Sample: Keep a Log of Your Catches

A Sample Fish Log

Name ____________________     Date _______________________

Location __________________    GPS Info ____________________

INFO                     Fish #1           Fish #2           Fish #3           Fish #4

Species               ______            ______          ______          ______

=============================================

Time Caught     ______           ______          ______          ______

Weight                ______           ______          ______          ______

Length                ______           ______          ______          ______

BAIT USED =====================================

Lures (which)  ______           ______          ______           ______

Size                      ______           ______          ______           ______

Live Bait (kind)_____            ______           ______          ______

Live Bait (size)______          ______           ______          ______

FISHING DEPTH =================================

in feet                 ______          ______          ______          ______

WHERE ======================================

Open water     ______          ______          ______          ______

Creek                ______           ______         ______           ______

River                ______           ______         ______           ______

Lake                 ______           ______         ______           ______

Pond                ______           ______         ______           ______

Weeds             ______           ______         ______           ______

Rocks              ______           ______         ______           ______

On Bottom    ______           ______         ______           ______

With Bobber______           ______         ______           ______

Dock/Pier     ______           ______         ______           ______

In Boat           ______           ______         ______           ______

Other              ______           ______         ______           ______

Other              ______           ______         ______           ______

TYPE OF FISHING =============================

Bait Casting  ______           ______         ______           ______

Fly Fishing   ______           ______         ______           ______

Spinning       ______           ______          ______           ______

Still Fishing ______           ______         ______           ______

Trolling        ______           ______         ______           ______

SPEED ======================================

Slow Reel.   ______           ______         ______           ______

Med. Reel.  ______           ______         ______           ______

Fast Reel.    ______           ______         ______           ______

==========================================

A Sample Fish Log

Name __Marylouise_________      Date ____6/1/2009___________

Location _Brenham, TX_______    GPS Info ____________________

INFO                     Fish #1           Fish #2           Fish #3           Fish #4

Species               perch_            crappie          ______          ______

============================================

Time Caught     _7:53 am       8:35 am         ______          ______

Weight                10.5 ozs           _13 ozs         ______          ______

Length                _8″ ___           _9.25_           ______          ______

BAIT USED ====================================

Lures (which)  ______           ______          ______           ______

Size                      ______           ______          ______           ______

Live Bait (kind)minnow         minnow         ______           ______

Live Bait (size)  _1″___          __2″__           ______           ______

FISHING DEPTH ================================

in feet                 __3′__          ___5′__          ______          ______

WHERE ======================================

Open water     ______          ______          ______          ______

Creek                ___x__           ___x__         ______           ______

River                ______           ______         ______           ______

Lake                 ______           ______         ______           ______

Pond                ______           ______         ______           ______

Weeds             ______           ___x__         ______           ______

Rocks              ______           ______         ______           ______

On Bottom    ___x__           ______         ______           ______

With Bobber______           ______         ______           ______

Dock/Pier     ______           ______         ______           ______

In Boat           ______           ______         ______           ______

Other              ______           ______         ______           ______

Other              ______           ______         ______           ______

TYPE OF FISHING ==============================

Bait Casting  __x___           __x___         ______           ______

Fly Fishing   ______           ______         ______           ______

Spinning       ______           ______          ______           ______

Still Fishing __x___           ______         ______           ______

Trolling        ______           ______         ______           ______

SPEED =====================================

Slow Reel.   ______           ______         ______           ______

Med. Reel.  ___x__           ___x__         ______           ______

Fast Reel.    ______           ______         ______           ______

==========================================

Don’t rely on your memory; it’s plays tricks on you! We tend to remember our failures and forget our successes.

By keeping a log, you can try a variety of things and know which of your new ideas work — and when you need to go back to the tried-and-true!

