go about a foot and a half of tippet. After I tie the tippet to the bend of the first hook I trim the tag along with cutting the tippet to my desired length. I then tie on my prince. The last thing you need to do is set your indicator. Make sure if it is a sliding indicator you put it on your line before tying on your pattern. I personally go with an indicator that is rated for about one more ounce than your rig. This will ensure that you have good sensitivity. Listed below is some of the gear needed for this killer pattern.
Beads) If water clarity is good use a natural color, if water is muddy use a color that stands out.
Princes) I tie my own flies but I have used these and have had success with them.
Indicators)
Fishing the Norfolk River in Arkansas
The ticket was size 20 zebra midges.
My mom has always taken pride in my successes fishing and makes sure the world knows about them through Facebook. I never thought much of this until about a year and a half ago.
“I got some big news Ty.” My mother says one evening. I asked what it was and she began to explain that she had been in contact with my second Cousin John. I would assume he is in his 50’s. She tells me how he had become very interested in my fishing and how he is an avid fly fisherman. I hardly knew anything about fly fishing at the time, but I was eager to hear more. “He wants to take you to arkansas.” Exclaims my mom with that surprised, almost sarcastic look on her face. The next couple of days they continued to talk, and ended up arranging dinner at John's house one night.
We drove nearly two hours to his house and arrived by about 5:00. My parents must have reminded me a hundred times, “Don't drive John crazy about fishing”, but what they didn't know was that John loved fishing just as much as me and enjoyed conversations about it. His wife Beverly had made lasagna and it was probably some of the best I had ever had .
After dinner, John took me to his basement and it was not till the moment that he turned on the lights that I realized how crazy he was about fly fishing. He literally had like a whole fly shop down there! There had to be over a million flies! Just drawers and drawers, packed to the brim with different flies he had tied. He showed me all of his gear and after that he grabbed a fly rod and showed me how to cast in his driveway. It was embarrassing because I don't think I got the line 10 yards out. Before we left John gave me two rods and a bunch of flies for trout and bass.
That's when it started. I would practice casting every day in my yard and began to develop a love for fly fishing. “It's an art form.” John would tell me. I look up to him, he is always smiling and one of the most selfless people I have ever met.
A couple weeks after John had mentioned Arkansas my parents told me that they had decided that our whole family was going to go to Arkansas that summer with John. I was so excited I do not know how I survived the time period before we left. We booked a cabin in Genes Trout Resort overlooking the Norfolk river.
After a 16 hour drive, we entered the state of Arkansas. Not long after that we arrived at Genes. First thing I did when I got out of the car was run down to see the river. Man, I have never seen anything like it. It was crystal clear and It didn't matter that it was 100 degrees because when near the river it would feel like air conditioning. Our cabin was on the second floor overlooking the river. You could sit on the deck and see tons of trout. The Norfolk has Rainbow, Brown, Cut Throat, and Brook Trout in it.
The next morning my dad and I woke up at 4:30 and got ready to fish. I slip into my waders, grab my rods, and meet John. He had an upset look on his face and explained to my dad and I that due to all of the rain the dam was releasing water. This made the river about 4 feet higher and the current was a lot stronger. We ended up having to fish from a jon boat rather than wading in the river. We still ended up catching a bunch of fish despite the conditions. The first couple of days we must have caught 40!
It was about the third day of fishing, and we got lucky. The Trout resort told us that the next day they would not be running water. This meant that we would be able to fly fish normally.
That night we rigged up our rods with 2 size 20 red zebra midges and small foam indicators. The next day we waded up and down the river and were just catching fish after fish. The fight was absolutely incredible on light gear.
John and I still go fishing for Steelhead. I hope to go to Arkansas with him again this winter and hopefully my other Cousin Sal can come along.
Junior World Championship
The story of the Junior World Bass Fishing Championship told by someone who participated in it.
It is crazy to think that it's only been 28 days since the event. It’s been 28 days since The Junior World Championship Bass Tournament that is. I had earned the opportunity to advance to this level because I won the Ohio TBF State Championship earlier that year. Honestly, before the Mississippi, I had never Bass fished a river before. Some may call it a disadvantage, and in some ways it is, but I was excited to get to experience a different type of fishing. And that is exactly what it ended up being, a completely different way of fishing. Unlike a lake or a reservoir, you have to constantly be thinking about the current. I quickly figured out that the fish's behavior was in direct relation with the current. This is because the fish want to use the current to their advantage to obtain food, but also conserve energy. It was crazy to see how the smallest piece of standing structure in the river would hold so many fish. I learned that this was called a current break. The fish gathered in this area because they did not have to fight the current and use up all of their energy. The current breaks were a great place for fish to sit, wait, and essentially ambush their prey. The Crayfish and baitfish end up getting dragged down the current and once a Bass or predatory fish sees something in front of them, they quickly shoot out of their hiding spot like a cannon. By the time their culprit realizes what is happening, it is too late. Knowing this, a lot of our success came from fishing Tubes and Ned Rigs down current. This simulates a baitfish or Crayfish getting dragged down current, while helping us not get as hung up in rocks or whatever we were fishing.
