Ohio power plant closing may help Lake Erie’s fish – CBS News
January 30, 2012
(AP) TOLEDO, Ohio — Environmentalists and charter fishing captains expect Lake Erie’s fish population to climb with the closing of coal-burning units at a Ohio power plant near the mouth of the lake’s biggest tributary.
The plant, which is being shut down by its operator because of new air pollution rules, sucks in billions of gallons of water each year and kills millions of fish near some of the lake’s most popular fishing spots.
Environmental groups have said for years that the fish kills have contributed to declining levels of both yellow perch and walleye, two prized fish that draw anglers from around the Midwest. The groups have tried to force the plant’s owner, Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp., to install costly changes that would stop millions of fish from being killed each year.
But last week, FirstEnergy announced it was shutting down six older, coal-fired power plants, including one that sits along the Maumee River near Toledo. The plant cools its machinery with water from the river, which also is a prime spot for spawning walleye.
Drawing out the water kills 46 million adult fish each year, many of which were less desirable fish, but would have gone into the lake’s food chain. The toll includes millions more fish eggs and tiny fish in their larval form. “Now those numbers will be way down,” said Sandy Bihn, who leads a group called the Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper Association. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Ohio power plant closing may help Lake Erie’s fish – CBS News.
Arctic Winds Bring Float And Fly Time
January 16, 2012
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The late Charlie Nuckols owned a tackle shop and lure company in east Tennessee, near South Holston Lake. Winter crappie anglers who fished small marabou jigs deep under bobbers complained to him about big smallmouth breaking off their rigs all of the time.
This got Nuckols thinking. He, along with his brother Eddie, began experimenting with suspending small jigs, eventually settling on those tied with craft hair or duck feathers. They fished these jigs 8-to12-feet deep, suspended under bobbers cast on long, soft spinning rods along bluffs and deep points on South Holston Lake. They began to regularly catch smallmouth bass over four pounds on this new system. Word began to spread to other smallmouth lakes in the region, notably Dale Hollow Lake.
I read and heard about the technique and tried it a few times without success, using makeshift equipment ill suited to the task and fishing it with little passion. I wanted to get back to swimming a small bucktail jig just above bottom or casting live shiners – my preferred winter baits. After some friends starting having good success with the float and fly, I relented and bought the correct equipment and determined I would fish it until I caught a smallmouth.
It didn’t take long. Within my first dozen casts of fishing the float and fly correctly, I caught a 19-inch smallmouth that weighed right at four pounds. I’ve been hooked since. Now that arctic winds chilled the air and water in Kentucky over the last week, it is time to try this effective technique. The colder the water, the better the float and fly works.
The float and fly imitates what happens to baitfish such as shad in reservoirs in mid-winter. “Once the water temperatures drop below 50 degrees, shad don’t feel too good,” said Gerry Buynak, assistant director of fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The cold water makes shad distressed and they flip around, twitch and swim in circles. The little jig imitates exactly what is happening to them.”
Smallmouth bass suspend under schools of baitfish and pick off the ones twitching as they fight to survive winter’s cold. Nature programmed smallmouth bass through the millennia to take advantage of easy feeding opportunities in winter. Female bass, especially, need winter nutrition to fuel egg development for spring spawning.
The next two months are the best time of year to employ the technique in the lower ends of Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, Laurel River Lake, Green River Lake, Barren River Lake and the small mountain impoundments such as Cranks Creek (Herb Smith) Lake or Cannon Creek Lake.
When I got serious, I bought an 8 ½-foot rod from a top of the line manufacturer, attached a decent reel and bought a mixture of 1/16-ounce jigs made from duck feathers, craft hair or a mixture of both. I spooled on 4-pound test line and got busy. It isn’t necessary to spend a ton on the rod as manufacturers now offer affordable spinning rods from 8-to 11-feet long.
A 1/16-ounce craft hair fly in combinations of light blue, chartreuse, white, blue or silver work well. I drop down to 1/32-ounce flies on bright, shimmering days after a cold front.
Duck feather flies with stands of red or chartreuse craft tied into them produce best when the water temperatures fall below 47 degrees. Some anglers apply a petroleum jelly based scent called “dope” to their flies.
I trim my craft hair flies to match the bend of the hook and apply liberal amounts of dope. This gives the fly a slim profile and no action, which turns on lethargic smallmouths. If the water is a little stained, I apply dope only to the head of the fly to let the craft hair breathe and undulate so the smallmouths can find it easier. I only apply dope to the head of duck feather flies.
