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6 Gadgets That Are Essential For Your Next Hunting Trip

You might’ve heard of the famous phrase, ‘All Work and No Play Make Jack A Dull Boy’. Well, that’s absolutely right, and if you know it, why not plan out something fun with your boys? You guessed it right! A hunting trip is one good option for your next escape from the boring routine of daily life.

However, if you’ve decided to go hunting, you need notto miss on the following items that are too important to take with you on your trip.

  • Headlamp:

Who knows what you’re going to face on while on your adventurous break from life? So, better be prepared for when you need your hands free in the dark of night. A headlamp is absolutely important as it allows you to easily dress the animal in dark. Furthermore, it makes one thing less that you need to carry in your hands because you need them free while hunting. So, make sure you keep a headlamp with long runtime to accompany you on your hikes.

Headlamp.jpg

  • Hearing Protection Earmuffs:

Like all adventures, hunting comes with its pros and cons, and one of the major issues faced by hunters is to tolerate the loud gun noises. Earmuffs are a proficient way of protecting your eardrums against the noises, so you won’t face any serious hearing problem. Moreover, they also act as a shelter against the cold wind, providing you with a good night’s sleep in your base camp. To make it easier for you, we have got the top-rated hearing protection earmuffs compared for you to decide one and get the best. Find it at doctear.com/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-review.

Hearing Protection Earmuffs.jpg

  • Flashlight:

For times when you might need to track an animal that you shot down in the woods, and the sunset is nearly approaching, a flashlight becomes increasingly useful. You won’t regret taking a flashlight with you for multiple other reasons as well, such as being able to see what your path properly, or even using the relieving yourself at night when there is no electrical connection or even a proper restroom.

Flashlight.jpg

  • Fire Starter & Lighter:

Does the significance of this one on a hunting trip really need to be proved? It’s always smart to carry a lighter with you on a hunting trip because who knows, you might need to camp for the night. Furthermore, it is helpful in the case of an emergency, such as you need to call attention to yourself because you’re hurt.

Fire Starter & Lighter.jpg

  • More Power:

While driving home from your trip, a dead car battery is the last thing you want to deal with. A battery issue can be, in most cases, the first problem anyone faces while on road. Now, away from any gas stations, hotels, or any sort of civilization, you can be stuck for too long if you’re vehicle breaks down. An extra battery is a simple way of ensuring that your hunt will go on as planned, and you’d reach safely back home.

More Power.jpg

  • Fire Extinguisher:

While one may take campfires as a really great way of staying warm, truck fires could be the last thing you expect or want to face on your trip. A fire extinguisher is one of those items that are often forgotten on a trip,however, it can save the adventure from going way down the hill.

These were all the gadgets that should be kept in mind before leaving on a hunting trip. Happy hunting to you!

Fire Extinguisher.jpg

About the Author:This article is written by Katherine Joseph. She has been wearing hearing aids for over twenty years and still is a veteran of the audiology industry. She gives a holistic view of the hearing aid industry and the equipment available at https://doctear.com/.

Top 5 Things To Consider Before Hitting The Water For Deep Sea Fishing

Fishing charters are the best way to spend some time out at the ocean while fishing and trying to grab that prized catch. With a chartered boat, you don't have to worry about the logistics of mooring, fuel cost and finding the right spot for fishing.

 It's quite tricky to choose the boat you should charter and the location you should ideally go for since there are so many to choose from. 

If you are looking for deep sea fishing Panama City beach, here are 5 things that you should consider before chartering a fishing boat. Let’s get right down to it!

  1. Location is the primary aspect that you should consider

It is always a great idea to choose a charter in your locality or where you are staying. Going local saves you a lot on time. Maybe the out of town charter is offering you a better price, and you feel like it is a great deal. However, the truth is fishing charters are usually scheduled for an early morning departure.

What you need to consider is that with such a choice you need to commute to the harbor across your town and before the sun comes out! If you are on vacation this is as big buzz-kill! Make an intelligent choice by going local.

  1. Fishing type

This one is a no-brainer as there are various types of fishing choices available and you need to select depending on the type you are interested in. The multiple choices include offshore, night and reef fishing. The kind of fishing plays a huge role in the choice of the boat you will be chartering.

Make sure you ask your boat about the fishing opportunities they offer before making a decision and chartering one. It's no good if you want to fish for bonefish in the flats, but you are stuck on a tuna charter! Shop around to get the best deal according to your needs.

