Sunday, September 28, 2008

Find And Catch Those Pesky Fish With A Garmin 240 Fish Finder

Garmin 240 Fish Finder Depthfinder with Transducer - a review

The lakes that I normally fish are deep and quite rocky, and I have been delighted with the performance of the Garmin 240 Fish Finder, which gives a clear picture of what lies below. The image of the bottom shows great detail, and if it is showing fish presence then you can guarantee they will be there. It does a good job of indicating non-fishlines as well. It is at its best when performing in deep water, but perhaps isn't as impressive in shallow water.

The Depth Control feature works well in continuing to monitor changes in water depth automatically while the Whiteline feature determins bottom hardness well. The screen is easy to read, even in the dark when the backlight comes into its own. You can see the controls easily.

The Garmin 240 Fish Finder is packed full of features for less money than my old Lowrance, while the features are easily compatible."

Features

The 240-by-240 pixel high-definition display gives you a clear picture of fish, thermoclines, structure and bottom surface. By using various shades of gray, the Fishfinder 240 paints a beautiful picture, leaving little to interpretation.

Operational features include a unique control bar that identifies the most commonly used fishing settings. So without hunting through complicated menus, you can quickly configure and save the settings you want. As lake conditions change, you can fine- tune your Fishfinder 240 on the fly.

Garmin's engineering edge includes See-ThruTM technology, a Garmin exclusive. This allows the Garmin 240 Fish Finder to hear both weak and strong signals simultaneously so you to identify fish returns under the toughest conditions: suspended in thermoclines or even hiding near structure.

Another exclusive feature is Depth Controlled Gain (DCGTM), which automatically adjusts fishfinder sensitivity according to depth, not echo intensity like other fishfinders. The result is a much more detailed and accurate picture of bottom structure.

And we've often heard stories about folks who have found a great fishing spot one day, only to be unable to find it again the next day. With the Garmin 240 Fish Finder that's never a problem again.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

At Last - The Eagle Fishmark 320 - A Foolproof Method For Finding Fish Every Time

Looking for a reliable fishfinder? Then check out the features that you get in the FishMark 320. This great quality finder will bring in the fish you are searching for and deliver a foolproof method for catching them every time. The sonar on board is perfect and is one that you will be impressed with.
Just imagine sitting on deck on a beautiful sunny day, not having to guess where the fish are - your FishMark 320 will pinpoint where they are, and when to cast.
The FishMark 320 has many features to mention here.
The 320 has a five inch diagonal screen with high definition 320x320 LCD resolution. It has 16 level grayscale and a backlit screen and keypad. So, what does all of that do? It gives you a great sized screen (perfect for viewing) that is clear and crisp in the images that it displays. You can see the details and therefore know what you have to deal with.
But, what shows up on that screen is what really matters. And, the FishMark 320 has what you need it to. It has depth capability of 800 feet which is perfect for the average lake. It has a 60 degree angle of detection so that means you’ll get what is below your boat and what is next to it. You also get other features that you will love including the FishReveal technology which shows your target even if it is hiding under clutter which we all know is down there. It features HyperScroll so that you can get a reliable reading even when your boat is hitting high speeds, great for finding schools of fish when you are in a hurry. You also get GRAYLINE which will help to differentiate between the fish and the bottom or structures. Fish ID and Fish Track help you to locate and track the fish that you want to catch.
Don’t worry about not finding the right one or losing it if you turn your head. Ever have a fish hide on you? It won’t be easily to hide with this technology! All in all, the Eagle FishMark 320 is the perfect companion on board your boat this fishing season!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fishing Guides - Fishing Rod Casting Tips

Fishing Rod Casting

The action of a fishing rod is the behavior of the rod while being cast by an individual. The action of the rod may be the same for all the people who cast with it and it may be different for every person who casts with it. Very few casters cast exactly alike. Their hand, arm, muscular and nervous systems are never exactly alike and they con¬sequently perform a cast with a rod differently than any other hand and arm, etc. The action of most rods will react substantially the same for all casters, however. When a rod does not react the same for one caster as another, the action of the rod for each caster is different. That is, a rod may be called a stiff action by one caster and a med¬ium stiff action by another, and both are correct. The action of a rod, then, depends directly on the particular caster using it and may vary from caster to caster.

We will discuss rod action as it applies to fly rods, only. The rod actions are only discussed in general terms.

Wet Fly Fishing Rod Casting

WEJT FLY ACTION: Years ago, a “wet fly action” fly rod was considered to be a rod that was very limber and which bent freely from the grip to the tip. The theory of such limber, soft rods was that they allowed the flies to fall gently into the water and the line to fall straight into the water. Either claim has questionable advantages under many conditions. Gradually, as the years have gone by, fisher¬men began to find out that these old “buggy whip wet fly rods” were actually poor rods for casting the wet fly and that rods suitable for dry fly casting generally cast wet flies much more satisfactorily. Act¬ually, wet fly rods are non-existent today except when a maker turns out a poor dry fly rod and sells it to some novice as a “wet fly rod.”

