In Fisherman

Accidents are inevitable! And your safety comes first.

While thinking about taking a boat and begin a fishing trip, you need to think about your well-being as well.

You might get injured under any circumstances. For example, your boat might be hit by another fishing boat that is coming up from a rare sight or a huge-hidden sharp rock under the water can damage your canoe...etc.

If any of what is mentioned above happens, you need to make sure that your team is safe and sound.

So, having fishing life jackets is important. And while you can use your swimming skills, there's the risk of losing your consciousness or getting a severe injury that hinders your ability to swim. 

In such cases, A PFD (personal flotation device) fishing life jacket can guarantee your safety. They will certainly help you float over the water.

Things to Consider While Buying a Fishing Life Jacket.
There are some things you need to consider when you decide to buy a fishing life jacket to guarantee your safety. Here is a list of some of the most important things you need to give a thought to in a fishing life jacket:

Lifesaving feature

Firstly, you need to make sure that the life jacket’s design has the capability to keep your head above the water and make you continue breathing, in case you are too weak to swim or severely injured.

Authorized and approved

Always make sure that the jacket you are buying is authorized and approved by The Coast Guard authority of the U.S. You can check the manufacturing details on the tag attached to the body of the jacket

Safety and size

There are many anglers who love to take their kids with them on the fishing trip to teach them the sport at a young age. Each kid should have a PFD jacket with an appropriate size because the adult-sized ones will not provide safety for a kid. Additionally, adults should get a suitable size for themselves too to make sure that they are comfortable wearing the jacket for a long time. So, size matters. Too big or too small cannot provide you safety. 

Rips and Leakage 

Of course, you are buying a fishing life jacket to ensure your safety. So, make sure that the jacket you are buying does not have a rip or a leak because if it does, that means that there is a possibility of waterlogging.

Design and Look

The more a fishing life jacket looks smart, the better because it will encourage you to wear it throughout the whole trip. You can find a variety of designs with many amazing colors. In the past, there were only two colors that you could find: red and blue. However, now you can find many others and choose your favorite. 

Special design features

The most essential feature that needs to be present in a life jacket is to keep you afloat at the moment of necessity. During a fishing trip, the angler can go through many imbalances that lead to falling into the water. So, some of the life jackets are designed to have special collars in the jacket to keep the angler’s head above the water. 

Life Jacket Structure

Always bear in mind that choosing a manual life jacket is much better than the automatic one. It is easier to maintain what has fewer components. Additionally, you need to check the shell and the inflation bladder. Always keep in mind while buying a life jacket that can be torn or penetrated by any sharp equipment.

Buoyancy Rate

This is the feature that helps keep your head above the water surface in high waves. Always make sure that you choose the jacket that can provide you with a buoyancy rate of 35 pounds (15.87 Kg) if you are a professional angler who is knowledgeable about the bay areas and flats, you should get a jacket with 22-26 pounds (9-11 kilograms).

Are you and angler who is searching for a budget-friendly spinning reel?

Then look no further because the Pflueger President spinning reel with its five different models, all with different specifications, is the answer to all your prayers.

The Pflueger President is an excellent reel that has a wide variety of features that will compel any angler to purchase it.

Throughout this article, we will further explore this reel to identify its best and worst attributes.

Different Models

The Pflueger President comes in five different models, which are the 6920, 6952, 6930, 6935, and 6940. These models differ in their monofilament capacity, braided line capacity, line Recovery, ball bearings, maximum drag pressure, and finally, their weight.

Stainless steel, Graphite, and Aluminum

This whole reel, including the rotor, is crafted from these three materials. They make the reel very durable. Moreover, the reel is very light as the lightest model only weighs 5.9 (oz.) while the heaviest model weighs 10.9 (oz.).

The handle is crafted from Aluminum. This makes it extremely durable, as it is capable of withstanding many hours of usage. It is not impacted by rainy weather or dust, as nothing will stop it from performing.

Soft Touch Ergonomic Knob

This feature makes you more comfortable when gripping the knob. The company went to great extents to make fishing as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. The knob is shaped in a dimpled knob design. It fits perfectly at your fingertips.

