How to Build Tip-Downs for Ice Fishing

Instructions

1

Begin by constructing the "rod." Cut a 1-inch dowel rod to 24 inches in length. Use 1 1/4-inch tubing clamps to clamp the prespooled fishing reel to one end of the dowel rod. Screw one 1/4-inch eyelet into the dowel rod directly in front of the reel, then place another eyelet at the opposite end of the dowel rod. Pass the fishing line through these two eyelets to complete the rod.

2

Construct the base from 2-by-4 lumber. Cut a piece to a length of 20 inches, then cut the base into a point so you can punch it into the snow. Next, cut a 2-inch by- 2-inch deep square out of the top of the lumber, then cut notches on either side of this square perpendicular to the 2-inch side of the wood.

3

Complete the tip-down by attaching bait to the end of your fishing line and letting the line to a predetermined depth through a hole in the ice. Push the base of the tip-down into the snow approximately 10 inches from the edge of the hole. Hammer two finishing nails 8 inches from the base of the reel on either side of the rod and place the nails into the notches on the 2-by-4 base. The weight of the reel will keep the tip of the tip-down up until a fish takes the bait, at which point the rod will tip down, indicating a hit.

Tips on How to Repair a Cracked Fishing Pole

Instructions

Repairing an Incomplete or Vertical Break

1

Unscrew the rod and remove the fishing line so you are only working with the damaged section of the rod.

2

Assess the damaged section. If the damaged section of the rod is not broken into two separate pieces, but the crack nearly splits the section in two, cut the rod into two pieces at the break and follow the repair instructions under Repairing a Complete Break. Continue if the crack is small or runs vertically.

3

Sand and trim away splinters so the crack is as smooth as possible.

4

Fill the crack with epoxy and slide a ferrule over the damaged area, attaching it with more epoxy. Select a ferrule that fits snugly around the diameter of the damaged section of the fishing pole.

5

Allow the epoxy to dry before use. Reassemble the fishing pole and restring before use.

Repairing a Complete Break

6

Trim the frayed ends of the broken section of rod. Sand the broken edges to leave you with smooth ends on both pieces of the rod.

7

Apply epoxy to both broken ends of the damaged section and attach one end of a ferrule to each broken end. Select a ferrule that fits over the ends of the broken section, but does not slide up and down the rod.

8

Allow the epoxy to dry before use. Attach the ends of the ferrule to each other and string your fishing pole as usual.

Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing Tips

Suitable Water Conditions

Generally, hybrid stripers tend to avoid other fish, especially predators. Hybrids are usually found in deep pools and will hover around dropoffs. In streams and rivers, fishing is usually best near cool eddies, calm pools and near rock faces. They are also abundant near the mouths of moving water where they feed on small bait fish brought to them by currents.

Seasonal Success

Beginning in early spring and into summer, hybrid striped bass are extremely active and can be caught in areas where they are common. In fall, like their cousin, the striped bass, hybrids will school and feed on a variety of food near the water surface (called a boil). While fall hybrid boils are not as pronounced as those of the pure striper, they do offer solid fishing well into fall months. In fall, casts into deep, open waters will produce fish, while moving streams and rivers are often hot beds.

Lures and Tackle

Generally a fast-striking fish, hybrid striped bass are often suckers for flashy, moving lures. Most experienced hybrid anglers prefer crank baits, jigs, spoons and large, diving and top water lures, which are often the most successful in fall and moving water. Because hybrid stripers are capable of fighting like a pike, novice anglers tend to overcompensate with heavy tackle, which is simply not needed. Light to medium rods will allow for better feel and the ability to set hooks quickly. Line strength of eight to 10 pounds, on a standard spinning reel, will allow for long casts and enough strength to reel in a running wiper.

Ice Fishing Tips for Smelt

Gear

Ice fishing for smelt, which are generally between 6 to 8 inches in length, requires equipment similar to fishing for crappie or panfish. You need an ice auger, or spud, to make a hole in the ice, and a fishing pole made for jigging. You also need small jigs, bait--bloodworms, grubs, minnows and even slices of other smelt--and a depth-finder sinker. According to "Panfish" by Dick Sternberg and Bill Ignizio, smelt are known to bite at night. They suggest having an ice shanty to fish from and a heater to stay warm. Setting up a shanty in advance is common.

