LOOKING BACK and PLANNING AHEAD

With the weather turning cooler and the ice not on yet, it is a great time to reflect back on fishing during 2006. Remembering what baits and tackle produced best results, and places you wish to return to next year.
The best way to do this is to keep a Fishing Log each year of your angling efforts and hopefully you took our advice and kept a Fishing Log too. We really find ours very beneficial and necessary since we fish many different lakes under varying conditions each year for many different species of fish. This helps us track good baits and tackle (for our product test), best locations, fish patterns, lake conditions (for our lake reports), weather conditions and mostly the times of Day along with Moon Phases so we can compile data and evidence for our "Best Fishing Times Calendar". I know what you are thinking when we say Best Times, and we totally agree, there is no bad time and the Best Time to go Fishing is whenever you can get out, but not all times are equal. The fact is the moon definitely has an influence on the earth, water and all life forms causing fish to be more active and feed at certain times each day. We actually have reached firm conclusions from the past 11 years of reviewing the influence the moon plays on fish activity.
Whether you have faith in "Best Fishing Times" or not, the moon’s position and phase positively affects fish behaviors such as activity and feeding. Some fish can still be tricked into biting during off times and off days, and with this information you can plan your day and approach for these inactive times.
We are not trying to tell you when to fish but armed with this information and knowledge, you can plan your fishing time or plan how you will fish. That is, during a Major Time when fish are more active and moving about, you can fish faster baits such as spinners. If you will be fishing during the off times it does not always mean fish will not bite or feed when an easy opportunity arises, knowing now that fish will be less active and holding closer to cover will call for a slower presentation such as plastics fished in cover.
Looking ahead at the many other things we do to keep fishing a part of our lives, even during winter, would include the up coming Fishing Expo or Sports Shows which are a good source of fishing info. We enjoy being at or a part of these shows with a chance to talk with people from tackle companies, Pros, other anglers, seminars, finding new baits and places to fish. Get full schedule of shows from our WebSite and one show we recommend next month is the Midstate Fish & Feather Expo in Bloomington where you can visit with us in booth #66.
Next would be planning ahead for our 2007 fishing trips to Bull Shoals Lake and our stay at the Brass Bell Cottages for those Big Crappie and Walleye along with setting up a date to recruit the help of Hipsher’s Guide Service on Kentucky Lake and a stay at the High Ridge Resort. Some fishermen would never hire a guide, even though there is a lot to say for learning a lake on your own. Still, guides are well worth their fees and the best will work hard to not only find fish, but to educate and assure you have a good time while catching fish. Fishing unfamiliar water is challenging and with limited time a day spent with someone willing to share info on location and technique is a time-saving investment. Look in our Fishing Calendar for a money saving coupon from Hipsher’s Guide Service and check website www.craighipshersguideservice.com or call 270-354-5221.
With December here and Christmas right around the corner, our Best Fishing Times Calendar with fishing tips, tackle samples and many Coupons including one for Gander Mountain would make a great gift for that angler on your list. Or maybe a T-shirt (short or long sleeve), sweatshirts or a fishing hat created by FishinGals Embroidery. Check Linda’s website www.fishingals.com or email her at fishingals05@aol.com for item selections or quotes on the specials she has on long sleeve T-shirts.
Remember, just because it is cooler, fish do not stop feeding, but they do tend to slow down, school little tighter and stay closer to whatever cover is left. Slow down your presentation, be ready for a more subtle bite and cooler water temps also call for down sized tackle. A good option for winter open water fishing is the warm waters of a Power Plant Lake or wait and hope for safe ice for some Ice Fishing.
Visit our site at www.larrysfishinghole.com for ordering info or for products we field tested and found as quality fishing items for good gifts along with other fishing info and past articles.

Till Next Time GOD BLESS & GOOD FISHING !