Set the bobber about 9 feet above the fly to start and adjust shallower or deeper as needed. Some anglers use a main line of 8-pound braided line running to a small brass three-way swivel with a leader of 4-pound fluorocarbon attached to one of the loops and clipping a small 7/8-inch pear-shaped plastic bobber to the other. Others simply tie a fly to a 4-pound main line of clear or green fluorocarbon or monofilament line and attach the bobber to the line as they are more comfortable with one knot than three. Both catch trophy smallmouths.
Cast the fly to main lake and secondary points or rock bluffs. Allow the bobber to ride up and down with the waves, letting nature impart action on the fly. After a time, reel in about five feet and repeat. In calm water, make the bobber wink at you by shaking the rod tip up and down to give the fly action.
Set your drag lightly. Watch the bobber intently. Big smallmouth bass often barely take the bobber under after they inhale the fly and don’t move. Trophy smallmouth bass coming from deeper water often engulf the fly and move shallower, causing the bobber to flop over on its side. Set the hook immediately if this happens.
Tackle shops around Lake Cumberland or Dale Hollow Lake carry the correct rods, flies, dope and other float and fly accessories. An internet search reveals dealers that carry this equipment as well.
Burn away the winter blues with a slipping drag from a huge smallmouth bass that just took your fly. The float and fly is similar to the bobber fishing you did as a kid, but instead of bluegill hitting, it is a 21-inch smallmouth.
Winter Musky Hunting in Tennessee- WFN.com
December 27, 2011
Mark Bilbrey
While bass fishing in a small lake last summer my wife and I made an amazing discovery. We witnessed something that has not been seen in a Tennessee lake in many years. As we paddled our canoe to the back of a creek we saw some violent explosions in the water ahead and as we crept closer to see what was going on we saw Muskie! We counted six of the beast near the forty inch length and they appeared to be in attack formation like a squadron of fighter pilots heading into a dog fight, as they herded baitfish into the back of a creek to feed.
Musky also called Musky or Muskellunge, are among the biggest freshwater predatory fish found in Tennessee. Thanks to the efforts of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Anglers over the last ten years, the fish has been restored back to its native waters in this state. Musky have a reputation for being extremely aggressive and hard fighting. In the 2011 Tennessee Fishing Guide, a Musky takes the cover shot and a featured article about the legendary fishing being restored to Tennessee. The article features Will Renfro with a 49 inch Dale Hollow beast. The state has done a remarkable job restoring this fish. Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Winter Musky Hunting in Tennessee.
Beware Moving Fish — Even Native Bass | WFN
September 1, 2011
By Bob Wattendorf
How often have you caught a great fish and wished you could release it somewhere special for you or a friend to catch again? Catch-and-release has caught on, especially among bass anglers, but sometimes the release isn’t immediate. There are times when it is not good for the resource to release the fish; paticularly when the fish is relocated to a different lake or river.
Catch-photograph-release (CPR) is a great way to collect memories. The big thing to remember is if you are going to release a fish–do it legally and do your best to ensure the fish will survive to thrive. Proper handling means keeping the fish out of the water as short a time as possible—consider holding your own breath while the fish is out of the water as a gauge. If the fish is going in a live well, remember to exchange the water frequently and keep it cool.
With that said, when and where should you release your catch? First, if the law requires a freshwater fish to be released in Florida, it should be done as quickly and effectively as possible, but taking the necessary measurements or a photo is permitted. It should be released in the immediate vicinity to where it was caught without placing it in a livewell or stressing it. Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Beware Moving Fish — Even Native Bass|World Fishing Network
Minnesota Bound: Minnesota Fishing Museum | kare11.com
June 28, 2011
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — Fishing and stories go hand-in-hand. No place in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is more evident of that fact than the Minnesota Fishing Museum. Many anglers consider the museum the best kept fishing secret in the state.
“Fishing is personal and it’s family oriented. It connects, it creates memories,” said Mavis Buker, Director of the Minnesota Fishing Museum.
Located in downtown Little Falls, this tribute to Minnesota’s fishing roots was the dream of a pair of fishing buddies. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Minnesota Bound: Minnesota Fishing Museum | kare11.com.
Snook fishing: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
June 23, 2011
By Steve Waters, Staff Writer
CHOKOLOSKEE ISLAND ——
I felt my bait get nervous, then watched in awe as a snook grabbed the herring and streaked away, its back making a wake as the fish headed for a tangle of dead trees.
Capt. Brian Sanders snapped me out of my daze by telling me to grab the spool of the spinning reel to keep the snook from reaching the trees.
