Specialist Fishing

Fly Fishing Chest Waders 101

syn — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:25:19 +0000

When it comes to fly fishing, getting down in the water will often times leave you quite dirty. Before you get too far into the water though, you have to ensure that you are taking adequate safety precautions. If you have been wanting to get in more, you may want to consider chest waders. Full chest waders cover your entire body, from your feet, to your upper torso, to help protect you from cuts and scrapes. Because they cover every part of your torso, and legs, it’s easy to see how they got their name.

When you enter into the water, fishing comes into a whole new light. There are quite a few benefits to wearing chest waders, but the main reason to wear them, is for the protection. Make sure that you are sticking with the more neutral colors, to keep from sticking out too much, but avoid using completely camoflaged waders.

When you are thinking about which type of waders to buy, there are really only a few choices. Most anglers will purchase rubber chest waders. These types of waders are incredibly resilient to the harsh environments anglers find themselves in.

Neoprene waders are a specialized type of rubber that offers up a few benefits, that typical rubber waders don’t. If you fish in water that is cooler than normal, or may be worried about losing body heat, the insulation inside of neoprene waders will help to keep your body heat in.

If you have younger fly fishing enthusiasts in your family, then you may want to think about picking them up a pair of youth waders. Getting them out onto the water with you is an experience of a lifetime, but they need to remain safe as well. You might want to look at sizes that are clearly too large for the child, to ensure that they get more than a seasons worth of use out of them.

Fly Fishing Flies 101

syn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:59:34 +0000

Catching a wide variety of species is possible with a fly rod, as long as you first understand the types of fly fishing flies you will need to use. Fly fishing got it’s name from the types of lures, or flies used, to help catch spooky fish. Flies for fly fishing help to mimic natural prey items that occur in the waters where you are angling, by providing brightly colored insect mimicing lures. When it comes to the types of flies to choose from, there are a wide range of different shapes and sizes that you can use.

Fly fishing vendors, specialty suppliers, as well as retail outlets will carry a wide variety of lures for you to browse through. Many online retailers will provide you with discount fly fishing flies, throughout different times of the year. Cheap flies are available to use, but you must use caution when purchasing them to ensure they are still good quality. By reading reviews from other anglers, you can easily figure out what patterns work best where you fish.

By venturing online, searching for pictures of flies, you can get an idea of what types to use. There are quite a few websites available that show you a lot of pictures of different types of flies. If you have a particular species in mind, you may want to look for flies designed for them in particular.

Some of these specialized packs, such as when trout fishing, include all the different types of flies that you’ll need. From streamers and nymphs, to dry and still water flies, and even emerger flies are included.

To get the most out of your flies, when you are in brackish or salty water, you will want to make sure that they are designed for it. By using the right fly for the situation, you are going to spend more time catching fish, and less time breaking off snags. A fly fishing guide can help a lot in terms of determining the right fly to use in your home waters.

Choosing The Right Fly Reel

syn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:07:45 +0000

Choosing the right fly reel can be one of the most important decisions you make. Using a spool and axle technology, fly fishing reels help to deliver the line and fly to the fish. To decrease the amount of frustrations you face on the water, you’ll want to make sure you buy a quality reel.

When it comes to choosing the reel, there are two main types of materials being used in production. Metal reels are more expensive, but provide a longer life. Plastic reels, on the other hand, offer much more value for beginner anglers, but won’t last near as long as a metal reel.

There are quite a few makers and suppliers of fly fishing reels, but one of the best, by far, has got to be Shimano fly reels. These types of reels are available in single and automatic action. When it comes to buying a reel that is going to last a long time, you can’t go wrong with Shimano.

One other company that has their game together, is Hardy fly fishing reels. These types of reels are built with abusive anglers in mind. Ranging from the Performance model, to the Classic, and Heritage models, you are sure to find the type of reel that you are looking for. Getting some advice from an instructor will help you determine which model is right for you.

There are a few fishermen that prefer to use, or collect vintage model reels, and are going to need to think about a few things before they buy an older reel. Before you start looking though, you’ll want to find vintage shops or pawn shops close to you.

Some other brands, such as Okuma fly fishing reels, are built using speciality parts, but are made to keep the price down. These types of reels are heavier, but for beginner anglers, are perfect. Abel fly fishing reels are also a great choice of reel, when it comes to saving money.

Ready To Go Fly Fishing?

syn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:06:24 +0000

Wanting to get away from the house and enjoy the outdoors? Fly fishing offers a lot of benefits to you and your family. The best benefit is getting to enjoy the wonderful environment around you, and really get away from it all. Before you can head out to the water though, you are going to have to research the types of gear you can use. There are numerous ways to do this, either looking for the information on your own, or getting an instructor to help you.

