Water Skiing
by: Nancy Jackson
Have you ever tried water skiing? It's like flying, only cooler. As you glide across the surface at top speed, cool water splashes over and around you. It's a fun and exciting sport that people of all ages can take part in. If you're strong enough to hold yourself up, you're strong enough to water ski.
To be really good at water skiing does take a little practice; but even more important, it takes the right equipment.
Four basic types of water skis are available on the market:
* Combination: The most common types of water skis sold today are combination skis. The skis have a wider tip, so they're the best style to learn on and are preferred by beginners and advance skiers alike.
* Slalom skis: Used by skiers who prefer to use just one ski. By skiing on one ski, the athlete is able to make sharp turns and reach faster speeds. Recreational slalom skis have a wider tail and a flatter bottom to make it easier to get up and ride straight, while advanced skis have a more tapered tail with beveled edges and a tunnel bottom. These are more difficult to ski on, but will take the skier on a much faster ride.
* Trick skis: Extreme athletes use trick skis to pull off the most outrageous stunts. Trick skis are for spinning, jumping and busting extreme moves in (or over) the water. These are shorter and wider than other style of water skis, and require much more skill. There are no fins on the bottoms of trick skis, so it's easier to slide and turn, but harder to make controlled moves while water skiing.
* Jump skis look like old-fashioned skis, but are made from a hi-tech composite material to make them stronger. As the name suggests, jump skis are used for jumping off of ramps.
The other essential piece of water skiing equipment is a rope. This is what connects you to the boat. Make sure that you have a proper rope with an appropriate handle. Water ski ropes have a flexible elastic quality, so they're able to change speeds and move with the skier. In normal conditions, polypropylene ropes will stretch two to three percent of their standard length of seventy inches.
The comfort of the rope handle is very important, and every water skier has his or her personal preference. Recreational water ski handles usually have a plastic or rubber grip. The plastic molded handles are strong and durable, and will float when dropped in the water. High-performance handles are generally comprised of an aluminum bar covered with a comfortable rubber grip. The construction is lighter, but more comfortable and durable than a molded plastic handle. Higher performance handles are hollow, so they sink when dropped in the water.
It's suggested that you wear goggles while water skiing, especially if you need to wear your eyeglasses. Protective goggles will stop water and debris going into your eyes, and will prevent your glasses from flying off and sinking if you fall into the water.
Water skiing is great exercise and a super fun way to enjoy a sunny day with friends. Strap on a lifejacket, grab some skis and make the most of your day on the water.
About The Author
Nancy Jackson contributes articles to several web sites, such as http://yogey.com and http://zigug.com.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Too Old to Learn Scuba Diving?
Too Old to Learn Scuba Diving?
by: Rona Limsy
We are always told we should learn sports when we are young, when our bodies are more resilient to the bruises and bumps which can be afflicted on us when we learn a new sport. This is true to a certain extent.
Take for example, my experience learning wind surfing. I learnt the sport when I was 26. If I were to learn this sport now at age 42, chances are I would not go far and would probably give up after 1 or 2 tries. Learning wind surfing was like battling with all the forces at the same time! We're talking about trying to balance on choppy waves on a slippery wet board, at the same time maneuvering a sail which weighs more than you in the correct direction that you want to go.In the process, I contributed blood and flesh from cuts on barnacles and bruises from hitting the surf board more than once before falling into the waters.
But there is a huge difference with scuba diving. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SCUBA DIVING. I can never say this enough. I learnt scuba diving when I was 38. Now I'm not saying that 38 is a ripe old age but still, the body does feel somewhat less strong and less resilient. Added to that, as we get older, we also seem to have more fears. Perhaps we feel we have more to lose if something should happen to us.
I say middle age and beyond should never be a factor in learning scuba diving BUT you do need to have these:
- an intense love for the sea
- a willingness to learn from someone younger than you
- relatively good health
and last but very important ... time and money.
Now I'm assuming that you are thinking of learning scuba diving because you want to make this a sport that you can enjoy every other weekend if time and money permits and not just learning for education's sake.
An Intense Love For The Sea
To enjoy a scuba diving trip, you will have to love the sea and I mean really really love it with all its wonderful creatures large and small. You will know what I mean on your first ever scuba diving trip after you have cleared your Open Water tests.
