Fall is the time to put more walleye in the boat. With the fish aggressively feeding before winter, the lakes that are known for walleye in your area will produce more fish. Not only will you find active fish in more places but the average size tends to go up as well.

One thing about walleye s this time of year is they make more gradual adjustments in their overall position in lakes. Unlike summer time once you find the area of a lake the walleyes are in, they move very little from day to day. I often find them feeding at night very close to where we find them during the day. With their main goal to gain weight while using as little energy as possible it make sense.

Targeting main lake saddles and the flats near far reaching deep water points are a good place to start. With the fish unwilling to use much energy to search for food, targeting open water fish this time of year is very effective. With the fact that the fish are less apt to make sudden moves you have the opportunity to cover water and mark several groups of fish before having to worry about them leaving before you get back.

When the water cools I find very few fish make transitions in the water column like walleye s do. Even though walleyes don’t seem to make drastic changes in their overall location, walleye s will move from lying right on the bottom to feeding near the surface. Even though I have a high level of confidence in my locator overall, I focus my scouting efforts and tools toward identifying fish near the bottom. There are very few fish in the fall or even in the winter that will hug tight to bottom like walleye s will. Many species will suspend so it can be difficult to determine exactly what type of fish you’re seeing on your locator.

An effective strategy for focusing on fish near the bottom is to switch your graph on split screen with a 4X zoom on one side and a full view of the water column on the other. This will help you mark those negative fish hugging tight to bottom while still being able to see if the fish are already suspended and feeding. While scouting areas as deep as 60 feet, any sizable fish near the bottom are worth keeping an eye on. Being able to mark those fish on a GPS is definitely a bonus. You then have the ability to return later to identify a pattern. Being able to see the same groups of fish multiple times can say it all. When scouting for fall walleyes finding groups of fish that are working their way down toward the bottom in day light hours is almost a sure thing you found what you were looking for. When the fish are on a decent to the bottom that defiantly indicates the walleye s are reverting to a negative stage. However even if I m no longer marking the walleyes on my locator I will focus on fishing the bottom in the areas I last marked them. More times than not they will lay on the bottom very close to where you last marked them. Two common ways I focus on these fish are with live bait rigs and three way rigs.

When I live bait rigging with minnows in water of 25 feet I’ve found a couple of things to be helpful. Using fresh minnows is very important and being able to trap your own is second to none. Wild minnows tend to be unbelievably hardy even after their hooked. It’s not uncommon to be able to cast a trapped creek chub several times and still feel him swimming around on his leader. A minnow you can count on to keep swimming in a walleyes face is like candy. The second thing is the rod you use. I like a rod with two specific characteristics. I prefer a rod with a light tip section so the fish can t feel resistance when they pick up the bait. The second thing is to have a quick taper creating good back bone for good hook sets. This is critical in this situation where you tend to have long lengths of mono out which creates a great amount of stretch. Jason Mitchell 7 foot 6 inch elite series rod is a good example of this combination. More information on these rods can be found at www.jasonmitchellrods.com.

When fishing a three way in main lake areas my rig consists of the following. I use a 6 to 7 foot heavy action graphite rod to support using larger weights. You don t want you rod to bend with the simple action of lifting your weight as you bounce bottom. Power Pro 4-15 with 25 feet of 10 pound maxima tied on with a blood knot has proven to be a good fit. The now stretch line supports being able to pound bottom with gentle lifts of the rod. The mono serves several purposes .You introduce a controlled amount of stretch in to a no give system , the leader to your bait is less visible and as you’ll see it works nice for an adjustable lead length. My drop line consists of a 3 to 4 ounce weight with 2 to 3 feet of 20 pound maxima tied to a red off shore release. I clip it on right behind the blood knot. This gives you a generous 25 foot leader to your bait and can be removed when landing fish. It s also nice to be able shorten you leader by sliding your clip toward your bait if you find your bait is hitting bottom.

How much action your bait has is probably the show stopper. The floating Rapala in 11 and 13 works great on these rigs. You can give it as much action as you want just by how hard you try to pound bottom. The Rapala has little to no action if it s just being pulled. When the fish don t want to work it s almost like they prefer no action. This bait allows you to get as subtle as I’ve found possible. By lifting your weight off bottom and letting it settle back down rather than just dropping it the Floater is as subtle as I’ve seen.

Find out more about fishing fall walleye s day or night on Muskegon Lake at
www.michiganfishguide.com.

