Things You Should Know About Fishing

If you like fishing, you surely must know the ins and outs of fishing. Not only the release of fatigue or the fulfillment of desire, hobby fishing should also be explored for those who love fishing.

Fishing in the broad sense is a fishing activity. Catching fish can be a job, hobbies, outdoor sports or outdoor. In practice, the fishing can be done at the edge or in the middle of the lake, ocean, river, and other waters with a fish targets.

In practice and from the quarry, not all fish fishing activities is always a fish fruition. Fishing is not always synonymous with fishing fish into the target, fishing can also get frogs, turtles, fish, squid, octopus, fish and even whales.

Basically, fish fish can be distinguished based on natural prey, namely:

• Freshwater Fishing
• Sea-water Fishing

In general, fishing was only one way to catch fish. Therefore, many ways to catch fish or other techniques.

Fishing History

Fishing in the sense of catching fish, has been known since the days of civilization about 10,000 years ago. This is evident from the archaeological relics of the old caves in Europe which explains that fishing activity has been used since the discovery of the bones, hook, and drawing and painting at the age of rocks found in the caves.

Start fishing techniques vary in the time Neolithichum, or the young stone age. Starting at this age, or about 4000 to 8000 years ago, the fishing technique later evolved into a more modern and is still used today.

So even with a way of processing the fish, the current way of managing the fish still made with the same technique, for example, how to preserve the fish with salt fish or smoked in a manner that is still used.

Fishing Techniques

From the definition of fishing, fishing is considered as one way to catch a fish or aquatic animals. In addition to fishing, there are many techniques to catch the fish or aquatic animals. Here are some common techniques for catching fish or aquatic animals;

1. Using Hand

Catch fish by hand can be done in shallow waters, such as small streams, rice fields or other. Understanding catch fish by using this hand became widespread in fishing terms, ie without a fishing rod. Joran itself is a fishing rod that is frequently used in catching fish in the sea.

2. Spear

Catch fish using a spear can be said to be easier than catching fish by hand. This arrest has been used by humans for a long time.

Spearheading made in such a way, such that the hook caught fish can not escape from the eyes of his spear.

Spear used in fishing can be a variety of shapes, from short to have handles which has three branches in the end, or it could be just one lance-shaped eyes.

3. Harpoon

Currently, how to use a fishing harpoon technique. Harpoon is itself a form of spear fishing equipment is given a long rope.

Catch fish this way is usually by boat. This is done to pursue fish to be targeted inducement.

Harpoon fired by using a tool thrower. This tool is usually used to catch large fish, such as whales, sharks, rays, and so forth. after exposed to harpoon fish, the fish is pulled and then pulled up the deck of the ship or boat.

4. Fishing lines

At current fishing practices are the most popular, practical, and favorites performed by using fishing line. The fishing line is also called strings. <br /> At the end of the string, mounted one or more eye time, which in each eye hook baited with live or artificial bait.

Catch fish in this way can be done in the river, lake, waterfront, or even could be in the middle of the ocean by boat as a means of transportation.

5. Sucking water

Another fishing technique that can be done is to suck water. Usually this is technically not devoted to catching fish. This technique is more often used to capture various types of animals in the sea floor or mollusks, are like clams, lobsters, crabs, and animal like.

How to suck up the water using a compressor that works by sucking water into the boat and then filtered and the water is then discharged back into the sea.

6. Net

This fishing technique is done by scooping with nets or cast nets are then removed. This technique can also be done by installing nets by means wait for a certain time then the new mesh was removed.

When the fishing is done at sea, this technique can be done by lowering the nets into the sea with a boat that runs slowly followed, so that the mesh forming a circle.

By using this technique, anglers usually fish or fishermen can catch shrimp, small fish or squid. This technique is usually done at night with a lamp as a light for fishermen. This is done to attract the attention of more fish in the sea.

7. Kites

How this is done by raising a kite made of a waterproof material that is then flown using a rope.

Kite strings that had previously been given at the tail end of the rope is given the time and feed the eye. Keep eyes of times and the bait in the water.

This method is usually done in favorable weather. This technique is less effective if done at cuaxa not support, such as rain or wind was strong.

8. Knocked a hole in the ice

Fishing with the way this is done in a way to drill or make a hole in the ice fishing gear in order to get into the water through the hole that was created earlier.

Then hook baited inserted into the hole until the water broke through the eyes under a layer of ice that had been given the last hole. This will attract attention and also outwit the fish in the sea.

9. Trap

How this is done is not only to catch fish, but can also be used to catch other marine animals are usually located in the bottom waters, such as lobster, crab, shrimp, and animal like.

Fishing is done by using a device that is made of iron, aluminum, or bamboo traps by putting these in a particular area. Previously, these traps have been marked or buoy to easily find it.

10. Help other animal

In China and in Japan, fishing techniques typically use a type of waterfowl that have been trained. The trained bird water bird named Cormorant.

This technique is usually performed together, for example, a number of fishermen who also has a water bird. By boat, the fishermen then form a circle and ordered the birds to catch fish with the direction to the center of the circle.

After successfully chasing birds and fish, then a bird back to the boat and put the fish catch. This technique has long been used in these countries (China and Japan).

11. Toxins

The fish poison has been banned in use. This technique can damage coral reefs and destroying marine life as a whole. This technique is usually aided by using Barbasco, cyanide, or potassium which is a chemical compound with the aim to make the fish become weak, but many fish died instantly.

So is the discussion of understanding and techniques in fishing. There are many fishing techniques or fishing is still done to this day, such as electric shocks, using explosives or bomb the ocean, and fishing to the sea floor. An attempt to get the fish but in a way that is not good.

Hopefully with this discussion, we can add insight and knowledge. May be useful. Hopefully you also can better appreciate the environment, one of which premises the way fishing is good fishing.

Read More

How to Fish for Spawning Salmon

Every year salmon migrate from the ocean, up the rivers of the Pacific Northwest to spawn providing some exciting fishing action. There are several ways to fish for spawning salmon, however spin fishing with a variety of lures is the easiest for novice salmon fishermen to learn and accounts for just as many catches as any other method.