I stopped the snook a foot short of the line-busting snag and eventually reeled the healthy, silvery fish to the boat so Sanders could remove the hook from its lip, pose for a quick photo and return the 31-incher to the water.
“We’ve been catching a lot of snook like that,” said Sanders, of Davie, who has fished the Southwest Florida coast for more than 30 years and guides there full-time (visit sandersoutdoorguide.com or call 954-609-6260).
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Yet not too long ago, Sanders was wondering when his customers would ever catch a decent snook again.
“I was not fishing for snook,” said Sanders after our recent trip, which also produced snook of 29 and 32 inches, along with sea trout, redfish and a Spanish mackerel. “There were no snook to catch.” Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Snook fishing: Southwest Florida – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com.
Outdoors: Good crappie fishing just steps away | Mansfield News Journal
April 19, 2011
Written by
Dick Martin
Take a survey of the favorite fish sought by Buckeye anglers, and you’ll find a close competition between Lake Erie walleye and perch and inland largemouth bass and bluegill.
Crappie won’t rank high, but their ranking is deceptive because when spring rolls around, thousands of anglers stop their casting for serious game fish, and turn to this little silver-sided panster — and that includes people who rarely fish.
Why does this flat-sided little fish have such popularity?
That’s hard to say. Maybe it’s that they’re an unusually picturesque fish, black and silver with sleek lines, or that it takes so little to catch them, usually a float, splitshot, No. 6 hook, and a minnow.
One thing has to be a factor, that they’re delicious eating, so good that arguments over which is best, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, or walleye can last for hours. It adds up to lots of reasons to try them during spring fishing. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Outdoors: Good crappie fishing just steps away | Mansfield News Journal | mansfieldnewsjournal.com.
Programs that introduce kids to fishing are important – oneidadispatch.com
April 7, 2011
By Leo Maloney, Outdoors Columnist
We all know it is important to take a kid fishing. Hopefully you will introduce them to a lifetime of enjoyment in an outdoor sport.
But getting them involved in the outdoors often means that they eventually develop a deeper understanding of the environment and important issues involving it as well.
Although getting a youngster a rod and reel and taking him or her fishing a couple times or holding a fishing derby are good start, it is typically not enough. Proper instruction, making fishing a regular experience and progressing to the next level – kids like to catch big fish – are important.
Fortunately there are two innovative programs that have benefitted many youngsters in central New York that otherwise would not have the chance. Whether it is getting parents involved and trained, or opening the eyes of youngsters to the excitement of fishing for sizable game fish, two award-winning programs have benefitted area youngsters and continue to do so.
FUTURE ANGLERS OUTREACH: Are you aware of any youngsters that may be interested in fishing but don’t really know how, and have no one to teach them?
Studies have shown that the main reason many kids do not take up fishing or continue even if they have been introduced to it at a derby is that their parents do not fish or even know where to begin.
Now there is a program designed to introduce kids to fishing and prevent frustration by providing basic instruction in casting, familiarity with tackle and fishing techniques.
More importantly it also involves parents so that neither will become frustrated and give up when things do not go right.
It is called Future Anglers Outreach, and is sponsored by Oneida Charters, The NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, Hanifin Tires, Marion Manor and S.H.O.T.S. It will provide tackle, basic instruction, an opportunity to fish and practice these skills and the fun, prizes, and refreshments. It is not a derby or contest, but a fun and educational experience. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Programs that introduce kids to fishing are important – oneidadispatch.com.
Catch-and-Release Survival Rates Could Open More Tuna Fishing | Outdoor Life
March 8, 2011
by Rick Bach
Fifty-seven happy, healthy bluefin tuna might be cause for thousands of elated fishermen next season in what some consider to be the tuna capital of the world.
In a fisherman-funded study, 59 bluefin tuna that were captured last summer near Prince Edward Island were released with a tag that is capable of tracking their activity by satellite.
The fishermen behind the study, and many others, contend that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ assumption that 11 percent of tuna die after release (data which is used for the issuing of licenses) is way too high.
The 57 living tuna that are still swimming after last summer’s release would suggest that perhaps they have a legitimate gripe.
Anglers contend that catch-and-release regulations for bluefin would bring added industry to the area, and make better use of their resource. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Catch-and-Release Survival Rates Could Open More Tuna Fishing | Outdoor Life.
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: The Jitterbug Caught Night Bass Prior To World War II And Still Does Today
July 7, 2010
FRANKFORT, Ky. – I bought my first Arbogast Jitterbug at the Western Auto in downtown Bardstown well before my 10th birthday. I had no idea about what made a good color choice, so I bought the one that looked the coolest to me at the time: a model with a silver/gray back and white belly. It was the first lure I ever bought with my own money.