  1. The duration of the trip

The truth of the matter is fishing is not rocket science, so the more amount of time you spend in the water, the chances of making that prized catch increases manifold. However, if you account in the luck factor, you might get lucky even on half a day trip which is usually 4 hours in the open sea.

 With overnight charters, you will be spending the night in the ocean which means you have better chances of finding fishes. Make your choice keeping in mind the time and budget constraints. If you are new to this go for the trips of smaller duration to increase your experience.

  1. Target the species

Experts advise to keep a specific target fish in mind for deep sea fishing. You need to mention your target to the boat charter agency to find yourself a boat suited to your specific needs.

There are bite charts available at any professional boat charter service so make sure you browse through them before signing on the dotted line. 

  1. The type of boat

The type of your boat determines the kind of trip you will be taking. There are various types to choose from including the center console or large sport-fishers. There are restrictions on some ships as to how far into the sea they can travel so make sure you have a clear idea what you are going for.

Make sure that you over these simple considerations in details before choosing your charter boat.

7 Wilderness Survival Skills All Hunters Should Know

What do survival skills mean to you?

While survival skills are part of the world of fiction or something that is cool to watch on a television show to some people, it means a lot more to hunters. How prepared are you for a situation such as a disaster, economic breakdown or being trapped in the wilderness? The odds of being in a “survival for the fittest” situation are narrow, but certainly not impossible.

Although for most people finding themselves in situations that require survival skills is a matter of chance, hunters have to know how to survive under harsh conditions. Learning survival skills not only increases the chances for successful hunting, but it also ensures that you come back home in one piece. Read on for the critical wilderness survival skills hunters should learn.

  1. Packing the essential items

The first skill you should have is to bring important things. Experienced hunters do not have trouble knowing what to park, but that is not the case for beginners. Consider the dangers you are likely to face and pack accordingly. Some items are necessary whether you are going to a hot, cold, snowy or humid region. A key part of your kit should be a first aid tools.

  1. Learn how to make rationalized decisions

For you to stay alive in the woods, you need to learn how to remain calm in adversity and reason rationally. You should prioritize your actions based on what is happening at the moment. Panicking is likely to worsen the situation. Mastering this art requires one to take the S.T.O.P approach. It means that you should quit everything you are doing unless you are running to save your life and then plan on what to do next.

S.T.O.P stands for Sit, Think, Observe and Plan. Take time to survey your environment before settling for a solid plan. Although this strategy does not guarantee your survival, it will make things much simpler for you. At least you will have an idea of what you are doing.

  1. Forecast the weather

When you are at home, you rarely care about the weather unless it is a devastating situation like a hurricane or flood. However, when in the woods, even the slightest weather change can compromise your chances of survival. Heavy winds and rain will increase the difficulty of creating a campfire. The ability to predict the weather keeps you in the know.

Here are some weather forecasting skills:

  • Animals – animal movements can help you predict the weather because some disappear when they sense that rain is coming.

  • Air pressure – clouds move from high-pressure regions to low-pressure regions. So, while you cannot measure air pressure using your hands, watching the movement of the clouds will guide you.

  • Clouds – the easiest way to predict impending rainfall is by knowing what the different cloud coverage means.

  1. Making a shelter

Without a shelter, you cannot survive in the wild for more than two days. If you have a tent, building a shelter is as easy as pitching it. However, if you don’t, then you should know how to create one using the materials available in the wild. You can make use of grass, sticks, and leaves to build a small hut. Use the debris, grass and some leaves to improve insulation and twigs to enhance its stability. Remember to carry your tools such as knives, which are vital in building the shelter.

  1. Collect clean water

There is no way you can survive past the third day without water. While you may have packed some, there is a chance that the reserve will run out, meaning that you need to collect water. Water from the upper part of the stream is cleaner than that from the lover reserves. You can also collect rainwater. In case you are unable to obtain fresh water, then you may have to filter the muddy water. Use the large leaves as funnels, and then fill them with sand and stones. You can pour the water through this system, and you will collect clean water at the end.

Filtered water is not free from microorganisms, implying that you should boil it. If you do not have a pot, pour the water in a cut-out bamboo stem and boil it over a campfire.

  1. Build a campfire

Whether you are out on a hiking adventure or stranded in the wild, learning how to build a campfire is essential for these reasons:

It is a source of light

  • You can use it for cooking

  • Used for signaling

  • Regulates the temperatures, especially at night

  • It keeps harmful insects and bacteria away

Making a campfire is quite easy, but harsh weather conditions might make it challenging. Here’s how to do it:

  • Find an ideal place for building a fire. This should be a flat space without other elements that may catch fire easily

  • Dig some inches into the ground to contain the fire and arrange a ring of rocks in the hole.

