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.

Updated on: 1/7/2010
 

How to Trout Fish - Fishing Small Rivers & Streams Effectively
By Trevor Kugler

If you want to know how to trout fish it is extremely important that you understand how to fish rivers and streams effectively. When I refer to the terms 'rivers and streams' I'm referring specifically to the size rivers that are best fished while wading. Most "trout rivers" fall into this category, although some "trout rivers" (especially in the western United States) are quite large and drift boats are needed to fish them effectively. For the purposes of this article I'm referring to rivers that can be walked/hiked/waded along and fished in.

To fish this type of river effectively wading will be necessary, which means a pair of waders is more than likely needed. Although waders aren't absolutely necessary, a pair of waders definitely makes your life easier and allows you to fish for trout even when the temperatures aren't extremely warm. To truly fish small rivers & streams effectively a pair of waders is certainly in order.

To fish small rivers & streams effectively live worms rigged on a set of gang hooks should be utilized as well. These hooks are attached to your line using a small barrel swivel, which helps to prevent your line from twisting as it flows with the current and bounces along the bottom of the river. Weight is added in the form of slit shot sinkers above the barrel swivel to control the pace of your drift. A worm (or half of a worm in the case of night crawlers) is added to the gang hooks with the goal being to have your offering "roll" along the bottom as is flows naturally with the current of the river or stream that you are fishing. This is a very effective small river trout fishing technique and one that anyone who wants to know how to trout fish needs to learn.

The next piece of fishing gear that's needed to fish rivers & streams effectively is a fishing vest. A fishing vest is basically a tackle box that you wear on your body. Fly fishermen have been using fishing vests for years, and spin fishermen need to follow their lead. A fishing vest is the best way to carry all of your trout fishing tackle while wading. All of your trout lures, bait, hooks, and other tackle can have their own pocket for easy access along (or in) the river. You can also clip a bait bag to the outside of your fishing vest for easy access to trout bait such as live worms (a great trout bait by the way). By using this ingenious piece of trout fishing tackle your worms are always literally at your fingertips, rather than inside of a pocket of your fishing vest thus saving you a ton of valuable fishing time baiting up and re-baiting.

The bottom line is that anyone who wants to know how to trout fish, and fish small rivers and streams in an effective manner, needs to keep the aforementioned points in mind. These tips will help the "rookie" trout fisherman become a "seasoned" trout fisherman in very little time.

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.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler
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Updated on: 12/20/2009
 

River Fishing Tips - Why a Bait Carrier is So Important to Any Angler Who Fishes With Live Worms
By Trevor Kugler

When it comes to fishing with live worms in the flowing water of a river or stream it is amazing to me how important it is to have an efficient and effective way to carry said worms with you on the water. Having to constantly 'dig' through your fishing vest to figure out where you put your worms is an incredible inconvenience. The best to solve this inconvenience is to have and effective bait carrier.

More than two decades ago my fishing mentor introduced me to an extremely effective way to carry live worms while fishing that I've been using ever since. It's called a bait bag and when it comes to river fishing tips, especially for anyone who fishes while wading; a bait bag is a "must have" item. It is simply a small 'pouch' that hangs from your fishing vest and carries you live worms while fishing.

One reason a bait carrier is so important while wading is because you want your hands available as much as possible. In addition to knowing where your worms are at all times, a bait bag is also nice because using one provides you with more fishing time. How does a bait bag or bait barrier give you more fishing time, you ask. Simple, by using a bait bag to carry your live worms, baiting up and re-baiting takes seconds, rather than minutes. This simple fact, when added up over the course of a fishing day, can add thirty or more minutes of valuable fishing time to your day that would have otherwise been wasted looking for and fumbling with a worm container.

Being able to always literally have your worms at your fingertips while river fishing is a huge advantage to any wading river fisherman. Although the bait bag of today has come a long way from the rudimentary version my mentor used to employ, the concept is certainly the same, and to the wading river fisherman the concept is invaluable. I know when it comes to river fishing tips, this is easily one of the best tips a bait fisherman will ever get.

Another reason why a bait carrier is important is so that you always know exactly where your live worms are at all times. This way when the fishing day is through, you simply dump whatever worms weren't used back into their original container, and refrigerate them for the next fishing trip. By using a bait carrier to carry your live worms you will never again forget about said worms only to find out a week or so later that you made a big mistake. If you've never had the pleasure, a forgotten about container of worms that hasn't been kept cool for a couple of days is something you will never forget.

Make a bait bag a part of your fishing repertoire sooner rather than later. When it comes to river fishing, wading, and live worms this is one of the best tips a fisherman can receive.

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.

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