By Mike Singh

With more and more great companies producing great fishing rods today, finding the right rod for you could easily be a daunting task to say the least. While you will have to take into account the type of fishing you plan on doing, there are many different rods that you can purchase to do the job. While we all know that ice fishing rods would not be practical for bass fishing on a lake in the spring or fall, so too would the impracticality of using a deep sea rod for a cold February day in an ice hut.

When it comes to fishing rods, the great thing is that you do not have to go to a special store to purchase them. What this means to the consumer is clear savings, when it comes to fishing equipment. There are some great rod/reel combos to be had from the likes of Walmart or virtually any other department store that would sell sporting goods in your area. There are of course the outdoors shops such as Cabela’s that specialize in the best of fishing equipment and they have a wide array of fishing rods, and fishing reels to suit just about any particular fishing trip.

Some of the more popular brands to look for when it comes to fishing rods include:

· Mitchell
· Abu Garcia
· Zebco
· Shakespeare
· Shimano

All of these fine fishing rods offer the latest and most productive manufacturing techniques when it comes to development and assembly. These rods are the best of the best and will give you years of great service on the lake of in the streams. When buying a new fishing rod, one of the first things you must keep in mind would have to be what exactly do you plan on catching, or what would be the species that you most likely will be fishing for on a regular basis. When you determine this, you will have a better picture as to what strength and flex you will need in the fishing rods.

Some of the more recent fishing rods released to date offer much in the way of flexibility and strength. When the rod is bent under great force of a fighting fish, the last you want is for the rod to snap and be faced with an expensive replacement of the rod and still not landing that big catch. Take your time and review fishing rods in a comparison chart and see what might be the weapon of your choice to tackle that big catch of the day.

By Mike Singh

Bellinger has long been associated with fine fly-fishing gear, and the Bellinger fly reels are no exception to this rule. Bellinger has been a forerunner in the field of reel seats, and they exhibit a level of quality that is second to none. Anglers alike have been raving about the Bellinger reels for sometime, and with the dedication and understanding of what an angler really needs and wants from their gear the tradition of this fine work will continue.

From one man’s passion for fly-fishing come the great Bellinger fly reels, only to compliment the already healthy lineup of fine products under this brand name. Bellinger prides itself on the fine materials used to create some of the most well crafted and innovative fly-fishing gear in the industry. Originally the fine wood spacers immediately recognized the Bellinger name that they employed on the Bellinger fly-fishing rods that they sold. From the introduction to the great wood spacers that they offered, they then moved on to hardware that was precision fit to the rod assembly to round out the perfect angling package.

What is perhaps the greatest thing about Bellinger and their full lineup of fly reels, is that they offer tools developed by the company to be sold to the market. What this means is that they will sell the tools of the trade to any customer that may be willing to try and make their own rod, rather than purchase one in a store. Most notable would be the tools that they sell for Bamboo rod making, as this seems to be a very popular material for fly rods. Many of the fly reels are convertible from right-handed to left-handed, making the Bellinger fly reels very convenient and easy to attach to your rod.

Bellinger fly reels are cast from some of the finest materials money can buy, including fine German Nickel/Silver combinations. Bronze, stainless steel and aluminum are all used for the Delrin, and the side plates that attach to the rod and reel itself. Bellinger fly reels could easily be considered the Cadillac of fly reels, and for good reason. Quality and a warranty that cannot be beat, makes for a very trusted and well-respected name in the fly fishing-industry. If you are interested in the fine line of Bellinger reels, check a location near you that sells them or check them out online, and see for yourself why Bellinger is a name you can trust.

By Mike Singh

When talking about fishing tackle, you should have a good heart to heart with the fish you’re looking to reel in. Ask them about their lifestyle, where they’re from, what kind of diet they’re into, and other aspects of their daily life. Of course, we aren’t talking literally about having this conversation! You can find out about all of this crucial information without even phoning a fish.

Why are all these questions important? It is because you won’t have any success at fishing unless you know what kind of prey you’re hunting, and know what kind of equipment you need to catch them. You see, fishing gear is very specific to the type of fish it’s meant to capture. Moreover, fishing gears and accessories would also require various lures specifically for various fish species. Just as fishing gears, there are also various types of lures to be used, depending on the type of fish to be captured - but that is another story.

There is different gear for fresh and saltwater fish. Equipment varies if you’re in still water, a slow moving river, or a class 5 rapids. Plus, you’ll need to know what season you’re fishing during, and what part of the world you’ll be in. And, yes, your gear needs to match the type of foods your fish like to eat.