  • Collect materials that can catch fire easily, such as twigs and grass, and then put them inside the hole.

  • Try to start a fire. If you carried matchsticks, this would be easy. If not, scrub flints to create sparkles and set the grass and twigs on fire.

  • Put logs around the fire to act as fuel. Remember to have some muddy water on standby in case the fire is out of control.

  1. Know how to exit 

If you have a map and compass with you, finding your way out is pretty easy. If not, look at the sky for navigation signals. If you do not have a map, your best bet would be to move along the bank. Eventually, you will come into the open land, from where you can find help.

Survival is fun

In an ideal situation, you will not be facing an epic situation where you must do everything the natural way. Outdoor activities are enjoyable and safer when part of a group than alone. Also, make sure you prepare adequately. Enjoy your hunting trip!

Tips for Traveling with an RV

Have you ever dreamed of packing the entire family in an RV and just start driving? I’m sure you did and so have others, but for many, the RV dream is just that: a dream. Now, if you’re truly passionate about the outdoor and you’d like to enjoy yourself on the road for a few weeks, the RV is the best way to do it.

It’s accessible, it’s a lot cheaper than staying in hotels, and allows for some amazing bonding moments. However, it’s not all roses and unicorns, especially when you travel with the entire family! The space in an RV may be well-designed, but it’s still compact and tight, which tends to get very annoying when anxiety hits.

I learned this from years of RVing around with the kids, and now I have a nice guide for anyone who wants to optimize the experience.

Learn how your RV Works

While they’re not that difficult to maneuver (especially modern ones), they have a lot more controls and gadgets than a regular car. So, before you start a few weeks long trip, take the time to drive it around the home base and learn what every switch and button does.

Also, have a look under the hood and pay attention to the waste disposal system. Learn how to hook it to a power line and how to add fresh water, play with the cleaning system, and always do a bit of tinkering around the engine. This way, you’ll be able to solve most of the possible problems yourself and avoid spending unnecessarily on mechanics and towing services.

Invest in Comfort

I already mentioned that space is crowded, but it can get really crowded after one or two weeks of constant living in the RV. So, to reduce the discomfort, I strongly recommend getting some high-quality beds (https://www.mattressmatchers.com/best-rv-bed/) – after all, if everyone sleeps well, it’s less likely to feel irritated.

Also, try to create a system where everyone gets to use the shower and the facilities without having to wait around. Keep things clean and every item in its place to avoid cluttering the small space – organization should be the word of the day!

Get Creative with Cooking

While the kitchen area is not fantastic, by day four you’ll all be fed up with no-cook meals! So, bring out your creativity and look for some meals that can be cooked over a camping fire or a small stove. The kids will appreciate a warm meal and the atmosphere around the fire will be a lot more pleasant than being crammed in the RV.

Also, if you like fishing, you now have a fantastic opportunity to show off your skills! Pull the RV near a river and become the proverbial meal provider of the family by bringing home some freshly caught fish. It will be delicious on the grill or cooked in a pot.

Additional Power Source

Usually, the RV uses power from the battery or from the main line (when hooked up), but you can also use solar panels specially designed for campers. They don’t occupy much space and you can easily install them on the roof of your RV. Furthermore, some are powerful enough to power up several gadgets at a time, so the kids could charge their phones and tablets, while you’re using a laptop.

It’s a great way to save battery life and get some green energy out of your trip!

In Conclusion

RVing is a wonderful experience that will teach the kids about being outdoors and will reinforce the bonds between travelers. But, to have the best trip, it’s important to be creative and tolerant of the others.

Your Ultimate Guide On How To Catch Eels

Fishing for eel can be exciting and at the same time frustrating depending on various factors. Given that eels are mostly found in different water bodies that have muddy bottom surfaces, you have to be skillful to get the ideal catch.

Interestingly, many anglers tend to pursue other types of fishes as critical targets and in some instances end up with a few or more eels. This breed is not glamorous, and many fishermen often classify it as among the undesirable type of fish around. In fact, some people use it as baits. How to catch eels is thus essential to the anglers that need this fish as main target any moment they are out fishing.

Overview Of Eels

Before we even get to know best ways of catching eels, it is imperative to understand some of the necessary information regarding eels. This is a type of fish that resembles a snake, which is elongated and tapers to a point at the tail.