Once you've arrived at your shanty, or completed setting it up, drill a hole with your auger or chip the ice with your spud. Tie on your jig, or small hook, and clip on your depth finder. Place it in the water and open your fishing reel until you hit bottom, when your line goes slack. Mark this spot on your line by tying a small knot and then reel the line back in and remove the depth finder.

Bait your jig with a small piece of grub, bloodworm or other food. Some anglers prefer to use several hooks or jigs tied to a single line because smelt swim in large schools, and multiple fish can be caught at one time with this technique.

Drop the line down to the depth you like and begin jigging. When you feel a bite, set the hook and reel your fish in. Make sure to grab the smelt quickly; they often hold onto the bait but are not hooked properly and can wiggle off the hook and fall back into the water.

Location

You may go home empty-handed if you fish the wrong area of a lake known to have smelt. According to "Modern Methods of Ice Fishing" by Tom Gruenwald, smelt can be found in deep water from early to mid-winter; this means you need deeper fishing holes. Gruenwald indicates that late-winter ice fishing often finds the smelt in shallower water, where they are more easily collected. Sternberg and Ignizio add that the mouths near the creeks and rivers where smelt run during their spawning season are good target areas in the late-winter months.

Tips and Tricks

Dropping crushed eggshells into the hole to act like chum in the water is known to attract wandering schools. Gruenwald notes that in New England, anglers tie a small hook to yarn and dip it in iodine. The iodine leaves a seaworm-like scent in the water. Coastal smelt are known to feed on seaworm. When the smelt bites, their teeth get tangled in the yarn, making them easier to catch.

Tampa Bay Fishing Tips

License to Fish

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers lifetime recreational fishing licenses for residents. Visitors can make use of the many fishing charters available in the Tampa Bay area. If fishing from a licensed charter, you won't need to obtain a license; you also don't need one if you are fishing from a licensed pier. Non-residents, however, need a license to fish from shore or any vessel other than a for-hire vessel.

Types of Fish

There is no shortage of species in Tampa Bay. Snook, redfish, redfish trout, cobia, trout, tarpon, black tip reef shark, snapper, Spanish mackerel, pompano, and grouper are among the fish caught here.

Where to FIsh

Some good places to try fishing from either shore or a boat are the Skyway Bridge fishing piers, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Fort DeSoto Park, and Gandy Boulevard Bridge.

The Skyway Bridge has two fishing piers, both already licensed. Dubbed the "longest fishing pier in the world," the piers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bait, ice, souvenirs, drinks and snacks, and tackle and pole rentals are available.

Fort DeSoto Park is in Pinellas County, Fla., and is comprised of five keys: St. Christopher, Madeline, St. Jean, Bonne Fortune and Mullet Key. The park has two fishing piers. Often caught species here include lady fish, permit, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and king mackerel.

Courtney Campbell Causeway connects Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla. The bridge has frontage roads on each side where fishing is available. The catch here includes spotted trout, cobia, tarpon, snook, pompano, and lady fish.

Gandy Boulevard Bridge is also between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Both ends of the bridge have fishing piers. Both piers are handicap accessible and portable toilets are available. Possible catches here are spotted sea trout, pompano, tarpon, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and lady fish.

When to Fish

Winter is a great time to fish in Tampa Bay. The cold weather makes the fish look for warmer waters. So, says Captain Sergio Atanes, fish the west end of the bay at first light because sunlight will hit this area first.

Creeks with muddy, dark bottoms tend to absorb and keep heat, drawing snook, which has a low tolerance for cold, as well as redfish. Creek shorelines are usually 3 to 5 degrees warmer than other water, warm enough to draw fish.

Also look for concrete docks and seawalls. The sun will heat the concrete, which will transmit heat to the waters by it. Marinas are also good options, as they have ample seawalls and docks to draw fish.

Atanes also recommends areas near power plants; there are three in the Tampa Bay area.

