Summertime Catfishing part two

The channel cat is the most popular catfish in the united States. They are sleek, muscular and one of the best and easiest catfish to catch and have a fun day doing so. Fishing for these widespread catfish is beautifully simple. Yet many cat fans take this a step too far. They have one favorite place to fish, one favorite rig to use, one favored bait and one way to go about it. You can greatly improve your cat fishing success by trying a few new tricks and by focusing your fishing effort on the most attractive catfish habitat in whatever water you do fish. Use favored approaches when they’re producing cats. But when the old method fails, the following pointers could help your catch.

You can catch channel cats on almost every type of bait you can think of, from crayfish, night crawlers and minnows to homemade stink baits, chicken liver and even soap like zote that contain meat fats. If big channels are your target, though, you’d be wise to use cut baits as often as possible. Cut baits are pieces of cut bait-fish. Body fluids from these baits attract cats over long distances. Use a oily fish when possible like shad, herring, or even bluegill and any other fish you would like to try.

Cut bait is prepared many ways. Some anglers fillet strips from the sides or belly of the fish, saving the carcass and entrails for later use. Others cut the bait in chunks even the heads can be used. Vary what you use until you determine what catfish want.
Match the bait’s size to the fish you’re likely to catch. In waters with few cats over 5 or 6 pounds, use 1- to 2-inch chunks or strips of cut bait. Where bigger cats are common, 3- to 4-inch-long baits aren’t out of place.

The catfish won’t be able to resist the taste when they sink their teeth into it. Using the correct hook for your bait is crucial. If you choose a hook that is too small, your bail will fly off during casting and you won’t catch anything. Treble hooks will hold some baits better and there will be less chance of it coming off. You can buy treble hooks with springs that hold the bait on but these can be expensive. If you bait the hook correctly a number 6-8 treble hook is the best.

Fishing For Catfish In The Summer!

Catfish often are thought of as opportunistic bottom feeders primarily because they are. But they can be more predatory than some anglers realize. If you plan to fish moving water streams and rivers, regardless of size, your approach should be to look for areas where deeper holes meet flats, bars or shallower riffles, because at this time of year, cats will move from one area of water to another. That idea is most valid from dusk to dawn. It’s a reason that night-fishing at this time of year is among the most popular approaches to catching cats. Take your camping tent along with you and spend sometime fishing and I’m sure you will connect with some nice whoppers.
If you choose to fish during the day and endure the August heat, you can still catch fish in the heat of the day as well. The biggest drawback to this daytime fishing is it is much less comfortable for the angler. To locate the catfish during the heat of the day, rely on shadows, and just a bit deeper water. I will be looking for water that is 10-15 feet deep and has good cover. Looking for boat docks, standing timber and other such cover during the day will help you find the catfish lurking in the shadows. Stand out in the sun for 10 minutes in the August heat, and you will have a pretty good idea why these cats are up in the shadows.
During this heat, the catfish will be best caught at night after dark in the shallow water. They will bite just about anything that moves or smells and if you do some chumming, you will help draw the catfish in a more concentrated area. Don’t be afraid to move up in the shallow waters and fish right up towards the banks in just a few feet of water. The last several months have been producing nice catches of big fish for me in less then five feet of water.

Looking For The Right Camping Gear

Camping gear comes with a wide variety finding all these camping items on one website and that too with some of the most experienced and reliable manufacturers like Eureka, Gigatent, and Chinook sounds a bit unbelievable. But it is true infact you could do it online, enjoying the comforts of home. Get all of the latest camping gear and equipment, ranging from camping tents to inflatable boats. Our camping gear which we supply, ranges from camping tents, camping lanterns, camping stoves, camping sleeping bags and a lot more camping items, you name it and we have it.

Choosing the right camping equipment can be overwhelming if you are not sure about the different types of gear available. In order to make your shopping experience easier, it is important to keep certain factors in mind. When looking for camping gear, the options are almost endless. Price and budget restrictions may also play a role in the decision making process. Deciding ahead of time how much your budget will allow can definitely make the decision making process easier. Remember to keep your needs in mind while shopping because purchasing the right camping gear will definitely make your camping experience fun, relaxing, and enjoyable.