Dry Fly Fishing Rod Casting

DRY FLY ACTION: There are many ways to build a dry fly rod or dry fly action into a rod. Most of these methods produce good dry fly rods. I will briefly describe some of the better known methods of producing dry fly action in a rod.

HEWITT DRY FLY ACTION: Edward H. Hewitt, as you un¬doubtedly know, was considered the best fly fisherman for trout in the world. There are those who are prone to minimize Hewitt’s abil¬ities for personal reasons or self glory. However, I have never known or heard of anyone from reliable sources who could beat Hewitt for actually putting trout in a creel. Hewitt used a rod with action or the bending in the lower or middle part but not as pronounced as in the standard Dry Fly action. On a three piece rod, for example, the upper half of the middle section and the lower half of the tip have “level tapers”, that is, the tapers are slight. This leaves these areas a little stiff. Such a rod has action all over but slightly more of the bending is in the butt section, the lower half of the middle section, and the top half of the tip.

Hewitt action is identical to the Standard Dry Fly action describ¬ed below, except that the variations in the “level tapered” areas are less from a straight taper than the Standard Dry Fly action “level tapers.”

In one of the last letters from Hewitt, he wrote me that he much preferred this type of rod to all others and that he never was able to wear one out or soften up the action of such a rod no matter how long he use it. This means something coming from Hewitt. He not only had used rods of various types for a great many years but used them a great deal ever year. As always, Hewitt had Leonard make his rods and he always had the highest praised for them.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Better Fish Care - Seven Hot Tips On How To Care For Better Fish

Sure everyone loves Goldfish but there are a very similar type of highly colored and active fish that are just as easy to care for. I'm talking about Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish. Hailing from the Mekong river in Asia these beautiful fish usually grow to about 6cm in length although some may reach 8cm's or more. One little known fact is that their natural color is actually a dark green and brown. We see the bright colored ones today simply because of selective breeding by breeders from around the world.
Betta fish are very easy to care for and this makes them a great choice for people who have busy lifestyles and wish to keep pet fish. Below are seven hot tips to keep your Betta fish in tip top shape.
Number 1 - Simple Monitoring
After you've had your Betta fish for a while you will soon recognize their behaviors and activities. You will soon be able to see if your Betta fish are poorly. If your fish seem lethargic measure the temperature of the water. Too cold and your fish will seem listless. The ideal water temperature should be about 28 degrees centigrade (approximately 82 Fahrenheit).
Number 2 - Keep The Water Clean
This may sound obvious to some but your Betta fish need clean water. You shouldn't need a water filter but try to change at least a quarter of the tanks water twice a week. This will insure that it stays nice and clean and will help to keep away any infections. Try not to use water straight out of the cold tap but leave it out for a day at least to let it settle. Be sure to use a PH testing kit (you can get these from your favorite pet store) and try to keep the PH at around 7.0.
Number 3 - Size Matters!
When choosing a tank make sure it will be large enough for your Betta fish to swim around comfortably. A 20 litre tank is ideal. Sharp rocks and stones should be avoided. You don't want your pride and joy to rip or tear any of his/her fins.
Number 4 - Keep A Lid On It
Betta fish like to jump! Knowing this try to keep the water level approximately 6 centimetres below the top of your tank. This, along with the lid, should stop your fish flipping themselves onto the table for your cat to find. DO NOT use an air tight lid! Bettas can take oxygen direct from the waters surface so make sure there are good air holes in the lid.
Number Five - Fish Need Friends Too
It is a wise idea never to keep other Betta fish in the same tank. They are not called Siamese fighting fish for nothing! Try not to keep mirrors or shiny surfaces near the tank as they will flare up at the slightest sign of another Betta, even if it's themselves. Male Bettas tend to be the worst for this type of behavior. It may be fun to watch but all you will do is stress your fish and decrease its lifespan. You can keep other fish with your Bettas. Loaches, platies (or moons) and Cory catfish are ideal tankmates.
Number 6 - Cleaning
Never (and we mean never) use soap or detergents to clean out your fish tank. Simply use a plastic brush and warm water to scrub any rocks or decorations you may have. To remove any old food from the bottom of the tank try using a pipette or a kitchen baster. This will ensure your tank stays nice and fresh and doesn't smell.
Number 7 - Food
Your Betta fish will absolutely love live food such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. Feeding them live food will keep them active and it is great fun to watch them gobbling them all up. For variety try feeding them on thinly chopped vegetables like broccoli, carrots and soybeans. They will enjoy these just as much as live food. Feeding your Bettas on a wider range of food will help them to live longer.