Bass Fishing Tips for Small Ponds

Bass Fishing Tips for Diamond Valley Lake

Fishing Spots

When searching for bass in Diamond Valley Lake, look in rocky banks and steeper areas. Launch your boat and troll fish in deeper waters and backs of coves. According to California Game and Fish, structures were planted around the entire lake allowing the fish to spread out. Several small islands as well as underwater reefs are available for bass to conjugate. Other effective spots are near rocky shorelines in depths of 10 to15 feet. Also don't overlook the main points of land that sink into the water as spawning bass frequently hang on these points. During spring, dependable bass hotspots include areas around the rock quarry, the water inlet tower, behind the island in Rawson Cove and the small saddle dam on the north shore.

Lures and Baits

Use worms to get you the most bites with either split-shot, drop-shot or Texas-rigged. Other effective baits include smaller baits, jigs and reaction baits like topwater baits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits and buzz baits. When casting for bass during the early morning, big topwater lures like the Zara Spook over submerged spots are most productive. During spring, use a lead head jig or a scrounger head rigged with a split-tail fluke in soft plastic with a pattern that imitates the color of shad baitfish.

Techniques

Use the lightest line you can get such as a 4 to 6-pound line because Diamond Valley Lake has relatively clear waters. When fishing on waters covered with trees and brush, use a heavier line set up. As the temperatures start to rise, shift to rigs with top water baits like shad pattern poppers. Fish during the spring and early summer for the most productive fishing because that is when the bass are spawning.

Bass Fishing Tips for Marsh Creek Lake, Pennsylvania

License

If you are age 16 or over you are required by Pennsylvania law to have a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. Both residents and non-residents must keep the fishing license on them at all times while fishing. Fishing licenses can be bought by phone, in person from license issuing agents or county treasurer offices. You can also buy a license online at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.

Boating

Fishing can be done at Marsh Creek Lake from both the shore and boat. However, gas powered boats are prohibited on the lake. Only non-powered and electric powered boats are allowed. Boat rentals are available for a fee at Marsh Creek Lake for those with a valid driver's license. Generally, bass fishermen have a higher rate of success when fishing out of a boat. Using a boat allows the fisherman to go where the bass are.

Bass Fishing

Marsh Creek Lake has pads and weeds that grow thick. These areas are where largemouth bass like to congregate. According to Pennsylvania Game & Fish, "Hotspots include the wide bay below Conestoga Road, the bay in front of the state park office and the area by the dam". Bass typically hit on artificial bait such as rubber worms, spoons, jigs and crankbaits. Most bass fishermen prefer using a rod and reel to catch their fish. Trolling is another option for bass fisherman using a boat. Trolling is when the boat slowly pulls the fishing line as it sweeps the water waiting for the bass to take the bait.

To help locate bass, look for schools of bait fish. Typically predatory fish--such as bass--will be near the bait fish.

Water temperature can make or break your bass fishing success. During colder temperatures, bass move to shallow waters and hit more on top water lures. When the water temperature heats up, bass go into the cooler, deeper areas of the water. Typically, you successfully catch bass during the hotter months by using a plastic worm as bait and lowering your line closer to the bottom of the lake.

Fishing Bobber Techniques

Bobber Fishing From the Shore

You will normally want to keep your bait a foot or less above the bottom or above the weed line. Finding the proper depth to fish is a matter of trial and error. If you are using a fixed bobber, set it about a foot deeper than the length of your fishing rod. If you are using a slip bobber, take a guess at how deep you think the water is as far out as you can cast. Cast as far as you can and then slowly reel the line until you can see that the bobber is on the bottom or has become fouled in the weeds. At that point, you then know for sure how deep it is in that spot. Adjust the depth of your bobber to fish closer or further out.

Bobber Fishing From a Boat

If you are fishing in water deeper than the length of your rod, always use a slip bobber. Keep in mind the "fishing triangle." One side is the line from your rod tip to your bobber. The second line is straight down from your bobber to your hook. The third line is created from your rod tip to the fish when you try to set the hook. If your bobber is too far from the boat or if you allow slack line between your rod tip and your bobber, no matter how hard you pull, that third line is not going to be tight enough to set the hook into a fish.

