Removing a fish hook from your hand (or body!)

Firstly I must apologize because this blog has been completely untouched for about a month now after a 90% drop in visitors overnight which I have been trying to solve for a while. Today the search numbers are back up a little so hopefully things are going in the right direction (fingers crossed). Enough of that boring stuff though!

As an angler you have probably had a hook stuck somewhere in you at some point during your adventures. Many anglers visit the hospital to get the hook removed, but sometimes our fishing adventures take us far from the hospital and we need to remove the hook ourselves! This little technique is one every angler should know, but I am unsure if sticking the hook in your arm to practice (or demonstrate on video) is a great idea. I advise people to always keep a pair of these clamps in your tackle box, but this method can also be used with string or fishing line to pull on the hook.

How not to launch your boat

Boat launching can be a slightly stressful situation at times. Often you are faced with impatient anglers who feel that you holding them up is going to cost them a fish of a lifetime. If you have to share the ramp with other water users, such as jet skis, this situation can become even more stressful.

I am a proponent of making sure that you are ready to launch when you pull up to the ramp. I can't stand people who drive up to the top of the ramp and begin to get the boat ready - that is what the preparation area is for! I have seen many anglers load the boat up for longer than ten minutes while others wait behind them and it never ends well. Fortunately I am a patient person, but others aren't always this way.

Enough of the serious talk though. While trolling around youtube I came across this slightly disturbing video of a failed launch of a jet ski. It would have been nice to see more people come to the rescue, but I guess there isn't much that can be done - I hope that wasn't salt water!

A bad days fishing is still a bad day

I must still be in a bit of a tizz over my blog disappearing from google and receiving very few visitors (sorry about that).

Sometimes it feels like all the bad days that you have avoided catch up with you all at once. I am sure you know what I am talking about. On these days it feels like you could win the lottery, but you would lose the ticket or maybe eat at the nicest restaurant only to be the only one that ordered the oysters and get food poisoning.

Sometimes these bad days even spread over to your fishing experiences. You might leave the bungs (plugs) out of the boat (guilty), forget the bait (guilty), forget to tie the anchor down to the boat (not guilty) or even worse.

This video shows what can happen when that "even worse" occurs. This video is entitled "how to ruin a Saturday" and just makes me want to cry for the guy!

Reef Fishing Video - Insane Action in Australia

This video is definitely amateur and it's noisy, but this fishing video shows some of the most insane reef fishing action that has ever been captured. It sounds a bit like my boat when the fish go off - I am known for being a little bit noisy myself (OK a lot noisy!) Congrats to the boys on the boat - it looks like so much fun! Apparently many fish were released, which is also great to hear.

This video was filmed on the great barrier reef and is fairly typical of the reef fishing available on the largest reef in the world. It really is a great fishing destination and all serious anglers should get there at least once in their lives. There are many fishing options available including everything from the ever popular reef fishing to serious sport fishing for grandeur marlin!

I really enjoy reef fishing, probably because the fish hold all the cards early in the fight and because you never know what you are going to pull up. The reef is also home to some of the best eating fish available! I hope you enjoy this great little video.

Wii nunchuck controls fishing canoe

Reading one of my favorite tech blogs today (yes I am a geek) I came across a crazy video of a guy who has modified his kayak with two electric motors and given himself the ability to control it with a wii nunchuck. For those that don't know, a Wii is the latest video game console from Nintendo and the nunchuck is the little thing that fits in your hand with a control stick (think joystick) attached.

It is equipped with 2 golf cart batteries and can travel at 4 miles an hour top speed. It is almost a boat rather than a canoe and the maneuverability is absolutely amazing! This video is well worth a watch just to marvel at the engineering, but the trailer they have built for it is also very cool! The enginuity of some people is really quite amazing!

I hope you enjoy the video and if you have something you want to say about it please leave a comment!

King Salmon fishing video

The king salmon is a pacific ocean salmon that comes under many other names including chinook salmon, black salmon, tyee salmon, just to name a few. They have a large growth potential and can reach the up to 1.5 meters (58 inches) and 130 pounds (59kg), but most anglers encounter fish up to 50 pounds. King salmon have the strange distinction of dying after breeding, which was highlighted in an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe.

King salmon are a popular angling target as they fight well and large fish are often encountered. They are also regarded as a top eating fish and the flesh is high in omega 3 which is an essential fatty acid linked with many health benefits. You should always check your local regulations as some Chinook salmon populations are listed as endangered.

One of the best places to catch big King Salmon is Alaska, which has quite a large population of these great fish. Many anglers dream of an Alaska Salmon Fishing adventure.

Enjoy this video of a big King Salmon caught in Alaska

Alligator attacking a fishing lure

Where I live we have monster crocodiles that strike fear into the hearts of small boat owners everywhere. They are so aggressive they have been known to chomp into boat props and headbutt small boats. Most places are off limits to swimming (except the swimming pools) because these crocs can (and have) taken people from the water. Even standing on the bank of the rivers in not recommended.

