If you want an excuse to spend time outside or just to go away for a little bit, fishing is the hobby for you. No matter how experienced a fisherman you are, you could always learn more. Check out this article for loads of fishing advice that will help ensure your success.
Casting on the shore of a river or lake often nets the best results. Fish who catch insects will find the most food in these areas, so try to cast your lure near the edge where you will be able to get the most bites. Watch for the weeds, however!
Leave a caught fish in the water as long as possible. If you have caught a fish but are not yet finished fishing for the day, then it is important to leave him in the water. You can tie him to your boat and trawl him behind you until you finish for the day. This helps to keep the fish fresh longer for later on.
Beginners and children should start with a spin casting reel. This is a simple design that is easy to set up and easy to use. Releasing the line is a matter of a button press, and drawing it back is just as straightforward. Overly complicated gear will just frustrate a novice.
Bring a camera if you wish to return a fish but want to show others what you have caught. This can make a great souvenir too. That way you can still have something to show your friends, while ensuring that the fish you catch live.
Accidentally setting something on fire while fishing is easily possible when fishing from the bank. A lot of people actually smoke as they fish, and you don’t want to cause an accident and endanger yourself or anyone around you. Although the bank may be wet, the surrounding foliage may be dry.
Limit the amount of fish you catch. While fishing can be a great, relaxing hobby, it is generally considered very bad form to catch more fish than you intend to eat or share. If you are simply catching for sport, then you should release the fish you catch back into the water. This will help you to enjoy the sport and leave fish for others.
Fishing with younger children can be a great way to bring them into the wild, but always put safety first. There should never be more small children than adults, and they should always use a life jacket when near the water. It is amazing how quickly children are able to throw themselves into water!
Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen when you go fishing. Protecting yourself from the sun is important, even on overcast days, or in the middle of winter. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Take a break to re-apply your sunscreen every two hours. Pay particular attention to your face, and neck.
Select the best type of line. The best type of line for fishing is in the range of 4-8 pound test. Less than four pounds, your line will break with larger fish, and higher than eight pound, in calm waters the fish will see it and it will deter fish from biting. So unless you are going deep sea fishing for large trophy fish, your best line will be between 4-8 pounds.
Fishing involves a lot of very sharp equipment, and you want to be sure that you use it safely. Get into the habit of storing all of your sharp tackle (knives, hooks, and so on) safely when you are not using it. A loose knife in the bottom of the boat can ruin a good fishing trip.
Keep safety in mind when you are fishing. Wear a life jacket (and make sure it is fastened) if you are on a boat. Cover yourself with sun screen, if you are out for an extended period of time. Place all sharp items (like knives and hooks) in your tackle box when not in use.
If it is really windy while you are casting your fishing rod, put a little tension on the line right before your lure hits the water, and this will help keep your line straight and prevent it from getting caught on any obstacles as the wind is blowing. You might also have to keep putting a bit of tension on the line as you are fishing to avoid the wind causing too much slack in your line.
If you are fishing for catfish it is advisable to use chicken livers wrapped in pantyhose or stockings. Catfish normally nibble on bait and can easily remove the bait from the hook. By placing pieces of chicken livers inside a piece of pantyhose prior to inserting the hook into the chicken liver, you can avoid your bait being stripped off the hook.
The information you’ve gathered here should give you a good idea of how you can improve your fishing skills. Prepare yourself properly and remember what you learned from this article when you go fishing. Before you know it, you’ll be catching fish left and right with the tips you just learned.
