Many freshwater and saltwater fish are referred to as bass. While some are not truly bass, many have similar physical characteristics that resemble bass. Fishresource.com focuses on the six most prominent freshwater sportfish bass: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Striped Bass, Whiterock Bass and the White Bass. Follow the links to each for detailed information on the species and the techniques to catch them.
The northeast’s beaches and shorelines are what most would consider “rocky terrain.” In fact, a large portion of the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts coastlines are dotted with boulders, rocks and gravel, creating a terrific habitat for the predator fish and their food of choice. While fishing the nearby beaches and their connected rock piles, another man-made rock structure cannot be disregarded by the angler.
Jetties
Curbing beach erosion, stopping storm surges from doing more damage and creating causeways into rivers and salt ponds, the jetty was created by human hands. Of course we all understand this rational, and it’s helpful that the fisherman understands that at one point or another, these areas are going to be rich ground for some great fishing.
Baitfishes often spend their final moments of life up against the walls of these jetties. In fact, bluefish, striped bass, weakfish and false albacore love these areas simply because they are rife with turbulent waters that are fast moving. The baitfish become confused in these areas and turn out to be an easy meal for a hungry school of predators. One reason they are so close to the walls of the jetty is that the water is generally most turbulent in that area.
The jetty has become home to whelks, mussels and periwinkles and they are often joined by scup and tautogs. These fish love the jetty for the protection they believe it offers – initially they feed of the algae and moss but eventually they feed on each other. The jetty does offer a significant advantage to them – the rocks allow them to nestle in and stay away from their larger predators.
The ideal time for fishing at the jetty is high tide. In fact, the closer you can start fishing to high tide the more abundant your catch will be. Baitfish tend to be more focused during this time as the water is even more turbulent and they tend to need to stay more focused to keep their bearings. Causeways that lead to local rivers and ponds will be filled with baitfish as the tide ebbs and flows.
Blackfish and porgy are normally easy to catch, as they rarely roam very far from the rock walls. They have everything they need to survive there in the rocks. You can take advantage of this by making shorter casts and not using unnecessary amounts of weight to present your baits.
One overlooked necessity in jetty fishing is safety equipment. While safety at all times should be a first consideration on every fishing trip, fishing a jetty means additional safety precautions you might not think about for shore fishing. As with any fishing, a personal flotation device is a must. Don’t try fishing without one at any time, but especially if you are fishing a jetty. Remember, these waters are extremely turbulent and you could turn an afternoon of fishing enjoyment into an afternoon of disaster without taking the proper precautions. If you are planning on jetty fishing you will want to invest in a pair of cleats. Algae and moss are rich on these rocky surfaces which remain wet almost the entire season. A misstep can easily cause a broken arm, a broken leg or a broken ankle or other more critical injuries. Common sense precautions can keep you safe during your fishing trip and the minor expenses involved in securing this gear can save your life.
Beach and jetty fishing in the northeast offer great opportunities for fishing. You can get the best of both in one day by visiting the great shorelines that are found here. If you start off fishing for blackfish and decide it’s time for a bluefish or striper, they are not too far away. The shores of the northeast offer a lot of opportunities for a memorable fishing trip for you, your friends and you family. Don’t miss out on these great opportunities.
There are many great types of reels to use when fishing from rocky shorelines, some of them include BG90 and Shimano Calcutta Spinning
“The big story is flounder. There’s more than I’ve ever seen. Most of them are 14-15 inches with some up to 19 inches and many 17-18 inch fish being caught as well. Many anglers are catching their limit of 10 fish a day on shrimp, small sardines, and squid,” reports Tom Leonard of Big Pier 60 Bait & Tackle (727-462-6466). pier60fishing.com
Fishing has been great for Spanish mackerel up to 20 inches first thing in morning. Kingfish up to 15 lbs are being caught, with the occasional kingfish flipping rods over the rail, and spooling a few anglers as well. A few large fish have actually been landed by the experience regulars, Leonard said.
