Bass Fishing Poles – What is the Right Bass Fishing Pole For You?

Bass fishing is a great way to relax on a weekend afternoon. But what should you look for when looking for a bass fishing pole? Here are a few things to keep in mind before you decide what type of rod you want to use when you go out fishing.

Choosing a bass fishing pole should not be taken too lightly. There is of course no reason to get worked up about it, and it can be an enjoyable experience if you let it. Still, you will be using this fishing pole for a very long time, so you want to make sure that you make the right decision rather than jumping in with your eyes closed and your hands behind your back.

Bass Fishing Rigs

The key to consistent, successful bass fishing is in the rig. Yes, it is true that those fancy action baits sometimes work, but sometimes is not enough. A good bass fishing rig will always, not sometimes, work. Sure a fancy rod, reel, line, and net might make you think you are improving your chances to catch bass, but you are not. Those accessories are no different than fishing vests, insect replant, and your favorite pair of underwear. They might make the fishing experience more fun, but they definitely don’t help you catch bass. However, setting up and using the right rig in the right situation, definitely will help you catch bass.

One of the oldest, solidest, and popular bass fishing rigs is the Texas Rig. Widely used for nearly three decades, this rig is easy to setup. You only need a line, a hook, and a sinker. Bullet shaped sinkers work best. To make this rig you simply put a bullet slip sinker on your line, after of course making sure the nose of the sinker is facing the tip of the rod. Then you insert a hook about 3/8” to 1/2” down the center of your chosen worm and make sure to poke the hook all the way through the worm. From there, it’s only a matter of casting your line and reeling in a bass. The Texas Rig can be successfully used just about anywhere bass are located.

An Introduction To Noodling

At its most basic level, noodling is a skill that consists of an angler’s catching catfish with his bare hands. It is of Native American origin and is usually passed down from father to son.

Noodling is known by many names, including dogging, grabbling and gurgling, and the process comprises an angler attempting to catch a catfish by standing in the water over its nest or hole and then slowing lowering his hands until they are just inside it the hole. The catfish, if it is in the hole at the time, will react either by trying to swim away - and the angler would then grab it by the gills - or, more commonly, by defensively biting and latching onto the angler’s hands. As soon as the angler has a grip on the catfish - or the catfish on the angler - the angler either pulls the catfish to the shore or, if the hole is quite deep, swims to the surface holding the catfish and then gives it to his assistant, who is called a spotter, to secure it.

Making Your Own Catfish Stink-Bait

While some anglers prefer fancy lures or flies to catch the major freshwater sports fish, catfish lovers know that nothing beats landing a monster catfish with the perfect bait. Unlike bass and trout, catfish can grow to truly mammoth proportions, and it is quite common to catch a catfish weighing between 40 to 60 pounds if you have the right bait and understand the habits of catfish. Although some fishermen report sizable catches using store bought bait like chicken livers and squid, most experts on going after the big catfish will tell you that nothing beats homemade catfish stink-bait to draw out the monster fish. Here are a few tips to get you started.

First off, making your own catfish stink-bait is not for those with a weak stomach. It turns out that catfish are drawn to some pretty gross stuff, so you might want to stick to commercial bait if you are not comfortable with handling semi-rancid meats and organs. As gross as the best catfish stink-baits may be, however, they have stood the test of time to prove that the biggest catfish like this form of bait like no other. This is largely a result of the way that catfish feed in the wild.

Ice Fishing 101- What to Expect

Most sportsmen think of fishing as a relaxing and laid back event. Maybe you will go to a lake or stream, pack a cooler and kick back while you wait for a bite. It’s almost always warm. However, there is another side to fishing that is much more extreme. Ice fishing takes many of the stereotypes and throws them out the window. While the goal of landing a fish is still the same, almost everything else is different, from the environment to the experience itself. If you have been considering branching out into ice fishing, here’s a basic overview of what to expect.

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