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How to Remove a Swallowed Hook

If you are utilizing plastic baits for reeling in bass, you have likely run into the problem where the fish has actually swallowed the hook before it has set.

If you have throat-hook a bass, it may be your natural reaction to simply rip it out of the fish to get it back.

There is a much better and more efficient way to remove the hook however that will help keep both the fish and the hook more intact that an aggressive pull will do.

What You'll Need

-Pliers

-A flashlight (if you have caught the fish at dusk or night)

Locating the Hook

The first step is to open the fishes' jaw and see where exactly the hook has become lodged.

If the hook is slightly into the throat or gullet area where you can still grip it easily, you can simply give it a slight pull and it should become dislodged from the fish.

If you see that the hook is stuck deeper or farther down the throat of the fish, you will need to break out the pliers to properly remove this piece of equipment.

When the hook is sunk in deep on the fish, the first step is to locate which side the hook shank is on. This will help direct you in the successful removal of the hook itself.

Removing the Hook 

Open up the last gill flap on the fish to give yourself a good access point on the base of the hook. With one or two fingers, work the hook back and forth on the hook eye.

This method will help turn the hook back toward the mouth of the fish so you can have a better angle and more hook to work with one removal. When doing this, the hook should be rotating back to the side of the fish to push the barb toward the inside part of the fishes' mouth

Once you have done this, the hook should be freed up enough to where you can take your fingers and simply pull it out of the fishes' throat.

When working on a fish that has a much smaller mouth, this is where you can use your set of needle nose pliers to grab the hook and slowly work it out of the mouth of the fish till it is free.

If you do not want to do the initial step of working the hook free with your fingers on the gill of the fish, simply taking the pliers and slowly working it out away from the side of the mouth of the fish will get the job done.

Follow these simple steps and you can unhook a fish in no time at all.

A Parent's Guide to Taking Your Kids Fishing

A tradition that has been passed down to kids by their parents for generations, fishing is one of America's favorite outdoor activities and is a great way to encourage quality family time.

There is never a bad time to get your kids introduced to fishing, so getting them started young is the perfect way to create a fun and exciting foundation for them.

If you are looking to introduce your children to this fantastic activity, here are a few helpful tips for their first few outings.

Slow and Steady

If you are taking your toddler out on the water for the first time, you likely aren't going to be reeling in any fish right off the bat.

This is the time to teach them the ropes and the very basics of fishing, as well as simple rules of safety and catching.

Just getting them out on the boat or walking along the shore will help to spark their interest and get them more excited about the prospect of catching fish.

Safety First

If you have a younger child you are introducing to fishing, keeping them safe should be your number one priority.

For those going out on the water in a small boat or even a kayak, having your child's life vest on before you get in the boat is vitally important.

If you find yourself simply fishing along the shoreline, be sure to keep an eye on them and consider a life vest for the smaller kids in case they happen to fall into the water.

Keep Your Kids Occupied

While fishing for hours on end may be relaxing and enjoyable to you, your kids may get bored with it far sooner than you will.

Be sure to have some other activities for your kids to do either on the shoreline or to keep them busy when you are out on the boat.

If your child can only stand to be on the water for 30 minutes at a time, bring the boat in for a little bit and do something on the shoreline that they enjoy before going back out for another little outing.

Stay Fueled

If you take your kids out on a hot day, they are going to get tired and dehydrated sooner than later. Be sure to keep an adequate stock of water and food with you to keep them going so they continue to enjoy the day with you.

From sandwiches to fruit to sports drinks, having all of this on hand will help you out and lead to them having a more enjoyable day.

Catching the First Fish

When your child does catch their first fish, be sure to celebrate and commemorate the moment with a family photo as it is one they won't ever forget.

Follow these tips and tricks and you are sure to hook your kids on fishing in no time.

What To Do When Fishing in Muddy Water

While you can dream of perfect conditions for each one of your fishing outings, unfortunately it simply isn't meant to be and you are bound to hit spots that have muddy water which can make fishing much more difficult.

