The fish catching ability of lead-head jigs is legendary. I’ve caught fish in freshwater and salt with lead-heads. I’ve caught fish with lead jigs so small they could be flicked with a fly rod and so heavy they could be classed as a lethal weapon. Many experts opine lead-head jigs to be the numero-uno fishing lure of all time. They are probably right.
So why the title of this column: “Is lead dead?”
Monarch Butterflies are one of the joys of summer. These beautiful orange and black butterflies are known as “milkweed butterflies”, which simply means their larvae only eat the leaves of milkweed plants. However, the common monarch is not as common as it was a decade or two ago.
Coyotes are common throughout the United States these days, and it is not unusual to hear groups of them howling and barking in the distance on a cold winter evening right after dark. They often travel in pairs or small family groups as they hunt, usually covering a distance of two or three miles during the night.
Everyone loves sunfish. Just about all fisherman, whether they are young or old, have caught their fair share of sunfish over the years. Sunfish are a staple for kids of all ages; these small fish always seem to be hungry and are usually eager to take a baited hook. Perfect for beginning anglers!
Years ago, many anglers refused to believe redfish, or red drum, would hit lures. When bass anglers fishing in coastal systems began catching redfish on almost anything they threw, many freshwater enthusiasts turned their attention to redfish, also called channel bass.
Have you ever seen a salamander? They are not an everyday sight, at least not in most (dry) places around the city where lots of people live. Salamanders of nearly all species require damp or wet habitats, and blue-spotted salamanders are no different.
Everyone hears stories about novice anglers who land lunkers on their first fishing adventures. Sure, anyone can catch a massive fish on any cast, but to consistently catch trophy speckled trout takes work, patience and perseverance waiting long hours for that one big bite.
Did you know that American badgers are native to most states in the USA? Did you also know that if you are living in one of the Great Lakes states or anywhere west of the Mississippi River, there are probably badgers living within a 30-minute drive of your house right now?
Beer is mostly water. Plenty of Great Lakes communities draw their drinking water from the Great Lakes. Plenty of Great Lakes shoreline communities are home to craft-breweries. We know from other research (much of it done by Professor Sam Mason’s cadre of graduate students) that the Great Lakes are awash in micro-plastics
Whether you prefer fishing in inches deep water, or fishing out of sight of land, few angling experiences compare with seeing a fish in the water, casting to it, manipulating the lure, and watching the fish take.
Velvet ants – have you ever heard of them? Better yet, have you ever seen one? These relatively large, solitary insects look like ants, but they are actually wasps.
It might come as a shock to the average tourist, but the real Florida does not come equipped with roller coaster-like rides and mice on steroids. If you're in central Florida and you want to see the real deal, simply drive to Titusville and visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR).
