Owner: The Ultimate Fishing Blog URL:http://ultimatefishingblog.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:34:54 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: The ultimate fishing blog is dedicated to all things fishing including: fishing tips, fishing knots and rigs, fishing tackle reviews and tests, fishing videos and photos and much more... Site statistics:Click here
A bad day fishing beats a good day at work 2008-03-14 01:46:00 I managed to get the week off work and made plans with my old man to fish our local harbor today. Even though everything seemed right we just couldn't take a trick and the day ended with a quick run back to the boat ramp to beat one of the tropical storms we get. The fishing was slow and even though we caught a few fish they were all very small. Sometimes fishing is like that though and the uncertainty and challenge is what makes it fun.Most anglers have heard the saying a bad day fishing beats a good day at work, but what I want to know is if you stand by this saying or not? Please leave a comment.
How to anchor a boat 2008-03-16 19:31:23 Anchoring a boat is not quite as simple as chucking the anchor
over the side of the boat and tying it off, but with some simple tips to remember it doesn't have to be a nightmare either.1. Choose the correct type of anchorIt is very important to select the correct anchor for the conditions and bottom structure you plan on anchoring in. There are many types of anchors and each is used in different conditions.Danforth anchorDanforth anchors have a very good holding power in very soft mud, conditions. Not suitable for reef anchoring.Grapnel (reef) anchorThis anchors are used for reef, rock and wreck bottoms. They are designed to hook onto the coral and rock. It is quite possible for this anchor to find such a good hook that it is impossible to retrieve.Mushroom AnchorDesigned to bury in the s
How to smoke salmon (with video) 2008-03-15 23:50:27 Smoked salmon
is one of my favorite meals and it is easy enough to do yourself. Smoking it yourself can save you some money and it can be quite fun. In this video
the presenter uses a cooktop smoker, which can be found for around $40 from most good stores. However, there are many different types of smokers and it pays to do a little bit of research to find the right one for you. Most people start off with a cheap smoker to practice with and move up to a high end model once they have mastered the art.Salmon is high in Omega 3 oils, which is very good for the heart and developing brain. There has been extensive study on salmon and its health benefits and the general consensus is to try and eat wild salmon where possible.How to smoke salmon - video
Boating Knots - Water Bowline Knot (with video) 2008-03-19 02:16:36 If you have spent any time on the water you have undoubtedly experienced, or seen, engine trouble of some kind. I think that my old man and I have been towed in about 5 times and it never gets more enjoyable. However, most boaties are friendly people and it only takes a bit of a wave or a call over the radio for someone to come to your aid. This is where the water bowline knot comes into good use.The water bowline knot is one of the best knots for towing a boat with another boat because it can take the jarring towing motions and not become lose. I recommend that every boat owner should know this knot before heading out on the water.How to tie a water bowline knot - video Read more:Knots
What do crabs eat 2008-03-17 20:14:00 I love catching crabs and enjoy eating them even more, but when other crab anglers get wind of your success they always want to know what bait you are using in your crab pot. I get asked about crab eating habits fairly often so I thought it might be worth writing a little post about what crabs actually eat.What do crabs eatThere are many different types of crabs including the spider crab, hermit crab, mud crab, blue crab, horseshoe crab, fiddler crab and sand crab, just to name a few. Even though there are hundreds of different species all the research suggests that they have a very similar diet.It might surprise people that about half of a crabs diet is plant matter, but that doesn't mean you should start putting rotting wood into your crab pots just yet. The other half of a crabs diet co
Tarpon Lures 2008-03-21 19:47:55 Tarpon are one of the most iconic sportfish in the world and anglers come from all over the planet to tangle with these magnificent fish. Choosing lures for Tarpon can seem like a difficult task, but if you follow the guidelines below you should find something that works for you.Hard body luresThe general consensus is that Rapala make great hard bod lures for tarpon especially the Super Shad Rap and the Magnum. Select your color according to the conditions and if in doubt choose natural looking colors. It is worth carrying many types of minnow, bomber and rebel lures for tarpon.Soft Lures
