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How Does the Wind Affect Your Fishing

Every fisherman experiences different kinds of weather and elements. While we all want a calm, sunny day where the water is smooth and calm, unfortunately, the windy days are bound to happen. Preparing yourself for the wind and knowing how to adjust to it is key if you are wanting to still reel in a bunch of fish on the day. From issues you might face, to knowing how to battle and compensate for them, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you bring in more fish no matter what the weather conditions.

When a strong wind comes up and you do decide to go out on the water anyway, there are a few things to take into account to adjust to the new challenge. A great place to fish from when you are in a strong wind is simply to stay on the shoreline. Many smaller fish can find themselves caught against the edge as the strong wind can confuse their movement, giving you ample opportunity to pick a few of them off. If you venture our just beyond those shores in your boat, you may also be able to pick off larger fish going after the baitfish that are trapped by the shoreline.

Lines and reels are not the heaviest pieces of equipment in the world, making casting in the wind a bit tricky and difficult to master. As far as specific casting technique is concerned, you will likely want to abandon the overhead lofted toss, and opt for a lower sidearm flick that will just skim across the water's edge. By keeping it below the wind, you can still direct your bait and hit your spots where the fish are.

If you do find yourself out on a boat in the wind, anchoring is a great option to help with your casting struggles as you will be able to stay in one place much easier when doing your sidearm casts. If this isn't an option, an electric motor can help keep you in one spot so you don't drift out into areas where the fish are not abundant or you can get yourself into danger. If you are out on the water in a boat, be aware that strong winds can make this a much more dangerous activity so being aware of your surroundings is key.

Follow some of these simple tips and you will be able to be successful in any kind of wind.

How to Troll for Trout

If you are fishing for trout and happen to come across a spot where are large amount of them have gathered, consider yourself a lucky fisherman. In this situation, mastering the technique of trolling with a simple worm harness can prove to be a very beneficial method for you. There are many different techniques and theories about what the best one is when trolling with trout, so trying several of them out and finding which one works best for you may be the wisest option for the success of your fishing expeditions.

One of the fun and more unique techniques out there is called the three way swivel technique and has proven to be far more successful than using more traditional methods such as steel line and bait walkers. In order to pull off this technique, you will need some sort of lighter action rod that uses either a 6-pound or 8-pound line so it is strong enough to reel in the fish but light enough to where you can really manipulate it the way that you need to. To complete this setup, you will need three-way swivels that weight either one or two ounces. This will all depend on how deep below the surface the trout are residing.

Another popular technique is the art of downrigger trolling as you can really pull in some larger fish with this successful method. If you are going after the trophy size fish that you can really be proud of, this method is likely the best choice for you to go with. For successful downrigger trolling, you can drop your lure up to 45 feet deep during the summer months to go after the big ones. You should also focus on casting out several feet beyond where the fish are congregated so you can pull the lure through the area.

One more productive method to try out when trout trolling is the dead drift technique. By tying up the hook and bait it successfully, you can simply add a couple of split shots roughly two feet above the hook. You should make sure the wind is hitting you at a 90 degree angle if you are in a boat so you can ensure you move at a smooth speed that won't startle the fish. Find the right weight through adjustment and you should be reeling in the trout in no time.

The summer is the perfect time for hauling in trout, so implement a few of these simple tips and tricks for a successful season.

Kayak of the Month: Jackson Kayak Cuda 12

The sport of kayak fishing is one that has taken off in a big way over the past few years and hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. If you are getting into this sport, investing in a high quality kayak is an essential first step for those really wanting to get serious about fishing with this style. If you are getting into the sport, one of the best models available on the market today is the Jackson Kayak Cuda 12 from Jackson Kayak. An innovative leader in design and performance, this kayak stands out from the crowd as one of the best products of its kind.

Much like the Cuda 14 from Jackson Kayak, the 12 is a smaller version that is ideal for lakes, rivers, and oceans as it is a little easier to maneuver for the fisherman. Known as the best "all around" model available from Jackson, the Cuda 12 has some of the best features of any kayak on the market today while being one of the most functional and efficient out there. Some of the big features available with this kayak include rod tip covers, side and rear tackle stagers, a center storage hatch with fish cooler accessory, and a rear seating position which creates more room for you than any other kayak.

This outstanding model comes complete with two combo bulkhead/flat surface base with a plunger for spline posts, RAM 2007 rod holder, rod tip cover on the bow, even a GoPro mount for the fisherman looking to capture all there feats on video. Weighing at just 68 pounds with a length of 12 feet-6 inches and width of 31 inches, this is easily one of the best mobile kayaks on the market today as the shorter and lighter body allows for easy storage and great agility on the water.

One of the best features about the Cuda 12 is the new Elite Seat 2.0 specifically from Jackson's Kayak. Creating one of the most durable and comfortable seating experiences on any kayak around. With a state of the art ergonomic design and the one of a kind Therm-aRest lumbar pad to create one of the most luxurious and functional seats on the market today.

If you are looking to get serious about kayak fishing, look no further than the Cuda 12 to meet all your kayak fishing needs. The ideal combination of function and style, this is the perfect kayak for anyone.