Instructions

Fishing for Spawning Salmon

1 Select a variety of salmon lures. The best are: spinners- oz. size, spoons- oz. size and large diving plugs in "salmon size." Buy a variety of colors and several of each, as hanging up the lure on underwater rocks is a common occurrence in river fishing, resulting in a broken line and a lost lure.
2 Locate where salmon lay in the stream. Salmon fight their way upstream. When swimming through rapids they move then rest in the quiet pools or the long smooth stretches of river. The salmon will be found on the bottom of deep pools and in the smooth water just below a series of rapids.
3 Wade into the water if it is shallow enough, or stay on the bank if it is deep or the water is moving too swifthly. Cast at a 45-degree angle upstream and reel the lure back as it drifts downstream with the current. Continue casting all through the smooth water, working the entire pool or stretch of water. Work the lure at different depths as salmon may be on the bottom or hanging midlevel. If you don't catch one here work your way up or down river to the next hole.
4 Keep the rod tip up upon feeling a strike. The salmon will run, but make the fish struggle against the power of the rod. Adjust the drag on the reel so the running fish can peel line off the reel but has to work hard to do it.
5 Reel line in whenever the fish tires. Bring the fish into shallow water where you can get the net under it and scoop it up. If there is another person available, have him net the fish while you control the rod. If the shoreline is level with the water, another option is to slide the exhausted fish up on the bank.

Read More

How to Heat an Ice Fishing House

Ice fishing is a popular pastime in the northern states where the lakes and rivers freeze. The ice fishing houses range in sophistication from a little pup tent to a fully built, functioning home. There are several ways to heat the ice fishing house depending on how much heat you want and how much you want to spend. Here are a few tips.

Instructions

1 Use a vent wall furnace to heat your ice house. The direct vent wall furnace heats a room without the use of electricity. It is cost efficient to install and no chimney is needed. The unit comes with or without a blower and can be found through your local HVAC dealer.
2 Find an indoor safe propane heater. to use. There are several options available on the market. The Big Buddy Heater has an 18,000 BTU and can heat up to 400 square feet for about nine days. Look for a safety shutoff pilot when the oxygen in the fishing house gets too low.
3 Try using outside propane heaters. Many ice fishing houses are not houses at all. They are tents set up on the ice with some special features. Use a propane heater like the Mr. Heater "Mr. Double Heater" Model number MH24T. This is an infra red heater that is quiet, fast and efficient, and used to heat patios, workshops, sheds and the like.
4 Heat an ice fishing house with LP gas. This type of heating is for quick heating for short periods of time. Use the Heat Process Heater, for example, to warm up your toes and then give it a break. The most common use of this heater is in workshops, garages, and barns. Look for this one at a home improvement store or a farm supply store.

Read More

Tips on Buying a Fishing Rod

Various fish and differing conditions require different rods. Think about what kind of fishing you're going to do before heading into the shop.

Instructions

1 Test the grip of the rod. Make sure the handle fits snugly in your palm.
2 Choose the length of rod. 4- to 6-foot rods are suited for lighter bait and fish such as perch and crappie. Shorter rods also work well in brushy areas. Rods 6 feet and longer are good for bigger bait, longer casting distance and rougher fish (bass and catfish).
3 Test for flexibility. Hold the rod in your hand as if you are casting, flip the end, and watch the tip for movement.

Read More

How Does Barometric Pressure Affect Fish?

Barometric pressure is a measure of atmospheric pressure, also called air pressure, that is often indicated as "inches of mercury" on a barometer. Less air above the barometer means lower pressure, and more air means higher pressure. Air pressure presses down on water, but can it be felt by fish? Fish cannot predict changes in barometric pressure, but do they react to changes in air pressure?

Significance

Many fishermen believe good or poor fishing can be determined by the level of barometric pressure.

Types

At any given time, barometric pressure is either stable or is rising or falling. Fish react differently to both stable and changing barometric pressures.

Considerations

Changing barometric pressure stirs up fish in their habitat by changing the buoyancy of low-level food items such as plankton. Small fish follow the plankton, larger fish follow the smaller fish.

Misconceptions

Compared with changes in hydrostatic pressure---water pressure up or down within the water column---barometric pressure changes are very slight and not likely to be felt directly by the fish.

Expert Insight

Experts say fish likely are not reacting to barometric pressure changes but rather the effects of weather on the water. Weather following a change in barometric pressure can change light levels, water temperature and other factors affecting fish behavior. Fisheries biologist and tournament angler Roger Hugill says, "An extended period of stable weather allows fish to find their comfort zone---a balance of the right water temperature, oxygen, light penetration and other factors---and fuels a nice, steady bite."

Read More

Fishing With Crickets

Fish are more likely to swallow live bait than fake lures, which they may bite and then spit out, making it more difficult to set the hook. Crickets are a great choice for live bait, and they're effective in catching a variety of fish in just about any body of water.

Instructions

1 Select a cane pole and adjust the line so it's the same length as the pole, or use a spinning rod with a slip float.
2 Use nylon monofilament line (4 to 10 lb. test) and attach a long shank hook to the end. The long shank will make it easy to remove the hook from the fish. Also, choose a hook that is easy to bend in order so you can free it from any unintended targets.
3 Add a float to the line, keeping in mind you'll want to fish near the bottom of the water body. Adjust the float accordingly and attach small BB lead weights about 6 to 8 inches above the hook to help in casting.
4 Get your crickets from a live bait shop or from an online service. Since fish species vary by region, seek advice from a local bait shop or sporting goods store regarding the best locations to fish. Remember, in general, you can catch a variety of fish species using crickets in either rivers, ponds or lakes.
5 Bait your hook. Once you're ready to fish, pierce the tail of the cricket with the hook and push it up through the body and out just below the head. This will hold the live bait on securely while casting.
6 Cast so that you're fishing near the bottom of the pond, lake or river. Fish in areas with underwater brush or shade, which serve as great hideouts for fish. Also try near docks, pilings or buoys. If you're in a boat, troll along the banks and near brush while experimenting with different depths.

Read More

How to Tie Your Own Gang Hooks

Gang hooks are used to present a variety of baits and lures to both fresh and saltwater game fish species. One of the more common methods of rigging a gang hook is when using live or artificial worms. The presentation of live worms benefits from the use of a live rig, as the worm appears more naturally in the water instead of in a ball on a hook. Gang hooks can be tied using various knots, however, one method in particular allows for relatively quick and easy rigging.

