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?Here’s a pro’s view of the newest artificial fish habitat from Fishiding.com
What else needs to be said? Everything fishing is here, from techniques to tackle, hotspots to secrets and all things in between. Send your fishing pics and tell the story behjind it. Was it caught on structure, or open water? What were the weather conditions? From Crappie and bass, to walleye and muskie, we fish for it and you can find it here.
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?Here’s a pro’s view of the newest artificial fish habitat from Fishiding.com
Ralph Manns is a trained fisheries biologist and contributing writer for several fishing magazines. He resides in Rockwall, Texas.
When largemouth bass feed actively, they move. Underwater observers, scientific experimenters, and electronic trackers all report the same things: black bass hold inside or near to cover when they are inactive and resting. When they are actively feeding, they move outside thick cover and usually travel along edges.
The slim, muscular, and streamlined shape of bass is best suited to make short dashes after forage fish. It is less well designed to ambush forage fish by lying hidden and camouflaged inside cover. Predator fish that routinely feed by ambush usually have several characteristics in common. They are bulky, camouflaged, sit on the bottom, and move only inches when they strike. Moreover, ambush feeders normally have big mouths and heads and relatively small bodies and few muscles because they move little and often must wait many days between feedings. Sculpin, rockfish, halibut, and sole are typical ambush predators.
Experiments in which bass were given chances to feed inside and outside cover show bass forced to live inside thick cover are unable to chase forage fish and are forced to use ambush tactics. These bass catch few forage fish, grow slowly, and may even starve if forage fish aren’t abundant. Although they sometimes ambush forage fish, ambush is an inefficient tactic for bass.
Bass that can leave cover to cruise individually or in small schools along edges of thick cover do so. They startle individual forage fish and scatter forage fish schools. Forage fish that dart the wrong way or dash too near another bass were eaten. Big bass expert Doug Hannon calls this tactic “flushing.” The tactic is suited to bass’ ability to cruise at slow speed and then to accelerate rapidly to strike vulnerable forage fish a few feet away.
When forage fish aren’t overabundant, cruising bass encounter and have chances to catch many more forage fish than ambushing bass. Studies show bass feeding along the edges of thick cover catch enough food to grow and remain healthy.
Scuba divers, me included, have watched bass that were immobile inside cover and apparently asleep. These fish didn’t feed, even though edible-size forage fish were within inches of their mouths. These inactive bass also refused fishing lures presented within inches of their noses and were almost impossible to catch-unless something aroused them from their torpor before the lure passed by. Electronic trackers frequently report that bass that hold for long periods in the same place aren’t usually catchable.
In contrast, bass that held near the edges of cover and moved back and forth were occasionally tempted by fishing lures that were placed nearby. They were also more easily aroused to active status by repeated casting. These bass are usually neutral or semi-active. Neutral bass tended to hold near other bass, but don’t synchronize their movements or hold close together. Scientists call such groups “aggregations” rather than schools. Forage fish often hover nearby, but stay at least 3 feet away and remain constantly wary. Neutral bass will strike forage fish that blunder too close and often drift around rather than holding in one place only. Electronic trackers often report these local wanderings, but anglers find only precisely placed casts interest such fish.
When bass want to feed actively they form schools with bass of similar sizes and swim off together. They cruise fairly steadily along edges of cover (into open water if there are many bass and shad are abundant) to flush forage fish. These are active, catchable fish if anglers can locate them, predict their direction of movement, and put a lure in front of them. Nearby forage fishfish know when bass were preparing to feed and immediately move well out of range. The bass move away looking for forage fish that haven’t seen them coming.
The idea that bass feed by ambushing forage fish apparently resulted from some 0 observations and assumptions. Bass are inactive or neutral most of the time. While inactive, they frequently rest inside thick cover. It they aren’t digesting food, too sleepy, and totally immobile, lures flipped right on their noses may be taken. They also may wake up it aroused by repeated casts. Thus many bass are caught in cover where ambush is the most likely tactic. Moreover, moving bass still may stop periodically at places where cover or structure stops, starts, bends, or changes. Bass taken at these locations may seem to ambush lures or forage fish, even though the bass aren’t actually hiding there.
Bass usually don’t move only one way. Lunker bass monitored by Texas bass-tracker, John Hope, moved almost constantly when active, but they patrolled to-and-fro along the edges of cover or break-lines. Anglers who “hole-sit” on edges, bends, and points of weed beds or other cover during feeding periods may encounter several schools of passing bass or contact the same school several times as it passes back and forth. This can create an illusion that the feeding bass aren’t moving. Active bass also move along cover edges anglers can’t see. Fairly open pathways often exist under thick weeds and seemingly impenetrable brush. Fish that are apparently caught “inside” such cover may be moving along relatively open edges. It’s hard for anglers to tell the difference between a bass that was caught while holding inside or under a bush to “ambush” forage fish and another that was moving back and forth at the same depth under a cluster of bushes.
