Latest Blog Posts

• New Florida Seatrout Regulations Go Into Effect

  Changes affecting spotted seatrout include: Redefining the areas where spotted seatrout are managed by splitting the state into four management zones instead of three; The recreational season will be open year-round statewide; Raising the recreational bag limit in Northeast Florida from five to six.

• New Redfish Rules Go Into Effect in Florida Waters

  Changes affecting red drum include: The creation of three management zones for red drum instead of one statewide management area. The areas represent the northwest, northeast and southern sections of the state's waters; Increasing from one to two the number of red drum that a recreational fisherman can take per day in the Northeast and Northwest zones; Establishing a statewide vessel limit of eigh

• Florida snook season opens Wednesday, February 1

  The recreational harvest season for snook reopens Wednesday in Florida's Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. Anglers may keep one snook between 28 and 32 inches in length per day in the allowable harvest areas only.

• Puttin' the Black Crappie in B.C.

  Good crappie fishing is not an oxymoron in B.C.

• Ethics and The Alabama Rig

  If banning the Alabama rig is the solution, what is the problem?

• Top Ten Bass Fishing Spots in Western Canada - #6

  Vaseux Lake is one of the most underrated bass fisheries in the province, and there's a good reason for that.

• Central Florida Shad Run Kicks Into Gear

  Right now, the fish have been near St Road 46 at Lee’s crossing, especially near the mouth of the Econolohatchi River (Econ for short) where it empties into the St. Johns River. The areas near the bridge have produced up to two dozen shad per angler, along with good catches of black crappie and even some striped bass. There have also been fish spread out near Mullet Lake.

• Guiding for Bass in B.C.

  I'll be guiding this season in the sunny South Okanagan, check out this article to find out more about the great fishing opportunities in the area.

• 2012 - The Year of the Alabama Rig

  2012 may be The Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, but for bass anglers there is no question it is The Year of the Alabama Rig.

• Happy New Year!

   2012 is here and so is a new fishing season! In Eastern Canada, there are three way we can fish- through the ice in rivers or hop on a plan and fly south! In the next few weeks, I will be posting reports from the tribs and from the ice .If you are planning a fishing trip this year make sure to check back as I will be featuring Eastern Canadian fishing lodges ,&

• Four Day Sailfish Bite Crushes Florida Records

  The four day stretch of sailfish action of Florida’s East Coast will be remembered as one of the best stretches of sailfish action on record. Those numbers only reflect the fish caught in two tournaments. Exactly how many fish were caught and released by recreational anglers during the same time period is a number that will remain moot, as one of the best years of sailfish action off Florida goes

• Cool As A Cucumber

  Since Florida is a large peninsular state running north and south, real winter is something a portion of northern Floridians experience in fractions. And though it’s nothing like winter in say, New Hampshire, the grass does turn brown and the ocean and Gulf temperatures drop below the acceptable heiney immersion rates.

• Run and Gun Slab Crappies

  One of the things I emphasize at my ice fishing seminars is the importance of running and gunning on the ice in the winter time.

• Jeff Weltz's Fraser Valley Fishing Column for Dec. 26th to Jan 2nd

  Jeff Weltz drops some knowledge on steelhead flies, talking about some of the classic patterns that take these majestic fish.

• Top Five > Funny Fishing Videos on Youtube

  In need of a good laugh?

• Whitefish Winter

  While most Canadian sportfish slow down once the water gets cold, whitefish become more active than any other time of year.

• Jeff Weltz's Weekly Fraser Valley Fishing Report for Dec. 20th

  This week Jeff offers us the greatest gift a fisherman can get, more time to go fishing!

• Saskatchewan Walleyes On Fire

  Let's face it, most folks have never caught a ten-pound walleye, the size generally regarded in Walleyedom as the Holy Grail. Indeed, I know many highly-skilled, fulltime, FLW touring walleye pros who have never caught a double digit 'eye.

• Top Ten Bass Spots in Western Canada - #7

  The clear waters of Salt Spring Island's St. Mary Lake harbour some of the best smallmouth action in Western Canada.

• Top Twenty Country Music Fishing Lyrics

  It's no secret that fishing and country music have a long-standing relationship, here's my top 20 country music fishing lyrics.

• A Swimbait Introduction

  There's no bait that's accounted for more 10+ pound bass in the last ten years than swimbaits, and they catch the big ones here in Canada too.

• Snook Season Closes In Florida Waters

  Starting tomorrow, December 15, the recreational harvest of snook in Florida will close in all Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. Snook season will reopen in Atlantic state and federal waters on February 1, 2012.

• Go Small For Last Chance-skis

  Ice is finally starting to cover our lakes up here in Northwestern Ontario, but open water conditions still prevail in southern Ontario, especially in and around the Great Lakes. Combine that with an extended muskie season in many parts of the country, and anglers have one last chance to catch the fish of a lifetime.

• Top Ten Bass Spots in Western Canada - #8

  Duck Lake near Creston, BC is a shallow, weedy largemouth paradise where big fish rumours and topwater action abound.

• Kokanee: More Than Just a Beer

  Kokanee salmon are one of the best eating fish there is, here's all you need to know to target them for yourself.

• Jeff Weltz's Fraser Valley Fishing Column for Nov. 30th

  In this edition, Jeff recommends some of the greatest Western Canadian angling books of all-time for your Christmas list.

