Fishing 4 idiots

Versus Country is back with Big Fish Madness, one of the biggest sportfishing event. And its bigger than ever!

Fly fishing rod weights - General guide

1 - 3 weight

* small flies
* short casts

4 weight

* small to medium trout
* small to medium flies
* short to medium casts

5 - 6 weight

* excellent all around trout rod.
* Handles small to larger flies
* short to longer casts

7 - 8 weight

* long casts and windy conditions.
* 7 weight is a great compromise sized rod for trout and light saltwater

9 - 14 weight

* large freshwater fish
* salt water fishing
* large flies
* long casts in open areas.


Choosing a fly fishing rod

Choosing a fly rod to match your required fishing situation/s can be difficult at times, but there are some questions you can answer to make the decision easier.

What type of fly fishing will you be doing?
No one is going to argue with me when I tell them that a trout doesn't quite match the fight of a marlin or even a tuna. Before purchasing a fly rod think about what kind of fishing you will be doing with it the majority of the time. Whether it is saltwater, freshwater, maybe even a bit of both you will be able to find the rod that suits you for most situations. If you want to catch trout, but would also like to do some light saltwater sports fishing you can make a compromise by choosing an all-rounder rod instead of a specialist rod. If you plan on doing some very different fishing (eg. trout then marlin) you will need two different fly fishing rods.

What type of action do I need?
I will try to keep this simple

Slow action fly rod (full flex)

* Great for smaller fish and smaller rivers
* Enhances the fight of even the smallest trout
* Designed for short casts

Medium/Moderate action fly rods

* Good all round rod type for many different situations
* Make longer casts
* Additional strength in the rod for fighting the fish

Fast action fly rods

* Stiff - lots of fighting power
* Allows really long casts in any conditions
* Easier to cast (due to the stiffness)
* Generally not used for trout, but for saltwater fly fishing

Which material do I want?

Fiberglass - has some fans

* cheap
* heavier
* strong

Graphite - most popular

* light
* strong
* easy to cast
* more expensive

Bamboo - the original

* heaviest
* expensive
* handling and feeling is amazing

I hope this little article has helped you in some way. Remember that you will most likely be able to get away with one all round rob, but if the fly fishing bug bites you will eventually upgrade to 3 or 4 specific models for more specific situations. Read more!

For new fly fishers choosing the right equipment can be a daunting task.

Matching the rod and line weight is a key feature of a balanced fly fishing system and the foundation of good casting. Casting power comes from the relationship of line to rod. When you pick up the line from the water, the line "loads" the rod by adding enough weight to flex it fully. Then, with a properly timed cast, the flexed rod straightens out, driving the line foreword.

Line taper

To help you cast more efficiently most fly lines are tapered. This taper varies in weight, diameter and thickness over the length of the line.

There are five main types of taper, each to meet a specific purpose

Weight-forward (WF) taper
These are the most popular and the best choice if you are a beginner
The first 30 feet or so of line is heavier because of its tapered front end
The rest of the line is thinner and is known as the running line
The weight-forward line helps with long casts and better precision even in windy conditions

Bass bug/saltwater (BBT) taper
This taper is much like the weight-forward design except that the front section does not run as long
This design helps with heavier flies, hence its use for catching feisty bass or bigger saltwater fish

Double taper (DT)
DT fly lines are preferred by seasoned fly anglers
These lines work especially well in making delicate presentations on small- to medium-size rives since the belly is at the center, with both ends gradually tapering
This makes the line highly economical too because when one end wears out, you can turn the line around and use the other end
This line won't cast as far or provide as much wind resistance as a weight-forward line

Shooting taper (ST)
ST lines cast farther than other lines so they are designed for fast-running rivers and in extreme wind conditions. The line portion (front section) is stout and short to form a casting loop.
Most anglers attach a shooting line on the running line using monofilament, braided line or a very fine diameter fly line

Level (L) taper
These lines are uniform in diameter throughout, making them the most economical
If you are a beginner don't try to save money this way. Level taper lines are the most difficult to cast so they really are best used by seasoned veterans, primarily for fly fishing with live bait.