Instructions

1 Cut a 12- to 15-inch length of line from the end of your fishing line to be used for tying the rig. Tie a knotless knot to attach the line to fish hooks.
2 Feed the free end of the short length of line through the eye of a hook. The line should exit the eye on the back or opposite side from the bend. Pull the line down so the end is even with the bottom of the bend of the hook.
3 Hold the line against the shank of the hook. Pull the main length of line down and wrap it around the shank and short length of line eight to 10 times. Hold the wraps in place and feed the end of the longer length back through the eye so it exits on the barb side of the hook. Pull the knot down tightly and trim excess line from the short end with scissors.
4 Decide how far up the line the next hook should be. This will depend on the type of bait being used as well as personal preference. Feed the free end of the short length of line through the eye of the hook so it exits on the barb side. Slide the hook down to the desired location.
5 Hold the line in place against the shank of the hook and pull the long length of line down. Make eight to 10 turns around the shank and line being held in place. Feed the free end through the eye of the hook so it exits on the barb side. Pull the knot down tightly.
6 Tie a loop at the end of the line for attaching to the main line. Tie a surgeon's loop by doubling the line and forming an overhand knot. This will form a small loop at the end of the line. Feed the loop through the knot once again and pull down tight. Trim excess line from the free end.

Read More

How to Fishing with a Bobber

Bobbers are used in fishing to keep live or dead bait suspended below the water surface, where the bait can attract fish that feed at medium to shallow depths. Bobbers also give an angler visual clues to the activity of biting fish. Follow these steps to learn the basics of bobber fishing.

Instructions

1 Choose bobber sizes to match the bait you will be using. If you will be fishing with large minnows or shrimp, you will need a 1 -inch to 2-inch bobber. For worm fishing, a 1-inch to 1 -inch bobber is fine. Standard red-and-white plastic bobbers work as well as any type, and are inexpensive.
2 Go to a fishing spot and try to estimate the water depth you will be casting to. For shallow water, you will be attaching the bobber to the line about a foot above the hook. For deeper water, attach the bobber 3 to 5 feet above the hook and bait.
3 Attach the bobber to the line by pushing the top button on the bobber to expose the bottom hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button. Place your thumb over the bottom wire and push the rim of the top button to expose the top hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button.
4 Cast the bobber and bait to a spot near some structure, like a drop-off, sunken log or culvert. Learn to read the motion of the bobber to tell what fish are doing to your bait. Short, repeated taps are usually smaller pan fish nibbling at the bait. Larger fish like bass may take a short run and let go, or just grab the bait and run, making the bobber disappear.
5 Wait to until the bobber submerges for a moment to try setting the hook. Dont set the hook if the bobber pops back to the surface right away. If fish are biting tentatively, you may have to exercise more patience and let the bobber submerge for a second or two before trying to set the hook.

Read More

Using a Fishing Pole in WoW

Fishing is a popular pastime in World of Warcraft. It is a good way to lazily spend the day if you don't have any good quests lined up and none of your friends are currently online. Additionally, it provides your character with items, both commonplace as well as occasional valuable items drug up from the bottom of the water.

Instructions

1 Locate a "Fishing Trainer." Trainers can be found near rivers and lakes. Talk to the trainer and learn the fishing skill.
2 Buy a fishing pole. Poles are bought from "Fishing Supplier" NPCs, a regular in most towns.
3 Buy bait for your fishing pole. Bait is also purchased at "Fishing Suppliers."
4 Find a safe body of water for fishing. Don't plan on angling with hordes of monsters nearby.
5 Remove your weapon and shield.
6 Equip the fishing pole and face the water.
7 Open the "Abilities Menu" and select the fishing skill. You may want to drag this skill into your "Hotbar" if you plan on doing a lot of fishing.
8 Use the fishing skill by simply clicking on it. If your character does not begin casting the fishing pole, try moving around a bit to get into a better position near the water.

Read More

Fishing Line Crimping Tips

Anytime fishermen need to connect two pieces of monofilament fishing line or connect a leader to a piece of monofilament line, one of the best methods is to use a double-barrel sleeve and a crimping tool. When anglers want a strong connection between their lures and line, crimping is also an option. Crimping is especially useful when large fish species are the target.

Instructions

1 Select the proper sleeve size. The sleeve opening should be just a little larger than fishing line's diameter. Thread the end of the fishing line through one of the sides of a double-barrel sleeve.
2 Thread the end of the fishing line through the eye of the lure with which you plan to fish. This circular eye is at the top or front of artificial baits and hooks. If you plan to fish with a steel or wire leader, thread the monofilament through the circular piece on one end of the leader.
3 Thread the end of the fishing line through the remaining opening in the sleeve.
4 Hold the flame from a cigarette lighter to the small piece of monofilament coming out of the second sleeve opening. As soon as the heat causes the line to soften, use the butt end of the lighter to flatten it.
5 Pick up the crimping tool and position the sleeve inside of it. The rounded surfaces of the sleeve should line up with the rounded surfaces of the crimping tool. Squeeze the crimping tool to compress the sleeve around the line. You may need to compress the sleeve twice.

Read More

How Does a Fish and Game Warden Spend a Workday?

What Is a Fish and Game Warden?

Fish and game wardens are hired to guard federal fish and wildlife reserves. Their job encompasses a vast number of tasks. They are there to catch poachers, enforce hunting and fishing regulations, arrest people breaking the law, document fish and game, note any irregular conditions in their area and a multitude of other tasks that have to do with the outdoors. A fish and game warden has to have the educational background that is required to perform the job and is required to physical and educational testing. Game wardens typically make around $14 per hour at the mid range level. This depends on education and experience, with new hires making less and experienced game wardens earning more. They are paid monthly like most federal employees.

The Workday as a Fish and Game Warden

A regular workday for a fish and game warden can be a trip around and within the perimeter of the area she is protecting. Usually these locations will have hunting and fishing areas, so she will look for violations--people who are catching fish that are not legal to keep or hunting deer out of season. Since they are law enforcement professionals, wardens have the ability to issue citations and warnings and can even arrest people who are breaking the law. Their regular workday also includes paperwork that has to be filled out, noting their findings and any unusual circumstances and citations issued.
Some fish and game wardens may conduct classes on hunter safety and fishing regulations. They have to be able to inspect an area and notate any changes that require damage control or that may be of particular research interest. They might also monitor water pollution levels .They also gather data on the fish and wildlife in the zone that they are patrolling. This information helps with research data.

Conditions to Work as a Fish and Game Warden

Fish and game wardens work in conditions that some might find unsavory. Insects, snakes, wild animals and enviro-criminals can be regular and infrequent visitors in their workplace. They must also work in extreme weather conditions. There are a few different ways that a game wardens may travel during the course of their workday. They travel on foot and automobiles but may also scuba dive, use off-road vehicles and patrol boats. Like other members of law enforcement, they are armed and wear a designated uniform.

