Try Different Fishing Spots

I tend to revisit the same fishing spots all the time. It is a habit. I am comfortable with these places. Last year I tried a couple different places, but they didn't pan out. I am pretty happy with trout, bass, perch, even hornpout/catfish. Most of the places I go to are along rivers or streams. A few are on ponds or lakes.

Now I have on my list a few new areas to test. I am not sure whether they will be good in the summer's heat or in the cooler weather of fall. I figure I will try them now in the hot summer. If they don't work out, I will go back in the fall and see if I get any bites.

I know if I see repeat bass fishermen along certain places, I might have a better chance there to hook a big bass. I know some spots that are great for fly fishing that I haven't gone to yet.

I know that I will be hitting some of these sweet fishing holes after the sun  goes down. Now with so many cases of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus and EEE, I will have to load up on bug spray. I also have to watch out for those nasty ticks; in the spring I got one on me and came down with Lyme disease. That set me back a bit. I get a bit nervous going outdoors to go fishing because that is where I think I picked up that tick. Remember to put on the bug goop.

Let's see if I can catch a bass or trout or anything for that matter.

See you on the water...

Catching A Bass...

OK. This bass may not seem big to you BUT it was HUGE to my granddaughter. It was one of the first fish she ever caught. It is great for all of us to get out and go fishing. I think sometimes it is even more important to show the youth in the up-coming generation what fishing is all about:

• Fun
• Skill
• Comradeship
• Patience 
• Relaxation

So go out and show someone younger than you what fishing means to you before the end of this year's great fishing season...I want to go ice fishing, but that is a little cold for most kids unless they have really fished before.

Fishing On The Cape Cod Canal

Here's some folks fishing on the Cape Cod Canal in Buzzard's Bay down my the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

As you can see they have a few of those ponchos that you can keep in your tackle box that are about 4"x6". This way if all of a sudden the skies open up and start pouring down on you, you have a bit of protection for the day.

I know that it may be difficult to fold these up again to stuff back into that little envelope. First let the poncho dry out really well. On a hard, smooth surface make a few folds, then smooth out the plastic while you push out any air. Sometimes rolling the plastic up before folding it up more helps.

Remember do NOT stand out there in a thunder and lightning storm! Your fishing pole makes a great lightening rod. You do not want to be out there holding it when lightening strikes. Be safe.

Fantasy Fishing Though Winter Lectures

Over the winter on the border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, a few of the fishing clubs organize fishing lectures with some local libraries. I usually attend the ones in Andover MA and Nashua NH. Now that March is almost here they are almost over for this year.

They are fantastic to go to because as you listen to what the presenters have to say you can fantasize what your next fishing season will be like. The lectures give you some super information on new fishing spots both for freshwater and saltwater. They explain some ways to fish bait or lures that maybe you have not tried yet. Different presentations can be on fly-fishing, bait-casting, or using a variety of artificial lures and leaders and rods & reels.

All of this gets you anticipating the warmer weather to anxiously get to cast out your line for the first time this season.

I do not know about you, but I can hardly wait to wet my line!

Bass Fishing Afternoon

As I was doing some errands this morning, I caught a glimpse of someone doing some fishing from a bass boat down on the river. All morning long I have been wondering if they caught anything and if so, what did they catch.

I can't keep my mind on anything else. Fishing just keeps yanking at my mind.

OK.....I'm logging off......I've gone fishing.

I had that fishing fever bad yesterday, but I was way too busy to fix it. I put aside time today just to get in some fishing in a new spot that I am dying to try. I have a few new spots because of their location in the river or the structure that is there, I think and hope that there are some good sized bass around.

I picked today's location because of semi-easy accessibility. The weather folks have predicted thunderstorms; I only have a short time frame to fish, and I don't want to waste the time getting to my fishing spot.

Because I want fast action, I'll be trying some new lures that I have. Later today on my way to the river, I will determine which ones and which colors to use. I'll update this blog to let you know the results.

I already have my rod and reel in my car and all set to go as well as my tackle box.

P.S. Don't forget to bring the sunscreen, something to eat and drink. If you're like me, I tend to get a little carried away and always want to fish longer than I expected. Don't drink too much - Relieving yourself takes valuable time away from bass fishing!!!

Teaching my Granddaughter About Fishing

I feel like we need to teach the up-coming generation all about fishing. If we don't, it will be lost.

Even though we have gone fishing before, I wanted to show her how our state and its people support fishing whether it is large mouth bass, small mouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, etc. We took a trip to our state's fish hatchery in Sandwich MA.

They have 'gum ball' machines where you put in a quarter and get some fish food....Don't forget to bring a cup or something to hold the fish food in or you'll have the pellets all over the ground, not in the water for the fish. All my kids loved going here. When you toss in the fish food, the fish splash the kids and they all squeal.

This was the first trip there for my granddaughter. Now I know she'll be begging to go back again. She could see how the fish vary in size. She wants to catch one of the 'big ones'! No rod and reels and hooks are allowed here. These fish are the ones that they use to propagate more fertilized eggs for future fish populations.

She could see how many fish are raised in the multitude of cement troughs with various types of aerators to raise the level of oxygen in the water. She could also see the difference among the trout - rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, brook trout, etc. This fishery doesn't have any bass, but it is a great learning experience for everyone. What a better way for her to see how the fish grow - up close and personal!