See you soon!

~~~~~

This is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Part 2: Let’s Go Crappie Fishing

Fishing for Crappie!

Black vs. White Crappie Habitats

Besides preferring clear water, black crappie hang out in reedy, weedy waters.

Blacks want hard bottoms, while white thrive in silted waters with muddy bottoms.

Sluggish During the Summer

From July to September, you can find crappie in water between 3 and 20 feet.  Your line needs to hit the shallows: weed beds, stumps, any area where branches and brush collect.

They respond to 1.5 to 2.5″ live minnows, jigs, spinners and small crank-baits.

Fall Season

Crappie are still situated between 3 and 20 feet.  During October and November, they tend to hide out under man-made structures (docks), weeds and brushwood.

Try your hand with feathered jigs, curly tails, live bait and bobber rigs. Toss them near rock piles and submerged wood.

Winter Fishing for Crappie

Crappie are still in the 3 – 20 foot water range during the months of December through February.  They may move a bit deeper, so look for them around dropoffs, down deeper in brush piles or under submerged timber.

They will respond to the same bait as in the fall: feathered jigs, curly tails, live bait and bobber rigs.

Spring Crappie Fishing

After spring rains or the snow melts, watch for newly submerged land (that is normally dry).  During the months of March and April, crappie don’t hang around the deep end.

They usually stay in waters from 3 to 15 feet. They spend more time in shallow creeks, weed beds, around stumps and logs. At this time, try a variety of lures:  spinners, minnow rigs, jigs and bobber rigs.

Crappie Fishing Tips

Crappie are at most active during the spring months.  If you plan to fish in the shallows, your rig can be basic:  A bobber is set with 6 to 36″ of line. At the bottom, use a jig, either plain or gussied up with a minnow, etc.

For deeper fishing, you will need: a 1/2 oz. sinker, some #6 to #8 Gold Aberdeen hooks and 2 – 4 lb. test line.  At 12″ and 24″ above the bell sinker, add dropper lines with gold Aberdeen hooks.

Jigs for Crappie

Jigs are the most popular type of artificial bait used today. Jigs are literally a hook with a weight. They are used “as is” or gussied up with live bait or other artificial additions, such as feathers.

Here are some that are particularly good for crappie.

Flipping & Stand-Up Jigs – They are slow to sink and are great for pulling through weed beds.

Arrowhead Jigs - In rocky regions, these are great because they sink quickly.

~~~~~

This is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Fish Species Tips: Crappie Fishing

What is the Origin of the Name 'Crappie?' Answer at Article's End.

Crappie, like bluegill and bass, are members of the sunfish family.  Crappie have a variety of other names:  papermouths, timber perch, calico bass, speckled bass, strawberry bass and silver bass.

Facts in a Nutshell

The average life span for crappie is 4 to 5 years. At maturity, they are about 8 -10 inches long.  Crappie usually are in the 1 lb. range (although tournament- winners can weigh up to 5 lbs.).

Lakes and streams are their preferred habitats. They usually feed on insects and smaller fish. Oddly enough, they particularly enjoy eating the young of the larger fish that feed on them! This includes northern pike and walleye.*

Crappie and bass are two of the most popular fish that anglers persue. Why? Three reasons: They are plentiful (in the lower 48 states); once hooked, they put up a good fight and they taste g-r-e-a-t!

The Black and White of Crappie

Crappie come in 2 flavors: black and white.  For beginners, it’s not really important to be able to tell them apart.

The quick-and-dirty answer is that, besides being darker than the white, the black crappie have more dorsal spines (fins on top of the fish) than the white.

White crappie are less finicky  about water than blacks.  Black crappies prefer clearer water than whites.

Crappie Trivia

When I first heard the name of this fish, I thought someone was making a comment about the fish (and what he/she  thought of the species).   Since this is such a fun fish to wrangle on the other end of your rod, I couldn’t believe anyone could be so negative.

The name “crappie” (pronounced ‘CROP ee’) comes from the French Canadian phrase “crapet-soleil,” which means “sunfish.”

* This bit of info comes from Wikipedia.

~~~~~

Next time: Let’s Go Crappie Fishing!

~~~

This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Barometric Pressure and Fishing

Atmospheric Pressure Affects Fishing!