It is relatively slim and appears scale-free, but in a real sense, the scales are deeply embedded in particular sections of the skin. In most cases, they like breeding in freshwater bodies and vary in color from dark brown to olive green.

It is often rare to find male eels that are longer than 0.5 meters. However, female eels are ordinarily common especially those that are one meter long, and some go even to about 1.5 meters. The weight varies depending on the length where some would weigh up to four kilograms, with a few exceptions that can grow to a weight of eight kilograms.

Catching Eels

Several ways can be used to capture eels. The major problem that you might encounter is that eels are often slippery, swift and difficult to hold even after catching. The best time to find them is at night.

 However, you may also choose to pursue them during the day since some of them also feed during such times. You’ll need to get too muddy bottom places; fresh water empties into salty water and brackist water areas.

One way is that you may choose to use worms, minnows and loach gudgeon among others to catch them. This method is somewhat tedious and unpredictable especially in areas where there are several types of fishes. You can never be sure of whether it is the eel that will be caught on the bait or any other type of fish.

It happens that an angler baits a small hook and using a worm or minnow or any other preferred one and presenting it at the end of the entrance of the hole.

The eel then takes the bait while the angler is still holding the line taut until when the prey is finally caught. With time, you will feel that the eel is biting and it is when you are supposed to react gently but quickly by lifting it from the water to the ground or into a basket.

A compelling aspect to take note of is when you realize that the fails to bite the bait for around two minutes or so then choose to reel the line in and cast it out once more.

It is a somewhat traditional method that may end up consuming much of your time, but if you are doing for fun, then it becomes a more interesting approach to take.

The other way is using night lines. Such night lines have several many hooks attached to them and are pushed to the water using a relatively heavy brick or stone or any other substance that has appropriate weight on one side.

The other side of the nightline is tied on the branch of a tree or fastened into the river bank or better still, tied on a bunch of weeds that are on the water side. This method is somewhat easy and relatively better than using bait since you’re confident of catching most if not all eels by the end of the exercise.

In most cases, eels are caught in rivers. Nonetheless, the ideal time for finding them is when they are moving towards the sea. It is also a sign that they have indeed attained the right size for the catch, ideal fat content as well as best possible condition.

Still, you can capture eels that move upstream primarily for purposes of direct food or better yet for transferring them to other waters. In this case, you need to ensure that you use the safest means possible to prevent injuring some of the tissues of these fishes.

Tools And Apparatuses

What you have to know is that there are specific tools that you need when fishing for eels. It does not, therefore, imply that the gears are expensive or relatively complicated. No! For instance, when you’re pursuing silver eels that migrate you need to have reasonably large and robust pieces of equipment.

Yellow eels, on the other hand, can be captured using baited traps, eel spears, long lines, shore seines and fyke nets for eels among others. However, the most efficient of all of these depends on what is stipulated in the regulations that govern the fishing in that particular locality.

 Overall, some of the preferred equipment are those that do not cause harm to or interfere with the other untargeted species. It is thus proper to ensure that you become conscious of the fact that the conservation of other types of fishes that you do not necessarily need is an important aspect when dealing with particular tools for capturing eels.

Conclusion

From the pots, it seems apparent that catching eel can be easy and also difficult depending on your approach and the types of tools that you use.

The most important thing, however, is to make sure that you understand how and when to catch this kind of fish. You also need to be patient because they are unpredictable and tend to mingle easily with other types of fish hence making it rather tricky to define their dominant base entirely.

Sources:

https://www.trails.com/how_1933_catch-eels-river.html

http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Boys_Own_Book_of_Outdoor_Sports/eelfishin_dd.html

http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/tan/x5915e/x5915e01.htm

https://www.outdoorlife.com/how-to-catch-and-eat-eels

How Long Does Fishing Line Last

Fishing is one of the best hobby a person can have. It is relaxing and relieves stress as well. In my younger years, I’ve experienced fishing together with my older brother in a small river near our place.

 I’ve seen him catches different kinds of fishes, though almost were tiny maybe because there wasn’t a perfect fishing tool he could use. But whether big or small, the most important thing is we enjoyed a lot. 

Today, I still go fishing and use my fishing line oftentimes, it is simple to realize that it is necessary to replace it much frequently than if you only fish for many times a year.


Every time I go fishing, my fishing line is unprotected to many harsh stuffs, heat, and water. The more time it undergoes exposure, the sooner it dilapidated.

