Looks like Bladerunner can fill in all the gaps I left! Nice pics of the kids!!
(I wrote this for the Mississippi Minuteman board so you'll have to do your own research for your state.)
If you've never been fishing, you don't know what you've been missing. It's pretty essential that you learn something about it if you want to really be prepared to survive TSHTF.
Fishing in general:
http://www.takemefishing.org/howtofish http://www.mississippigameandfish.com/ http://www.mdwfp.com/Level2/Fisheries/msfish.asp (MS Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks...license info)
Fish Identification:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/wate...es/inland.phtml (Got to go to Texas to find out about MS freshwater fish!)
http://library.thinkquest.org/6028/types_of_fish.htm (Freshwater)
http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/default.cfm (Saltwater)
Fly Fishing: (I'm not getting into fly fishing cause I've never mastered the fine art of casting without snapping the fly off the line!!!)
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/101/ http://www.hooked-on-flies.com/ Saltwater Fishing:
http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/Publications/20...08-reg-book.pdf (Mississippi Regs)
http://www.bayoubucklures.com/mississippi-...ter-fishing.htm Reels Saltwater:
http://www.tackledirect.com/spinning.html (I use a Penn reel for saltwater fishing. They're expensive but worth it!)
http://www.flat-bellies.com/saltwater_reels.htm (These are trolling reels. This is what you use when you are out on a boat and dragging a line behind the moving boat.)
Reels Freshwater:
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/reelspin.html (Spinning reels are much easier to use!)
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/reelcast.html (Bait casting reels are more difficult to use as the line tangles very easily. I use a Quantum bait casting reel for bass fishing.)
Note: I'm not going to get into a discussion about rods and fishing line. You get what you pay for with a fishing rod. It's not such an issue if you're only fishing for bream (
http://fishing.about.com/od/bream/ig/Sunfi...tures/index.htm ). Bass and saltwater fish require good rods that won't break when you're trying to land the big one! As for fishing line, you'll pick the best line for the situation. Talk to the guy at the tackle store for advice. One Hint: Replace your line every season!!
As for hooks, weights, bobbers, leaders, swivels, lures, bait, and all that jazz...start off simple and work your way up. There is specific tackle and bait for specific situations. Again, use the tackle shop guy. He's your best resource, cause he knows what's biting and what they're catching 'em with. Just use your common sense. He's trying to make a buck too. It helps if you talk to other folks in the store who look like they know what they're doing!
Fishing Knots:
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing....imatedknots.com (Animated knot tying..I use the Improved Clinch knot whether freshwater or saltwater fishing. Make sure you lick the line before you start!)
http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm Fish Cleaning and Filleting:
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/clnfish.htm http://www.wikihow.com/Clean/Gut-a-Fish How to fillet: I do it a bit differently. The following techniques have you cut the fillet away and then skin it. I cut the fillet towards the tail, but leave the fillet attached at the tail. I then flip the fillet up and over the tail so that it is lying behind the fish with the meat side up. I then take the filet knife or electric knife and cut (starting at the tail end) the meat away from the skin as closely as possible. This makes it easer because the filet is anchored by the tail and you're not having to hold on to the fillet as tightly as when it is completely separated from the fish. I learned to do this from the deck hands on salt water fishing charters who have to clean all the fish after a trip.
http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/cleaning-fish/filleting.html http://www.camping-picnicing.com/how-to-fillet-a-fish.html http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/li...ister&noImage=0 (An electric knife, while we have electricity, makes quick work if you have a lot of fish to fillet. You still have to take your time because you will waste a lot of meat, unlike a filet knife. This is the electric knife I have. It is no different than the electric knife I carve the Thanksgiving turkey with. I just didn't find the idea of using my good carving knife to do fish with to be very appetizing come turkey day.)
http://www.cleanafish.com/fillet-knife.html (This is a fish fillet knife. The one I use probably came from Walmart. No need to spend big bucks on it!)
So much to talk about and so little time! Just so you don't think that I'm an expert or anything, I will tell you that I am a wuss when it comes to catfish. I refuse to take one off the hook, but will fry them up in a hurry if you'll do it! And just to keep you wondering too...my favorite bass lure is a purple fire-tail worm!
Diana