Truly inactive bass tend to sleep alone. When bass anglers take several fish during consecutive passes by the same bush, they likely have found a spot that fish are moving through rather than resting fish. Inactive bass seldom school, don’t strike readily, and don’t move about rapidly enough to quickly replace bass that were caught moments before.
The belief that bass “ambush” their prey apparently worked its way into bass fishing lore because many outdoor writers prefer to use aggressive, action-packed words. The image of a bass hiding behind a rock to “ambush” unsuspecting prey makes bass seem vicious, like a western movie “back-shooter.” and therefore a more worthy opponent. “Chasing” or “flushing” tactics just don’t make bass seem as tough and exciting. But “ambush” is the wrong word to describe how bass usually feed. Bass ambush if opportunity presents itself, but this is not their preferred feeding tactic.
To catch more bass, anglers must know how bass really behave. Actively feeding bass usually move in small groups. They usually don’t hide inside cover thick enough to block their vision and/or hinder attacks. Cover is cover for forage fish. Forage fish hide in it to escape bass. Bass use cover for the same reason. They move into it to rest undisturbed by larger threats like yellow catfish and anglers, rather than to feed. Bass are most often caught along the edges of cover because forage fish gather there and are more easily flushed there.
To feed effectively and often, bass move out of thick cover to seek, startle, or flush forage fish along the cover edges in ponds and reservoirs. Most pond owners will see and confirm this fact for themselves if they sit at pondside, as I do almost every day, and watch bass using Polaroid glasses.
POND BOSS Magazine is the world’s leading resource for fish, pond and fisheries management information including discussions on muddy water, raising trophy fish, fish feeding, building a pond, algae control and more. Check us out at www.pondboss.com or contact Bob Lusk, the Pond Boss himself, at 903-564-5372. His books, Basic Pond Management, Raising Trophy Bass and Perfect Pond, Want One, may be purchased by calling 800-687-6075 or ordering online at www.pondboss.com
If you own or manage private waters anywhere in the world – or want to – Pond Boss is the leading authority. Pond Boss magazine and pondboss.com provide valuable, up-to-date information on the topics, products and services you need to be a better steward of your land and water. Learn and share from the nation’s leading pond management experts and our family of friends. We stand ready, willing and able to assist.
Published six times a year, Pond Boss brings you information you can actually use to manage your private waters. From planning your dream pond to raising trophy bass, each issue of Pond Boss delivers:
Our Readers Say It Best!
“I love Pond Boss magazine! If you have a pond, you need this magazine.”
– Ray Scott, founder of B.A.S.S. and father of bass fishing, Alabama
“I’ve subscribed to Pond Boss since its inception in 1992. I read every issue and always come away with at least a nugget or two of information I can actually use to better my favorite fishing holes.”
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– Dr. Joe Lock, Texas
“After years of frustration and guessing with how to manage our lake, we subscribed to your magazine. Quickly we realized we needed to hire a biologist and get good data on our lake. We found Malcolm Johnson through your magazine. With Malcolm’s consulting help our lake is on the road to recovery and our fish are growing again”
– Warren and Dori Blesh, Texas
Welcome to Pond Boss!
“We have a common bond – water! Here, you’ll gain cutting-edge knowledge and practices to be a better steward of your private land and waters. So climb in and click on! We’re loaded to the gills with information… I promise, you’ll get the answers you seek.”
– Bob Lusk, Editor and
Fisheries Biologist
Boy Scouts Troop 30 Crappie Open
lake Of The Ozarks
Species -Crappie Missouri May 7, 2011
Sponsoring Organization : Boy Scouts Troop 30 Entry Fee : $55.00
Division : Big Fish : $10.00
Type of Tournament : Open Membership Required : $0.00
Division : Format : Buddy/Team
End Date : 2011-05-07 Start Time : 7:00-AM
Cutoff Date For Registration : 2011-05-06 End Time : 3:30-PM
Rules and Regulations / Other info about the Tournament :
. The following rules shall be in effect for the tournament and violation hereof in any respect may be cause for
disqualification. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules rests solely with the tournament committee whose
decisions are final and binding.
2. Each angler will keep his or her fish separate and identifiable during the tournament and weigh-in. Each boat is
limited to two anglers.
3. Eligibility: The tournament is open to any person as long as the angler possesses a valid 2011 Missouri fishing
permit and have paid the tournament entry fees.