It is unlikely that your scuba diving buddies on your first dive trip will be the same classmates in your scuba diving course. Because of time and money constraints, you will find that you may be the only one keen enough to join a scuba diving trip soon after your certification.
More often than not, your dive buddies will be a dive-crazy bunch who will do at least 4 dives a day plus another at night. This means that on a scuba diving trip, most times you will not do anything but dive, talk about the sea creatures and encounters of each dive, before suiting up for the next dive. For someone who only wants to do one dive a day and then go shopping, he/she may be disappointed as many great scuba diving spots have few of these shopping and entertainment facilities.
In case you are already getting stressed just thinking about this, don't be. Every scuba diving newbie goes through this. Just have an attitude of a newbie, be humble and you will find that the seasoned divers are more than willing to share tips and may even help you to gear up before a dive.
A Willingness To Learn From Someone Younger Than You
Your scuba diving instructor is likely to be someone much younger than you. Some dive instructors have an attitude and are cocky so you may have to live with it for at least 3 weekends before you become certified - 1st weekend for classroom and theory, 2nd weekend for pool sessions and a 3rd weekend for the actual open water tests. Put aside your ego and just bear with it, it'll be worth it in the end.
Having said that, that's not to say that there are no good and kind scuba diving instructors around. I was fortunate to receive dive instruction from PC, a very kind and patient man, without whom my dive learning experience would not be as smooth and enjoyable.
Relatively Good Health
It's not necessary to be in peak fitness before you can take up scuba diving. However, you would need some strength to be able to walk with full scuba diving gear strapped on you. Once you enter the waters with all your gear, you are almost weightless. But it's the few steps you have to make to get into the boat or to cross the beach into the water that may be a challenge for a person who is not used to carrying heavy loads on them.
Having said that, some scuba diving resorts have fantastic dive staff who can help to overcome this by carrying the tanks and gear to the boat for you to suit up inside the boat. And of course if you are on a live-a-board (live, eat, dive, sleep, on board a boat throughout the dive trip), then this may not be relevant.
Time and Money. This is probably the 2 most deciding factors of whether someone continues to enjoy scuba diving after passing the Open Water tests. Getting certified through a scuba diving course is very fast, just 3 weekends basically. And not too expensive, probably about $300 to $400, including an out-of-the country dive trip for the open water tests. But unless you live near a scuba diving area, you are most likely going to have to travel a distance or even out of the country to do a good dive.
Now just think how much each trip is going to cost you and multiply that by how many times you would love to do scuba diving in a year. When you do the sums, it can be staggering. So you cut down the number of dives you want to do in a year, and then calculate and cut down some more.
In our scuba diving class, my husband and I were the only ones who continued to dive after the class was over. Even then, we did not manage to do the number of dives we would really have loved to do in a year. That's how it finally ends up that we are doing an average of 1 dive a year. This more or less ensures that we will always be diving as a "scuba diving newbie" (hence the blog's name). A scuba diver gets "rusty" when the interval is too long between each dive trip. Ideally, we should dive at least once each quarter.
I have not even gone on to calculate the other "investments" to personalise your gear such as your own BC (buoyancy control), your own octopus (breathing appartus) and your wet suit.
Having said all this, I still believe it's never too old to learn and enjoy scuba diving. Even with our limited dives since we were certified and diving as scuba diving newbies, we enjoy each and every one of our dive trips. Find the right people to dive with, find a fantastic dive spot that suits your preferences (whether macro, to check out small sea creatures, or see bigger fish) and nearby spa facilities to sooth your body aches after a dive - it's a wonderful combination that will almost always ensure a great scuba diving experience!
A scuba diving newbie can still enjoy happy diving!
About The Author
Rona Limsy loves scuba diving and has dived in the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives. She shares her dive stories so that more people, especially people who are thinking about taking up scuba diving but are apprehensive about it, can find out more about what to expect. Read more on Scuba Diving Newbie
by: Rona Limsy
We are always told we should learn sports when we are young, when our bodies are more resilient to the bruises and bumps which can be afflicted on us when we learn a new sport. This is true to a certain extent.
