A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It's a secret spot, so don't ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

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A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It's a secret spot, so don't ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

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The Fish Don't Care What You Wear

The fish don't care what you wear. Waders, vests and hats for fishermen are necessities to brave the elements.

Waders are a must if you are planning any surfcasting or stream wading. And what you need to know about waders, no matter how much you spend for them, they will eventually leak and new waders must be replaced.

Love to fish in the streams during the summer? Rivers are low running and are not deep; so hip waders are perfect. Why heat up in chest waders when hip waders will suffice. On the other hand, those one-piece chest-high waders are a necessity for surfcasting. Irritating sand or pea gravel cannot wedge their way into your boots.

Alternatives to chest waders are the stocking-foot waders. Stocking-foot waders are also chest-high, but anglers will require wading shoes or boots. Some anglers favor wading shoes or boots as they give added support and traction while fishing all day.

It is difficult to imagine fishing without vests. Vests are invaluable as they contain many pockets to hold such items as expensive flies or lures as well as your bug repellant. But ensure that the pockets open from the top and not the side so not to lose those valuable flies or lures. Not to imagine losing your car key.

And lastly, don't forget your fishing hat and sunglasses. You certainly do not want to get sunstroke in the hot sun as well; fishing hats shield your head from the rain. Furthermore, hats and sunglasses will protect your eyes from glaring sunlight and you can see what the fish are up to when the sun is setting in the sky. Which in fact, is the most opportune time of the day to catch that big one.

The Fish Don't Care What You Wear

The fish don't care what you wear. Waders, vests and hats for fishermen are necessities to brave the elements.

Waders are a must if you are planning any surfcasting or stream wading. And what you need to know about waders, no matter how much you spend for them, they will eventually leak and new waders must be replaced.

Love to fish in the streams during the summer? Rivers are low running and are not deep; so hip waders are perfect. Why heat up in chest waders when hip waders will suffice. On the other hand, those one-piece chest-high waders are a necessity for surfcasting. Irritating sand or pea gravel cannot wedge their way into your boots.

Alternatives to chest waders are the stocking-foot waders. Stocking-foot waders are also chest-high, but anglers will require wading shoes or boots. Some anglers favor wading shoes or boots as they give added support and traction while fishing all day.

It is difficult to imagine fishing without vests. Vests are invaluable as they contain many pockets to hold such items as expensive flies or lures as well as your bug repellant. But ensure that the pockets open from the top and not the side so not to lose those valuable flies or lures. Not to imagine losing your car key.

And lastly, don't forget your fishing hat and sunglasses. You certainly do not want to get sunstroke in the hot sun as well; fishing hats shield your head from the rain. Furthermore, hats and sunglasses will protect your eyes from glaring sunlight and you can see what the fish are up to when the sun is setting in the sky. Which in fact, is the most opportune time of the day to catch that big one.

Why Do You Need a Tacklebox?

A tacklebox or a tackle bag is a necessity to store your fishing lures, bobbers, and hooks.

A tacklebox is a necessity to store your expensive lures. The more you fish the more expensive lures you will accumulate. I can't imagine over time having a tangled mess of barbed metal to contend with. Nothing beats staying organized. Therefore, having a tacklebox is a must.

So the question remains what type of tackle box do you need? There are many different types of tackleboxes to choose from. I suggest a tackle box with sufficient storage for your current needs then double it. Also to keep in mind your tacklebox should have sufficient compartments to hold some oversized lures. You wouldn't want the oversized lures to tangle maps, leaders, or bandages.

What should you include in your tacklebox?

Bandage strips contained in a water-resistant container Matches sealed in a water-resistant container Suntan lotion Flashlight and spare batteries Spare car key in a small case attached to a large colorful bobber. (Hint: The bobber has to be large enough so that the small case does not sink).

For the salt-water enthusiast, tackle bags may be a practical alternative to tackle boxes. These tackle bags have plastic cylinders inside to hold saltwater lures. As well, the tackle bags have side compartments for leaders.

Although the tackle bags are convenient, remember not to lay your tackle bag on the sand as the tide can sweep up your tackle bag and take it to unknown places along with your expensive saltwater lures and your car keys. Or may have the unfortunate fate of having your tackle bag run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle or a dune buggy. Yes, this can happen.

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It's a secret spot, so don't ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

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