• Good Hair Days

  Now, there is nothing to stop everyday, from being a good hair day.

• Florida Fishing Report

  Offshore—The late season dolphin bite has been very consistent throughout the Florida Keys, with most of the fish being caught under 20-pounds, although there seem to be schoolies everywhere, although the most consistent action has been in 300 to 500 feet of water. Sailfish action has been very inconsistent, with most boats only getting one or two shots at the fish each day, and a lot of those opp

• Christmas is a great excuse for dropping a hint about these things every angler needs

  This is my gift to our readers, a written hint about items I own that have not only been a big hit present wise, but also have enhanced my outdoor experience. These are three items I wouldn’t want to live without, and whether you fish freshwater, inshore or offshore saltwater, you don’t want to either.

• Top Ten Bass Spots in Western Canada - #9

  South of Nanaimo lies a strange-shaped, algae-filled, tannin-coloured bass lake that may just be the best smallmouth sanctuary in the west, if you don't mind treating them like largemouth.

• Pros Weigh In - Finding Steelhead in Rivers

  In this edition of "Pros Weigh In" we get tips on finding steelhead from a tournament winning angler, and a Canadian fishing legend.

• Understanding Winter Smallies

  In this article I really break down fishing for winter smallies, covering everything from different techniques to finding fish to keeping warm while you're doing it.

• Top Ten Bass Spots in Western Canada - #10

  The northernmost stretch of the Pend Oreille River, Seven Mile Dam, offers some of the best smallmouth water in the west.

• Chad Keogh's Vancouver Island Smallmouth Report

  Smallmouth expert Chad Keogh gives up all the details from a recent successful outing.

• Floirda relaxes seasons, rules on seatrout, increases bag for redfish in northern region

  Changes are implemented starting February 1, 2012 and include removing the recreational seasonal closures, effectively opening seatrout to harvest year-round.

• Jeff Weltz's Fraser Valley Sportfishing Column for November 14th

  In this week's column, Jeff talks about some of the mystique behind the popular sportfish known as "the steelhead."

• Pros Weigh In - Spoon Fishing Bass part 2

  Russ Lane is a professional bass angler from Alabama with some great insights on how jigging can be like playing a video game.

• B.C. Fishing Events and Reports for November

  The Fraser Valley Salmon Society's used tackle sale highlights November's events and may be your best chance to pick up quality gear at a bargain price.

• Cabin Fever Cures - Bass Pro Shops "The Strike: Tournament Edition" Preview

  Bass Pro Shops' "The Strike: Tournament Edition" is the best fishing video game you've never played yet.

• Gag grouper season to close in Gulf of Mexico state waters

  After a two month season, the 2011 open recreational harvest season for gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County) will close Wednesday, Nov.16. The final day of harvesting is Tuesday, Nov. 15.

• Pros Weigh In - Spoon Fishing Bass

  In this edition, we hear from Elite series pro Clark Reehm and Canadian fishing legend Big Jim McLaughlin as they offer their expertise on targeting bass with spoons.

• Quick Strike Pike

  I am currently pulling together the live action video clips that I am going to be using when I present my ice fishing seminars at the upcoming GREAT OUTDOORS & DIY WEEKEND at the Toronto International Centre, November 25th - 27th. One of the topics I am going to be discussing involves tying up your own quick-strike rigs so you can hang giant deadbaits (fresh suckers, herring, mackerel and the

• Jeff Weltz's Fraser Valley Fishing Column for November 1st

  In this week's edition, Jeff looks at the question "What is a steelhead?"

• Truth in Advertising

  In a week’s time, a single Oscar Meyer lunchable packet with a scrap of leftover cheese can stain a yellow square into the bottom of a storage box that requires a double espresso, a single-edged razorblade and a bottle of muriatic acid to remove. The cheese will condensate into a blob of oozing green mold that smells like the inside of your grandmother’s purse and adheres to whatever it touches li

• Spotted Seatrout Season Closes in the South Zone

  Spotted seatrout season closes in the South Zone, species on the agenda when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Meets in Key Largo, FL, Nov. 16-17

• The Thetis Lake Monster - A First-hand Encounter

  This is the story of a chance encounter with the Thetis Lake Monster, a mythological (?) creature from Vancouver Island.

• Special Manitoba Walleye River Report - Green With Envy

  As most walleye anglers know, especially river rats, everything revolves around the current.  Nothing pulls in the big fish faster in the fall and positions them more ideally than perfect current conditions.   By the same token, nothing shuts down the bite quicker or keeps the fish out in the big waters more than too much current or not enough.   That is what is happening ri

• Pros Weigh In: Changes to Tournament Format

  The co-founder of the Berkley B1 bass tournament, the editor-in-chief of Bass Angler Magazine, and Toronto's top fishing guide weigh in on changes they would make to bass tournaments.

• Everything changes in Florida once the northerly winds start to blow

  If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that winter plays no favorites, and whether you’re a good guy or a smendrick, a cold north wind will make you as uncomfortable as an alter boy at a Senatorial mixer. Many of the migrants looking to escape the persecution of cold are already Florida residents that have more flee than fight, opting to seek refuge in the deep water inlets, which is why the conce

• Jeff Weltz's Lower Mainland Fishing Report - October 19th

  Jeff's most recent article offers a history lesson on pacific salmon fishing, teaching us how they were taken recreationally in the early 1900s.