Take for example, my experience learning wind surfing. I learnt the sport when I was 26. If I were to learn this sport now at age 42, chances are I would not go far and would probably give up after 1 or 2 tries. Learning wind surfing was like battling with all the forces at the same time! We're talking about trying to balance on choppy waves on a slippery wet board, at the same time maneuvering a sail which weighs more than you in the correct direction that you want to go.In the process, I contributed blood and flesh from cuts on barnacles and bruises from hitting the surf board more than once before falling into the waters.
But there is a huge difference with scuba diving. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SCUBA DIVING. I can never say this enough. I learnt scuba diving when I was 38. Now I'm not saying that 38 is a ripe old age but still, the body does feel somewhat less strong and less resilient. Added to that, as we get older, we also seem to have more fears. Perhaps we feel we have more to lose if something should happen to us.
I say middle age and beyond should never be a factor in learning scuba diving BUT you do need to have these:
- an intense love for the sea
- a willingness to learn from someone younger than you
- relatively good health
and last but very important ... time and money.
Now I'm assuming that you are thinking of learning scuba diving because you want to make this a sport that you can enjoy every other weekend if time and money permits and not just learning for education's sake.
An Intense Love For The Sea
To enjoy a scuba diving trip, you will have to love the sea and I mean really really love it with all its wonderful creatures large and small. You will know what I mean on your first ever scuba diving trip after you have cleared your Open Water tests.
It is unlikely that your scuba diving buddies on your first dive trip will be the same classmates in your scuba diving course. Because of time and money constraints, you will find that you may be the only one keen enough to join a scuba diving trip soon after your certification.
More often than not, your dive buddies will be a dive-crazy bunch who will do at least 4 dives a day plus another at night. This means that on a scuba diving trip, most times you will not do anything but dive, talk about the sea creatures and encounters of each dive, before suiting up for the next dive. For someone who only wants to do one dive a day and then go shopping, he/she may be disappointed as many great scuba diving spots have few of these shopping and entertainment facilities.
In case you are already getting stressed just thinking about this, don't be. Every scuba diving newbie goes through this. Just have an attitude of a newbie, be humble and you will find that the seasoned divers are more than willing to share tips and may even help you to gear up before a dive.
A Willingness To Learn From Someone Younger Than You
Your scuba diving instructor is likely to be someone much younger than you. Some dive instructors have an attitude and are cocky so you may have to live with it for at least 3 weekends before you become certified - 1st weekend for classroom and theory, 2nd weekend for pool sessions and a 3rd weekend for the actual open water tests. Put aside your ego and just bear with it, it'll be worth it in the end.
Having said that, that's not to say that there are no good and kind scuba diving instructors around. I was fortunate to receive dive instruction from PC, a very kind and patient man, without whom my dive learning experience would not be as smooth and enjoyable.
Relatively Good Health
It's not necessary to be in peak fitness before you can take up scuba diving. However, you would need some strength to be able to walk with full scuba diving gear strapped on you. Once you enter the waters with all your gear, you are almost weightless. But it's the few steps you have to make to get into the boat or to cross the beach into the water that may be a challenge for a person who is not used to carrying heavy loads on them.
Having said that, some scuba diving resorts have fantastic dive staff who can help to overcome this by carrying the tanks and gear to the boat for you to suit up inside the boat. And of course if you are on a live-a-board (live, eat, dive, sleep, on board a boat throughout the dive trip), then this may not be relevant.
Time and Money. This is probably the 2 most deciding factors of whether someone continues to enjoy scuba diving after passing the Open Water tests. Getting certified through a scuba diving course is very fast, just 3 weekends basically. And not too expensive, probably about $300 to $400, including an out-of-the country dive trip for the open water tests. But unless you live near a scuba diving area, you are most likely going to have to travel a distance or even out of the country to do a good dive.
Now just think how much each trip is going to cost you and multiply that by how many times you would love to do scuba diving in a year. When you do the sums, it can be staggering. So you cut down the number of dives you want to do in a year, and then calculate and cut down some more.