Density

Floating (F) lines
These do as they say--they float on the water's surface
Floating lines are good for beginners since they are easier to cast and handle
Floating lines also are a must for dry flies, but they can also work with wet flies, nymphs and streamers that are fished several feet below the surface

Intermediate (I) lines
These are a little denser than water so they sink slowly to present a fly just below the water's surface
These lines work well in shallow, weedy lakes and in choppy waters where you want your line to stay below the choppiness

Sinking (S) lines
These lines do the opposite of floating lines--they sink
They are designed for deep lakes and deep, fast-flowing rivers
Some manufacturers also put a Roman numeral after the S to show how fast their line sinks in inches per second. For example, an S II line sinks about two inches per second
These lines are best for wet flies, nymphs and streamers at a constant depth

Floating/Sinking (F/S) lines
These combine the two characteristics--the five foot-- to twenty foot tip or front portion sinks to present the bait while the balance of line floats on the water
Manufacturers display the depth and speed that the front part of the line sinks
This floating/sinking line gets your fly down while helping you maintain control, so it's good for fish such as salmon.

sourced from www.troutlet.com Read more!

I am not going to be able to get February's 4cast up for awhile, maybe 3-4 days, maybe more maybe less. Sorry about that delay. You can always go to www.gulffishing.com for the 4cast.
Thanks for the continued support of my website.
Alex Read more!

Two tide days this weekend could make for some slow fishing, but the big negative low tide early in the morning and some warmer weather will consolidate and make fish hungry and could make for some great pothole action on the flats. Read more!

OFFSHORE

Action for grouper has been scattered in the Gulf. Reports of keeper gags coming from southwest of Egmont Key in 80-feet of water for red grouper were noted, but gags were caught just north of the Ship’s Channel, north of Egmont as well in water half that depth. Water temperatures have been moderate with little extremes, holding in the low 60’s, and for grouper, that will help keep them from running to the deeper water to hang.

The bait situation has gotten more difficult for guys looking for some Spanish sardines, threadfin herring, or whitebait. Pinfish have been about the most consistently available live bait. Frozen cigar minnow, squid, octopus, threadfins, and sardines should be in the cooler for a day’s trip. A visit to the bait shop for a couple dozen live shrimp might also be part of your bait stop. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two choices. A stop in most any of the deeper channels on your way out should be part of your bait gathering time. A light spinning rod with 10-pound line and 30-pound leader with a chartreuse or white jig tied on for ladyfish will yield some fine grouper bait. Chunking ladyfish into bite size bits about 3-inches long and rigged on a circle hook bottom rig will do wonders to get grunts, triggerfish, snappers, and other small bottom dwellers chewing while big grouper appetites build. Give each stop at least 30-minutes to fire off before deciding to move. Wherever you are fishing, make sure you’ve got lines in the water between 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. for this weekend’s major and minor solunar periods.

Capt. Bob Smith out of New Pass in Sarasota has been having a great time catching black sea bass on the shallow rocky bottom areas surrounding the artificial reefs off Sarasota. While he has to cull through dozens of short grouper and snapper, the mild, white fillets of the black sea bass he’s catching make the effort worthwhile for him. Smith can be reached through his website, www.sarasota-fla-fishing.com for information.

Grouper diggers should be aware of the month-long closure coming up beginning February 15 and be alert for possible changes in bag limits and closures. Stay tuned to Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live for the latest developments.

INSHORE

Trout anglers in the North Region of the state will see a month long closure beginning February 1. The imaginary line drawn at the Pinellas/ Pasco County line is the dividing line between the north and south. Fred Howard Park is the noted landmark for the line. Trout are a big staple for guides and anglers in that area, however, they will have to pursue other fish like sheepshead, mangrove snapper, flounder, and redfish during the closure. Cobia around the Anclote power plant can be an option on very cold days but are not consistent. Guides like Capt. William Toney, fishing out of MacRae’s of Homosassa, have had trouble finding fishable days, with high winds and cold weather being the problem. On the better days, Toney is finding a few reds near the mouth of the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa Rivers, plus some good sheepshead and trout action, but effort with the trout closure will be diverted to other species.