Bobber Fishing in a River

Rivers and streams require more work and more attention from the angler than lake fishing. The bobber is constantly on the move over varying depths and subject to more snags. Basically, you will cast your bait upstream, allow it to float downstream, retrieve it and repeat. To keep a taut line which will allow you to set the hook when you get a bite, reel the line in as the bobber floats toward you, then either let line out as it floats away, or just reel it in a cast upstream again. If you want to fish near the bank, cast the bobber out into the river a little ways, then allow the current to swing it back into the shore.

When to Set the Hook

One of the first things you learn about bobber fishing is "when it goes under, set the hook." A better rule is "when a fish has the bait in its mouth, set the hook." If you are fishing on or very near the bottom, a fish would have to dig a tunnel in order to pull down on the bobber. As likely as not, the bobber will go sideways when a fish takes your bait and swims away with it. Any time you see movement that indicates the hook is in a fish's mouth, set the hook.

How to Use a Handheld GPS for Fishing Tips and Tricks

Instructions

1

Turn on your handheld GPS before you set off from the shoreline. Before putting the boat in gear, wait for the unit to acquire the satellites it need to mark your location. When it has the proper satellites and knows your latitude and longitude, press the button on the unit that marks your location. An icon will appear on the unit's screen and be stored in its log. Make a note on the icon that it is your starting location.

2

Watch the screen of your handheld GPS as you motor out onto the body of water. A line that shows where you have been, and where you are heading, will appear on the screen. Watch that line to chart your progress. Turn the boat off when you reach the location where you plan to fish, but do not turn off your GPS unit. Instead, keep the unit at the ready and whenever you catch a fish, miss a fish, or get a bite, press the button to mark the location on your GPS. Even if you do not catch fish, but believe you have located a good spot, mark the location. That way, you can go back at a later time and try fishing it again. Some of the spots worth marking are points and inside turns of drop-offs, weedlines, and rock piles.

3

If the handheld device you have allows you to download a map of the lake you are fishing, or has the lake pre-loaded into it (some units come with such software), look at the map and mark likely areas. Even if you have never fished those spots before, marking likely areas can save you time when you are on the water. You may not find or catch fish right on the spots you have marked, but once you do find or catch fish, mark the new spot. If the fish seem to be scattered about the area, keep both marks in your GPS log. If not, delete the original mark.

4

When you want to call it a day, find the icon you created when you left shore and press it. Now, your handheld unit will show you the route to take to get back there. As you navigate the boat, pay attention to your GPS to ensure you are traveling in the right direction.

Trout Fishing Tips in Colorado

Dry Dropper Rig

Using multiple flies and lures can be an effective tactic in Colorado waters. Trout spook easy, making conventional indicators too invasive for proper presentations. Colorado waters run clear, due to mountain snow melt and Rocky Mountain water clarity. By using a dry fly or floating lure as a strike indicator, and a weighted wet fly beneath, anglers can effectively fool Colorado trout into striking. This method is often referred to as a dry dropper rig.

Mysis

Many of Colorado's Gold Medal waters are located below reservoirs, and are designated as tailwaters. Using mysis patterns, or bait that imitates shrimp is an effective tactic when chasing these trophy trout. Throughout the year, anglers can have great success using these imitations, which are most effective in smaller sizes. Fishing mysis at varied depths will yield better productivity, as these insects move throughout the water column, dependent on the current flow rate emptying from the dam above.

Remote Areas

Colorado offers great backcountry fishing opportunities. State parks, national forests and hiking trails provide access into streams and lakes which receive little pressure from anglers. Rocky Mountain National Park and State Forest State Park are two wise choices during summer months. These areas produce beautiful brook, brown and cutthroat trout, many specific to Colorado. A permit is not required to fish these areas, although fishing licenses are required. Trout in these areas feed on a wide variety of insects and it isn't uncommon to have a 50 plus fish day.

