Questions tagged [fishing]
Questions about the activity of trying to catch fish, usually in the wild, using a wide range of techniques
152
questions
6
votes
1
answer
49
views
What type of seabed attracts speckled trout?
What type of seabed should I be fishing on when trying to catch speckled trout along the Texas Gulf Coast?
- 7,200
13
votes
1
answer
411
views
How to determine the thickness of ice?
Thinking about going ice fishing this winter but I am worried about falling through thin ice. I know that ice should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) if clear and 8 inches (20 cm) if cloudy, but how can ...
- 488
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Went fishing on the river for full day, caught one fish; normal?
My dad, brothers and I grew up fishing. However, the vast majority of our fishing has been set it and forget it fishing for catfish, mostly at night.
My dad and father-in-law are in town for ...
- 209
4
votes
3
answers
372
views
Any reason to prefer bow-fishing over rod-fishing?
Is there any reason to pick bow-fishing over rod-fishing.
As far as I know it's extremely difficult to aim for fishes beneath the water surface. This makes me wonder if there is any rational reason ...
- 23.4k
3
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is the technique for fishing with live croaker bait?
I've heard good things about fishing the Texas gulf coast with live croaker bait. What is the technique for fishing with this bait? Specifically, where should one hook the bait and what technique is ...
- 7,200
5
votes
1
answer
339
views
Can you help identify this fish i caught?
I think it may be a salmon but the green colour is throwing me off.
- 151
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Any tips for landing fish on barbless hooks?
I have started to debarb all my flies a while ago (it is much better for the fish if you are doing catch and release), but have been loosing some hooked fish that I was otherwise able to net when I ...
- 1,934
10
votes
1
answer
533
views
When are the best times/months to catch speckled trout on the US Gulf Coast?
I would like to go fishing for speckled trout (proper name spotted seatrout) along the US Gulf Coast, specifically near Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay.
What months are the best times to catch speckled ...
- 7,200
5
votes
1
answer
314
views
What types of live bait should I use to catch red drum?
I want to go fishing for red drum (reds) on the Texas Gulf Coast and I would like to use live bait. What types of live bait should I use?
- 7,200
7
votes
2
answers
773
views
Catching largemouth bass with sunfish?
I have caught bass in the past but they have always been small largemouth bass or smallmouth bass. And this is with wax worms that I often use when fishing with my dad. My dad caught a big largemouth ...
- 681
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can fish sense a person's heartbeat from vibrations through the line?
Fishing is 95% waiting and 5% action, well at least that's how it is for me. During the down time, I contemplate deeply on some obscure and inane things. For a while I've wondered if an angler is ...
- 677
5
votes
4
answers
614
views
Transporting Large Amounts of Fish
I'll be going on an multi-day deep sea fishing trip where we are expected to catch between 150lb to 400lb of fish each (Yellow Fin, Ably, Dorado). I'll have a 3 day drive back home across the Midwest. ...
- 151
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why do some fisheries have a lower size limit and others have an upper size limit for keeping fish?
My home river has a minimum size limit of 50 cm for keeping atlantic salmon, while I have seen online that some other places have a maximum size limit above which fish cannot be retained. Why is there ...
- 1,934
7
votes
1
answer
673
views
Alternatives to Dacron backing on fly reel?
I am thinking about changing the backing on my reel for something thinner and stronger like gel spun line (I'm currently using 20lb Dacron). The goal is to fit enough backing into the reel for ...
- 1,934
7
votes
1
answer
698
views
How do I setup a proper jig?
I live close to the Sacramento River in Rio Vista, CA, it's current is usually very heavy. I usually use anchovies for strippers and use a second rod to practice with lures. When I can afford it, I'll ...
- 677
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is this fish hook type called?
I am trying to buy this kind of fish hook (picture below), but I have no idea what is called. Does anyone know what to search for?
The main characteristic of this hook is that the hook eye is solid ...
- 213
13
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Fishing Rods: One Piece or Two Piece
A number of fishing rods you can buy have models that are 2 piece and models that are 1 piece. I have heard people say their rods snapped in half when they were 2 piece. However, it would be extremely ...