10-Bearing System

This is the same bearing system used in other models. It does not need to be changed as it functions perfectly. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings are used in this system, and they provide you with an excellent and smooth retrieval. However, since this is not a sealed bearing system, you will have to wash your reel whenever you fish in salty water.

Sure-Click™ Heavy Duty Aluminum Bail

This feature is a trademark for almost all of the Pflueger reels. It generates a click sound that signals that the bail is open and ready to cast. However, it is recommended that you manually close the bail after casting to give your reel a longer life span. The bail is constructed from heavy-duty Aluminum, which will make it last longer and be stronger than any of its predecessors.

Braid Ready Spool

This is a beautiful addition to this model. The braid ready spool is made from Aluminum, which makes durable. It allows braid to be directly tied to the spool using a series of vertical rubber grommets that will enable the slippery braid to grip the spool and without needing to have mono backing.

Models

The first model is the PRESSP20X or the 6920. It has a braid capacity of 180/4, 125/6 and 100/8, a monofilament capacity of 200/2, 100/4 and 80/6, 9 ball bearings and a roller bearing, a maximum drag of 6 (lbs.), a 5:2:1 gear ratio, 20.7 line recovery and finally weighs 5.9 (oz.).

The second model is the PRESSP25X or the 6925. It has a 200/4, 140/6, and 110/8 braid capacity, a 220/2, 110/4 and 90/6 monofilament capacity, 9 ball bearings and a roller bearing, a maximum drag of 6 (lbs.), a 5:2:1 gear ratio, 22.4 line recovery and finally it weighs 7.2 (oz.).

The third model is the PRESSP30X or the 6930. It has a 275/6, 190/8, and 160/10 braid capacity, a 225/4, 145/6 and 130/8 monofilament capacity, 9 ball bearings and a roller bearing, a maximum drag of 9 (lbs.), a 5:2:1 gear ratio, 25.2 line recovery and finally it weighs 8.3 (oz.).

The fourth model is the PRESSP35X or the 6935. It has a 250/8, 220/10, and 160/14 braid capacity, a 230/6, 185/8 and 155/10 monofilament capacity, 9 ball bearings and a roller bearing, a maximum drag of 10 (lbs.), a 5:2:1 gear ratio, 27.4 line recovery and finally it weighs 9.9 (oz.).

The fifth and final model is the PRESSP40X or the 6940. It has a 320/10, 280/14, and 220/20 braid capacity, 285/8, 230/10 and 195/12 monofilament capacity, 9 ball bearings and a roller bearing, a maximum drag of 12 (lbs.), a 5:2:1 gear ratio, 30.2 line recovery and it weighs 10.9 (oz.)

Pros

• Strong
• Braid Ready Spool
• Soft Touch Knob

Cons

• The bail is not sealed

Final Thoughts

Finally, it is safe to say that this is one of the best budget-friendly spinning reels on the market. It is very cost-effective, and you will be getting a bang for your buck when you purchase it.

It is packed with amazing features that will turn your fishing trips into a fun and comfortable experience that you will never forget.

When you’re deciding on a fly tying vise to buy, you should know that there are plenty of options and that none considerably outshines the others. It’s all a matter of preference.

So you should make sure that you’ve tried out as many fly tying vises as you can, rate them, and then pick the one that suits you best.

But generally, the things you should pay attention to when you’re testing the vise are as follows:

Rotary vs. Non-Rotary Vises

Vises have two variants: rotary and non-rotary vises.

Non-rotary vises are more common and affordable. They have basic functionality but lack extras such as bells and whistles that are typically found on rotary vises.

These extras make rotary vises the more favored option by seasoned anglers and professionals.

This is because they’re practical when it comes to winding the wire or when ribbing is involved.

Moreover, rotary vises give you 360-degree tying flexibility as well as the ability to inspect the fly from different angles.

Rotary vises also give you the ability to rotate the hook for more convenience and ease of use.