How to Hook and Weight a Fishing Pole

If it is your first time fishing, there may be a lot more elements that factor into the process than you originally realize. From picking out the right bait and lures for different types of fish, to selecting the right pole and reel combination, there are many things to take into account when creating the perfect setup. If you have not been fishing long, or maybe it is your first time out, weighting a fishing pole and securing the hook to it make be foreign territory. For the first time fisher, here are some helpful tips and tricks to get you setup for success in your fishing endeavors.

For the first time fisherman, fishing with a sinker or weighted line may seem like a strange or unfamiliar style of fishing, but it can prove to be a very successful type of fishing that can really reel in more fish with the attractive aesthetics of the hook and sinker. Hooking and weighting a line can be a tricky task, so figuring out the right way to do it is key to your success.

Tying the right knot and securing the hook to the line is the first step in successfully setting up your fishing line and pole. A clinched knot is one of the simplest and best ones you can use for securing a hook to the end of your line, and mastering this one is a great thing to do in order to be successful on your fishing trips. The first element of this knot is to feed about 6 inches of line through the eye of the hook and feed it back alongside the line. You should then wrap the line around the hook several times to hold it down tightly. You can then guide the line back through the loop formed as it creates a smaller loop as well. Pass the line through the larger loop now and tie the line tight and cut the extra line.

When adding the weight to the line, apply the sinkers roughly a foot and a half above the hook itself. Pass the line through the opening of the sinker and pinch it shut tightly with either your hand or a pair of pliers to make sure it is fastened as securely as possible. Once you have the hook tied and the sinker secured, you are ready to hit the water. Make sure everything is in place before casting, and happy fishing!

Tips for Shore Bass Fishing

Fishermen will be hitting the water more and more this summer as the warm weather approaches, creating ideal conditions for shore line fishing. The traditional fishing strategy that you probably started out with as a kid, this way of fishing is one of the most ideal ways to reel in bass when the weather is nice out. As fish tend to migrate to warmer water, which is more common in shallow areas, this makes shore line fishing one of the best ways to haul in some great catches. If you are doing some shore bass fishing this year, here are a few helpful tips and tricks to make your outings even more successful.

While you may not think about it too often, successful bank fishing starts with what you are wearing. If you wear darker clothes when fishing on the shore line, the less likely the fish are to notice your presence when they are seeking out food at the surface of the water. If you are dressed in brightly colored clothes and are standing near the water, the color may be a distracting sight on the horizon for the fish, and they will ignore your lure or bait entirely.

Another key to being successful in hauling in bass in the shallower areas is the keep your lure or bait in the same position for away from the bank for as long as possible. By casting parallel to the bank instead of perpendicular, you can run your bait along the same depth of water for a long stretch of space, boosting your chances of a catch in these shallower areas where larger bass are often likely to be hanging out in.

Many fishermen enjoy this sport because of the calmness and tranquility of it. When it comes to bank fishing for bass, this element of fishing is of utmost important. The quieter you are, the less likely you are to cause a distraction to the fish in the shallower areas where you are targeting them, a place where they are far more likely to see or hear you. Keeping quiet also means keeping a decent distance between you are and the water itself. By keeping yourself several feet back, instead of getting right down by the water, will reduce the chances of your disturbing the surface with anything other than your lure. By keeping your distance and keeping quiet, the closer the fish will stay to shore.

Top 5 Fishing Terms You Might Not Know

The sport of fishing is known to many people around the world, but there are many technical terms out there that many anglers don't know about. From different types of baiting, to specific styles of casting and reeling in, here are some of the top terms you might not know about, and could help your fishing success down the road.

#1 Chumming

In this article from Ultimate Animals, they describe the strategy of chumming and how it is a scent trail that helps attract fish, specifically larger fish. You will usually see shark operators and research vessels using this method as they can attract the animals they are going after and bring them to them. To learn more about the strategy of chumming, you can  read the article in its entirety here.

#2 Trolling

This article from the International Game Fish Association gives the reader some great insight on how they can troll fish with bait and lures when going after big game fish. Figuring out where to position the bait behind your boat and how fast you should be trolling are two of the biggest factors to take into account, and this article answers those questions and more.  You can check out the full article on successful trolling speed and bait position here.

#3 Dry Fly Fishing

Dry fly fishing is one of the most recognizable fishing techniques, and is also one of the most difficult there is. In this article from the University of Kentucky, they discuss some of the general information about dry fly fishing, as well as some of the specific tactics to implement that will help the fish grab your lure out of everything else floating by. You can  check out the full article here.

#4 Leader Line

In this article from Thundermist Fishing Tips, they discuss what exactly a leader line is, what sets it apart from other types of fishing, and when and where you should use it to have the most successful fishing experience possible.

#5 Tippet

Mastering the art of fly fishing can be a very difficult task, which is why the folks at Big Fish Tackle have decided to help you become the best fly fisher you can be. In this video, they explain the fly fishing tippet and how this smaller piece of fishing line helps lead the rest of your line and can help catch more fish in the process. You can check out the full video right here.