Being able to determine the right rod, reel, line, and fly/leader setup to use will help you catch a lot more fish. Two major types of fly rods are being built for anglers to use these days. Some anglers prefer using fiberglass rods only, while other, more advanced anglers prefer to use bamboo models. Most fly fishing guides and instructors will carry both types of rods for you to try, before you make a purchase.

Fly fishing reels can be spotted quite easily, by their large, circular shape. Cleaning solutions and oils will help keep the reel functioning properly.

You can either tie your own flies for fishing, or you can use ones that are pre tied, included in packs for certain species. Cheap flies are going to end up having to be replaced, so it is recommended to buy quality flies up front.

To keep from breaking off fish, you must use a few techniques when tying your flies to the leader. Use a bit of saliva to wet the line, and then slowly tighten it down. You’ll want to then clip away any excess line hanging near the fly.

After all this, you’ll also want to consider a fly fishing tackle pouch. Some of the better pouch kits that you can purchase include all of the hooks and flies that you’ll need for most species.

Wilderness Systems

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:15:30 +0000

Wilderness Systems is going to great lengths to try and take over the kayak fishing market. If you ask any kayak angler if they have heard of, or could name at least one of the Wilderness boats, you would be hard pressed to find any fishermen that would give you blank stares. While these may not be the fastest, or the prettiest boats, the fact is, that they are so good at everything they do, that they are in a class all their own. From the Tarpon sit on top series, to the Pungo sit inside kayaks, it doesn’t matter which style you choose, you are going to be buying a boat that will last you for quite a long time. One that you may end up never selling, either.

The Tarpon series sit on top kayaks are known for their stability, and fishability. As well as their ample mounting surfaces, Wilderness includes all of the features that anglers can want, and expect, straight out of the box. From crate bungees, to hatch covers, comfortable seating, and even rod holders, whatever type of gear you need on your kayak, you are going to be able to easily find a spot to mount it. From the Tarpon 100, at 10 feet long, to the Tarpon 120, Tarpon 140, and even the long, Tarpon 160, the Wilderness Systems lineup has a boat for every sized angler, and fishing hole.

For anglers who are fishing in colder climates, or feel more secure riding on a sit inside kayak, the Pungo lineup is perfect. Offering both single, and tandem setups, the Wilderness Systems Pungo series lowers your center of gravity into the water, providing you with a much more stable feeling, over that of a sit on top. While most anglers do prefer the Tarpon lineup, there are quite a few fishermen that buy enough of the Pungo kayaks, to justify them releasing new and improved versions, each new fishing season.

Used Kayaks Save You Time And Money

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:07:07 +0000

If you are looking for used kayaks, you have come to the right place. Before you drop down your hard earned money, though, there are a few things that you want to make sure of. You need to make sure that there are full sized, high resolution images available of your prospective kayak, or that you can see the boat in person, before you hand over any cash. Next, you will want to make sure that the boat has all of it’s accessories included, or that the price reflects it’s missing items. Lastly, you will want to try and find a boat that is already fully rigged, to save yourself even more money on a used kayak.

When it comes to finding used kayaks for sale, you are going to either want to view large pictures of it, to ensure that there is no major damage, or make sure that you can see the boat in person. Take a look around the seams where the boat was joined together, as well as any scratches along the bottom that may be deep enough to cause a leak. Buying a used boat can save you a lot of money, but if you have to perform modifications to it, such as plastic welding, once you buy it, you are going to be spending a lot of frustrated time ironing everything out.

Once you have found a boat that is looking good, you then want to make sure that all of it’s original accessories are included, or that the price reflects missing them. If the original owner is trying to over charge you for a boat that doesn’t have all of it’s original gear is crazy, so you are going to want to make sure you either negotiate the price lower, or you pick another boat. Once you have gotten past this, you will want to try to keep an eye out for any that are already rigged. When an owner spends the money to rig the boat, you don’t have to, and most of the time, the locations are in a good spot for any angler. Used kayaks really are a great way to save a lot of money.

Pelican Kayaks

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:06:10 +0000

A lot of anglers wonder whether or not Pelican Kayaks are worth the investment. The short answer, is yes, they are. They are a great investment, for a certain group of people. Experienced kayak anglers, who have a season or two under their belt, are probably not going to benefit from a Pelican boat. However, anglers just looking to get into the sport, for a minimal investment, to determine if it is right for them, Pelican Kayaks offers some amazing boats that will fill the needs of any beginner kayak fishermen. The cost associated with these boats is one of the biggest selling points, and why so many anglers are choosing them, but before you jump in, you are going to want to make sure you understand a few of the pro’s and con’s to these boats.

The sit inside models, such as the Pelican Potomac, are perfect entry level boats, with the price tag to reflect it. Because these are $200 kayaks, you are able to easily jump into the sport, without having to worry about breaking your budget with rigging, and the extra accessories required to have a good, safe day on the water. Some of the other Pelican models come with rigging installed, but for the most part, the sit inside models, such as the Potomac do not. One lineup from Pelican, the Castaway series, however, does have a sit inside model that comes with rod holders, and some extra bungee straps, giving you a great foundation for fishing.

