When looking at the Michigan boat show calendar, you see there are a significant number of boat shows within the first quarter of the year and many might wonder, “Why hold a boat show in the dead of w…
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US banks are making boat loans. Yes, there are fewer banks doing this today than one year ago. However, proportionately both boat sales and loans are down so the service capacity for boat loans remain…
‘Tis the season to make New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions relate to changing bad habits or attempting to change negative aspects of our lives. It’s time to put a more positive spin onto this ti…
Having trouble buying the perfect gift for the boaters on your list? Here are some ideas that will float their boat!…
With the proliferation of affordable commercial assistance outfits such as Sea Tow and TowBoatU.S. plus the constantly improving reliability of marine engines, it’s not nearly as common as it once wa…
Need help finding that perfect fishing spot or landing the big one? A fishing guide might be the perfect solution. Follow these tips to find a fishing guide that's right for you.…
Recreation is an essential factor in the life of every human being. The anglers or the fishermen represent the largest single group of recreational seekers, and have a decided advantage over the other…
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 s…
If fishing is your hobby, protective eyewear is a must. As your eyes are one of the most delicate organs in the body, you should protect them from the sun's damaging rays as well as from intrusive ele…
It’s not off-season for boaters—It’s planning season! What can boaters do to help them through the long wait for the next boating season? If your boat comes out of the water shortly after Labor Day, …
Whether you own a power yacht, wakeboard boat, fishing boat or sailboat, if you enjoy recreational boating then you share two common interests with all other boaters, clean water and access to it. The…
Small, easily-misplaced items like hook removers, fishing and/or split-ring pliers, and hook sharpeners can be kept organized and quickly accessed if you stow them on the underside of a hatch. The onl…
Capt. George Warren of the Charger out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, came up with this simple yet foolproof way of taking baitfish off a rig without having to touch either the hooks or the fish.…
There‘s no better way to get out on the water and enjoy some of Washington’s “good news” on salmon fishing than the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Directed by the Northwest Marine Trade Association, a…
The recent discovery of Quagga mussels at Lake Mead and Lake Havasu is prompting water district officials to initiate measures to prevent further Quaggas outbrbeaks. Although they are hardly noti…
Nothing is harder on your boat than neglect, and neglect is exactly what recreational boats are subjected to when cold weather settles in. But proper lay-up techniques can minimize the ill effects win…
One of the most popular boating activities, freshwater fishing can be enjoyed by experienced boaters and beginners alike. Whether you’re interested in extreme sports fishing or a laid-back jaunt aroun…
Before catching fish, anglers must locate them. Unless you live in the middle of the great southwestern deserts there should be a body of fishable water within an hour of your home. You can find fish …
Experienced anglers will tell you that there are "best" times to fish. These "best times" can be related to the amount of sunlight, to warming trends, to depth at which fish are found...…
To catch fish the angler must first locate them. Fish are found nearly everywhere there is water with enough food, oxygen and cover. Near your home there should be a body of water that has fish living…
If using a boat to fish, wear your life jacket and make sure that your passengers wear theirs, too. Inspect waterfronts daily – the natural environment is subject to change without notice. …
Boating is affordable and there’s a boat for every age, lifestyle and budget. • Most people don’t realize how affordable boating is: in some instances, you can buy a brand new boat financed for arou…
Many anglers simply love catfish. There are 37 catfish families, with species found in both freshwater and saltwater. Perhaps their most recognized traits are their catlike whiskers, or barbells, and …
Fishing in freshwater can be as simple as standing on the edge of a pond and tossing out a line with a baited hook. But, using the right kind of boat equipped with the right gear, can greatly expand y…
With nearly 45 million Americans listing fishing as their preferred leisure activity, recreational anglers outnumber participants in most other outdoor sports. Successful anglers mix patience, skill, …
Trout are one of the most sought after angling species and will take a variety of natural and artificial baits. They favor cold, clear moving water—rivers and streams—but some species inhabit the dept…