Whiting and silver trout starting to show up. The whiting have been averaging about 12-13 inches. Silver trout are also starting to show. Live shrimp, cut pieces of shrimp, and squid have been productive for both fish. Snook are still being caught. On Friday three slot size fish were caught at night within a half hour. Most of the snook are being caught on small live ladyfish. Speckled trout are still a solid bite, but most anglers not really targeting them since the season is closed, Leonard reports.
There’s also lot of bluefish being caught on spoons and live bait. Sheepshead are also starting bite consistently on crabs and shrimp down around the pilings. Most of the sheepshead are just legal size, the big fish haven’t shown up in any numbers just yet. “There’s also lots of odds and ends such as spadefish, magrove snapper, and short grouper being caught sporadically. There’s also still a lot of small sharks such as bonnet heads, spinners, and black tips, being caught. Water temperature on Sunday was 75 degrees. Pier hours are now Sunday-Thursday 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 24 hours, reports Leonard.
Every year, fall factors, like cooler water temperatures and fewer hours of daylight, change the way fish feed and the methods that anglers use to catch them.
This weekend's wind is going to be borderline for anglers heading out to their favorite reef. Northeast winds at 10-15 knots could put a damper on our offshore ideas of getting a good snapper or grouper bite.
These fish will be at your favorite drops, but cross your fingers for calm-enough seas to allow the run. Boston mackeral, cigar minnows, and squid are perfect go-to baits. FA, FC, RL ,HH, AH, BA, and FB are just a few local reefs to fish. Rock piles, natural ledges, wrecks and culverts are all good choices for fall bottom bumping.
Surf fishing continues to be good, especially when the seas lie down enough to make the fishing easier. Plenty of whiting of all sizes have been reported being caught, and in good numbers.
Good news for those anglers who enjoy pompano fishing - reports have come in that these tasty critters are showing up. What a great day it would be if you're out surf fishing and catch a mixed bag of whiting and pompano. Fresh, dead shrimp and clams will be your definite go-to bait when surf fishing in the fall.
The north and south jetties continue to bring good reports of bull reds, puppy drum and sharks at the tips of either side. Fishing on the bottom with shrimp, mullet and crabs will do the trick.
High tide is in the middle of the day, giving you a perfect incoming tide to fish the rocks. Fishing along either side on the ocean or river will produce trout, reds, sheephead, puppy drum, mangrove snappers and hopefully a slot red. Fishing a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce jighead with a grub like a Bass Assassin, Contender, Berkley Gulp or Cotee can be deadly with the cooler water temperatures.
'Tis the season for those anglers who love trout, reds and puppy drum fishing in the river. There's nothing better than floating a live shrimp or casting a 1/4-ounce jig with a rigged grub this time of year. High tide fishing against the bank can prove to be deadly this time of year.
Lanceford Creek, Egans Creek, Tiger Basin and Bells River are just a few of the many hot spots. Top water plug fishing can also be awesome early in the morning. Hope and cross your fingers for good weather. ... 'til next week, Capt. Jim
At Fishresource.com we always encourage the respect of our natural resources and conservation to ensure that others and future generations will have the same to enjoy. We preach that "...the outdoors. It was not passed down to us from our parents, but loaned to us from our children..."
Always try to leave your fishing spot exactly as it was when you came to it - never leave behind food containers, plastic bags or garbage. Even fishing line can be very dangerous to wildlife, especially birds, and lead to the tangling of limbs, etc. Many fishing and tackle shops will accept old or tangled line for recycling. please bring it in to them or dispose of properly in the garbage.
Catch and Release Fishing: This is a term that is rapidly growing in popularity and one that we support greatly at Fishresource.com. It revolves around the belief that fish should never be wasted. If you catch a fish that is under the legal limit, for example, or that you do not wish to keep, release it quickly to give it the best chance of survival. We recommend that unless you would like to eat your catch, throw it back. You can keep it by taking a picture of it - taxidermists will now provide you with a to scale replica of your catch, that you can hang on your wall, by working with a picture - gone are the days where you have to physically bring in the fish!
