ANGLER Insurance for Fishing Guides is now available as an option with ANGLER's Best and ANGLER Bass Boat policies!

Available to Charter Fishing Guides operating boats under 24 feet. Often excluded from other providers because of commercial use, BoatUS ANGLER welcomes fishing guides by offering comprehensive coverage for their boat, guests and fishing equipment.

Click Here or Call 866-532-1829 for details!

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BoatUS ANGLER is now able to offer a discount Membership program for fishing clubs and groups. As a part of BoatUS we have over 40 years of experience serving boaters and fishermen. This mutual arrangement can benefit both fishing clubs and BoatUS ANGLER by adding value and tangible benefits to a club and helping us to build our numbers so we can continue to offer services that will make a day on the water even better.

The BoatUS ANGLER Cooperating Group Program allows your members to join BoatUS ANGLER or renew their Membership for only $12.50 – a 50% savings on the full Membership dues price of $25.00.

Adding this special offer to your current fishing club or group benefits may give local fisherman extra motivation to join or renew with your own organization.

Click Here to Learn More:
http://www.boatusangler.com/Group/

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Send in your photos today and win!
BoatUS ANGLER's newest "Catch of the Month" is easy to enter - simply send us your photos of fish you have caught, fresh or saltwater with some details and each month we will pick two winners - one for freshwater, one for saltwater. Each monthly winner will receive a $50 BoatUS Visa Gift Card as well as lures and gear from our sponsors.

ENTER TODAY! The first 25 people who enter the contest will receive a "fishing goodie bag" from us with BoatUS ANGLER logo items as well as some surprises from our sponsors.

TO ENTER: Email us a photo of your catch and include your Name, Address, Phone, Species Caught, Fish Weight & Length, Location of Catch, and Tackle Used. If the person in the photo is someone other than you, please include their Name and City/State. Click Here to Email Us Your Photo

SEE YOUR PHOTO ONLINE! Every entry will be reviewed by our staff and then posted on our "Catch of the Month" web page, and the monthly winners will appear in BoatUS ANGLER Magazine on "The Braggin' Board".

Click Here for complete contest details

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H.O.O.K. (Hooked on Our Kids) is a volunteer organization that introduces fishing to kids and their parents. Through H.O.O.K. seminars and courses, children will gain a love for the outdoors and for fishing. They will then grow up participating in a sport that knows no limitations of age, gender or physical abilities.

Started by tournament bass angler Jim Marsh in Maryland in 2001, the program covers fishing basics, mechanics and general knowledge in a classroom environment - a place where children can pay attention better.

Jim encourages volunteers to set up classes in their local community and provides each class a curriculum and the equipment needed. He will also assist in finding a place to hold the classes and develop a press release to let people know when the class will take place and how to sign up.

H.O.O.K. also hopes to teach parents how to make fishing trips enjoyable for both them and their children. They teach parents the same basics as the kids and give them practical ways to make the trip pleasurable. They give parents ideas about good places to fish with children, games, and different things they can do to keep the child occupied and focused on their surroundings, like starting a rock collection or finding crickets for bait.

Volunteers can be members of fishing clubs, civic clubs, as well as boys and girls clubs.

Those interested should visit the H.O.O.K. website at www.hookedonourkids.com, or contact Jim Marsh directly at jim@hookedonourkids.com.

Click here to read an introductory letter from the Director, Jim Marsh and further details on the H.O.O.K. programs

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"The Boat Trailering Guys", Mike Pellerin of BoatUS ANGLER and George Knutsson of American Boat Trailer Rental Company in Tampa, Florida answer Members' trailering questions

Question: I'm in the market for a new trailer and I like the idea of aluminum. But guys I speak with at the boat ramp say aluminum trailers will float from time to time. Is this accurate and, if it is, should I add some weight to it?
T. Spurling, Portage, IN

Answer:
GEORGE: I use aluminum trailers in my business and this can be a common problem if the trailer is made with pine in the bunks. If you have pine, get rid of it. It's light and it floats and that may be what's happening here. Use cypress. It's heavier and it's stronger and your trailer won't float.