Bass Fishing Tips for Cold Weather

Location

To catch bass, you must first find them. When the weather turns cold, bass do not automatically switch from their warm-weather locations. But they do tend to focus more on areas with two things: cover and access to deep water. As a result, focus on drop-offs, points and the edges of humps where there are pieces of cover such as green vegetation, rocks or timber. Bass will be schooled up during cold weather, so when you catch one fish, it is likely there are more in the area.

Slow Down

Once you find the bass, the next goal is getting them to bite. They will eat, but anglers should remember that bass in cold water are lethargic. That means your lure should be presented slowly and, in general, close to the bottom.

Lure Options

Some of the best lures for cold-weather bass fishing are jigging spoons, jigs and pigs, deep-diving crankbaits and small, finesse-type lures, such as small worms and tubes. Jigging spoons are especially effective once you have located a school of bass. Position the boat over the top of them and let the spoon down among the school. Jig it up and down slowly, and watch for your line to jump, which signifies a strike. Jigs and pigs should be presented slowly along the bottom in the manner of a crayfish that is moving around, and crankbaits should be cast far and retrieved slowly so they bump into the ground. Finesse lures can be especially effective when a cold front hits when the weather is already cold; that causes bass to become even more sluggish.

Lure Size

Because the weather is cold, many anglers decide to fish nothing but small lures, believing as they do that bass are lethargic and not willing to chase down a bait. But cold-weather bass still will hit a big bait, because they would rather have one large meal than multiple small meals. Use jigs and pigs and spinnerbaits that weigh up to 1/2 oz. or more and crankbaits that dive to 20 feet or more. Just focus on retrieving them slowly.

Break in the Weather

When the prevailing weather pattern is cold, as it is in the late fall or winter, a day or two of warm weather can cause bass to go on a feeding frenzy. Warmer weather will cause the shallow water to warm up, which in turn draws bass. Cast quick-moving lures such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits to take advantage of the action.

How to Fish From the Shore for Saltwater Fish

Instructions

1

Get a tide chart (available at tackle shops) and plan your surf fishing around high-and low-tide changes, when bait fish are most active. An hour before until an hour after each changing tide is a good time for surf fishing.

2

Tie a double-hook rig to your main line and attach 1 to 2 ozs. of sinker weight at the bottom, then bait both hooks. Squid strips and chunks of shrimp work well for flounder and sea trout. Bluefish, striper bass and smaller panfish, such as croaker and spot, will hit chunks of bloodworm or cut bait, such as mullet.

3

Get into a shotgun stance for casting by putting your right foot forward and pointing it toward your casting target (if you fish right-handed). Or put your left foot forward if you prefer to cast left-handed. Whichever way you fish, the foot planted forward in the sand should be on the same side of your body as the hand controlling the reel.

4

Plant your other foot back in the sand and turn it outward 30 to 45 degrees with your feet spread slightly more than shoulder width. Bounce on your knees a couple of times to check your balance until you have learned a comfortable stance.

5

Lift the surf rod above your head and behind you until the rod is parallel to the sand.

6

Pick your casting spot, which should be immediately behind the breaking surf where bait fish are gathering in the changing tide, to leverage the rod's power.

7

Swing the rod up and over your head, releasing the line when the rod tip is pointed at your casting target.

8

Give the rig time to sink and settle on the sandy bottom. You'll feel a slight pull when the pyramid sinker hits bottom.

9

Retrieve the line in a stop-and-go manner, twitching the rod tip frequently to bring the bait up off the bottom so it can settle again.

Hybrid Bass Fishing Tips

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is a great way to find where bass are hiding throughout the day. All About Fishing states that striped bass, unlike many species of fish, even other bass, will normally congregate at the deepest points of a body of water. However, bottom fishing means different things in different places. To achieve success, you need to know what areas to look for when bottom fishing.

In a calm lake, the deeper areas or holes close to shore are a good place to put a hook. However, in rapid-moving water, like rivers with strong current, bottom fishing isn't necessarily in a deeper area, but rather in a spot where the dropoff is sharp. A big rise from a sandbar makes a great hideout for bass looking for a relaxing area to get away from the current.

The flatter and bigger the area of the bottom the better. It should have a lot of room to roam about without lots of obstructions.

