Boating and Sailing

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Crappie Fishing Basics

Black and White Crappies have populated throughout the United States and Southern Canada largely do to major stocking efforts that started back in the late 1800’s. These fish can know be found there is a freshwater lake river or stream.if you are a beginning fisherman, this species of fish is ideal to target because of the in expense of fishing equipment you will need and of course the abundance of this fish at so many local locations. If you have young children who are interested in trying the sport of fishing than taking them crappie fishing would be the best way to perk their interest.

The crappie’s numbers are abundant and the action is good. To start fishing for crappie is really inexpensive. Here’s a small list of fishing equipment you will need. Get yourself a cane pole that is over 10ft long, some 3 to 4 lb test line, some crappie hooks, and a small bobber. All these items can be found at most bait shops and at any department store. Many times when you purchase the cane pole these items will already bee rigged up for you. All these items can be purchased for under 25$ . Of course if you get really interested in crappie fishing you will need to invest in some better equipment, but why bother until you get the fishing bug.

You will still need to learn some basic facts about this fish before you attempt to go fishing. You need to do a little bit of reading so you know what their typical habitat is so you know where to find them. This will save you time and also keep you from getting frustrated. You need to know what their favorite foods are so you know what crappie live baits to purchase.

You also need to know what they look like. For instance, if you are new to fishing for this species you need to know that the there are two types of crappie. Both species of crappie are from the sunfish family (Pomoxis annularis) and are located in North America and can live in harmony together. There is the black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and the white crappie (Pomoxis annularis). The white and the black crappie are both part of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) which consists of for example bluegills, largemouth bass and other warm water game fish. These fish are found only in the north American hemisphere, from Sothern Ontario into Mexico. No need to worry to make special preparations to catch either the black or the white, the same crappie fishing basics will work well on either of them. Here’s a few identification tips: As a rule of thumb, black crappie are darker as the name indicates, with a irregular pattern of spots on there bodies. White crappie are lighter in color and have a defined vertical pattern of spots. Here’s another way of identifying the two crappies. Count the number of splines on the dorsal fin. If the count is between 7 and 8 the fish is a black crappie, if the count is between 5 and 6 then you have a white crappie. Black crappie thrive better in colder, clear water and can be found as far north as I said in the first paragraph in southern Canada. White crappie seem to like large lakes, and slow moving rivers of the south. To be honest through there Is no real separation because these fish can be found together in all the lower 48 states and into Mexico. And they do cross breed so there are a lot of cross breeds.

The average size of these fish will depend on the water conditions of any particular local area you intend to fish, but normal size catches are from ½ to 1lb. If you stick to some simple crappie fishing basic tips you may catch some fish in the 2lb plus range. The largest white crappie on record was caught in Enid Lake Mississippi, and was recorded to be 5lb and 2 ounces. There is a tie for the record black crappie, a 4lb 8once black was caught at both Kerr Lake Virginia and Otoe Lake Nebraska.

The crappie’s food supply is made up mainly of crappie minnows , insects and small crustaceans. before the crappie reaches adulthood they will feed primarily on small crustaceans and insects , while after they reach adulthood there diet will change to larger small fish like minnows. There have been some biology studies that support the fact that black adult crappie tend to eat more insects in the spring and crappie minnows throughout other seasons of the year.

Well that concluded my article on crappie fishing basics, Just have fun and relax, that what fishing is all about! Good Luck On your next outing!

Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100's of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don't forget to get your free copy of "78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed" http://www.oldfishinghole.com

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Of all the ways to get low cost cruises, one of the very best is to book your ticket on a repositioning cruise. A repositioning cruise generally sails in either the fall or the spring, during which time the cruise companies are moving their boats from Alaska to the Caribbean or vice versa.  These just happen to be, in my opinion, the best time to cruise Alaska anyway.

Instead of moving these cruise ships without any passengers between the two regions, destinations, the cruise companies carry passengers on these repositioning voyages at what often amounts to a huge savings over regular in-season Alaskan cruise pricing.

