All of your outdoors questions deserve answers

About this time of the year, I like to answer my e-mails. Many times the questions posed are from anglers seeking an answer. I may not have all the answers, but I can assure you, I know where to look.

During this transition from the dog days of summer to the milder periods which come around mid-September, there is to much to do outdoors. At this time the fish are closer, the weather is more settled and the fish are hungry.

Many anglers move from being fishermen to hunters and the majority can't seem to make up their minds as to what they want to pursue. These six mails are geared toward their dilemma. If your question does not appear and your mail has not already been answered, please contact me.

Top four favorite lures for trout: This one is fairly easy and has been asked before. For the benefit of those who may have missed it, they are Blue/Chartreuse Mirrolure, Devil Horse by Smithwick in Yellow and Black, Electric Chicken - Sea Shad and rounding out my favorite four are grubs. I am partial to white but have found that combinations of white with pink, green, red or chartreuse also work extremely well.

Seize the day, not the fish: Latin is often used and referred to more often when nothing else will work. However, many become confused with the spelling and screw things up royally from the get-go. Take for instance, Carpe Diem. Although it is pronounced like the fish carp -- it does not mean "fish of the day." It means seize the day.

Are you an angler or a fisherman?: My favorite quote was requested by a teacher. She specifically stated it had to be related to fishing. This is what I sent back: When asked which I prefer -- fly fishing or bait casting, inshore or offshore, fresh or saltwater -- I always use the same answer. The question is relevant to all. What's the difference between an angler and a fisherman?

"An angler, sir, uses the finest tackle, and catches his fish scientifically -- trout for instance -- with the artificial fly, and he is mostly a quiet, well behaved gentlemen. A fisherman, sir, uses any kind of 'ooks and lines, and catches them any way; so he gets them it's all one to 'im, and he is generally a noisy fellah, sir, something like a gunner."

-- Dr. George Washington Bethune, 1847

Clarifying hook sizes: Hook sizes with a number followed by a zero increase in size as the number goes up. Hook sizes not followed by a zero, decrease in size as the number increases. Examples: 4/0 is bigger than a 3/0, but smaller than a 5/0. A size 5 hook is smaller than a size 4 hook, which is smaller than a size 3 hook. This rule is general, but for the most part, is a good rule of thumb. Most hook manufacturers follow the rules. Become familiar with a brand name and you should be fine in your selection.

Surf casting: The easiest way to find fish when you know the spot is good and they aren't taking your bait is to use artificial grubs with a swim tail (not a screw tail, twist tail or paddle tail). Once you have this established, use the fan cast method to find the hot spots along the beach.

When it comes to fan casting, location is the key to success. Start by casting 45 degrees to your left, then straight ahead and then 45 degrees to your right. If you don't get consistent strikes or none at all, it's time to move. Don't wear yourself out on one spot when the fish are not active. A half dozen or so casts in all directions should indicate if fish are in the vicinity. If not, shuffle down the beach and do it all over again. Don't hesitate to move when you are fishing a grub. Before you know it, you'll find a spot that's holding a school of fish.

Thoughts on catch and release: I prefer to answer this by a well-known but often forgotten quote from an unknown author; "Catch and release fishing is a lot like golf. You don't have to eat the ball to have a good time."

Dolphin tagging update

Judging by the reports of fishermen from Alabama to New York, dolphin fishing has followed the same pattern as the previous six years. Distributions of dolphin along the East Coast appear to be highly variable year to year in temporal and spatial occurrence as well as abundance. To a large degree, dolphin distribution is a product of their environment. As the Florida and Gulf Stream currents undergo changes, dolphin movements and distribution will be impacted. This year it appears that the program is benefiting from a significant increase in angler cooperation. As of Sept. 1, five more tagged fish have been recovered since the July newsletter, bringing the total tags reported to 46. The program is achieving one of its primary objectives -- a large number of tag recoveries done more efficiently.

Clarks Hill Lake to host tournament

The Savannah River Division of the $8 million Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will be at Clarks Hill Lake Sept. 26-27 in Appling, Ga., for the final regular-season event. As many as 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers are expected to compete in the tournament.

Anglers may register for the tournament online at FLWOutdoors.com or by calling 270-252-1000. On-site registration will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the Wal-Mart store located at 2205 Harrison Road in Thomson, Ga. Entry fees are $300 for boaters and $150 for co-anglers. Wildwood Park in Appling will host the takeoff at 7:15 a.m. daily and weigh-in there at 3:30 p.m. on the first day. The weigh-in will be held at Wal-Mart at 4 p.m. the second day.

Following the end of regular-season competition, the top 40 boaters and 40 co-anglers in the Savannah River Division will advance to the Lake Norman Regional Championship to be held Oct. 22-24in Lake Norman, N.C.

Perry's record still standing?

A fish in Japan could tie the 77-year-old largemouth bass record set by George Perry on June 2, 1932, on Georgia's Montgomery Lake.

Manabu Kurita of Aichi, Japan, caught a 22-pound, four-ounce largemouth bass on July 2 in Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwaan. IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said his World All-Tackle application is currently under review after it was received from the Japan Game Fish Association. Verification could take up to a month.

For information on the catch or the state of records, contact Pete Johnson at480-951-3654 or e-mail johnsoncom@aol.com.

Tackle Tip

Hook selection is a matter of preference. Switching hooks is a matter of necessity. I often change hooks on my lures and replace them with sharper freshwater hooks. These hooks penetrate better than bulkier standard saltwater hooks and allow me to move soft mouthed trout and big bull reds away from snags, off oyster bars and shell rakes and into my net.