EMAIL: eyemagnet@verizon.net
URL: http://michiganfishguide.com

It seems to me that many anglers don't pay enough attention to their tackle when they go trout fishing. When I refer to the word 'tackle', for the purposes of this article, I'm referring specifically to the rod, reel, line, and bait/hook sizes that are used while trout fishing. All of this gear (tackle) is very important when fishing for trout. Probably to a much greater degree than you might have imagined.

You see, trout have very sensitive eyesight and sense of smell, plus they are normally found in very cold clear water which means that things such as the weight of your line will affect the number of bites that you receive.

There are few fish that are more popular to fish for, and none more beautiful that the trout. This is probably the reason that trout fishing is such a widespread and popular activity. In this article, I want to describe a little about the trout and trout fishing. For as long as human beings have been fishing, they have also been trout fishing. There are four main varieties of trout that can be found in the rivers, streams, and lakes of North America. They include Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Lake.

All four species are candidates for trout fishing, and can all be caught using the same basic methods, except for the lake trout, which is found in deep cold lakes, and really doesn't act like the other varieties of trout at all.

The most popular of these four main trout species is the Rainbow Trout.
These trout can be distinguished by the large red stripe running down the length of their body and are a great candidate for trout fishing. As far as trout fishing is concerned, Rainbow Trout are probably the most popular, simply because they are so widespread. Anywhere that trout swim, which means cool clear water, rainbow trout can be found. Under ideal conditions rainbow trout can grow to very large sizes, but their average size is much smaller (in the twelve to twenty inch range).

Brown Trout can grow to very large sizes as well, and are a bit more hearty than any other trout species. In parts of the Midwest (around the Great Lakes), brown trout migrate from the lakes into rivers to spawn. And these brown trout can grow to enormous sizes. Trout Fishing for these monsters requires much larger fishing gear than is normally thought of when one thinks of the term trout fishing. In any case, both brown and rainbow trout can grow to very large sizes, and are also heavily sought after when it comes to trout fishing.

Brook Trout, while widely considered to be the most beautiful species of trout, are much smaller than their cousins. Brook trout are normally quite small (in the ten to fifteen inch range), other than in certain lakes in Labrador, where they grow to extremely large sizes. Under the ideal conditions in these lakes, brook trout are measured in pounds, rather than inches, with five to ten pound brook trout being common. These lakes are an aberration though, because for most of us brook trout are measures in inches, rather than pounds. The bottom line is that brook trout are the most beautiful of all of the trout species and are worth catching simply for their beauty.

No matter which species of trout you chose to fish for, the bottom line is that trout fishing is a very popular activity. A great tip is to always make sure that you're fishing at the optimum times. This simply means using the weather and moon to your advantage when trout fishing. Making sure that you're fishing at the proper times is key to your trout fishing success. In fact, there are probably no two other factors that affect trout fishing as much as the weather and moon.

Another tip to enjoy a ton of success when trout fishing is to always use a gang hook rig when trout fishing, especially when that fishing is being done in the flowing water of a river or stream. Bouncing live bait off of the bottom as it flows naturally with the current of a river or stream is a deadly trout fishing technique and worth trying on your next trout fishing excursion. I've personally been trout fishing for more than 20 years, and I never fish for trout without the help of gang hooks. The bottom line is that no matter which species of trout you fish for or which method you use, trout fishing is one of the best ways created to relax and forget about the affairs of the day.

What if I told you that doing one simple thing could dramatically increase the amount of fish you catch, and this one simple thing wouldn't cost you one red cent? Would you believe me or think that I was full of more crap than a politician running for the presidency? Well, in any case it's true, there is one simple thing that you can do to help you catch more fish and it won't cost you one red cent! That one thing is to learn a little about how the weather and fishing are related. These two subjects, the weather and fishing are much more related than you might have ever thought.

As a matter of fact, there are few subjects that effect fishing as much as the weather. Have you ever had one of those days fishing that's like a dream? When it seems like no matter what you throw in the water, the fish will bite? Not only that, but on days like this there are a lot of big fish caught as well. When this type of thing happens, do you just think that you're incredibly lucky? What happens, on days such as this, is more than likely that the weather conditions we're working in your favor and you didn't realize it.

This is why, with a little research (that's free to do) you can dramatically increase your fishing success, and it won't cost you one red cent. This is an interesting little tidbit of information, considering that so many people think that fishing is a difficult and boring thing. Fishing at the proper times is very important. Especially if you're like me and get a limited amount of time to spend fishing. Isn't it a better idea to fish when the fish are most active? Well by studying the weather and fishing a little bit, you'll be fishing at the best times.

