Blood Knot - Fishing Knots

The blood knot is probably the most famous fishing knot and is also called the clinch knot in various parts of the world. It is probably one of the first knots most anglers learn and some people may even remember their grandpa teaching it to them like I do.

The blood knot is popular as it is easy to tie, can be used in many different types of line and is sufficiently strong for most fishing situations. It can also be tied in the dark making it quite popular amongst night anglers.

This knot also comes in a couple of improved forms, which I have posted instructions to before, including the:

• locked blood knot
• improved clinch knot

Despite the fact that many people eventually graduate to more advanced knots the blood knot is an important knot to have in your knot tying arsenal.

How to tie a blood knot

This is a great little animated video showing the process of correctly tying a blood knot. Remember to lubricate the line before tightening.

How to catch marlin

Marlin are arguably the most iconic fish in sportfishing circles. Men have been known to shed a tear after an encounter with one and each fish caught is etched in an anglers memory forever.

There are four species of marlin that make up recreational catches; the blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin and white marlin. All of the marlin species fight extremely hard and the two bigger species (blue and black marlin) can grow well over 1000 lbs!

Marlin Fishing Techniques

Marlin are an aggressive fish that respond well to teasers and plastic skirted lures trolled across the surface of the water. Most anglers consider the action of the lures on the surface far more important than color. Trolling speed is about 7-10 knots and allows the marlin boats to cover a large area.

Marlin anglers also troll natural baits such as striped tuna, bonito and Spanish mackerel. Sometimes natural baits are used in conjunction with a skirted lure to enhance the trolling action.

Marlin are also caught on live baits; either slow trolled, at drift or at anchor. Live baiting usually takes place once the marlin are located with teasers or at an area that marlin are known to frequent such as a FAD.

Marlin Tackle

Marlin are big fish and require quality rods and reels and a lever drag reel is almost essential. Most marlin anglers use a minimum of 24 kg line and 200 lbs monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. Remember that marlin will make light work of any flaw in your tackle, line or knots.

How to catch crappie

The crappie is a popular North American freshwater angling target, which attains a maximum size of approximately 21 inches and 5 pounds. Their are two distinct subspecies of crappie simply referred to as Black crappie and white crappie (note: the name white perch is often incorrectly used for the white crappie). The crappie is highly regarded as a fine freshwater food fish, which adds to its angling popularity.

How to catch crappie

Before you head out to catch crappie it is important to understand a little bit about crappie and their feeding habits. Crappie have very good eyesight and can see a range of colors. Crappie are generally inactive during the day spending time around submerged objects and move out into open water to feed around dawn and dusk. It is also worth considering that crappie are also active during the winter months making them a viable fishing target year round.

Crappie have diverse diets, which means there are many ways to catch crappie including casting light jigs, trolling with minnows or artificial lures, using small spinnerbaits, or using bobbers as well as many other techniques. If you are using bait stick to natural food sources including baitfish, crayfish, worms, maggots, crickets or grasshoppers.

Crappie Fishing Tips

• Fish around structure - logs, boulders, docks, weeds etc. (especially heavy structure).
  
• Once you catch a fish keep working the area as crappie are a schooling fish.
• Crappie will move into shallow water during spawning (spring and early summer)
• If the fishing is slow try imparting more movement onto the bait or lure to entice a bite
  

How to catch lobster

I have written a few "how to" posts before, but I think I need to write them more often.

How to catch lobster
There are probably only two viable ways for recreational anglers to catch lobster. The first method is to dive for lobster, either free dive or with scuba, and the second is to use a lobster trap or pot. Commercially lobster traps are the most widely used as they can lout out many hundreds of traps, but in the recreational fishery most people find diving for their lobster more rewarding and often more productive.

Diving for lobster
Before you begin any form of lobster fishing you need to make sure that you have all the appropriate licenses and familiarize yourself with the size and possession rules regarding the species you are targeting.

When diving for lobster you will need the following

• A tickle stick and a net OR a lobster snare
• Heavy gloves (lobsters are spiny!)
• A catch bag (to store the lobster)
• Snorkeling OR Scuba gear
• A permit!
  