In our scuba diving class, my husband and I were the only ones who continued to dive after the class was over. Even then, we did not manage to do the number of dives we would really have loved to do in a year. That's how it finally ends up that we are doing an average of 1 dive a year. This more or less ensures that we will always be diving as a "scuba diving newbie" (hence the blog's name). A scuba diver gets "rusty" when the interval is too long between each dive trip. Ideally, we should dive at least once each quarter.
I have not even gone on to calculate the other "investments" to personalise your gear such as your own BC (buoyancy control), your own octopus (breathing appartus) and your wet suit.
Having said all this, I still believe it's never too old to learn and enjoy scuba diving. Even with our limited dives since we were certified and diving as scuba diving newbies, we enjoy each and every one of our dive trips. Find the right people to dive with, find a fantastic dive spot that suits your preferences (whether macro, to check out small sea creatures, or see bigger fish) and nearby spa facilities to sooth your body aches after a dive - it's a wonderful combination that will almost always ensure a great scuba diving experience!
A scuba diving newbie can still enjoy happy diving!
About The Author
Rona Limsy loves scuba diving and has dived in the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives. She shares her dive stories so that more people, especially people who are thinking about taking up scuba diving but are apprehensive about it, can find out more about what to expect. Read more on Scuba Diving Newbie
Friday, July 20, 2007
What You Need To Know Prior To Scuba Diving
What You Need To Know Prior To Scuba Diving
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba diving can be a great pastime for you if you love the water. In the summer it's a great water sport where you can cool off while keeping physically fit! However there are aspects that you will want to consider first. These will indeed help you better decide if it's for you, and make it very enjoyable as well.
You are also required to complete a form to guarantee you are fit to dive. To find out what is required on the form in preparation, you can find it online at Divers Alert Network. Like any sport, you need to be in a condition to endure times of physical exertion. These include carrying a heavy oxygen tank above water, as well as times when you might need to swim faster. The diving gear adds extra strength demand to some degree as well.
You will need to be at least 15 years old for adult Scuba diving, or at least 10 for junior diving instructions and limited privilege. Certification will involve a Scuba Diving Test which will prove you know what is needed to dive safely.
Of course the most important scuba diving equipment is your breathing apparatus. It can be heavy, and there are important aspects of it that you need to be sure of each time you use different equipment.
Beyond these, you also need a wetsuit, fins, and other items that will help protect you from the underwater environment where you might need to keep warmer, as well as protected from sharp objects and certain water life.
For the sake of good experienced maintenance, as well as the price, many opt to rent their gear. Often this will be from a sport shop where you scuba dive. You can also buy your own gear, though that will leave much of the burden of keeping it fit on you, as it is yours.
Scuba diving can be a usually relaxing form of exercise that still keeps you fit. If you love the water, are interested what happens under it, and looking for a change of scenery, scuba diving is probably for you.
With that, you will need to find a course for certification in scuba diving. This is required to teach you what you know to enjoy, and stay safe while enjoying this inspiring sport. It teaches you how to avoid accidents and other mistakes when you dive that can have dangerous impact on the rest of your life. Then when you dive you will be able to enjoy this potentially addicting experience.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast or simply want to learn more facts about Scuba Diving, then be sure to visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba diving can be a great pastime for you if you love the water. In the summer it's a great water sport where you can cool off while keeping physically fit! However there are aspects that you will want to consider first. These will indeed help you better decide if it's for you, and make it very enjoyable as well.
Diver Requirements
Before beginning any new physical activity, you should always be sure you can handle what it requires. If you have any conditions that preclude you from other activities such as heart conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems and definitely anything that would make you more susceptible to drowning, you will need to consult a physician to be sure you are able to dive! This is recommended for anyone else as well.You are also required to complete a form to guarantee you are fit to dive. To find out what is required on the form in preparation, you can find it online at Divers Alert Network. Like any sport, you need to be in a condition to endure times of physical exertion. These include carrying a heavy oxygen tank above water, as well as times when you might need to swim faster. The diving gear adds extra strength demand to some degree as well.
You will need to be at least 15 years old for adult Scuba diving, or at least 10 for junior diving instructions and limited privilege. Certification will involve a Scuba Diving Test which will prove you know what is needed to dive safely.