A great way to get free information on the weather and fishing is by getting this
free e-book, which will give you a much better understanding of how the weather and fishing fit together like a hand and a glove. Doing a search on the internet on this subject is never a bad idea either. Just remember, this stuff isn't rocket science and shouldn't cost you money, especially not initially. There's enough information out there to choke a horse and the free e-book that I just mentioned will give you enough information to get you on your way.

Let me give you a quick, real world example. Have you ever noticed how cows in a field will huddle together when it seems as if a storm is approaching? This is because of the weather and they know what's happening because the "pressure" is changing. If the weather affects the cows in your local field, what effect do you think it has on the fish in your favorite lake or river? Get the free weather and moon e-book and you'll know about this effect. The bottom line in all of this is that the weather and fishing are related to a much greater degree than you might have ever thought, so do a little research and increase your catch rates for nothing more than a little of your time.

EMAIL: tkugler@jrwfishing.com
URL: http://www.jrwfishing.com

Anglers love nothing better than to fight a winter steelhead on Michigan s Muskegon River in Newaygo. These powerful fish are known as hot chrome torpedoes and can weigh as much as 20 pounds. Just having one on your line is the thrill of a lifetime and most of Michigan s steelheads are wild steels.

The steelhead migration season begins at the end of October, after the Chinook are finished spawning. Peak months for fishing steelhead are November and December when the fish being their spawning migration. These beauties end the migration near the end of February and into early March.

The best place to fish for chrome torpedoes, the Muskegon River in Newaygo is perfect for fly fishing in early spring and late fall.

Floats and Spawns
If you’re looking for a fast-paced steelhead fishing technique, try fishing floats and spawns. This allows for many hook-ups and a large number of the steelheads will be landed. It’s best to use a longer rod because it gives you a stronger hook-set and a longer drift. Your reel should be a center pin reel that s been wound with 10 pound test hi-vis line. This will allow for longer casts and smooth drag for your fight with a large steelhead.

When using floats for steelhead in the Muskegon River, they will vary greatly because of water conditions and water levels. The best floats to use for Muskegon River steelheads are Thill orange and black steelhead floats.

Winter Steelhead Fishing
For steelhead fishing in the Muskegon River during November and December, use either a 10 8wt fly rod or a 9 6 8wt fly rod. This allows you to recognize a steelhead pick-up because of the longer drift. Also beneficial is the fact that these longer rods allow for a better presentation, a better mending and they tend to keep your line off of the water s surface.

Steelhead Flies
The best steelhead flies for use in the Muskegon River is a wide variety of small egg flies. Always use natural colors such as cream, Oregon cheese, and steelhead orange and golden.

Steelhead feed in the Muskegon River in fall and are extremely aggressive.
They eat almost anything that passes near to them at this time of year.
Wooly buggers and egg patterns work best in fall and early winter, as well as wet flies and spey.

If you re fishing on the Muskegon River in late winter and early spring, use small nymphs and egg patterns with a light leader. This is the time when steelheads are less aggressive. They don t chase flies like they do in the fall.

In late spring, steelheads become more aggressive, but are particular about what they hit. This is the time to use light leaders and small nymphs.
Steelheads enter the Muskegon River for the coming spawn on the gravel runs.

If you want to be warm, comfortable and ready to fish in the spring or fall months when cooler temperatures are present then it is important that you dress for fishing success. Although there have been many advancements to sporting clothing in the last few years the basic necessities for clothing haven’t changed much. Staying warm and being functional are still the main priorities. Anglers need clothing that will insulate the body from the cold without packing on bulk. Cabela’s 400 weight fleece wader liners are just such an item. These double fleece liners are comfy enough to wear around the house on a Sunday afternoon but warm enough to keep you fishing during the frozen winter months.
One of the biggest problems associated with wader liners is that many styles do not have any way of anchoring the pants to your leg. Therefore, after a few hundred yards or so of walking you will find the liner uncomfortably creeping up your leg. As the liner creeps higher it also exposes your lower leg to the wader boot (if wearing boot foot waders) and that can cause a major rub point. Cabela’s 400 wader liners have incorporated foot stirrups and elastic lined cuffs to eliminate this creeping problem. As great as the stirrups and elastic cuff band work at keeping your pants from riding up; they work just as well at helping you get into and out of your waders quickly and smoothly. Stocking foot waders and wader boots like we all know can be a bit of a pain to slide on over bulky clothing, but with the elastic cuffs molding to your leg and the stirrups holding your pants in place makes getting your foot into these types of waders a breeze.