Whenever possible, keep the fish in the water and avoid physically handling it and carefully backing out the hook through the lip. In the event that the fish has swallowed the hook or it is hooked in such a way that removal would be too damaging to the fish, cut the line as close to the lure or hook as possible, and release the fish.
If by chance you need to revive a fish from being out of water for too long, simply moving it very gently back and forth in the water will often do the trick. This provides the oxygen to the gills, much in the same way as we receive oxygen from taking air in and out of our lungs. When it begins to struggle or show signs of movement, let it go
Fishing Safely
Often safety is a matter of common sense, and fishing safely is no different. The various sections of this site have safety hints, tips and reminders pertaining to each subject. Fishing safely, however, can refer to a broad range of subjects from putting on sun screen in advance of heading out on the water, to wearing a Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Please look for safety hints and tips on whichever page you are on.
Fishing Accessories
There is an almost endless list of fishing related accessories and almost endless space to store them. There are glove compartments in your car or truck, tackle boxes, storage areas on boats, pockets and pouches on fishing vests, and the list goes on. Tackle boxes store everything from lures, hooks, weights, swivels, scissors, pliers and wire cutters, etc. You may need live bait containers, such as minnow buckets or worm containers, fish chains (stringers) or coolers with ice to keep your catch fresh. Nets to land fish are always a good idea; rod and reel cases to ensure no damage when transporting, and of course first aid kits. Don't forget film for the camera! We could go on and on about accessories, because, at the end of the day, you can never have enough fishing stuff!
You’d be shocked how many crappie get away from fisherman all over the country after the fish have been hooked. I’m willing to bet it happens to you at least a few times every time you go fishing. Here is our surefire Crappie Fishing Tips to limit your crappie “getaways”. Match your line color to the water your are fishing in. As a rule of thumb the cleaner the water is the more you need to disguise your line. Don’t try and “muscle” the fish after you set the hook…unless you want to brag about the fish lips hanging on your hook.
Fishing Accessories
There is an almost endless list of fishing related accessories and almost endless space to store them. There are glove compartments in your car or truck, tackle boxes, storage areas on boats, pockets and pouches on fishing vests, and the list goes on. Tackle boxes store everything from lures, hooks, weights, swivels, scissors, pliers and wire cutters, etc. You may need live bait containers, such as minnow buckets or worm containers, fish chains (stringers) or coolers with ice to keep your catch fresh. Nets to land fish are always a good idea; rod and reel cases to ensure no damage when transporting, and of course first aid kits. Don't forget film for the camera! We could go on and on about accessories, because, at the end of the day, you can never have enough fishing stuff!
Spinning and Spin casting
For most beginners, Spin casting and spinning are two different methods that are easily and quickly learned. Both Spin casting as well as spinning tackle are generally available in packages where the rod is matched with the reel. For additional detail please refer to our detailed pages on spinning and Spin casting Again, ask for assistance when unsure.
The nice thing about these methods is that you can present the bait or the lure fairly accurately where the fish are. You can cast good distances with reasonable accuracy and work the bait and lures effectively, especially in deeper water. In addition, you can also accommodate larger fish on the end of your line relatively easily, due to the nature of the spinning and Spin casting equipment.
We generally encourage children who are starting to fish to begin with Spin casting equipment, since the Spin casting outfits generally use a rod with a grip similar to a pistol and top mounted reels which release line with the push of a button.
Spinning gear can be a little trickier to learn, however, is our favourite and most often used with the crew at Fishresource.com. It uses a relatively straight handle and bottom mounted reel that hangs off the rod. The line is released, not through the release of a button, but by your index finger.
Both spinning and Spin casting are excellent methods to for beginners that can be learned quickly and the equipment can be found at almost any tackle or sporting goods store.
