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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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