Fishing is certainly one of the times where bigger is not necessarily better, even though your buddy sitting next to you in the boat is convinced it’s true. Sure there are many situations where big fishing equipment is appropriate and will probably lead you to more fish in the boat. However, fishing’s popularity is growing and space on the water is becoming a little more cramped. The fish are starting to take notice too. Some of these fish have seen it all from us fishermen and they are not being fooled anymore. In heavily fished areas the best fishermen have developed a new technique for success; Finesse Fishing.
I can hear the screams of fishermen worldwide, “What in the heck is finesse fishing and why do I want anything to do with something that has the words finesse and fishing in the same sentence?” Well, like it or not some waters are being fished so heavily that the good fish aren’t biting anymore. They have seen the tricks employed by the common fishermen and are ready for a better show. That is why we need to alter our approach a bit to fool the fish onto our lures again. Finesse fishing, in its simplest explanation, is just downsizing our equipment to throw a new look at an old fish. The easiest way to convert your game is to buy smaller and lighter versions of your current equipment. Let’s start with the rod. To get started on your finesse venture try buying a light to medium light action spinning rod. Buy something inexpensive to get the feel of a lighter action rod. With a little experience you will develop a preference for something a bit lighter, heavier, or lose interest in finesse fishing altogether. This way you can avoid wasting money on your first finesse purchase. Many fishermen say they feel like they are re-learning to fish. This new style could add some excitement to a day on the water and give you an excuse to buy more fishing gear. In fact finesse fishing is catching on quick and as a result many manufacturers have devoted a portion of their production of rods just for finesse fishing.
Don’t stop with just the rod; downsizing the reel in your setup will make a drastic change in how you fish and more importantly how many fish you catch. Some of the small reels available these days are set up nicely to carry a lighter line, like the one used by finesse fishermen. When shopping for a small reel, treat it just as you would be shopping for a large reel, except in a smaller format.
The most important change for a traditional fisherman trying to convert to finesse is in the line. When I first got into finesse fishing I got lost in all of the different options available on the market. Luckily a friend of mine was quite knowledgeable and one of his best pieces of advice was this, “When choosing a line stick to the traditional monofilament. Trust me.” Well I did trust him and have been happy since. The reason he didn’t like to use a braided line is because it floats, and floating ruins the function of a floating lure. I tried a braided line a couple times and I can add this additional word of guidance: mono lines tend to blend in underwater and help the bait look natural versus a braided line. Another consideration is line weight. Any line between six and ten pound test will work, and with a bit of experience on the water you will develop a preferred test weight. Some situations will require a six pound line to fool the most hesitant fish.
Choosing a lure is another necessity for any finesse fisherman. Fortunately there are hundreds of different lures available that fit finesse setups. The lures you choose will depend entirely on personal preference and necessity based on the waters you tend to fish. Be sure to buy a few different styles and test them out; some fish will respond better than others to particular lures. While some may still contend that bigger is in fact always better, sometimes it is worth it to mix things up. Try finesse fishing to add a new unique aspect to your fishing arsenal and increase your chances of going home a happy fisherman!
Steven James
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/how-to-have-better-success-in-over-fished-waters-106433.html
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:26 am
Indoor pond stocking list and setup?
I am installing a pond in my basement over the next year (so excited!) for cold-water fish. It will be 110 gallons with a play sand substrate, rocks and hidey holes for the fish, driftwood, and planted with live plants. I haven’t picked out a filter(s) yet. My first question is would you recommend one powerful filter with a less powerful backup, or two equal capacity filters? Anybody have a filter(s) for a 110 gallon aquarium that they really like and can recommend?
My stocking list is as follows:
2 Black Moor Goldfish
1 Shubunkin
2 Bulldog Plecos
10 Rosy Red Minnows
5 White Cloud Minnows
7 Albino Cories
4 Emerald Green Cories
I realize the cories are tropical, but these two species can live in cool water. Now I am wondering your opinion here also. Would you try it? Also – I already own the cories on the list, in various tropical tanks. They are adults, well-cared for, healthy, well-fed specimens that I love very much. With proper acclimation would they continue to thrive in the pond, or should I leave my existing cories be and purchase new, younger cories and keep them in coolwater from the time I get them (if I should include cories at all)? I’ll leave them be if it’s better for them, I don’t want to lose my cories. I absolutely love cories so if there is any chance of including them in the pond I really want to (but of course not at the chance of losing any!!)
Do you think in a large enough tank and with plenty of food the black moors with the shubunkin would be okay? I know they are not typically recommended to be mixed, but I really like shubunkins and black moors the best out of goldfish so I am hoping for success stories. I guess I could always swap the shubunkin with a calico fantail, though.
I know all about cycling and feeding all the species on the list, so don’t worry about that. Just want your thoughts on filtration and my stocking list. Thank you!! : -)
P.S. If the rosy reds happen to breed I plan to fish out the fry and grow them out a little, then release them into our outdoor pond.
P.P.S. Totally meant emerald green catfish in that list. Sorry.
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I love that you are getting into the pond hobby, i work at aquascape designs, we are the biggest pond retailer in america and as far as filtration goes i would recomend a canister fishtank filter, usually we use skimmers but since you have a indoor pond and such a small one it would be unnessasay expence that you dont need, i wouldnt recomend a cold water just because it is so much easier on the fish and the owner to do standard aquarium temp ( about 76-80 degress F) so you dont need to mess around with aquarium chillers, if you buy a pump (you wouldnt need a really strond one) you get rid of dead spots where stagment water pools, and with that oumo you could plant live plants (lighting permited) which really do alot for filtration, if you got the right plants, like cattails and water hiyasin ( forgive spelling on that =P) you may very well be able to get rid of the need for an actual filter, you would need to get the benefitial bacteria colonizing immediatly and i would recomend clams and trapdoor snails since they are vital to good filtration, as far as the fish go that list sounds like it could be okay in a pond since they are larger and not the same way as fish tanks are but i would keep an eye open for fighting. I would also like you to hold off on stocking that tank like that, start with some rossey reds to help the nitrogen cycle get going then over the next 2 months fully stock your fish tank, if you take my plant advice which is pretty and usefull you honestly might not need any other aerration (as long as you have the pump, the plants will not work without the pumps!)
im sorry to make you read all of that but i hope it helps
References :
Work and my aquarium that i use natural filtration in.