Some anglers swear by barometric pressure readings — to foretell changes in the weather.  Simply stated, a falling barometric pressure tells us that there is going to be a major change in the weather — a rain storm, perhaps.

When the barometric pressure is rising, or holding steady, weather conditions will be pleasant.

What Anglers Know

Old time fishermen know that  (generally) fish behavior is affected by barometric pressure.  For example:  Fishing isn’t particularly good while the barometric pressure is falling (This signifies a major weather change).

Anglers like rising barometric pressure because the best fishing occurs during these readings.  Fish seem to be more active during periods of slowly rising barometric pressure.

Another school of though with anglers centers around the steady atmospheric pressure score.  This group doesn’t care if the pressure is falling or rising — just so it remains steady!

Anglers as Weather Forecasters

Does this mean that all fishing enthusiasts should get a degree in meteorology? Of course not. Barometric pressure is only one part of the ‘weather picture.’

We cannot control or manufacture the weather.  Barometric pressure readings, generally, can help us determine whether it is worth our while to hang out our “Gone Fishin’” sign.

Other Weather Conditions

I always thought my grandfather was nuts when he wanted to go fishing while it was raining*.  Marine biologists have proved him right!

Rain and wind knock insects into the water.  Fish that eat insects take advantage of this free food by being more active — just under the water’s surface!

During this time, fish cannot see you as well  – rain droplets break up the water’s surface!

The Hot and Cold of Fishing

Another great time for fishing is just before a cold front blows into an area.  You and the fish will enjoy a cold front that breaks up hot, humid weather.

During the “lazy days of summer,” it takes more to tempt a fish from his cool spot.  This is the time to use a larger bait, lure, whatever.

It is also important to slow down your reeling in of the bait (on your line).  Slow-and-easy is better than jerky-and-fast.  Fish are sluggish in warmer water (in hot, humid conditions).

~~~

* I’m not referring to a storm with lightening or thunder. Fishing during a serious storm is foolhardy because lightening can strike you, your boat, your rod, etc. I’m sure you get the picture.

~~~~~

Articles Coming Soon:

• Sample Log for Your Catches
  
• Make Your Own ‘Fish Attractor’
  
• Fish Species Tips for Crappie
  
• Fishing for Something New? Try Northern Pike!

~~~

This weblog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Part 2: How & Why Do I Use a Duck Carcass?

Originally, I wrote this just after the holidays, when folks were wondering how they could use left-over bird or fowl carcasses. This particular post still gets lots of hits, even in the heat of summer.

While thinking about this, I remembered another way to cook — with even more benefit to diners!   I added it to the end of this article!

For Chicken, Hen, Duck, Goose, Turkey - Domestic or Wild!

~*~   ~*~   ~*~

What’s So Great About a Fowl Carcass?

There are three basic reasons I would boil a poultry carcass:

1) The comparison between a quart of  chicken/fowl stock versus a quart of water and bouillon versus purchased chicken/fowl stock is non-existent. They aren’t even in the same zip code! Stock that has been simmered has so much more flavor and nutrients!

2) In these tough economic times, it doesn’t make sense to toss the carcass without deriving its goodness for your table.

3) Scientists have proved that the “old wive’s tale” of giving chicken soup to an invalid is NOT an old wive’s tale.

There is scientific proof that the nutrients leached from the carcass during cooking are needed by the body to help it recover – from whatever ails them! The nutrients derived in this way are easier for the elderly to assimilate into their bodies.

All This Sounds Like a Lot of Trouble

Put the fowl carcass into a slow cooker (you may need to snap the bones, to fit it into the cooker), add 3 or 4 cups water, add some onion, 1 tsp. sea salt, garlic (Got celery and carrots? Add them), and turn it on (low or high)  as you go to bed.

How much trouble is that? In the morning, take the liner out of the cooker, let it cool and put it into the refrigerator (with the lid on) just before you leave.

In the evening, you can skim off the fat (or not, your choice) and pour the juice (strain out the veggies and carcass – discard them) into containers and freeze. If there are tidbits of the meat left from the bones, I add it to the broth.

Now What?

Soup, stew, gravy — whatever you make from this stock will be 100% more valuable to your body than the purchased, the bullion or the plain water.

I can think of dozens of uses for this stock. Save it for colds season and make soup. Use it as a base for black bean soup (or any other dried beans/legumes).

Use it as the base for a chicken stew (toss into a slow cooker:  onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic, celery, leftover chicken, whatever you have). Let it cook for 6 to 8 hours, adjust seasonings, enjoy!

Finally

Our forefathers and fore mothers never wasted anything. Creating their own fish or chicken or beef stock was one of the ways they stayed healthy.

BTW, I always add a teaspoon of sea salt to any stock I’m creating from a carcass. Salt helps leach more nutrients out of the bones.

Do I use quail or doves for this? No, they are too small.

~*~   ~*~   ~*~

Cooking a Carcass #2

Not everyone has a slow cooker/crock pot. If you have a large cast iron pot (with lid), such as a “dutch oven,” this is a great way to use it.

Use the same recipe as above, except cover the carcass with water.  Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 1 or 2 hours.  Then use the broth as indicated above.

During cooking, liquids slowly leach iron from the cast iron into the broth!   This is a great way to add iron to the diet.  In fact, acidic foods leach iron faster (think: tomatoes, vinegar, etc.).

Iron is critical to the manufacture of red blood cells. Up to 30% of Americans do not get enough iron.  This is a safe, cheap way to add to your family’s health!