September 09 2007, Newaygo Michigan- This sleepy rural, mostly farming community lies in Western Michigan, just 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids.

Newaygo County has over 230 natural lakes and 350 miles of rivers and streams, 2 huge dams, Croton and Hardy. Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. The Muskegon River continues to be the main attraction for summer cottage residents and fishermen, who find it nearly the best source for spring and winter steelhead and its fall salmon run anywhere!
The fall salmon run on the Muskegon River and nearby White River occurs every fall. This fall salmon run usually runs from the middle of September to the end of October or later. Water temperature determines run time and length.

You do not have to worry about missing the fall salmon run, because as the salmon run tails off, the fall/winter steelhead enter the rivers from October to early spring, usually the end of May.

During the fall salmon run, most baits will work such as, Husky Jerks, Hot-n-Tots, Rattle Traps, Thundersticks, Lil Cleo to name a few. You should also be prepared to fish with chunks of fresh roe or spawn sacs tied with a 3 way swivels with a large split shot about a foot below the swivel and a leader tied to the other eyelet about 18 behind this.

Not sure how to fish for these fall dandies? No need to fret here, Newaygo is home to more than a dozen local river guides. Many of these guides have been featured in nation fly fishing articles and as authors.

I would recommend these five top notch guides as your starting point:

When the weather turns cold, trout fishing can become much more difficult in most areas of the country. As the air temperature drops, so does the water temperature. And as the water temperature drops, so does the body temperature of the fish that swim in said water. When the trout's body temperature drops, they become much less active. This is especially true in river and stream situations, where the trout have to expend energy just to stay in one place.

When the trout are expending energy, just to keep from being swept downstream, and their metabolism is slow because of the water temperature, it means that catching them can be very difficult. A good rule of thumb for cold weather trout fishing is to use baits and lures that are really small or really large. The bottom line is that trout eat much less when their metabolism is slow, so when they feed they want it to be easy to get. They don't want to expend much energy.

This is why when ice fishing for trout, you don't move your rod tip very much. The trout will get scared off by something moving around too much.
They know that the water's too cold for much activity. Cold weather trout fishing can be a real challenge. Remember to downsize your baits and/or lures as much as possible, and don't expect many voracious hits. The trout just aren't active enough.

During cold weather when the trout's metabolism is slow it's a great idea to be fishing at the most opportune times. What do I mean by this? Simple.

by Marilyn Burton

My dad and a few of his close friends decided to take a week s fishing trip, and what better place to go than Okatibbee Lake in Mississippi.

Dad had just bought some new fishing gear, a Daiwa rod and reel combo and an Okuma rod and reel combo, which he proudly showed off to his friends.

On the second day into the trip after very successful first day fishing, they had caught bass and bream plus a couple of small catfish. Cyril hooked what felt like a large fish, it gave him a great fight, the boys were there ready with the net to help pull in the fish. As he reeled it in closer to the boat they were all very excited seeing it was probably about a 12lb catfish. In all the excitement just as they managed to net the catfish Cyril s false teeth fell out of his mouth into the lake. Whilst everyone else was ecstatic about the catch Cyril s excitement waned with the loss of his teeth and the thought of spending five more days toothless.
Nothing the boys could do would cheer him up as he went off to the other end of the boat to console himself.

Next day Ross pulled in a rather large catfish and the boys decided to play a trick on Cyril in an attempt to cheer him up. Sam took his false teeth out and put them in the catfish s mouth. The boys shouted to Cyril to say they had found his false teeth. He rushed over saw the false teeth got real excited took them out of the catfish s mouth had a good look and said nah these aren’t mine and threw them back into the lake.

So if anyone needs false teeth go fishing in Okatibbee Lake!

EMAIL: admin@fishinggearusa.com
URL: http://www.fishinggearusa.com

Some people climb mountains, while others race cars or motorcycles. Then there s a rare breed that actually ride bulls to achieve their thrills. I prefer to get my adrenaline rush by pitching and flipping the thickest cover I can find for largemouth bass. Other fishermen like me know the experience can often be over quicker than an 8 second bull ride. It doesn t matter because for me, there is nothing more thrilling than having a 10 pound plus largemouth on a short, tight leash that doesn t want to be controlled.

When searching for trophy largemouth, I locate the most burley brush piles, thickest weed beds, gnarly log jams and nastiest rock piles in the lake. If it has danger written all over it, then you have located some promising water to investigate. Veteran bass prefer to locate their haunts adjacent to deep water access so they will always have plan B for an escape route.