Once you have this type of information for your next fishing trip, you can get down to buying the right fishing tackle. First, look for tackle that will balance your particular lures. For instance, heavy tackle with a light lure will prevent the lure from doing its job. The heavier your lure, the more weighty tackle you can use. A spinning tackle is recommended for beginners: it is easy to use, casts a mile, and drags excellently.

You can even consider using weights in some instances. In this case, be sure to keep them as distant from the lure as possible. And with the basic tackle rule mentioned above, try to avoid overweighing your lure with too many weights.

And of course, ask yourself a lot of questions when you’re on the market for new gear. Are you the kind of fishermen who likes to have all the finest gear, even if you won’t use it that much? Do you require a fishing tackle box that you’re proud to open in front of your friends? Lastly, what kind of diet are you into?

By Jeffrey Ryall

When fly fishing you need a calm temperament, be able to switch off and keep repeating the same technique without getting frustrated. This is half the battle, the other half is the right equipment. Of coarse you need sun glasses so you don’t have to squint from the sun and maybe a hat but most importantly the tackle makes all the difference.

When choosing a rod, should you go for a modern composite graphite rod or an old fashioned bamboo rod? Should you choose a rod for one particular water or setting or go with a multi purpose rod. All these factors will come into the equation when choosing a rod to cast your flies. Talking of flies, this is another area where choice is important. Do you go for a dry fly or go for an insect replica. The colour of the fly could also be important, is there a colour for morning and a different one for night.

Another thing to think about is weather you want to learn how to tie your own flies or are you better off buying them already done.

The choice of rod and fly could also affect the decision as to what line you will use. The type of line you use may be also be influenced by what fish you are fishing for, larger fish will need a heavier line as appose to smaller fish. You will have to decide on weather you want your line to float or sink, weather your fish feed on the surface or on the bottom.

Some anglers are quite happy to use a bomber or swim feeder, just cast their line out and relax on the riverbank and wait. Fly fishing on the other hand is much more a hands on approach; you need to be fully concentrated on the task ahead of you. Tackle decisions can make the difference between having a fantastic day and having a ordinary day.

Most fly fishermen take it very seriously; it takes patience, dedication and practice to become a good fly fisherman. Choosing the right rod can be very tricky, with lots of different people having different ideas. Below are a few choices to help you.

Fibreglass- A large number of rods these days are made from fibreglass, whether they are for fly fishing or regular fishing. The main downside of fibreglass rods is that they are heavier than graphite or bamboo rods which in turn could make your arm tired at the end of the day. Despite this they are able to take a lot of punishment which makes them a popular choice.

Bamboo- Many of the older fishermen will not here a bad word said about these rods. Of coarse this is just someone’s opinion, but they were one of the first rods to be made and are still being made today. There is a lot that goes into making a bamboo rod and for this reason they can tend to be one of the most expensive.

Graphite- These tend to be quite stiff but that doesn’t mean they are not effective. These rods give good flexibility and are quite strong. they give good performance and they can vary in price difference and quality.

Reels are another important piece of equipment, the abel fly reel is considered one of the best around. A lot of parts are interchangeable from one reel to another making this a good choice. Also it does not matter if you are left or right handed as they can be converted easily from one to another.

By Trevor Kugler

What are the ten things you have to have in your tackle box? To be truthful, it’s hard to narrow it down to ten. Have you seen the size of some of today’s tackle boxes? My God, a person could keep enough stuff in some of the tackle boxes I’ve seen to survive on Mount Everest for three days! In any case, I’m going to go ahead and give you my top 10 must haves, that will at least get you started and have you pointing in the right direction.

1) A pair of needle nosed pliers. Have you ever tried to get a #18 Rapala out of a big walleyes mouth without a decent pair of pliers? There are treble hooks everywhere! And I wouldn’t suggest trying to remove them with your bare hands. Can you say “A trip to the emergency room?”

2) A can of bug spray. If you’re ever fishing in Northern Ontario on a hot day, at around dusk it’s either a can of bug spray or getting eaten alive. It’s your choice. I’ve experienced both and I have to tell you, go with the bug spray!

3) A couple of extra spools of fishing line. Whatever type of line you use, have extra spools in your tackle box. You just never know when you may need to re-spool you fishing reel.

