Author: Howard Farmer

Central Florida lakes are very popular among fishermen and people who want to experience nature on their vacations. Take a few days of your trip to enjoy all this area has to offer. This is a perfect way to relax after spending a few hectic days in the crowded theme parks.

Fishing in Central Florida Lakes:
The lakes in central Florida offer many great spots for fishing. This combined with the great weather allows you to fish all year round. The large mouth bass is the best known and most popular fresh water fish in Florida. The central lakes are known for large bass and trophy sized fish are routinely found in these waters.

The Bass World Lodge on St. John’s River is a very good spot for large fish. Lake Okeechobee is a very large lake in the middle of the state. The name means big water in the language of the Seminole Indians. The name is very fitting for this particular body of water. The lake is thirty seven miles long and thirty miles wide. In most areas, the lake is ten feet deep. A large number of bass are found here. There are more fish caught here weighing over ten pounds than any other lake in central Florida.

BestRates at Best Western – even when it is last minute

Lake Toho is the most popular lake in the Kissimmee chain. This is a shallow lake that is about 18,800 acres of water. The aquatic vegetation in the lake offers abundant food for fish. This makes good spawning grounds and allows for plenty of fish. The fish grow quite large with the abundant food supply. A fishing tournament is held here each year in the fall.

The bass is most abundant during the spawning season. This occurs between December and April of every year. During this time, fish weighing from eight pounds all the way up to the high teens can be caught in the lakes around this part of the state.

Priceline.com Airfare – Choose your EXACT flight & time!

If you are planning to fish on your trip, there are some things you will need. You will need a Florida fishing license. These can be purchased at most bait or tackle shops in the state. The weather tends to be hot and the sun is strong, so you will need protection. Be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Wear light weight, comfortable clothing to help keep cool in the hot weather. Bring along a rod, tackle and a camera to capture a picture of the big one.

Buy a Camcorder

Guided fishing tours are available at most large lakes. These can be half day or full day trips. The rates for the tours vary according to the company and time of year. Reduced rates are available for larger parties. Some guided tours provide tackle. Be sure to ask when you book the tour.

State Parks near Central Florida Lakes:

The state park system in Florida is one of the largest in the country. There are over twenty that are not far from the downtown Orlando area. Many are located near large lakes as well. Some of the closest parks to the downtown area include: Wekiwa Springs State Park and Tosohatchee State Reserve.
The proximity of the parks allows you to experience nature, while staying close to the theme parks. You will find wildlife, vegetation and native birds. A variety of animals call the state parks home. Some of the animals you may encounter include: alligators, turtles, river otters, raccoons, bobcats, black bears, foxes and deer. A variety of birds can be found in the parks as well. Bald Eagles, ospreys, turkey, owls, hawks and sand hill cranes are often found in state parks.

Batteries.com

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Author: Sherri Russell

Like catching plenty of fish and can’t get a baby sitter? Try Ice fishing with a child. It does require a certain amount of patience but with the right mind set and a few simple tips, chances are it will be a great success.

No doubt, it does require some work but the rewards in return will be worth it. Imagine the look on a 5 year olds face when they reel in their first fish. It is priceless! Or imagine your 7 year old at school showing off the picture of his 10” long Crappie and him telling his little friends about the great time he had with his Mom and/or Dad.

The LARGEST selection of Backpacks online at eBags.com

That is just the beginning of the art of telling fish stories. Trust me, even at the young age of 7, this ability comes naturally. The fish story gets better each time it is told and the fish seems to get a bit bigger and the fight a little tougher. And that is how fish stories should be.

There are several important tips to help make a fishing trip with a child a success.

1. Keep it interesting. Catching fish is the ultimate goal so I suggest starting out with fishing for Crappies or Bluegills. In most cases, the chances of catching something – anything- are much greater with these species than say -Walleye or Northern. Eventually, you will be able to graduate to larger species that require more technique and patience.

