Updated on: 12/22/2010
Fly Fishing For Bass

Anyone who spends time fishing for bass knows that bass, both large and small mouth, readily feed on insects both aquatic and flying and the most effective way to mimic an insect when fishing is by using an artificial fly. The problem with this is that to fish while using artificial flies as bait you have to use specialized "fly fishing" gear and line to cast and fish lightweight artificial flies in an effective manner. At least this is what most bass fishermen tend to think.

In this article I will explain how fly fishing for bass doesn't mean that you have to be a "fly fisherman" or use specialized gear and line. I will outline an easy way to use artificial flies for bass fishing and it only involves a few simple pieces of terminal tackle.

The first piece of terminal tackle that you will need is a casting bubble, sometimes referred to as a "fly fishing bubble". This hard plastic sphere, which looks similar to a traditional bobber, can be held under the water allowing water to enter it, which adds weight for casting. Next you will need a five to seven foot leader. While many people like to use a tapered leader, this isn't totally necessary. The important thing is that you can get your fly from five to seven feet from the bubble itself. Finally, you need a swivel to attach the leader to your line and an artificial fly of your choice.

That is all of the terminal tackle that you will need to go fly fishing for bass. The rig is set up as follows; begin by slipping the casting bubble onto your line and tying the swivel to the end of your line to act as a 'stopper'. Now add the leader to the opposite end of the swivel and tie a artificial fly onto the end of the leader. The 'stopper' on the casting bubble is depressed with your finger while holding the bubble under the water to allow water to enter the bubble. Once the desired amount of water has entered the bubble, release the 'stopper' and you are good to go. For dry (floating) flies fill the bubble half way full and to fish a fly under the water (a wet fly) completely fill the bubble with water.

At this point cast the rig into the water, allow the ripples to settle, and retrieve the fly with a slow steady motion. Obviously jerking your rod tip will add "action" to the fly, which many anglers find to be effective. The bottom line is that a casting bubble rig is the best way to go fly fishing for bass for those of us who are looking for and easy way to use flies for bass fishing without having to become a "fly fisherman" there's no doubt about it.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Use a casting bubble to fish a fly while bass fishing.

Updated on: 10/17/2010
How To Catch Trout – Rigging Fishing Worms

In this article I will draw upon my two plus decades of trout fishing experience to teach you how to catch more trout on your next trout fishing outing. One of the most effective baits that can be used when fishing for trout are live fishing worms and the most important aspect of using live fishing worms is the way in which they are presented as bait to the trout. This is true in any fishing situation in which live worms such as night crawlers or a red worm are used, but is especially true in trout fishing.

If you want to know how to catch trout the first thing to discuss is where you are going to fish. Trout are found in both flowing and still water and live fishing worms seem to be most effective in the flowing waters of either a river or stream. Live worms work as bait in lakes as well, but seem to be more effective in rivers and streams in my experience.

After you decide where to go trout fishing, the next thing to decide is the kind of gear that will be used. Anytime that you are trout fishing ultralight fishing gear should be employed. This means an ultralight rod equipped with a matching reel, spooled with very light fishing line. Not using light line is a mistake that many anglers make when learning how to catch trout. When you are trout fishing line from two to six pound test is as heavy as should be used.

The most effective way of rigging fishing worms for trout fishing is a set of gang hooks. What are gang hooks you ask? Gang hooks are a pair of small hooks, usually size 8 or size 10, that have been tied in tandem, thus enabling fishing worms to be presented as bait in a totally natural and effective manner. When it comes to rigging worms for fishing there is no doubt that gang hooks are the way to go. When rigging fishing worms you want your worm to appear as natural as possible to the fish you are attempting to catch.

The final thing to remember about rigging live fishing worms for trout fishing is that your worms are as lively as possible. This means keeping them as dark and cool as you can while you are fishing. Leaving your fishing worms in direct sunlight or letting them dry out is a sure way to kill them and dead or dying fishing worms aren't at all effective as bait for any type of fish.

Keep these simple tips in mind on your next trout fishing outing and you will never again have to ask how to catch trout. Use these simple tips in regards to rigging your fishing worms and you will experience much more trout fishing success.

Updated on: 5/28/2010
How To Rig A Trout Line

Have you ever wondered how to rig a trout line? Well, after reading this quick article you will never again have to ask this question. In this article I will use my 20 plus years of trout fishing experience to list 2 extremely effective ways to rig a trout line so that you can catch more and bigger trout.

Both of these ways of rigging a trout line are for the traditional spin fisherman. If you fish for trout with spin fishing gear both of these methods for rigging your line will come in handy. As a matter of fact, once learned these rigs can be used for species of fish other than trout as well. In any case, after reading this article you will never again have to ask how to rig a trout line, you will now have 2 answers to this question.

• The Bubble Rig - The bubble rig involves the use of a casting bubble to fish an artificial fly. Everyone seems to know that artificial flies are very effective as bait for trout; however artificial flies are too lightweight to fish effectively with traditional spin fishing gear. This is where the bubble rig comes into play. A casting bubble enables traditional spin fishermen to cast and fish lightweight flies in an effective manner. The rig itself is set up like this: A casting bubble is threaded onto your line and a snap swivel is tied to the end of the line. A leader is now added to the swivel and a fly is tied to the end of the leader. The bubble stop is now depressed while holding the bubble underwater to allow water into the bubble. If you want to fish on the surface, fill the bubble ½ to ¾ full of water. If you want to fish under water, fill the bubble completely full. The bubble (with water in it) gives you the weight needed to cast a lightweight fly effectively. This rig is now cast out and retrieved slowly. The bubble rig is best used while fishing for trout in still water situations.
• The Live Worm Rig - The live worm rig is best used while fishing for trout in the flowing waters of either a river or stream. If you want to learn how to rig a trout line, this trout fishing rig is one of the best. This rig is extremely effective for catching trout or any fish that swims in the flowing waters of a river or stream. The goal with the live worm rig is to have a live worm (or portion of a live worm) roll along the bottom of the river as it flows naturally with the current. The rig itself is set up like this: start by taking the end of your line and tying on a small swivel. This help to prevent your line from become twisted. On the opposite end of the swivel tie on a set of gang hooks. Now split shot sinkers are added to the line above the swivel for weight. Add or remove split shot as needed so that your rig hits the bottom, but doesn’t become snagged (getting the weight right takes some practice). Now a live worm, or ½ a live worm in the case of large worms like night crawlers, it added to the gang hooks. Now cast this rig into the current, close the bail on your reel, and allow the rig to drift naturally with the current until the "drift" is over. You should feel the bottom during the drift, and with practice telling the difference between the bottom and bites is a breeze.