So why am I telling you all this...? Well I found this great video on youtube this morning of a gator attacking a fishing lure and wanted to share it with you. It really shows just how aggressive these animals can be even when they can clearly see people. I don't condone teasing an alligator or crocodile - it is always best to move away from the area when an aggressive animal is lurking.

Shark attack videos

If writing this blog has taught me one thing it is that sharks capture peoples imagination - especially big sharks like the great white shark. I thought I would use a lazy Friday afternoon to post a couple of my favorite shark attack videos. Just to be clear though, these videos are of sharks attacking fish, not people (it is a fishing blog after all and I don't really think anyone wants to watch people being attacked).

This first video is mad and I watched in amazement as a big hammerhead shark eats a whopping tarpon in what has to be one of the best amateur captured shark attack videos ever. (Mild language warning)



The second video is fairly poor quality unfortunately, but shows some amazing footage of sharks actually fighting over a meal of fish attached to an anglers fishing line.



Both of these youtube videos have had well over a million views and they are both worth watching if you are into sharks.

Be aware that these may be a little scary for young people.

Biggest marlin ever caught (with video)

There can be little argument that marlin are the true icon of saltwater sport fishing and a big marlin is on most anglers fishing wish list.

The biggest marlin ever caught record is slightly sketchy and there are certainly many reports of fish that would easily beat the record by up to a whopping 1000 pounds that were lost next to the boat, never recorded or that swam off with the camera etc.

Largest marlin caught on rod and reel
The biggest marlin caught on rod and reel that I can actually validate with some form of evidence was caught in 1970 in Honolulu and weighed in at a whopping 1805 lbs (or 820kgs for people like me)! It is pictured below and it is certainly a monster (click to enlarge).

Largest commercially caught marlin
The largest commercially caught marlin bottomed out a 1000kg scale meaning it weighed in excess of 2200 lbs! It was apparently caught on a handline which, if true, is one amazing feat - it is pictured below (click to enlarge).


Big Marlin Video
Below is a video of a 1026 lbs marlin and although it isn't a record it is one impressive fish!

Biggest catfish ever caught (with video)

If there has been one species of fish that has captured the imagination more than any other it would probably be monster catfish. Stories of these monster fish have been quietly told around lakes, tackle stores, bars and fishing clubs for hundreds of years. Stories of huge fish caught and even bigger fish lost are etched into the memory of all serious catfish anglers.

The biggest catfish ever caught
There are many species of catfish in the world and that makes the task of finding the biggest catfish ever caught somewhat more complicated - here is all the information I could find.

The largest Blue Catfish
Caught in the Mississippi River on May 22, 2005, weighed in at 124 lb (56.2 kg). (SEE VIDEO)

The largest flathead catfish
Caught in Independence, Kansas, weighing 123 lb 9 oz (56.0 kg).

The largest recorded catfish capture
However, these records pale in comparison to a giant Mekong catfish caught in northern Thailand in May 1, 2005 and reported to the press almost 2 months later that weighed 293 kg (646 lb). This is the largest giant Mekong catfish caught, but only since Thai officials started keeping records in 1981. (see picture)

Biggest Mekong Catfish Picture



The largest catfish ever caught video


(source wikipedia and aquaticcommunity.com)

Tuna fishing video

Tuna are a great fish and can be a tough adversary on the right gear. They are known for their stubborn fight and circling motion under the boat. Unfortunately people also like eating tuna and the stocks right around the world have dwindled from the overfishing that has taken place. There are far less places to tangle with a big tuna than there were years ago, but locations where big tuna are caught can still be found. New Zealand is one of these places and is where this video comes from. We Aussies might think they are a bit mad at times, but you have to admire them for their excitement and passion for what they are doing! There is some insane action on this video and is worth a watch!

Follow the link to youtube to see the action

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PobGQMZZpoA

Kayak fishing video (record tuna)

I have always admired people who fish from kayaks. This is probably because where I live big aggressive crocodiles are common and they would have no problem tipping over a kayak to eat the occupant! Fortunately big crocodiles aren't present all over the world and there is plenty of good kayaking waters ripe for the fishing.

I found this great little video on youtube today of a guy catching a tuna from a kayak, which just so happens to be a 70 pound kayak fishing record tuna! It is a well presented video and if you are into kayak fishing or big tuna then it is well worth watching!

Recipes for baked cod

Baked cod is one of the first meals I remember eating in my life and was a family favorite for years until I rediscovered my love of fishing and began bringing home to odd keeper for dinner. Cod has many nutritional benefits including Omega-3 oil, lower your risk of heart disease, control high blood pressure and many more. A four-ounce serving of cod provides 1/2 your RDI of protein and contains only 119 calories!