MIKE: An aluminum trailer floating is not a very common occurrence but it really depends upon the trailer size and configuration. Many aluminum trailers are now made of "I" beam construction which do not trap air. Some smaller trailers may still come in a tubular construction which may have the ability to trap air and float. I wouldn't let this worry you or steer you away from an aluminum trailer. You could add weight or make sure the trailer frame is vented to allow the air to escape.

Potomac River bass fishing guide, journalist, and radio personality, Coast Guard Captain Steve Chaconas answers your bass fishing questions

Question:
What are the key differences between co-polymer and fluorocarbon lines?
Bill

Answer:
Co-polymer fishing lines are a mix of one or more nylon types. These mixtures allow line makers to achieve different features. Attributes like strength, elongation, handling, and abrasion resistance can be manufactured into a particular line.

Nylon based lines will soak up water and changes characteristics the longer you fish with it. Fluorocarbon sinks, has less stretch, and has a refractive index virtually the same as water so when light hits it disappears under water.

Anglers are finding that since flouro sinks it helps with certain presentations, like bottom fishing - you have the sensitivity - this line does not absorb water or change characteristics when wet.

Capt. Steve

Need to ask our boat trailering or
bass fishing experts a question?

Click Here to visit the "Ask the Experts" page

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Muskies Inc., an organization of over 7,500 members with chapters in 15 states, is an active, service-oriented, non-profit organization with the single focus of improving the sport of muskie fishing for men, women, and children.

From David Cates, the International President of Muskies Inc
"..Muskies, Inc. has causes of improving the environment and habitat, expanding and enhancing the muskie fishery, and helping kids grow to enjoy the great outdoors. Our members are the most dedicated muskie conservationists anywhere. Membership in Muskies, Inc. will help you become a better angler, and will help support our research, fisheries, and youth projects."

Conservation of the Resource
Muskies, Inc. has always been dedicated to the goal of maintaining and improving the sport of muskie fisheries when none previously existed. Muskie rearing ponds have been developed and maintained by several M.I. chapters in cooperation with local and state DNR officials.

Research
Muskies, Inc., as on organization, has been an active participant in cutting edge research for most of its existence. M.I. has financially supported a wide variety of research projects across the nation and in Canada. Growth, range, genetics, habitat studies as well as lake, spawning and year class projects have all been funded.

Partnerships
DNR - Lake Associations - Community Service
Muskies, Inc. have always had close associations with DNR officials in their local communities. From improving boat landing access to helping purchase spawning habitat marked for development; Muskies, Inc. members have been there.

Visit their website at www.MuskiesInc.org

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Fishing Lake Anna, VA

If I were fishing Anna this week on a cold front from the back of the boat, I would try to encourage my boater to fish down lake, from Rockland Creek to the dam.

The water temperature down there would have been warmer prior to the front and will not cool as rapidly due to the warm water influx of the power plant discharge. This is key because the fish living down there won't be as affected by the cold front.

The four baits that I would not leave the dock without are:
1) LuckyCraft Stayce 90 Jerkbait on 10lb test fluorocarbon for deep diving jerkbait to be utilized around docks, off points and drop-offs,
2) Senko, wacky style, around docks on 8lb fluoro,
3) Rapala #7 shad rap on 10lb fluoro for secondary points leading into spawning coves or any rocky bank, and
4) take your pick between a drop shot or a shakeyhead on 8lb fluoro.

Kurt Dove is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, currently living his dream on the ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series fishing tour. Kurt began his adventure again in March for his third season in the Elite Series. To see Kurt’s schedule or to learn more about Kurt, please visit his website at www.kurtdove.com.

To read more Fishing Tips and How-To's, Click Here

Have a Fishing Tip or Technique, How-To Article, or Fish Story that we could use? Click Here to submit it now

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Register Today! Our new Forum is a place to chat with fellow anglers, read about fishing how-to tips & techniques, fishing gear maintenance and repair, new fishing products, etc.

You can also read or post your local fishing report and lake/river/stream conditions, find places to fish and boat, and read what other fisherman have to say about local fishing spots or guides or charters they've used. Lady Anglers, check out our Women's Forum for tournament news and product reviews.

