How To Make A Manhattan Style Fish Stew

I love any kind of fish or seafood stew or chowder. Anytime I go to a restaurant I check and order it if it is on the menu. And I make several kinds at home from the fish I catch.

I filet all my fish first. Sometimes I save the bones and little bit of remaining meat on them, especially if I am making my version of a Manhattan style fish stew. The bones give it a stronger fish flavor and make a good stock for this kind of stew.

For my Manhattan style stew, I filet about five bass and keep the filets and bones. This will make about six quarts of stew, and it freezes well. After washing carefully, I put all of the bones in an eight quart pot and cover with water, keeping the filets to the side in cold water in the refrigerator. As it starts to warm I add a few bay leaves, salt and pepper and some other spices like thyme if it sounds good. i bring this mixture to a boil and turn the heat back to barely keep it boiling until the meat is done and white and the bones have time to flavor the stock, about 30 to 45 minutes. But the time is not critical, a little longer just makes the flavor stronger.

Boil the bones to make fish stock.

While the stock is boiling I fry about six strips of bacon in a frying pan until they are crisp.

Fry about six strips of bacon until crisp

Remove the bacon and sautee onions in the bacon grease until slightly brown. You can skip this and add the chopped onions raw, but I like to brown mine. Chop them as coarse as you like. Sometimes I use a blender and chop them very fine, other times I just coarse chop them.

Saute onions in bacon grease

Crumble the bacon and add it to the onions for more flavor. Let it cook a few minutes then remove from heat.

Crumble the bacon and add it to the onions

Drain the broth to remove all the bones.

Strain the broth and get all the meat off the bones

Take the meat off the bones and add that meat back to the broth. I carefully squeeze every bit of this meat to make sure there are no small bones in it.

Take the meat off the bones and add back to the broth

Add onions and bacon to broth as it simmers.

Add the onions and bacon to the broth

Cut the fish filets into chunks – I like mine about 1.5 inch squares. Add the fish to the simmering broth.

Cut the fish filets into chunks and add to the stew

Add a can or two of diced tomatoes to the stew. I like to use tomatoes with chilis in them for a little kick.

Add a can or two of diced tomatoes, with or without chilis

I like a very tomato flavored stew, so I add a can or two of tomato soup, paste or sauce. Add enough to suit your tastes.

Add tomato sauce and or paste to flavor to what you like

Simmer for an hour or so and it is ready to eat! For a heartier stew, add some rice to the stew and cook until the rice is done. Or for variety, cook the rice separately and spoon the stew over it. I like my stew straight and eat it with saltine crackers. I do like to add some Tabasco or other hot sauce to spice it up – sometimes I like it HOT!

Simmer for about an hour

How To Catch Bass On a Fly Rod

Bass On The Long Rod – Catching Bass On A Fly Rod

By Mike Gnatkowski / www.gnatoutdoors.com
from The Fishing Wire

Flyrod bass on eelworm

This largemouth was caught on an Eelworm Streamer, which is the fly-fisher’s alternative to a rubber worm.

Think of fly-fishing and you automatically think of trout. Fly-fishing is ideally suited to presenting tiny flies that imitate a lot of what a trout eats. But fly-fishing can be a challenging technique for targeting bass, too. And most of us have a pond or lake close by that has bass in it so they’re readily available and we don’t have to travel far to find good fishing.

Most anglers pursue bass with a spinning rod or bait-casting gear from the deck of a bass boat like the anglers they see on Saturday mornings. But there are more and more anglers trying the long rod for bass and they’re finding it both challenging and rewarding. With fly gear, you’re certainly not going to hoist a 5-pound bass into the boat and you’re going to have to fight it more than 30 seconds. An extended fight alone might be the real attraction.

New materials mean better flies

The explosion in fly tying materials in recent years has fostered even more realistic flies, many intended for bass.

The real interest in fly-fishing for bass got started in the 1980’s jumpstarted by two legends in the fishing world. Oklahoman Dave Whitlock was one of the first to design flies specifically for warm-water species and extolled the joys of fly-fishing for bass. Whitlock was a master fly tier, artist, author and fly-fishing innovator who eventually transplanted to Arkansas to be close to the White River and its fabulous trout fishing, but he never forgot about bass.

Whitlock’s innovative designs included the Eelworm Streamer, which was the fly rodder’s equivalent to the bass fisherman’s plastic worm. With heavy lead dumbbell eyes, the fly exhibited a nose-down attitude that mimicked the classic rubber worm, but with undulating feathers and mottled tones the Eelworm Streamer looked more life-like than any piece of plastic.

Whitlock continued to create bass flies that covered everything from top to bottom. Flies like the Hare Water Pup, Wiggle-Legs Frog, Dragon Flies and Sheep Minnows that look more real than any crankbait. Bass are more opportunistic than trout. Most times there’s no need to match-the-hatch when fly fishing for bass, but Whitlock’s designs opened the eyes of fly fishers who had their sights set on bass and had come from a trout fishing background. Although many of Whitlock’s flies appealed to both largemouth and smallmouth bass, his flies had a particular bucketmouth appeal.

