Fishing is one of the world’s most popular hobbies, and it’s not hard to see why. Spending time outdoors in nature surrounded by friends, catching fish and then eating them over a barbecue; what’s not to like? There are many different styles of fishing, from fly fishing to pole fishing. If you are new to the sport and want to become an expert, then you need to familiarise yourself with these styles and learn as much about fishing as you can.
This article will provide insight into fishing and explain nine great fishing tips that you should know about:
Learning Different Styles
There are many different styles of fishing. Most countries have their preferred style. In Britain, float fishing for carp and bream are extremely popular, while in America fly fishing is the preferred style. It is very important to learn about these different styles so that you can find a style that’s right for you. Just because you live in America, it doesn’t mean that you can’t float fish. Other styles include pole fishing and spinning, the latter being for predatory fish like pike, muskie, and perch. There are lots of books published detailing the different styles of fishing, that are worth you checking out.
Hiring a Skipper
If you are new to fishing and want to learn from the best, then you hire a skipper. There are fishing charters that take you out into the sea and onto rivers, depending upon your geographical location. Going out with a fishing charter will allow you to learn how to fish from expert fishermen, who have been fishing perhaps for longer than you have been alive. Fishing charters are very affordable and can be a lot of fun, especially if you are taking friends with you. With most fishing charters, you can keep whatever you catch.
Water Assessment
Expert fishermen can tell whether a lake will be good for fishing or not just by assessing the water. As a beginner, there’s absolutely no way that you will be able to do this, but if you apply yourself with time you will learn. To assess a body of water, you simply need to carefully study and examine it, looking for signs of life. If you notice ripples or bubbles rising to the surface, it’s indicative of there being fish present. You also need to know where to strike for certain fish. Carp for example gather in reeds, so setting your bait up next to a bed of reeds is the best way to coax them out and catch them.
Use Feeders
Most expert fishermen use feeders for course fishing. Feeders are small plastic boxes with holes in them. You attach them to a feeding rod, fill them with bait, and then cast them out. Next to your feeder, you cast your lure or bait. Fish will begin gravitating towards your feeder and will bite your lure when they see it. Feeders are a great way to catch fish as a beginner. While the equipment can be somewhat expensive, it will last you for a long time and will allow you to catch fish every single time you go out. It’s usually best to set your feeder up half an hour before you cast out, to give the fish time to accumulate.
Patience
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to fishing. Fishermen are always patient. The sport is hit or miss. Sometimes you catch and sometimes you don’t. While the thrill of catching a fish is very fun, so too is sitting quietly beside a tranquil lake and waiting for them to strike. You need to have patience if you want to become a good fisherman. If you don’t, then you won’t last very long.
Suspicious Fish
If you are fishing on a lake or river that has been overfished, the fish will be very suspicious and won’t bite easily. Because of this, you need to use bait that’s different to what fishermen usually use on that specific water. You can find out what people use by walking around and talking to other fishermen. Bringing unique bait to a lake that’s filled with suspicious fish is a fantastic way for you to guarantee a catch. You should also do your best to be quiet so that you don’t spook the fish. Lots of noise can make suspicious fish impossible to catch.
Tackle Shops
If you live in an area with a tackle shop, it’s worth going in and speaking to the owner. Your local tackle shop owner will be able to tell you about all of the best fishing locations in your area, and they will be able to give you tips for them. They will also recommend a good tackle to you and advise you on what rod you should buy. This is especially important if you are a beginner and are struggling to find the right equipment.
Equipment Size
Something that you need to bear in mind is the size of the equipment and tackle that you are using. If you are going out onto a lake that’s overrun with bream, tench, carp, and rudd, you should not take large hooks and heavy lines. If you take the equipment that’s too large for the fish you are fishing for, then you could hurt them or might not catch them at all. You should also avoid using barbed hooks for small fish, because they can cause a lot of damage to the interior of the fish’s mouth, and even kill them. Barbed hooks are ideal for larger, predatory fish, like pike and muskie.
Line
You need to ensure that you always have the right line for the job. For larger, predatory fish, you will need a braided line attached to a rig. For smaller fish, you can just use ordinary monofilament. Braided line is for fish with teeth, so there’s no point in using it for carp or bream, not to mention it’s very expensive so using it unnecessarily would be a massive waste of money.
Fishing is one of the world’s most popular sports. If you want to get involved but don’t know where to start, read and apply all of the tips that we have outlined in this article. Fishing isn’t a hard sport to learn, but it can seem very daunting at first.
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
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