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Choosing A Fishing Knife For Your Summer Fishing Adventures
By Ben Anton
An avid fisherman is typically able to tell you the contents of his tackle box: fishing hooks, line in various weights, shiny and dull fishing lures, colorful bobbers, an extra reel, needle nose pliers, a flashlight, maybe some fishing scissors and a fishing knife. Each of these tackle box items is an important element in both successful and not so successful fishing trips to the river. Having the right kind of gear, the kind that will withstand a variety of elements, is key.
The following are some tips on what to look for when purchasing a durable fishing or fillet knife to all those would-be and experienced anglers out there.
When choosing a fishing knife, the size of the fish being lured needs to be considered. A ten inch blade would be excessive if you typically fish stocked rainbow trout or crappie in your local river. The larger blade could damage the meat of smaller fish during cleaning if you are not careful. On the other hand, a small fillet knife on a medium-to-large catfish or grouper would be time consuming and potentially impossible. If you fish a variety of species, consider owning multiple knives in various lengths and widths. There are a number of fishing knife sets with multiple blade styles available on the market. If you have one knife that you really like, maybe it has a handle style that suits you, see if the manufacturer makes other size knives in the same style.
The next item to consider when choosing a fillet or fishing knife, is the quality of the blade. You want to look for stainless steel blades that can maintain their sharpness. You also want to try to buy one that can be sharpened easily throughout a fishing season. Stainless steel is recommended because of its stronger resistance to rust; fishing knives encounter a lot of water. You will want the same durability and strength in your fishing knife as you would a hunting knife. However, with a fillet knife, a tempered blade that can cut smoothly and thinly is ideal. When purchasing
Biologist Report -- North Branch Susquehanna River Young-of-the-Year Walleye
Area 4 biologists completed our annual assessment of walleye reproduction in the North Branch Susquehanna River during the week of October 14, 2008.
Fish and Boat Commission urges support for referendum
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas J. Austen today urged citizens to vote ?Yes? on Election Day for a $400 million referendum to help upgrade the Commonwealth?s aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.
Fish & Boat Commission set to drain Opossum Lake
Anglers visiting Cumberland County?s Opossum Lake will have one last weekend to harvest fish from the popular spot before the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) concludes salvage efforts next week.
Commission votes to acquire Erie County properties, adopts regulations to slow aquatic disease
During its fall quarterly meeting on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to purchase two properties in Erie County in order to enhance public fishing opportunities and approved final regulations aimed at slowing the spread of an infectious disease found in a variety of fish.
Commission approves grant program to restore Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has approved a program to award grants of up to $100,000 to projects to restore the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed, which was damaged in a June 30, 2006, train derailment in rural Norwich Township, McKean County.
Steelhead are on the run
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced today that steelhead are officially on the run in Erie after the heavy rain experienced this week.
Biologist Report -- Pymatuning Reservoir YOY walleye, Crawford County
On September 27, 2008 crews from both the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission conducted a night electrofishing survey on Pymatuning Reservoir. A young-of-year (YOY) abundance survey is preformed annually to monitor survival of walleye stocked into the lake.
Biologist Report -- Raccoon Lake (Main Lake), Beaver County
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists surveyed Raccoon Lake to measure the size and quality of the lake?s resident gamefish and panfish populations relative to previous management targets.
Fish & Boat fall meeting set for October 6-7
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its fall quarterly meeting October 6-7 at agency headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, in Harrisburg.
New state record for golden rainbow trout
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced today a new state record for golden rainbow trout caught, by Eli Borger of Palmerton, PA.
Exciting change for the Commission?s Boating Facilities Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has announced that non-profit land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations may now directly apply for grants through the agency?s Boating Facilities Grant Program.
Biologist Report -- Warmwater stream survey results from ten southeastern Pennsylvania waters
In July and August of 2007 and 2008 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Area 6 along with other agency personnel sampled 10 different moderately-wide to wide (14-36 meters) warmwater streams in southeastern Pennsylvania to document the warmwater fish communities.
Reading Phillies fan wins national ?Take Me Fishing? sweepstakes & heads home with Lowe boat
The winner of the national Take Me Fishing? baseball sweepstakes is William Rocco of Reading, Penn., who beat out baseball fans from 32 other minor league and independent teams to take home the grand prize.
Grants available to improve Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla watersheds in Lebanon and Berks counties
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has announced that $113,900 is available through a grant program for stream restoration, habitat enhancement, and recreational enhancement activities on streams located in the Tulpehocken Creek and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds.
Commission looking for diverse applicants to perform the varied duties of a waterways conservation officer
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is looking for individuals interested in a career as a Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO).