The Right Equipment
As with nearly any sport, there is some gear required. Though when it comes to scuba diving, having the right equipment, and knowing well how to use it can turn out to be a matter of life and death under extreme circumstances.Of course the most important scuba diving equipment is your breathing apparatus. It can be heavy, and there are important aspects of it that you need to be sure of each time you use different equipment.
Beyond these, you also need a wetsuit, fins, and other items that will help protect you from the underwater environment where you might need to keep warmer, as well as protected from sharp objects and certain water life.
For the sake of good experienced maintenance, as well as the price, many opt to rent their gear. Often this will be from a sport shop where you scuba dive. You can also buy your own gear, though that will leave much of the burden of keeping it fit on you, as it is yours.
Why Many Scuba Dive
While the majority of scuba diving is recreation, there are those that do it for a living as well. Scientific exploration and research is another area with a lot of scuba diving demand. They spend a lot of time in the water watching sea life cycles, and how microorganisms/coral fit the whole underwater environment. There are also others that work in constructing underwater platforms that are often used for research as well as offshore oil.Scuba diving can be a usually relaxing form of exercise that still keeps you fit. If you love the water, are interested what happens under it, and looking for a change of scenery, scuba diving is probably for you.
With that, you will need to find a course for certification in scuba diving. This is required to teach you what you know to enjoy, and stay safe while enjoying this inspiring sport. It teaches you how to avoid accidents and other mistakes when you dive that can have dangerous impact on the rest of your life. Then when you dive you will be able to enjoy this potentially addicting experience.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast or simply want to learn more facts about Scuba Diving, then be sure to visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
What Is Fishing Bait?
What Is Fishing Bait?
by: Travis Clemens
There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at some time or another.
Fishing baits usually weigh from ¼ to an ounce to three ounces. The most popular weight preferred by the majority of bait casters is the 5/8-ounce bait, while the average is between ½ and 3 quarters of an ounce. Baits can either be used as a whole or cut into chunks. Anglers can also use dead or live baits.
The Different Types of Bait
There is a wide array of organisms being used as fishing baits. Among the different types used in fishing, the commonly used are the small fishes. These consist of widely used fishing baits such as herring, anchovies, menhaden, and some others that are inborn to certain local waters. Larger fishes are usually used as chunk baits.
Fishing baits can be used whole, chunk, and strips, based on the activities of the type of fishes being chased. The size of the fishing bait is usually well matched with the size of the fish being hunted. Other common organisms used for bait fishing are crabs, worms, shrimps, crabs, clams, sand fleas, eels, and squid. Among all of the organisms mentioned, the crabs and the shrimps are the well-liked organisms to be used as fishing baits.
Shrimp are favorably used as fishing bait and are considered to be very valuable bait for a huge number of saltwater fish, especially those that are considered “inshore fish” like redfish, speckled trout, shook, and a lot more.
Whereas, various crab species, especially the fiddler crab, sand flea, and the blue crab, are perfect fishing baits for many varieties of “inshore fishes” and “bottom fish.” These crabs are usually clasped through their shell, usually on either the right or left of the head.
How to Acquire Fishing Bait?
Fishermen can acquire fishing bait either buying them in bait shops or simply by capturing it themselves.
The advantage of buying fishing bait is convenience, while catching live fishing bait is less expensive and can be more effective in luring fish. Digging for earthworms is another activity. Earthworms make an excellent bait.
Indeed, when it comes to bait fishing, using the proper fishing bait are important and imperative to the success of fishing. Hence, anglers should know the basics of choosing fishing baits in order to save time and money.
About The Author
Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! Best Fishing Tips.
by: Travis Clemens
There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at some time or another.
Fishing baits usually weigh from ¼ to an ounce to three ounces. The most popular weight preferred by the majority of bait casters is the 5/8-ounce bait, while the average is between ½ and 3 quarters of an ounce. Baits can either be used as a whole or cut into chunks. Anglers can also use dead or live baits.
The Different Types of Bait
There is a wide array of organisms being used as fishing baits. Among the different types used in fishing, the commonly used are the small fishes. These consist of widely used fishing baits such as herring, anchovies, menhaden, and some others that are inborn to certain local waters. Larger fishes are usually used as chunk baits.