Read More

Freshwater Fishing Tackle Box Start Up

The freshwater angler looking to put together a tackle box needs to focus on the tackle that every fisherman must have. Once you have all of the basics you'll need to deal with the various scenarios you'll face during the course of an outing, you can begin to add tackle specific to different types of fishing.

Instructions

1 Buy a tackle box with compartments so you can keep all your fishing tackle in separate compartments and have it readily available when you need it. Get plastic compartment boxes if you have a tackle box that has room inside for them. Label them if you have more than one so you can quickly identify the contents while fishing.
2 Put together a first aid kit for your tackle box. Add such products as sunscreen and sunburn lotion, Band-aids, zinc-oxide, gauze and wound-care materials. Buy tweezers for your kit to remove splinters.
3 Purchase an assortment of terminal tackle. Terminal tackle is the term for fishing tackle that goes on the end of a line, such as hooks, sinkers, weights, swivels, bobbers and split shots. No. 4 and No. 6 are good hook sizes because both are appropriate for many different species of fish.
4 Equip your tackle box with the basic fishing tools. A line snipper to trim knots and cut line from hooks and a utility knife are two such tools. A pistol-grip hook remover to get at hooks deep in the mouth of your catch is extremely helpful. A combination spring scale and tape measure comes in handy to measure your catch, and needle-nosed pliers that bend hooks and remove them from fish complete this assortment.
5 Decide what type of fish you wish to target before buying your lures. Choose a variety of different colored spoons if bass, pike and trout are on your list. Soft plastic creature baits such as worms and lizards entice largemouth bass. Buy small jigs if you want to catch panfish such as perch and crappie. Choose a selection of spinnerbaits to attract trout and pike as well as bass.

Read More

Fishing Rod Tip Fixing Guides

Fishing is extremely hazardous. Not for you, of course, but for your fishing rod. Overhead tree branches, boat railings and other obstacles can snap the tip off your rod in an instant. Fortunately, most broken tips can be easily replaced, even while you're out in the field.

Instructions

1 Inspect the broken tip and practice fitting it back into place-- you'll need to achieve the original alignment when you replace the tip.
2 Using a lighter or a match, heat a glue stick until it begins to drip.
3 Place one drop of glue onto the broken end of the rod, making sure you don't get any glue on the fishing line. Fit the rod tip into place.
4 Hold the two pieces in position until the glue hardens. This should take only a few seconds.
5 Check the alignment. If the fishing line moves freely, you're done.

Read More

Starting a Fishing Guide Business

Many people who fish consider being a fishing guide one of the most desirable of all careers. The profession involves fishing, or talking about fishing, for a living. It involves being on the water hundreds of days every year, and teaching people who have not done much fishing more about the sport. But becoming a fishing guide is not as easy as simply declaring yourself a fishing guide. There are a number of factors you must keep in mind to start a fishing guide business.

Instructions

1 Learn as much as you can about the waters on which you plan to guide. Learn what types of game fish are in them and about the best spots for catching them. Since you likely will be guiding for a variety of fish species, you must know how to catch them. Make sure you know which lakes in your area your clients are most likely to want to fish on. If you are not familiar with all of them, consider hiring someone who already is a guide and can show you around.
2 Acquire the proper equipment. Your boat should comfortably fit at least five fishermen, including you. You also should have the proper equipment and bait to catch the fish species that your clients want to target. Also, make sure you have the property safety equipment, including life jackets for all people aboard and a fire extinguisher.
3 Contact a local business association, like a chamber of commerce, and ask about the steps you need to take to make your fishing guide business legal. These requirements vary from state to state.
4 Call your insurance company to set up the proper policy for your business. You likely will need additional insurance for your boat, as well as liability insurance.
5 Market your service. One of the best ways is to join your local chamber of commerce. Create brochures and business cards. Distribute them at the chamber, local bait shops and sporting goods stores. Be sure to including testimonials in your marketing collateral, since they will add legitimacy to your business. If you haven't had a paying client, take someone out fishing and tell them all you need from them is a testimonial.
6 Stay working at your present job. If you work weekdays, schedule your guide trips for weekends. As your business grows and you have customers who want to go fishing during the week, start taking days off from your regular job. Consider leaving your regular job for full-time guiding once you make enough from guiding to support yourself or your family.

Read More

Tips On How to Catch a Gar Fish

A gar is a long and slender fish with a long bony mouth. Gar are considered by some to be a trash fish, meaning a less desirable catch, or a scavenger as they will eat just about anything either living or dead. Gar are found in many rivers and streams and are found living among bass, bream, perch, and many other species. Fishing for gar is not as difficult as many may think and gar are great fun to battle when hooked.

Instructions

1 Locate a creek, stream or river where there are gar. Talk with local fishermen to obtain information on where to find gar. The fish will often be visible swimming just under the surface of the water.
2 Rig the line by tying on a 1/0-2/0 size bait keeper hook using an clinch knot. To tie the knot, pass the line through the eye of the hook with 3 to 4 inches of line extending through to the other side. Wrap the short end of the line around the main line for 6 to 7 turns and feed the end of the line through the small loop formed above the eye of the hook. Moisten the knot and pull tight. It is not necessary to weight the line for fishing.
3 Place a minnow, small pan fish, or cut piece of fresh fish on the hook. Make sure the bait is securely attached to the hook.
4 Cast the bait to the gar. If the fish is motionless in the water, place the bait just slightly in front of the fish and allow the bait to slowly settle in the water. If the fish is swimming, throw the bait further in front of the fish.
5 Allow the gar to take the bait and wait a couple of minutes. Gar typically chew on the bait and then turn to swim and will chew some more. It is important that the gar swallow the bait before you set the hook. Once the hook is set, reel in the slack and play the fish to the bank or boat where it should be netted.

Read More

How Do You Learn to Fishing in Virtual Villagers

Four "Virtual Villagers" games are available from game developer Last Day of Work. In all four games, villagers must learn to fish to ensure a steady source of food. The way the villagers gain this skill differs from one game to another. The steps below are organized to cover each of the games. If you are at your wit's end, these tips will keep your villagers from starvation.

