Fishing has new members getting into the sport every day. Who knows what attracts a person to fishing. However, each year, scores ofpeople go out and beg, borrow or steal their first fishing reel and rod in hopes of hauling home a mess of fish to skin for the freezer.

I have put together an informative Guide about picking your basic fishing tackle. You won’t need expensive or complicated gear to start fishing. Everyone knows that fishing tackle makers make fishing tackle to catch the Fishermen’s eye instead of fish. The Rods and Reels I used to catch fish all those years ago still catch fish today. Just as good or better than the tackle that they try and sell you nowadays.

Gear to catch Fish shouldn’t be so complicated you need an users manual to figure out how to operate it. Simple set-ups work best for any fish. This point was driven home many years ago when a Buddy and I went Bass fishing on a popular lake. The weather was hot that day, even for June. We gave up fishing around noon and was loading the boat on the trailer when this Old Man and 2 kids came in from fishing.

When they got out, they had a huge stringer of Black Bass. The biggest one was 6 and a half pounds and none were under 2 pounds. Seeing how my Buddy and I had been using the latest equipment on the market along with the latest lures and presentation, I just had to know this Old Man’s secret to catching Bass. The Old Man smiled and showed me his Minnow bucket and said “Just plain old minnows”! I also couldn’t keep from noticing their very simple graphite fishing rods and reels. Their simple set up had out produced the newest technology and presentations on the market at the time!

The tackle you’ll want to start catching fish is a Rod and Reel, line and bait. That’s the basics to put fish in the freezer. Finding all this tackle at a reasonable price is also easy, your local sporting goods store or Wal-Mart has more than enough tackle to get you going. I’d suggest a Rod and Reel combo like the Zebco 33 and a matching rod. This should set you back about $25 or so.

Level wind reels take quite a bit of experience and practice to use properly. Spinning reels are not as difficult to use, but you do need to know how to properly cast one or you’ll end up with a mess on your hands.

Next on your fishing tackle list comes the type of line you’ll be using. If you bought a rod and reel combo, chances are it came with line already on it. If not, or you want to change the line, then I’d suggest a 10lb line from either Stren or Trilene. There are other manufacturers out there, but these two have been around a long time and manufacture quality fishing line.

Now we’re at bait selection. Start with live bait and work your way up to artificials. You’ll catch more fish and bigger ones on live bait. When you’re in the Fishing Dept. of your favorite store, look for Eagle Claw live bait hooks in the 1/0 to 3/0 sizes and get a few packs. Next try and find some weights. You can generally find the ones that come several sizes to a package. Split shot is a great weight for beginners. Next, check out the floats. I like to use the Balsa wood floats. I use the slip floats. These slide up and down the line for easy adjustment. They’re held in place at the top by a knot or bobber stop. You can now get out on your favorite body of water and start fishing!

This is all you’ll need in order to catch fish. All total, this should cost less than a hundred bucks. The fishing companies have made it seem like catching a Bass is nearly impossible unless you’re using the latest and greatest gear on the Market. Don’t believe the marketing hype. If you come home empty handed, don’t sweat it. Even the best of us do from time to time!

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Crappie Fishing With Live Bait

How To Rig Crappie Minnows

It is very important to offer your crappie live bait presentation in just the right way so as to make the crappie get excited about hitting minnow bait presentation. Another Important element is how you hook your crappie minnow. The Minnow needs to be hooked so it swims freely while attached to the hook. Remember, you are trying to imitate a wounded minnow so a crappie will think it is an easy meal. I want to address an excellent method of making a crappie minnow rig that is very successful. And don’t forget to read the last paragraph because I don’t want you to miss out on a rarely used crappie minnow jigging technique.

How To Make A Dual Crappie Minnow Rig Using Three Way Swivels

If you are not into making your own tackle, or just don’t have the time, these setups can be purchased pre-made at most bait shops, or online at Bass Pro shop or Cabella’s.

Step#1 Get yourself some fire line line 8-20lb test. (note: a 20lb test of fire line has the dia. Of 6lb mono-filament line.)

Step#2 You will want your crappie minnow to swim as freely as possible so you will need to get some 3 ways swivels. The swivels will enable the minnow to swim in 360deg circles driving the crappie crazy!