Easy Baked Cod Recipe
This video shows a really great baked cod recipe that is really easy to make yourself. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and about 25 minutes to cook and requires the following ingredients:

• 2lbs Cod Fillets
• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 3 tbsp butter (can be substituted with olive oil)
• 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Other easy baked cod recipes

• 1 1/2 lbs cod fillet (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper
• 4 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup half and half (cream)
  

Remove skin and bones. Dry with paper towel. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in baking dish. Place fish topped with tomato slices. Sprinkle with cheese and pour cream over all. Bake 25 minutes or until fish flakes

How to smoke salmon (with video)

Smoked salmon is one of my favorite meals and it is easy enough to do yourself. Smoking it yourself can save you some money and it can be quite fun. In this video the presenter uses a cooktop smoker, which can be found for around $40 from most good stores. However, there are many different types of smokers and it pays to do a little bit of research to find the right one for you. Most people start off with a cheap smoker to practice with and move up to a high end model once they have mastered the art.

Salmon is high in Omega 3 oils, which is very good for the heart and developing brain. There has been extensive study on salmon and its health benefits and the general consensus is to try and eat wild salmon where possible.

How to smoke salmon - video

Bass video lessons

Bass are probably one of, if not the, iconic freshwater sportsfish in the world. I have had heaps of requests for bass lessons or tips. These requests keep pouring in so I had to do something about it. Unfortunately I am not from the US and I have never caught and American bass. Luckily though there is plenty of information on the web and I was able to piece together this little informative post (with videos).

These bass video lessons are presented by Doug Hannon one of the most famous bass fishermen who just so happens to be called the bass professor.

Video 1 - Big Bass Tip
In this video Doug Hannon talks about the secret to catching big bass, that really isn't a secret at all. What he says can easily be related to your fishing.



Video 2 - Big Bass love structure
In this video Doug talks about finding the right structure and fish that are active. There are some fantastic underwater shots to help explain the different types of structure.



Video 3 - Moon phases and bass
In this video Doug talks about the effects that the moon phases have on big bass and their feeding habits.



I hope you have enjoyed this post. There are many more video lessons available and if you would like to request anything in particular feel free to leave a comment.

Catfish Noodling Video

I first saw catfish noodling on the television show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. Of course I have heard of it before, but I thought it was some kind of myth or legend. I had that idea because in Australia our catfish have poisonous barbs and can even kill you so I was a little skeptical at first. However, after seeing catfish noodling first hand it certainly looks interesting. So I just had to find a catfish noodling video or two to show my readers!

You start out by finding a catfish hole and then you place your hand in the catfish hole and wait for the catfish to latch onto your hand. Then you must get a really good grip and pull it out of the hole sometimes with the help of a "spotter." Big catfish can weight in at 50-60 pounds and apparently it is common for the noodler to receive cuts if they do not use a protective glove! I have heard that some noodlers put some kind of smelly bait mix on their hands, but I have been unable to find out if this is very common.

Enough of me talking about catfish noodling though here are the noodling videos.

If you know anything about this sport feel free to enlighten me with a comment.

Massive Goliath Grouper Video

The Goliath grouper, formerly Jewfish until an official name change in 2001, is a large growing reef dwelling species and as you will see is one of the hardest pulling fish you can hook into! Although they are reputedly very good eating the Goliath grouper is totally protected from harvest and is recognized as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union1. Like most grouper's the Goliath grouper is slow growing and is essential to the health of the underwater reef systems so protection is necessary.

This is one amazing video of one of the biggest groupers I have ever seen. It was estimated at 500 pounds! This is a great video that is a must watch (it does contain some self promotion, but nothing over the top.)



1. Wikipedia

Fishing Knots: Palomar Knot (video)

When I was trying to tie this knot the first time I was so confused as it can be called two different things, but the knots are exactly the same.

The palomar knot is a high strength fishing knot that is suggested for use with braided fishing line. However in a recent fishing magazine tests this knot proved far from adequate when tied with braid failing at anywhere between 40-70% if the stated breaking strain. However this knot is still very effective when tied with monofilament and is quick and easy to tie. This knot is also useful when tying a drop shot rig with soft plastics.

Ways to throw a cast net (with videos)

In part one of how to throw a cast net I posted 2 videos of the best methods I have found, but during my daily youtube wanderings I actually found some other methods that you might like to give a go. They are all worth trying out and if you want to practice I would recommend doing the following:

1. Make sure you are feeling really calm
2. Watch one video noting the key points of the instruction and write them down!
3. Find a grassy space with plenty of room for swinging and throwing
4. Practice following the technique you have chosen remembering all the key points.
5. Don't give up on one technique too quickly - it takes some time. If you really cant get it try another technique
6. Write down every revelation you have when your casts are getting better so you don't forget what you did differently.
7. When you get it right make sure you can replicate the results over and over.

Good luck with your cast net throwing and I hope you have an easier experience learning than I did!

Striper Fishing Video (including filleting)

I saw my first striper (also called striped bass) in an Australian magazine that featured a local writer that had visited the US. From what I know they are a great success story and can be caught in many places that they did not originally habitat after translocation (please correct me if I am wrong). They put up a really great fight and are wonderful on the plate. Like many other species fishing for stripers is best at dusk and dawn. These great fish are definitely on the first page of fish I really want to catch.

This is a great video showing everything from catching stripers to cleaning and filleting them. It really is a must watch. Enjoy