Finding the lobster
This is probably the hardest part of lobster fishing, but you can follow a couple of simple tips to help you.

• Lobsters live in almost any rocky environment that gives them adequate cover. Almost any rocky reef with boulders will do. In the day they hide in crevices, caves and under ledges.
• To find the lobster look for tips of their antenna, or their legs sticking out from cover. Also look under ledges or boulders which they use for cover during the day.

Techniques for catching lobster
I found these two great videos which show the proper techniques perfectly

How to fly fish for steelhead

Steelhead, called ocean trout in my home of Australia, are simply ocean going Rainbow trout. The time spent at sea causes their color to become silvery and their red band to fade. They have been introduced into every continent on earth (excluding Antarctica) and present a challenge to anglers around the world. They are most commonly targeted on fly tackle and provide great sport and excellent eating.

How to fly fish for steelhead
Steelhead are a difficult fish to catch and that is what makes them so special. They can be hard to find, finicky at certain times and down right frustrating. There are many "steelhead anglers" who have actually never caught a steelhead, and this fact alone is a testament to their appeal. Even though I have been lucky enough to catch one or two on a trip to the southern parts of Australia I am, by no means, an expert on the topic. So I went about finding the best articles from the web for you to read.

Steelhead Articles
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3 - This whole site is gold for any steelhead angler!

I hope this helps!

How to tie a spinnerbait - Fishing tips

I thought I would tackle (pardon the pun) this topic as there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information about which knots to use when rigging a spinnerbait. I personally prefer using a palomar knot, which I posted recently. I always recommend that you use a leader when rigging a spinnerbait and either monofilament or fluorocarbon will be adequate for the task.

1. Double about 10 cm of line, and pass it through the eye of the spinnerbait.

2. Tie a simple Overhand Knot in the doubled line letting the spinnerbait hang loose.

3. Pull the end of loop down, passing it over the entire spinnerbait.

4. Lubricate and pull both ends of the line to tighten the knot.













Photos from www.secretweaponlures.com

Simple paternoster rig

I have been looking for a video that explains a paternoster or dropper rig in a simple way for a long time. While this video isn't perfect (I don't really trust simple overhand knots on the main leader) it does explain the rig and how versatile it really is. I use a variant of this rig for reef fishing - I tie about 5 spare leaders and put them in clip lock bags before going out on the boat and it is a simple matter of re-tying after you get broken off or snagged.

If you are looking for a quick, versatile and reliable rig then I recommend watching the video.

Fishing Tips: Landing that big fish

A lot of fish are lost due to poor landing techniques. The first job is to clear the boats floor. Get the hoses, buckets, brushes, lures, and other rods out of the area. You don't want anything in your way while fighting, gaffing, or boating a fish.

Next, communicate! Crew and angler should talk to each other, especially if they're not used to fishing together. Landing a big fish is a team effort.
I you are the angler, yell out when you see the fish, or shout "color", and make sure the fish is under control as it comes up.

You should always stay directly in front of the fish - Remember "no angles, no tangles." You may have to make a few quick moves to keep the fish from going under the boat or tangling with another fish. Never be afraid of dipping your rod tip in the water. If the fish gets under the boat, you need to get the rod down as far as you can so the line will clear the running gear. Once the fish is under control, guide it into position and present it to the netter or gaffer. Never lift the fish's head out of the water, as this may cause it to react violently and break your off.

How to launch a boat (without making anyone mad)

Ramp rage, as we call in in oz, is well an truly arrive at some of the popular boat ramps around the country. I have heard of stories from entirely different ends of the spectrum.

Firstly the good where people help out new boaties by showing them what to do and helping them launch.

And then the bad where people have thrown sinkers, punches and been thrown into jail over a slow launch or cutting into the waiting line.

The best thing we can all do is be patient with the new people on the ramps and give them a hand making sure they know what to do. We were all new at the boating game once. That extra 5 minutes is probably not going to mean you miss the fish of a lifetime.

This little video gives a couple of tips that are worth watching intertwined with a story about a slow boatie. Enjoy.