So it’s pretty evident that they’re a lot superior to non-rotary vises. However, they’re also a lot more expensive, so if you’re not experienced enough to use one, you might want to start with a more affordable non-rotary vise.

C-Clamp vs. Pedestal Vise

Choosing between a C-clamp and a pedestal vise depends on how you prefer tying your flies.

If you enjoy tying your flies at home before setting out on your fishing trip, then a C-clamp is the better choice for you. This is because they work best when you’re operating from a permanent and stable place.

Contrarily, if you prefer portability and a vise that works in different places, then you should go for a pedestal one.

Pedestal vises are, naturally, more compact, and easier to carry around.

Materials

Fly tying vises are usually made from aluminum, steel, or a combination of both.

Aluminum ones are lighter and have better resistance against corrosion, and that’s why they’re the better choice if you’re going for a pedestal fly tying vise that you’ll take into action.

On the other hand, steel vises are more durable, powerful, and offer a better grip.

So if you’re going for a C-clamp vise, it’s better if you get a steel one.

Being heavier and bulkier won’t be a problem as you’re going for stationary use, and you’ll enjoy the power and reliability it has to offer.

Jaws

You can go for a vise with fixed jaws or interchangeable ones. The latter is superior in that it accommodates a wider range of hooks, consequently providing you with more versatility.

And these allow you to tie tiny midge hooks as well as large saltwater ones, so they cover the entire gamut.

However, they’re more expensive, so if you’re not going to target a wide range of species, go for a fixed-jaw model.

Types of Jaws

When you’re shopping for vises, you’ll find that there are two types out there: collet and lever-type (parallel clamp) vises.

Collet Vises

Collet vises use one-piece jaws that resemble tweezers when they’re in the open position.

At the rear of the vise barrel, you'll find a lever and cam that you can use to pull and push the jaws into a ring called a collet.

Most collet vises have a sleeker profile, and because of the tremendous force exerted onto the collet, push-collet vises usually come with a substantial metal collar behind the jaws. Some anglers may face problems accessing small hooks due to this design.

Level-Type (Parallel Clamp) Vises

Lever-type jaws operate in a similar way to a wooden clothespin, as they require two-piece jaws, a fulcrum, and a mechanism to close the jaws.

On some models, a small screw near the tip of the jaws offers adjustment between hook-wire diameters.

You can use a thumbscrew or a cam level to close jaws by separating the “tails” of the jaws.

Both designs have advantages and downsides, so it depends on the performance you’re looking to get from your vise.

Types of Vise Bases

When you’re fly fishing, you’re going to target a wide array of species. And this is the main problem when it comes to bases as there’s no one-size-fits-all.

A rule of thumb is, the heavier the base is, the sturdier and more stable it will be.

Bronze Pocket Base

These are tough, well-designed, and easy to carry around.

Bronze Traditional Base

Although these are a little bulky, they act as a very stable platform.

Aluminum Pocket Base

These are small, lightweight, and affordable. However, they only work with small hooks.

The Bobbin Cradle

Not all vises come with a bobbin cradle, but the ones that do offer you more convenience allow you to rest your bobbin between tying sessions.

The good part about this component is that if you don’t have the budget to buy a vise with a bobbin cradle, you can build one yourself.

Final Thoughts

Although vises have different features, components, and finishes, buying a certain vise won’t guarantee anything if you don’t master the technique, then it won’t be effective.

You have to understand how vises work and know your control or things that hold the feather in a specific way –in other words, lots of practice.

Fishing or angling is the sport of trying to catch a fish with a rod, line and baited hooks. Fishing goes back thousands of years, and it appears that its techniques were already quite advanced at a very early date. What is more important than the techniques, is definitely the timing. The question should not be ‘how to’ but ‘when to.’ It is difficult to decide when is the best time to grab your fishing equipment and hit the water. 

Surely, there are so many factors that affect the way your target fish act, and honestly, there is no golden rule as for the best time to try your hand. 

Times of Fishing

Time, weather, tides are prominent factors that affect the behavior of the fish. As for the time, there are four different periods in the day and, of course, the types of fish and the techniques differ from each period of the day. 