Winter drawdown to begin at High Point Lake in Somerset County
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will begin a winter drawdown of High Point Lake in Somerset County next month, lowering the lake level by approximately 10 feet between September and March.
Biologist Report -- Tamarack Lake
Commission biologists surveyed Tamarack Lake on the evenings of May 14 - 15, 2008 to evaluate our efforts to bolster largemouth bass density.
Biologist Report -- Pymatuning Reservoir
Area One Fisheries Management personnel performed an annual spring trapnet survey of Pymatuning Reservoir immediately following ice-out, from March 31 to April 11.
Lake Wilma closed
The Lake Wilma portion of the Consol Energy land enrolled in the Pennsylvania Game Commission Farm Game program was closed to the public yesterday until further notice.
Biologist Report -- Keystone Lake
Area 2 biologists surveyed fish populations and evaluated the success of the walleye and tiger muskellunge stocking programs at Keystone Lake (also know as Keystone Power Dam) during the week of April 21, 2008.
Region Reports
Local fishing & boating reports for each region of Pennsylvania.
Biologist Report -- Beaverdam Run Reservoir
Area 8 biologists surveyed Beaverdam Run Reservoir to measure the size structure and quality of the lake?s resident gamefish and panfish populations.
Biologist Report -- Upper Woods Pond
Area 5 biologists sampled Upper Woods Pond to assess new bass fishing opportunities.
Biologist Report -- Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, Crappie Angler Opinion Survey
In May and June of 2008, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission fisheries management personnel conducted an angler opinion survey concerning the Blue Marsh Lake crappie fishery.
Biologist Report -- Presque Isle Bay
Beginning on May 28th Area One Fisheries Management Personnel sampled Presque Isle Bay by means of an electrofishing boat for 3 consecutive nights to assess black bass populations.
Trout regulations modified at Fish & Boat Commission summer meeting
At its summer quarterly meeting yesterday, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to allow anglers to fish in lakes and ponds approved as year-round trout waters without possessing a trout/salmon permit, as long as anglers are not fishing for trout or salmon.
Majority of trout anglers satisfied with fishing experience
The overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania trout anglers were satisfied with their trout fishing experiences in Pennsylvania in 2007.
Biologist Report -- Lower Hereford Manor Lake, Beaver County -- Spring night electrofishing survey
On May 6, 2008 Area One Fisheries Management personnel sampled Lower Hereford Manor Lake by means of night electrofishing to assess the largemouth bass population.
Biologist Report -- Conneaut Lake, Crawford County -- Spring trapnet and electrofishing survey
During the week of April 14th, 2008 Area 1 Fisheries Management personnel sampled the fishery of Conneaut Lake by means of Pennsylvania style trap nets.
Fish & Boat Commission summer meeting set for July 14-15
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its summer quarterly meeting July 14-15 at its agency headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, in Harrisburg.
Fish & Boat Commission opens Leaser Lake to all fishing
The Independence Day holiday will provide a great opportunity for anglers fishing Lehigh County?s Leaser Lake. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has temporarily suspended all seasons, sizes and creel limits at the popular lake, effective July 1.
Harvey?s Lake access area to close July 8-9 for paving
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is alerting boaters that the Harvey?s Lake access area in Luzerne County will be closed July 8 and 9 while contractors reconstruct the entrance and pave the parking lot.
Native eastern brook trout added to PA Wildlife Action Plan
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has formally added naturally reproducing eastern brook trout to the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan, the document that prescribes conservation measures for species and their critical habitats before they become more costly to protect and restore.
a fillet knife, look for one that is serrated in a portion of the knife, toward the handle is best. Having the serration in addition to the smooth sharp blade will be helpful to cut through tougher sections and bones and will keep you from needing a second serrated knife.
The final items to consider are all about your personal style. There are a number of knives available depending on the type of fisherman you or the recipient of the knife is. Consider how frequently you use a fishing knife during your fishing trips. If you tend to constantly be reaching for yours, purchase a folded knife that can be put in your pocket or hang from a fishing vest so it will be easy to get to. If you have a messier tackle box with little organization, consider purchasing a fishing knife that comes with a sturdy knife sleeve or one that folds to avoid accidentally cutting yourself or damaging the blade while it is moving around in the box. If you have arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome, try out various knife handle shapes to find one that is comfortable for you. There are a number of knife options available; don’t settle for anything other than what will best help you as you fish this summer.
Consider these tips as you put together your tackle box and gear this summer. Whether you are heading to the river, lake or ocean, a quality fishing or fillet knife is an important addition and just may help bring in the record breaking fish.
Ben Anton, 2007 Article Source: http://www.NewArticlesOnline.com Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Discount Lights and Knives.
Learn more about the quality of fillet knives available with DLK on our quality discount knives and lights website.
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