Float tubes are great for fly fishing

Kicking around in a float tube is a great way to target bass with a fly rod.

Larry Dahlberg grew up fishing and guiding on the St. Croix River on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. Dahlberg was so infatuated with fishing that by the time his friends were bagging groceries at the local supermarket, he was guiding anglers on the river for good money, most with a fly rod. Dahlberg, like Whitlock, was an innovator and inventor and went about designing flies that would catch his clients more fish.

One of his creations, the Dahlberg Diver, was fly-fishing’s answer to the bass fishermen’s crankbait. The Dahlberg Diver has a cone-shaped head made of spun deer hair with a stiff collar. The idea was that when stripped hard, the cone-shaped head would act like a lip on a crankbait causing the fly to dive. The harder and more you stripped, the deeper the fly would dive. Stop stripping and the fly would swim back to the surface. It’s a triggering mechanism that most predators can’t stand. The Dahlberg Diver proved to be a killer on not only St. Croix River smallmouths, but also sizable pike and muskies. Dahlberg also tied life-like poppers and sliders that catch plenty of bass even today.

The explosion in fly tying materials in recent years has fostered even more realistic flies, many intended for bass. With a variety of synthetic furs, rabbit strips, Krystal Flash and rubber legs, pinchers and feelers, bass flies look like the real thing. Made from natural materials or synthetics, bass flies not only look real, they feel natural. When a bass chomps on a hair mouse or frog, it feels natural so that fish is less likely to let go. Undulating feathers or quivering rubber legs gives bass flies an added realism that cannot be duplicated with conventional hard baits.

River fly fishing for smallmouth

Many rivers have outstanding smallmouth populations and targeting them in the summer with the long rod can be great fun.

What kind of fly rod you choose for bass fishing depends on which kind of bass you intend to fish for. Largemouths tend to inhabit thick cover where a heavier rod can be an advantage for muscling big bass. The flies that are used to entice largemouth bass are generally larger and bulkier and more easily cast with an 8- or 9-weight fly rod. Smallmouths frequent more open structure where rocks or wood are the main habitat. Nymphs, streamers and bugs that trigger strikes from smallmouths can be easily cast with a 6-weight fly rod. The reel is relatively unimportant and is used mainly for line storage. Bass don’t run so an intricate drag system is not necessary.

Unlike when casting a lure with a spinning or bait-casting rod, when fly-fishing the line carries the lure or fly not the other way around. To throw bulky, wind-resistant frogs or poppers requires a weight-forward or bass-bug tapered line. A line like this is heavier at the forward end and is better suited to driving out-sized bugs that require more power to cast. Match the line weight to the rod. Leaders need to be nothing more than a four-foot length of 20-pound fluorocarbon when fishing largemouths. A tapered leader of no more the 7-1/2 feet is perfect for smallmouths.

Late spring and summer is primetime for fly-fishing for bass. Bass are most susceptible to fly-rod tactics when they are in the shallows. Actively spawning bass are suckers for flies twitched around beds. I’ve caught dozens of largemouths and smallmouths on rubber spiders intended for bluegills. A good pair of polarized glasses will help you spot active beds and spawning bass. This can be done from the front deck of a bass boat or out of a float tube.

Fly-rodding for bass is hot during the heat of summer. Bass take up residence in predictable locations during the summer and fly fishers can capitalize. Working minnow imitations along weed edges can be a great tactic for scoring on summer largemouths.

Use a sponge spider for bass

One of many bass the author has caught on a sponge spider intended for panfish.

Largemouths will also take up residence under mats of floating vegetation to avoid the hot sun and jet skis. Lily pads and largemouths are like peanut butter and jelly. Frogs, Divers and bugs tied with monofilament weed guards can be cast into the thickest junk without fear of getting hung up. Dropping a hair frog into the opening between pads and then causing it to twitch and skitter will bring explosive strikes from resident bass. Many times the best action is during the heat of the day.

Smallmouth thrive in cool, clear lakes and can be targeted by fly fishers with life-like imitations that simulate smallmouth fare like crayfish, minnows and gobies. In large cool bodies of water smallmouths may not spawn until July, so you’ll find them still patrolling the shallows. During the post spawn, you’ll find male bass protecting the beds. Look a little deeper for the rotund females.

Many rivers have outstanding smallmouth populations and targeting them in the summer with the long rod can be great fun. As water levels drop in the summer time bass will be highly concentrated on the pools and deeper runs. Bass will move into riffles to feed or in slack-water areas to root out crayfish.

Fly-fishing for smallmouth in rivers is a lot like fly-fishing for trout. Many of the same nymphs, Wooly Buggers, Muddler Minnows that catch trout will catch smallies. There may even be times when hatches of aquatic insects will bring smallmouths to the surface like trout.

Streams and rivers become tepid during the summer months so wading wet is an option. You can use a canoe to cover water and then get out and fish the best pools and runs. Tangling with a 3 or 4-pound bulldogging smallie on the long rod is a hoot.

(See more of Mike Gnatkowski’s work at www.gnatoutdoors.com. )

What Is A Jig and Pig for Bass Fishing and Why Should I Use One?