Fishing baits can be used whole, chunk, and strips, based on the activities of the type of fishes being chased. The size of the fishing bait is usually well matched with the size of the fish being hunted. Other common organisms used for bait fishing are crabs, worms, shrimps, crabs, clams, sand fleas, eels, and squid. Among all of the organisms mentioned, the crabs and the shrimps are the well-liked organisms to be used as fishing baits.
Shrimp are favorably used as fishing bait and are considered to be very valuable bait for a huge number of saltwater fish, especially those that are considered “inshore fish” like redfish, speckled trout, shook, and a lot more.
Whereas, various crab species, especially the fiddler crab, sand flea, and the blue crab, are perfect fishing baits for many varieties of “inshore fishes” and “bottom fish.” These crabs are usually clasped through their shell, usually on either the right or left of the head.
How to Acquire Fishing Bait?
Fishermen can acquire fishing bait either buying them in bait shops or simply by capturing it themselves.
The advantage of buying fishing bait is convenience, while catching live fishing bait is less expensive and can be more effective in luring fish. Digging for earthworms is another activity. Earthworms make an excellent bait.
Indeed, when it comes to bait fishing, using the proper fishing bait are important and imperative to the success of fishing. Hence, anglers should know the basics of choosing fishing baits in order to save time and money.
About The Author
Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! Best Fishing Tips.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Benefits of Fishing Tackle Box Organization
Benefits of Fishing Tackle Box Organization
by: John Packer
There are all different kinds of fishermen throughout the world. Some have been reeling in the "big one" for decades, whereas others can only dream of the day when the "big one" bites. Many fishermen like freshwater lakes, some like rivers or streams, and then there are those who prefer the ocean. Regardless of age, experience, or preference, there is one must: the right equipment and an organized tackle box.
Most fishermen have accumulated various lures, tackle, rods, and reels over the years. They have developed favorites, and they certainly have discovered which equipment works best in which conditions. Being prepared with the right equipment to suit the fishing conditions will make or break a fishing trip. One way to prepare yourself as a fisherman is to have an organized tackle box.
Organizing all of your gear, especially what is located in your tackle box, has many advantages. Some of these include:
1. Many fishermen don't fish in the same fishing spot every time they go out. In fact, some may fish in the ocean one day and on the lake the next. If your gear is organized according to what conditions you will be fishing in, you will most likely have a more successful trip. Better yet, organize two different tackle boxes; one for freshwater fishing and the other for saltwater fishing.
2. No tangled lures! That is the worst; you get out onto the water and are all set to go, only to find that all of your lures are tangled into a huge mess. You end up spending half of your time fixing the jumbled mess. By using a tackle box that is designed to separate lures and keep them from tangling with other lures you are going to save yourself a lot of time.
3. Quick lure exchange. Whether you are in the middle of a tournament or just enjoying a Saturday afternoon, no one likes wasting time changing their lures. With a tackle box that is organized you are bound to spend more time with your line in the water.
If you haven't yet bought a tackle box, or are looking into an upgrade for better organizational benefits, consider these aspects before buying:
1. Durability. You definitely don't want your nicely organized tackle box falling apart on you. Pick a strong plastic or a metal that won't rust. Fishing is not for pansies, your tackle box shouldn't be built like one either.
2. Is it waterproof and watertight? Most tackle boxes are made of material that is waterproof, but can water still creep inside through the cracks? This could form mold on your expensive equipment if there is not adequate ventilation. Some boxes come with removable parts to air out wet lures and remove any water that snuck in.
3. The size and function of your tackle box should largely depend on your intended use. Tournament fishermen need to have quick access to different lures and a fairly light box. The same goes for shore fishermen; they have to carry their tackle box to the shore, so it would make sense to consider weight when purchasing a new tackle box. On the other hand, many fishermen use the same boat and prefer to store their tackle box on board. In this case, they can afford to have a bit more weight in exchange for extra storage or waterproofing features.
4. It is always nice to have a little extra space for gear other than lures, weights, etc. A compartment for a pair of pliers (with quick access) is a plus. Some tackle boxes even come with a spot for a flashlight; always handy when fishing at dawn or dusk.
There are many things to think about and prepare before any fishing trip. An organized tackle box will ensure arriving on the water with the right equipment every time!
