Daniel Ambrose answers:

The Shakespeare uglystick! Really strong and tough!

29.99 at most walmart’s or dicks sporting goods.

Http://ah.pricegrabber.com/product_image.php?masterid=4424683&width=400&height=400

-Alex

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Toss a nightcrawler (worm) on a hook with a sinker and toss it out. Let it sit on the bottom and wait for a tap on the line. Set the hook and youre good to go. Pretty easy stuff. Thats the most simple rig I can think of.

Good luck and let the big ones go!!!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

OK, Kid, here’s how you can catch Largemouth bass like a pro.
Strip whatever line off of your reel, for starters, and we’ll go from there.
I’ve been fishing on & off for about 50 yrs.(since I was about 4 yrs old), and I’ve tried just about everything that they have put out on the market, except for some of the exotic, and the really expensive ticket items that are still out of my price range.
I don’t know what type of rod & reel you have, but having a good one is just as important to the trip as having fun is.
So here is what I’ve done, & I continue to use this set-up as recent as last weekend.
I purchased a “Rhino”, “Indestructible” 2 – piece, open-face rod @ Walmart, $20.00. (ask for help if you need it.)
Next, I bought a Shakespeare, open-faced reel that has 10 ball-bearings @ (Yes, you guessed it, Walmart, cost: $35.00.)

A really good line is imperative if you’re fishing around stumps, weeds, & through heavy moss, (HINT: This is where the fish are). I got really tired of fighting good sized fish, only to lose them in the heavy moss that I’ve had to drag them through, and breaking off due to the weight of the fish, plus the weight of the weeds/moss is most discouraging.
I found a line that works well in the toughest cover is the 20 lb. Test, braided “Spiderwire” is worth the dough you’ve got to cough up for it,….. But there is a one, must follow rule to using this line, …….. When 1st spooling the line onto the reel, it has to be wrapped onto the spool really tight, as it has a tendency to bind up, (like locking your fingers together), once that is accomplished, you’re almost ready to start fishing, and the braided 20 # line has only the diameter of 6 # mono, so you get the casting distance of the 6 lb. Line with a given 20 lb. Test strength. ( And once again, Walmart, for about $12.00.)

Finally, we are @ the part that is going to pay off in some good dividends. Go to Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Gander Mtn., or a local bait shop, (and the latter might be your best bet), and purchase 2 items. One is a pack of “Mister Twister” “Keeper” hooks, size 5/0, which is, while being a large hook, remind yourself that your fishing for “Ol’ Bucketmouth”, (and I caught one about a month ago that swallowed an eight inch bluegill). Cost? About $3.00.
The final item to purchase will cost you about $3.99 per package, but this is where the fun turns to being a serious fisherman, fisherperson, whatever. I buy the Berkeley 10″(inch), “Original” Powerbait Worms, in Black, Red Liver, Black/Blue tail, Blue Fleck, & Green Pumpkinseed, and Black is my alltime favorite, as they just hate the sight of some predators, and believe me, they hate the color black most. I’ve never seen one lure, used day or night, that has gotten the strikes that I’ve had using the black 10″ worm.
Hooking the worm is basically self-explanatory, just so the tail rides upwards.

The technique: Very simply it’s all about patience, practiced patience, something that I was never really good @ until I was shown how to catch bass. Pick a likely spot that bass should be using for cover, something like a submerged tree stump, a grass line in the water, or even casting down the length of the shoreline as you approach the area that you intend to fish. Once the worm has been cast, allow it to settle to the bottom, and wait, (when the worm hits the water, the splash will scare off the fish, but don’t worry, they’ll come right back to their spot in a few minutes), usually 3-4 minutes will do… No takers? Then move your rod to the 12 o’clock in front of you, take up the slack… Gently, until you feel the weight of the worm giving resistance, now twitch the rod 2-3 inches towards you, once, twice, maybe even three times, take up the slack, and repeat until you have retrieved the worm back to the rod. Cast again, repeating the above technique, and you don’t neccessarily have to cast to the same spot over and over. Using the 12 o’clock in front of you, cast 90 degrees to your right or left, parallel to the shoreline, and work all of the water back to your 12 o’clock, then move on down the shoreline just far enough that your next cast overlaps the last shoreline cast by about 1/4 th of your last shore cast from the previous spot.

It has taken me almost 35 years, along with my fishing partner, (of almost 20 years) to find ways that actually catch some of the different species of fish that I like to eat, so what I’m trying to say is that you’ll have to experiment with different techniques, products, and places to fish. A rubber mouse in black, white, gray, or brown, works well over moss covered water. And a green rubber frog works wonders around lilypads, and stumps as well, and blacl/blue skirts on a spinner blade works good in open waters.

As an added thought, show this to your parents, and maybe they can help you out with the cost, it’s around $70.00, just for one setup. And I use a lightweight belly/hip bag to stow my gear in, (worms, hooks, stringer, mosquito repellant, rain poncho (the throwaway type), something to drink, etcetera.
Also, should you catch some decent sized, (legal), fish, and decide that you would like to have them for dinner, you can email me at FastrMastrBlastr@gmail.com, and I’ll take you step by step on how to fillet them with the least amount of mess, no scaling, or gutting involved.
Goodluck & Good fishing

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Aha, some more info. South Aussie eh? Full of carp, some of the lakes are swarming with ‘em. Tons of them are netted and go for fertiliser and animal feed just to keep the numbers down.
Baitcasters take a while to get used to. Stay with a fixed spool reel, it’s a lot easier to use and it’ll do all the baitcaster will do in harbours and channels plus it’ll handle a lure or a plug far better.
Small and medium sized fixed spool reels are called spinning reels because they are just fine for the job, spinning with spinners and lures.
Really big ones are used for very long casts in big lakes and for sea fishing, especially from the shore.

