The Golden Tablet of Fishing

By Michael M. Boncore

The Golden Tablet of Fishing is a one of a kind storytelling and educational autobiography like no other. The stories are very captivating. The tips and know how are very understandable.

The Golden Tablet of Fishing teaches and explains all the things that are most important and valuable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481700269

Michael M. Boncore

I’ve been fishing since I was in my mother’s womb. After I was born I had an instant love affair with fishing. The water, no matter how big or how small always fantasized me and it still does today. The mystery of what’s under the surface is to die for. Today I work as hard as I can and strive to be prepared for certain outings or upcoming seasons. I feel honored and blessed to have become affiliated with fishing. I don't know where I would be without it.

Book preview

THE GOLDEN

TABLET OF

FISHING

Michael M. Boncore

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2013 by Michael M. Boncore. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/02/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0027-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0026-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012923815

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1

Wishful Thinking

Chapter 2

Basic Fishing

Chapter 3

Bait

Chapter 4

Big Game Fishing

Chapter 5

Small Game

Chapter 6

Northern Pike And Musky

Chapter 7

Mud Puppy, Waterdogs & Burbot

Chapter 8

Bass Fishing

Chapter 9

Carp Fishing

Chapter 10

Yellow Pike And Yellow Perch

Chapter 11

Crappie

Chapter 12

Pan Fish

Chapter 13

Trout And Brook Suckers

Chapter 14

Redhorse Suckers

Chapter 15

Catfish, Bullhead And Fresh Water Drum

Chapter 16

Salmon And Trout

Chapter 17

Bait Fishing

Chapter 18

Rare And Odd Fish

Chapter 19

Safety

Author Biography

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for buying my book! It will motivate you and help you to have a more in depth understanding on how to approach and enjoy fishing. Aside from the first, second and last chapter each chapter has my personal experiences with various types of fish as I tell how to catch them.

I encountered a couple different world record fish in my lifetime. This book tells about all of these amazing fish that once upon a time crossed my path. I’ll tell you about the best fish my friends and I caught.

I will take you on a journey of me growing up as I learned the in’s, outs and do’s and don’ts. I promise you will improve yourself upon reading my book and you will understand how to do it just like me.

CHAPTER 1

WISHFUL THINKING

Just your mind set can be the most important element when you approach the local fishing hole. The best place you can obtain information and knowledge on catching fish is through good books and educational videos. Do not rely on information from the people you might find already out fishing. You will never know if you are getting the real truth. Also, if nobody is catching fish that you know of, don’t let it discourage you from trying. I’ve seen it time and time again. No one caught anything all day so the newcomers put in little or no effort to try to fish. Driving from spot to spot or every local spot to check it out is definitely not the answer either. Are you going to fish or drive around? This is where your mindset comes in.

All of the other people not catching the fish might be doing it all wrong. They may not be leaving their line in the water long enough. Maybe not using the right line or bait? Maybe light action is the answer? Don’t worry about other peoples’ success or style of fishing. There are so many different varieties of live baits, dead or cut baits, lures, and styles and techniques of fishing. I can guarantee you all these styles of fishing are not tried out or being used long enough if no one caught anything.

People like to complicate things way too much when it comes to fishing. You’re always going to meet the guy that talks about the direction of the wind, the color of the water, the water temperature, time of year, and how things have changed. These guys will try to convince you everything has to be perfect to be successful. This normally will be the same person that mentioned he was at this spot and that spot talking to the guys. Also, these know it all’s normally stick around an hour at best. You prepare for these people and don’t let them discourage you in any way. No man has the answer to the question of when the best fish of your lifetime is going to bite your line. If you catch a monster all the facts normally go right down the drain especially if you caught the fish on a modified or different style than the norm.

Day and night are two different things. There are fish that bite more in the daytime and fish that bite more at night. This is where your mindset comes in. What are you’re trying to catch, anything, anything big? Perfect. Then get your line in the water with the setup you choose and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Them night time and day time feeders can feed whenever they feel like it. They can strike a lure just out of anger. Stay long enough and fish might inhale your hook by mistake. So stick around for a while and believe in yourself. If there is no wind and you have free time stay a while. You can really think things out while out fishing with the lines in the water. You can be day dreaming about your next school you’re going to attend. You can be mentally preparing for just about anything. Then WHAM! Your pole almost gets ripped in the water! Or it does? . . . Watch out for that.

