Fishing experts share their techniques

Tips and tricks from avid, seasoned fishermen can help novice anglers increase yield.

Did you ever wonder why some fishermen catch more fish than other people? There are a lot of factors that go into it. Part of it is that they understand the habits and behavior of a particular species. They also understand the preferred habitat and generally know where to look for the fish. Usually they are familiar with the local waters so they know where and how to fish the areas. Of course skills play a big part in their success.

Over the years I have been fortunate to fish with some very skilled and experienced anglers. They were also very generous in sharing their knowledge and fishing tips. At other times I learned a lot just by observing or in passing conversation. Here are several tips that I learned from others that I consider experts. Maybe they will help some of you be better anglers, or at least enjoy the sport a bit more.

To save time and avoid aggravation while fishing with jigs or similar baits, tie a bunch of them to fluorocar- bon leaders and tie a secure small loop at the other end. Keep them wrapped around a tube or some tangle-free device until you need one. Then just attach the leader and lure to your main line that has a clip on the end.

Although most people close the bail on their spinning reel after casting by turning the handle, flip the bail closed with your hand instead. This is easier on the reel and quicker. It allows you instant control of the line and you can feel subtle pickups such as a jig or plastic worm.

When using spinners such as Mepps or sinking worms, take up the slack and let the lure fall on a relatively taut line. Most of your hits on sinking worms and many of those on jigs or spinners will occur on the fall. Teach yourself to feel the subtle pickup or watch for the movement of the line sideways which indicates a fish has grabbed your lure.

When using most jigs with bucktails or rubber curly tails retrieve them by lifting the rod and take up slack as the jig falls. Repeat this process all the way back to the boat or shore. Most of your

hits on the jigs will also occur as the lure falls.

Be sure to wet your hands while handling fish. This keeps you from removing the protective slime coating the fish. Removing this covering can often lead to various rashes or disease on the fish.

Grabbing a bass by the lower lip with your thumb and forefinger will immobilize the bass while you remove the hook or hold the fish for photos. Just be sure not to try and force the bass into a horizontal position with this grip. It can easily injure or break their jaw. If you want a horizontal picture use your other hand to lift the fish into position.

Obviously, you should not attempt to grip a fish with a mouth full of sharp teeth such as walleye or northern pike with a lip lock. If the hook cannot be easily removed with a pliers, use a spreader to hold the mouth open and hold the pike while you remove the lure or even take a photo. Never insert your hand into the gills to hold the pike for a photo. However, you can safely insert three fingers inside the gill plate and grip the outside with your thumb to hold it momentarily for a photo.

Why do bass pros or other tournament fishermen carry so many rods? Different rods have different characteristics that are more suited for a particular type of fishing or lure. When money is in on the line a couple extra casts can mean the difference in the paycheck. By having different rods and lures ready they will eliminate the need to waste time while changing lures or tying on a new set-up.

Even if you are not in tournament fishing you can imitate their success by having at least one extra rod with some different lure ready. For example if a big bass comes up through heavy weed cover to smash your lure and misses, it will not do you any good to throw that same lure back at him. But tossing a plastic worm or sinking worm into that hole in the weeds often results in a hookup.

When you are trout fishing one of the first things you should do when you arrive at the stream is nothing. Sit on the bank, a distance from the stream and observe. Is there any activity of insect hatches? Do you see trout rising or feeding sub-surface? Can you see the flash or movement of trout chasing minnows? By understanding what is going on in the stream you have a better chance of giving the trout what they want and getting some hook ups.

When holding a trout to unhook it. Place your hand under the belly and lift it from the water. This usually immobilizes the trout long enough to unhook it as well as take some photos.

Know your waters when bass fishing. Although bass fishermen seem to automatically cruise and toss lures to the shoreline – probably because that is what they see on TV. However, if the shoreline is all shallow, sunlit and lacking in cover you have a better chance of catching fish in your bathtub. Do some scouting and test temperature of the water and then concentrate on the depths and cover bass are likely to be found.

If you are fishing for smallmouth bass in lakes remember that they are often found in schools. If you catch a nice bass after an exciting fight, it is a good idea to put it in the livewell even if you plan on releasing it. Apparently during the fight the bass will build up lactic acid and pheromones that they release when tossed back into the water. These often alert other bass and suddenly the others in the school will stop biting. After the action slows down, move the boat and release the bass safely nearby.

Knots are the vital connection to your terminal tackle and possibly the biggest fish of your life. Be sure to tie the proper knot and do it carefully. Do not use a square know which is only about 50 percent of the strength of the line. Palomar or improved clinch knots are nearly the strength of the line. Because Fireline tends to slip with clinch knots, you should tie any clips or lures, etc. with a Palomar knot.

Little things can make a big difference so hopefully these will improve your fishing success and fun. We will pass along more in a future column.

SHORT CASTS

Clayton Decoy Show: The 49th Annual Decoy and Wildlife Art Show will be held July 14 and 15 in the Cerow Recreation Park Arena in Clayton. It will feature decoys, paintings, art, carvings, contests and auctions. There will be a Shore Dinner on Friday from 4-8 p.m. to benefit the Thousand Islands Museum. For more information contact 315- 6865794 or check the website www.timuseum.org.

Boating Rules: NYS reminds all boating operators along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to observe the fivemile-per-hour speed limit within 600 feet of the shore as a result of the prolonged flooding in the region. Under the Governor’s direction, implementing this speed limit will help control wakes and help reduce the impacts to shorelines and infrastructures.

Reduced speeds are necessary to ensure safe boating, as many hidden hazards and debris have been covered by elevated water levels and can threaten boaters. Reducing speed reduces waves created by boat wakes that can exacerbate shoreline erosion, further threatening residential and municipal infrastructure.

In addition to a vessel’s speed, the one piece of safety equipment that all boats must carry is the life jacket. All life jackets carried on board your vessel must be serviceable, readily accessible and of the appropriate size for the wearer. Readily accessible means the PFD must be quickly reachable in an emergency situation.

Portable Charger: With the increasing reliance on electronic devices such as cell phones or tablets, etc., having a method of re-charging them while away from the usual sources is a necessity. I have used several but my personal favorites are the devices made by MyCharge. For example the Amp Max Portable Charger holds enough to charge a phone several times or can charge two devices simultaneously with its two built-in USB ports. It is compact, powerful, fast and easy to use. It is great for camping, hunting or fishing trips, or anywhere you need to charge up your electronics. See MyCharge.com for more information.