When you take a repositioning cruise, your journey can last anywhere from three days (along the route from Vancouver to San Francisco) to much longer voyages across the Pacific Ocean.

The longer types of cruises that include ocean crossings often stop at few ports, but this gives ship passengers an excellent opportunity to enjoy all the modern entertainment on board the ship when it is not very crowded.

Naturally, it's not hard at all to burn through a big chunk of change in the cruise ship's casino or in its bars during the time of your cruise, so you possible could want to watch your money carefully and budget yourself to as not to spend far more than you expected.

Another thing you really should consider when you are contemplating taking a repositioning type cruise is how much the airplane fares will cost getting you there and back.

Since repositioning cruises by definition start and finish in different ports, you will most likely need to purchase a split fare ticket, which can often add a bit to the overall cost of your vacation.

However if the cost of the air transportation is quite reasonable, the you are in luck — a repositioning cruise might just be an excellent way to visit exciting new destinations on the most modern cruise ships for not much cash. You really cannot beat that type of price.  The cost alone make these routes among the best Alaskan cruises of all.

Florida Keys fishing vacations usually satisfy the desire of hobbyists to spend more time with their families while still enjoying their favorite pastime. Most Florida fishing tours are organized along the coasts but they can get you out further on the sea if you ask for it, trip organizing varies regardless of whether you own a private boat or you turn to a rental company for boat and crew alike. Various businesses and rental companies assist customers wishing to put together the details for Florida fishing trips. You can contract one of these service suppliers from the Yellow Pages or by checking the contact category on their web page. Whichever be the case, you are just starting to plan ahead.

Some Florida fishing websites will indicate the best fishing areas in the entire state, while other sites will mainly focus on describing the aquatic life variety specific to this peninsula. Naturally that Florida fishing has to be discussed according to fresh and salt water fish varieties, although the ocean is the one to make the big attraction. Backwater fishing works great in the southwest of the state, but plenty of fresh water areas are inviting enough to to get visitors looking for enjoyable Florida fishing experiences. The thing is that the natural surroundings in this part of the United States are favorable for such outdoor activities.

Huge parts of Florida cover complex estuarine regions that are part of special government reserves programs. These quality of the water and the life in it are superior particularly due to the very strict regulations that protect fauna and their habitat. Therefore, there are different regions where you cannot fish or hunt in Florida, but lots of other areas remains where Florida fishing gets at its peak. Here are a few places where Florida fishing is not restricted by law: the Gulf of Mexico, the coast of the Atlantic, Lake George, Lake Okeechobee or Lake Kissimmee.

Lodging, itineraries and transportation means to the destination are widely advertised on the Internet, so basically, these expedition details would be the easiest to take care of. Florida fishing trips represent great opportunities for holiday makers, and even when you have to rent a boat, it doesn't get that expensive if you have a few friends to share costs with. Before going for one service or another, run some research and determine the quotes for the various Florida fishing trips according to the season, and only then start thinking about details.

Peacock bass fishing, or fishing for the butterfly peacock or speckled peacock, is exciting freshwater fishing. These bass are natives of the Amazon River of South America and can also be found in the waters of Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore and warmer locations in the USA. 

Peacock bass fishing can only be done in warmer fresh water rivers and lakes. These fish have quickly become the intended target for many freshwater game fishermen in Florida.  This is very understandable as they are not only a great fighting fish but with their sweet and delicate white meat, are a good eating fish as well.

After first being introduced into the freshwaters of Florida in 1984 by fish and game officials to help eradicate the waterways of other more invasive fish, they are now flourishing.  This is due to the warm water conditions in particular areas of Florida.  Being a tropical fish, the peacock bass, cannot tolerate lower water temperatures.

Scheduling a peacock bass fishing trip with one of the many guides in Florida is affordable and relatively easy.  The serious peacock bass fisherman should consider planning a trip of a lifetime to the Amazon River or to the lakes and rivers of Venezuela.  This is the ultimate in peacock bass fishing.  Imagine fishing with the sounds of the jungle in the background and parrots and monkeys greeting you at every turn.