, Swimbaits and soft plasticsThere are almost too many lures in this area to choose from, but if you have confidence in your selection you should get some fish. Remember to think like a fish and try to fin
How do fish reproduce 2008-03-20 20:07:43 For some time I have been thinking of writing a how do fish post a week, but have never really gotten around to it. I plan to cover a range of topics including how do fish reproduce (todays topic), hear, smell and many more. If you like (or hate) the idea feel free to leave a comment.How do fish reproduceWhile there are exceptions to the rule most fish reproduce in a similar fashion. In over 97% of fish species the eggs develop outside the mothers body. The male fish then fertilizes these eggs in the open water and they are left to hatch.The newly-hatched young are called larvae. Usually they are poorly formed and carry a large yolk sac, which they use for food. At this stage they will look very different from the adult fish and are susceptible to predators. This period lasts for a few wee
How to fish a river 2008-03-19 21:22:09 It would be hard to find something more relaxing than walking along, in or sitting on the bank of a river casting a fly, lure or bait. While all rivers require slightly different fishing techniques there are many techniques that will remain the same.How to fish a riverWhenever you are fishing it pays to think like a fish and this is no different when fishing a river. Remember that the food will be flowing past the fish very quickly and they will not have much time to decide whether to eat it or not. Whether you are fishing with bait, lure or fly remember to make your presentations look as close as possible to the natural food sources in the river. Sometimes fish will prospect with their mouth (they don't have hands after all) eating everything that flows past, they swallow the food and spi
Grilled grouper recipes (with video) 2008-03-23 04:59:23 We catch a lot of grouper in my part of the world and while we don't call them that here in Australia we are still partial to these great fish. There are many species of grouper and in my experience smallish grouper make very good eating while the bigger ones are a little bit tough and tasteless. Grouper are an essential part of the reef ecosystem and because of this when considering taking a grouper for dinner you should always check your local rules and regulations and take only enough for your immediate needs.Grilled
grouper recipeThis video
I found shows an amazingly simple grilled grouper recipe and one that can be made with only the following ingredients:Grouper FilletsOlive OilSaltFish/poultry seasoning flavorsSpicesThe end result looks very appetizing and my trial of this dish turn
Fishing Knots: Haywire Twist (wire leader) 2008-03-25 19:53:02 The haywire twist is a popular method of joining a hook, swivel or lure to single-strand wire leader. When tied correctly the connection is stronger than the wire itself because of the double-wraps. It is a popular knot for trolling and can be used for big and small game leaders when targeting fish with nasty teeth including wahoo, barracuda, mackerel and sharks. The wire prevents the fish biting off the leader. The haywire twist is declining in popularity since the invention of knotable wire trace, but is still a very useful knot to learn.How to tie a haywire twist - video Read more:Fishing
, Knots
Recipes for baked cod 2008-03-24 20:56:31 Baked cod is one of the first meals I remember eating in my life and was a family favorite for years until I rediscovered my love of fishing and began bringing home to odd keeper for dinner. Cod has many nutritional benefits including Omega-3 oil, lower your risk of heart disease, control high blood pressure and many more. A four-ounce serving of cod provides 1/2 your RDI of protein and contains only 119 calories!Easy Baked Cod RecipeThis video shows a really great baked cod recipe that is really easy to make yourself. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and about 25 minutes to cook and requires the following ingredients:2lbs Cod Fillets1 cup seasoned bread crumbs3 tbsp butter (can be substituted with olive oil)3 tbsp Lemon JuiceSalt and pepper (to taste)Other easy baked cod recipes1 1/2 lb
Lowrance problems 2008-03-24 01:40:09 While looking through my website reports yesterday I noticed a strange anomaly - people finding my site with the term "Lowrance problems