Continue reading

Pro Tips To Know About How To Catch Mackerel

Do you want to catch Mackerel during your next fishing trip?

Mackerel could be claimed as excellent bait for the anglers of the sea. This beautiful fish tastes splendid, and they could be regarded as more than just a summer pastime or a baitfish.

Fishing for Mackerel will be great fun if you catch it on the perfect tackle. These fishes are very powerful and could offer some excellent sport. Hence, to help you to know more about this fish species and apprehend the right technique.

We have brought up this list of how to catch mackerel. Hold on your interest and keep on reading.

Where is Mackerel Found?

Mackerels could be said to be seasonal fishes that generally arrive in waters during late spring and move out during early autumn.

Well, Mackerel are very common during midsummer in the British Isles. These are shoaling fishes that could be seen on the water surfaces in huge numbers when they feed on smaller baitfish.

where is mackerel found

You would find Mackerels to feed specifically on whitebait that the fish chases along several tidal jetty walls as well as groins.

Mackerels could be found easily around docks, piers, and harbors which render them easier access to deeper waters as well as tidal runs.

Mackerels usually have the tendency to feed up more or less halfway from the seabed. However, weather and sea temperature are the two factors that would affect the distribution of this baitfish.

Hence, the season of mackerel probably starts from mid and late summer in UK’s northern most regions while in the south, the fish are usually offshore for maximum time in a year.They move inshore and towards north during spring.

What You Will Need

1. Fishing Reel

If you require a little bit extra distance, a multiplier would then be the perfect option. It would help you in covering more area with it.

multiplier reel

Many people could argue that one would cover the same distance with a fixed spool reel, but it is not at all preferable.

It is true that if something goes wrong while multiplier casting, then it would be a horrible wrong.

But if one grasps the proper technique using the multiplier, you would have to never look back again.

Overall, it means that when it’s about casting long distances, the multiplier would be a great option.

2. Fishing Rod

For catching Mackerel, surf caster or more beachcast could be excellent options. You might need to get into an appropriate water depth.

casting rod

Or, if someone is fishing straightly in deeper water from the marks like Hopes Nose or Berry Head, a perfect length rod would simply let you among these fishes.

Well, you could consider these products for catching the fish

Last update on 2018-02-27 PST - Details

3. Fishing Line

If you look for fishing lines for Mackerel, then monofilament line of 150 pounds would be somewhat a good option. With a lighter line, you would be able to pump it farther.

On the other hand, if you go for braided lines, then 20 to 25 pounds line would be good.

However, considering the braking strain, braided lines would be about half regarding line diameter compared to the monofilament lines.

But it would not really matter a lot whether you are using monofilament or braided lines.

These products could be worthy of purchase to catch mackerel

Last update on 2018-02-27 PST - Details

4. Fishing Hook

Hooks that are usually very popular for using in fishing mackerel would be the circular ones.

top fishing hooks

Due to such a circular design, it probably becomes hard for the fish to escape from the hook about the other ones.

Circular hooks would always be a better option to get a good result.

5. Fishing Baits & Lures

The best baits for mackerels would be the glossy or bright ones. The most commonly used bait for catching mackerel is the fish themselves.

fishing lure vs bait

Mackerel strips could be asserted to be great baits. The other baits would include scad, garfish, squid and garfish.

The commonly used lures for mackerels are feathers, hokkals, silver tinsel, and sabikl.

How To Tie Mackerel Feather

You can watch this video below to know how to tie hook:


Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Catch Mackerel Using Feathering Technique

Step 1: Reeling The Line

At the time of casting, you would have to make sure that the weight is hitting the seabed before closing the clasp and then begin feathering.

Pulling the rod

At first, you would have to start with reeling in the slack line. You would be continuing the reeling process unless you feel the weight.

As soon as you feel the weight, you would have to stop to reel in further.

Step 2: Pulling The Rod

Reeling The Line

Once you cast and then attain a tight line, you would have to then only pull back the rod in a continuous motion starting from waist height to that of the head height.

You won’t be reeling in the line while the rod is being pulled back. Hence, you would be spinning the slack line only when you would move back the rod down the height of the waist.

Step 3: Repeating The Same Process

After you complete the above step for once, you would be repeating the process. You would be making probably about three to four complete turns on your reel.

Well, you could even pull the rod back from the level of the ground to above the head. The first process would keep the lure more or less at the same depth while the up-down motion will be raising the lure on the water.