Flies, artificial or live bait can all be used to attrack the peacock bass.  Some believe the most accurate method is to use live bait and fish during the daytime.   A fly fishing rod and an extremely sharp hook enable a fisherman to hook this elusive fish on the first hit and then enjoy the fight.  A locally trained guide should have most of what is necessary for a memorable peacock bass fishing trip.  

The emotional excitement of peacock bass fishing is invigorating.  The excitement of hooking up to this aggressive fighter and landing it is worth the cost of the trip.
After successful day of peacock bass fishing imagine taking home a keepsake replicate of this prize catch?  The locals can produce such a lifelike replica of your catch that often they are better than most traditional skin mounts.  The fisherman need only provide the taxidermist with a photo and measurements and he will produce a beautiful souvenir for you to take home.

Several guides and travel agencies specializing in peacock bass fishing are listed online. They can plan your international fishing vaction from start to finish.  Peacock bass fishing will guarantee you the ultimate in freshwater game fishing.

Ice fishing is angling performed on frozen water. The ice fishing gear the fishermen may use is either fishing lines or spears and they have to make a hole in the body of ice in order to gain access to the unfrozen water underneath the ice. They may sit on a stool in the open air on the ice near the opening through which they get their fish. For some, ice fishing is all the more enjoyable as they have built real sheds or cabins around the ice openings, bringing the comfort of a bunk bed with them.

Ice fishing is very popular especially in the cold areas on our globe. Latvia, Norway, Finland, Germany, Russia, Estonia and other Northern countries have given ice fishing the rank of favorite pastime as it has long ceased to earn one's living now. The Great popularity levels are reputed by ice fishing in the North of the United States, as well as in Canada and Alaska.

As for the type of fishing gear used for ice fishing, technologies now allow the use of more complex methods with superior results. A fishing line or a spear could turn out worthless for this type of activity if you do not have an ice saw or a chisel at hand to begin with. Remember that an opening in the ice is required first and foremost. But water will keep freezing even after you have made the hole, so most fishermen also get a skimmer with them to remove that newly formed ice layer. Most people also bring heaters along, not just to prevent ice formation but also to preserve a level of personal comfort too. This is the reason why wooden huts or cabins which retain the heat indoors are held in high esteem by ice fishing fans.

There are three ways to go ice fishing. The first one relies on the use of small fishing rods that are not heavy but have lures or baits that are small again and very colorful. The second makes use of tip-ups that are a great means of catching fish in large quantities within a certain period of time. And finally, let's mention spear ice fishing that depends on large hole making and fish decoys.

No matter for which of the three you go, things with ice fishing will never be like in the all days. It appears that today, sonars make fish detection piece of cake. Presently fishermen will make about 100 holes per day if they want a lot of game and have so much better results than those of their predecessors' who relied on just one hole and waited for the fish to come by.

bass boats

The extremely hot summer months see an increase in the number of people who participate in boating. Men and women of all ages take to the water via a number of types of boats. Some love the water so much that they live on houseboats.

Boats are generally used for several activities. One of the most common is fishing. Wide varieties of boats are appropriate to this activity. If you have a small boat that you can transport, research fishing opportunities before you travel. Portability is an attractive feature in inflatable boats, dinghies and folding boats. Sitting around the campfire trading fishing stories and singing sea shanties adds a pleasant new dimension to any camping trip, and many campgrounds even offer boats for rent. If you plan to do your fishing closer to home, you may want to invest in an air boat or one of several styles of bass boats.

Another popular boating activity is water sports. Bring a pair of water skis when you go motor boating and you have an automatic afternoon of fun. Sports boats and motor boats provide just the right power for a variety of exciting water sports.

Perhaps sailing is more your style. Imagine relaxing on a classic boat that is powered by the wind, living the same adventure once experienced by pirates, merchant marines and explorers. Sailing requires a good deal of work and practice, but the rewards of this type of boating are immeasurable.

