Fishing seems so darn simple, but once you get to the water with your pole, you may find that it isn’t as easy as it seems. If you’d like to know how to be a better fisherman, without having to shell out hundreds for seminars, books or videos, read on.
If you have always fished from the shore, there are many things you need to understand before you undertake boat fishing. The differences are very large and there are many more safety issues at play when you begin to fish from the prow of a smaller boat in the middle of the water.
Those who fish with lures would be wise to use a variety of colors. This is the best course of action to take if you haven’t gotten any bites in a while. By changing to a brighter color or a shade that you do not normally use, you increase your chances of catching the eye of that big catch, or at least a catch.
A great tip for all fisherman is to stay relatively quite while you are on the water. Everyone has heard that loud voices can scare away fish, and while this is slightly exaggerated, making a lot of noise on the surface, particularly disturbing the surface, can indeed spook fish.
If you are going to be a fisherman, then by all means, make sure you know how to set a hook. A swift hook set is key when fishing, especially when lures are being used. Unless you do not follow through to ensure that the hook is set properly, you may very well lose your fish!
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.
Sun block is one of the most important products to apply before you go into the water. When fishing, the sun will constantly beam on your skin, producing harmful rays that can cause redness and burns. Always apply a layer of sun block before your trip and halfway during your trip for maximum safety.
If you are fishing in a new area, pick up a reference guide. A reference guide can teach you a lot about the local waters, fish that can be found there, and favored forms of bait. This can help you to fish in the best spots and catch more with the bait that you choose.
Casting your rod has everything to do with fishing and technique. Whether you cast underhand, side-arm, or overhand, it is important that you learn how to cast your rod properly. Practice in your backyard if you have enough space, and your fishing experience will be much less of a hassle.
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.
Remove your line from the water while your partner is reeling in a fish, and have them do the same for you. This keeps the both of you from crossing lines with each other and ruining your chances of catching fish.
When you fish from a shore or bank, it is very important to select a good spot that offers plenty of space for casting. Pick your spot with an awareness of the total size of your party and the casting styles you are going to employ. An enclosed fishing spot can lead to irritating hassles like tangled lines.
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.
Bring along a flashlight with your fishing tackle is an excellent idea. On long trips it can make packing-up at dusk much easier. Even if you are certain you will not be out after dark, a flashlight can still be handy for exploring dark recesses and finding lost pieces of gear.
While there are many experts who would love you to pay for their advice, we’ve provided this article free of charge, so that you can find out how to be better at fishing. Hopefully, you’ve learned as much as you can and are able to use these tips to your advantage in the future!