4. Entries: Will be accepted up to the day of the tournament start time of 7:00 AM. Payment will only be accepted
in cash or check with checks payable to: Boy Scouts Troop 30. Start time for the tournament will begin with an
open launch of the angler’s choice with weigh-in at 3:30 PM.
5. Departure: Will be from a point or launch of the angler’s choice thus an open launch.
6. Boats and motors: All water craft and motors must meet the legal requirements of the State of Missouri boating
laws and will be subject to inspection by tournament officials and/or Missouri State Water Patrol.
7. Sportsmanship: Courtesy and safety are expected from each contestant. All Missouri fishing and boating laws
must be followed at all times. Violation of any laws will result in disqualification with no refunds from the
tournament.
8. Permitted Fishing Locations: Anywhere in the tournament lake, except within 50 yard of another angler’s boat or
weigh in area. Anglers will not be allowed to leave their boats during the tournament to fish. No dock or shore
fishing allowed.
9. Equipment: Anglers may only use one pole in hand at a time, with no more than two jigs or Minnows per pole.
Anglers may prepare alternative poles ready for use but may only use one at a time.
10. Late check in penalty: Anglers that check in late will receive a 1-pound per minute penalty up to 5 minutes then
disqualification with no refund. No exceptions.
11. Scoring: Scoring will be determined by the pounds and ounces for each angler’s choice best 10 fish caught
during the tournament. Any crappie that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, altered, frozen or iced
will result in disqualification of angler. Any dead or under length crappie will crappie will not be weighed and
result in a 1-pound penalty. Couling will not be allowed. No white gills. State fishing and game laws apply on
length and limit with a maximum per angler of 15 crappie.
12. In case of a weight tie on either tournament or Biggest Fish contest the winner will be determined by earliest
entry.
13. The tournament committee reserves the right to postpone, change or cancel the tournament due to inclement
weather. Anglers are asked to refrain from the use of profane language at access area due to the presents of
children. Committee also reserves the right to refuse entry of anyone without explanation.
14. Tournament committee and Tournament sponsors assume no liability or responsibility for accidents, injuries or
lost or stolen property that may occur to anglers, equipment, boats, trailers, personal property, property of any kind
or vehicles.
Weigh In Details : Gravois Mills Conservation Acc
Disclaimer:
In signing this entry application, we herby waive and release all other contestants, the host, the sponsors, and the tournament officials of any claims of injury and/or damage incurred in the connection with this tournament. We further agree that the Tournament Committee reserves the right to refund this submitted entry fee if it shall choose, for any reason.
For more information, contact :
Name : Todd Wright
Tel : 573-569-5599
Price: $350.00
SKU: oas-6
Weight: 142.00 LBS
Rating: ( 1 product review )
Shipping: Free Shipping
Quantity:
Product Description
Here is what you have been asking for! A substanial addition to any habitat plans, this deeper water structure group, has room for all ages and sizes of fish.
With three each of the Keeper and Safehouse, this resting area provides a total of 318 square feet of surface area.
The right amount of cover to create room for fish to rest and feed in the same location.
These six units will cover an area between 20×10 feet, or a line over 30 feet long.
Experiment with different layouts with each additional refuge you install.
Keeper
Maximum shade and protection is abundant throughout this eco. friendly product made with reclaimed pvc material. With limbs all standing a full 48″, these 2-1/2″-3-1/2″ wide surfaces grow algae and aquatic life quickly.
Each keeper weighs approx. 32 pounds, and is recommended for depths over 10 feet. This large and somewhat coarse cover, provides habitat for all sizes of fish.
Bass,crappie,panfish alike utilize the shading effects of this new type of artificial fish attractor. Go-green and promote fish habitat restoration! Made in the USA with all American made materials.
Reclaimed pvc limbs provide an eco.-friendly solution to fish habitat loss and degradation.
Safehouse
These safehouse fish habitat units stand 46″ tall and weigh 16 pounds each. This fish attractor has all the needed shade and coverage to hold all sizes of fish.
Consisting of limbs ranging in width from 2.5″-3.5″ wide and 18″-46″ tall, they open to a full 72″ wide. With a minimum of 44 square feet of surface area, it provides plenty of room for algae and shade to attract fish.
Recommended for depths of 6′-12′. Reclaimed pvc limbs provide an eco.-friendly solution to fish habitat loss and degradation.
Bend to shape by hand to any desired shape and toss in water. Sinks itself. Made in the USA with all American made materials.
Over 44 square feet surface area each.
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Artificial Fish Structures
Product Reviews
perfect price and size
Posted by Unknown on 27th Apr 2011
thanks for adding this group of structure. i alraedy bought two keepers and they work good.Will be ordering more of these groups sonn.