Instructions

1 Clear beach debris in "Virtual Villagers 1: A New Home." Once you have earned enough tech points to reach Farming Level 3, assign a villager to clean debris from the beach. You might have to drag your villager there a few times until he "learns" how to do this task without supervision. Once the beach is cleared, villagers can be dragged into the water, where they will eventually learn how to fish (with your guidance, of course).
2 Clean up the algae in "Virtual Villagers 2: The Lost Children." Villagers can fish at first, but the ocean soon becomes clogged with algae. To clean up the fishing grounds, you first must be at Farming Level 3 and have a Master Scientist or a Master Farmer. Take one of these masters to the pond, where she will learn to catch algae-eating fish and take them to the ocean. After a number of algae-eating fish have been transported, the ocean will be clean and fishing can commence again.
3 Get rid of the sharks in "Virtual Villagers 3: The Secret City." This time dangerous sharks keep your villagers from fishing. You will need a magic potion to get rid of the sharks. Potions are created in the alchemy lab (you must solve another puzzle to restore the lab). You also we need to have reached Nature Level 2 or Magic Level 2 to find the correct ingredients. If you are using the Magic option, combine one Berry and two Roses. For the Nature option, use one Pitcher Plant and two Black Orchids. Once made, villagers will carry the potion to the sea and the sharks will vanish.
4 Make fishing nets in "Virtual Villagers 4: Tree of Life." You can see fish leaping in the water when you start the game, but they move too quickly for villagers to catch them. First, have builders repair the piers (this can be done at any point in the game). To make fishing nets, you must first have mastered the technology of creating cloth (Puzzle 8) and have achieved Level 2 in construction. Once you have at least six bolts of cloth, builders will start to make the nets if you drag them to the piers. Once the nets are complete, farming villagers can be dragged onto them to collect fish.

Read More

Catching the Big Fish on "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass"

The "Legend of Zelda" series is known for its numerous mini-games and side quests, and the player's ability to fish in "Phantom Hourglass" is one such side quest. The goal is to catch the biggest fish in the game, Neptoona, which is over 20 feet long. Only one Neptoona can be caught in the game, making it the rarest fish there is.

Instructions

1 Travel to Bannan Island and talk to the Old Wayfarer, then kill all of the monsters in this area. Once you have cleared the area of monsters, a Mermaid will appear in the water on the shore--but will hide in the water if you get too close to her. Throw your Boomerang towards her and she will talk to you and reveal that she is human. Lead her back to the Old Wayfarer to receive the Fishing Rod.
2 Travel the sea and observe the dark blue shadows of fish within the water. Move closer to the shadows to be given the option to fish. Press the "Fish" button to begin fishing. When the word "PULL" appears, take the stylus and drag it towards the bottom. Move the stylus in circles to reel the fish in. If the tension meter is full, stop moving the stylus in circles and continue to pull it to the bottom. Continue to do this until you have successfully caught a fish.
3 Continue to fish until you catch a Loovar fish. When you catch one, show it to the Old Wayfarer on Bannan Island to receive a Big Catch Lure, which will allow you to catch bigger fish.
4 Fish in spots with larger shadows until you catch a Rusty Swordfish. Go back to Bannan Island and show the fish to the Old Wayfarer. You will now be able to start fishing for Neptoona.
5 Fish for Neptoona in spots with large shadows in the shape of a swordfish. The shadow for Neptoona will be black instead of dark blue. Once you have caught Neptoona, show it to the Old Wayfarer to receive a Heart Container.

Read More

Starting Campaign to Stop Illegal Net Fishing

Drift net fishing is an extremely effective yet destructive fishing technique where long nets, sometimes 50 miles wide, are placed in waters with floats at the top and weights at the bottom. The nets are then left to drift and they capture anything in their path. The practice is effective at catching tuna, swordfish and salmon but it also captures dolphins, turtles and other creatures that are killed as a byproduct of the fishing endeavor. While the practice is widely illegal, it is still commonly practiced and stopping it requires a lot of effort.

Instructions

1 Join an activist group that is committed to stopping illegal net fishing. One person alone is limited in overall effectiveness, but a larger group can coordinate events and get more attention to the issue at hand. Advocacy groups are always looking for people to lend a helping hand. Earthtrust is one of the larger advocacy groups dedicated to preventing net fishing.
2 Donate money to net fishing advocacy groups, who always need resources to continue their operations.
3 Write letters to your local politicians explaining the dangers of net fishing and any known problems in your area of the activity being conducted. If there are local problems with net fishing, you'll need the attention and assistance of local politicians and law enforcement to combat it.
4 Plan fund raising events to support the advocacy groups you have partnered with. This can range from a simple yard sale to a more involved public protest, depending on your resources and how prevalent net fishing is in your area. Every little bit helps and also raises awareness of the cause to the general public.

Read More

Guides to Grow Worms for Fishing

You can raise your own supply of fishing worms so you never again need to stop at a sports shop or convenience store before a fishing trip. Red wiggler worms are a good natural bait for plunking and drift fishing. Although smaller than the European night crawlers commonly sold as live bait, red wigglers are similarly tough enough to stay on a hook. Most importantly, red wigglers thrive in a simple container referred to as a worm bin. A worm bin can be any sturdy container that can keep the contents moist and allow some ventilation. Starter worms are available from garden stores, fishing supply stores and through mail order from vermiculture companies.

Instructions

1 Make, adapt or buy a container for the worms and their food -- the larger the worm bin, the more food it can hold, allowing you to raise more worms.
2 Gather biodegradable bedding for the worms such as waste paper, fallen leaves, paper egg cartons or used pizza boxes.
3 Moisten the bedding thoroughly by hosing it down or soaking it in a bucket and then place it in the container.
4 Bury table scraps, spoiled fruits and vegetables or coffee grounds within the bedding in the bin.
5 Add the worms by gently pulling the wad of worms and any other material from the package and burying it in the bedding.
6 Moisten the bedding, let time pass and occasionally add more food scraps. Within a few weeks the worms will begin laying enough eggs in the bedding to replace the worms you pull out to use for your live fishing bait.

Read More

How to Make a Custom Fishing Pole

Building a custom fishing pole requires steady hands and patient attention, but the result is a rod built exactly to suit, at a reasonable price. Planning and preparation are the keys to success. The project requires some tools, but a workshop full of equipment is not necessary. Materials for rod building are readily available. A novice rod builder who takes his time and follows instructions can produce a rod that will fish well and last for years. Successfully building a custom fishing pole can lead to making more specialized rods at home.

