By Bob Frye

Published: Sunday, April 13, 2008

Everyone who has ever fished seriously has probably seen those Solunar-Lunar tables that tell you when fish will be most active, based on phases of the sun and moon. Now there's a watch that gives you essentially that same kind of information on your wrist. With the Field and Stream "Ultimate Fishing Watch," you enter your latitude and longitude -- based on an included data list -- and an alarm signals four times per day to let you know the four most favorable times for fishing in that 24-hour period. The alarm goes off one hour before each peak to give you time to get on the water, then sounds every 30 minutes until one hour after the peak ends. The watch -- endorsed by celebrity angler Jimmy Houston -- also details moon phases, moon age, sun and moon rise and set times and tide graphs, has five alarms and a calendar and tells the time. It's water resistant to 100 feet, as well. Suggested retail price is $55.98 and includes a free one-year subscription to Field and Stream magazine. For information: visit www.shopnbc.com.

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Lure of the week

"Perfect" Crappie Jig

Company: Jim Porter Lures

Lure type: Leadhead jig

Sizes and colors: This lure weighs 1/16 ounces and comes in eight color combinations, each designed for specific water situations.

Target species: Crappies and other panfish.

Technique: Jig this lure around structure, especially standing timber, either by itself or tipped with a minnow or other live bait to draw strikes from crappies.

Sugg. retail price: $5.85 for a package of four.

Notable: The body of this lure is made not from soft plastic, but from wrapped chenille, finished with nylon thread and glue, so the manufacturer says that it will never rip or tear. The hook eye is set back in the lead head, too, to make the lure sit level when fished vertically.

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Tip of the week

Later this summer, when water temperatures climb, the best times to fish can be early in the morning and late in the evening. At this time of year, however, don't overlook the opportunities that mid-day brings. A warm afternoon, especially an overcast one, can spark even coldwater fish like trout to feed. If you can get free for a few hours during the warmest part of the day, you can oftentimes encounter good fishing. Try tossing live baits, spinners, small crankbaits, and even spoons -- which work great in swift water and lakes -- to catch fish.

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Recipe of the week

Chili Pepper Smoked Trout

Ingredients

• 4 medium-size trout, cleaned

• 8 green chili peppers, cut open with the seeds removed

• 1 lemon cut into thin slices, with the peel on

• 4 cloves garlic, cubed

• ground black pepper

Directions

Prepare your smoker for a three-hour smoke. Wash the fish, removing all of the bones. Open them up and place two peppers, two lemon slices, and one clove of the garlic you cut into pieces earlier inside each. Smoke the fish for the three hours. When the time is up, remove the stuffing from the fish and serve (they'll retain the flavor).

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