." Now I am sure that I have never written about the topic before and I am in no way affiliated with Lowrance, but I figured I should provide people searching for this term some information to point them in the right direction.Marine electronic problemsFor what it is worth half of the marine electronics in my boat are made by Lowrance and I have never had a problem apart from the time a new GPS satellite was launched and my receiver told me I was traveling at 30,000 km's per hour! However, I have heard stories of unfortunate people with a problem fish finder or GPS and no particular brand is immune to these types of problems. There are many problems that c
Blue Crab Facts 2008-03-28 01:01:03 The blue crab is one of the most important crab species in the United States and there is an extensive fishery based around this tasty crustacean.Where do blue crabs liveDistributionThe blue crab is native to the western edge of the Atlantic ocean (including the gulf of Mexico) from about Nova Scotia in Canada through to Argentina. Overfishing has caused the population boundaries to decline somewhat, but they are still regularly encountered within these areas. Unfortunately the blue crab has been introduced into Japan and European waters possibly through the ballast water from ships.HabitatBlue crabs are found in brackish water near the mouths of rivers and they spend most of their time in muddy shores and bottoms.Fishing for blue crabsIn certain states of the US fishing for blue crabs is
How to fly fish for steelhead 2008-03-26 22:09:03 Steelhead, called ocean trout in my home of Australia, are simply ocean going Rainbow trout. The time spent at sea causes their color to become silvery and their red band to fade. They have been introduced into every continent on earth (excluding Antarctica) and present a challenge to anglers around the world. They are most commonly targeted on fly tackle and provide great sport and excellent eating.How to fly fish for steelheadSteelhead are a difficult fish to catch and that is what makes them so special. They can be hard to find, finicky at certain times and down right frustrating. There are many "steelhead anglers" who have actually never caught a steelhead, and this fact alone is a testament to their appeal. Even though I have been lucky enough to catch one or two on a trip to the sout
Barramundi Facts 2008-03-30 20:31:32 The barramundi, or barra as it is affectionately known, is an iconic sport fish of Northern Australia. They are well known for their aerial fighting ability and exceptional eating qualities.Barramundi FactsThe barramundi can survive in both fresh and salt water, but require brackish water to breed. They are frequently encountered in rivers and estuaries and have been stocked into many still water lakes and dams (where they cannot breed). Barramundi undergo a change sex after at least one breeding cycle. Young fish are born male and become female. Therefore most of the larger fish are females.The scientific name for barramundi is Lates calcarifer and it belongs to the perch family of fishes.Barramundi can grow up to 300mm in one year. They can reach sizes of 2 meters and weigh up to 60kg (1
What Do Great White Sharks Eat 2008-03-30 07:24:57 I have a real fascination with sharks and I have written quite a few posts about sharks which you can have a look through here - index of shark posts. I also promised more "fact" posts so I thought that I would combine the two to put together todays post.Great
white sharks are the biggest and most well respected of the sharks. They are a fierce predator and many stories have been shared at the local pub about the close encounters with these awesome animals. They are aggressive animals and the sight of a great white shark feeding is an unforgettable experience.What do Great WhiteSharks
EatGreat white sharks locate their prey with smell and sound and they can smell their prey from kilometers away. Great white sharks typically stay below their prey and ambush them, taking them by complete su
Tackle shop addiction 2008-03-29 06:15:47 Today was my once monthly tackle shop expedition and I am ashamed to say I visited 5 tackle shops and spent far too much money. Luckily my wife is a fairly keen angler and is supportive of my fishing habit (or should I say addiction
). We trolled through the shops looking at all the latest and greatest bits and pieces. I found a rail mount snap lock rod holder which is Aussie made and designed. It locks the rod into place while still allowing for quick release when the fish takes the line. Like always I spent heaps of time looking at the new range of lures including the new Berkley Gulp colors and sizes that I just had to have.Do you have a tackle shop addiction? I would love to hear your stories - please leave a comment.