4) A cell phone. Normally I would think of having a cellular telephone with you would be the definition of vanity. I mean, you’re supposed to be out fishing to escape all that a cellular telephone represents, right? But it is a wonderful thing to have with you in case of an emergency.

5) An assortment of lures. And back-ups of your favorites. There are few things worse than catching fish on a certain lure, and then getting snagged and losing that lure. Only to find out that the fish won’t bite on any other lure that you have with you. As perplexing as this seems, I’ve had it happen and it’s a very bad situation to get mixed up in. Have an extra or three of your favorite lures in your tackle box, ready to go.

6) An assortment of sinkers. You’ll want to have various sizes of the following: Egg sinkers, split shot sinkers, bullet weights, and a few barrel weights.

7) An assortment of hooks. You’re going to want four or five different sized hooks at least. You never know exactly what you’ll need or be fishing for, for that matter. There have been times when I went walleye fishing, and ended up fishing for Bass because the walleye just weren’t cooperating. Many times different species of fish require different size hooks. So have an assortment with you.

8) Jig heads and twister tails. This old standby is always good to have with you when you’re fishing. A package of both 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jig heads in the colors of your choice will work. And then a couple of packages of twister tails in matching colors will be a good bet. You never know when you may want a jig.

9) A lighter or matches in a baggie. If you ever got stuck somewhere, you’ll be very glad you have a way to start a fire. Just take my word for it.

10) Spare spools for your reels. This is where to keep those spare spools. If you’re extra motivated, have them filled with line so they’re completely ready to go. If a spool happens to break when you’re out fishing and you don’t have an extra spool with you, shame on you. You’re tackle box is where the extra’s should be.

There is my top ten. Of course, there are many more things that will more than likely be in your tackle box, but these will at least get you started. Have fun and good fishing!

By Mike Singh

When it comes to Shimano fishing reel parts, you never really have to look very far to find the right parts you need to get up and running again. Shimano has long been synonymous with fishing and is well recognized around the world. Originally founded in Japan in Kansai in the early 1920’s this company initially specialized the production of precision bearings and gearing.

Shozaburo Shimano had a vision at the time when he first started his company, and that was to produce the best product possible at a good cost to the consumer. With the Shimano fishing parts division that is currently considered one of the finest departments in the world, this vision has found its way to its expected and anticipated destination. Shimano fishing reel parts can be found in just about anywhere fishing reels are being sold, and they also offer an extensive list of replaceable parts for your reel so chances are you will not have to replace the reel all together.

Should you need fishing reel parts, there are actually a few routes you can go to get yourself back on the lake quickly. You could go to an authorized Shimano reel parts department in your favorite local sporting goods store, or you could go online and deal with them directly. If you are looking for quality reel parts at great savings, going online to their site is definitely a step in the right direction. Shimano has a great group of knowledgeable staff on hand to help you find what you need for your reel, and they carry a very large stock of parts for just about all of their lineup of fine fishing reels.

This company prides itself on the fact that it can offer you quality reel parts, for some of the reels that may not even be in production today. This will allow you to save on that favorite reel, should you not want to purchase a new model. This makes for a great service department, and you will never have to be disappointed with the online ordering that is provided from the sight. You can look online today and find the right parts for your prized reel, should you not be able to find what it is you are looking for, they will be happy to recommend a replacement reel that will be the closest match to what you currently own.

By Mike Singh

When it comes to fly-fishing clearly it is all about the flies, tying trout flies can indeed be a laborious task should you elect to try. When it comes to tying, you need a steady hand and a good idea what the trout will most likely be willing to hit. This is usually where some research comes into play, knowing what the trout’s main diet is will only further your understanding of what would be the best bait to land that prized trout.

The art of tying trout flies has been regarded as a true test in the realm of fishing. It is one thing to go out and purchase a great spinner or spoon for your collection, it is completely another to consider making your own lures. There are actually many hours involved to get the fly looking just right, should the fly not look realistic chances are the fish will not be fooled into hitting it. Should you feel so inclined to try it, there are many things that you will need to learn as well as have at your disposal.

Tying trout flies is anything but easy of quick, one fly could easily take you several hours to complete and this does not even guarantee that you will get strikes from it. For this reason many people turn to the pros to make their great bug like replicas as they know the ins and outs of this delicate process. So which route would you go? Would you look in a catalog or fishing shop to find the right piece for your collection? Or will you try your hand at tying for yourself?