Step#3 Get some 1/4oz egg or as they are commonly called “bass sinkers”.

Step#4 Take some fire line off of your reel spool, or from the line container and cut 2 pieces 10” long, then tie a crappie hook to the end of each piece.

Step#5 Cut 2 pieces of fire line that are about 12” inches long.

Step#6 Release enough line from your reel so you have plenty of room to do your crappie live bait tackle tying. Tie your first three way swivel to the line.

Step#7 Tie one of crappie hook leaders you made in step 4 to the open eye on the 3 way swivel that is 90 degrees clockwise. There should be one open eyelet when you get done, that is pointing strait downward.

Step#8 Pick up one of the 12” inch pieces of fire line you cut in step 5, then tie one end to the last remaining open eyelet of the first 3 way swivel that is tied directly to the line coming out of your fishing reel. Now pick up your second 3 way swivel and tie the top eyelet to the other end of the 12” line you just tied.

Step#9 You now need to tie one of the 10” crappie hook leaders to the open eyelet that is 90degrees from the top eyelet of the three way swivel you just tied in step 8. If you do this correctly, there should be one open eyelet left, and it should be located directly below the top eyelet of three way swivel you just tied.

Step#10 Tie one of the 12” pieces of fire line to the open eyelet of the second 3 way swivel. Then tie the other end to your 1/4oz bass sinker. Make sure after you tie both ends that you have approximately 6” between the bottom eyelet of the second three way swivel and the 1/4oz. bass sinker.

Step#11 Now to complete your crappie live bait rig, hook a crappie fishing minnow in front or the back of the dorsal fin on both hooks. By hooking the minnow this way it should make the minnow swim freely, as if he were wounded.

The Little Used Crappie Jigging Minnow Technique.

Look for a dead crappie minnow in your bucket or kill one and hook it to the left or right gill. Next , you need to imitate a wounded or dying minnow so start jigging the dead minnow up and down as you drop your line. This will cause the minnow to flutter as if it were a dying or wounded minnow.

Well folks that concludes this article I hope this will help you when you are using crappie live bait.

Mark Fleagle has been fishing for over 30 years. Check out his website to get some amazing fishing information and fishing articles loaded with fishing tips that really work! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” At: http://www.oldfishinghole.com Get Your Free Fishing Tips About crappie Minnows Here!

Fishing for Peacock bass is quite possibly the most exciting freshwater fishing. The peacock bass, originally from South America, are well known for the fighting abilities and have desimated many a fisherman’s gear. 

Peacock bass fishing can only be done in warmer fresh water rivers and lakes. These fish have quickly become the intended target for many freshwater game fishermen in Florida.  This is very understandable as they are not only a great fighting fish but with their sweet and delicate white meat, are a good eating fish as well.

After first being introduced into the freshwaters of Florida in 1984 by fish and game officials to help eradicate the waterways of other more invasive fish, they are now flourishing.  This is due to the warm water conditions in particular areas of Florida.  Being a tropical fish, the peacock bass, cannot tolerate lower water temperatures.

The exciting sport of peacock bass fishing can be done in several parts of the US, but many sport fisherman plan a once in a lifetime trip to the Amazon to catch the peacock bass in their natural habitat. This type of trip also offers a chance to experience the area’s unique culture and landscape. They can also be located in the waters of Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Panama, and tropical islands of the U.S.

Peacock bass fishing can be accomplished with a fly, artificial or live bait.  The best way to fish for this type of bass is with live bait during daylight hours.   Fly fishing with 5 or 6 weight is suggested.  A hook with a fine point to pierce and good reel are necessary to land one of these tough fighting fish.  If you hire a knowledgeable guide he will advise on the type of gear needed and may even be able to provide you with it.  

After a successful peacock bass fishing trip, consider a fiberglass replica of your trophy sized bass.  They can be made with such precision that they are better than and last longer than skin mounts.  An exact measurement with detailed photograph will provide the taxidermist with he needs to create a replica for you take home.

You may have taken Florida fishing trips all your life and be a native Floridian, but if you have not had the thrill of hooking up to a renown fighting peacock bass you haven’t fished!