For beginners, quantity seems to matter much more than size. Give the child age appropriate jobs. For example, helping mark where the hole will be drilled, cleaning ice out of the holes after drilling or scooping minnows from the minnow bucket.
Keep rules and instructions short and simple. Nothing deters interest faster than long explanations and constant nagging.
Set realistic time goals. For example, 1- 2 hrs. of actual fishing time is about as good at it can be expected for first few trips. Don’t be discouraged, the time span grows with age and experience.
The key is to make the first ice fishing trips memorable and positive. Hopefully, fun will be an element and they will be begging to go again.

2. Snacks. Don’t ever leave home without them!
Many a fishing trips have been saved by a snack during a slow period. I can fish all day without eating but children seem to get hungry, cranky and tired. It is amazing how a little food enhances the attitude and mood of a child. Make sure to pack plenty of lunch and a drink. You may even want to bring a small charcoal grill and roast hot dogs. There have been occasions where I have allowed a small toy.

3. Safety. No matter how many times you remind a child of the dangers of a 10″ ice hole, it does not seem sink in until they experience it first hand. My son took a step in the icy cold lake water during the cold winter months within the first minute of drilling the holes. Fortunately, he did not experience any harm other than wet feet and cold toes. A constant and watchful eye is a must.

A life jacket is a good idea for small children if they are walking around on the ice. Warm clothing is essential. Remember, while you are busy working getting everything lined up, a child is more apt to get cold much quicker than seems possible. An extra pair of mittens is also a good idea. It is inevitable that every pair of mittens a child wears will some how end up wet.

4. Take pictures. Bring a camera. These photos will be treasured forever. You can only imagine how many times a child will want to see a picture of themselves holding their prized catch. It is a source of great pride and it keeps the adventure alive in their minds.

5. Equipment. The first and most important piece of equipment in my opinion is an ice fishing rod with a reel. This will provide lots of entertainment -opening the bail, sending the lure down, jigging and reeling the fish up. A ice shanty will help to block the wind during those cold winter days. An auger is needed to drill the hole. A bucket for the fish and a few bag style folding chairs are always useful too. The equipment you bring will depend on how long of a trip you are planning Remember, when you take a child fishing, it should be all about them. Keep them happy and don’t over do it. When they are done – they are done. Be patient and you will help them to develop a true interest in the sport of ice fishing and hopefully a life long hobby they can in turn share with their family.

It is always convenient if you are able to rent a waterfront vacation home when ice fishing with children. If your children get cold and tired they can go back and get warm. Many vacation homes offer discounted rates during the winter months with a minimal stay. Hess Lake Rentals in Newaygo Michigan offers ice fishing packages – which includes most of your equipment and accommodations. you can stay one day or more.

For more information on Hess Lake Rentals, visit www.HessLakeRentals.com . Hess Lake fishing is known for Crappie and Blue Gills. Don’t know how to ice fish? Hess Lake Rentals offers “very inexpensive” ice fishing guide services and will teach you the basics of ice fishing. An experienced guide will accompany you on your ice fishing experience. This is a small price to pay to ensure great fishing success for future winter trips to come. Rates vary from $75 to $120.00. Contact Sherri for more information at 616-638-9384 or by email sherri@monaviewholdings.com . Hopefully in the years to come, that family will ask to ice fish every winter. See you out on the ice!

Author: Daniel Eggertsen

When it comes to successful ice fishing for perch, there are some tried and true tips and techniques that are usually spot on in getting the fish to biting! Whenever you plan to ice fish for perch, you want to consider going to a smaller line whenever you can.  The smaller lines are not as easy for the perch to see, and are generally more effective as a result.  Another advantage to using lighter line is that they really seem to get the bait to the true depth you want to fish, they allow whatever jig you are using to behave in a more natural fashion and just seem to work better as  a result.

