Fishing in some cities is a major deal, a vibrant and vital part of the local culture. Good water, big fish, and lots of them all factor into making this happen, but there's much more to it than that.
In a great fishing city, you'll find trucks trailering boats through rush-hour traffic whenever the fish are running. You'll bump into anglers riding in buses or cabs to their favorite fishing spots.
You'll see folks catching fish within the city limits and close by. And, in a real fishing city, you'll find good old-fashioned tackle and fly shops, and colorful, working guides who will be happy to book you for a trip right now. Fishing pervades the lifeblood of the urban scene.
If you're a serious fisherman, ask three questions when you're rating a city: If you could switch jobs, would you consider moving there, to increase your fishing options? Would you plan a visit there, specifically to fish? Or, at the least, would you throw a rod and reel into your luggage before a business trip, in case you happened to find a little free time?
The following cities kick bass, and walleyes, tarpon, and other species, too. We've rated them from 1 to 20, and given you the keys to the top 5. See if you agree with us.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/article_gallery.jsp?ID=1000014488
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New England Revisits Fishing Regulations
NEW BEDFORD — Massachusetts will draw up its own groundfish management plan with the hope of moving the federal government away from its “days at sea” system, which has been ineffective and catastrophic to the industry, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles told The Standard-Times on Tuesday.
Mr. Bowles dismissed the idea that the federal government wouldn’t respond to one state’s fisheries management rewrite, saying, “if I woke up every morning hearing that, I wouldn’t go to work.” He said going it alone will avoid conflicts such as one recently with the state of Maine “where we found ourselves on opposite sides of the fence.”
The plan is to supplement long-term proposals for re-regulation in 2009 with “more immediate and urgent changes in the next round of federal New England Fishery Management Council meetings this spring,” Mr. Bowles elaborated in a prepared statement.
The Patrick administration hopes to have better luck with this than it did in February of 2007 when it asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to declare a “fishery resource disaster” in the Massachusetts groundfish industry in the wake of harsh new federal fishing restrictions. Framework 42, starting in November 2006, had cut in half the number of fishing days available to the groundfishing fleet. Gov. Deval Patrick cited $22 million in losses through last spring.
Mr. Gutierrez waited eight months and then rejected the disaster declaration.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080304/NEWS/80304019/-1/TOWN1001
Mr. Bowles dismissed the idea that the federal government wouldn’t respond to one state’s fisheries management rewrite, saying, “if I woke up every morning hearing that, I wouldn’t go to work.” He said going it alone will avoid conflicts such as one recently with the state of Maine “where we found ourselves on opposite sides of the fence.”
The plan is to supplement long-term proposals for re-regulation in 2009 with “more immediate and urgent changes in the next round of federal New England Fishery Management Council meetings this spring,” Mr. Bowles elaborated in a prepared statement.
The Patrick administration hopes to have better luck with this than it did in February of 2007 when it asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to declare a “fishery resource disaster” in the Massachusetts groundfish industry in the wake of harsh new federal fishing restrictions. Framework 42, starting in November 2006, had cut in half the number of fishing days available to the groundfishing fleet. Gov. Deval Patrick cited $22 million in losses through last spring.
Mr. Gutierrez waited eight months and then rejected the disaster declaration.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080304/NEWS/80304019/-1/TOWN1001
More Fishing from Last Year's License in Minnesota
You have a bit longer to use your 2007 Minnesota fishing license, thanks to a legislative change that went into effect last fall.
Under the change, state residents and nonresidents who bought a 2007 fishing license can use it until April 30. Additionally, stamps or tags to harvest particular species also are valid through the end of next month, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
http://www.startribune.com/local/16176437.html
Under the change, state residents and nonresidents who bought a 2007 fishing license can use it until April 30. Additionally, stamps or tags to harvest particular species also are valid through the end of next month, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
http://www.startribune.com/local/16176437.html
Arkansas Fishing Gearing Up
Fishing remains in the doldrums but with warm afternoons making more visits and staying longer, the countdown to angling bliss is on. We're still probably two weeks away but March is officially here and it's time to get this party started.
Before we light the candles, however, it might be nice to invite new friends to the festivities. The population explosion peaked a couple of years ago but Northwest Arkansas is still bringing them in. With Wal-Mart, J. B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, the University of Arkansas and the brand new Northwest Arkansas Naturals calling Washington or Benton County home, it stands to reason that lots of new faces are in the crowd.
And I'm sure many come armed with a burning desire to wet a hook.
http://nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/62761/
Before we light the candles, however, it might be nice to invite new friends to the festivities. The population explosion peaked a couple of years ago but Northwest Arkansas is still bringing them in. With Wal-Mart, J. B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, the University of Arkansas and the brand new Northwest Arkansas Naturals calling Washington or Benton County home, it stands to reason that lots of new faces are in the crowd.