Instructions

1 Select a blank for the rod that is an appropriate length and weight for the type of fishing you plan to do. Outdoor outfitting companies sell blanks and complete kits, and some rod-making companies sell blanks.
2 Locate the spine of the blank by placing the tip on a hard surface and rolling the blank in your fingers. The blank will "jump," indicating which way the blank's natural bend goes. Mark the top of the natural bend with a piece of masking tape. This will be the top of your rod.
3 Mix a small amount of epoxy in the mixing bowl and use it to mount the tip top to the end of the rod. Align the tip top with the top of the blank's spine.
4 Make a wrap of masking tape on the outside of the blank where the reel seat will fit. Mark the top of the reel seat on the center line. Align this with the spine of the blank. Glue the reel seat in place with epoxy. If there is a separate slip ring at the bottom of the reel seat, glue it to the butt end with epoxy.
5 Use the rat tail file to ream out the cork handle so that it fits snugly in place over the blank and against the reel seat. Use epoxy to glue the cork handle in place. If the cork handle does not fit snugly, build up the blank with masking tape wraps before gluing the cork handle in place. The cork handle must fit well, with just enough space to allow glue between the surfaces.
6 Use the flat file to smooth any rough edges on the guides. Align the stripping guides with the blank's spine, and space them on the blank. For a seven-foot rod, place the first guide 4 inches from the rod tip, the second at 9 inches, the third at 14 inches, the fourth at 19.5 inches, the fifth at 25.5 inches, the sixth at 32.5 inches, the seventh at 40.5 inches and the eighth at 50 inches. Place the snake guide closest to the handle. Secure the guides with thin strips of masking tape. If desired, attach the hook keeper to the underneath side of the blank, near the handle, and secure it with masking tape. Using the wrapping thread, secure the guides to the blank. Start each wrap about 2/16 to 3/16 of an inch from the end of the foot. Bring the free end of the thread over the top of the blank. Wrap the thread smoothly and tightly around the foot of the guide, then clip the thread. Finish each wrap with the whip finisher, leaving the loose end of thread concealed under the wrap.
7 Cut V-shaped notches in both ends of the cardboard box. This will hold the rod while you apply thread sealer, and while the sealer is drying. Mix the thread sealer, and apply it with a small brush to cover the thread wrappings. Apply a smooth, even coat, and do not allow the sealer to drip. After the sealer is applied, the rod must be rotated one quarter turn every 15 minutes for two hours, or until completely dry.

Read More

Catching a Fish With Bare Hands

Do you want to catch fish with your hands? It's been done for centuries. "Tickling" trout was the poacher's favorite fishing method. Charlie Murphy described it as a "sensuous and extraordinary technique for catching fish that involves hypnotic predation by seduction." With "noodling," you seek out the fish rather than wait for the fish to come to you. Read on to learn how, then get your frying pan ready.

Instructions

Tickling Trout

1 Learn the fishing regulations concerning trout in your area. This can be done by going to city hall or checking online.
2 Go to a river or brook where trout can be found. You may learn this by asking people who fish or the owners of bait shops or by going to sites such as Wild Trout Streams (see Resources below).
3 Observe where the trout are feeding. Lie down on the bank and extend your arm into the water. You'll probably be most comfortable and able to move quickly if you are on your side.
4 Wiggle your fingers slowly. Be aware: if the water is cold, your arm may go numb.
5 Move your hand slowly--very slowly--closer to the fish when it draws near, wiggling your fingers all the while.
6 Tickle the fish's belly with your fingers when it is near enough. Quickly scoop the fish out of the water and land it on the bank.

Noodling

7 Learn the fishing regulations for noodling in your area. In some states, the practice is illegal or limited. The information can be found either at your town office or online.
8 Find out when catfish spawn and where they might be found. You can find this information online at such sites as Catfish World or by talking with biologists, local fishermen, or bait purveyors. When catfish spawn, the female lays eggs in a hole, then the male moves into the hole to guard it. You need to find these holes.
9 Get into the water where you think catfish might be found and start feeling around for likely holes. Hold your breath while doing this and consider wearing goggles to help you see better underwater.
10 Feel in the hole carefully. Make certain there's a catfish in residence and not a snapping turtle.
11 Grab the catfish by the mouth or gill cover and pull it quickly from the hole and to the surface.

Read More

Simple Steps to Making Rubber Fishing Lures

Rubber fishing lures are actually made of soft plastic. A thick milky white colored liquid, Plastisol turns into a thick clear liquid when heated. When the heated Plastisol cools, it forms a durable non-toxic clear soft plastic. Before the Plastisol cools, you add color and or glitter. To form the Plastisol into a soft plastic fishing lure, you pour the liquid material into molds. The shape of the mold determines the shape of the soft plastic lure.

Instructions

1 Coat the inside of both halves of a plastic mold with non-stick cooking spray.
2 Align the two mold halves. Slide one C-clip over each side of the aligned mold halves to keep them from coming apart.
3 Mix the Plastisol thoroughly with a wooden stir stick.
4 Heat the Plastisol. Pour the desired amount of Plastisol into a microwave safe measuring cup. Set the measuring cup in a microwave. Set the microwave to one minute, start the microwave and allow the Plastisol to heat. Stir the Plastisol and heat it for an additional 30 seconds. Insert the tip of a cooking thermometer into the Plastisol. If the temperature is below 325 degrees Fahrenheit, continue to heat the material.
5 Add coloring and glitter (if desired) to the heated Plastisol.
6 Coat the O-ring and plunger of a mold injector with non-stick cooking spray.
7 Set the cylinder of a mold injector on a worktable with the open end of the cylinder facing up. Fill the cylinder 3/4 full with the heated Plastisol.
8 Slide the end of the injector plunger containing the O-ring into the top of the mold injector. Flip the mold injector over and push down on the cylinder until Plastisol comes out the tip of the mold injector.
9 Slide the fill opening of the plastic mold over the small filling orifice of the mold injector.
10 Push down on the plastic mold until Plastisol fills the reservoir on top of the mold.
11 Set the filled plastic mold aside to cool.
12 Remove the C-clips from the mold, separate the two halves of the mold, pull the cooled bait from the mold. Cut the excess plastic from the soft lure (sprue) with a razor knife.

Read More

How to Make Free Fish Chum

Try using fish chum on your next fishing trip. The key is to use it at the right place and time. It has to be fresh or all that will turn up will be trash fish, sharks and crabs. Chum, when used properly, will definitely increase your catch in the bays and surf of the Gulf Coast.