You could easily spend several hundreds of dollars in materials, if you wish to try tying. While it may be true that once you have the hang of it, you will be able to make many flies and save a bundle. Some find this whole process tedious to say the least, and would easily go out and buy a batch of flies already made from their local tackle shop. Basically it all comes down to whether or not you feel you have the time and the patience to tackle what many feel is a very frustrating task. Tying trout flies is a great way to get a better understanding of the fish you seek, yet sometimes it may be easier to allow the professionals to do it for you.

By Jeffrey Ryall

How would you like to know how to get your fishing bait on the cheap, from the local supermarket? You can occasionally find some gems tucked away on a shelf at your local supermarket. By the time it gets to late summer most fish would have had enough of the ordinary bait so what if you could go round your local Morrison’s or Sainsbury’s armed with £10, could you find an alternative. Fishing at ponds in particular and with tench and carp on my mind here are some alternatives that I think would work.

First I came to chickpeas. Dried chickpeas used to be very fashionable carp bait, but now they no longer feature and at 69p they looked a bargain. This time though I was going to go overboard and buy a bottle of oyster sauce. Soak the peas over night, then let them simmer for about an hour, then soak them in the oyster sauce for a day. This makes the peas go a darker colour when soaked.

Next came the baked beans in tomato sauce. Try to find a brand with a high salt content. Forget the healthy choice, fish like their food salty, so I would buy a bag of salt as well and sprinkle on the beans.

Salted peanuts were next on the isle, cashew nuts are also good for carp bait but as I was looking for cheap bait I went with the salted peanuts. Soak the peanuts in salty water for two days, then simmer for about 30 minutes. Attach a couple of whole nuts to your hook, with a mesh bag containing crushed nuts should do the trick.

Tuna flakes in oil.

Tuna flakes in oil as apposed to brine is best as this is good to make a ground from. This works well for bream so I do not see any reason for not trying it for carp and tench.

Sweet corn.

Sweet corn is just as good for fish as it is for us. Sometimes the bright colours can put the fish off so its always a good idea to have a tin of black cake die. Put a teaspoon of die into the sweet corn and stir in well. Leave over night to soak, This should change the colour and will not scare off the fish.

Dog Chews and Dog Food.

Everyone knows how good dog chews and dog food can be. Frolic is very good for barbell, it’s very tough so it will stay on the hook when casting. A packet of bacon flavoured dog chews are also a good thing to have in tour bait tin, they can be cut up into small pieces to look like pellets. Last thing on my list is a tin of dog food, a chicken flavoured large sausage. This could be flavoured up with some spicy curry powder for extra zing.

Well that’s it for now, time to put this lot to the test, good luck.

Jeff Ryall runs a sports website that focuses on information about sport and sport related products. You can enjoy reading tips, tricks and techniques about golf at his site at http://fishermansfriend1.blogspot.com

By Charles E. White

I have been fishing with an old friend lately named Joe. I have known him since he was born 38 years ago, 39 tomorrow. Happy Birthday Joe!

We have been fishing at a lake I love to fish, mainly because of the big bass there. If you’re a Bass Fishing Newsletter Subscriber, you know where I’m talking about. Anyway, if you look in most peoples tackle boxes you will find normal color lures like grape, black, brown, purple, and the normal colors for lures. Joe is a different story……

When you look in Joe’s tackle box you see some of the ugliest lures you have ever seen. Lures like a bright green tube that you almost need sunglasses to look at it. Or his green frog that is so far from any color of a frog that you wonder where he got it and why anyone would purchase that color to begin with to fish for bass.

So, what is my point? Well, he catches bass on these darn lures. I mean I wouldn’t even want people to know I even have them in my tackle box but he is proud as he can be of them and uses them regularly and catches fish with them. I have to start asking myself if maybe I should invest in a few of them. They go against everything I have ever read about choosing a color to fish in stained water. He has caught bass with them on sunny days, cloudy days and days when it was raining.

The first time he used them and hooked two bass, I thought it was just luck. Well, then he caught two more bass tonight on them while I didn’t even have a good strike, using the normal colored lures most bass fishermen use. Not some flourescent bright green things like he uses.

Ok, now if you read most articles about fishing stained water, you will read to use dark colored lures like black and grape because the dark colors in stained water show up better. I might have to change my perception on this if he continues to catch fish the way he does on these bright flourescent colors.