I threw that thing on small lakes and ponds with nary a whiff from a bass. I loved its action and followed the directions on the Jitterbug’s packaging: reel the lure in a few feet, let it sit still, repeat.
A cousin is a Dominican sister, stationed at St. Catherine near Springfield for many years of my youth. This gave me access to fish their small lakes and I attacked with my new lure. No strikes from bass, as usual. Toward the end of the day, I grew frustrated and launched a huge rainbow cast, trying to throw it as far as I could.
A power line running about 1 o’clock over my head grabbed the Jitterbug and I watched in horror as it looped around the cables over and over again. I lost my first lure without it catching a fish. That Jitterbug may still be hanging from those wires.
A while later I learned the basics of fishing the Heddon River Runt and the old Knight Tube worms on the many distillery lakes around Bardstown. My brother, Dad and I enjoyed a summer evening fishing on one of those lakes. My brother threw his new black Jitterbug along weed lines just before dark. The commotion from largemouth bass plastering the Jitterbug made Dad and me envious. He caught some good bass that night and lost a big one in the weeds. It was tough to move a big bass from weeds with a Zebco 404 mounted on a whippy fiberglass rod, but my opinion about the Jitterbug changed forever.
The time of day was the difference between my brother’s success with this odd looking lure and my frustration with it. The Jitterbug isn’t a daytime lure; it is the best night bass topwater lure of all time, especially for small lakes and ponds.
Lure inventor Fred Arbogast tinkered in his basement shop with the business end of a spoon and a piece of broom handle back during the Great Depression. The spoon inspired the Jitterbug’s unusual concave lip that produced a highly effective gurgling sound and erratic wobble on the retrieve. No other lure looks or sounds like a Jitterbug since it hit the market in 1937.
Summer nights are the best time to fish Jitterbugs. Black is the only color to throw. It is Jitterbug time when the sun’s fallen so low that you struggle to tie a knot without the help of a flashlight. Tie that last daytime knot to a black Jitterbug.
This lure isn’t a weedless plastic frog you can sling thoughtlessly into the teeth of the vegetation ringing a farm pond or small lake in the darkness. The treble hooks on the Jitterbug impale themselves on any log, lilly pad or strand of coontail they contact.
Study the water before sunset and decide likely casting lanes. Paralleling a weedbed with the Jitterbug draws vicious strikes, but you can catch many huge bass fishing the middle of the pond. The popping, gurgling sound of the Jitterbug draws bass from far away to smash it.
Although the literature promotes a stop-and-go retrieve with the Jitterbug, a straight retrieve often works better. You want the Jitterbug to settle into an annoying rhythm as you work it. The steady irritating sound from the lure drives bass nuts. Hold on to your rod tightly as largemouth bass usually try and savage the lure. The strike is often violent.
The stop-and-go retrieve in which you reel the Jitterbug a few feet, let it rest till the ripples settle out and repeat, works best on nights when the fish aren’t aggressive. Try the steady retrieve first. Move to the stop-and-go if the steady retrieve fails. Resist the temptation to set the hook when you hear the strike or you may have a Jitterbug and its treble hooks flying at your head in the dark. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before driving the hooks home.
The 3/8-ounce size Jitterbug is a good all-around choice for ponds and small lakes. Cast the lure on a 7-foot medium action spinning rod spooled with 10- to 12-pound test line. Spinning equipment is much easier to deal with at night than baitcasting equipment. Throw the 5/8-ounce Jitterbug if you prefer a baitcasting rod. The slightly longer jointed Jitterbug produces more action and works better on windy nights or in the secluded coves of reservoirs.
The Jitterbug also drives stream smallmouth crazy. Work the ¼-ounce black model at dusk above and below riffles with 45-degree casts. Retrieve the Jitterbug fast enough to keep the gurgle going. The stream current tricks you into thinking you are reeling quickly enough, but often the Jitterbug isn’t making any commotion at all, just bobbing downstream. Speed up if you don’t feel any wobbling through your rod on the retrieve.
Stream smallmouth attempt to kill the Jitterbug with a vicious strike or gently slurp the lure and pull it under the surface. Keep on your toes. Set the hook if you feel any weird resistance. Large stream smallmouth bass often strike the Jitterbug gently.
Tie on the venerable Jitterbug this summer and enjoy some of the most exciting fishing on the planet. It drove bass insane before World War II and still does today.
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