You could choose whichever you find suitable for you. Likewise, your catch would be right in front of you and later on your dishes.

Mackeral feathering technique

Pro Tips To Catch Mackeral With Feathering Technique

  • It would be better not to feather at the night as mackerels could not see them in the dark. Feathering technique would be best when the sun is shining brightly, and the water is quite clear
  • If you are feathering on a breakwater or pier, you would have to let the feather fall directly beneath you and would be standing there to jig them up and down
  • While feathering, many anglers cast long distances, but a mackerel can swim tight often against the wall of the pier. Casting such great distances would make the feathers come closer to the walls thereby making them out of the water almost. Hence, you could never go deep enough for finding Mackerels
  • The line strength clips and knots might not suit your style of power casting with 6 oz lead weight as maximum feathers are made by non-anglers in the Far East. Hence, you would have to ensure that your casting is not overloading the rig, pulling the knots or snapping the fishing line.

Conclusion

Well, this was all that we had on our list of how to catch mackerel. Like we mentioned earlier that mackerels could be a tasty dish, but actually, they are quite underrated.

They are popular baitfish and could be very easy to catch if you learn the right technique to find them. The purpose of bringing out such a list was only to provide you useful information about the species and let you know the proper technique.

We hope that our list would now help you to learn the right process. Well, if you have any suggestion, please let us know in the comments.

Interesting Things About How To Catch Pickerel

Are you looking for a proper technique to catch Pickerel in your next fishing trip?

Well, it is usually often more exciting to fish in an unknown water body as you would not know what can strike the lure after hitting the water. Pickerel could be caught all year round, and you would actually have much fun in catching this fish.

Pickerel are known to be much aggressive and even could not be easily found like other game fish species. But, you could really enjoy catching them, specifically on lighter tackle.

To help you in experiencing the real fun, we have brought up a list of how to catch pickerel along with some vital information.

Hence, just hold your interest and keep on reading below.

What You Will Need

1. Fishing Rod

For catching pickerel, a lightweight rod could actually work best.

You can choose a 6 to 7 or 10-foot rod.

Overall Rating

You could purchase this product for catching the fish

Preview Product Rating Price
Berkley Lightning Rod Casting Berkley Lightning Rod Casting 28 Reviews $138.00

Last update on 2018-02-27 PST - Details

2. Fishing Line

To catch these aggressive fighters, 6 or 8 pounds monofilament fishing line would be a good option for your lightweight spinning setup.

These products could be worthy of purchase for Pickerels

Last update on 2018-02-27 PST - Details

3. Fishing Lures

Weedless spoons, crank baits, jigs with pork dressing would work perfectly for catching pickerels in deep waters.

Poppers prop lures and wobblers would be the lures of topwater.

Berkley Gulp baits

However, minnows would be particularly great choices for catching 3 to 5 inches pickerels.

Moreover, soft plastic jerk baits could be an excellent option to fool these lone wolves.

4. Tippets & Teeth

A multi-strand leader wire of a narrow diameter which could be fastened to general fishing knots would help in adding a bite tippet easily for pickerels.

tippet fishing

You would have to add some inches to the leader or line using triple surgeon knot.

However, you would have just to ensure that both the mainline and wire are of the same diameter.

Brief Understanding of Pickerel

​Pickerel are known to be the smallest member of the family pike. The world record pickerel of 9.6 pounds weight is known to be caught in Georgia.

However, you would be able to catch four pounds of the fish or measuring more than 24 inches, and this would be the king size catch in any place.

  • The appetite of Pickerel is probably voracious, and this fish species appears to be like a killing machine. This is due to their backward angled teeth that would make impossible for any caught victim to escape.
  • Pickerels are known to feed on frogs, insects, small snakes, and mice. However, Minnows, panfish, and other pickerel could be considered as their favorite overwhelming foods.
  • Pickerels could be found starting from Texas, Florida and then straight northwards in Canada. You would find them inhabiting places like lakes, ponds, black water rivers as well as big impoundments.

Pickerel are seen to favor usually tannin stained and acidic waters that include plenty of vegetation. Maximum pickerels would be loners and homebodies.

They would float in one place motionlessly, frequently behind weeds, timber or brush, and rush out to trap the doomed baitfish or other passing creatures.

Pickerels would twist their body for making an S shape while preparing itself to strike.

Brief Understanding of Pickerel

After this, the fish would project itself to the target in the fastest motion. It could even become difficult for your eyes to detect it.