To the south, captains Rick Grassett, Jack Ryan, and Jim Klopfer, fishing out of CB Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key near Sarasota are finding a mixed bag of fish in the bay. Grassett’s anglers caught trout, reds, bluefish, and ladyfish on fly rods while fishing Big Sarasota Pass and the western shoreline of lower Sarasota Bay. Jack Ryan’s anglers worked Mann’s Hardnose soft plastic baits on quarter-ounce jig heads and caught Spanish mackerel and bluefish in Big Pass, New Pass, and on the Sarasota Bay Middlegrounds. While fishing live shrimp, Ryan’s group also bagged redfish, sheepshead to 4-pounds, jacks, and some legal trout on the incoming tide. Jim Klopfer’s anglers scored pompano, bluefish, Spanish macks, and ladyfish off the south tip of Lido Park on Cotee Jigs. The north side of Siesta Key produced sheepshead to 4-pounds, mangrove snapper, gag and red grouper, and black sea bass on live shrimp. Another trip produced some jacks, black drum, reds, and sheepshead around docks and oyster beds near Phillippi Creek on freelined live shrimp.

In Terra Ceia Bay, Paulette Barrett and Lynn Manzella with the Old Salt Fishing Foundation fished with me. We landed trout, flounder, redfish, and snook on CAL Jigs with Shad tails during the Old Salt Johnny Keller Tournament that benefited All Children’s Hospital. Read more!

Understanding the tides helps you know when to fish. Just like people, fish have active periods and rest periods. Unlike people, fish's actives are determined by the tides. The tide tells the fish when to be on the move for food and when to rest. Because fish don't have eyelids, they cannot close their eyes to rest. Instead, most species remain inactive during certain tides.
Tides are up-and-down movements of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. As the tide rises and falls, water flows in and out of bays, feeding behavior in fish. Whereas tidal changes have little effect far offshore and are of no concern to anglers who venture there in boats, tides are of the utmost importance when fishing inshore waters.
In most locations, the tide changes 4 times a day, resulting in 2 high tides and 2 low tides. Low tide occurs roughly 6 hours after high tide. At the end of each rising and falling tide, there is a period called 'slack tide', when there is little or no current, or movement of water, in or out of the bays, harbors, and estuaries. Slack tide usually lasts 2.75 to 3 hours, although it varies with location.
Published tide tables, such as those found in local newspapers, are general approximations. A strong wind from offshore can create a high tide sooner than predicted. When the wind is blowing against the incoming tide, the opposite occurs.
During slack tide, most saltwater predator fish that frequent inshore waters rest and do not seek food. Slack tide, therefore, is usually an unproductive time to fish inshore-which isn't to say that it's not worth a try. For example, anglers who like to be on the water at the very beginning of a tidal change often find themselves on the water during a slack tide. By presenting the proper bait, along with chumming or chunking, it is possible to provoke fish into feeding during a slack tide.
A rising tide is referred to as a 'flood tide'; a falling tide is called an 'ebb tide'. The change in water level is determined by the phase of the moon and the relative positions of the Earth, the moon and the sun.
Each month, the moon goes though 4 phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter (aka: third quarter). The new moon and the full moon occur when the moon, sun, and Earth are in a nearly direct line with one another. This increases the overall gravitational pull on the Earth, which causes relatively high high tides and relatively low low tides. These extreme tides are called 'spring tides', which has nothing to do with the season.
During the first quarter moon and the last quarter moon, the moon, sun, and Earth form the points of a triangle, with the Earth at the apex. This arrangement generates less gravitational pull on the earth, causing relatively low high tides and relatively high low tides. These more moderate tides are called 'neap tides'. Naturally, currents are stronger during spring tides than during neap tides.

