Daniel Ambrose answers:

I’ve been on the pier during Salmon runs and almost everyone fishing for salmon catches at least one and others along the pier are always willing to help land them and lookers-on galore. But the best times that they bite are mornings and evenings. Have caught several good
sized Lake Perch there myself. Also DNR regularly patrols, so make sure you have your salmon stamp with you!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I’d suggest you troll for them using spinner lures like Blue Fox in the larger sizes. You could cast fo them also, using the same lure. Color is a crapshoot. Ask the locals what works best.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I ain’t too familiar with Salmon or Lake Trout but, i am pretty familiar when it comes to Rainbows. I would try just a handful of lures starting out when fishing it, and as you mentioned the float n’ fly and spoons are great lures.

I would use an in line spinner for the rainbow trout. I like the rooster tail in a 1/8 oz. And have had luck with the white pattern.

I’d try a small, shallow running crankbait like the Strike King Bitsy Minnow. It has some nice colors too, like Sexy Shad, Crayfish and others.

Then i would end up trying a float n’ fly using a pop eye jig. Those always work when nothing else is getting hits on.

Fisher, i wish i knew a little about Lakers and Salmon, but from me being from Kentucky, i have little access to any fishing of those species.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Check out this website:

http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/how-to-fish

This will give you some good tips as well as show how to do all sorts of knots. The Palomar is the the easiest, and it’s never failed on me. The improved clinch knot is also very popular among anglers.

As far as threading a fishing line, just put it up through the holes. Pull out enough line after it is threaded in order to put your bobber on (if you are using one, I suggest the slip bobber if you are) at the depth you want plus enough line to tie your lure or hook on. Use your preferred knot from the website to tie it on.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Opinions will vary but a rod using an IM-7 blank will work fine. As for a reel that’s up to you you could go fairly cheap and get a mitchell or more expensive and get a shimano or any other yuppie brand. As long as you have decent strength line you should do fine. Please do not try to use any line less than 10 LB test.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Go to the local shop that specializes in fly fishing equipment in your area. The salmon/ steelhead gear is heavier duty than a trout rod. All are fun and fairly easy to learn for the basics, but may take years to become a master at the sport. For a child’s size rod, I suggest a fly rod for trout about 7 foot in a 6-7 weight. For you a length of 7-8 feet and a 7-9 weight. The shop personnel can explain all of these terms. Buy a couple of fly fishing magazines and do some reading. The sport is great. If you really want to get a head of the curve on fly fishing I strongly recommend this Fly Fishing Guide

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Owlcroft, some people believe that vegetarians can eat seafood, some however, prefer to call them pescetarians, some say that a person who eats fish is not a vegetarian at all.
Therefore, this could be the right category, depending on how you look at it.
Regarding your question, you can find tons of recipes online But I am very fond of this Fish Recipe Guide

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Hi there… As a HUGE fish connesseur and avid cook, you want to start with a very mild, flaky white fish. Something like a Tilipia, Halibut or Orange Roughy. Happy eating!! And try this Great Fish Recipe Guide Bon Appétit

Daniel Ambrose answers:

There are a number of commercially prepared catfish baits that work quite well. Usually, the stinkier the better, as catfish feed by smell. But, I have found that the best baits are those you make yourself.

For a good homemade bait, try chicken livers. I take about a pound of chicken livers, place them in a plastic container with a cover, and set them outside (not in direct sun) to “cure” for a day or two. You want the meat to spoil, but not dry out. Keep it moist. Once it smells reasonably “bad”, chop up some garlic cloves, mix them in with the livers, and refrigerate them at least 2-3 days before using them as bait. All this odoriferous concoction should be (usually) irresistible to catfish.

If you’re after really big fish, make sure that your rod, reel and fishing line are heavy enough to handle the strain. 20# test should be minimum if the fish are that big.

For a catfish rig, tie a size 1/0 3-way swivel to the end of your line. To one of the swivel loops, tie about a 6″ piece of leader (of lighter # test than your fishing line) and tie your sinker to the end of this. Using lighter line for this dropper leader will cause it to break first if your sinker hangs up, thereby saving the rest of the rig and losing only the sinker.

To the remaining swivel loop, tie about a 30″ leader (use a piece of your fishing line). To the end of this leader, tie a good sized treble hook (try a size #2 or #1). Bait your hook up with as many chicken livers as you can to make a ball somewhere about the size of a golf ball. You can even tie some to the shank of the hook with light monofilament line to make a chunkier ball of bait.