The type of rod you use to ice fish for perch is important as well.  You do have some options, though.  If you buy a somewhat stiff ice rod, you can easily put a spring type bobber on the tip, or you can choose an ultra light rod from 18 inches to 36 inches in length.  Just try to find a good rod that has a light tip and a little rigidity about halfway down the rod.  This will allow you to set your hook well, while still letting he fish bite with little tension.  If you plan to fish outside instead of in an ice house with heat, you should consider using a rod with large guides.  Some of the smaller ones tend to freeze up easily.

Now, on to choosing a jig for catching perch through the ice.  Most ice anglers rely heavily on anywhere from 1/8 ounce to 1/32 ounce jigs to catch perch.  These jigs are normally tipped bait and use a slip bobber.  Many ice fishermen will also use a spoon or other ice jig.  Good choices are Rattle Snakies, Kastmasters, Ripple tails, Casadas, or Ivan Slammers. Now, whenever you are fishing for perch, there are some modifications most ice anglers like to make.

Consider removing the treble hook and tying on about a 4 or 5 inch length of line and attaching a small treble hook and see if it works for you.When it comes to ice fishing, electronics becomes even more important than it is in any other type of fishing.  A really good unit is a Vexilar unit.  It has a tri color system and is really excellent for bottom and hook separation.  A depth finder tells the angler where the fish are and how heavily concentrated the fish are in any given area.  This can be invaluable when ice prevents you from relying on other cues.  You can set the sensitivity of this unit so that you can easily differentiate between fish, forage, and your hook.

eTrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS with Color Display and Expandable Memory eTrex Vista HCx, Americas Recreational*

A good GPS system is also a great tool when you are ice fishing for perch.  When you are out on the middle of a barren slab of ice, everything tends to look the same.  A GPS system will allow the angler to find hot spots and structure that looks inviting before they drill.  Most brands of GPS are basically the same with one notable exception–try to choose a brand that allows you to upload maps using a CD and computer.  These maps really can enhance your ice fishing experience and a good GPS will allow you to capitalize on that.

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

For the older and ice fishing buffs it is probably an unknown condition to use an ice fishing auger. However, the newer lot of anglers would never have had to go through the cumbersome effort of boring a gap in the ice to catch your fish through. The new very powerful ice fishing augers which are compact and lightweight save you from the arduous task of working on chipping a hole in the ice for hours. These ice fishing augers make your life so much more comfortable now.

The various styles of ice fishing augers in the market
The kind of ice fishing auger that you will need depends on the kind of drilling that you have to do on every trip of yours. There are several different types available in the market, with varied power, size and models. Some who are out fishing in the ice may want only a few holes to be drilled in a day whereas others may need several, this is so especially if they are moving along with a school of fish that is feeding. So if you require an auger with a high power and with more fuel usage you would need to drill at a faster pace.

CouponCabin

The different apparatus that must be considered when selecting an ice fishing auger should take account of:

1. Gas or electric powered – it is preferable to use gas powered augers as it easier to shift them on the ice and you do not have to bring a power supply source with you, such as a battery. You would of course need oil and gasoline or make sure that you have filled the auger up before you leave for the lake.  With no polluting emissions, the Electric augers are thought to be more eco friendly. The ice fishing augers that are gas powered are more effective than those that are operated with a battery and are more competent for drilling through ice especially if it is extending beyond a depth of over three to four feet. There is not much variation in performance for a thinner layer of ice.

2. Gear ratio – To control the speed of the drill the gear ratios are used. This is a safety factor of the ice fishing auger which will allow the user to control the speed of the drill which is a vital safety factor. Another important factor is to keep the gear compilation easily reachable to keep it well maintained even when the weather is cold.

3. The drill size – drills are normally not more than ten inches, but usually within 6 to 8 inches only. The size of the hole that you are planning to drill in the ice will have to be considered if you are thinking of using a tip up or on jigging. If you need a bigger sized drill this is usually found with ice fishing augers that are gas powered.

You can also have manual ice fishing by using a revolving shaft to assist in providing the twisting action and slicing energy for the auger. The manual augers which are the cheapest to procure are also the most environment friendly ones and also much lighter in weight than the others.