And I'm sure many come armed with a burning desire to wet a hook.
http://nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/62761/
No More Fishing on Vacant Lots - Punta Gorda, FL
PUNTA GORDA — Anglers may soon be reeling in their lines in Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles.
The City Council will hold the final adoption hearing Wednesday for a new ordinance that would ban fishing from the seawalls within PGI and BSI.
Two weeks ago, the council voted 4-1 in support of the ban. Councilwoman Marilyn Smith-Mooney dissented, saying that the ordinance was judgmental and was identifying anglers as “a class of people,” rather than banning recreational uses on the vacant lots.
http://www.sun-herald.com/breakingnews.cfm?id=4923
It sounds like a few fishermen with bad behavior have ruined fishing from those lots for the majority. On the brighter side, there are plenty of fishing piers in that area where anglers can go.
The City Council will hold the final adoption hearing Wednesday for a new ordinance that would ban fishing from the seawalls within PGI and BSI.
Two weeks ago, the council voted 4-1 in support of the ban. Councilwoman Marilyn Smith-Mooney dissented, saying that the ordinance was judgmental and was identifying anglers as “a class of people,” rather than banning recreational uses on the vacant lots.
http://www.sun-herald.com/breakingnews.cfm?id=4923
It sounds like a few fishermen with bad behavior have ruined fishing from those lots for the majority. On the brighter side, there are plenty of fishing piers in that area where anglers can go.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Seasons of Fishing in New England
I know that in a short time the weather will turn warmer, buds will pop through the earth and we will be in our spring mode. With spring comes open waters and the trout streams will beckon.
In reality, northern New England offers a variety of fishing regardless of the season. For example, in April try brook trout fishing on Sebago Lake or Winnipesaukee for salmon and hit the small ponds and lakes for fast smallmouth action. In May, try fly-fishing the rivers for sea-run trout or schoolie stripers or hit the lakes for bed-fishing largemouth bass (remember to release them immediately).
June should be the time to hit the salt for stripers in the rivers or out deep around the Isles of Shoals. July brings great night fishing for bass, perch, and other warm-water species, plus join the "bridge people" and try your luck off of the bridges throughout the area for stripers.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/SPORTS/803010337
In reality, northern New England offers a variety of fishing regardless of the season. For example, in April try brook trout fishing on Sebago Lake or Winnipesaukee for salmon and hit the small ponds and lakes for fast smallmouth action. In May, try fly-fishing the rivers for sea-run trout or schoolie stripers or hit the lakes for bed-fishing largemouth bass (remember to release them immediately).
June should be the time to hit the salt for stripers in the rivers or out deep around the Isles of Shoals. July brings great night fishing for bass, perch, and other warm-water species, plus join the "bridge people" and try your luck off of the bridges throughout the area for stripers.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/SPORTS/803010337
Tampa Bay Bass Are Biting
Since we're in a period of lunar transition and a change in the full- and new-moon event pattern from late-night/early-morning hours to the dinner hour, the angler prepares for the mid-morning bite to occur.
In the meantime, there is a remote chance to hook into a larger bass from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in your favorite hot spot. Apart from that option, the angler should scout areas for suspended fish. Nothing satisfies the angler more than presenting his artificial bait in an artful, enticing, irresistible, successful manner; resulting in hooking a reluctant bass, worn down by the Florida angler.
Today the weather pattern should play a positive role and negate some of the affects of the last-quarter moon. The warming of the air and water should increase fish metabolisms enough to extend the duration and intensity level.
The barometer is forecasted to gradually drop to normal readings near 30 inHG (Inches of mercury) by Monday, and it's my opinion that fish always bite more during a falling barometer. It doesn't take much of a change in hydro-pressure — brought on by barometric decline — combined with a few parts-per-billion decrease in oxygen to trigger the larger fish to start hunting and eating.
http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2008/mar/01/fishing-bass-are-full-spawning-mode-week/
In the meantime, there is a remote chance to hook into a larger bass from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in your favorite hot spot. Apart from that option, the angler should scout areas for suspended fish. Nothing satisfies the angler more than presenting his artificial bait in an artful, enticing, irresistible, successful manner; resulting in hooking a reluctant bass, worn down by the Florida angler.
Today the weather pattern should play a positive role and negate some of the affects of the last-quarter moon. The warming of the air and water should increase fish metabolisms enough to extend the duration and intensity level.
The barometer is forecasted to gradually drop to normal readings near 30 inHG (Inches of mercury) by Monday, and it's my opinion that fish always bite more during a falling barometer. It doesn't take much of a change in hydro-pressure — brought on by barometric decline — combined with a few parts-per-billion decrease in oxygen to trigger the larger fish to start hunting and eating.
http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2008/mar/01/fishing-bass-are-full-spawning-mode-week/
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