Now you know how to rig a trout line in 2 extremely effective manners. Add these rigs to your trout fishing arsenal and start catching more trout; it’s as simple as that.

Updated on: 5/7/2010
Tips To Fishing For Bass From Shore

When most people think of fishing for bass they tend to think of fast, brightly colored boats and professional anglers like what they see on television every weekend. This is what comes to mind when the average person thinks of the term bass fishing, but the reality is that many anglers don't have the money or good fortune to have access to a boat to go bass fishing. For these anglers, and I tend to think there are a lot of us, bass fishing from shore is the only viable alternative that we have.

In this article I will outline some tips to fishing for bass from shore. When a boat isn't an option and fishing from shore is the only alternative, these tips on fishing for bass from shore will certainly come in handy. They will help you catch more bass when fishing from the bank. The tips are being listed in no particular order and all have there place in any serious shore fisherman's repertoire.

1. Pay Attention To Your Impact – When fishing for bass from shore pay attention to where your shadow is being cast so as not to spook any bass that are close to the bank. It's also a good idea to "tread lightly" and make as little noise as possible when fishing from shore. Wary bass can spook easily, and if you spook the bass they will be difficult (if not impossible) to catch. Your shadow and loud, unnatural noises are a sure way to spook bass. Always pay attention to your impact and the ways in which you might be spooking the fish you are attempting to catch.
2. Flies Are An Effective Bass Bait – Artificial flies are a very effective bass fishing bait that often get overlooked by traditional spin fishermen. If you aren't a "fly fisherman", but would like to give artificial flies a shot when fishing for bass from shore, a casting bubble is the way to do it. Using a casting bubble to fish artificial flies for bass is an extremely effective bass fishing technique for the person who doesn't want to go to the time and expense of being a fly fisherman.
3. Top Water Baits Are Effective – Anyone who has ever fished for bass knows how effective top water baits can be, and this is certainly true when fishing for bass from shore. Many times bass will lay or cruise right along the bank waiting for something to fall/jump into the water. For this reason top water baits can be very effective when fishing from shore. Remember to abide by the earlier tip when fishing top water baits from shore though, you certainly don't want to "spook" the bass you are trying to catch.

Keep these simple (yet very effective) tips in mind the next time you go out fishing for bass and you are confined to fishing from shore. These tips have helped me catch many bass over the past twenty five years and I know they will do the same for you.

Updated on: 3/14/2010
River Fishing Tips – 2 Tips For Fishing Flies

Many anglers who go river fishing with traditional spin fishing gear think that fishing flies isn't a viable option for them. I know for me river fishing has always been about using traditional spin fishing gear, or more to the point ultra light spin fishing gear, and for many years I never thought that fishing flies was a viable option for me. Then my fishing mentor introduced me to a couple of techniques that changed my way of thinking.

In this article I will outline these 2 river fishing tips which enable anyone to fish with flies without engaging in the dog and pony show known as "fly fishing". I kid fly fishermen, but the truth is that flies are extremely effective bait for many species of fish and traditional fly fishing is an effective manner in which to fish flies. However traditional fly fishing has simply never appealed to me and has always seemed more like a 'production' of some sort than fishing. The point is that these two river fishing tips are for those of you who are like me and like the idea of fishing flies, but don't like the idea of "fly fishing".

1. The Drifting Technique – This technique involves drifting a wet fly, such as a black gnat or a royal coachman (to name a few choices). Start by cutting a piece of line for a leader twelve to twenty four inches long. Now tie a small barrel swivel onto the end of your line. Tie the piece of line you cut off to the opposite end if the barrel swivel. A fly is now attached to the end of the leader. Add split shot sinkers to your rig (above the swivel) for weight. The number and size of the split shot will vary with water depth and current flow. This rig is now cast parallel to the current and allowed to drift with the current, bouncing along the bottom as it flows. This technique is an excellent way to fish dry flies and/or streamers while river fishing without using traditional fly fishing equipment.
2. The Casting Bubble Technique – A casting bubble is a great way to fish a fly while using spin fishing gear that normally works best in slow moving current where the water is a bit deeper (such as large pools or runs). As far as river fishing tips are concerned, this is a good one. The key with fishing a fly and a casting bubble is to retrieve your line extremely slowly. The depth of the fly can be controlled by the speed at which you retrieve the bubble. The bubble itself acts as a 'strike indicator' as well, so keep an eye on the bubble as you reel it in. Dry flies can also be fished with a casting bubble, and the key with dry flies is to keep your eye on the fly itself, rather than the bubble.

Anyone who enjoys river fishing will be well served by added these two river fishing tips to their arsenal sooner rather than later. Artificial flies are a great bait for many species of fish and now you know that you can fish a fly with being a "fly fisherman" and using traditional fly fishing equipment.