Well, I was informed tonight, he has a lure that he made and he has never seen another lure like it anywhere. I can hardly wait to see this thing. I bet it is bright pink or something. He also tells me he has caught bass on it. If this lure come out to be another flourescent bright color like he has been using and catches bass, I am going to tell him the new rules are that he can’t use them anymore when we fish together because the colors embarrass me when people see them..

So, you might be asking yourself….what is the point in this post? I am going to tell you here and now. Just because you have never read about a pro using a different color lure doesn’t mean it isn’t going to work and catch bass. If nothing else, Joe has made me a believer in that statement. Just because you have never seen a color in another humans tackle box doesn’t mean it isn’t any good.

I am going to start buying bright colored lures like I would have never dreamed of owning before this year fishing with Joe. Then when someone laughs at me and makes statements to me, like I did Joe and I drag in the bass using it, they will probably be buying these stupid bright flourescent colors too.

The last thing he said to me tonight after his usual bragging (the rare times he catches more fish than me) was “Hey, maybe you should get your newsletter and read some of the articles there”.

Happy Birthday Joe….maybe I let you catch the most bass because it’s your birthday tomorrow…..maybe not.

By Tim Gorman

If you’re an active fisherman, then your choice of fishing reel is very important. Standing on the bank of a river or stream, water sparkling in the sun, and the thrill of a big catch - it’s an unbeatable feeling. You’ve played the fish carefully, bringing it using your reel as the fish tired. The last thing you need is for your fishing reel to let you down and spoil this idyllic picture.

Basically, a fishing reel is the part of your fishing equipment that you use to cast and retrieve the fishing line. It’s mounted on the fishing rod, and uses a spool and axle. You can also buy fishing reels designed to mount on boats. The three main types of fishing reels match the three most popular fishing styles - bait casting, spin casting and fly-casting.

Fishing Reels for Bait Casting

This type of reel is extremely complicated. The weight of the lures being used pulls the line off the rod. It’s then thrust forward as part of the casting motion. Most bait casting reels include a device to lay the line evenly across the rotating cylinder that forms the reel’s core. If you don’t cast smoothly, you will most likely have problems when you reel the line back in. It can become tangled, which is very frustrating. After all, who wants to spend ages untangling the line? For this reason, bait-casting reels are generally not recommended for beginners or children.

Fishing Reels for Spin Casting

When it comes to spinning reels, there are two types to choose from - closed faced and open faced. If you’re learning to fish, the closed faced spinning reel is a great choice. It’s mostly trouble free, and is perfectly capable of bringing in your catch. When you’re casting there’s a push button release, and there’s also an opening in the top where the line comes out during casting. You mount this type of reel on your fishing reed. When you buy a prepackaged rod and reel, it will almost always have this type of reel, and spinning reels are very popular with beginners, children, hobbyists and casual sportsmen.

An open faced spinning reel can be more difficult to use. They come in a range of sizes, to suit different conditions. An ultra light model can be used for catching pan fish, but if you’re going game or ocean fishing, you’ll need a larger model. The advantage of an open-faced reel is that it has a much greater line capacity, and can be used for salmon and trout. The drag is smooth, so they’re a great choice for longer run game fish.

It’s common for fishing enthusiasts to start out with a close face-spinning reel, and then graduate to an open-faced reel as they gain experience. It’s always worth spending a little bit extra to get a good quality reel. Many cheap reels contain plastic parts, and you run the risk of them failing if you catch a larger fish. A common rule of thumb is that the lighter the line, the smaller the reel needs to be. So check and make sure your reel matches the fishing line you’re going to use. If you only want to buy one reel, then go for a medium speed one. If your budget runs to two reels, choose both a low and high-speed reel. Also, reels are different for right and left handed people, so make sure you mention this when you’re shopping for a reel. Right-handed reels turn clockwise, whereas left-handed reels turn counter clockwise.

Fishing Reels for Fly Fishing

Fly fishing involves another set of skills, and so a different type of reel. You need to ensure that your fly fishing reel’s drag is highly responsive. You also need to buy a reel that can cope with the tension and strain of a really big catch. These are generally the most expensive type of fishing reels, so make sure there are no plastic parts that can fail - something which happens far too often with a big fish on the line. Buy an all-metal reel, and you won’t have to tell as many ‘the one that got away’ stories.

If you’re still unsure what sort of reel you need, talk to a friendly fishing enthusiast, or ask the staff at your fishing store. Most fishermen are happy to help out someone who’s new.