|
30 Dec
|
Posted by Granite
|
Comments Off
|
Having the right navigation devices is important, especially when you plan to sail at sea. One device that will help ensure your safe journey is a GPS device. There are a lot of manufacturers such as Suunto that sell GPS devices that even come with a map or a compass. A space-based global navigation satellite is used, which relays the information to the GPS device that you have. This is usually used in marine electronics for navigational and directional use at sea.
As mentioned, a marine GPS device can be very useful in helping people to avoid being lost at sea and give them the right directions to their destination. It enables any type of boat to safely reach its destination in a shorter period of time. With this device, people can also navigate and anticipate different weather conditions. Before you buy a GPS device such as those from Simrad, you need to remember a few important points that you need to consider.
It is very essential that you know exactly what you want from your GPS system. This will help you know whether you need a device that has various applications such as weather forecasts, communication features, internet, and so much more. In this way, you can narrow down the device that you need for your boat and the features that it should have. You can do a bit of research regarding the various features that most common GPS units have in order for you to have a better picture of the different products sold in the market. Considering the size of your GPS device is also important. The handheld units are cheaper, yet the bigger and fixed GPS units come with a lot more features. You should also look for those that have a longer battery life and have an external antenna for better satellite reception. You can still add some more considerations to choosing a GPS device, but these are the some of the most essential. Buying marine equipment can be very difficult, but once you know what you are looking for, it will be very easy for you.
| Category: Outdoor Recreation | Tag: Simrad, Suunto |
|
30 Dec
|
Posted by Granite
|
Comments Off
|
From Kenai Lake, the Kenai River flows 82 miles to the mouth in the city of Kenai where it meets the saltwater of Cook Inlet. Nearby are many Alaska Vacation Lodges for your home base.
With the first run in June and the second run in July, these unique seven year old fish return to their birth place as the largest King salmon in the world. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game carefully monitors both runs allowing fishing during certain time periods in only certain areas of the river with specific regulations on bait, tackle, boats and motors. High tech counting cameras are located in the lower river to estimate the size of the run and creel surveys estimate the “escapement” to the spawning grounds. Fishermen from all over the world target them on their Kenai Salmon Fishing Vacation.
Using a professional guide is a key to success. Not only does a licensed guide know where the Kings swim, but they are familiar with the most successful techniques, baits and regulations.
Licensed Kenai Guides must attend a week long guide school held only in Kenai, and pay up to $2000 per year for certification. In addition to the Kenai Guide license, the pros have to have First Aid Training, CPR certification and an inland waters Coast Guard six pack license. There is no other river in the world with such strict requirements.
Even with all the licensing and certification, the most important tool in a Kenai Guide’s toolbox is experience. With ever changing water color, temperature and depth, an experienced, hard working guide is needed to “put you on fish”
Once the fish are in the river, they do not feed actively. These monsters ranging in size from 30-90 lbs bite for only a few reasons. First, they get aggravated or act aggressively toward an artificial lure, representing a smaller fish, theoretically attacking their offspring eggs. Or, they pick up a clump of real or artificial egg bait and swim it back to their nest.
There are several proven techniques that have been refined over the years. Regulations allow power boats of up to 21 ft in length (max) with 50 HP motors, carrying only 4 passengers during the King season. Drift boats are also used but are effective only in certain sections of the river and limited to only a few “passes” in some holes.
The most popular technique is called back trolling where the guide engages the motor in a forward gear against the current so that the boat “slips” slightly downstream as an artificial lure, sometimes wrapped with sardine, bounces off the bottom in front of the migrating Kings. With the rod in a rod holder for a steady troll, this is a more passive approach, but very effective. The strike is normally very aggressive.
Another more active approach is back bouncing. A similar, but slower, management of the backward drift is undertaken by the guide, while anglers use 2-12 oz. of weight to bounce their bait off the bottom. The strike is a simple pickup and the fisherman has the excitement of a powerful hook set.
A third popular technique is dragging, or boondoggling. The boat is turned sideways and maneuvered perpendicular to the bank while the current drags your weighted bait (salmon eggs during bait season) along the bottom. The fisherman again is holding the rod and a very distinct strike takes place as your bait is heading quickly in one direction while the salmon is swimming the other way.
A fourth technique of actual trolling near the mouth can be affective at slack high tide.
Knowledgeable, experienced guides should know which techniques are producing bites during the season and trying different techniques until successful. Kenai King Salmon Fishing is seven times more effective with a guide
Reels are normally level-wind conventional with 300 yds of 30-50 lbs test braid or mono. Heavy duty mono or fluorocarbon leaders up to 50 lb are used to eliminate the chance of abrasion break offs from the salmon’s teeth. An 8-10 ft med-heavy or heavy rod is needed for these giants as they can run up or downstream at any time peeling off a lot of line against drags set at 6-10 lbs.
June and July on the Kenai can be an incredible experience or it can be hours without a bite. When the bite is on, there is nothing more exciting. And even when fishing is slow, there are huge Chinooks swimming somewhere in the river. Every year fish over 80 lbs are taken and trophy fish are 40 lbs+. The world record 97 lbs was caught in May 1985 and 8 of the top ten Kings ever caught were caught from the Kenai.
With proper management, the Kenai will be a great river to fish for generations to come. And maybe you will be the next lucky one to hook that trophy or even a new world record.
There are hundreds of guides on the river, and may lodges and outfitters. Check out Russell Fishing Company for details, photos and videos. There is even a special section on selecting a guide.
|
30 Dec
|
Posted by Granite
|
Comments Off
|
A sailing trip is one very exciting activity especially for those who love the outdoors. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to commune with the waters. Most water enthusiasts would love to put on their sailing clothing and prep up for a great day at sea.
The whole sailing activity can be fun and exciting but it can be otherwise if you are not well prepared for it. These are a lot of important things to carry with you as you go on a sailing or fishing trip. Here are three things that you need to prepare:
Plan your location.The location is a very important aspect of the trip. This will determine the kind of waters that you will be facing and the gears that you have to prepare. For example, if you will be sailing in the rough seas, you better wear waterproof jackets. This would also indicate the type of fish that you will be baiting in case you’d want to make it a sailing and fishing trip. Each kind of fish would need certain baits and lures.
Prepare your supplies.You will be spending your entire day out so you need to carry with you some important stuff. Potable water is the most important thing to bring. It’s also good to bring some snacks that you can nibble on as you wait for a fish to bite on your bait. And in order to catch fish you need to bring your fishing gear. You should also wear proper attire especially protective clothing. And you also have to bring a first aid kit and extra fuel in case of emergency.
Prepare yourself. It’s not just the equipment that needs to be ready but your body too. You should be in top shape when you go sailing. Even protective sailing clothing could not shield you from some of the things that you have to face outdoors.
| Category: Outdoor Recreation | Tag: fishing, Recreation, Sailing Clothes, sports |
