Daniel Ambrose answers:

Calico (kelp) bass are only native to the west coast. Some people think they’re “talent” fish, but really they’re not that hard to catch.

I’ve got them on just about everything — anchovies, sardines, jacksmelt, queenfish, tomcod, lizardfish, shiner perch, butterfish, squid, mackerel, jack mackerel. Plastics: Scampi, Shabby Shrimp, Kelp Kritter, Worm King, Big Hammer, AA, Mister Twister. All sorts of iron jigs, from Tady 45s on down. Even got some on Sabiki rigs. You can get them flylining on the surface, casting off rocks in the surf, or 100 feet down with 6 ounces of weight. You can find them in open water (generally following bait), but they’re most often hanging around rocks (more so than kelp).

In general, I prefer 12-15 pound line (20 with big baits like squid or mackerel). I like conventional gear, but lots of people use baitcasters or spinning gear. You want tackle you’re comfortable with to flyline a sardine or cast a plastic, or of they’re not on the surface, work a bait on the bottom with a couple ounces of lead. But you have to be ready to adapt — if they’re keyed on one bait, or one color of artificial, or one depth, you have to find it and switch. But that goes for just about any kind of fishing.

Freshwater bass guys tend to enjoy fishing for them — you can use the same tackle and similar tactics, and the fish are pretty much the same size. And they’re tough enough to handle catch and release. As one of the few fish which have been protected from commercial fishing (for over 50 years now), there are plenty of them around.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Hey Brandon. Thanks bro. Coming from you that is quite a compliment.
I have only posted here. Bass Fisherman get credit for turning me into a bassresource.com junkie. It really has some of the best info on the web.
I am working on my 360 page getting together good fishing sites and other interests (nothing can compete with bass fishing) I’d like to share and will soon have it ready for public viewing.
You keep up the excellent work. We need more people like you on Yahoo Q&A!

Edit:
Brandon, Injun,…any others maybe you can suggest a few good forums to me. Always open to suggestion.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Fish never stop feeding; therefore, you can catch them all year long. Many people (including myself) fish year round. Being out on the lake with sheets of ice isn’t out of the ordinary for me.

You have to be patient though. Their metabolism slows way down, which makes them very sluggish. In most cases, you’ll need to fish slow and deep in cold weather. Fish aren’t willing to chase down their prey in cold water like they are in warm water; they simply don’t have the energy to do it.

My favorite cold water lures are jig/pig combos, suspending jerkbaits, and deep diving crankbaits.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Fishing Lesser Slave Lake, w/jigs tipped with a minnow, caught ling cod, walleye or pickrel & jacks or northern pike.
Seemed to be biting jigs with a red tail.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

They all suck. Most of them are no where near being realistic.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

No, but I imagine that the only free ones would be flash or java games that aren’t fun anyways. Nothing is free.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

White river below bull shoals dam. Lots of great trout fishing and should be numerous campgrounds all through the area. Right on the river.

You’re talking about the last half of june. You had better hurry with your reservations.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

The Holston River in eastern Tenn. Is a great spot for early spring fishing. The bottom release dam at South Holston Lake keeps the water cold year ’round which really helps the trout. There are also many small streams that have trout that are near this area if you like to fish the in mountains. It’s a beautiful area with great trout fishing.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

What happened to your clams? I’ve always wanted one of them. I’ve pondered this myself and I’ve never had any good ideas on how to build one though. I’ve seen people use two poles with a tarp in between but it’s just a wind block. I’ve seen people use tent’s but you have to anchor them down which makes them not as portable as a clam. If I can have one of your clams, I’ll fix the other one for you. There is another brand something like “fish trap” not sure exactly but maybe the other brand is more durable. I know how to make a nice permanent shanty but they’re not easily moved. I hope someone on here has a better answer. Good question.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Bobbers right, no seat or no floor. This thing would scare me if it were windy.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Berkly power nymphs work great but minnows are the best live bait.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