Instructions

1 Obtain the raw material (pun intended). If you have just cleaned some fish, use what you aren't going to eat that can be ground up in a blender. Other excellent sources are mullet or shad that you have caught with your throw net. Bait fish caught in a bait trap or fresh shrimp heads also are excellent.
2 Chop up your chum material and place it in the blender with just enough bay or surf water to grind everything. Use the coarse grind setting. Put the mixture in small plastic freezer bags and freeze immediately. Make as much as possible as it can take you a long time to clean up the blender.
3 Go fishing. The trick is to not waste your chum until the odds are good that game fish are around. If the fish are schooling and in a feeding frenzy, you don't need it. Wait until you have caught one game fish, then use a bag of chum. You can tear off the freezer bag and put the frozen chum in you bait trap and hang it about halfway between the surface and the bottom. Another method is to have it almost thawed and sprinkle it around your boat or dock. It helps to splash the water a little. The sound enhances the attraction.
4 Keep in mind that the chum must be fresh. If you have access to a pier with electricity, you can grind up your chum and throw it directly into the water. Fresh chum attracts all game fish to one degree or another. The idea it to make them go into a feeding frenzy. The same thing happens when they are tearing up a school of shrimp, mullet or shad, and bits and pieces are all around in the water.

Read More

Using a Fishing Tape

OK--you finally wore down the wife. She's letting you get a flat screen television. Now, it's just a matter of getting it mounted to the wall. You'll need a couple of things including a fish tape and a friend to help. A fish tape is a narrow piece of plastic that allows you to pull cables behind the wall, ceiling or floor. Like the name implies, you're fishing for cables. Read on to learn how to use a fish tape.

Instructions

1 Drill or notch the studs. Make sure the hole's diameter is twice the size of the wires you plan to pull through it. You may have to drill several holes to achieve the correct size.
2 Prepare the cables. You can save a lot of energy and time by pulling the cables through the wall, ceiling or floor in a bundle. It's easier than doing it one-by-one. So, determine what will have to be pulled through before you get started.
3 Push the fish tape through the run. Do not attach cables to it yet.
4 Tape the cables onto the fish tape. Make sure you tape the connectors behind each other, instead of bunching them all together. Keep the bundle as small and narrow as possible, so it goes through the wall smoothly.
5 Pull the fish tape through the run again. Do it slowly to ensure the cables stay attached.

Read More

Guides On Getting Worms Farm for Fishing

Creating a worm farm is an economical way to raise bait for fishing. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly hobby, because the worms live off food scraps, keeping excess garbage out of landfills. The worm excrement creates nutrient rich compost that makes a superior fertilizer for your summer garden. The procedure can be performed year round assuming you have an area to keep the farm safe from extreme weather conditions.

Instructions

1 Find a spot in your yard that is not in direct sunlight.
2 Flip plastic tubs over and use an electric drill to put 1/4 inch drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Place holes about 2 inches apart in a grid pattern.
3 Drill 1/4 inch air holes into the tubs. These should be drilled into one of the plastic lids as well as along the sides of both of the tubs. Drill holes in the lid about 3 inches apart in a grid pattern. The holes in the sides should be about 2 inches from the top lip, 2 or 3 inches apart, all the way around the exterior of the tub.
4 Place the lid that does not have air holes on the ground and put bricks on each corner to keep it in place.
5 Set one tub on top of the bricks.
6 Add 2 to 3 inches of clean dirt into the bin and put about 3 dozen worms on top of the soil.
7 Pour additional dirt over the worms to cover them completely.
8 Insert the second tub into first. The bottom of the tub should come in direct contact with the soil that is covering the worms.
9 Add some balled up wet newspaper to the top tub.
10 Combine food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels and coffee grounds with the newspaper. Don't add fatty meats to the mixture, but small pieces of lean meats are OK.
11 Place a piece of cardboard over the food scraps and newspaper and put the lid with the pre-drilled air holes on the top tub.
12 Put bricks on top of the cover to keep other predators from getting into the bins.
13 Place additional food scraps into the top tub a few times a week and stir the mixture together.
14 When the top tub becomes at least half full and has doubled in worm capacity, it is time to rotate the farm. This will occur once every 2 or 3 months.
15 Remove the compost (worm excrement) from the bottom tub and use it to fertilize your garden. Compost can also be stored in an airtight container until you need to use it.
16 Place the top tub filled with worms on the bottom and insert the bottom one inside of it as noted in Step 8. Repeat the feeding process as described in Steps 9 and 10.

Read More

How to Preparing for a Fishing Trip

If you're thinking about heading to the water to do some fishing, you'll want to get prepared and pack all the essentials. Take some extra time to get ready for your fishing trip. It will pay off when you make that first cast and fish start biting.

Instructions

Instructions

1 Purchase a fishing license through the state you live in or will be fishing in. Ask about the rules and regulations for the area where you will be fishing.
2 If you have a boat, check the water level for the area and make sure it's safe to take the boat.
3 Verify whether or not the fishing spot is a catch-and-release area.
4 Gather your fishing equipment and confirm that everything is in usable condition.
5 If you are using live bait, locate a bait shop in the area. If possible, purchase the bait the morning of your fishing trip.
6 Pack extra dry clothes, a cooler, snacks, beverages and sunscreen.

Read More

How to Fishing for Grass Carp

Grass carp, or white amur, were introduced to the United States from their native Asian range to control aquatic vegetation in public and private lakes and ponds. These fish can consume their weight in plant matter each day and can weigh up to 100 pounds. Like the common carp, fishing for grass carp can be difficult. Misplaced or sloppy casts send the fish bolting for cover, and few tackle shops offer baits that appeal to carp. But anglers lucky enough to hook a grass carp find the fish fights well, jumps often and is sometimes among the biggest fish in the body of water.

Instructions

Bait Fishing

1 A few days before you plan to fish, bait areas where grass carp are likely to feed. Open a few cans of canned corn and toss the contents into shallow coves, about 10 to 20 feet from shore. For a cheaper alternative, place a few pounds of dry feed corn in a 5-gallon bucket, cover with water, and place it in direct sunlight for three to four days. The seed corn is ready for chumming when it smells sour.
2 Select a 6- to 7-foot light action to medium-light spinning rod and a reel spooled with 6- to 8-pound test monofilament line. Tie on a size-1 hook and pinch a few split shot 12 to 18 inches onto the line above the hook. Use as little weight as possible. Grass carp tend to reject baits on heavily weighted lines. Loosen the drag on your reel. Grass carp make long, strong runs when hooked, and an appropriately set drag can help you land more fish.
3 Hook your bait. Large, mature grass carp feed heavily on plant matter. Good bait choices for grass carp include cherry tomatoes, mulberries, ficus berries, dough balls made of bread and corn, and, on occasion, earthworms.
4 Make long casts and keep a low profile. Skittish grass carp spook at sudden movements along the shore or from baited hooks landing on their heads. Watch the fish as they feed and anticipate where theyre moving. After you cast, leave the bail open. The open bail, or free spool, feeds line to a carp that has taken your bait without feeling resistance, and gives you a better chance to successfully set the hook.