~~~

This is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Fish Senses & How They Use Them – Part 2

Fish have four senses – sight, smell, hearing and feeling vibrations!

What Can Fish See?

Biologists have proved that fish can see 4 colors: red, blue, yellow and green.   Their ability to see clearly is determined by certain factors:  Is the water clear or muddy?   How deep are the objects/colors?

Most of the light rays shining down into the water are lost by the depth of 25 feet.  Thus, below 25 feet, most objects appear dark or black to fish.

At any depth, however, fish have learned to recognize the shapes of things that are important to them — say — anything in their food chain!

Fish & Their Sense of Smell

Fish can smell you coming; they can smell odors hundreds of yards away. Another way of looking at this: they can smell an odor that is only one part in 80 million parts of water!

There are certain odors that drive fish away: gasoline, nicotine, oils, human scent, etc. Thus, it is important to wear a ‘good scent’ or use fish soap that covers your scent.

Some fish use their sense of smell more than others. For example, predator fish (bass, muskie, pike, and others) rely on their sense of sight when searching for food.

However, the scavenger class of fishes (lake trout, carp catfish, etc.) rely more on their sense of smell to forage for a meal.

Fish & Their Sense of Hearing

Fish do not have external ears like we do; however, their sense of  hearing extends thousands of feet!  Their hearing is located in the bones of their skull.

Good Vibrations & Fish

Note the lateral line on the drawing of the fish above.  These are sensory cells that run the length of the fish’s body on both sides.

Amazingly, these cells process low-frequency vibrations. In other words, these cells serve a hearing function that is much more sensitive than ours!

They can feel vibrations and/or hear sounds that occur in the water (up to ~ 100 feet away).

What Does This Mean?

Fish can hear sounds/vibrations caused by anglers walking near water!  They can also detect a boat on the water through its vibrations.

The only good news about this is — fish cannot hear the sound vibrations carried by airwaves, that do not pass into the ground or the water.

