Future Is In Our Hands

 Future of this Beloved Sport

The future of the fishing industry rests in our hands and not many people know that

Fishing for some people is a hobby, others a competitive sport, and for a few it’s an obsession. But what people don’t know is that the fish we all love to catch need our help every now and again. In this day and age it seems like some aren’t getting the attention they need.

            A species that is rising in both population and media attention is the Asian carp. For people who don’t know, the Asian carp was put into farm ponds down south to clean algae. But when the areas flooded the carp accidentally got into tributaries off the Mississippi river. This happened back in the late 1990’s. Now the carp are traveling up the river and are headed to the great lakes. If the carp are not stopped from reaching the great lakes it could cause horrific damages to the entire great lakes region. A major concern is the bass populations on Lake St. Clair. The fishing there is considered world class and if the carp reach that point they could easily wipe out the bass. They is currently an on going fight to stop these monsters. There has been electric fences put up to scare the carp down but it doesn’t seem to be 100% effective. What you, the average person can do is get it out there that this is happening and what the consequences for this if it is not stopped. Our commercial fishing industry would be wiped out and we wouldn’t have any of our game fish like before. (Asian Carp)

            A lesser known idea that is spreading slowly is the idea of banning or stopping there from being a size limit in order to keep a fish. Let’s say people only take the big fish from the lake or pond. This is going to make the fish adapt to that and spawn at an earlier age and size so they can pass there genes down before they die. So the average fish size lets say… 20 years down the road will be smaller than before because of this. There have also been experiments done on this. For example,

“In one lab experiment, scientists harvested 90% of the fish from each of 6 populations. Only the largest fish were taken from two populations; only the smallest from another two populations; and in the final two fish were taken at random. After only four generations, fish in the populations that had lost all their big fish were only about one-third the average weight of those in the random-catch group.” (Fishing Size Limits)

The way we could combat this is to ban the size limit and take out an equal number of fish ranging in all sizes so we have a steady population of bigger fish like bass and walleye in the future. This would also help because the bigger the fish is the more eggs the fish lays come spawning time. So if we take out the big fish we are taking out the main breeder fish in the population.

Overall the future of the fishing industry is a tough topic to talk about. There is a lot involved in it and not one person or group can do everything. So we have to play our part and try to ensure a future for our beloved sport. Doing even one of these ideas above can really help out.

Works Cited

"DNR - Asian Carp Fact Sheet." DNR - Asian Carp Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0%2C4570%2C7-153-10364_52261_54896-232231--%2C00.html>.

"Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee." AsianCarp.us. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.asiancarp.us/>.

"Fishing Size Limits: How Fish Are Gaming the System." Environmental Defense Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.edf.org/blog/2013/04/25/fishing-size-limits-how-fish-are-gaming-system>.

Reasons For My Madness

My Reason For my Madness

People start their hobbies at many different ages, some younger than other

Fishing is a sport like no other. The ways to do it as well as whom you can do it with are some of the many cool features that some sports just can't provide. But looking at that, how does one get started into this vast world people know as "fishing"? Mine started with hop, skip, and a jump.

I was only a youngster at 4 and didn't know much about...Well anything at the time besides eating and sleeping. My mom and dad had taken me and my sister to

Coldwater which is located in southern Michigan on the Ohio border.(Coldwater) "This was your first time on vacation ever and seeing a lake was the coolest thing to you"my mother said. I was with my mother and sister hanging around our cabin doing all the things a normal 4 year old would do. My dad was out fishing by himself.

I guess I decided to pick up a fishing pole and my mother chuckled, thinking about how my dad was already teaching me how to cast a fishing rod in the back yard. I saw the lake and put 2 and 2 together and went to the dock to try my luck at fishing.  I don't know how I was able to do all this at the age of only 4 but I guess anything is possible.

Using my two tiny hands I managed to bait my own hook and do it all by myself. She thought it was the coolest little thing. The next thing she remembers is hearing me start yelling and she turns around to see that I have this thing on the end of my line and it's coming right at her. She didn't realize it at first

but after she took a good long hard look before having the realization that I had caught my first fish ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD5OJeLeunc

My mom was ecstatic. She was jumping with joy and couldn't believe it. I had done it all by myself. She helped me take off the fish and kept me fishing. I caught one other little fish that day all by myself.  My dad was kind of upset that he wasn't there to see my first fish being caught. He was the one that was

showing me how to fish in the first place. Little did my mom or dad know at the time was that this started my passion for fishing that not many people have. I has loved to fish since then and plan on doing it till the day I die. This was my way of finding out how great fishing was and to this day how it is important in my life and I don't want to stop.(Keep America Fishing)

Work Cited

 "Coldwater, Michigan." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 02 May 2014. 