If you read or hear much about bass fishing, you will hear people say they use a jig and pig. But what is a jig and pig and why should you use one to fish for bass?

Lead head jig with rubber skirt and fiber weed guard

The jig part is a lead head jig with rubber legs or skirt. It may or may not have a weed guard on the hook.

The pig can be several things. The first ones were Uncle Josh Pork Rind Frogs – hence the name “pig.” Now most fishermen use a plastic pig and they can be many shapes and sizes. Some popular ones are chunks – a round body with two legs like the Zoom Chunk. I like a twin curly tail trailer like the Zoom Creepy Crawler or Fat Albert. Others look like crawfish, like the Net Bait Paca Craw. They come in a wide variety of colors.

The pig is attached to the hook of the jig so the body is mostly covered by the skirt and the legs or tails stick out behind the bait.

Bitsy Bug Jig and Creepy Crawler Trailer

It is important to put the pig or trailer on so it is straight and the legs at a flat plane with the head, perpendicular to the hook. If it is bent the bait may spin and twist your line. If it is at an angle it does not look natural.

The picture above is of my favorite jig and pig – a Strike King Bitsy Bug with a Zoom Creepy Crawler trailer. This one is in browns for clear water. I use a black and blue jig and blue trailer in stained to muddy water. I use a 3/16ths to 1/4 ounce Bitsy Bug and always dip the tips ot the trailer, no matter what color it is, in chartreuse JJs Magic.

For deeper fishing or when the wind is blowing too much for the light jig, I go with the same colors in a 3/8ths to 1/2 ounce Rattleback Jig with the bigger Zoom twin tail Fat Albert trailer. And if I am trying for bigger fish I use the bigger bait. A big bass will hit the smaller bait but I do think bigger fish like bigger baits.

The Bitsy Bug and Creepy Crawler is a great bait for spotted bass but largemouth love it, too. I have done well many tournaments on a variety of lakes on these baits.

A jig and pig can be fished in all kinds of structure and cover. And they can be fished in a wide variety of ways.

What Are Some Good Boating Tips from the Coast Guard?

Boating Tips from a Seasoned Coast Guard Pro

by Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Ameen
from The Fishing Wire

Clyde Rawls

Clyde Rawls, the director of operations for the Frank S. Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, N.J. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Ameen)

If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, chances are you’ve been frustrated with the weather this past winter. Then it snowed … on the first day of spring!

Now temperatures are beginning to reach the mid-60s, many boaters are ready to hit the water and shake off that cabin fever, but before heading out, there are numerous factors to consider.

The Coast Guard consistently reminds boaters of the importance of wearing life jackets and filing a float plan, but many do not check the wiring on their boat. That’s one of the many tips from Clyde Rawls, the director of operations for the Frank S. Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“Regardless of the size of the boat everything should be checked,” said Rawls. “If the boat’s been stowed for any length of time you really need to go over everything with a fine-tooth comb, looking for loose wiring that could cause failure of a piece of equipment necessary to propel the boat.”

A boat can quickly become disabled if loose wiring causes the engine to malfunction, but a disabled boat can also sink if weather takes a turn for the worse before help arrives. That’s why proper communications devices are a solid investment.

“Having a VHF radio onboard is vitally important — it’s one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can have,” said Rawls. “It’s a direct line to the Coast Guard. It’s a direct line to the all the boats anywhere in eyesight. If something’s going on you have a lot more eyes immediately looking around and spotting you rather than you trying to place a 911 call from a cell phone out in the middle of the ocean.”

Rawls also said cell phone batteries can die at the most inopportune time, so VHF radios are exponentially more reliable. Additionally, cell phone signals are unreliable the farther boaters are from shore.

How to use a manual dewatering pump

Clyde Rawls, the director of operations for the Frank S. Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, N.J., demonstrates how to use a manual dewatering pump.

Another key item to check is the bilge pump system, if a boat is equipped with one. Rawls stressed the importance of inspecting the float switch, which activates the bilge pump if water is detected. Without a properly functioning float switch and bilge pump a boater could end up in a great deal of trouble if the boat starts to take on water. Rawls recommended having a manual dewatering pump aboard as a backup.

“You’ll wear yourself out, but they do work,” said Rawls. “I used one this winter on a dinghy that was taking on water. I couldn’t activate the bilge pump on the boat, so I ended up hand-pumping it out.”

Rawls discussed the importance of knowing the limitations of the boat, as well as personal limitations as a boater.

“People get out into seas — or seas will build around them — and they think it’s not that big of a deal, but they’re not paying attention that it’s getting worse and worse and worse,” said Rawls. “On a smaller boat, if the [sides of the boat] are low, chances are you could be swamped if you’re in really rough seas, so just know the limitations of your own skill as a captain and the physical limitations of the boat. Make sure the boat is not over-weighted by the number of people or gear. People forget a cooler of beverages weighs a lot.”

Rawls also said a person can get dehydrated when drinking alcohol, and those effects are intensified while out on the water in the sunshine. Staying hydrated with plenty of water should definitely be a priority for those looking to get the most out of an underway trip.