For sport anglers, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are two of the most prized quarries. Bass spend most of their time in lakes and rivers with plentiful fresh water. They tend to congregate in mos…
Although carp have been considered a nuisance by North American anglers, they are highly prized as sportfish in Europe, and can be excellent fighters. A growing number of anglers in the US are becomin…
White perch are silvery and frequently have irregular dusky longitudinal lines along its body. They have a slightly projecting lower jaw and small teeth. Their dorsal fins are separate and their anal …
Taken together, black crappie and white crappie is the third most preferred group of freshwater sportfish, ranking behind only bass and catfish.Crappies’ gill covers have spines. The black crappie can…
Eels can be a great catch for anglers, but are not a particularly popular catch. There are nearly 400 different species of eels.…
Except for color, freshwater drum resembles its marine relative the red drum. The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spine…
The northern pike is an elongated fish. Its dorsal region is bluish-green to gray in color, shading to white or yellow on the belly. This coloration distinguishes it from chain pickerel, redfin picker…
In general, identifying the hybrid tiger muskie from the muskellunge is fairly easy, though it can be more difficult with some individuals. The tiger muskie is named for the prominent light-colored, b…
Chain pickerel are aggressive fighters once hooked, thus making them an exciting catch. They are active through the winter, under the ice, so they can be caught by ice anglers. …
The walleye is named after its large opaque and almost blind-looking eye. The large reflective surface of its eyes gives the walleye a sight advantage over other fish and enables the predator to find …
What are important things to look for in a fly fishing boat? Flat-bottomed jon boats are one of the most common types of fly fishing boats. Inexpensive and easy to maintain, these simple boats are fa…
There are always plenty of things to keep in mind when angling for the perfect catch, but these basic freshwater fishing tips can help provide a general overview of what you need to know: …
Follow these easy top 10 tips for clean and green boating.…
The most popular game fish are salmon, trout, bass, and pike in freshwater, but choosing bait to hook these fish is a very personal matter. Fishing baits usually weigh from 1/4 to three ounces. The mo…
The word “flyfishing” to many brings to mind bucolic scenes of men in waders standing in a river gorge. But those who know the sport also know that flyfishing from aboard a boat can be even more fun a…
When you’re out boating on unfamiliar waters, you really should have the official navigational charts (maps for the water) for that particular body of water. …
The law requires fire extinguishers for most boats—a good idea, if there’s anything on your boat that could possibly burn. Read on to find out which extinguishers you should have on hand and what othe…
As much as we try to be careful, accidents can happen while we’re boating—usually miles away from professional medical care. That’s why it’s important to have a well-equipped first aid kit on board, a…
One of the great mysteries of boating is wondering what lies beneath us, between the water and the bottom. An echo sounder can help us in our exploration of the world below the depths.…
Being on the water’s all about sun and fun, isn’t it? As they say, you can have too much of a good thing—and it’s all too easy to soak up more sun than you should’ve.…
One of the great mysteries of boating is wondering what lurks beneath the waves—more specifically, how deep is the water, where are the submerged rocks, and where are the fish? …
A trolling motor is a small electric motor, located on the bow or stern (sometimes both), that’s used for moving a fishing boat through the water quietly, to avoid spooking the fish. …
10 All-purpose tips, 10 Bass Tips, 5 Saltwater tips and 5 Fishing with Kids Tips…
So you are going to take some kids fishing! Maybe they are yours, or those of a relative or friend. Either as an angler or interested adult, you want these kids to have fun.…
Ethics cannot be dictated. They develop with time, experience, and interaction with others. The following code is offered as a guideline to increase awareness and encourage discussion.…
You reason that a 90 percent chance of severe thunderstorms actually means that there is a 10 percent chance of having really excellent fishing weather. Your mailbox is a giant fiberglass bass. Yo…
Plan ahead… There are a lot of choices. Allow enough time to explore many different types of boats, and several different brands within each category… This is a big investment that will change your li…
You listened to the bait shop guy and bought his equipment, so in return he offers a hot spot to try. After a couple of casts, you feel a strike and set the hook. The reel screams, and you're hooked u…
