MISC. FISHING INFO ...

FRESHWATER FREELINE
by Roger S. Harbster

BASS FISHING - Most fishermen, when thinking about freshwater live bait fishing, think that a float tied to your line is a must. I am one of purest, I like just a hook and to freeline my live wild shiner. The shiner will swim for cover into the hyacinths, lily pads or whatever cover you are fishing by. This method of fishing is just what you want, because this territory is where Mr. Wallhanger is hiding. You have to use 20 or 30 pound test line and have patience to set and watch for the pickup. Just let the shiner do his job. Most certainly you will be hung up, but if Mr. Wallhanger takes your bait you can fight him back out of the cover. The heavy mono is so you can retrieve your bait and hook without breaking the line. use this secret method of shiner fishing. Nudge your bait with a little tug once and a while to wake up your bait. You will find that you will catch bigger bass and more bass while using wild shiners. I like hooking the shiner through both lips. This allows him to move and stay alive better.

PAN FISHING - I like using a flyrod when fishing for panfish, but freelining with 8 pound test line and just a hook is the way to go. For bait, I like using large live Missouri minnows. You can hook them through the eyes - this will allow you to cast the bait better and the minnows will stay alive longer. Use your trolling motor or paddle your way along the shoreline casting your bait as close as you can. As you pass lilly pads dunk your bait into the holes in the pads - this seems to be a favorite hiding place for the panfish. I have also caught bass to 6 1/2 pounds on minnows using this method. I also like freelining live minnows out in the middle of the lake. If the wind is blowing too much and you're drifting too fast, just slip a split shot on to add some weight. I have caught crappies (Specks), warmouths, stripers and even catfish using this method. I feel this gives you better coverage than using floats and Christmas tree type rigs that only look good to you! Surely not to the fish!

SMALL BUG LURES FOR PANFISH AND BASS - This is truly mine and my wife Dorothy's favorite past time using a small flyrod and spinning reel with 8 pound test line. We fish all over Florida in the clear water springs where the temperature is 72 degrees at the source the year round. Anytime of the year is good to fish the springs. With February, March and April being the best for bass fishing. We buy lures from Febel Lure Company - the small repalas like the grasshoppers, crickets, and other small bugs. Just tie the small lure to your line and cast it up under the trees and let it drift with the current. Give your bug a nudge once in a while to make it look alive and more scrumptious. My wife Dorothy and I have caught at least 25 to 50 fish per day (8 hours). This has heppened trip after trip. We fish Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Springs just to name a few. We have caught double fish on one lure at one time. This method of fishing is great fun and the fish taste great coming out of the clear water springs. Be sure and take your camera because most of these springs run through some awesome back country with an abundant of wildlife everywhere.

LINKS ...

• BIG MOUTH BOB'S FISHING TIPS
• SOUTH FLORIDA BUTTERFLY PEACOCK BASS
• CRACKER BOY ALL PURPOSE SEASONING and CRACKER GIRL SPICY ALL PURPOSE SEASONING brings the flavor of your food alive! Either can be enjoyed on all types of beef, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, vegetables, salads, fish and ALL types of seafood. Visit this website for free recipes and ordering information.
• FUNCOASTOUTDOORS.COM
• EXTREMEBAITS.COM