Fishing News - 11/5/01
New Fishing Book by Ken Schultz - Read Ronnie Garrison's Review
Ken Schultz Offers Ten Species of Fish
for Winter Angling
in North America
--North American Fishing is new book loaded with techniques to catch
lots of fish --
NEW YORK – In his new book, North American Fishing ($40, Carlton Books), Ken Schultz offers advice and information to anglers on a variety of species of fish, many of which can be pursued by anglers during the long winter months throughout North America.
“Whether you want to travel to tropical waters in warm southern climates, or you prefer the colder climates in the north for ice fishing, my book has photos and tips on using the right types of equipment for a whole range of species,” said Schultz, who is fishing editor of Field & Stream and a member of the Fishing Hall of Fame.
Here are ten species and tactics Schultz recommends for anglers’ winter pursuits with some excerpted text from North American Fishing:
- Bonefish
Though comparatively few North Americans have actually caught a bonefish, most are familiar with them, thanks to the great press and television exposure they get. Their reputation as a premier saltwater gamefish precedes them, because of their scorching runs when hooked and overall cautious nature. In North America, they can be caught in the Florida Keys and on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. They may grow to 19 pounds, but a fish of eight pounds is large, and over ten is a notable accomplishment. Schultz recommends light spinning tackle and fly casting equipment with small jigs, flies, live and cut shrimp or crabs for bait.
- Largemouth
Bass
Largemouths are more widely spread than any other major freshwater gamefish and, because of their fairly aggressive nature, are very susceptible to varied lures, baits and tactics. They can be pursued in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico throughout the winter months, and their primary habitat includes lakes, ponds and large river systems. For winter fishing, Schultz recommends baitcasting and spinning tackle, using plugs, jigs, jigging spoons and soft worms.
- King
Mackerel
A relative of tuna, mackerel are
open-sea schooling fish with streamlined bodies and crescent-shaped tails. They
are much smaller than tuna overall, but just as swift. In winter, king mackerel
can be found in temperate open water round reefs, wrecks and inlets along the
East Coast down to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico the Yucatan Peninsula but
are generally further offshore in winter. King mackerel are best pursued with
live bait, such as menhaden.
- Sharks
Some 370 species of shark exist
worldwide, although only a relative few are either encountered by anglers or are
of interest to them for sportfishing purposes. Nevertheless, angling for sharks
has increased markedly since these relics of the past have received so much
attention in the news and in feature films, and intense pressure from many
sources has impacted their numbers. Winter fishing for sharks is most likely in
south Florida and Mexico, using medium to heavy conventional and big game
tackle, using assorted live, dead and cut natural bait.
- Dolphin
In nearly every respect –
especially edibility, coloration and fighting ability, the dolphin is a premier
gamefish. Many people know dolphin by its Hawaiian name, mahimahi, or by its
Spanish name, dorado, both of which are extensively used in restaurant menus. If
only it inhabited the nearshore waters of a greater portion of the U.S., it
would be the hands-down-favorite saltwater target. This acrobatic and
delightfully aggressive fish can be caught on all types of fishing tackle, is
highly esteemed and fervently sought, and is especially desired on light gear.
Schultz recommends offshore trolling lures and rigged baits, live bait and flies
to pursue dolphin which are most likely to be found in warm tropical waters,
especially the Florida Keys and Mexico. Although in winter, North American
anglers have to go to the Pacific side of Mexico to catch them. He points out
that non-anglers frequently refer to this fish as dolphinfish to distinguish it
from the mammalian porpoise, which is commonly called a “dolphin.”
- Tuna
Collectively tuna may be the most valuable fish in the world, particularly in light of the commercial demand worldwide for the various species. Most tuna are also great gamefish, although in North America, because of the migratory habits of tuna and the distances from the coasts that they are found, only a small number of anglers annually actually catch them. They can be found on the East Coast to Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico and on both coasts of Mexico, although in winter, North American anglers have to go to the Pacific side of Mexico to catch them. Schultz recommends using light to heavy lever drag big game for most tuna; and heavy spinning and light conventional for blackfin and school bluefin. He recommends offshore trolling lures, rigged natural bait, strip bait, and live and cut bait.
- Tarpon
A fish of warm, tropical waters,
the tarpon is one of the gamefish that is most associated with saltwater
angling, thanks to its profound acrobatics, large size and tough demeanor. In
North America, it is primarily found in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It is
fairly abundant thanks to the fact that it has no significant commercial value
in North America, and is largely caught and released by anglers. Many people
target this species which appears on shallow flats, and all anglers appreciate
the drama that ensues when a tarpon is hooked and its large silvery form rockets
many feet out of the water. Schultz recommends light conventional tackle, medium
to heavy baitcasting and spinning tackle, or fly tackle with south Florida,
particularly the Florida Keys being your best bet for winter fishing. For lures
and baits, he recommends using spoons, plugs, jigs and flies; live mullet,
crabs, shrimp, and pinfish.
The next three species on Schultz’s list are popular for ice fishing in Northern New England, the Upper Midwest and Canada:
- Yellow
Perch
Yellow perch are widely available
in North America, they are fairly easily caught, and they are an important
forage species in small sizes for large predatory gamefish. All of this makes
them VIP fish, even though they do not get as much press as fellow panfish
species like crappie and bluegill. They can be found in coolwater lakes coast to
coast in the northern U.S. and southern Canada. Small jigs and small live
minnows are top perch catchers through the ice.
- Lake
Trout
Lake trout are one of the
largest-growing species of gamefish in North America, but one that is little
known to a large number of anglers, especially in the U.S., because of its
predominantly northern range and preference for cold, deep waters. Others know
it in somewhat skewed terms, having used excessively heavy tackle to dredge
smaller fish up from great depths and therefore think of it as not much fun to
catch. In winter, however, they are invigorated by cold water, and are much fun
to catch. Lake Trout can be found in all of Canada and Alaska, plus the
northernmost U.S., including the Great Lakes. Live bait fished under tip-ups,
and jigs are the main attractions for ice fishing.
10. Northern Pike
Why the northern pike is not
simply named pike is often something of a mystery, since there is no
“southern” pike species. Often called simply “northern,” the pike is Sa
coolwater fish of the northern latitudes of the U.S. and much of Canada, and one
of the most aggressive freshwater gamefish. It grows fairly large, fights well,
and can be caught with many different types of tackle, lures, and natural baits,
although in lakes and rivers that are frozen, large live baits, jigs and jigging
spoons are best bets.
North American Fishing was published in September of 2001. As a handsome coffee table style book loaded with full-color photos, it’s ideal for holiday gift giving. Published by Carlton Books, it is being distributed nationally by the National Book Network and can be found in bookstores nationwide as well as online retail book Web sites. It can also be ordered from stores using ISBN number 1-84222-259-7.