Cast this out from shore, into a likely looking pool of deeper water. You’ll be fishing on the bottom, where the catfish prowl for food. If you’re fishing a river, make sure your sinker is heavy enough to hold your bait in one place.

There are a number of variations on this catfish rig, but this basic setup will get you going.

There are catchable catfish out there!! Good luck!!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Ask some of the other fishermen or tackle shops but use live bait for flatheads. A bluegill or fair sized shad should work just fine. Big hook, strong tackle. Bullheads work also.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Your wanting to explain this in reference to a flathead catfish?

The question is slightly confusing, but I think if you are discussing this from the point of an ecosystem and how it relates to a flathead catfish, you need to think of what effects the life of that catfish.

Its food, natural predetors, what competes for the same types of food, environmental issues that might improve or hinder its existance, what sorts of things it needs for its habitat, etc.

By evaluating those organisms it should give you some direction about how it would be effected for the catfish as well as for other species. If you clarify your question some I’ll be happy to think more on the question.

EDITIED:

By the way I love the cut and paste below that really didn’t answer much of anything.

It is a pretty common assumption that within any ecosystem there is a fixed amount of resources. So obviously introducing any number of a new species takes those resources away from the native species. Obviously, the greater the number of the invasive species will mean less resources for the native species.

It is also noted that you should take in consideration the reproduction rate of the catfish compared to the rivaled native species. By rival species I mean the native species that is most like the catfish in terms of resources consumed. This comparable species is the one that will be most effected by the introduction of a new species.

If the invasive species reproduces faster, consumes more resources on a daily basis or has less common preditors this will give you a good concept of its effect on the native species.

If the native species finds the competition too harsh, resources too few or any other difficulties it might be likely for the native species to migrate out of its current ecosystem due to the hardship put upon it by the invasive species. (Catfish)

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Only use large live fish like charlie said. He listed most of the good ones. I know guys who use goldfish too. Dont waste your time with livers or shad guts or worms or dough bait. Flatheads are predators, especially big ones. Live fish is your best bet.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Enter the terms in “search” and Merriam-Webster will tell you the difference.

Http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lake

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I am as deep as a puddle.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

The action of a river/stream wherein sediments are deposited is called siltation.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

It is effectively a river, in one way of looking at things, yes. It just has ill-defined boundaries (no real physical banks like a river on land has).

Small density differences on the large scale are the primary driving force of the motion.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I suppose sitting back in the evening light when all the animals, large and small, have been fed and bedded down on good thick straw.Just the sound of chewing,,,no hassle and I share that feeling of contentment.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

U

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Yea I would go with that Shakespeare Ugly Stik. It’s priced right and available in every Wal-Mart plus is a very strong durable rod. I just bought a Abu Garcia spin cast reel for crappie and trout fishing. It’s model #276Ui under spin and was $35. I am very happy with this reel and would recommend to people who don’t like bait cast and spinning reels. It came pre-spooled with 8lb test and if I got lazy one day and didnt want to throw my bait caster I would feel confident catching bass with this reel.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Get her some pampering at a spa or salon. I would go with a manicure facial package. That way someone is taking care of her for a change!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

What island will you be on? Slips and mooring space are virtually non-existent in HI. Be sure you have secured a place to keep your boat before you go out and buy something. Most of the marinas in HI are state owned and are beyond dilapidated. There are a few private marinas that I think are almar properties. My experience with almar is not good and I would avoid them if at all possible. They have rules on top of rules to enforce the rules that they use to control you. That said, if you can find the space you need, then find the boat that suits your needs. Remember fuel is really spendy in the 808 state so a small diesel would be wise. Unless you are going far offshore and want to get there in a hurry and your bucket of money is bottomless.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Sport fishing and travel are both hurting during this economic crisis.. I note there was no funds for this in the recent economic stimulus bill. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, and caught some fish…..i recommend that you use the booking agent you trust, and have a good trip. The Big boats will have to adjust if they want to survive…..

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Iboats.com is a good place.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

If you know how to fillet a fish it’s always better to do it yourself. I saw someone catch a 30# Red Drum and she had the fish cleaner fillet it for her. She went home with much less fish than she should have. Fish cleaners charge by the pound and they weigh it before they clean it. Some cleaners are better than others, but I trust my own skill much better.
Really it all depends on the cleaner. I would guess that for a 30 pound fish you would probably take home 15-18 pounds at the most with a good cleaner. You’ll loose a lot just from the guts, bones, and head.
Sometimes, for some people, it’s just less hassle to let them do the dirty work.
Good luck! Hope this helps!