If you live near the water, it is easy to make boating an important part of your life. If you live further from the water, you will have to factor in travel time and expenses when deciding if the boating life is right for you. Many who live in landlocked areas make boating a vacation activity.

Take advantage of opportunities to experience the water without making any sort of commitment. On your next vacation, sign up for boat tours that are offered. Depending on your destination, this may be a swamp tour, glass bottom boat ride, or even a paddle wheeler. Odds are good that if you enjoy these sorts of excursions, you would enjoy piloting your own boat.

If you only need a boat for a short time, renting is a great option.  Rentals come in all sizes, types, and prices. If you are unfamiliar with what to look for, ask someone who owns a boat.

If you decide that you enjoy boating, do not be too quick to buy a boat. Many people who enjoy boating as a hobby decide to buy boats only to discover that the boat owner lifestyle does not work for them. Before investing in a boat, make sure you are comfortable with the idea of storing and/or trailering the boat. If you can, help out a friend who owns a boat so you have a good idea of what is involved.

For some people, boating is an obsession. They love it so much that they live on a boat. For others, however, boating functions nicely as an occasional hobby. The best way for you to find out how much you will enjoy boating is to head for the water. Factors such as budget and proximity to water will determine your future dedication to boating.

Kansas Vacation180

Planning the perfect vacation escape is tough.  However, in a modern frantic paced environment you are competing with all of the obligations and time commitments you face in your daily life.  Occasionally it is relaxing to gain a fresh perspective on attraction opportunities that you may not have thought about before.  Tourist attractions in Kansas gives you a chance to see something that you may not be able to find in your own neighborhood.

Whether you are seeking romance or excitement on your vacation escape, you will love it more greatly if you take a little thought to plan part of your trip in advance.  For the outdoor seeking vacationer, check out the weather forecasts of the region that you will be venturing into so that you can pack the appropriate equipment and protection to make your trip safe and enjoyable.  There can be significant swings in weather between days and night.

Perhaps the ultimate state destination is Kansas, where there is too much to partake and do.  Here are a few of the Kansas tourism you may want to see:

Idea #1: Fort Scott - Fort Scott, Kansas. Fort Scott was established in 1842 as the move to settle the west was getting underway. Fort Scott did not escape the tensions and troubles of this time.  Two of the buildings of the fort became hotels.  The former officer’s quarters was opened as the Fort Scott or Free State Hotel.  The residents of Fort Scott were predominately pro-slavers, while free-staters and abolitionists dominated the surrounding countryside.  Rice had been arrested for murder and was imprisoned in the Fort Scott Hotel. Montgomery claimed that he was jailed illegally, so he came to Fort Scott to free him. During the Civil War Kansas was the first state to officially recruit and train military units of black soldiers.  Fort Scott was active with military personnel during the Civil War.

Idea #2:  Box Lazy A Ranch Retreat - Axtell, Kansas. There are over 3000 acres of prime hunting and fishing lands surrounding the ranch which means that you can not only enjoy the ranch in the spring and summer but can also enjoy the hunting available to you in the fall and winter!  Location: Box Lazy A Ranch, 3063 Cherokee RdAxtell, KS 66403Phone: 785-736-2822Cecilia McNeal, owner .

Of course there are many other destinations that you may desire to see on your Kansas vacations.  You may only be staying for a brief length of time, but you can appreciate and experience much of the wonderful culture, history, and adventure that the state has to offer.  You never will never be bored  - check out this Kansas tourism video – there is always something new to see and do.