5 Tips For Fish Pond Maintenance

One of the best things that individuals can include into their backyard is a fish pond. This will make the landscape of any garden appear more tranquil and beautiful. But the work that goes into having a fish pond does not end once the fish has been dropped into their new home. Fish pond maintenance means routinely cleaning and taking care of the fish pond!
Here are some easy to follow tips for fish pond maintenance:
1. Building a fish pond entails more work than just digging a hole in the ground, and filling it with water. The first thing individuals have to do is use a plastic lining to separate the ground from what to become the fish pond. This way the debris and soil nutrient does not get into the pond.
2. Including an assortment of plants inside the fish pond, and planting it around the edges will help manage and absorb the nutrients in the fish pond. Some water plants will also help to control the presence of algae. Not only does plants decorate the fish pond, but it also helps to combat the outburst of algae.
3. Be careful where you dig your fish pond. Where the fish pond is located can determine how much work a person has to put in to maintain a clean fish pond.
One of the problems that can occur from having a fish pond that is located under a tree is that it is hard to keep it clean of debris. This is because the leaves that have shed goes right into the fish pond. Although this might look beautiful, it is hard to maintain and keep free of pollution. Individuals would constantly have to fish out the debris that goes into the fish pond.
4. Also, digging a fish pond on the lowest ground level in the backyard is not the best idea. This is because it will tend to get flooded when you water your lawn.
Individuals will have their hands full with taking care of the fish pond without having to worry about other sources of pollution. So right from the very beginning of construction, people should be careful where they dig their fish pond!
5. Outline the edges with rock. One should be careful when selecting the rocks that will line the edges of the pond. Some rocks when absorbed by water, give off substance that might be toxic to the aquatic life that resides inside the pond. This will prevent the soil from going into the pond when people are walking, or changing out near the fish pond.
Remember that when it comes to taking care of a fish pond, the best way to keep it clean starts with its lay out. Make sure that it is built properly.
About the author

Tips On Setting Up Your First Fish Tank

Let's take a splash into the world of fish. Studies show there is a calming effect on watching fish. Having a fish tank relives stress, overall improving ones health. This is why you find many fish tanks in doctors offices. Don't forget the entertainment that fish provide. All around, fish make great pets.
First thing before purchasing a tank is to know where you are going to put it. Remember three main things. First is stability. Is it going to have its own stand or be on a table? This is very important especially if you have pets or children. Flipping fish and water all over the floor because of an unstable table is not something you want to experience.
Second, fish tanks don't do well in a place where there is an abundant amount of sun because algae will form. A green fish tank is not pretty sight. Don't place your fish tank near heat, air conditioning or exterior doors because you will have problems maintaining constant water temperature. Don't forget that you will need electricity. Do not use extension cords, you need an outlet less then three feet away. Trust me, its a pain to set the whole tank up and realize there is no outlet near by.
Okay, now you are ready to purchase a tank. What type of fish do you want? Tropical fish or cold water fish. Tropical fish need a heater in the tank to keep the temperature between 74-78 degrees Fahrenheit. There are basic two types of tanks, glass or acrylic. Personally, I find acrylic much easier due to the fact that it is a lot lighter and acrylic won't crack.
One mistake to avoid is purchasing the fish tank, all accessories, and the fish all at once. Buy only the fish tank and accessories because the environment for the fish has to be established first. You need to place the water in the fish tank 24 hours ahead of time and let it acclimate to room temperature. Letting it stand also de-chlorinates the water. You can purchase drops of sodium thiosulfate to de-chlorinate the water but that does not allow the water to reach room temperature. My advise is skip as many chemicals as possible and wait the 24 hour time period.
Don't forget gravel, rock and decorations. You can get plastic plants or live plants. I personally like live plants because most fish like to eat the plants. Also, make sure you have extra carbon filters on hand.
Now you are ready to purchase fish. A good fish store will be able to assist you on how many fish to buy for your size tank. While you are there don't forget the fish food. Your choices are flake food or pellets. I have found that pellets keep the tank much cleaner. Remember only to feed the fish what they can eat in a few minutes.
You think fish can't jump? Think again! Make sure your aquarium comes with a hood. This is very important because it keeps little hands from putting things in the fish tank. The hood has a lighting fixture that usually comes with a incandescent bulb. I replaced mine with a 13w compact fluorescent light bulb because of heat build up and the possibility of getting burned. I usually keep my fish tank light on when feeding the fish so I can watch their strange antics.
Your next step? To take what you've just learned and go to the pet store and purchase a tank.
About the author.
Article written by Gary Nave of http://www.fish--tanks.com