Read or post information on specific species - both freshwater and saltwater, and find out about the latest conservation efforts.

Our Forum is new and needs your input to get it going - we want to hear from, you so start posting today!

Visit the ANGLER's Forum now and start posting right away by clicking on the "REGISTER" link at the top of the page!

Somewhat similar to fishing spoons are the fishing spinners which revolve on a wire shaft or a swivel. They are also very effective fishing lures for many freshwater and saltwater fish and an angler should always carry a good assortment of these lures. They are easy to make and very inexpensive when made at home.

It doesn't pay to make the spinner blades themselves. The time and effort spent in cutting them out isn't worth it because you can buy all the spinner blades you want from many of the mail-order supply houses. They have them in stock in various shapes, sizes, and finishes and also carry other parts needed such as wire, swivels, beads, clevises, body forms and weights, and split rings.

You can buy the spinner blades by the dozen, gross, or thousand lots. Some of the blades cost about one cent apiece in the larger quantities. These are already stamped, shaped, and plated.

You couldn't possibly make them for much less by cutting out the blades from sheet metal and then plating them. By buying the finished blades and the other parts all you have to do is assemble the fishing spinners.

Spinner blades come in various shapes such as the Indiana, Colorado, Willow Leaf, June Bug, Kidney, and Propeller types. (See illustration below).

They usually run in size from No. 00 to No. 7 and up. The lower the number, the smaller the blade. Numbers 00, 0, and 1 are small sizes suitable for trout and panfish, while the larger sizes are best for bass, pike, lake trout, and saltwater fish.

You can get the spinner blades in various finishes such as gold, nickel, brass, and copper. Some are also made with hammered finishes. Still other blades are made from pearl or mussel shell...

Click Here to Read More

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Russell Owens, Sheridan, Ark., hoists a big bass caught at Lake Monticello, Ark.

Live Bait Equals LARGE Largemouth In Arkansas
By Taylor Wilson

Lake Monticello, AR -
Don Sowell of Alexander, AR. had just put a lot of air in a balloon he was using as a float/cork, and perhaps a bit more than big bass guide Russell Owens, Sheridan, AR., preferred.

“Hey, Don, I know we are celebrating and all, but do think you really need that big of a balloon?” Owens said and laughed. “You just need the balloon big enough to keep the bait up a bit, and to let you know where you are and when you get bit.”

Sowell, owner of Legend Craft Boats, could care less that his balloon might be a bit too festive. He had just landed a big double-digit largemouth and was quick to get another bait out in what was evidently a honey hole for hawgs.

Lake Monticello, located in southeastern Arkansas’ Drew County is Owens’ favorite spot for such tactics. Owned by the nearby namesake City of Monticello, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) manages the fishery...
Read More

More Info...
For more information on fishing with Russell Owens, write him at 36 Pinecrest Circle, Sheridan, AR; or call 870-917-9001.

For more information on fishing in Arkansas, contact Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at (501) 223-6300; or visit www.agfc.com.

For Arkansas Lake Levels call (501) 324-5100

Lake Monticello Facts:
* Lake Size: 1,520-acre impoundment
* Fish Records:  A recent catch was documented as the fourth-biggest largemouth ever caught in the state.

Regulations: The daily bass limit is four, only one of which may exceed 21 inches. Bass between 16 inches and 21 inches must be released. Other sportfish found in the lake include crappie, bream and catfish.

Facilities: Available facilities include two picnic areas with concrete boat ramps and courtesy docks.

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BoatUSAngler.com has a "Freebies" page where you can find a variety of resources yours for the asking.

Here are 15 Freebies available to you:

Click Here to visit our Freebies web page

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Register and log-on to your one-stop website resource for Fishing and Boating information. Customizable pages allow you to peruse Fishing, Conservation, Tournament, and Boating News, Message Boards, How-To-Tips, daily Fish Facts, Fish Tales about the latest record-size catches, Recipes, Tide & Buoy Data, Marine and Local Weather and view and update your Membership information.  We even have a place to post your favorite fishing photos!

Register today and automatically be entered to win a HX850S6 Watt FLOATING VHF with GPS!

You can find all of this and more on the Members-Only site my.BoatUS.com!

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