Lures
When you walk into a tackle shop or a sporting goods store, you can literally look at aisle after aisle of fishing lures. To state that there is a wide range of artificial lures available is an understatement. There are so many different kinds, for every kind of fishing imaginable, that the beginner can easily be overwhelmed or pick the wrong one for the kind of fishing they intend to do.
There are basically four major categories of lures for freshwater fishing, and they are: plugs, spinners and spoons, jigs and finally soft plastics.
Snap Swivels
Swivels basically do two things as well: they keep your line from twisting, particularly with lures that spin, and when tied to the end of your line, they allow you to easily switch hooks and lures. Our experience has been that the swivels that come attached to specific lures, do not swivel properly and we generally advise to add a snap swivel to all spinning lures.
Bobbers and Floats
Bobbers or floats attach to your line and basically do two things: they keep your bait suspended at a particular level, and they jerk, dance or "bob" to indicate a bite. Small ball bobbers can be clipped on the line at the bottom and the top, and are easiest to use, as well as the longer stick floats.
Nothing ignites the memory of a great hunt or fishing trip like a great photograph.
But far too many hunters and anglers give the snapshot short shrift.
That's a shame, because getting really nice photos is a lot easier than bagging a 5x5 buck or catching a 10-pound walleye. Today's point-and-shoot cameras are idiot-proof. All you need are a few basic skills to make a photo keepsake that reflects the time, effort and passion you put into the outdoors.
Here's seven steps to better outdoor photography:
1. Learn to point and shoot. You can sight a rifle to shoot 1-inch groups at 200 yards, but you can't shoot your dit cam? L-A-M-E. Something in the Y chromosome wards men away from instruction manuals. Recognize it, accept it and overcome it. Women have no excuse.
One key: Figure out how to control the flash so you can turn it on and off, depending on the situation. More about that later.
2. Carry the camera with you. Why do most photos show deer splayed in a pickup bed or hanging in a garage? Because that's where you left the camera. We can all agree nature provides a far superior backdrop and lighting.
So, forget the SLR; instead, buy the smallest point-and-shoot you can afford so you will carry it in the field.
3. Fill the frame. This single step will improve your photos more than just about anything.
Most amateurs stand way too far from their subjects. Pose your subject so her face is clearly visible in relation to the deer's head, her honkin' bass or that first hard-earned greenhead. Then, watching the viewfinder, creep closer until the important elements dominate the frame.
Word of caution: Make sure you know how your auto-focus indicator works to make sure you're not too close.
4. The flash. Learn how and when to use a fill flash.
How: Read the manual so you can override the camera's automatic mode. This allows you to turn the flash on and off as needed.
When: In very bright, direct sunlight, a fill flash removes harsh shadows and reveals detail. Or, if the subject is backlit by the sun, a fill flash might salvage what otherwise would have been an accidental silhouette.
5. See the light. Pose your subject so the sun falls on his face. In other words, if the sun is behind him, turn him the other way.
Also, take advantage of early morning or late afternoon sun when possible - the sweetest light of the day makes a dramatic difference.
6. Move around. Try different points of reference. Crouch, stand up or lay on your belly until you find the right angle. You'll know it when you see it in the view finder.
7. Shoot 'em up. Pros burn through frames like you burned through ammo with your first pellet gun. Get a high-memory photo card (they're cheap nowadays) so you won't be afraid to press the button. Try some with and without fill flash, and don't forget to switch angles. You'll be amazed how often one frame is the perfect frame.
Like hooks, there are many different kinds but for the beginner, we recommend the split shot, which are inexpensive, easy to use and versatile. Purchase several sizes of removable split shot and squeeze them on with your pliers. Most sinkers have traditionally been made of lead, however, more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as bismuth and tin, are slowly becoming available.
Hooks
There's a very large variety of every kind of hook imaginable available. A single hook for beginners is recommended from #6 to #10 (the higher the number the smaller the hook). As your angling skill increases, and you get more adept at reeling in fish while keeping tension on the line, you can consider making your hooks barbless by breaking off the barb on the end with pliers to make it easier to remove from the fish.