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TOP FISHING NEWS: NJ Legislator Calls for Hearings After Funding Lost for Artificial Reef Programs
by Brandon
Published on 04-21-2011 02:41 PM
Many coastal states have made a increased effort over the years to increase the number of artificial reels to replace lost fish habitat and enhance existing habitat. New Jersey was recently notified by the federal government is that it will be terminating funding for New Jersey’s artificial reef program because the state has failed to comply with fishing regulations near the reefs, Assembly woman Alison Littell McHose called for an immediate hearing on bipartisan legislation she has sponsored that would bring New Jersey into compliance with the federal rules.
“Not only will the loss of this funding hurt our state’s tourism industry and businesses such as tackle shops and charter and party boats, but it’s unfair to the 800,000 recreational anglers and divers who will suffer because state lawmakers failed to take appropriate action to protect the reefs and much needed federal dollars for the program'” explained McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon.
“For years, various outdoor organizations have appealed to legislators to bring New Jersey into compliance with the federal Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFR),” she continued. “Unfortunately, those pleas have fallen on deaf ears. As a result, our recreational fishermen, who paid to have these reefs constructed, are the ones who will have to endure the consequences.”
McHose is a co-sponsor of A-1152 which would limit commercial fishing on New Jersey’s artificial reefs that are located in federal waters. Specifically, the measure would prohibit any person from using, leaving unattended, setting or deploying fishing gear, other than rod-and-reel, hand line spear or recreational gig, within 100 feet of artificial reefs created under the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s artificial reef program.
According to SFR regulations, the artificial reefs are meant for hook and line, and spear fishing only. Commercial fishermen however, have been using fixed gear on the reefs in violation of federal rules. Since the state has failed to rectify the situation, it is in violation of SFR rules which has resulted in the loss of federal funding.
Five states along the Atlantic coastline have brought their reef programs into compliance with federal regulations including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and New York. Delaware is in the process.
McHose said Assembly Democrat leaders should post the bill for an immediate hearing and move it quickly through the legislative process to minimize the effects of the funding loss. The Senate last month approved an identical bipartisan measure, S-221.
(pictured are the locations of New Jersey’s current reef locations)
Here’s to hoping New Jersey pulls things together to continue to allow the great fishing and habitat that the reefs provide.
Brandon, Chief Angler, TidalFish.com
All Fishing, All the Time!
Here is their home page. It is part of the pursuit channel.
http://www.pursuitchannel.com/default.asp
I was looking around on their site and found Keith Warren. He is a hunter who is now putting back helping young people and others get excited about hunting. He was in North Dakota back in March
http://www.pursuitchannel.com/News.asp?ArticleID=71
The High Road
The High Road with outdoor icon Keith Warren can be seen on the Pursuit Channel Sundays at 8:30 pm EST, Tuesdays at 7:30 pm EST, Thursdays at 12:00 am EST, and 5:00 pm EST, and Fridays at 7:30 pm EST. This half hour outdoor television show features big game hunting from around the world.
Host Keith Warren has been pioneering big game hunting on television for more than twenty five years. His enthusiasm and passion is unequalled and his commitment to viewers and sponsors is unmatched.
“My mission is to unify sportsmen no matter how they hunt, what they hunt, or where they hunt. In order to protect the future of hunting, sportsmen must unite and realize that if we don’t, the hunter will be the next endangered species,” said Warren. “The best way to do that is by looking for a common thread that connects us all.”
Warren believes that the best available platform is through programming on the Pursuit Channel. “Pursuit Channel is connecting with the blue collar sportsmen that other networks seem to have left behind. The diehard outdoorsmen and women of our country are craving outdoor programming they can relate to,” said Warren. “Additionally, Pursuit is committed to working closely with producers to create a network that will provide producers with a place where they can grow while also providing outdoor manufacturers with measurable results that don’t break the bank.”
Upcoming episodes on The High Road include hunting elk in Canada, moose in Alaska, whitetail in Pennsylvania, and whitetail, hog, alligator, frogs and Nutria Rat in Louisiana.
For more information on The High Road, go to http://www.pursuitchannel.com/ShowDetail.asp?ShowID=74
Click on the link below to see how easy fishiding is to install. Self contained units which require no tools or additional parts/materials. Units come in either 8″ or 10″ tall boxes, ready to be bent to shape. The pliable pvc material bends easily by hand to unlimited shapes and angles. Maximum shade is cast by the wide limbs which grow algae fast. Bass, Crappie, Panfish are just a few of the species that love this new reclaimed, environmentaly friendly fish habitat. Numerous sizes are available form aquariums to the oceans. Various textures provide cover for newly hatched fry to full grown predators.
fishiding installation of artificial fish habitat/fish attractors
Warmwater Lake and Pond Habitat Initiative
The Department’s fisheries biologists recently discussed the feasibility of installing fish habitat structures to mitigate for the absence or loss of physical fish habitat in some New Hampshire water bodies. This discussion was initiated because of the potential opportunity that exists to enhance warmwater fisheries through fish habitat improvement projects.