Shallow spots such as dock pilings, weed beds, sunken logs, grassy banks and submerged brush would be the proper places for catching pickerel in their trap feeding mode.

However, if you want to bag huge amount of the fish, then deeper holes, drop-offs, points, backwater sloughs in rivers and slow pool would be the best places to look for it.


Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Catch Pickerel by Fly fishing

Step 1: Dropping The Line

At first, you would have to take your 7 to 8 weighted rod and then would be adding a tapered leader of 5 to 9 foot along with a tippet of 8 to 10 foot.

You could use topwater flies during the summer time. Now, you would have to drop them down in a gentler way next to the fallen logs, weed beds, points or brush piles.

After letting the ripples to dissipate, you would have to push them tenderly.

Step 2: Suspending The Fly And Catching The Fish

Winter, late fall and spring would be the suitable time to opt for fly fishing.

Now, you would have to allow them to sink to about 12 to 48 inches. After this, you could start with a stripping retrieve.

You would have to keep the tip of the rod lower to the water and start pulling the line up to 12 to 48 inches at a time. You would be pulling in sharp squirts with pausing in the middle of the jerks.

This will be suspending the fly and cast temptingly just like the way a real minnow would have done.

Once you catch one, you would then realize the fish’s specialty.

Pro Tips to Catch Pickerel

  • Fishing Around Vegetation

Pickerels could be considered as lone wolves that are quite difficult to find. But they are known to spend much time in soft covers where they wait for their prey.

Hence, it would be better to start fishing from submerged logs, weeds, or stumps.

  • Use Standard Baits Available On The Spot

Pickerels are known to possess a great eye sight, so they could quickly identify their prey. Therefore, it would be very important for you to use bait which is commonly found in the place. The logic goes same for the artificial baits too.

However, your bait size would have to be appropriate for the pickerel's size in that spot. It will be limiting your activity if the size is too small or too big.

  • Prefer Daylight Hours

You would find many fish species to feed at night aggressively, but this is not so with pickerels.

A bright and clean sunny day would offer the best setup to pickerels for executing their feeding activity. Hence, it would be better to fish in such hours to get the best results.

  • Setting The Hook Fast

Pickerels are probably fast strikers. They would rush rapidly to the food source as soon as they see it.

Hence, you would have to be very attentive and quickly snap the wrist as soon as you feel the hit.

Conclusion

Well, this was all that our list of how to catch pickerel contained. Catching pickerels could of very exciting and fun, but the main thing would be to find out the real place where they are present.

Like, we mentioned above that Pickerels are claimed to be as lone wolves, so it could become a little bit difficult to find them out. Once you spot them, then the entire fishing process would become accessible.

Pickerels could be fast strikers, but you would be able to catch them if you are attentive. Well, we hope that our guide above and tips would help you a lot in fishing lot of pickerels.

However, if you have any suggestion, please let us know in comment section.

Learn The Secrets Of How To Catch Bowfin

Are you planning to catch Bowfin during your next fishing trip?

Bowfins are known to be active fighters as well as a fantastic fish. But this fish species is not as popular as trout, walleye or bass.

Bowfins have strong jaws, and most anglers lose their lures in their jaws. This could be regarded as one of the reasons for their less popularity.

The fish might not be the first choice of anglers, but they are known to offer daunting opponent in water and could even sustain in water that contains lesser oxygen.

Since bowfins are very challenging and stronger fishes, you would have to know about them clearly along with the proper technique to catch them.

To help you out in it, we have brought up a list of how to catch Bowfin along with much-related information. So just hold on your interest and continue to read.

Places to Catch Bowfins

​Bowfins are inhabitants of eastern North America and are commonly found in the southeast of Canada and east of US.

places to catch bowfin

Being prodigious and piscivorous hunters, these fishes prefer to live in slow-moving, clear, medium streams and canals. However, you would even find them in lakes and weedy swampy waters.

Shallows and riverbanks are usually the places where Bowfins hunt their game.

The anatomy of this fish species is known to be little bit distinct, and this could be one of the reasons for preferring shallows by them. Bowfin uses the swim bladder in a different way, that is, as a primeval lung.

  • They come to the surfaces sometimes to quaff the air and for regulating their strength. This is the reason that they stay near to the surfaces and could sustain in waters where there is little oxygen.
  • However, you would be able to catch Bowfins all the year long. Moreover, ice fishing for these fishes could be a productive option for you.
  • These fishes usually feed anything which catches their interests at any time. Therefore, you would be able to find Bowfins in the morning, afternoon as well as the evening in warm or cold temperatures and muddy or clean waters.