Camping At Lake Of The Ozarks

Camping at lake of the Ozarks in Missouri is a great way to spend some time with family and friends. I have been camping there for many years, I can remember the first time my father took me there. One of the main reasons I like to go to the lake besides camping is to go boating and fishing it is one of the best fishing lakes in Missouri. The best time to go is the hottest part of summer. If you get to hot you can take a swim in the lake. They have many different swimming locations that are kid friendly that you can go to and enjoy the day swimming if you wanted to.

It is a very nice place to take a family vacation, there is so many different things to do and try at the lake. This is a huge lake, it covers four counties in Missouri. You never have to worry about finding a camping spot. They have many different camping parks in all four counties you can even just go pick a spot just about anywhere you wanted to. We never have a problem finding a place to pitch our family camping tent.

If you have a boat you shouldn’t have a big problem finding a launch to unload and load your boat. If you are looking for a nice vacation spot in Missouri to camp, fish, boat and just about anything else you can think of I recommend Lake Of The Ozarks. It is a wonderful place to take your family or just get away and do some camping and fishing and relieve all that stress.

If you are looking for any camping gear or family camping tents check out campinggearstop.com . We also have a good friend that has some pretty nice wicker picnic baskets for them summer time picnics coming up.

Part Three Of Hunting Trip

The next morning we got up early and crawled out of our sleeping bags and looked out the door of the family camping tent and snow covered everything the trees were beautiful covered with snow. It was a picture perfect morning for deer hunting. This was going to be the day to get our bucks if it was going to happen. So we got dressed for the cold and snow that covered the forest and grabbed a cup of hot coffee and headed down the hill with our deer rifles. The guys were going to head to the north side of the forest the direction the deer was headed the night before. I was going to head over to my favorite spot. My favorite spot was a acorn forest and I knew that after all the snow we got that the deer were going to be looking for food there.

It was still dark and was hard to find the acorn feeding ground but I found it about an hour before daylight. I put up my deer blind about 300 yards from the spot because I didn’t want to spook any deer off before it got daylight. I crawled in my deer blind and waited for light to arrive, It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Right at day break it seemed the forest started to come alive with critters. I could hear weird things in the woods if you have ever been there at that time I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I got out my new buck grunt caller and got it ready. I also checked my rifle and made sure it was loaded and ready to go. Now all I had to do was wait for the big one and I knew it would just be a matter of time he was sure to show today with all the new snow.

No sooner than it got daylight I heard a shot in the direction the guys were hunting maybe they got one. I started to use my grunt caller to try to call a buck in but had no luck. About that time I saw a doe walking around some brush and she was headed right for the acorn feeding ground. Then I saw 4 more big does coming down a hill beside me and they was also headed for the feeding ground. That was sure a good sign that a buck would be around soon. During the rut which is the mating season for deer the bucks will follow the does around and check them to see if they are ready to mate. The buck always stays behind the does and shows last. I started to get hungry so i took a sandwich out of my picnic basket and ate while watching the does.

About an hour latter I heard crashing and loud noises coming from the forest on the back side of the feeding area. It was sure to be a buck I thought to myself. Then all a sudden I saw a big deer coming out of the thickets and was heading right for the other deer. As the deer got closer I could see horns it was a 8 point buck for sure. Then another deer came out behind that one and he looked like a monster I counted 12 points. It was going to be my lucky day. As soon as the two bucks got to the feeding area they started fighting. It was a awesome site that I never saw before in the wild. The smaller buck lost his battle with the monster buck and starting to leave the area. This was the time to take the monster I had been waiting on. I had a clear shot so I raised my rifle and put the crosshairs right on this chest and pulled the trigger. The monster fell to the ground right in this tracks.

Part two of hunting trip

We arrived at hunting camp at around 4:00 on Friday. The sun was just beginning to set to our west. The sky started to get gray and the northwest wind began howling through the trees. We had to get our camp set up quickly because it was going to get dark soon and a possible winter storm was heading our way. I was in charge of pitching the camping tent while the others looked for the firewood.

About 20 minutes later the tent was up and my friends were walking up the trail carrying plenty of firewood for the whole weekend. My friend John said that they jumped three big bucks in the valley as they searched for the wood. He said they ran straight for the north side of the woods crossing a dry creek bed. Now we knew where we were going to start our hunt early on Saturday morning.