Basic fishing knots 2008-04-02 01:21:50 I have posted lots about fishing knots before, but I have never really put all of the information together in one spot for convenience. Hopefully this post will be of use to people looking for the basic fishing knots that every angler should know.Tying good quality fishing knots is a very important part of fishing. There is nothing worse than losing a fish of a lifetime only to find your knots were not up to scratch (trust me I know). Fortunately, tying quality knots is not all that hard and there are some very strong knots that are even fairly easy to tie in the dark.Basic
fishing knotsIf you click on the following links they will take you to my original posts with instructions or an instructional video for tying the knots. Line to terminal tackle (hooks, swivels) knotsImproved Clinch Kno
Grouper Identification 2008-03-31 21:17:42 It is important for anglers to be able to identify their catch for many reasons. If you keep fish for food then you need to be able to identify and differentiate between the safe species to eat from the poisonous fish. You will also need to be able to identify fish because similar fish can have different restrictions and keeping an undersized or protected species can cost you more than your dignity. Ignorance will not be tolerated as an excuse when the fisheries officers come inspecting.Grouper Identification
For new anglers, and even experienced ones, grouper identification can be quite difficult. They have almost identical body structures and even the colors can be very similar depending on the species and age of the fish. Another confusing factor is the different names for the same fish
How do fish smell 2008-04-04 03:04:02 The title of this post could be taken two ways. I was temped to simply write BAD in big black letters, but April fools is long gone (thankfully), and fish don't really smell that bad.The sense of smell is extremely important to a fish. It gives them ability to smell out food and in some cases return to the correct breeding location years after leaving "home." The salmonoid family of fishes can detect a certain amino acid in quantities as little as 1 part per 8 billion, which is quite amazing really. This ability means that fish are just as easily put off by smells they are unfamiliar with. The can include the following sunscreen, motor oil and petrol.How do fish smellFish don't have nostrils like mammals, but have a very similar set of holes called nares which lead into a chamber full of s
Kayak fishing video (record tuna) 2008-04-03 10:07:27 I have always admired people who fish from kayaks. This is probably because where I live big aggressive crocodiles are common and they would have no problem tipping over a kayak to eat the occupant! Fortunately big crocodiles aren't present all over the world and there is plenty of good kayaking waters ripe for the fishing.I found this great little video
on youtube today of a guy catching a tuna from a kayak, which just so happens to be a 70 pound kayak fishing record tuna! It is a well presented video and if you are into kayak fishing or big tuna then it is well worth watching!
Best bait for crabs 2008-04-06 19:20:17 Best bait for crabsI know a few really serious crab anglers who guard their secret crab bait or concoction with their life. I have even heard of serious fights between crab anglers over which crab bait is better than the other and it all seems a bit silly really. To understand what makes a top quality crab bait you need to understand the feeding habits of crabs and, in particular, what actually makes up their main diet. I have recently written a post titled what do crabs eat, which might be a good place to start. For those that want to skip ahead without reading the main points are that crabs feed mainly on plant matter and alive or fresh dead animal matter. That doesn't mean you should start adding dead wood to your crab nets just yet though! Contrary to popular belief crabs are not m
Tuna fishing video 2008-04-05 19:23:28 Tuna are a great fish and can be a tough adversary on the right gear. They are known for their stubborn fight and circling motion under the boat. Unfortunately people also like eating tuna and the stocks right around the world have dwindled from the overfishing that has taken place. There are far less places to tangle with a big tuna than there were years ago, but locations where big tuna are caught can still be found. New Zealand is one of these places and is where this video
comes from. We Aussies might think they are a bit mad at times, but you have to admire them for their excitement and passion for what they are doing! There is some insane action on this video and is worth a watch!Follow the link to youtube to see the action
Fried grouper recipe 2008-04-07 17:55:30 Fried grouper recipe Of all the ways to eat fish a simple fried recipe is always my favorite way to eat it. A piece of fish dipped in some simple spices and patted with flour and fried and I am in heaven. This recipe might be a bit more complicated than that, but it is my favorite fried grouper recipe. Ingredients 1 1/4 lbs Grouper Fillets1 TBSP Flour1/2 tsp Seasoned SaltLarge Zip Lock Bag1 TBSP Olive Oil1 1/2 TBSP Butter6 Ounces Sliced Fresh Mushrooms (3/4 package)1 TBSP Capers1/2 TBSP Roasted Garlic1/4 Cup White Wine1 TBSP Lemon JuiceWash the grouper fillets.Check for bones by pressing on fillet and remove.Cut into 4-6inch fillets.Place flour and seasoned salt in zip lock bag and shake to mix.Add grouper.Seal bag and shake to coat.Preheat large sauté pan on high for 1-2 minutes.Ad Read more:Fried
What do plankton eat 2008-04-09 18:09:32 Plankton are classified as any drifting organism that inhabits the waters of the earth. These organisms combined are considered to be some of the most important organisms on earth due to the food supply they provide. They are generally very small and many can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. What do plankton eat Most people know that plankton are the most abundant food supply of the ocean, but not many people know what these little organisms eat. Most plankton can make their own food like plants through the process of photosynthesis (converting sunlight into food energy). Planktonic animals cannot make their own energy and feed on smaller plankton. The smallest plankton eat bacteria and detritus (non living organic matter).