Taking a boating safety course can also enhance a boater’s skill level and confidence at the helm.

“It’s not only a good idea, it’s required,” said Rawls.

Boaters should master the basics before they buy a boat, but it’s never too late to take a boater’s safety course.

Frank S. Farley State Marina

The Frank S. Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, N.J.,

Rawls said sun protection is also a critical factor in safe boating. Wear appropriate attire, like polarized sunglasses, which greatly increases what can be seen on the water by eliminating glare.

“Boating should be a very enjoyable, relaxing activity — with proper preparation,” said Rawls. “Have sunscreen. No one wants to get fried three hours into their day and be miserable with a sunburn. Also, wear boat shoes! Flip-flops are for the beach.”

With so many tips on how to prepare for a safe boating season, it’s also important to take the same precautions for passengers.

“Look after your crew and your pets,” said Rawls. “Pets need life jackets, too.”

In fact, everyone needs a life jacket while boating. Children under 13 are required to wear a life jacket at all times while boating, but the Coast Guard urges all boaters to wear their life jacket while underway. Attempting to put on your life jacket during an emergency at sea is like trying to put on your seatbelt during a car accident —life-threatening situations escalate quickly, and every second counts.

As summer approaches and the weather conditions improve on the water, remember, boating safety starts on shore. Tragedies occur all too often on the water, and by taking the necessary precaution beforehand, boaters can ensure their survival if tragedy does strike.

What Are Some Tips for the Michigan Opening Day for Fishing?

Michigan DNR fisheries experts offer opening-day tips

(Michigan’s DNR Biologists offer these tips for their home state, but they’re also very useful for anglers fishing early spring anywhere in the Midwest in the next month. Editor)
from The Fishing Wire

Fishing may be a 12-months-a-year sport in Michigan, but there’s little doubt that the last Saturday of April is one of the biggest days of the year for anglers. It marks the opening day of trout fishing, statewide on more than 80 percent of the state’s trout streams, as well as the season opener for walleye, pike and muskellunge on the inland waters of the Lower Peninsula.

Like many anglers, a fair number of Department of Natural Resources fisheries personnel will take to lakes and streams very soon. Here’s what some of them have to say about opening-weekend opportunities:

Trout from Michigan

Trout:

Mark Tonello, a fisheries biologist out of Cadillac and a trout aficionado, says anglers must rid themselves of preconceived notions.

“Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one river,” Tonello said. “What if you get up there and the river you chose is running 4,000 feet per second and all mud? You might want to look at smaller waters, further upstream, where it may be clearer.

“And use all weapons available,” he continued. “A lot of good anglers I know go ready for anything. If there are hatches going off, they’ve got their fly rods and are ready to match the hatch. But if there’s no hatch, they’re ready to throw spinners. And if that’s not working don’t be afraid to try bait.”

Tonello said anglers shouldn’t be afraid of competition.

“Opening weekend tends to be one of the busiest weekends of the year, but we have so much water, you can find places to fish,” he said. “A good hint is to start with our trout regulations maps that are all color coded – you can catch trout from any of those streams.

“And don’t be afraid to contact the local biologist,” Tonello said. “As a biologist, those are some of my most enjoyable phone calls, when someone calls and says, ‘I’m heading up to Cadillac, can you give me tips on where to fish?'”

Walleye caught in Michigan

Walleyes

Walleye anglers will likely be spread between rivers and lakes and anglers should wait until right before opening day to decide where to fish.

“Last year there were a lot of fish still in the river for the opener,” said Tim Cwalinski, a fisheries biologist in Gaylord. “This year we’re warming up a little more quickly and we didn’t get as much snow, so the fish may be further along this spring than last spring. On our big lakes – Hubbard, Grand, Long, Burt and Mullet, for instance — there are going to be fish in close, near the river mouth, but your best bet is probably going to be fishing really, really slowly. Trolling won’t cut it.

“If they’re still spawning, they’ll be in rocky, cobble areas in 2 to 10 feet of water,” he continued. “If they’ve finished spawning they’ll be out deeper. Males hit the spawning grounds first and stay on the grounds longer; there are fish there all the time, but there are aggressive fish there only part of the time. So don’t be afraid to fish well into evening. That’s what I’ve found on some of these big lakes.”

Fisheries biologist Jim Baker of Bay City – whose management unit includes the tributaries that feed Saginaw Bay – says a lot will depend on what happens weather-wise the couple of days immediately preceding the opener.

“If you get a big rain and the rivers get high and muddy, it can be hard to catch fish,” Baker said. “But we think the fish will be spawning late because it was so cold, so there should be a lot of fish left in the river when the opener arrives. Most of the guys will be vertical jigging with jigs, baited either with minnows or twister tails, but after the crowds dissipate, we know some guys troll up and down the rivers with Rapalas and they do pretty well.”

Muskie caught in Michigan

Muskellunge and Pike:

Muskellunge enthusiast Don Barnard, a fisheries technician out of Bay City, says the colder water around opening day means anglers should downsize their baits.