Even in today’s economic climate, Kansas is cost effective vacation getaway.  It is possible to take advantage of a variety of discount packages with the special deals that are available that allow you to get away from it all without breaking the bank.  So take a escape from the hectic pace that daily routine brings and enjoy a vacation escape and discover a little of what this great state has to offer!

sailing yachts

When most people decide to look at boats for sale, they usually browse either new boats or used boats. However, they can also look at leasing, fractional ownership or chartering options as well. If you don't live right on the water, then it might make more sense to spend the money on a sailing vacation. While your day or weekend trips may leave you feeling like you could have bought one at that price, consider the maintenance, fuel costs, insurance and docking fees. In the words of JP Morgan, "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it." For the rich elite, luxury yachts are waiting.

Going through a certified yacht broker is a great way to discover both used and new boats that are up for sale. In this way, you will find your dream boat much the same way you would find your dream home; by enlisting the help of professionals who have access to multiple listing services, insider connections and sweet deals that have not been advertised. The broker will work with you to define your needs and find all the amenities you desire. Brokers can also help you with financing, deal brokering, setting up an inspection, title clearing, procuring docking space and yacht services to ensure a smooth closing and transition to boat ownership. Check out www.yachtcouncil.com for more information on yacht brokers.

When you are browsing boats for sale, you will need to consider a number of other factors. Sailing yachts are undoubtedly as big an investment as an automobile or a house and, similarly, you can expect a fair amount of maintenance costs associated with your purchase. New boats won't need much maintenance for the first three years. However, major repairs often rear their ugly heads when your purchase hits the 5 to 7 year mark. If you buy one of the new 40-foot motor yachts and sell it in 3-4 years, your annual maintenance will average around 4% of the total cost, but if you own it ten years or longer, then you are looking at paying roughly 7% of the boat's total cost in maintenance each year.

A great resource for consumers seeking boats for sale is www.newboats.com. Here you can read reviews, watch videos and even take a virtual test drive. The site is loaded with manufacturer information, as though you were attending an actual yacht industry showcase. You can browse both new boats and used boats here and learn more about engines, electronics and GPS gear. There are sections devoted to boat maintenance, insurance, boat buying tips and financing. This site literally has it all! If you don't find what you're looking for, then Yacht World (www.yachtworld.com) has hundreds of thousands of boats available for sale.

Determining how much your vessel is worth a fundamental, but also one of the hardest elements of owning a hobby watercraft, especially when you decided to put up your boat for sale, but also for the buying counterpart, as well as for professional such as surveyors and insurance representatives.

For the seller, pricing the boat well will make the difference between walking away with the right amount of funds to but an even bigger and more performing watercraft, or finding himself undersold and unable to retrieve its investment in full.

Even if you are buying, or trading in used boat for a new one, you should not let anyone fool you into believing that you should get anything but the best from the arrangement, and for this it is crucial that you manage appraise your boat correctly as a precursor to getting the best value out of it..

But doing this is easier said than done. Without adequate knowledge of boat values, without knowing about the current market situation (often influenced by season and location), chances are that you will end up less well off than you thought. There are possibilities that you will do a deal which might seem to you very profitable in the beginning, but that a few days later you might realize that you could have got a much better deal in the nautical transaction.

Which is why boat evaluation cannot just be an afterthought or a given, but must be considered with care. First of all, the prospective buyer or seller needs to decide whether to go solo, or whether to hire a boat evaluation pro. Marine brokers can help to sort out the issue for you.

In fact, as there is a lot of information available on the subject for those who are willing to spend some time educating themselves, you can do this yourself if you prefer not to be dependent on someone else’s opinion.

Casting your net wide when seeking information is crucial when doing your own boat evaluation. Try to read a lot about the subject, determine the kind of vessel that you are concerned with, and try to establish possible minimum and maximum asking process.

For this, trade magazine classifieds (whether online or offline) are a fantastic place to start. Systematically collecting and comparing ads for similar boat classes over time will give you a very good idea of offer and demand, and therefore of current price levels.

Your next stop should me your local marina’s party or some other kind of social get-together, where you can find other boat owners that can brief you on the current state of the market.

New boat exhibitions are good to gauge current fashions. Fashionable items demand a better price, and you can increase the value of your marine transaction by finding out what features and accessories are currently over- or undervalued.