About The Author
John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com, www.gofishin.com, for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service.
by: John Packer
There are all different kinds of fishermen throughout the world. Some have been reeling in the "big one" for decades, whereas others can only dream of the day when the "big one" bites. Many fishermen like freshwater lakes, some like rivers or streams, and then there are those who prefer the ocean. Regardless of age, experience, or preference, there is one must: the right equipment and an organized tackle box.
Most fishermen have accumulated various lures, tackle, rods, and reels over the years. They have developed favorites, and they certainly have discovered which equipment works best in which conditions. Being prepared with the right equipment to suit the fishing conditions will make or break a fishing trip. One way to prepare yourself as a fisherman is to have an organized tackle box.
Organizing all of your gear, especially what is located in your tackle box, has many advantages. Some of these include:
1. Many fishermen don't fish in the same fishing spot every time they go out. In fact, some may fish in the ocean one day and on the lake the next. If your gear is organized according to what conditions you will be fishing in, you will most likely have a more successful trip. Better yet, organize two different tackle boxes; one for freshwater fishing and the other for saltwater fishing.
2. No tangled lures! That is the worst; you get out onto the water and are all set to go, only to find that all of your lures are tangled into a huge mess. You end up spending half of your time fixing the jumbled mess. By using a tackle box that is designed to separate lures and keep them from tangling with other lures you are going to save yourself a lot of time.
3. Quick lure exchange. Whether you are in the middle of a tournament or just enjoying a Saturday afternoon, no one likes wasting time changing their lures. With a tackle box that is organized you are bound to spend more time with your line in the water.
If you haven't yet bought a tackle box, or are looking into an upgrade for better organizational benefits, consider these aspects before buying:
1. Durability. You definitely don't want your nicely organized tackle box falling apart on you. Pick a strong plastic or a metal that won't rust. Fishing is not for pansies, your tackle box shouldn't be built like one either.
2. Is it waterproof and watertight? Most tackle boxes are made of material that is waterproof, but can water still creep inside through the cracks? This could form mold on your expensive equipment if there is not adequate ventilation. Some boxes come with removable parts to air out wet lures and remove any water that snuck in.
3. The size and function of your tackle box should largely depend on your intended use. Tournament fishermen need to have quick access to different lures and a fairly light box. The same goes for shore fishermen; they have to carry their tackle box to the shore, so it would make sense to consider weight when purchasing a new tackle box. On the other hand, many fishermen use the same boat and prefer to store their tackle box on board. In this case, they can afford to have a bit more weight in exchange for extra storage or waterproofing features.
4. It is always nice to have a little extra space for gear other than lures, weights, etc. A compartment for a pair of pliers (with quick access) is a plus. Some tackle boxes even come with a spot for a flashlight; always handy when fishing at dawn or dusk.
There are many things to think about and prepare before any fishing trip. An organized tackle box will ensure arriving on the water with the right equipment every time!
About The Author
John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com, www.gofishin.com, for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Surfing a Begginers Guide To Buying A Surfboard
Surfing a Begginers Guide To Buying A Surfboard
by: Curtis Ashford
Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.
I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!
I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.
If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.
About The Author
Curtis Ashfort
Surf Barrel
by: Curtis Ashford
Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.
I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!
I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.
If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.
About The Author
Curtis Ashfort
Surf Barrel
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Fishing for Salmon
Fishing for Salmon
by: Milos Pesic
Are you planning to go fishing for salmon? If you are and you are one of the beginners or first-timers, there are basic things you need to know to get you started and to help you enjoy this enjoyable outdoor activity.
First off, there are several species of salmon that you should know about before you go fishing for salmon trips. There are Atlantic and Pacific salmons. Atlantic species are from the Atlantic Ocean, as the name implies. Also, you can find a wide variety of salmon in the various lakes that are in the eastern North America areas. They are the kind of salmon that don’t immigrate as they prefer fresh water than salt water.
The most popular of all salmons are the Chinook or king salmon or spring salmon, black mouth, however you call them, as they are the biggest among the salmon species, weighing between 25 to 65 pounds, or even more. They are found from southern California coast to the Bering Strait. Alaska has earned its fame in fishing for salmon, since it is where the heaviest ever recorded king salmon, weighing over 96 pounds. Chinook salmon is the state fish of Alaska.