Before we could think about hunting, we had to get a fire started because the storm was approaching fast. We built a simple fire ring out of big rocks then started the fire and got the rest of our stuff unpacked and setup. As soon as we got the fire built to a roaring blaze it started to snow like crazy. It was very cold out so we decided to leave our sandwiches in the picnic backpack and barbecue some thick strip steaks. Since John had just gotten new bbq tools, he got to do the honors. Besides, none of us will ever complain about John’s steaks. He really is the master of the grill.

The snow began to build up very quickly. In an hour or so we had two inches on the ground. My new four season camping tent was holding up to the weather conditions very well. Soon the steaks were cooked and we could get out of the weather and enjoy our dinner. We grabbed the cooler out of the back of the truck and climbed into the tent for an evening of storytelling, food and beer.

As we ate, the snow and wind picked up even more. The tent was shaking hard but we weren’t worried. I was very happy I had gotten the four season tent instead of the three season one I had thought about. If I had gotten the other one, we would have either cancelled the trip or we’d have been sleeping in the truck. A little while later the steaks were just pleasant memories and it was time to head for the large family camping tent and crawl in our warm sleeping bags and get some sleep. The alarm clock was going to go off early because tomorrow we would hunt!

Please come back soon for part 3 of this story about my winter hunting trip. In part 3 I’ll tell you all about the hunt and the huge buck I got that day.

Ticks And Camping

A big camping concern is ticks which can carry several types of infections, including Lyme disease. If left untreated, these insect bites can be threatening. You cannot avoid the ticks in the woods, but can take some precautions from tick bites. Common types of ticks are wood ticks and deer ticks. The deer ticks carry Lyme disease.

Finding and removing a tick early is key to the prevention of Lyme disease. If a tick is attached to your skin, grab it with tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull it straight out. Do not use Vaseline. It will kill the tick and cause more harm. Also do not squeeze the tick, it can cause all the infected material of the tick to enter into your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and use a disinfectant.

Five Step Tick Preventions For Campers

1.Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. Ticks are easier to detect on light-colored clothing. Tuck trouser cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing.

2. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Do not spray directly to the face; spray the repellent onto hands and then apply to face. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes. Be sure to wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes especially pants, socks and shoes but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Always supervise children in the use of repellents.

3.Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you. In camping areas, individuals who sit on the ground or disturb leaf litter on the forest floor may encounter ticks.

4.Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, check them for ticks, too.

5.If ticks are crawling on the outside of clothes, they can be removed with masking tape or cellophane tape. A ring of tape can be made around the hand by leaving the sticky side out and attaching the two ends. Ticks will stick to the tape which can then be folded over and then placed in the trash.

Are you looking for a new family camping tent or a inflatable camping air mattress? Also check out our friend they have a nice selection of wicker picnic baskets.

Morel Mushroom Hunting While Camping

Morel mushrooms are one of the most prized edible wild mushrooms in the world. They look like a sponge on a stem, morels don’t look like any mushrooms you get at the store or taste like ordinary button mushrooms. Morels have a rich, woodsy flavor that is deliciously earthy, nutty, and it’s this awesome taste that makes the morel mushroom rank number one with mushroom lovers. We find many pounds of them every year in early spring when we go on weekend camping trips in southern Missouri. We hunt for morel mushrooms from early April through May depending on the weather conditions and location.

Most mushroom hunters around here will agree that the weather has the most effect on the availability and quality of these mushrooms. Typically the day time temperature around 60 to 70 degrees, night temperatures not less than 40 degrees and the soil temperatures of about 50 to 60 degrees with good ground moisture levels are ideal for moral growing. Morel Mushrooms like it warm and moist. Morels grow where soil is moist but well drained not oversaturated. If you have a dry spring, the crop will be sparse. If you have ample rain but not an unusually wet spring the crop will be plentiful. Many mushroom hunters know to head out after receiving warmer rains. Morels need moisture, warm days and warm nights.

Most people in southern Missouri will tell you to look for certain trees like elm (dead), ash, apple, and maples and look around the drip line to the base in a circle. My experience has been that the larger in diameter trees seem to have proven to be better luck. I’ve never had much luck just walking around in the woods with my head down just hoping to find some. They have always been for the most part found around dead elms and ash in my area. I also look around old creek banks and down very old fence lines I have found many morel that way also. If you are going to be camping during the morel mushroom season try to find some and if you find many share them with friends and family they will love you for it.