“I use smaller baits in the spring than what they use in summer and fall,” he said. “In fall we use 10- or 12-inch baits. The advice is to scale that down to about 8 inches or less in the spring. I use a smaller bucktail or twitch bait, 6 to 7 inches.

“A lot of anglers like to sight fish for spawning fish,” Barnard continued. “Spot them and cast to them.”

Barnard said he often fishes reservoirs and creek mouths.

“Fish the north end of the lake where it gets more sunlight and it warms up a little faster,” he said. Fish 6 to 8 feet of water, not any deeper than that. The fish are going to be up trying to sun themselves.”

Pike anglers should follow the same strategy.

“We like to fish them shallow around the opener,” said Jody Johnston, a fisheries technician out of Crystal Falls. “A lot of times they’re up very shallow – I wouldn’t be afraid to throw up in 2 feet of water. That’s where some of those nicer fish hang out, especially if you get a wind that is blowing the warm water into the shallows.”

Gary Whelan, the fisheries biologist who runs the DNR research team out of Lansing, says pike anglers should use bass techniques, only more so.

“Use the biggest flies and lures you’ve got,” he said. “I like to fish rivers, and pike will take large streamers like you use for bass – deceivers, Clouser minnows, zonkers – something that looks big and offers a lot of motion. But make sure you use some sort of shock tippets or heavy leader.

“If you’re casting lures, use spinnerbaits or body baits like Rapalas – the biggest ones you’ve got.”

To get more tips and information – including Family Friendly Fishing Waters, the June 13-14 Summer Free Fishing Weekend, and season rules and regulations – visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

Have Gun Deaths Surpassed Automobile Deaths In the US?

The latest news to get gun control fanatics all a dither is a report showing gun deaths have exceeded automobile accident deaths in some cities and states. And gun deaths were predicted to exceed automobile deaths nationwide by this year, 2015.

There are a lot of reasons for this change. Comparing the two causes of deaths is like comparing which is best to use, live bait for bass or rifles for deer. The gun control lobby wants to use the statistics to demand more restrictions on law abiding citizens to own guns. Of course they ignore the fact that owning a gun is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and driving is not.

John Lott, Jr. has done a lot of research on gun violence. In an article for Fox News he presents facts about these two sources of deaths in the US. (I know, Fox News is denigrated by those getting all their propaganda from MSNBC and related sources, hated by them like the Nazis were in WWII and called liars by them, but that is a whole nother story)

He shows that gun deaths have risen and car deaths fallen, but demonstrates that accidental deaths from cars are 99.4% of the total while accidental deaths from guns are only 1.5%, And the car deaths drop corresponds to the rise in gas prices, making people drive less. As gas prices came down recently, car deaths have risen.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution in a headline this past Sunday reflects this. It says “Roadway deaths in Georgia have increased by nearly a third so far this year, a troubling jump that transportation officials and experts are struggling to explain.”

As Lott says “But if increased safety regulations are the solution, why is it that between 2000 and 2013 accidental deaths from guns fell twice as much as those from cars (35% to 18%)?”

Another claim is guns are too easy to get so more people use them to kill themselves. That ignores the fact if people wanting to commit suicide could not get guns they would find some other way. As Lott points out “Despite fewer murders and accidental gun deaths, gun deaths have risen slightly because of a 28% increase in firearm suicides. But non-firearm suicides increased even faster (56%) – something is causing suicides in general to rise.

One hue and cry from the gun control fanatics is a demand for more background checks, like the Brady Law. But, as Lott says, they ignore the facts, a common trait of that group. “The Economist points to a new Bloomberg-backed study claiming that prohibited people with criminal records made 7 out of 169 online gun purchases. Unfortunately, they merely verify that people with names similar to those who are actually prohibited were interested in buying guns. They never showed that prohibited people actually bought a gun.”

“Some guns were listed as having not gone through background checks, when in fact they had. In reality, Bloomberg’s groups have inadvertently exposed the problems with the current background check system.”

Lott’s bottom line is “So will gun control advocates ever explain why accidental gun deaths have fallen more than those for cars? Or why non-firearm suicides rose twice as fast as firearm suicides? I predict they never will.”

His article is at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/02/12/which-is-more-likely-to-kill-car-or-gun/

My bottom line is this, something not mentioned by anyone I have seen. How may car deaths were caused by cars illegally owned, compared to guns deaths caused by guns illegally owned?

All too often, but just a few times a year, a car death caused by an illegal alien who should not even be in the US make the headlines. But almost every day headlines about a shooting include the fact the shooter was charged with possession of a gun by a convicted felon. One of the most recent was the Griffin daily News 4/16/15 article about the felon that shot the two year old in a car on Highway 19/41. He broke laws to even have a gun.

Some say there are 20,000 gun laws in the US. Others dispute this number saying “there are only 300 federal gun laws” and that state laws are not relevant somehow. Even if you swallow this claim that gun laws are really not gun laws, there are 300 federal laws that criminals using guns violate.

How many laws are enough? If 300 are not sufficient, with 301 do? What law should be passed that only law abiding citizens will follow? Laws have no effect on criminals so, as Hillary said, at this point what does it matter?