Thus, fish don’t hear quiet talking above the water, but they are “tuned in” to noise and movement in a boat.

~~~~~

This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Fishing Success: Learning What Fish Know

Marine Biologists Make Great Anglers!

Some years ago, it suddenly became the rage to watch  anglers on TV — showing us how to catch fish.  At that time, I was a high school counselor, helping teens make decisions about their future careers.

Droves of kids wanted to be “TV fishermen.”  They wanted  to be ‘the next Jimmy Houston’ — hauling in fish and buckets of money.

The students’ assumption was that all they needed was the ‘gift of gab’ and some fishing skill.

They were stunned to find out that these folks, who were so successful at fishing, (generally) had degrees in marine biology!

In other words, the reason these anglers could repeatedly find and land trophy-winning specimens while millions of viewers watched, was because they had learned everything they could about their prey.

They had Learned What Fish Know!

Today, I’m going to start a new series on fishing.  These are basic things that are critical to your fishing success.

How Many Senses Do Fish Use?

Generally, fish have 4 senses and you have 5.  However, fish use their four senses SO effectively that WE seem to be at a disadvantage. Some would say that it is hardly a fair fight!

Fish have a great sense of sight, they have an incredible sense of smell, they can hear you thousands of feet away and they anticipate your moves through their sense of vibrations.

Without an understanding of your adversary’s skills, you will have a difficult time trying to out-smart them on their home turf!

Making Fish Eyes

Like us, fish have the sense of sight. However, It is probably their weakest sense! On average, they can see about 50 feet.

Most fish are very near-sighted, which means that you must cast a tasty morsel close to their location — for them to see it.  (They may find your bait through their other senses, but we are talking about the sense of sight now.)

Some fish, like trout, bass and walleye, have eyes that are poised to the front of their head, which increases their depth perception.  This means that they can see things in 3-D — like you can.

However, there are other fish with their eyes located on the sides of their head, which means that their range of vision is wider than average. Examples of this type of fish include minnows and crappie.

~*~   ~*~   ~*~

Next time: Fish Senses & How They Use Them

~*~

This blog is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Part 2: Goin’ Fishin’ with a Fishing Log

Sample Fishing Log

Successful Fishing!

Name ___________________________

Date____________________________

Location: ________________________

Water: (circle one)

Tank/Pond    Creek    Stream    River    Lake    Reservoir    Ocean

Season: (circle one)       Spring       Summer       Fall       Winter

Time of Day: Early Morning     Mid-morn.     Afternoon     Evening     Night

Time Started _______________    Ending Time __________________

~*~

Water Conditions: (circle one in each row)

* Appearance – Dirty       Clear        Muddy

* Surface – Smooth/Calm       Rough      Choppy       Some Ripples

* Currents – None      Slow      Average/Moderate      Fast

~*~

Weather Conditions (circle one in each row)

* Air Temperature – Cold      Cool      Average      Hot

* The Sky – Foggy     Overcast     Partly Cloudy      Clear/Sunny

* Wind – None      Light      Moderate      Strong

* Wind Direction — N      S      E      W      NE      NW     SE      SW

* Any Variables – Cold Front Approaching   or Cold Front Leaving

or Other ______________________

* Barometer – Falling       Rising      Steady

~*~

Type of Fishing Today: Bait Casting      Fly Fishing      Trolling

Boat Fishing     Ice Fishing      Shore Fishing

Other __________________

~*~

Comments: ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

~*~   ~*~   ~*~

My Fishing Log

Successful Fishing!

Name _____Marylouise_____________

Date_____6/13/2009______________

Location: ______Brenham, TX_______

Water: (circle one)

Creek    Stream    River    Lake    Reservoir    Ocean  Tank/Pond

Season: (circle one)       Spring        Fall       Winter       Summer

Time of Day: Early Morning     Mid-morn.     Afternoon     Evening Night

Time Started _____5:55 pm___    Ending Time ____8:3o pm_______

~*~

Water Conditions: (circle one in each row)

* Appearance – Dirty       Clear        Muddy

* Surface – Rough      Choppy       Some Ripples      Smooth/Calm

* Currents – Slow      Average/Moderate      Fast       None

~*~

Weather Conditions (circle one in each row)

* Air Temperature – Cold      Cool      Average      Hot

* The Sky – Foggy     Overcast     Partly Cloudy      Clear/Sunny

* Wind – None       Moderate      Strong        Light

* Wind Direction — N      S      E      W      NE      NW     SW      SE

* Any Variables – Cold Front Approaching   or Cold Front Leaving

or Other ___________none___________

* Barometer – Falling       Rising      Steady

~*~

Type of Fishing Today: Bait Casting      Fly Fishing      Trolling

Boat Fishing     Ice Fishing      Shore Fishing

Other __________________

~*~

Comments: _After several very hot days, the water level seems too low in the front pond. It hasn’t rained in about 3 weeks.  Nothing is biting in spite of using live bait (grasshoppers and worms) and several lures.

~*~

By making notes about the conditions, date and time, etc., I’m creating a knowledge-base to increase my chances of being a successful angler.

I’m not trying to rely on my memory. By spending 5 minutes on a pre-printed form, I can look back and learn from my experiences.

This is a rather puny example; however ….  When conditions are very dry & very hot (and the pond is muddy), it doesn’t matter what I offer, the fish don’t bite in this particular pond.

~*~

See you soon!

This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Part 1: Goin’ Fishin’ – Common Mistakes

It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything; sorry for the lapse. As mentioned earlier, I damaged both rotator cuffs and tore my biceps.

It is a long and boring story, so I’ll cut to the bottom line. I had to wait until some healing & rehab took place (versus having shoulder surgery).

I have diminished strength in my arms and shoulders. For these reasons, I’ll have to work my way back to 5 day/week blogs.

Thank you for your patience.

Now …. Let’s Go Fishing!

Fishing Tips!

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~

COMMON FISHING MISTAKES

If you want to become an accomplished angler, these are some basic problems to avoid.

Not Paying Attention

Successful anglers pay attention to the weather, wind direction, water conditions, etc.  One of the best ways to do this is to keep a log of your fishing expeditions.  This doesn’t have to take much time; just check off a few items on a page.  I’ll provide you with a sample soon.

Keeping the Same Fishing Line on Your Rods for Years

Fishing line has a limited lifetime. It gets snagged, stretched and crimped through use.  You will have no problem understanding this the next time you lose a lunker, because the line snapped while you were hauling it in!

Only Using Your Favorite Lure

One lure cannot be successful with every species of fish — and in every situation.  One of the ways anglers improve their chances of success is by trying different types, sizes, colors and shapes.

Fishing in Only One Location

One way to increase your success ratio  is to try different spots – from ponds to oceans.   I’ll offer specific tips for different bodies of water: tank/pond, creek, streams, rivers, lakes, etc. Stay tuned!

Only Using One Fishing Technique

If you only fish in a boat, how about trying shore fishing, trolling, bait casting, fly fishing, etc?  I plan to provide some tips for each type.