We have this same problem here in PA when they stock trout when we are trying to catch steelhead. The stockies are a big pain and we don’t want to catch them in fear of hurting them because they usuallt swallow the hook. Unfortunately about all you can do is change spots where they are not at in big numbers. If you use live bait you’re going to catch them. I find switching to lures helps a lot but you will still catch some but not as many.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

A very interesting question, you are talking about two very different fish. Catfish tend to feed mainly of the bottom, were bass are more a predatory fish that will look for and chase their pray any wear. I think if you were talking about bait fishing, well there would be little to none in difference to that. There are some great books on the subject, and if you wish, visit my blog , there is some good reading there, I hope that helps.
E.C.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

How about some Lucky Craft jerkbaits with a REAL FISH SKIN COVERING! I know you want one! Find them here along with other great bass tourney winning products like the e21 Legend Carrot Stix (30% graphite, 70% carrots!).

Http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/jerkbaits/real_skin_luckycraftjerk_78sp.htm

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/rods/e21_carrotstick.htm

The 2008 iCast show won’t be until next summer when the best of 2008 tackle will be made public. We will all be waiting with baited breath.

Edit*
The ‘Thumbs Downer’ missed me! Must be passed his bed time.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I caught 3 decent perch one day on Big Stone (lake on MN border for those who don’t know) one day. Saw thousands swim by on the camera. That was my best day. Worst day we were getting picked on by like 4 inch perch. Bobber go down and set the hook 80% of the time they didn’t have enough size to get the hook in their mouth so nothing even felt. Then bobber went down, set the hook and i’m assuming northern pulled the rod out of my hand and down the hole. Forgot to unlock the spool after transport and just wasn’t expecting any pull. Never caught anything the other times i went so 3 perch was my best day.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Nope! I went ice fishing last year, caught 80 pounds of ice and it all melted in the trunk on the way home.

;D

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Well, for a temporary shelter you can just use a tent. Some tents are designed with insulated bottom pads for ice and a few even have a cut out for fishing. See LLBean, EMS, REI, Sports Chalet, etc. For options.

A more permanent shelter can be made from wood, or insulated plastic. Many peopel have successfully used the Rubbermaid outdoor storage sheds. These are designed to store lawn ghear, but are light enough to be hauled to remote sites and assemble easily and are easy to cut out openings. Because of the insulated plastic they do make life a little more fun inside.

Or go old school and make an ice/snow shelter.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Out of the two i would go for the eastman ice cube as its a bit more sturdy and durable than the pack shack, which are probably the two most important things you want in a shelter. The pack shack is lighter in weight than the ice cube and is easyer to carry round, but i would go for the ice cube as its a better quality product overall.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Mountain streams

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Well…. Trout fishing is a very tricky thing to get good at. I’ve been fishing them since i was 5. I’m 20 now and i have some tips for you.
1. Get an Ultralight rod and reel like Quantums Xtralight setups, they’re cheap and very worth it. 4 lb. Test is good
2. Fishing in early morning and at late afternoon is best, but you can catch them anytime.
3. Use natural looking baits or something very bright. I would reccomend Mepps Rooster tail spinners for the calmer sections, or a Pheobe (At walmart)
4. Live bait is best, prefferably nightcrawlers or Meal worms with a size 6 snelled eagleclaw hook, and small splitshot sinkers (check local laws for lead use) and if you cant they make steel ones.
5. Dont cast your shadow on the stream as this will defenitley spook them! And dont make much noise cause they are sensitive.
6. Watch the rapids and select a course that your line will travel. Trout also hide where rocks in the middle of the stream split the current in half, they will be on the calm side of the rock.
7. If the stream is low the trout will be in the deep pools. If the stream is rippin after a big rain they will be harder to find.
8. Cast up-stream and pull the slack out of your line and just let it drift down-stream, feeling for a bite, they dont bite hard and long so be ready to feel it and set the hook (not to hard)
9. Remember to cast in the same spot 4 or 5 times as the trout will come out of hiding and then bite. Give them time to react.

If this dont work i dont know what will, i’ve caught tons of trout