Take anything about guns and cars – in fact, anything you read or hear about – with a grain of salt. Look for the agenda of those making the claims, including me. Get the facts for yourself.

How Can I Get Ready for Spring Stripers?

Yamaha Tips: Get Ready for Spring Stripers
from The Fishing Wire

Use soft natural baits

Big stripers like this one may prefer soft natural baits early in the season, especially in murky water.

It’s been a brutal winter for most of the Mid-Atlantic States, with record low temperatures and an amazing amount of precipitation in the form of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Just what does that mean for spring striper fishing? If past experience is any indicator, fishing might get off to a slightly later start. The water will be a bit colder due to the spring snow melt, resulting in a rush of cold water pouring into the bays where the first bass of the year are usually encountered. All that extra fresh water will probably be carrying more silt, which could hinder water clarity and affect feeding preferences, but that can be accounted for with the right techniques.

A look back in our fishing log books reveals that striped bass fishing after cold winters has been as good if not better than during mild years. So if you haven’t gotten to it already, you better start getting the boat and tackle ready.

Extreme cold water temperatures in rivers and estuaries where small-to-midsize stripers reside can put them in near hibernation throughout much of the winter. When the first hints of spring make an appearance—the sun gets a little higher in the sky, the days get a little longer, air temperatures start to rise—the bass stir and start to get hungry. If you’re willing to brave the weather and get on the water, chances are you’ll be rewarded with some decent fishing action. But are you prepared? Have you gone through the spring commissioning process with your boat, outboard and trailer? Have you serviced your reels and filled them with fresh line? Do you have the gear you’ll need for early season tactics in your tackle box? If not, you have some catching up to do.

The following two techniques can be effective under the spring conditions you will probably encounter when fishing for stripers in the coming weeks, and we will follow those up with some tips on where you should look for them.

Use clams for spring stripers

Clams and other natural offerings fished on a circle hook can be just the ticket to turn early spring stripers on.

One of the best ways to coax bass out of cold water is fishing with soft, natural baits like sandworms and fresh clams. This is especially true when the run-off from winter snows and spring rains keep bay temperatures cold and hamper water clarity. When this happens, bass will rely more on scavenging by using their sense of smell rather than on their ability to seek out baitfish visually. When striper metabolism is sluggish, soft baits are easier to digest, making them preferable when the water is colder. If the water temps are below 50 degrees or water clarity is poor, break out the clams, sandworms or bloodworms and go fishing.

These baits are fished on or very near the bottom, and light spinning or baitcasting outfits filled with 10- to 15-pound test line are more than ample tackle. The preferred bottom rig is a simple fish finder type, with a light bank sinker mated to a 24-inch fluorocarbon leader armed with a 4/0 or larger circle hook. Using circle hooks is important because stripers feeding on soft baits are likely to swallow the hook in the time it takes for you to realize they are mouthing the bait. Circle hooks almost always set in the corner of a fish’s mouth, making unhooking and releasing them easier for you with less potential to harm the fish. That reduces release mortality of young fish or any fish you catch over the bag limit. If you’re using worms, the addition of a small float between the hook and the sinker will help keep the bait off the bottom and attract more bites. Clams give off more scent and are easier for bass to locate and gulp down lying on the bottom. When clam fishing, bring along a chum basket and fill it with crushed clams, then suspend it on the bottom under the boat to disperse even more scent to attract bass from further away.

Once water temperatures have risen above 50 degrees and river herring and alewives start their move from the ocean into bays (and eventually into rivers and streams to spawn), try switching over to trolling with diving plugs. Several lure companies offer swimming plugs with long diving lips rated to run from 15 to 30 feet down. They are excellent lures for early season stripers and a lot of fun to use because they do not require heavy rods and reels with special line to get them deep and make them work.

Trolling these plugs can be done on a variety of light conventional rod and reel combinations, but be sure they are loaded with 30- to 50-pound test braided line. The thin braid allows these plugs to dive to their rated depth. Add a six-foot fluorocarbon leader and a snap for quick changing lures, and fish them from outrodder-type rod holders to keep them spread apart behind the boat. Be sure to keep your eyes on the depthfinder to locate schools of baitfish, and to watch for stripers. That way you can be sure you’re fishing in the right places and using plugs that are running at the depth the fish are holding. You should have plugs in a range of colors that run at a variety of depths.

Use light tackle

Light tackle is adequate to handle even big stripers like this one when fishing natural bait.

If you are not familiar with where to hunt for early season stripers, here are a few tips that might help. Review charts of the estuary you’re planning to fish, and look for areas adjacent to where feeder streams and rivers enter the bay. Then look for areas of flats along channel edges, especially flats that get exposed to the most sun during the days as they will warm faster, and warmer is better this time of year. In a lot of cases, flats along shorelines with southern exposure will fit the bill because the sun is still in the southern sky and will strike those flats with the most direct light. You can find stripers in water depths from a few feet out to edges of channel drop offs in 20 to 30 feet.