Other types of salmon include the red salmon or sockeye salmon, pink salmon, silver or Coho salmon, chum salmon, and the Atlantic salmon, which are left run wild in the on the Atlantic coast only. Each of the pacific salmon species have different life cycle and each returns to their fresh water spawning grounds at different times. When salmon returns to the rivers where they’re from, they are collectively called run that is, in turn, named after the river. So, if you hear the word run or runs, you know what it means.
Due to the fact that salmon always come back to where they hatched, you know when the ideal times are to go fishing for salmon or mostly called fishing season and you know there will always be salmon to catch. This is why many fishermen became fascinated with fishing, whether as hobby, sport or pastime.
Fishing for salmon requires bait. There are various types of baits that you cause in fishing for salmon. There are plugs, worms, lures, and flies in which you can use for fresh water salmon; for salt water, you can go for flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.
Fly fishing for salmon will require you to have 12-16 ft. graphite or fiberglass rod, fly reel and line. For bait fishing, you will need a 10 ft. spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to 20 lb. test line. But if you are into fishing for king or Chinook salmon, you will need a boat or a trolling rod. And because Chinook are known to be the biggest and heaviest of its kind, you will 20-40 pound or more test line. Who knows, your simple fishing for salmon trip could land you to catch king salmon?
About The Author
Milos Pesic is an avid fisherman and owner of popular and comprehensive Salmon Fishing web site. For more articles and resources on Salmon Fishing related topics, Salmon Fishing equipment, tips and trips, visit his site at:
salmon-fishing.need-to-know.net
by: Milos Pesic
Are you planning to go fishing for salmon? If you are and you are one of the beginners or first-timers, there are basic things you need to know to get you started and to help you enjoy this enjoyable outdoor activity.
First off, there are several species of salmon that you should know about before you go fishing for salmon trips. There are Atlantic and Pacific salmons. Atlantic species are from the Atlantic Ocean, as the name implies. Also, you can find a wide variety of salmon in the various lakes that are in the eastern North America areas. They are the kind of salmon that don’t immigrate as they prefer fresh water than salt water.
The most popular of all salmons are the Chinook or king salmon or spring salmon, black mouth, however you call them, as they are the biggest among the salmon species, weighing between 25 to 65 pounds, or even more. They are found from southern California coast to the Bering Strait. Alaska has earned its fame in fishing for salmon, since it is where the heaviest ever recorded king salmon, weighing over 96 pounds. Chinook salmon is the state fish of Alaska.
Other types of salmon include the red salmon or sockeye salmon, pink salmon, silver or Coho salmon, chum salmon, and the Atlantic salmon, which are left run wild in the on the Atlantic coast only. Each of the pacific salmon species have different life cycle and each returns to their fresh water spawning grounds at different times. When salmon returns to the rivers where they’re from, they are collectively called run that is, in turn, named after the river. So, if you hear the word run or runs, you know what it means.
Due to the fact that salmon always come back to where they hatched, you know when the ideal times are to go fishing for salmon or mostly called fishing season and you know there will always be salmon to catch. This is why many fishermen became fascinated with fishing, whether as hobby, sport or pastime.
Fishing for salmon requires bait. There are various types of baits that you cause in fishing for salmon. There are plugs, worms, lures, and flies in which you can use for fresh water salmon; for salt water, you can go for flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.
Fly fishing for salmon will require you to have 12-16 ft. graphite or fiberglass rod, fly reel and line. For bait fishing, you will need a 10 ft. spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to 20 lb. test line. But if you are into fishing for king or Chinook salmon, you will need a boat or a trolling rod. And because Chinook are known to be the biggest and heaviest of its kind, you will 20-40 pound or more test line. Who knows, your simple fishing for salmon trip could land you to catch king salmon?
About The Author
Milos Pesic is an avid fisherman and owner of popular and comprehensive Salmon Fishing web site. For more articles and resources on Salmon Fishing related topics, Salmon Fishing equipment, tips and trips, visit his site at:
salmon-fishing.need-to-know.net
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