Fly Fishing for Grass Carp

5 Select a 6- to 8-weight fly rod with a matching weight-forward floating fly line. These rods should have the backbone to help you land a hefty grass carp. Tie on a tapered leader in sizes 2X to 4X.
6 Match the hatch. While grass carp can be caught incidentally using nymph patterns, select flies that resemble their primary food source: plants. Select flies in sizes 6 to 8. Traditional lightly weighted patterns in green tones, like olive, can fool grass carp. Fly tiers have also created patterns to imitate a corn kernel, a piece of bread, a mulberries or a ficus berry. For a realistic, natural pattern, try Sister Carol's Grass Carp Fly, which resembles a few strands of aquatic weeds. Some fly shops offer a few carp fly patterns, or you can tie your own.
7 Look for actively feeding fish. Tailing carp will be foraging, head down, along the lake bottom. Search for carp that are swimming through the shallows and pausing to eat the occasional morsel. These fish are most likely to take a well-presented fly.
8 Make precise casts. Anticipate where the carp is likely to move to next and cast the fly so that it lands roughly five feet ahead of the fish. Allow the fly to slowly sink or float on the surface.

Read More

Becoming a Fishing Guide in Pennsylvania

Fishing guides in Pennsylvania can take out groups of people who want to fish and show them where good spots are and teach them what techniques to use. Fishing guides need to comply with state, federal and local laws and make sure that their passengers comply with the same laws. The Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission can take away a fishing guide's license if he breaks any rules. Fishing guides must be over the age of 16.

Instructions

1 Apply for a fishing guide permit from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Fill out the form provided by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Submit the form with the application fee ($100 for residents, and $400 for non-residents, as of 2010).
2 Take a course in boat safety. At the completion of the course, you will earn a boating safety education certificate from the PFBC. You can check their website for information about the boat safety courses (see Resources).
3 Maintain a general liability insurance policy, which usually covers bodily Injury, property damage liability and medical payments. The minimum amount for the policy coverage is $250,000. You must have proof of your coverage.
4 Get certified in CPR and first aid. The PFBC requires to keep your certification current, and you should carry proof of your certification at all times. Having an up-to-date CPR and first aid certification will ensure that you are capable of being in charge in case you encounter accidents during your fishing tours.
5 Obtain a valid fishing license. You also need stamps and permits for all the waters that you intend to fish in. You can get a copy of the application form online from the PFBC website (see Resources).
6 Renew your fishing guide permit by the end of every calendar year. You will need to send in a completed renewal form and an application fee.
7 Advertise your fishing guide business. Put an ad in local travel guides, newspapers and fishing goods stores in Pennsylvania. Tell people that you are licensed to perform fishing tours and ask them to tell their friends about your business.

Read More

Tips On How to Fishing in the Ocean

Fishing is a great sport that is unique in that it can be both relaxing and exciting at the same time. Fishing in fresh water and fishing in the ocean requires different equipment. Be prepared before you go for the best fishing experience.

Instructions

1 Decide what kind of fish you are hoping to catch in the ocean. The kind of fish you are after will determine the kind of tackle you will need to bring on your ocean fishing trip. Different kinds of ocean fish like different kinds of lures just like fresh water fish and there are also different methods for catching certain kinds of ocean fish.
2 Choose a good quality salt water fishing rod. Fishing in the ocean requires a heavier, longer, and thicker rod than fresh water fishing requires. Not only are you going to be fishing in stronger currents, but the fish you will be catching are much larger and stronger than those found in fresh waters. An ocean fishing rod needs to be resistant to the corrosive salt in the water so choose a rod that is made out of a corrosion resistant material. Some good materials for an ocean fishing rod are graphite, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, and wood. Do not use a rod that is made of several different kinds of metals as one part could wear out faster than the rest.
3 Choose a good salt water fishing line for fishing in the ocean. Ocean fishing line should be thick and strong, usually made of monofilament. You need a line that can stand up to the fight that your ocean fish is going to give you once it is hooked. Buy fishing line that is specifically made for ocean fishing.
4 Get some good salt water sinkers specifically made for ocean sinking. With the rough current and deep waters you need a sinker that is larger and heavier than traditional freshwater sinkers. There are different kinds of sinkers available whether you are trolling or just drifting on the ocean.
5 Choose the right kind of lure for ocean fishing. Different kinds of fish prefer different lures so do some research on your target fish. For example, a sea trout will pounce on a heavy, chugging lure while sea salmon will prefer a hook packed with roe.
6 Be sure to wear some good fishing gloves with a non-slip grip when ocean fishing. You will want to protect your hands when you are fighting the big ones and have a good enough grip that you won't lose your pole. Have a large net on hand also to help bag the fish when it gets close enough. Have a good knife on hand in case you need to cut your lure from the fish or rig a new line. Enjoy!

Read More

Guides to Carve Fishing Lures

The fine art of carving fishing lures by hand was all but gone until a renewed interest in antique lures revived the hobby. Catching a fish on a lure made by your own hands is an accomplishment that few know. With some basic woodworking skills, making your own lures is a worthwhile project.

Instructions

1 Decide on the type of wood you'll be working with. Basswood and balsa are the most popular but red cedar works well and is the choice of artisans replicating the original carving art.
2 Trace out the rough shape of the lure on a block of wood. Make sure you trace the top and sides, leaving the bottom flat for now. Cut out the basic shape of the lure with a scroll or band saw.
3 Whittle the lure into a more defined shape, adding taper and body details to match the fish you're replicating. Experiment with subtle changes to the design until you find one that works best for your style of fishing.
4 Sand the lure along the grain with course 100 grit paper and work your way down to 400 grit paper for the final finish. Add definition to the body taper and even out any variance between sides.
5 Seal and prime the wood before painting. Use color combinations that mimic the feeder fish in the lakes and rivers you'll be casting the lures on. Use a fishing reference guide to help you select the best options. Use a finish of clear coat to add shine and seal the paint.
6 Attach the treble hook or hooks along the bottom of the lures and use 5-minute epoxy to attach the line eye. Play with different weights and positions while you tune the lure. Once it's running true, you are ready to start fishing.

Read More