Bottom fishing with soft baits will often be best on flats near drop offs. Anchor the boat up current of the drop, and set out a chum pot with clams or just cast your bait behind the boat and let the fish come to you. Time your fishing to coincide with the top of the incoming and first few hours of the outgoing tide, when bass will be most active. This way the current carries the scent of your baits to deeper water, and the fish will be working into the current for just that reason. Pay attention to tides when trolling with plugs, too. High tide stages will produce the most bites.

With spring upon us (even if it might not feel like it quite yet), it’s time to put down the winter projects, get the boat and gear loaded, and go fishing. The stripers are hungry and waiting, and fishing for them is a great way to shake off the bad case of cabin fever you’ve been suffering from this winter.

How To Cook Deer Liver and Heart

I love to cook, and love deer meat, even the heart and liver. And I hate to waste anything so I take care to keep the heart and liver to cook. There is an old joke that farmers use everything from a pig except the squeal. I don’t take using deer that far, but I try to use everything I can when I kill one.

Recently I shot a deer and hit it just right, blowing out the lungs without damaging the liver or heart. I try to shoot all deer like that, without damaging any meat. When I gutted the deer I carefully washed off the heart and liver and put them in a plastic bag so I could cook them.

When I got home I washed the liver and heart again, sliced both and put them in a Ziploc bag with salt water. That pulls out a lot of the blood and I think it helps give the meat a better flavor.

Saute onions until soft and browned a little

The next night I got the sliced meat out and dried it, then coated the half-inch thick slices with flour. I then heated olive oil and sauteed sliced onions until they started to brown. I use a lot of onions, I really like them, too!

After the meat is brown on one side, flip it and add onions back to it

After the onions are soft and browned I remove them and put the floured meat into the oil. When the meat is brown on one side, I flip it and put the onions back on top. The heat should be low enough to just fry the meat and brown it. Too hot and the liver will be tough.

Add warm water to cover the meat and simmer

After the meat browns on the second side I add enough warm water to cover the meat and let it simmer at very low heat. I use a spatula to make sure I scrape all the brown crust off the pan and get it mixed with the water. Again, too high heat makes the meat tough so keep it as low as possible to keep the sauce bubbling slightly. Stir it frequently.

When the meat is just barely done and the sauce a nice brown, you are ready to eat

The sauce will be white to start but brown as it simmers. I like the meat barely done, still a little pink inside. It is more tender and moist before it gets too well done.

While the meat simmers, usually for about 30 minutes, I slice potatoes and more onions and saute them in another pan until the potatoes are soft. This is a great dish with the meat. I have a salad with it – gotta get my green veggies! In the picture below the salad is all gone! I eat it first.

Fill your plate with meat and potatoes, cover all with gravy, and eat it up!

Cover the meat and potatoes with gravy and enjoy!

How Should I Net A Bass?

Net Results – How To Net A Bass and Other Fish

By Mike Gnatkowski
gnatoutdoors.com

The two most critical and exciting junctures when fishing are at the strike and when the fish comes to net. If the fish strikes aggressively and the hooks are sharp, the fish gets hooked solidly and battling the fish is largely a matter of rod pressure and patience. The most tenuous moment is when the fish nears the boat. With less line out, there is less stretch. Mistakes are magnified. Too much pressure can pull hooks out; not enough and the fish can shake free.

Play and net the bass right

Photo by the Author

Assuming neither happens, netting must be a coordinated effort between the angler and the person wielding the net. Done correctly, the fish is in the net and in the boat before he knows what happened. Approach the netting process in an unsynchronized and haphazard manner and you’ll be lamenting the big one that got away. If you’re just fun fishing, it will be the source of a story that will be retold many times. If it’s during a tournament or on a guide trip, it can have more drastic consequences.

Part of the equation for successfully netting fish is to have the right tool for the job. Anglers should consider the type and size of the fish they expect to encounter to pick the proper net. Elements to consider are hoop diameter and size; handle length and composition and net bag depth, color and composition. A net that’s perfect for one type of fish may be totally inadequate for another.

Bass anglers should consider Frabill’s new line of Conservation Series nets. Conservation Series nets are designed with safe catch and release in mind. All nets feature 100% knotless mesh netting, eliminating injuries commonly caused by sharp knots. Knots also tend to scrape away the slime layer on fish, which can leave them vulnerable to infection. Flat, linear bottoms reduce fish rolling and support the weight of the entire fish. Tangle-free coating prevents hooks from entangling in the net and facilitates quick release. Mesh guard hoops resist wear and greatly extend the life of the net. The 20” x 23” and 23” x 26 Conservation Series nets should meet the needs of most bass fanatics.

The right net protects the fish

Photo coutesy of Frabill

While the Conservation Series nets are meant to treat fish with a gentle touch, they are anything but wimpy. The first impression you get when picking one up is of its strength. The heavy-duty aluminum handle is strong enough to be used as a push pole. Been there; done that. I’ve seen lighter yokes on an oxen. The net yoke is made of hard, thick, nearly indestructible material that will endure a lifetime of use and features Frabill’s exclusive patented Pow’R Lok automatic yoke system. The Mesh Guard Hoop means the bag loops are recessed into the hoop instead of looped around it, which leaves one less thing to snag on when getting ready to net a fish. The solid black hoop and sure-grip handle are a nice finishing touch.