What You Will Need

Fishing Rod

You would be able to employ the same tackle that you use for trout, bass or walleye.

Light or medium light fishing rod would be a good option to use for bowfins. The length of the rod would be 6” to 9’6”.

These are some product that could be considered for catching bowfins:

Last update on 2018-02-27 PST - Details

Fishing Reel

In the case of reels to catch bowfins, light to medium light ones would be better to pair with the fishing rod.

These products could work best as reels for your fishing rod:

Fishing Line

The line for catching bowfins would have to be about 15 to 20 pounds test braided. This is because you would be probably be catching the fish in rough waters.

Well, these products could be good options to consider for this fish:​

Fishing Hook

Bowfins possess largemouth, and they won’t shy away from bigger baits. Hence, larger hooks would be better options for this fish.

Likewise, you would also be able to prevent the bait from being swallowed by the fish completely. Bowfins are even muscular and have powerful jaws, so they could even straighten your hook.

Hence, it would be better to use thicker hooks. Barbless hook would be a good option for catching and releasing the fish.

However, if you use leeches, long fish strips, night crawlers or any longer baits, medium shank hooks would work best in fixing the bait entirely.

One hook or two hook bean sinker rig will be a great option if you are using live or dead baits for catching bowfins.

  • You could have a swivel that would act as a stopper for the sinker. Bowfins have sharp teeth, so a super braid leader of 20 to 30 pounds test could be the one you need.
  • Bowfins could not be spooked easily, and they are known to have excellent eyesight. Hence, it could be a good idea to employ brown or green color leader to make it look like a weed or plant root.

Baits & Lures

  • Fishing Bait

Crayfish & night crawlers would be the two best baits to employ for bowfins. These baits would work best particularly during stalking or still fish.

However, you could use any kind of smaller fishes, dead or alive for catching bowfins.

preparing baits
  • Fishing Lures

In the case of lures, you could use Vibrax Minnow Spins, Mepps spinners, crawfish or shrimp mimic crankbaits.

preparing lures

Minnow jigs would even be a productive option. However, it would be better to use metallic lures for bowfins as their strong jaws could easily ruin wooden, rubber or plastic lures.


Step-By-Step Instructions: How To Catch Bowfins

Step 1: Winding The Reel With Line

To catch Bowfins, you would have to at first start winding your fishing reel with fishing line. The line could be of 25 to 40 pounds test.

You would require such added strength for fighting a Bowfin without breaking the fishing line.

Step 2: Using Fresh Bait

You would now have to set the hook with the baits. Well, it would be better to use fresh baits wherever it will be possible.

hook fresh baits

Crawfish, bluegills, minnows and worms would work perfectly for it. Bowfins are generally found under thick covers like underwater vegetation as well as rocky bottoms.

Hence, you would have to look for such places to catch the fish in great amounts.

Step 3: Dropping The Line

Now, you would have to drop the fishing line in the water thereby trolling the bait across the bottom of the water.

Step 4: Landing The Catch

At this stage, you would have to jerk your wrist for setting the hook in the mouth of the fish as soon as you feel the bite.

And after that, you would have to be patient. Now, start reeling in slowly and steadily and let the fish wear out itself. 

If you try early to fight this strong, challenging fish, the tension would possibly break the line. Well, your catch Bowfin would be right in front of you like this way.

Pro Tips



Conclusion

Well, this was our list that included various significant information related to picking Bowfins successfully.

These are quite strong as well as challenging fishes and their behavior of swallowing the lure most of the time with their strong jaws makes them a less popular choice among the anglers.

But bowfins could make out a great meal due to their beautiful white flesh, just like maximum predator fishes.

Since the powerful jaws and the sharp teeth of bowfins could bestow a strong challenge to its opposition; you would have to apprehend the perfect technique of catching them.

We hope that our list as mentioned above of how to catch Bowfins would provide much information that you might want to know about the fish. Well, if you have any queries or suggestion related to this article, please let us know in the comments below.

Secrets About How To Catch Snook

Are you planning to experience a great day by fishing Snook?

Snook could be claimed as the favorite fish species of maximum professional fishers. You would find the fish in various places at the distinctive time of a year.

Snook are known to migrate or move within a much smaller area. They are basically a challenging fish species of warm waters, so you would have to pay attention to several factors as well as skills to apprehend the basics of catching them.

To help you in it, we have come up with the list of how to catch Snook including much valuable information.

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