How to Use These Top 10 Pieces of Ice Fishing Equipment to Increase Your Catch

Author: John Olson

Given the advances of the past couple decades, ice fishing equipment has come a long way.  Gone are the days of freezing your tail off, hunched over a hole with a rod cut from a summer pole attempting to catch fish through a hole in the ice.  Today’s equipment allows for unprecedented mobility as well as great comfort to allow for longer and more successful trips to the ice.  Below is a list of the top 10 things that you can get to make your time on the ice more productive and enjoyable.

Test Free Fishing Gear…And Keep It!

10) Ice Fishing Plastics   Today’s plastics are revolutionary in that they at times catch more fish than live bait.  This normally comes from their scent and durability.  Using one piece of Berkley Powerbait to catch a dozen fish is not uncommon.

9) Wheel HouseGone are the days of 3 hours to move your permanent ice house.  With a wheel house you can jack it back up, hook it up to the truck and move on down to your next ice fishing destination.  A great way to cover more ice and not dread moving from a hot spot that has gone south.

8)  Glow Jigs Perfect for those low light times or when fishing water that is murky, many of today’s jigs come with glow paint on them that often increases catch rates immensely.  Popular models include the Lindy Frostee and the Genz Bug.  Simply place the jig next to a light source, preferably an LED light source, and your jig will illuminate very bright to draw in the fish.

Sporting Goods

7) Underwater Ice Fishing Camera Nothing has increased people’s understanding of the underwater world more than this piece of equipment.  The underwater camera allows you to watch everything that is going on beneath the ice on a TV screen.  It allows you to use minor adjustments to coax more fish into biting your bait.

6) GPS with Lake Contour Software The advent of the GPS allowed for people to bring high technology with them wherever they went.  Couple that with lake contour software, and we can go directly to the structure we see on our GPS.  This saves unknown time finding new spots as well as pinpointing the exact spot that was successful in the past.  Lakemaster makes excellent contour software for Garmin and Lowrance devices.

5) Modern Ice Fishing Rod Today’s ice fishing rods are built specifically for high performance ice fishing.  With a spine that allows one to play the fish as they fight, these rods are far superior than the rods of yesteryear.  You can even tailor the action of the rod to fit the fishing you are doing from ultra light for panfish to a heavy duty ice rod for northern pike.

4) Portable Propane Heater Nothing is worse than being cold while a hot bite is on.  The beauty of today’s heaters is both their portability as well as their heat output.  Some models are even safe indoors, and are great for heating up your portable or permanent shelter.  Mr. Heater and Coleman are the major brands in this space and both produce excellent heaters to keep you on warm and content on the ice.

3) Portable Ice Fishing Shelter Lightweight and extremely portable, the tent-like ice shelters you can purchase today allow for comfort, style and charm all while providing you opportunity to follow the hot bite.  The shelters go up and come down quickly and really keep the elements at bay.  Clam, Eskimo and Eastman all produce a high quality portable ice shanty for your ice fishing needs.

2) Gas Powered Ice Auger Today’s ice angler is all about moving to keep on the hot bite.  Couple that mentality with an ultra sharp gas powered ice auger of today and you can make swiss cheese of any lake you are on.  By punching many holes before you start fishing you can move at will and not spook the fish if they have moved slightly in one direction.  You will find high quality models from Strikemaster, Jiffy, and Eskimo to quench your thirst for catching more fish.

1) Ice Fishing Flasher  Perhaps no tool is more powerful than the ice fishing flasher.  Allowing the fisherman to see the entire water column as well as their bait leads to more fish on the ice.  Utilizing a flasher combined with the many holes you punched with your ice auger you can move quickly if no fish are below a hole.  With varying colors to mark how big an object below the flasher is, you can see when a fish rises to take your bait.  They are invaluable when fishing for suspended fish like crappies which would otherwise be overlooked.

With all the technology and innovation afforded to ice fishermen today there is no reason catching more fish needs to be a pipe dream.  If you combine even 3 of the items listed above you will greatly increase your chances are catching more and bigger fish.