Are you looking for a new family camping tent for the new camping season.Check out our friend if you need a new picnic basket.

Choosing The Best Sleeping Bag

The last thing you want to happen when you’re twenty miles into the woods is to find your sleeping bag is not warm enough. You will be facing a very long and restless night which can ruin your spirits and drain your strength for the next day. So how do you make sure you’ve selected the best sleeping bag for your needs? Everyone knows what a sleeping bag is, but not everyone knows the many different styles of sleeping bags that are available, nor the importance of picking the right one. Different camping situations call for different sleeping bags. Choosing the right sleeping bag is easy once you understand what’s involved. With recent innovations in fill material and fabrics, there has never been a wider range of sleeping bags to choose from. In my camping gear store we primarily supply sleeping bags for warm season family camping.

There are two considerations when choosing a sleeping bag. However, there are several additional features that can help you narrow in on the perfect bag for you and your family. This post will help you decide what you need in a camping sleeping bag and so you can make the proper selection among each type for your needs. Sleeping bags keep you warm by trapping your body heat in tiny air pockets in the bag’s fill or insulating material. Your body is the furnace and needs fuel or you’ll get cold regardless of your sleeping bag. Consume enough food and water before going to bed or while in the sack. Dress comfortably, wearing enough layers for warmth without taking all of your space up which will come in handy if you cool down during the night and want to put on more clothing.

Bag temperature ratings are not the final word on warmth. They’re set by the sleeping bag maker, so a twenty degree bag from one manufacturer might be warmer than sleeping bags from another. But ratings do provide a general guideline. Summer bags are usually rated higher than thirty degrees, three-season bags between ten and twenty five, and winter bags under five, but there’s great variation within those ranges. Rectangular shaped sleeping bags are suitable for camping in tempered climates. Mummy-shaped sleeping bags offer more protection in colder climates because they are shaped to the body and do not allow as much cold air to enter the sleeping bag. Synthetic fiber insulation is more appropriate for wetter climates. Down fiber is a good choice when weight of the sleeping bag is an issue. Cotton is a good choice for casual campers who want comfort and do not have to worry about weight or weather issues.

If you need any camping gear for the new season check us out.If your looking for a new picnic basket for that spring picnic check out our friends.

Don’t Let the Weather Ruin Your Hunting Trip

Don’t you hate it when you have a hunting trip planned and the forecast calls for lousy weather? Have you ever postponed a camping trip because it was too cold or rainy? I don’t have that problem anymore.Last November I decided to go to deer camp with my brother and some friends. We made our plans a few weeks in advance so we’d have plenty of time to get our camping equipment ready. As opening day of deer season got closer, I kept an eye on the Weather Channel and things didn’t look very promising. The forecast was for a cold and snowy weekend but we were sure it wouldn’t stop us from bagging our deer.

You see, I had canceled too many camping trips in the past and recently purchased a four season family camping tent and some thermal sleeping bags to prevent it from happening again. The camping tent sleeps eight people so I knew there would be plenty of room for the four of us and our gear. I also knew we’d be protected because the four season camping tent is built to conquer all kinds of bad weather.

As Friday approached, I packed all my supplies with complete confidence that we’d be going camping as planned. What’s even better is that hunters without the right camping equipment would be staying home. Less hunters in the forest would mean more deer for us. Also, you know how it seems like the deer know exactly when hunting season starts? Well, maybe because of the bad weather they wouldn’t be quite so careful.

Friday finally arrived and we packed our camping gear in the car and headed for the woods. All of a sudden it dawned on me that we forgot the picnic backpacks with the sandwiches for our first day in it. We don’t cook on Friday because by the time we get to camp and set up our gear, it’s too late to bother cooking. After the first night though, we take out our barbecue tools and grill up dinner on our portable grill.

Finally we were on the highway. I couldn’t wait to get to hunting camp and set up our camping equipment before the bad weather set in. For me there’s nothing better than a weekend at hunting camp with my best pals and the anticipation of the hunt to come. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how we did on our bad weather hunting trip.