Another option for bass anglers is Frabill’s Crankbait Net. It took two years of development, but Frabill finally came up with a net specifically designed to keep crankbaits, stickbaits and other multi-hook lures from becoming entangled in the netting. We’ve all been there. Net a fish hooked on a crankbait and he starts flopping, creating a nightmare snarl. Not anymore. With the Crankbait Net your net-tangling frustrations are over. The Crankbait Net is available in 20” x 23” to 23” x 26” models with various handle lengths.

Frabill offers a couple of options when it comes scaling back the overall size of the net for storage and transport – key premise when it comes to fitting in a well, even overly geared-up bass boat. Frabill’s Folding Net comes in 18” x 16” and 22’ x 20’ sizes that take up little space when collapsed, but are readily available when it comes time to scoop a 10-pound toad. The Power Stow Net comes in 20” x 24” and 14” x 18” models. The hoop in the Power Stow folds in half and the handle retracts for easy storage,

Use a net big enough for what you hope to catch

Photo courtesy of Frabill

Handle length is largely a matter of personal preference, but is also dictated by the height of your transom and the amount of room you have for storage. Handles can stretch from 2 to 8 feet or more. It’s always better to have a net handle that’s too long than one that’s too short.

Bag and hoop color are considerations, too. Most anglers prefer net bags made from a dark material to prevent spooking fish prior to netting. Wave a flashing net over a fish near the surface and he’s likely to panic. Dark, anodized hoops and handles and dark bags help keep things calm at the moment of truth.

Netting fish is an art form. When done properly, the process is a coordinated effort using a quick, fluid motion that results in a fish flopping on the floor or in the live well. The angler needs to stay at the back or side of the boat to keep track of the fish and the fight until the fish is ready to be netted. Only then should the person with the net step in front of the angler. The angler should be lifting and bringing the fish closer as the netter brings the net up under the fish. The angler needs to be prepared in case the fish makes a sudden run or burst. Done properly, the netter should only have to lift the net as the angler leads the fish over the hoop.

One important point is knowing when a fish is ready to be netted. The fish should be within easy netting distance and show signs of tiring. Usually, the fish will be lying on its side. The idea is to slip the net under the fish headfirst without touching the fish until it is centered in the net. You can then put the net handle straight up in the air, effectively closing the net bag or swing the hoop into the boat. Be careful of nets with long handles. Wielding a long net handle around while paying attention to the fish and not to others in the boat can result in a knock on the noggin or worse.

Most fish are lost at the boat because of indecision or by being too anxious. Have a positive attitude that you can easily scoop the fish. Wait until the fish is well within range and shows signs of tiring. Don’t reach. More fish are lost at this critical juncture because the netter reaches for the fish at the same time the angler gives the fish slack. If you reach too far, the net will flow out in front of the hoop and the fish is likely to get caught in the netting before he’s safely in the net. The hooks get caught in the net and the fish shakes free. To prevent this, don’t reach and hold the bag against the handle until the fish is over the net. Then open your hand to release the bag. Once the fish is in the boat the angler needs to release the tension on the line or give some slack to prevent the hook from flying out and causing injury.

Netting must be a coordinated effort. Done right, it means sweet success and high-fives all around.

Is your net big enough?

Photo by Bill Lindner

How To Cook Fish Potato and Cheese Casserole

A simple fish, potato and cheese casserole is easy to cook and delicious. Any mild flavored fish like bass or crappie works well but you need filets You don’t want bones in it!

I filet some of the bass I catch – I know some diehard catch and release fanatics will not like my catch and cook attitude, but keeping some fish to cook will not hurt the population. Especially if, like me, you keep spotted bass from lakes where they are not native and damage the largemouth population! I keep spots 14 inches long and less. In Georgia there is no size limit on spots anywhere except Lake Lanier because they are not good for lakes. A six inch spot tastes good!

Ingredients needed for casserole

First I gather everything I need – a bag of bass filets, potatoes, grated cheese, onions salt, pepper and parsley flakes. I spray a baking dish with no stick spray like Pam to make cleanup easier.

Layer the fish, potatoes and onions

Layer the fish and sliced potatoes and sliced onions, starting with a layer of potatoes, then onions, then fish. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on each layer as you build it. Repeat until all the fish are used.

Cover the layers of fish, potatoes and onions with grated cheese

Then sprinkle grated cheese on top. I use a variety of cheeses, usually whatever I have in the refrigerator. Fairly mild cheese is best.

Top with a little flaked parsley. This does not add much flavor but makes it look prettier, so it can be left out. Cover with foil and put in a oven preheated to 350 degrees.

Bake at 350 until the cheese melts and the potatoes are soft. Test with a fork to make sure the potatoes are soft and done. I usually take the foil off for a few minutes after the potatoes are done to brown the cheese a little. If you put the oven on broil to brown the cheese, watch it very carefully. It takes just a few seconds for cheese to go from browned to burned.

Serve with a salad and enjoy.

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