The first tournament day we ended up finding a school of Smallmouth on a rock bank that dropped off pretty deep. Although we got a few keepers from that school, we couldn't seem to catch a “big” fish. We probably tried 20 different color combinations of baits in that particular spot before we got a hit. When my boat captain pointed out a school of baitfish next to the boat I knew what I needed to try and throw. A silver Strike King Bitsy tube looked exactly like the baitfish and it turned out that's exactly what the fish wanted. It made sense that the baitfish were stirred up knowing that about 8 minutes before we began fishing a huge cargo ship went by, stirring up smaller creatures. This created a feeding frenzy for the Smallies.
Almost as soon as the school appeared, they were gone. We continued fishing rocks the rest of the day and didn't get a single bite. That day we ended up with four fish at 7.4 pounds. This placed us second place in our division and the top two teams in each division advanced to the championship round so we were feeling pretty good about the day. Our decision that night would make or break everything. We had one more day to fish. We could have fished rocks again, with a small chance of finding the school of Smallmouth, or we could fish weed edges for Largemouth. On the practice days we had a little luck on the weed edges with Senkos and Senkos only. After talking about it with my captain and partner we decided to go fish weed edges for the second day. I mean it seemed like a knowledgeable decision knowing that the top teams had more Largemouth than Smallmouth.
The next morning was like a nightmare for me. It stormed, and it stormed bad! I felt that we finally had sort of a pattern to go off of and I knew that this would change everything. The water was muddy and rough because of all the wind. We ended up with an hour and a half delay which felt like forever.
After finally getting out on the water I realized that I only had two of the color Senko that had been catching fish. It was a PBJ 5 inch worm. I rigged up with a small bullet weight and EWG Worm Hook. The first two hours of the day I couldn't seem to get a bite and on top of that my boat captain had an extremely hard time controlling the boat due to the wind. We literally ended up having to leave our spot and go search for weedlines off of the main channel. I remember him saying, “We can't keep this up! It is brutal on the trolling motor!” We would find weed line after weed line, but none were fishable because they were so shallow.
After over an hour of looking we pulled up to a very small spot that ended up having a small drop off. I took my first cast, and almost instantly a fish started running with my line. I got a good hook set on the fish, (I thought). I realized that I had a pretty big fish on the line and that I had to get him in quick. The problem was that I hooked the fish very close to the boat so we did not have time to get the net. That's when I made the rookie mistake of trying to boat flip a very big fish, and I paid for it. Bye bye fish, bye bye Senko. I was crushed, especially knowing that that fish would have almost guaranteed me an advancement to the championship round.
Once the wind settled down, we decided to go back to our original weed line. We started at a boat slip that I caught 4 fish on during the practice days. Once again this spot produced and I ended up with 2 fish but they were both too small to keep for weigh-ins. We continued to work the bank and I got a couple more bites and another short fish.
There were 20 minutes left in the tournament so we started heading back to the ramp. We decided to stop at “the good boat slip” one last time. I casted a few times and got nothing. “Ok last cast.” my boat captain exclaims. I casted out my Senko, letting it sink all the way to the bottom. I went to bounce my bait when I felt a thump. I had a perfect hookset and landed the fish. It was only about a pound and a half but I was glad to at least be coming in with a fish.
After all of the teams weighed in, the results were announced. I ended up third place in my division, one place away from advancing to the final round. Some would consider that a loss, but that trip for me was far from a loss. I cannot explain how thankful I am for the opportunity to fish that event. I learned so much and became a much better fisherman in Illinois.
Would I do it again? Hell yeah I would! I don't care if I got last place, it was an experience I will never forget.
The Tube Jig
One of the best lures a fishermen can use.
One of my favorite baits I have ever used has to be the tube jig. Whether I am fishing for Smallmouth in Lake Erie, or pond hoping for Largemouth, the tube always seems to get the job done. I religiously throw green pumpkin but I also like to throw smoke and red pepper smoke. I always use the least weight I can get away with depending on where I am fishing. I simply cast out and either drag or shake the tube back to me very slowly. Honestly some of my best luck with tubes has been when I get stuck in a rock and pop it out. I have had so many fish hit that bait as soon as it pops out of the rock. I was taught that this is because it looks like a Crayfish trying to escape a fish. Below I have listed the gear I like to use for tubes. This is also the gear I use for Ned Rigs.
Gear used:
Rods) I prefer 7ft medium power, fast action rod
Reels) When it comes to reels I stick between 1000 and 2500 and specifically look for smooth drag
Line) Depends on water clarity but I normally use 8-12 pound fluorocarbon. For braid to lead I go with a 12 pound power pro and any of the fluoros listed below.
Tubes) I pour my own heads but below are my favorite tubes to throw on them.