Coldwater "Aquatic Center." City of Coldwater. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.

Keep American Fishing - Why Fishing Is The Coolest Sport/Hobby In The World!" Keep American Fishing - Why Fishing Is The Coolest Sport/Hobby In The World! N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.

The Ways Of the Fisherman

Ways Of the Fisherman

The concept of bass fishing may seem simple. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg to success.

“Let’s go fishing”. That seems just simple and fun to do. There isn’t much to it but to do it was a motto of my uncle. BUT that may not be the case in fishing competitively or high stakes. There are actually a lot of different techniques you need to know that will produce the most fish at that time. And there is constant argument as to which technique or lure for bass fishing will land you the biggest sack of bass at the end of the day.

            One of the most arguable best fishing techniques, and lures overall is fishing soft rubber plastics for largemouth bass. These can range in a variety of selections like soft worms and crayfish, to minnows and creatures that don’t exist. This technique was invented back in the early 1950’s and hasn’t stop growing in popularity since. It is one of the easiest techniques for beginners and can really pay off. Pro’s use this technique when fishing drop offs where the fish are close to the bottom to when the fish are spawning and on there beds. This is a slow moving technique however and so if the fish are looking for a fast moving baitfish you might have trouble catching them.

 spinnerbait  (Popular baits)

            A very popular lure and a technique all by itself and is claimed to be "the most versatile" in the bass fishing community is the Spinnerbait. This lure alone is its own technique. It can be fished going moderate to fast speeds and can be used successfully throughout the year. There are three basic kinds: the tail spin, short-arm, or long-arm Spinnerbait. The Spinnerbait is made to look like a baitfish swimming through the water. It has 1-4 blades on it which attracts the fish with its flash. The Pro’s use this when their looking for reaction strikes from the bass and to cover water fast. This lure is definitely a well rounded technique and many people do consider it “thee go to lure” when there looking to put fish in there boat. However if the fish are sluggish and don’t want anything fast moving then this might not be your best choice.

           

Some popular swimbaits (Swimbaits)

A rising technique and lure set coming out now is a technique where you throw big swimbaits for bass. This technique is extremely popular in the southern end of the United States because the further down south you go the bigger the bass. They use lures from 6-13 inches long and resemble the fishing in the lake the bass feed on. This technique has produced some of the biggest bass to date on them including a 22.4 pound behemoth that tied the original record for biggest largemouth ever caught. The lures look and are painted to match the fish in the surrounding that the big bass feed on. Their is swimbaits that look like baitfish and there are some that look like other bass. The technique is simple, to just cast out and reel in. But getting those big bass to hit is another thing. This technique is not very popular in the pros yet because it is either a hit or miss when fishing big swimbaits. And even if you do get a bass to bite it might be the only bass you get.

            The techniques and lures go on and on. I only just scratched the surface with those right there (even though these where the most popular). There is dropshotting, jerkbaits, crank baits and more (other techniques) which you can look up. But when it comes down to it there is no best technique or technique that you should always use. The best fishermen out there are comfortable fishing all of those. They do not stick to just one technique. They see what the fish are doing and respond with what they think is the best lure for that situation. So the best technique out there is being able to use every single lure and technique.

WORK CITED

Popular baits: "Spinnerbaits Catch Giant Walleyes." Lurenet. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

Swimbaits "What Is a Swimbait and Why Does It Work? - Mike Long Outdoors." Mike Long Outdoors. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

"Soft Plastic Bait." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_plastic_bait>.

The Most Versatile: "Spinnerbaits & Spinnerbait Fishing." Spinnerbaits. Bass Resource, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bassresource.com/fish/spinnerbaits.html>.

Other Techniques:"6 Best Bass Fishing Techniques - In-Fisherman." InFisherman 6 Best Bass Fishing Techniques Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/05/17/6-best-bass-fis

A World Not Many People Know About

History of the bass fishing world

How the bass fishing industry came to be and how it is today

Ever since the dawn of time man has had to eat food for survival, including fish. So fishing came natural to most of mankind and it hasn’t stopped since. Now a ’days bass fishing is growing in popularity and it is not going to stop anytime soon. From the Bassmaster classic to weekend warriors, people are getting out to fish for this trophy animal. But now many people know how this sport has come to such popularity.

The history goes back to 1770 when British reel maker Onesimus Ustonson advertises the first multiplying reels, which would become the forerunners of today’s baitcaster. As 1791 rolls around the Indians are seen fishing for bass. This is the earliest known account of someone fishing in for bass in North America. Between 1890 and 1910 the levelwind for the baitcaster is invented and the 1-5 horse evinrude engines are born. In the late 30’s monofilament line was invented. Which is one of the most common lines used in today’s fishing industry. 1949 comes and fiberglass rods finally see light and were created. These rods have been perfected over the years to be extremely durable yet light.  The jelly worm which is the best-selling worm ever made was created in 1967 and continues to this day to produce monster bass. The major event to occur was in 1971 when John Morris borrows $10,000 to put lures in his dad’s grocery store. Three years later the first Bass Pro magazine was sent out. Bass Pro has grown into the #1 fishing store in the country.