Dawn and Early Morning

It is one of the perfect and suitable times for angling. It is when the water temperature is at its lowest in summer, spring or even early fall. It is when you find only a few people. So, you will not be dealing with loud kids and splashing swimmers. This time of the day is when the fish come up to a place where it is moderately cool before the sun’s rays warm up the surface. It is when the flying insects are active as well. So surely, any angler has a great chance of catching different kinds of fish. 

As far as early morning in winter is concerned, it is not the best at all because the temperature of the water and air is the same specifically at that time and season; so, the fish remain in the bottom inactive waiting for the sun’s light and rays to warm up the surface a little bit. 

Late Morning and Noon 

Yes, it is that difficult -sometimes, unbearable- time of the day. It is the same to the fish. Late morning and noon is when the sun gets high in the middle of the sky and heats the surface. It is when its rays at their strongest and everywhere is warm. Of course, we try as much as possible to avoid being exposed to this kind of temperature and so do the fish. They swim deep in search of colder water. As aforementioned, weather plays a very important role in the way of the behavior of the fish, so the more windy and rainy it is, the more chances you get to catch many fish because overcast weather reduces the amount of sunlight and rays to the surface, accordingly, the temperature gets low and the fish will swim towards the surface for the warm water. Late morning and noon is the best time in winter to grab your gear and go fishing because it is the only period of the day where the water gets warmed up a bit and that enables the fish to move around and feed. 

Afternoon and Dusk 

Similar to early morning, afternoon is a very rich time of the day to go fishing in summer, spring and fall because the sun is low in position and that helps the water to be cooler, and accordingly, the fish become active and feed. Noon still remains the most productive time of the day in winter, but bear in mind that it quickly come to a standstill due to the sunset. 

Evening and Midnight 

Always bear in mind that in warm weather the period between dusk and midnight is one of the fruitful and high-yielding time to go and fish. It is the unavailability of light that triggers some fish to go out and feed, especially in the first half of the night. The dim light of the moon helps your lure to be visible to the fish and that gives you lots of chances to catch so many types of fish; however, the process slows down as the night moves forward because the temperature gets lower accordingly. You still can hit the water and there is no harm to try a hand. In winter, late night fishing is not preferable because most of the fish do not feed excessively and prefer to remain inactive in the bottom.

Further Considerations

As aforementioned, it is not only time that determine when to go fishing, but there are other factors that you need to bear in mind as well. 

Tidal Conditions

Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels due to the gravitational forces by the Moon and the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth. Always bear in mind that if you are angling in saltwater, paying attention to the tides is worthy. There are two different types of tides; outgoing and incoming tides. It is said by so many anglers that incoming tides is one of the most productive times to hit the water. While the outgoing tides -or falling tides- will always carry your baits out. As the tide begins to raise the water, fish start beat-pounding in search of food. So, avoid exercising fishing in immobile saltwater. 

Atmospheric Conditions

Weather patterns is a very significant factor that shape the behavior of the fish. As previously mentioned, the more wind and rain there, the more chances of having a very productive catch and that is applied in summer; however, in late fall and winter, the fish sometimes remain inactive in the bottom. 

 Safety and Comfort

You certainly spend time thinking of which time is suitable for fishing and the times that the fish is comfortable to come out, of course considering what affects you too is important. What makes fishing or angling fun and enjoyable is not only the amount of fish you catch, but the time spent as well. So, you need to make sure that it is spent while you are safe and comfortable. 

In case you are fishing in the late morning and early noon especially in summer, spring and fall, you need to make sure to put on sunscreen and wear a hat to protect you from the harmful sun rays. However, that does not apply to early morning trips since you will not be exposed to many sun rays. Insects become so active in the late afternoon. Of course, you do not want to end up with itchy parts on your body from biting insects. So, make sure you put on bug spray or wear long sleeves and pants preferably. Speaking of bugs and biting insects, night fishing is the most challenging time regarding this aspect because mosquitoes and bugs are very active in that time. So, spray the repellent, mate! Fish can see in the dark, you cannot. So, always make sure your night fishing is accompanied with a good flashlight or lantern, and if possible, you can get one of those headlamps to give you a good sight in the dark and free your hands a bit. 