When selecting a fishing rod, there are several things that you should look for. Firstly, you should be able to hold the fishing rod comfortably in one hand. You can purchase many inexpensive combination packages, and rods and reels can be sold as a unit or separately with a good starter set available in the $30 range. You'll need to know what type of fish you'll be after as the weight of the fish relates to the strength of the line you use.
So, you are interested in fishing. This is a great place to start, especially if you've never fished before. Here you will find some general concepts and be introduced to some of the basics of freshwater fishing.
Learning to fish can be an intimidating task, especially with all of the equipment, types of fishing techniques, legislation, etc. Our objective is to make it simple for you to get started so your experience is a rewarding one. You may find yourself addicted before you know it, keeping your rod and tackle box in your trunk at all times. Just in case...
People fish from all walks of life all around the world. It is a sport that offers rewards that range from the excitement of landing a trophy fish, to the peace of mind and serenity that only the great outdoors can bring, but most of all, fishing is fun. Simply ask any of the millions of anglers in North America and they will tell you.
Making sure that you have the right tool for the right job is critical with whatever you are doing, and angling is no different. If you match your tackle to the fish you are looking to hook, you greatly increase your chance of being successful.
This is a good general rule, which applies not only to the tackle you choose, but also to boats, rods, reels, lines, etc. And, don't forget the sunscreen!
For valuable hints and tips on what kind of equipment and tackle is appropriate for different species, please visit the detailed sections on Freshwater Fish Species. You will find techniques and suggestions to help you land more fish.
To get fishing quickly, you will generally need the following items for freshwater fishing:
Most sporting goods stores or fishing tackle shops should be able to set you up with everything that you need. Some will also be able to issue licenses. Ask for help selecting the equipment, especially if you are just starting out. Most shops will also carry the local state or provincial fishing handbooks, which generally cover the local legislation as well as being excellent guides for the local species and the catch limits, etc.
Zeeland, MI —
Fall turnover, which is the mixing and changing of the water, is taking place on many lakes.
As the air and water cools, the game fish change their locations. Some will move deep, often between 20 and 40 feet.
The sharpest drop-off in the lake will hold schools of bass and walleye. Others will find the warmest shallow water that has forage. Mud bottoms and a green coontail weedbed are prime locations. These areas often have frogs, minnows and young bluegill.
Cabbage weeds die first and the oxygen content is not as suitable to a fish. Coontail will stay green until ice-over.
These five tips will provide a nice a change in strategy that will often deliver large fish and quantities before the ice takes over.
• Tip No. 1, fish slow.
Regardless of the lure being used, a slow presentation is best. A fat plug with a short bill that has a wide wobble under a very slow retrieve is perfect. Any change in the retrieve might easily be a fish, so set the hook hard.
• No. 2, afternoons provide better fishing than mornings.
Once the sun starts warming up, the fish start feeding. Late afternoons often have the warmest water of the day. Sleep in and have that second cup of coffee.
Fish after dark for pig walleye. Walleye feed aggressively under darkness and wind swept points are prime. Rocky reefs draw fish and a spotlight will identify feeding fish. Their eyes stand out like a beacon. Locate the fish and turn off your light.
Drift or quietly slide in and start casting shallow running minnow-imitating plugs. Rapala Husky Jerks and the Smithwick Rogues are perfect for this scenario. Both lures are buoyant and will hold in place briefly when stopping the retrieve. This is when most of the strikes will take place.
• No. 3, large baits produce the largest fish.
The food supply has shrunk from the summer peak and most of the forage is large. Use large lures for the largest fish and plan on catching your biggest fish of the year.
Long lures, often six inches, out-perform the shorter lures both on numbers of fish and in size. Lures with a red eye work best and glow tape is an added bonus at night. Witch Craft tape makes these additions simple and cheap.
• No. 4, if you like livebait then this is your time of the year.