George Perry with his fish 

The history keeping of the record bass has been a fairly quiet since 1932 when a 19 year old farm boy named George W. Perry caught arguable America’s most famous fish. A 22lb 4ounce behemoth was caught in Montgomery Lake. It was 32.5 inches long and had a girth of 28.5 inches. (a long lost photo) However, on July 2, 2009 when Manabu Kurita of Japan was fishing in Lake Biwa he caught a fish that tied the record of 22lb 4ounces.(A long lost photo) But since the fish has to be at least 2 ounces bigger to become the official world record George Perry’s fish still remains as the initial world record. But people are saying this record is soon to be shattered in the near future, but by whom… a weekend fisherman for fun or a pro of the Bassmaster circuit?

The Bassmaster’s and the FLW have to be the two top bass fishing competitions in the country. The Bassmaster was started by a man named Ray Scott, the “father” of competitive bass fishing. First held in 1969, now professionals like Kevin Van Dam (A Michigan Native), Rick Clunn, Skeet Reese, and Mike Iaconelli are just some of the top competitors in the circuit. There is 12 competitions in the Bassmaster’s in which the top 50 anglers from around the world compete for major cash prizes. The biggest tournament of them all is the Bassmaster classic which the winner takes home a cash prize of 500,000. On the other hand there is the walmart FLW tour named after Forrest L. Wood of ranger boats. The top cash prize in this series of competitions is $1 Million. Both of these two series is nationally televised on big networks like FOX sports and ESPN.

Work Cited page

"Bass History - A Chronological View." Bass History - A Chronological View. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. http://www.landbigfish.com/articles/default.cfm?ID=1819

"Bass Fishing." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_fishing>.

"FISHING LEAGUE WORLDWIDE." FLW: History of FLW. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. <http://www.flwoutdoors.com/about-us/history-of-flw/>.

"A Long-Lost Photo of George Perry and His World Record Bass? | Field & Stream." Field & Stream. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. <http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/2013/06/has-long-lost-photo-george-perry-and-his-world-record-bass-surfaced

Suspicions and assumptions: the effects it has overall

Suspicions and assumptions: the effects it has overall

Travyon Martin, a name almost everybody knows now. Sadly he doesn't know anybody after he was "gunned" down in Florida.  Trayvon didn't know why he was being stalked or what triggered Zimmerman to do such a thing. Trayvon, only wearing a hoodie and going on a snack run from 7-11, didn't know that Mother Jones "21 things you can't do while black" had both of those actions on there. But how could we blame Trayvon for Zimmerman's assumptions that Trayvon that was up to no good. Like Trayvon, Ophelia was dowsed with assumptions and accusations that hold no actual facts behind it.

assumptions never really do good for people. there is a saying, "when you assume, you make an (ASS)ume out of ass(U)me and assu(ME)". This does hold some truth to it. Hamlet tells Ophelia to "get thee to a nunnery" (III,I,131) basically telling Ophelia to go to a whore house even though she is not a whore and which then makes Hamlet look weird and somewhat crazy. Travyon was met with a similar situation with assumptions but the outcome was completely different.

Zimmerman was taking his assigned task as neighborhood watch a little to seriously. Since he had a weapon on him he was feeling pretty confident. When he saw Trayvon assumptions and accusations started to flood his head. "what’s this black kid doing in this area?", "why is his hoodie up" could have been assumptions that went through his head.  All we know is something whether is was the pictures in "Trayvons, An image" or something else.  In his mind something triggered him to follow and ultimately kill a young man who can no longer see his family. 

 Travyon is to Polonius as Zimmerman is to Hamlet. Both using assumptions and not thinking about them which then took an otherwise innocent life. When Polonius yells "What, ho? Help, help, help!" (III,IV,26) he is trying to save somebody who he thinks is in trouble. But hamlet comes in assuming/hoping it to be the new king and stabs right through the curtain and into Polonius. If people could stop to think about there actions and not act on assumptions the world in my opinion would be alot different.

Trayvon didn't know his life was going to come to a roadblock which he couldn't pass over. Neither Polonius hiding behind a simple curtain. But these men (Trayvon/Polonius) didn't realize that other peoples accusations and minds could get the best of them which could hurt themselves overall.

https://www.facebook.com/taylor.wright.18847/posts/864663243559971?stream_ref=10