Final Thoughts

It is definitely helpful to follow the above guidelines and fish in the most fruitful time of day, season or weather conditions, but always remember that fishing is all about luck. Many anglers say that sometimes they are lucky in wrong times, and there are plenty of fish in the sea, maybe some go in search of food while you are trying a hand. Give it a shot anytime you feel like fishing, surely there will be no huge harm.

This comparison between the two reels is to help guide you through the fishing world. Reels are the first thing you should be thinking about whether you are preparing a fishing trip or want to try out fishing for the first time. This is because it is the device that allows you to cast your bait at different distances and get you the fish you want.

However, the different types of reels can confuse you. Both the spinning reel and the bait-caster have the same job, but each of them has different qualities and characteristics. You can use both or you can pick one depending on your fishing preference and level of experience. In other words, your choice between a spinning reel and a bait-caster depends on which fish you want to catch and are you a beginner or a pro?

This can be a tricky comparison. So, here are the major differences you need to consider when choosing between them.

1. Casting Distance 

Baitcasters have a higher ability than spinning reels to make you cast further and with greater accuracy. Using a bait caster will allow you to reach the “honeypot”  while you are standing far on the shore. They also give you more accuracy over long distances.

2. Types of Hooks, Lures, and Fish

Spinning reels are more adaptable with small hooks and lighter lures. They have a sensitive drag system, allowing them to be more convenient with small and average-size fish. While baitcasters are more suitable for fishing and handling larger fish. The reel has more control with heavy weighted lures and hooks.

Another significant point; spinning reels work more efficiently with live bait than baitcasters do. 

3. The Gear Ratio

Baitcasters have a higher gear ratio than that of spinning reels. They provide faster casting and retrieval of the spool. The high-speed options of the baitcasters facilitate the fishing process especially when big sized fish are tangled on the heavy lures. 

As for the spinning reels, they have a lower gear ratio, sometimes it levels up to medium speed. Moreover, they tend to need a small manual intervention, so you might need to hold the line while you are casting the bait with your index to give it more control when casting. 

4. Backlash Risk

Spinning reels suffer fewer backlashes as they handle the wind better. They provide more stability against the wind due to the lightness of their lures. On the other side, baitcasters are more subject to backlashes. This is because they form wind knots due to the instability of their lures. 

5. The Orientation of the Spool

In baitcasters, the orientation of the spool is more of fixed control. It requires minimum effort when casting or dropping as the spool is in line with the fishing rod. So, it makes the casting of the bait smoother and quicker. 

Although the spinning reels have higher flexibility, they have less control over the spool. Their spool is perpendicular to the fishing rod. So, the line of the spinning reel is placed directly away from the rod. It takes more time to follow the line of the rod.

6. The Direction of your Hand

The spinning reels top over the baitcasters in the “swapping option”. Spinning reels allows you to use it through both sides, by swapping it to the left or to the right. 

Contrarily a baitcaster doesn’t have a “swapping option”. You can only purchase a reel of a certain design, either for left-handed or right-handed people. It is not a -on-the-run kind of reel. 

Final Thoughts

Finally, we can say that these differences may seem minor for an experienced fisher. However, for a beginner who wants something easy, flexible and doesn’t require much focus. The spinning reel is your ultimate choice. It is guaranteed that you have a fun and enjoyable fishing experience. This is because you won’t have to worry about backlashes or bad water conditions. You will cast and retrieve hoping an average fish is caught on the lure. And you get to enjoy the sound of the drag being pulled at a fast pace. It gives you an unforgettable adrenaline rush. 

If you are a pro or you want to have customized fishing experience, then go for the baitcasters, they are the real deal. They allow you to have control in most situations, seize bigger fish and gain more professional experience. 

A final piece of advice is to plan your fishing trip ahead by knowing what kind of fish you want and what kind of experience you want to have out of your trip.No one knows the type of reel that will suit you well except you. Do your research first.