Portable fish finder 2008-04-08 21:17:55 Portable fish finder Portable fish finders are designed to do the same job as a regular fish finder with the added benefit of being portable. Choosing a portable fish finder In certain situations portable fish finders are preferable over fixed fish finders. Portable fish finders can be used from land based situations (like ice fishing), in hire boats and in any other situations where portability is required. Castable transducers – These portable fish finders are fantastic from shore as you can attach the transducer to your line and cast it to the area you will fish to assess depth and structure (as well as fish). This type of portable fish finder is also very useful from a boat and you can cast the transducer into snags and shallow areas to check out the area without moving the b Read more:Portable
My holiday fishing report 2008-04-12 20:01:03 My regular readers would have noticed that I haven't made a post for a couple of days and I have been on a fishing holiday with my old man and my wife. We rented a cabin on a local lake and fished right from our front door. I haven't had much luck in the freshwater before and really only expected a relaxing trip with a couple of fish. Relaxing wasn't quite the word I would use as the fishing went off with a bang. Over 5 days we caught about 20 great fish and over 7 species in total. I managed my very first tarpon (albeit the smaller pacific version) and I now understand why people pay tens of thousands of dollars to visit South America to catch these fish! We caught 12 big Saratoga, which are a prehistoric looking fish found in the northern parts of Australia and give a spectacular leaping Read more:report
How to catch lobster 2008-04-14 02:03:26 I have written a few "how to" posts before, but I think I need to write them more often.How to catch lobsterThere are probably only two viable ways for recreational anglers to catch lobster. The first method is to dive for lobster, either free dive or with scuba, and the second is to use a lobster trap or pot. Commercially lobster traps are the most widely used as they can lout out many hundreds of traps, but in the recreational fishery most people find diving for their lobster more rewarding and often more productive.Diving for lobsterBefore you begin any form of lobster fishing you need to make sure that you have all the appropriate licenses and familiarize yourself with the size and possession rules regarding the species you are targeting.When diving for lobster you will need the follow
Fishing Knots: Centauri Knot 2008-04-15 08:18:18 I am always going on about taking the time to learn good quality fishing knots. I believe learning to tie solid knots will improve your fishing almost more than any other factor and I wish someone had told me the importance of great knots earlier in my fishing life (I leaned the hard way!)The Centauri knot is another high quality, strong and easy to tie knot that every angler should know. It is an extremely versatile knot and can be tied in a wide range of line strengths, line types (including braid with increased wraps) and diameters while retaining up to 90% of the breaking strain. This knot is highly regarded because it produces very little friction and does not distort the line.How to tie a Centauri knotFollow this animated video to guide you.Remember to lubricate the line with saliva Read more:Fishing
, Knots
How to catch crappie 2008-04-15 22:30:53 The crappie is a popular North American freshwater angling target, which attains a maximum size of approximately 21 inches and 5 pounds. Their are two distinct subspecies of crappie simply referred to as Black crappie and white crappie (note: the name white perch is often incorrectly used for the white crappie). The crappie is highly regarded as a fine freshwater food fish, which adds to its angling popularity.How to catch crappieBefore you head out to catch crappie it is important to understand a little bit about crappie and their feeding habits. Crappie have very good eyesight and can see a range of colors. Crappie are generally inactive during the day spending time around submerged objects and move out into open water to feed around dawn and dusk. It is also worth considering that crapp
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