- 721
8
votes
1
answer
137
views
Rod and Tackle Combination for Beginner Fisher
I want to get into fishing but don't know the technical side because I just fish with rods pre-setup. So I decided that I wanted to get a spinning reel and am pretty sure I want a Shakespeare ugly ...
- 721
11
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK?
American signal crayfish are a delicious invasive species in the UK. I'd love to catch and eat some but I'm unsure how to go about this.
Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK?
I'...
user2766
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I use wading sandals with waders?
I have a pair of wading sandals (made by Keen and designed for water sports) to which I added a few metal studs and have been using for wet wading while fly fishing in shallow streams. Now I wonder if ...
- 1,934
7
votes
1
answer
103
views
Is there a good and fast way to dry used flies before storing them?
I have been spending many hours by the water recently and usually try a lot of flies before I find what is working on a particular day. The question is: what to do with all the flies that got wet ...
- 1,934
10
votes
1
answer
313
views
What are the best practices to ensure survival of catch and release fish?
I have seen some folks handling fish in a rather rough way before releasing them. The other day I was in a similar situation and realized that I don't know well what the best practices are either.
I ...
- 1,934
9
votes
1
answer
620
views
What are the disadvantages of using a lighter fly line than the indicated for the reel?
I'm thinking about buying a new reel for my weight 8 rod (which I use for steelhead), but want also to use it for my weight 5 rod (which I use for trout). The reel is supposed to be used with lines ...
- 1,934
6
votes
2
answers
186
views
Tackle for catching bass on live bait
What tackle do I need for catching bass on live bait in fresh water?
Fish: Largemouth bass, Northern pike and Smallmouth bass
Mean depth of lake is 8ft.
- 111
14
votes
18
answers
97k
views
What are good baits for crabbing?
Now certainly if you're British you likely just had a wave of nostalgia over the idea of Crabbing! I did when I thought this through certainly.
Crabbing is not only a great way to spend the afternoon ...
- 15.4k
10
votes
2
answers
379
views
Basic setup for trout fishing
I am a whitewater kayaker and my GF, who does not kayak, sometimes accompanies me on river trips. She loves the outdoors and is never bored when I am boating (besides driving my vehicle from the putin ...
- 4,063
4
votes
2
answers
309
views
Is it ok to bleed a fish in muddy water
Sometimes I go to a secluded lake and want to take some table size Catfish home. However, the lake is particularly muddy and dirty, the water is actually brown. Is there a problem with bleeding fish ...
1
vote
1
answer
465
views
Bleeding a fish without a cooler [duplicate]
So, when I go to this lake I can usually catch table size catfish and I want to take some home, however due to the rough terrain and long trails to get to this secluded lake, it would be a hassle to ...
5
votes
1
answer
133
views
Are surface plugs effective for fishing in choppy water?
I tend not to use surface plugs in rough water, merely because I find them more difficult to fish. But are they less productive in choppy water than when the surface is calm?
- 2,924
12
votes
4
answers
631
views
Fly casting in heavy cover/growth
I recently began learning to fly fish. However most of the streams I frequent are small creeks in the Southern Appalachians that have a lot of growth on the banks and overhead making casting rather ...
- 221
2
votes
1
answer
69
views
Rod characteristic for spinning for small freshwater fish
Looking for an idea of the characteristics for a rod (length, action...) before I go shopping. Using small lures, commonly 2-4g bladed spinners or 12 g Toby, going after small brown trout and Arctic ...
- 383
5
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Optimal size for crayfish (crawfish) trap entry hole?
I'm interested in taking advantage of the delicious, invasive and underutilized crawfish here in Minnesota. I recently purchased several minnow traps (they look like two metal mesh cones placed ...
- 301
7
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why did the handle come off my spinner rod?
I am brand new to fishing and have only made it out 4 times before this morning.
Today I planned on fishing all morning. After a few casts (I have a Shakespeare Ugly Stik spinner) I noticed that the ...
- 173
8
votes
1
answer
291
views
What are some good kayak fishing areas in Friendship, Maine?