We land a bunch of large smallmouth fishing a jig with a four-inch red tail chubb. These really are bonus fish because we are chasing down fat walleye that are on deep water structure.
Allow the fish a few minutes to run with a large minnow before setting the hook. A quick strike rig eliminates the wait because of the small trailer treble hook.
The Laser hook from Eagle Claw works great in this set-up. Another neat twist is the addition of pork. Add a piece of Uncle Josh pork on a large hook and fish in the same manner as minnow.
A jig and pig or a jig and pork can be used in place of a minnow and a slip sinker. This set-up is versatile and should be used in any depth fished.
• No. 5, boat control is a must.
This is where my trolling motor comes into play. Keep the batteries fully charged because wind is common during late fall. Watch your graph and use the zoom. My unit easily tracks the bottom and blows up the smallest detail. The unit is old and inexpensive, but the zoom feature is the key.
From now until the freeze, think outside of the box and enjoy some of the finest fishing of the year. Schools of walleye are often located near the Holland pier suspended four-to-eight feet down. Cast or troll above these schools for arm-jarring action.
Fly fishing is a popular method of angling that is primarily used for salmon and trout. However, fly
fishing is growing in popularity for other species such as northern pike, panfish, bass, carp and a
number of saltwater species such as tarpon, bonefish, snook and redfish.
Rory’s Tips: The full moon is Nov. 2, so it will be almost full for spook night, so don’t expect to go trick-or-treat fishing for crappie or stripers at night using submersible lights or you’ll likely end up haunting an empty bag.
With windy cooler weather visiting the state this week, we may be experiencing the swan song for the great autumn fishing in the warm-water lakes, but it could prompt increased salmonid activity in the high country, especially in lakes with brown trout and brookies. Browns spawn in autumn, and brookies spawn in late autumn, early winter. So at the very least, these two species should be getting more active as they stage for the spawn.
Once the spawns get under way, be sure to put some salmon eggs on the tips of your lures and other offerings. But watch the weather reports: snow was expected Wednesday and Thursday, but the front was expected to clear out by the weekend. We’ll see.
This coming week, we will be stocking the Lower Salt River below Saguaro Lake with trout for the first time, Parker Canyon Lake will get its second stocking of the season, Patagonia will get is first seasonal trout stocking, Dead Horse Ranch State Park will get its first stocking, and Wet Beaver Creek will get its last stocking until March.
So my best tip right now is to strip the fishing line off those reels you have been using all summer and replace the line with the smallest diameter fishing line possible. Old line can lose you some nice fish. A good rule of thumb is change of season, change of line, especially here in Arizona with our summer heat.
This is a great time to try for cool-water fish, such as northern pike and walleye. There are plenty of northerns in Upper Lake Mary, Ashurst and Long Lake. For walleye, the two best are Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow, but Upper Lake Mary also has some.
For the warm-water lakes, right now I would look for action in the lakes with smallmouth bass. Try Roosevelt, especially around the more rocky areas. Apache Lake might well be worth a visit, even though the bronzebacks are still in the comeback mode here (the drive should be terrific). I really like Canyon at these transition times — it’s tough to fish, but hauling in one huge toad will make you smile in remembrance all winter.
But if you really want a treat right now, try Fossil Creek in the Verde Valley for native chub. It’s catch-and-release only, and the chub are numerous but still small. But the eye candy is beyond compare. This travertine stream is definitely an Arizona treasure. We hiked it last week, and were greeted with spectacular scenes one after the other.
During the hike, we discussed what the future may hold for Fossil Creek. While we didn’t have any brilliant bouts of inspiration, one thing is abundantly clear — this travertine stream is an Arizona treasure that should be afforded special treatment and consideration.
So for my last tip this week, grab your ultra light or fly-fishing tackle and take along a camera with plenty of memory for a real October treat — Fossil Creek. When we were there, autumn colors were just starting. The cold, wet weather this week might just turn this area into an autumn color hot spot.
Enjoy, maybe I’ll see you out there.
