| Introduction |
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4 | (2) |
| All About Gamefish |
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In order to consistently catch fish, you need to have a good understanding of their senses, their spawning and feeding behavior, and how they change location throughout the season in ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs |
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The chapters in this section detail all of this information in an easy-to-understand manner |
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You'll also see the cover types used by fish under a wide variety of on-the-water conditions |
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| Fishing Equipment |
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24 | (30) |
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From rods and reels to high-tech sonar devices, you must have functional and dependable fishing equipment to be successful |
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The chapters in this section show you how to pick out the best gear and get the most out of it |
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On any given day, gamefish typically prefer a particular lure or bait type |
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The chapter ``Lures and Live Bait,'' (p. 46) teaches you how to narrow your choices and make smart decisions |
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| Skills |
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54 | (18) |
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Your ability to make long, accurate casts and control the boat while casting, drifting or trolling is critical to consistently catching fish |
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In addition, you must perfect the skills of setting the hook and playing and landing fish |
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Finally, it's important to release many of the fish you catch to guarantee good fishing in the future |
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These pages show you how to carefully land and release fish so they can be caught another day |
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| How to Catch Fish |
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74 | (30) |
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Throughout North America, the largemouth bass is targeted for its tremendous fighting and jumping ability |
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You too can enjoy this exciting action by learning tournament-tested patterns for catching largemouths on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, weedless spoons, topwater lures and soft plastics |
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104 | (10) |
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Whether you prefer to catch smallies on jigs, topwater lures or live crayfish, this chapter details the best presentations for every situation |
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Striped Bass & White Bass |
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114 | (8) |
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Catching these schooling species requires specialized fishing techniques, such as jump-fishing and balloon fishing |
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122 | (12) |
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It's easy to catch numbers of little sunfish, but the big ones are more elusive |
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This chapter explains how you can catch big sunfish year-round by choosing the right lures and live baits |
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134 | (12) |
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Often the most difficult part of catching crappies is finding them |
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In these pages you will discover methods for locating suspended crappies in the waters you fish |
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146 | (4) |
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While tiny yellow perch are usually aggressive feeders, it takes special tactics to fool the wary ``jumbos'' |
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150 | (22) |
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In order to catch flatheads, channels and blues, you should master a variety of fishing techniques, including still-fishing, drift-fishing, trotlining, jug fishing and limblining |
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Handgrabbing, or ``nodling,'' is also covered in this chapter |
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172 | (2) |
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Bullheads are targeted by many anglers throughout the United States |
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This chapter shows you the different types of bullheads, and also the proper handling method to unhook these fish |
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174 | (26) |
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If you're an avid walleye and sauger angler, you know that these fish aren't always cooperative biters |
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You can increase your success dramatically, however, by learning how the tournament pros use jigs, spinners, slip-sinker rigs, slip-bobbers and crankbaits to quickly find active fish |
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200 | (22) |
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Few species of gamefish are as exciting as northern pike and muskies |
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These toothy predators are famous for attacking their prey with incredible speed and aggression |
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In these pages you'll learn how to fool these awesome fish with all types of artificial lures and live baits |
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222 | (30) |
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This chapter teaches you how to identify and catch rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout |
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You'll learn how to choose a fly-fishing setup, and when to use dry flies, wet flies, streamers or nymphs |
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You'll also see proven methods for catching trophy trout with spinners, plugs and live bait |
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252 | (4) |
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This close relative of the rainbow trout is known for its ability to make line-breaking runs after it's hooked |
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In these pages you'll learn how to use egg imitations and other lures to trigger strikes, and how to land a higher percentage of hooked steelhead |
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256 | (6) |
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Known as ``The Fish of the Far North,'' lake trout grow to huge size and are powerful fighters |
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This chapter will help you track the seasonal movements of lakers, and teach you how to catch these giants by still-fishing, trolling and vertical jigging |
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262 | (10) |
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Thanks to successful stocking efforts, salmon can now be caught in the Great Lakes and many other inland fisheries |
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Of course, salmon are one of the most popular gamefish along the West and East coasts |
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From downriggers to trolling boards, this chapter will show you guide-tested methods for catching all species of salmon |
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272 | (6) |
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From filleting and pan-dressing to steaking and skinning, this chapter shows you how to make the most out of your day's catch |
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Included are tips for removing the Y-bones from northern pike |
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278 | (4) |
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Regardless of whether you keep or release your catch, a great photo of your trophy is something you'll enjoy forever |
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This final chapter includes many tips for improving your on-the-water photographs |
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| Index |
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