A Erie steelhead fishing blog i hope will be a place to bring the sport of fishing to a new experance to any novice or new anglers who would like to have a ten pound silver steelhead on there line and bring it to net.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

What is my line.

For the most spooked steelhead this is the line that I use.
Berkley Vanish
Berkley Vanish Transition is the world's only fishing line that physically changes color above water for higher visibility to the angler - yet is virtually invisible underwater so that fish don't see it. Developed by Berkley's team of polymer chemists, this "smart line" has built-in molecular sensors that detect and respond to the line's surrounding fishing environment. Following are a list of what we feel will be "frequently asked questions" about the remarkable Vanish Transition line: How does it work? Solar energy radiating from the sun contains ultraviolet (UV) light. The molecular sensors within Vanish Transition detect this UV light and this triggers a temporary molecular structure change. The molecules convert from their clear colorless state to an energy-excited golden yellow color. To the fisherman's eye, this golden yellow color is more easily seen as it offers added visibility above water. Unlike air, which readily transmits UV light, fishing waters do not. Even gin clear fishing waters will quickly filter out and suppress transmission of this UV energy. Stained or murky fishing waters can stop UV transmission in a matter of inches. When an excited golden yellow Vanish Transition line enters these waters, the built-in molecules sense this absence of UV and the line reverts back to its clear, colorless state. Add to that the fact that fluorocarbon has nearly the same refractive index of water, that creates a line that is virtually invisible to the fish! How long does the color change take? The timing is somewhat dependent upon the intensity of the sunlight or UV index. On clear days with strong sun, the change to gold seems almost instantaneous. Under cloudy skies, the change might take a few seconds longer. It changes back to clear within 30 seconds or less when blocked from UV rays. Why does the color seem bolder in some circumstances? Since UV light activates the molecules, the more "excited" they are, the deeper the color will become. Vanish Transition will reach a very deep golden color under bright sunlight, and it will be varying degrees less bold as the UV index decreases. It truly "adapts" to its environment, as it is harder for the human eye to see line as the sunlight gets brighter. Vanish Transition gets brighter as the sun does! Does the UV exposure and color change damage the line? No. There is no damage to the base polymer from this reversal process even after repeated conversions from clear to color and back to clear. Fluorocarbon itself is not damaged or weakened by UV rays. It is a polymer that is used in many industrial and commercial applications that demand prolonged sun exposure. How long will the "transition"continue to occur? Vanish Transition is engineered to continue changing back and forth from clear to color and back again for a full fishing season. To ensure maximum life of the color change, please store Vanish Transition out of direct UV light exposure. Treat it like all premium fishing lines, storing it in a cool, dark place when not in use. What happens if the color finally does not change? When the line gets to that point, it serves as a good indicator that you should buy fresh line. Does Vanish Transition fish like regular Vanish? Yes, and new Vanish Transition incorporates the latest, most advanced version of Vanish fluorocarbon technology, with significantly improved handling characteristics and knot strength. In addition to its remarkable color changing properties, Vanish Transition incorporates all the advantages of fluorocarbon line:
Excellent wet strength - because fluorocarbon does not absorb water, it will not weaken or increase in stretch like nylon fishing lines will. In fact, Vanish Transition is stronger when wet than most nylon fishing lines.
Extra density - fluorocarbon sinks -- due to its density of 1.78, which is heavier than water. This enables lures to dive deeper and faster than nylon fishing lines.
Excellent durability - the added density makes fluorocarbon very abrasion resistant, making it ideal for fishing in rough conditions such as logs, rocks and docks.
Stretch resistance - fluorocarbon stretches slower and less than nylon, particularly when compared to wet nylon, making it much more sensitive.
Here is a link to there product line information.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/technotes/1502.htm

Some fishing tips.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Before going onto a lake for the first time, learn as much about the water as possible from local bait shops, fishing guides, resort owners, natural resource officials, lake surveys and by asking questions of other fisherman. Buy a contour map and study it prior to going on the lake, and watch where other boats are congregated. Concentrate your efforts on the lake that is known to contain a good population of the species you wish to pursue, and chose the time of year the lake is known to yield its best catches.
LAKE TYPES Our game fish swim in many different lake types in the Northland. Certain species thrive in rivers, lakes and reservoirs because special conditions are present for their existence. Rivers are the most prolific, and produce the widest variety of gamefish species. The large shallow sand bottom lakes and bays are normally best suited for walleye & perch, while the shallow weedy lakes and bays are better suited for Largemouth Bass, Panfish and Northern Pike. In the larger Canadian glacier lakes that are predominately deep and rocky . . . Crappie, Walleye, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Muskie all have certain niches and areas that they dominate and thrive in!
PROPER EQUIPMENT The equipment you choose will often represent the difference between a mediocre or a truly successful day on the water. When shopping for equipment, always buy the best you can afford. Make sure your rod, reel & line match up for a comfortable and balanced fit. Choosing the right fishing lure is not as complicated as it might appear. Most lures are meant to represent natural baits that fish feed on. Many lure makers also try to tripper a positive response. Lure types can be broken into five basic categories . . . JIGS, RIGS, SPINNERS, SPOONS & PLUGS.
ELECTRONICS Practical use of electronic fish finding devices will enhance your fishing success tremendously! Flashers, liquid crystal, video graphics & underwater cameras are your eyes below the water, and show in detail depth, contour, bottom type, baitfish . . . and your targeted gamefish! Compasses and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) aid in navigation, and help pin-point "hot spot" fishing areas.
BEST TIME TO FISH The best time to fish is whenever you can, but if you want to increase your fishing success as far as time is concerned, I have a few suggestions. First of all, "pick your days if possible, and stay away from "cold fronts", or days when the air temperature drops sharply and the winds blow briskly from any direction that include North!" Weather systems play a major role in fish activity, so if possible "choose the warm days with partly cloudy skies and moderate winds that blow from any direction that includes South! Fish the early morning and late evening hours on those clear bright days when the sun's rays are most direct. Also, take advantage of the annual season's fishing peaks and migrations. And lastly, watch the birds and animals. When they are out and actively feeding, the fishing will usually be good!
As a rule . . . cloudy days are better than clear days, & warm days are better than cool days. Windy days are also better than calm days! Also remember . . . "When the wind's from the west . . . the fish bit the best. When the wind's from the east . . . the fish bite the least! When the wind's from the south . . . the hook goes right into the fish's mouth!"
FISH ARE PREDICTABLE You must search for fish like you hunt for game. Find their pattern by using logic, reasoning, experience & by trial and error. "Timing is everything!" Fish have predictable feeding times. These periods change with the seasons, and are affected by weather & light levels. Be observant and vary your controls until you are successful . . . then stick with them! Good fishing patterns often result in limit or near limit catches!