Fishing in muddy water doesn't mean you have to go home empty handed if you follow the right steps and strategies.

From the type of bait and lure you use, how shallow the water is, and even your casting angle and speed, there are a wide range of elements that factor into successful fishing in muddy water.

Types of Lures

When fishing in muddy water, arguably the most important factor in this process is the type of lure you use.

Since there is less visibility under the water for the fish, you have to utilize a lure that can really stand out or plays to their other senses in the water.

Harnessing sound in different baits is one of the best ways you can attract fish when their sight is hindered by the water.

By using a rattle on a jig lure, you can give the lure a little flick with your wrist as you slowly pull it through the water to make a clicking sound that the fish can track by ear.

A classic spinnerbait is another outstanding option to use in murky water as the blade creates a vibration when it hits the water and moves through it that fish, specifically bass, can track and listen to.

If none of these baits are up to your liking, using colored crankbaits or a dark jig can provide a lure that is much easier to see in the murky waters so you can still attract the fish by eyesight.

Where to Fish on the Water

As important as it is to use the correct lures, finding the fish is even more important. If you are casting in areas where it is unlikely to find fish, you will never reel in anything.

Depth of water is an important element to focus on as bass and other fish will attract to certain depths when the water isn't crystal clear.

A flat is a great spot to attack with your lures, roughly six feet deep and even going out to 10 or 12. While it is very difficult or impossible to see the fish in the murky waters, going after the shallower areas heightens your percentage of hooking something as there is less area that you need to cover and grasp for.

By staying closer to the shoreline where there is some cover in tall grasses on the edge will typically provide you with a good hot spot to reel in a good amount of fish even on a day where you can't even see your own hand in the water.

Follow some of these simple tips and tricks and you can reel in the fish no matter what the water conditions are.

How to Catch Pike

If you find yourself fishing in the northern part of the United States or very southern regions of Canada, one of the more popular fish you may be going after is northern pike.

The best time of the year to go after these fish is typically in May in these regions as they have recovered from spawning and are typically found in abundance in the shallower windows.

These potentially aggressive fish can be a task to handle so it is best to come fully prepared with all the correct gear and knowing what to expect.

What Gear to Bring

No matter what kind of game fish you are going after, using the right gear is essential to reeling in as many as you possibly can.

When going after the northern pike, the first thing to consider is the type of rod you are going to be using. These fish are strong and can really put up a fight, so investing in a longer rod with medium to heavy action is ideal for handling the strength and speed of the pike but can still give you the feel and control that you need.

As far as the line you should be using, a monofilament or braided fishing line that can handle anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds is going to be the ideal investment for this type of fishing.

Bait and Lures

Just like any other fish, the pike tends to go after certain bait over others. When going after this game fish, the best option to have in your arsenal is live bait. These predators tend to be more attracted to smaller fish such as minnows, making these the ideal bait to use on the end of your line. You can however, still use dead bait and find a great deal of success.

While the pike enjoys feeding on the smaller fish, these scavenger fish will essentially bite at anything you put into the water, which is why both live and dead bait will typically be very successful.

As far as colors are concerned on your lures, pike usually go after yellow, white, and a lighter red as they can resemble the smaller fish they usually hunt.

Different types of lures you can use to hunt pike include, but are not limited to:

• In-Line Spinner: These lighter lures can be cast out a long ways so you can hit spots that are further out of reach where the pike might be lurking. This tool also contains more blades on it which can really reflect off of the water and sunlight, making them a very attractive piece for the game fish to go after.
• Spinnerbait: This classic lure is perfect in a white form that features a twist tail as it possesses a lot of action that the pike is easily attracted to.
• Surface Plug: If you are utilizing topwater lures, you can't go wrong with a surface plug. With styles that resemble small minnows, these lures are a great attraction for the pike to go after.

Follow these simple tips and you should be reeling in the northern pike in no time.