Their sit on top models are where kayak anglers really begin raving. For the most part, these boats are comfortable enough to be in all day, but in order to increase their creature comforts, you are going to want to install some padding, and maybe some sponges to keep from getting “swamp butt” as it’s so elegantly called. Pelican Kayaks are known for producing this numbing, sometimes painful feeling, that is caused from your skin sitting in water for too long, or having pressure placed against it for a long period of time. This happens from sitting in the same position, so in order to reduce this, a simple sponge, and some padding is strongly recommended. For beginner anglers, Pelican Kayaks are a perfect way to jump into the sport.

Kayak Rentals

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:04:33 +0000

Some anglers want to test the waters, and get into kayak fishing, without having the huge expenses of the initial kayak purchase, and all of the safety gear, and rigging. This can easily add up to a few hundred dollars, if not more, but thankfully, kayak rentals are available in most areas of the world, to allow you to enjoy the water, without having to put in too much of your money. By renting a kayak for the day, you can get out on your local waters, and figure out if kayak fishing is going to be right for you.

Before you head straight down to the boat rental shop though, you are going to want to think about a few questions to ask up front, to ensure that everything is taken care of, before you actually get down to the water. Some kayak rental shops will supply the necessary safety gear for free, while others require you to rent it, as well. Some shops also charge higher rates for boats that are rigged for fishing, compared to recreational, or touring kayaks. When you are calling around, or contacting prospective rental shops, make sure to ask them in advance how to handle the trip, so you can get a feel for how everything is going to happen.

You will usually be carried, along with your group, to the top end of the river, creek, or stream, where you will be fishing, and at the end of the day, will arrive back at the paddle shop, where your car or truck is parked at. Some kayak rentals offer different types of arrangements, so you are also going to want to determine how each particular company handles launching, and loading of the boats, as well as any transportation that is going to be required, before, during, and after your trip.

Hobie Kayaks – Hobie Pro Angler

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:03:42 +0000

Hobie Kayaks Pro Angler is probably one of the greatest kayaks produced, if not the best to date. This is considered more of a boat, including full blown rod storage, a livewell, bait tank, and even allowing you to stand and cast. If you are in the market for a high end fishing kayak, the Pro Angler may be exactly what you are looking for. Before you drop down your hard earned dough, though, you are going to want to know, first, that these boats start around $2,000 and go up in price, as you increase the options that are installed.

Hobie has included their beautiful, innovative hands free system, which allows you to use your leg power to propel the boat, rather than having to pedal. Even in the shallowest of water, this boat allows you to move forward and backward, without having to pick up your paddle, and fuss with the current. By being able to easily move in and out of areas, you are going to have a much easier time getting your lure into the spots that you want to, without having to battle against currents, wind, and other obstacles that can easily interfere with your best fishing days.

Hobie didn’t stop there with the Pro Angler though. With full length rod storage, you are able to stow your rods below the deck, and still have easy access to them. This is perfect for fly anglers who have issues with line getting caught on rods hanging out. With a full livewell, you are also able to save any fish that you catch, to take back for the table, or the taxidermist. Hobie Kayaks even went as far as throwing in a Torqeedo electric trolling motor package, to help with added propulsion on days when you don’t even want to paddle to get around.

Perception Kayaks For Fishing?

Joshua — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:32:54 +0000

While Perception kayaks aren’t typically known for kayak fishing, and they actually don’t even supply any rigging necessary for a great day on the water, through the manufacturer, the fact still remains that you can easily modify these fine boats, for an excellent time, as long as you have the patience, and the ingenuity. We recently did a review on 3 of the best kayak fishing models, that can easily have accessories attached, and be applied to practically any type of fishing that you are going to be doing.

From pond fishing, and slow moving creeks, or small lakes, to saltwater marshes, and even deep sea, offshore saltwater fishing, there is a Perception kayak model available for all types of kayak fishing enthusiasts. Finding these types of kayaks for sale can often be a tough time though, especially if you are determined to find one already rigged, and trying to save money. These criteria present quite a few obstacles, that many anglers are going to find out, is just not available. You can either find a used Perception kayak for sale, that doesn’t have any rigging, or you can find a brand new Perception model, that is fully rigged for kayak fishing.

The length, and width of these boats make them incredibly maneuverable, while still allowing for ample storage space. They are also constructed of heavy duty composite plastics, and even carbon fiber, or kevlar, to increase their durability even further. Cheaper model kayaks will begin fading, and losing their color over time, while the durable plastic that Perception uses for will continue glistening for years to come, even from harsh saltwater and the bright sun abusing it day in, and day out. If you had been on the fence about whether or not to consider Perception kayaks for your fishing purposes, then you may want to think about them again, because they really do the job, well.