Using the tide to Catch Fish
When the tide begins to ebb, the current forces baitfish into deeper water, concentrating them into smaller areas and making them easy prey for larger predator fish. The ebb tide thus trggers the predators' feeding instinct. Flood tides also trigger the feeding instinct and predator fish lie in wait for baitfish to flow into the mouths of inlets, bays, harbors, and estuaries or along the surf. Fishing action subsides during slack tides because baitfish disperse themselves, seeking shelter from predators. There are exceptions, but this is what happens with each ebb and flood tide for most areas on the East and West coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico.
As a rule of thumb, the best fishing takes place 1.5 to 2 hours after the ebb and flood tides begin. Tide tables appear daily in many newspapers, my website :), and many tackle shops give them away. Read them for the approximate times, but remember that weather conditions can make the tides occur earlier or later than "scheduled," and not all fish feed during a rising or falling tide. Read more!

Fly fishing is a fishing technique that has been used for a very long time. In a nutshell fly fishing uses an artificial lure that looks like a real insect to lure the fish to bite. The success with this method of fishing has made fly fishing extremely popular in fishing circles and is ideal for you if you are just starting to fish.

Your artificial fly floats on top of the water, mimicking the movement of a real bug, waiting for the fish to bite. Artificial flies come in many shapes and sizes. Dragonflies, grasshoppers, mayfly and stonefly are very popular. The flies look lifelike and can easily fool fish and most people. An alternative to the insect type is to use a lure that resembles eggs. Real eggs rise to the surface to hatch. The artificial eggs lure lies just below the surface of the water. You tend to catch more fish with these lures but it is a little harder than using regular fly fishing lures.

You can use the fly fishing method in saltwater or freshwater. Commonly, in freshwater you will catch mainly trout or salmon. In saltwater there are a variety of marine life that may be caught such as tarpon. Unfortunately with fly fishing it is impossible to control what may bite. Many fly fishermen have found themselves with a little surprise as they reel in their catch. Occasionally they will end up with a chub or beam. But just like any other sport, an element of luck plays a big part in fly fishing.

Fly fishing has become a very popular sport and there are many fly fishing competitions held all over the world. These competitions typically net a decent cash payout and all the bragging rights you can stand. But the main attraction is the catching of fish within a set time limit.

Fly-fishing is a great sport that your whole family can partake and enjoy. It is very peaceful and relaxing to wait patiently for the fish to bite. More so because you can actually see what is going on, since the artificial fly is on top of the water, you can watch as it bobs. What other sport is relaxing, challenging, is not restricted to a season, and can provide food for the family. That is why fly fishing has been around for such a long time. Read more!

Here is a fly fishing introduction. What I am talking about in this article will be the Pros. and Cons. of fly fishing. I hope you like it! Please click on the read more link...

Fly fishing, as a beginner.
Fly fishing has there up and down’s. And it does take time to master. As most angler’s would say, there is a lot more skill in it than just plain ‘ol fishing. The casting is different, the ‘bait’ is different, the line is different, and almost everything is different. Except for catching the big one. I would say fly fishing is more challenging, because of how you have to present the fly. I will go into the Pros. And Cons. And getting over the learning curve.

Pros:
Some of the pros I would say are: more challenging, more exhilarating, don’t have to change the bait as much, and in my opinion more fun! Of course fly fishing takes an ‘acquired taste’, meaning you don’t just automatically like it. I though I was going to automatically love it, and my after my first lesson, I came out almost let down. But as I practiced more, and more, I got better, and better.

Cons:
Fly fishing has as just as many cons, as it does pros. Some of which can include (but not limited to): takes long to master, more wrist strength, less amount of catches, takes more concentrating, costly. But as you get better you can get rid of some of these. These problems can and will always pop up on you, even when you’re a pro fly fishermen. Like I said, practice makes perfect.

So in a nutshell, fly fishing can be fun, challenging, and problematic all at the same time. Once you try fly fishing, you will most likely be ‘hooked’ on it. There is no going back. If you are trying to save your money, then I wouldn’t start up fly fishing, as the equipment is expensive. I hope this introduction to fly fishing has given you somewhat of an experience of what fly fishing is like!
Read more!