~~~

As you can see, I’m ready to get busy with fishing tips. In the next week, I will offer a “Fishing Log” sample.  You will be surprised how quickly you become an accomplished angler by keeping a few notes!

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This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Today’s Humor: Moms Are VERY Smart!

Watch out for Mom!

Brian invited his mother over for dinner. During the course of the meal,
Brian’s mother couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Brian’s roommate,
Jennifer, was.

Brian’s Mom had long been suspicious of the platonic relationship between Brian and Jennifer, and this had only made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she
started to wonder if there was more between Brian and Jennifer than met the eye.

Reading his mom’s thoughts, Brian volunteered, ‘I know what you must be
thinking, but I assure you Jennifer and I are just roommates.’

About a week later, Jennifer came to Brian saying, ‘Ever since your
mother came to dinner, I’ve been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy
ladle. You don’t suppose she took it, do you?’

Brian said, ‘Well, I doubt it, but I’ll send her an e-mail just to be
sure. So he sat down and wrote:

__________________________________________________________

Dear Mom,

I’m not saying that you ‘did’ take the gravy ladle from the house, I’m not
saying that you ‘did not’ take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that
one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.

Love, Brian

__________________________________________________________

Several days later, Brian received an email back from his mother that
read:

____________________________________________________

Dear Son,

I’m not saying that you ‘do’ sleep with Jennifer, I’m not saying that you
‘do not’ sleep with Jennifer. But the fact remains that if Jennifer is
sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now.

Love, Mom

LESSON OF THE DAY – NEVER LIE TO YOUR MOTHER

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Thanks again to Dorothy139!

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This blog is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com