Some reels look like baitcasters but they are boat and pier reels, not meant for casting with and not much good for it but just for dropping a line over the side. They are multiplier reels like baitcasters but normally have a lower retrieve ratio so you get more power per turn for handling heavy fish and raising them from deep water.
Be careful to buy the right sort if you go for a multiplier type reel.

An 8-foot medium spinning rod with a reasonably fast action tip will do you fine for all sorts of fishing, using lures and plugs, ledgers, float fishing, trolling etc.
Shakespeare and Daiwa are the most popular brands but there are plenty of others.
If you buy a combo you’ll save money and you’ll get a rod and reel matched and normally get suitable line on the reel too.
Ask in your local fishing shop and let the guy know what kind of fishing you’re doing.
Shakespeare and Daiwa both do good combos for lightweight to heavy stuff, with everything matched so you save a lot of headaches over what goes best together.
Shakespeare are part of the Pure Fishing group which has HQs in the UK, USA and Australia.
Their top class rods are called Ugly Stick and cost a fair bit but the lower ranges are also good and are very popular.
My two budget price Shakespeare rods and the Daiwa rods are many years old now and they get a lot of use. I live near the sea The competition guys like to be seen with Ugly Stick and other top names but my rods do just fine for me. I live well from the sea and the reservoir.
Have a load of fun and stay safe.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

2½ cups Japanese short-grain rice (like Koshihikari rice)
2½ cups cold water
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons superfine (caster) sugar
2 teaspoons salt
Your choice of fillings (see Sushi roll variations below)
6 sheets nori
Japanese soy sauce
Pickled ginger (gari)
Wasabi paste

PLACE the rice in a colander and rinse thoroughly under the tap until the water runs clear, then drain well. PLACE the rice and the cold water in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. COVER the saucepan, turn the heat down to very low, and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. TURN off the heat and allow to stand 10 minutes more, still covered, then spoon the rice into a large bowl. MIX together the vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves, then drizzle over the rice. MIX together gently to coat the rice with the sushi vinegar, then set aside to cool to room temperature. TOAST each nori sheet very lightly by passing back and forth quickly over a stove-top hot plate (don’t place it too close to the heat or else the delicate nori will burn).

Smoked salmon and asparagus sushi rolls. Cut 6 oz (180g) of smoked salmon into thin strips. Lightly steam 12 trimmed asparagus spears, then refresh them in cold water. Smear a small amount of wasabi in a horizontal line across the middle of each rice-topped nori sheet and arrange equal amounts of salmon and asparagus on top. Roll the sushi up and cut into 1½-inch rounds to serve.

Tuna and cucumber sushi rolls. Cut a 10 oz (300g) piece of very fresh raw tuna into thin strips. Peel and remove the seeds from half a small-sized cucumber and cut the flesh into thin strips. Smear a small amount of wasabi in a horizontal line across the middle of each rice-topped nori sheet and arrange equal amounts of tuna and cucumber on top. Roll the sushi up and cut into 1½-inch rounds to serve.

Shrimp and vegetable sushi rolls. Cut 12 large peeled, cooked shrimp (prawns) in half lengthways. Peel and remove the seeds from half a small-sized cucumber and cut the flesh into thin strips. Trim and cut 2 scallions (spring onions) into thin diagonal slices and thinly slice the flesh of ½ an avocado. Smear a small amount of wasabi in a horizontal line across the middle of each rice-topped nori sheet and arrange equal amounts of each filling on top. Roll the sushi up and cut into 1½-inch rounds to serve.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

First off, vegetarians don’t eat fish. They don’t eat any meat (fish, chicken, beef, pork, ect).
If you want to become a vegetarian, you really should just do it. Waiting and worrying about what others think about your decision will probably make you change your mind. There will always be people who support you, and there will always be people who are completely against it and disgusted with your decision.
I’d first recommend doing some research. Choose the type of vegetarian you’d like to become. Lacto-ovo vegetarians are the most popular. They don’t eat meat (including fish), but they do eat dairy products and eggs. The vegetarian pyramid is very useful: http://www.vegetariannutrition.org/food-pyramid.pdf
Make sure you’re eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, grains, beans, ect. Don’t consume too many carbohydrates. Many vegetarians actually gain weight in the beginning because they eat too many carbs. I’d recommend keeping track of what you’re eating for the first couple of weeks, aiming for 2000 calories and no more than 200 carbs.
Once you feel you know what you’re doing, approach your family in a calm and educated manner. Be prepared to defend yourself. Pick a right time to have a serious talk about your decision. One, big formal discussion is better than arguing about it every other day for 3 minutes.
And honestly once you get used to it, it’s not that hard. It’s pretty easy to adjust to.
Congrats on going veg!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

“Going silver fishing for the late run…” in December-January?
The run for silver are from mid-July through, at the latest, October.

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:

Hello there. I have lived in the “Great Lakes” area of the US. I am an avid fisherman of trout and salmon. I think the first thing to consider is to match the prey of the salmon you’re targeting. Generally, spoons, spinners, and crank baits are what we use here.

As far as equipment, I’d start with a medium action rod and an equivalent reel that has a good drag. These fish are pure muscle, and if your drag is not set properly, they will snap you off frequently.

Best of luck in your fishing.

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:

I really don’t think there is a best time in day light hours to catch flatheads.I have seen my sisters husband and others catch many big ones on rod & reel in the afternoon,morning,and evening.After it gets dark is the best time to fish for them,they do come out of holes and from under logs and feed at night.

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.