Land Points

Seek areas where land jets out into the water. These points are common areas of congregation for school fish that hybrid bass feed on. Ben Sanders of Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing explains that anglers get better strike statistics if they troll slowly with the current right off points as this is where stripers like to hole up.

Warm Water Discharge

The areas directly below dams are very popular for hybrid bass because they love the colder water. As warm water flows away from the dam, cold water from the bottom rises to the surface, making the whole pool temperature lower. Ben Sanders of Hybrid Striped Bass explains that hybrid bass are drawn to fast moving water like that around dams and river mouths.

Top Water

During the warmer months more success in hybrid fishing comes from top-water fishing. Search for patterns of bait fish movement and run a top spinner or lure along that route. Hybrids will jump to catch it thinking it is a part of the bait fish school.

Another successful area to search for hybrid bass while top fishing is at the mouth of a river tributary. This is where two rivers meet and the flow is temporarily impeded while the waters combine. It provides an area of cooler water with less current. The points of the land areas at these junctions are popular with bait fish, hence a good place to find hybrid bass as well. The All About Fishing tips website suggests top water striper fishing is the ultimate thrill.

Shore Fishing Tips on Oahu

Locations

Fishing from shore in Oahu can take many forms. Anglers can choose from fishing the surf from sandy beaches, wade-fishing in the flats, piers, cliffs, docks and seawalls. Walk the ends of the numerous beaches in search of rocks and reefs that jut into the water. Many fish typically congregate around these points. Piers in Pearl Harbor, Wailua Bay and Sand Harbor are popular locations for putting anglers in deeper water off-shore without needing a boat. Wade into designated fishing areas at Pearl Harbor and Pokai Bay and fish the breakwater with squid or sand worms for a variety of species. Freshwater fishing for peacock and black bass can be found on Lake Wilson and the Nuuanu Reservoir inland. Be aware that unlike most shore fishing locations in Oahu, sections of these bodies of water may require a Hawaii fishing license.

Methods

Traditional fishing methods using spinning rods work well on Oahu. Live bait, lures, weighted hooks or cast-and-retrieve methods can all be successful traditional methods. To enhance your Oahu fishing experience, spend some time chatting with the locals and offer to share bait. You may find yourself being introduced to some traditional Hawaii fishing techniques. Slide-bait fishing off the cliffs past Makaha may help to put a hefty fish on your hook. Locals use extra-long poles to cast weighted line far off the cliffs then clip the hook and bait to their taut line to let gravity slide the rig off-shore. Simple-cane pole fishing for oama (juvenile goatfish) while wading off local beaches is a Hawaiian tradition. The fish are fried and eaten whole. Many locals congregate on Oahu docks and piers and fish for halalu and akule (types of mackerel) with larger cane poles or light spinning tackle. You might find an impromptu lesson on hand-line fishing---a traditional island method that uses no pole.

Gear

It's a good idea to bring a pair of shoes specifically for fishing on Oahu. Much of the fishing from shore requires wading into knee or waist-high water, especially when fishing the breakwater surfs. Sharp coral and defensive features on many of the fish around Oahu may pose hazards to bare feet. Basic gear can be found at many discount hardware stores around Oahu. Sifting sand off the beaches can provide you with plenty of sand worms and crabs for fresh bait. It's also a good idea to pick up a saltwater species guide and a copy of Hawaii's fishing regulations so you know what you're catching and if it's legal. Some species are open year-round while others must be released immediately if caught. The Pacific waters around Oahu are fertile ecosystems and you might be continuously surprised by what's on the end of your line each time you catch a fish.

How to Fix a Fishing Rod Tip

Instructions

1

Inspect the broken tip and practice fitting it back into place-- you'll need to achieve the original alignment when you replace the tip.

2

Using a lighter or a match, heat a glue stick until it begins to drip.

3

Place one drop of glue onto the broken end of the rod, making sure you don't get any glue on the fishing line. Fit the rod tip into place.

4

Hold the two pieces in position until the glue hardens. This should take only a few seconds.

5

Check the alignment. If the fishing line moves freely, you're done.