People may think that using bait puts them ahead of the game compared with artificial lures or flies. But this is not necessarily true. To get the very best out of your sessions you really need to get into the head of bait-caught fish.

Natural Baits
These often work far better than anything you can buy or make. Remember that the vast majority of fish eat natural food most of the time in most waters. Caddis grubs, in particular, can make great baits. Try two or three of them on a 14 or 16 size hook. Worms work great after rain. You wouldn’t believe how many get washed into your average river, where the fish can gorge on them. Try slugs, oil your lettuce patch. Use your imagination but don’t use any living creatures that are rare, endangered or protected.

Bait Size
Sometimes there is so much natural food in a water that the fish become preoccupied with it to the exclusion of everything else. In the late summer, for example, huge shoals of daphnia drift in the water. These microscopic organisms are sucked up by fish of every species. At times like this a big bait can very occasionally work, simply by providing a shock-tactic approach. A better, safer bet is to use small baits in big numbers. Maggots, hemp seed and casters (the chysalis stage between maggots and bluebottles) are great for this style of work.

Smelly Bait
In colored water fish can have problems in actually seeing your baits. This is where big, smelly baits come in. Luncheon meat is the perfect example. And don’t be shy about using a big, big piece. Sometimes you can use even a quarter of the can as a single bait. Or try using three or lour really big pieces up the line from the hook. Make an impact.

Modern or Traditional?
Modern baits like boilies, pellets and special pastes are all very good. The trouble is, sometimes they are used to the exclusion of everything else on the water so the fish learn very quickly. If you suspect the fish are wising up, try something different. You can often go back to an old favourite like sweetcorn with great results. (more…)

When it comes to fishing lures, spoons and spinners are the most traditional imitations, & they’ve been around for many years. Just because they are old, doesn’t mean they don’t work, though. They do. In fact, often their effect can be devastating. As ever, there are basics to keep in mind.

Line Twist
Spinners, in particular, can turn your line a twisted mess if you don’t use swivels. Swivels go a long way to counteracting the twisting of the line that the spinner creates.

Spinners and Spoons
These work particularly well in sunny weather & clear water. The sunlight catches the blade and reflects attractively through the water for long distances. For this reason, in sunny conditions, it’s a good idea to use bright silver or gold blades. And keep them polished. The shinier your spinner or spoon, the more reflective it is. (more…)

There’s bass lures that Work and then there’s lures you can mount on the wall or sell at your next garage sale.

Spring has come and the sun will be shinning late into the Autumn this year, and the fish are promising to be jumping in the boats, especially that most desirable of fish, the bass. You need only to assemble a formidable selection of bass fishing lures to entice them.

Now bass fishermen, like any fishermen, differ sharply on which are the best bass fishing lures, the ones sure to get that strike every time a fish comes into sight and smell of that slimy delight. Live swimming grubs or lures imitating grubs have proven effective for snatching those bass 10 to 15 feet deep. Live grubs wag their tails in a subtle manner, which brings attention from those bass below, so if you’re using artificial grub, make sure their tails will wag gently as you fan cast around your boat. Use a steady retrieve, slow and smooth. Shad colored grub lures are especially effective.

Many bass fishermen use spinner baits, but may find these sink too slowly and the action isn’t fooling the bass. Interestingly enough, a one half ounce Sonar has properties that call those bass like a school of shad. The metal blade vibrates and the lure sinks quickly, hitting the bottom with a hard thud. The size of a threadfin shad will catch the eye of any bass. You’re sure to land your max using these.

Switch blades are popular bass fishing lures for catching bass, the , the Reef Runner Cicada, and Wordens Showdown are popular and very effective lures. These lures are normally fished vertically, but many cast them for more extensive coverage. Cast these out about 15 feet, let them fall to 20 feet, then pump it back up to 15, repeating until you’ve completed the retrieve. Aim in another direction and try again. The more area you cover, the greater likelihood you’ll hook that big fish.

Soft plastic bass fishing lures have also produced good results. These are constructed almost like a fly. The hair and feathers are neatly tied to their soft, plastic bodies. Some sparkling flash material is also attached to the body. Nothing beats flash to spark a bass’ interest. These lures may imitate worms, shad or grub. They are more a work of art than a lure, but perhaps there are art loving bass out there too. (more…)

The great state of Oregon is of course well known for its natural beauty, and that beauty is on full display at the famous Columbia River Gorge National Park. This gorgeous park is filled with natural wonders and visitors from around the world flock here for fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing or just to enjoy the grandeur of nature.

There are many must see sites for first time visitors to the Columbia River Gorge National Park, but one of the most remarkable is the breathtaking Multnomah Falls. This natural wonder is not to be missed, and all visitors to the Columbia River Gorge National Park should carve some time out of their schedule to see it.

Standing some 620 feet tall, Multnomah Falls is the second highest waterfall in the United States. This double tiered waterfall is truly remarkable, and well worth the hike. Those who want an up close and personal view of this spectacular waterfall should be sure to visit the Benson Bridge – this bridge lets visitors see the falls from between the upper and lower tier.

Any visitor with an interest in fishing should try his or her luck both above and below Bonneville Dam. The sturgeon fishing is particularly great in the Columbia River, but the waters in the park are also filled with small mouth and large mouth bass, walleye, shad and more. . Salmon fishermen and women should check out the Little White Salmon River, also within the borders of the park.

Washington State has its share of great Columbia River fishing too. A Columbia River Fishing Vacation could be a memorable event for the avid fisherman. There is a nice little guide to catching salmon on the Columbia River and elsewhere HERE. (more…)

Fishermen in California have a wide choice of lakes which provide them with excellent fishing opportunities. One of the best in southern California for bass fishing is the Lower Otay Lake.

Located on the Otay River in San Diego County, the lake was created on the completion of the Savage Dam. Typical lake information includes its size which is around 1,100 acres and its average depth which is approximately 125 feet. The lake is considered one of the best bass fishing spots on the west coast as the many old dead trees and rock piles provide perfect habitat.

The other primary fish species in the lake include catfish, bluegill, crappie and bullhead. Fish limits are 5 catfish, 5 bass and 25 crappie with no limit on other fish species. The lake is a Bassmaster Tournament location and is a popular spot in California during the fishing season.

Other lake information includes that it is open for fishing on Wednesday and the weekend and this can be done by boat, from the shoreline or using a float tube. No overnight camping is allowed around the lake with the nearest campground facilities being 2 miles away. The nearest city is Chula Vista which is around 8 miles west of the lake with downtown San Diego being a 30 minute drive away.

The weather is generally fine throughout the year with little rain. The high temperature in the summer months reaches into the 80’s with temperatures in the 60’s more typical during the winter. Other local attractions include boating and hiking.