Now you get that big fish on your line and the fun starts. Now you’re thinking things like, I don’t believe it, Oh my God, What is it! Always do your best and have a net! No excuses. Try to take a picture for the great memory, if possible. Always try to catch and release so your little cousin or your Dad can catch it later.

Now after that great experience don’t be worried about being greedy, get your line back out there. Try to remember what you were thinking about or talking about right before you caught the fish. If you manage to remember you might just laugh at times.

Remember the guy telling you the winds blowing the wrong way or that it’s too early or late in the season. You can always have the best laugh when that thought crosses your mind. Fishing is more than fun and games, or is it? You are supposed to be having fun out there. Catching the big fish will always be the best part. Joking with friends and clearing your mind is always a plus. The effort you put and the hours you stay out are the most important. The line on your rod and reel and your set-up itself shouldn’t be overlooked either. You’re wasting your time if you have an old line that breaks easy or a rod and reel that don’t work properly. You shouldn’t be fishing at all with bad equipment. You should be getting some money to buy some. Sixty dollars should be plenty. Do what you have to. Collect pop cans for the deposit or shovel snow in the winter. Once you purchase that nice set-up it normally lasts a really long time.

So be positive and have an open mind but at the same time don’t waste your time with garbage equipment. Also, use common sense. Some fishing spots will damage your equipment and wear out your line faster. Normally, any spot with swift, fast moving current with lots of snags nicks up your line and makes it wear faster. You may want to avoid those spots altogether. You don’t want to fish in the current then fish in a boat harbor with a bobber and chub with the same line. You don’t want to lose the huge bass in the bass pond either. Buy a separate pole for the rough water or don’t fish it at all.

It’s always good to plan your fishing trips. A little trick I learned is to put twisty ties on my hooks so they don’t get all tangled up. Also, if you’re bringing a few poles tying them together with garbage bags is helpful. That makes it so easy to carry them. Make up your mind where you’re going before you leave, if possible. Figure out what you’re going to try and how you’re going to approach the spot. Driving around never caught a fish before. Changing spots is normally the biggest waste of time. What does changing the spot mean? It means you gave up and threw the towel in. That shows your friends or kid you’re a quitter. Don’t give up. You are so much better not catching fish than packing up and moving from spot to spot. Next thing you know, you will be listening to the guy about the water color and wind direction. Now you lost hope. Don’t let that happen. Plan where you’re going to fish, go there and stay put. The fish will bite your line after you trick them to, or in most cases when they feel like it, or when hungry. Do you eat when you’re full? Maybe some times, fine . . . Even better . . . Have a big heart and open mind. Plan your trips. Make the best out of every situation. Enjoy yourself every time out. If you don’t catch fish your odds are only better next time out.

CHAPTER 2

BASIC FISHING

Most fishing techniques are basic if you take the time to test them out and get used to them. Before you worry about your skills and tactics, make sure your equipment is working smoothly.

In my opinion, your line is the most important piece of equipment. Too much or too little line on your set-up can lead to some big problems. This is one good reason you might want to get out there and try some practice casts early or even late in the season. If you cast and your line runs out in the middle of a cast, note to self. Don’t go fishing until you have the money to get some more line. Select your style of line and good luck. Now you spooled with your new line. You still need a few practice casts. Too much line on your reel can lead to the infamous birds nest. In some cases, this isn’t the worst thing in the world. I, myself, normally put just about too much line on when I re-spool. You definitely want to have the proper maximum amount of line on your reel for best casting results. One quick mess and then quickly after that cutting it off you’re ready for war.

What line should you choose? The invention of braided line helped me catch more fish. At the same time, putting some mono in the mix helps me get at the trophy fish. Both lines have their advantages. The best thing about braided line is that you can fish with a heavy line pound test with a thin diameter. I’m sure you know what I mean, if not here’s one example. Eight pound spider wire is as thin as fifteen pound test mono. I might add that is my personal favorite line. Braided line has no stretch to it while mono does. I personally can’t see why this makes any difference. Setting your drag on your reel should terminate the fact of line stretching or not stretching. I will talk more about the advantages of braided line and mono in later chapters.