Health Benefits of Fishing

For many, fishing is a personal escape that provides great benefits for your mind and soul in the calming atmosphere.

Did you know that fishing is also an excellent physical activity as well?

Yes, if you are looking to keep your physical and mental body in shape and prolong your overall health, fishing is one of the best activities you can be regularly involved in.

Physical Benefits

If you are genuinely proactive and conscious about your fishing habits, this can be a great way to keep your physical body in great shape.

If you are lounging back in a lawn chair on the side of the pond with your line just sitting there however, you are not going to find too many physical health benefits from doing this for several hours.

If you are able to, consider going to a more remote location for your fishing where you have to hike back to a pond or river a couple of miles in.

Once you reach a spot like this, be sure you are standing up the entire time you are fishing and try and move around to different areas on the water. By constantly moving your body and finding different locations, you will not only increase your chances of catching a fish, but better your physical body.

These strategies can do wonders for your heart health, but you can also do great work for the rest of your body such as getting quality muscle workouts, exposing yourself to clean, fresh are, and getting natural vitamin D in your body from a little sun exposure.

Did you know that fishing can also have a tremendous effect on the overall health of your brain as well?

A study done in Japan showed that those who were exposed to the woods on a regular basis has significantly lower blood pressure and pulse rates.

Mental Benefits

One of the most obvious benefits for those who are fishing on a regular basis is the relaxed state of mind it puts you in. The calmness and serenity of being out on the water or in the woods alone can relieve a lot of stress you may be aware or unaware of.

Fishing can also help you boost your critical thinking and problem solving skills, while improving your overall mental fortitude.

If you haven't caught a fish in a while or keep hooking the same one and can't reel them in, this is naturally going to test your patience and overall mental strength.

Scenarios like this can help you figure out different ways to attack the fish from different angles and come up with alternative strategies in order to put yourself in the best possible position to catch the fish.

Once you do reel that big game in, your confidence can be boosted tremendously, which can lead to better performance in other areas of your life.

As the old saying goes, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.

What is a Trash Fish?

If you have been fishing for game fish for a while, there is probably a good chance you have reeled in a few trash fish here and there.

When trying to reel in big bass, many of these trash fish tend to go after the same bait and lures you are trying to catch your game fish with, making it easy to hook a few.

What Is a Trash Fish?

A trash fish is a species that is generally considered as inedible or having no food value.

Many fishermen though, simply consider any fish they are not purposely trying to catch as a trash fish.

Ironically, these species actually play a large and very vital role in keeping the underwater ecosystem balanced and thriving.

What Species Are Considered Trash Fish?

There are many different kinds of fish that are considered to be trash fish, but there are a few that seem to be a little more common and prevalent than others.

If you are fishing in freshwater, one of the common ones you may come by is a bowfin.

The bowfin is usually caught when you are going after other groups such as bass, but they will typically go after anything from minnows, lures, and plastic worms.

Other popular types you may come by are gar.

This fish that looks like its straight out of Jurassic Park will put up quite a fight if you actually hook one as they long, sharp teeth with easily cut through your line.

If you do happen to come across one of these guys though, you may have a pretty cool photo opportunity on your hands.

If you are really up for a fight at the end of your line, then hope that you come across a freshwater drum.

A fish that will put up just as a strong of a fight as any bass you will ever hook, these are very large fish that have an incredible amount of endurance to really give you a test of your patience and strength.

What To Do With Trash Fish

While it is not the traditional practice to consume these kinds of fish, you can in fact eat them if you like.

The term "trash fish" has been coined by many commercial fisherman that find them in their nets of swordfish and shrimp and spread to the everyday fisherman focused on going after their bass and trout.

If you do catch some of these species though, many people have reported them to be very tasty.

If you are feeling a little too uneasy about eating something that is nicknamed "trash," you should have no problem simply releasing it back into the water and going about your business.

So the next time you are out on the water, keep an eye out for these unique species. You may be surprised at what you reel in next.