I am going to Friendship, Maine, USA, 04547, for the first week of August 2014. I am thinking about kayak fishing. Are they any good spots? What kind of fish species should I expect to find there?
5
votes
2
answers
176
views
How can we catch the smallmouth/striped bass in our lake?
We have a new 9 acre lake that we stocked just last spring with minnows, georgia giants, perch, small mouth, hybrid striped bass, and koi. We're adding catfish and some other fish this year, but we ...
- 391
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
A fishing pole for lake and ocean fishing
I'm looking for a fishing pole that can work for fishing trips to the ocean as well as lake fishing. I fish a lot in New Jersey (surf, bay, boat) and also visit lake Winnipesaukee quite a bit. Is ...
- 141
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can you use a loop-to-loop going braid to mono/fluoro?
I have been using a double uni knot to go from braid to a fluoro leader, and just recently learned a perfection loop, and accompanying loop-to-loop for fly line to fly leader. For spinning gear with a ...
- 131
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
European Made fishing rods
I am looking for a new fishing rod and reel (combo ideally) but prefer to support non-asian made products. Is there a European manufacturer of fishing rods/reels that doesn't outsource everything to ...
- 59
18
votes
2
answers
31k
views
Is it really necessary to gut a fish?
I'm obviously not a fisherman...
If I like the flavors, is there any problem with cooking and eating a fish that hasn't been gutted?
Any particular species?
In other words, what are all the reasons ...
- 1,779
4
votes
2
answers
712
views
True fish attractants?
Most "fish attractants" are actually just mechanisms to cover up human scent (as this article here as well as this one point out). They don't actually attract fish, but they mask any fish-negative ...
- 379
23
votes
13
answers
94k
views
When to kill and bleed a fish
I am getting into fishing (I bought an entry-level spinner and plan on going to some nearby rivers/lakes) and have been reading a lot of conflicting information in regards to the sequence of events ...
- 379
9
votes
4
answers
628
views
Pike fishing equipment & rigging
I'm planning on getting out to try some Pike fishing in Sweden this autumn. Never tried it before so I could do with a few basic pointers on equipment, suggestions for the following:
a) Rod type, ...
- 383
11
votes
3
answers
278
views
Fly fishing rig knots
I have been fly fishing with my dad for a number of years but recently I went on my own and hit quite the stumbling block... I didn't know how to set the kit properly, normally I drive the boat while ...
- 383
5
votes
2
answers
167
views
New to fishing in Virginia
I just moved to Virginia (Fairfax County) a few months ago. I've done some hiking around the area, mostly by the Potomac. With Spring starting I want to get in to some fishing. Can anyone give me some ...
- 213
11
votes
1
answer
346
views
Walk-away fishing
From a beginning fisher:
Can I, say, float a raft out into the middle of a lake, with several fishing lines/hooks/bait hanging into the lake, with the whole thing tethered to the shore by a long rope,...
- 1,779
14
votes
9
answers
35k
views
What are the benefits of a baitcaster over a spinning reel for bass fishing?
I have been looking at new rods and several people have suggested a baitcaster. I currently have a spinning reel that I am comfortable with but I would like to try a new rod/reel type.
What am I ...
- 1,619
7
votes
1
answer
316
views
Gas or Electric trolling motor?
What are the important differences between a gas and electric trolling motor for fishing in a small jon boat? I'm primarily concerned on the impact the the actual fishing (as opposed to any ...
- 32.1k
13
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How do you determine worm color for Large Mouth Bass
When I was growing up and fishing for Large Mouth Bass with my grandfather we primarily used plastic worms. Color and style matters a lot, and different worms had significantly different results. To ...
- 32.1k
6
votes
0
answers
144
views
NuCanoe 12' vs. NuFontier 12' [closed]
I'm in the market for a kayak that will be used for inshore fishing, paddling, and occasionally hunting. Can anyone help me with the differences between the NuCanoe 12' and the NuFontier 12'?
- 161
11
votes
5
answers
1k
views
What type of pole can be used for trout while backpacking?
Several of the places we hike every year have trout. I'd like to have some fresh fish on a couple of those hikes but I'm pretty new to trout fishing and I don't want to carry the weight of full ...
- 32.1k