The overall goal of these habitat projects is to improve warmwater fish populations and the opportunities to fish for these species. An additional objective of installing shoreline habitat structures would be to increase youth fishing opportunities.
Improving fish habitat by installing structures has been a successful management strategy in use for many years in states across the U.S., as these structures can benefit both forage and sport fish populations in a number of ways. Habitat structures have been shown to provide important nursery areas for many fish species and can act to increase fish growth and survival. The abundance of forage fish species is often enhanced in areas with habitat structures, which in turn can increase the abundance and growth of sportsfish (this is especially relevant in some NH lakes and ponds where a decline or lack of forage fish and/or crayfish may be the result of the absence or loss of appropriate habitat). Additionally, studies have shown that habitat structures can increase nest density, spawning success and juvenile survival of both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Using fish habitat structures in New Hampshire waters is currently in a conceptual phase and there is no firm timeline for when, where, and what types of structures will be used. Before formulating a specific plan, the Department’s fisheries biologist will first thoroughly review the existing scientific literature, inventory current habitat quality and quantity on various lakes and ponds, and communicate with anglers in an effort to better understand their interest in this type of initiative.
The Department is also actively pursuing a feasibility analysis of using fish habitat structures. The feasibility analysis will answer the following questions: Will fish habitat structures provide habitat for the fish species of interest? What types of structures have been used elsewhere and for what purpose? What types of structures (artificial or natural) are allowed under current regulations? What are the potential problems (maintenance, ability to obtain permits from NH DES, potential navigation issues, potential effect on other fish species such as invasive species) in using fish habitat structures? What are the costs of building, deploying and maintaining such structures? How will anglers use the fish habitat structures (i.e., how will they access them)? What monitoring efforts would be best suited for evaluation purposes?
Warmwater fish habitat projects offer an exciting opportunity to improve fish habitat and warmwater fisheries in New Hampshire lakes and ponds. Additionally, involving anglers in this process presents an excellent opportunity for the Department and anglers to work together towards the common goal of improving and sustaining our state’s fisheries resources for current and future generations.
CONTACT:
John Magee, Fish Habitat Biologist
Gabe Gries, Region 4 Fisheries Biologist and Warmwater Project Leader
The following is a Press release from Stren:
Stren® is Giving Away A Million Yards of Fishing Line
04.20.2011 — Entries close on April 30, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Stren is set to giveaway a million yards of fishing line on May 6th. It’s not too late to enter, if you’re looking for a line that delivers the perfect balance of strength, toughness, and handling then enter for your chance to win a free spool of Stren Original, Brute Strength, 100% Fluorocarbon or Sonic Braid by April 30th. The total yardage of all spools given away during the sweepstakes will equal one million yards. Each of the lines available in the sweepstakes is available in the Stren signature color clear/blue fluorescent.
“The Stren Million-Yard Sweepstakes is a great way for Stren fans to try out for a chance to fish with any one of our fishing lines available in clear/blue fluorescent,” said Becky Thomas, Stren Associate Brand Manager. “Stren is excited to bring this contest to all levels of anglers.”
To enter the Stren Million Yard Sweepstakes online, simply visit, http://www.stren.com/million-yards.php and fill out the on-line entry form. Entrants must complete all required information to be eligible to enter to win a prize. Contest ends on April 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. The winners will be randomly selected May 6, 2011 and will be mailed a free spool of line.
Winners will be able to choose a free spool of Stren® Fishing Line from the clear/blue fluorescent options listed below:
330-yard filler spool of Stren Original 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14lb.
330-yard filler spool of 100% Fluorocarbon 8, 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20lb.
200-yard spool of Brute Strength 8, 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20lb.,
125-yard filler spool of Sonic Braid 10, 14, 20, 30, 40 and 50lb.
About Pure Fishing, Inc.
Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, SevenStrand®, Shakespeare®, Spiderwire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. With operations in 19 countries and a dedicated workforce conversant in 28 languages, Pure Fishing, Inc. is part of Jarden Outdoor Solutions, a leader in developing outdoor and active lifestyle products and a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation. Additional information can be found at www.purefishing.com.
Fish habitat can be found at fishiding.com