What color of line should you use? I really don’t think it matters to tell the truth. I caught Walleye on 80 lb. test. A lot of people wouldn’t think that is possible. The color of the line was moss green. Do you really think that made such a difference? That’s for you to decide. I’ve seen fish jumping on to 3 or 4 styles of line on the same trip. I witnessed all the fish hitting the same line to the same rod while 10 other men caught nothing. Also, I witnessed the same guy with the same pole catch nothing while everyone else did. Sometimes it’s your day and sometimes it’s not. Of course, at the same time, I try to be slick. I fish with camouflage mono, different shades of brown, gray, and green line in both braided and mono. I feel good about my choices. Anyone wants to do the best job of tricking the fish and getting them to bite their line. The moss green, gray and brown line colors may sound good to you coming from me since I use them. I want you to know I caught some awesome fish on clear and blue line as well. If you don’t put the effort in and manage to relax you’re not going to catch anything. Forget about the whole thing if you can’t take it easy from time to time down by the water.

Your reel is your second most important piece of equipment. I’m sure you know your reel is what allows you to battle the fish by setting your drag. You set the drag on different styles of reels in slightly different fashions. Have them show you how to do it when you purchase your reel. Never leave your drag on all year round. Doing this puts unnecessary pressure on the gears in your reel. Loosen your drag all the way when done fishing. Adjust it when arriving. Perfect, now your drag is set properly and if your line breaks when testing your drag adjust the drag again and/or replace your line. If you get your reel as a gift, or used, figure out your reel functions at home inside or maybe in your backyard. Please for God’s sake stay away from the water if you don’t have your set-up figured out. Don’t make an ass of yourself. Learning your reel should be at home on a rainy or windy day. When you go out to the water it should be to fish. If you can’t adjust your drag setting no matter what, your reel is possibly broken. Hopefully, you can find a handy reel repairman in your area to give you a hand for a good price. I have been going to my reel repairman known as the Water Wizard for the last ten years or so. There’s nothing like keeping your favorite rod or reel around ready for combat. Or maybe your reel is not broken at all. I’ve seen it time and time again. People spooling braided line right on their reel. This is a mistake. Whenever spooling up with a braided line you are supposed to put about 5 or 10 yards of mono on to your reel first. Connect the braided line to the mono. This is called backing. Mono hugs the reel way tighter than braided ever could. Braided line can’t grip the center of the spool tight enough. If you pull your line out with your hand to test your drag and you don’t hear your reel clicking the way it should you probably forgot your backing. I’ve seen friends show up with their new set-up all spooled up ready to fish. Forgetting to put on the backing you would think their newly bought reel was broke. I stressed this issue of backing because it is very important. It’s a mistake you don’t want to make or see a friend make.

Now you have to get your rod. I prefer a larger sized rod. My biggest and wildest dreams are to catch a world record fish. I’m not concerned what type of fish either. Can you always fish with heavy tackle? Why not? The modern fishing industry has been trying to downsize most rods and reels that are available at your local stores. I’m not sure exactly why. My guess is they are only thinking about bass fishing tournaments and your average run of the mill fish. People joke with me asking if I’m trying to catch a Shark. Sheep Head, Musky, Lake Trout, Carp, Catfish and God knows what other big fish can grow huge. It’s easy to write off missing a big fish. You might think to yourself you tied a bad knot or something. Really, you just missed a 70 lb. Northern Pike and never had a chance. Don’t let the man at the tackle shop or some guy off the street talk you into downsizing or upsizing your equipment. I normally purchase my rod and reel separate. Although there are some good combos available, I prefer buying them separate because that way you’re getting specifically what you are looking for in a set-up. The most important issue when purchasing a new rod or reel is the rod and reel balance. The reel should feel like it belongs on the rod and vice-versa. So make sure when you’re holding your set up it feels nice and balanced like as if it was one single piece of equipment. Always save your receipts so if the rod and reel don’t mesh you can return the merchandise. Aim at your target and fire with your best shot. Stay at the water as long as you could. Always think big and dream large. Prepare yourself if you’re just out to have fun to really have fun. If you’re fishing with just bait, spoons, spinners, or any large lure, you should be using steel leaders at all times. Never let someone talk you out of using one. Especially if Walleye, Northern Pike and Musky are in the water you are fishing. If someone pulls photos out of their pocket and tells you none of the fish were caught using a leader good for them. For one, you don’t know how old the photos are. Also, they’re not going to tell you about the times their lures got bit clean off their line. If you had to guess, wouldn’t you think the ones that stole the lures from him were the bigger ones? Lots of people believe there is more action on light action and jigs. Also, the believers that want to be vulnerable don’t use a leader and fish with light tackle. Want to be able to catch fish a few feet