Every year, millions of outdoor enthusiasts enjoy flexing rod and reel in pursuit of the perfect catch. Fishing is both relaxing and enjoyable, but becomes more-so when one knows how to do it properly. For a handpicked selection of fishing tips and tricks, keep reading.
Perhaps the most beneficial fishing advice you can get is to have patience. Fishing requires time and dedication and there will often be occasions where you go hours or even days without a single bite. Don’t let yourself get frustrated, or you’ll just end up ruining your day.
When you are fishing on a river or a lake, casting close to the shore can lead to great results. The shoreline is a popular spot because fish who feed on insects will gravitate toward these spots in their hunt for food. Try casting your line close to the edge and see what happens. Don’t catch the weeds, though!
When fishing on a boat, keep the boat’s floor as clean and uncluttered as possible. You don’t need to fall or trip on the boat, since you might have sharp objects aboard. Use a towel or mop to make the floor as dry as possible before each trip.
Once you have located the best fishing spot, cast upstream from there. Your hook will drag past the fish. This will attract more fish. This method is especially helpful when the fish is in an area with debris or obstructions.
Look at the birds as you fish. You can tell how many fish are in an area based on the number of birds diving at the water. A bird’s diet, of course, can consist of fish, so while you’re looking to catch fish, remember that birds are too. Keep an eye out and you just might gain from it in your fishing efforts.
Take along a camera if you do not plan on keeping the fish, this way anything you throw back will be saved on film. The fish gets to go on with its life, and you will be able to show your prize catch to everyone.
If you aren’t having success with one color of your artificial bait, try changing to a different color. You definitely want to do this if the fish aren’t biting after you’ve been out for a long time. Sometimes unusually bright bait makes fish curious enough to try it. Even a shade which is new to them can do the trick.
The most fish are caught with natural live bait. Usually fish will eat insects which live in the area near the water you are fishing. You are more likely to catch more fish by just using the insects you can find on the water’s edge. Expensive artificial lures may look nice, but they do little to attract fish.
Wet your hands down before handling fish. This will ensure the skin on the fish doesn’t dry out. Wetting your hands is especially important for catch-and-release fishing, when you should take the most care in returning the fish safely to the water.
Lighter colored grubs are a standard choice of bait for most bass fishermen. Gray, chartreuse, white or yellow grubs are especially effective. Translucent grubs tend to feature metallic flecks that work to reflect light and boost your chances of success. If the fish are not biting, consider using a grub that has a similar color to the water you are fishing in.
Be sure to get a good understanding of fishing when you are first starting out. You need to do some research before you decide to jump in. There are tons of books with great information that will help you learn the ins and outs of fishing. You can catch large fish once you learn the basics.
Spinnerbaits are terrific lures for fishing novices interested in using something other than worms. These lures really work in shady areas, or anywhere that visibility is obscured. Usually bass is caught with spinner bait, but crappie also is caught on it sometimes.
Try to keep those outside odors off of your hands when fishing. If you put perfume or some other scent on your hands, you might get some of that scent on your bait. This can cause an adverse reaction in the fish.
Bass are known to like grubs. You may be able to catch large fish with these small lures as well. Grubs are often used as bait for smallmouth bass; however, they can also be used as bait for largemouth bass. They are perfect for fishing highland reservoirs that do not have a large amount of coverage.
An important tip that anyone fishing should always be sure to use is to purchase the correct fishing license for the spot you plan on fishing in. For instance, in a country like the United States you have to have a different license in each state you wish to fish in, and a license can last anywhere from a day to a year.
Don’t be wasteful with your fish. It’s exciting to catch a ton of fish, but it’s very wasteful to bring a huge bucket home with you, especially if you know most are going to be thrown away. If you catch too many fish, release the smaller ones or give them to friends and family.
Fatten up worms the night before your fishing trip to make them easier to handle and more appetizing to fish. Place the worms in a container in the refrigerator overnight. The humidity and cooler temperature will fatten them up.
Fishing allows you to enjoy nature while experiencing nature. Whether you are a novice angler or have spent many years fishing, you can always benefit from some new ideas. Put what you have learned here to good use, the next time you go fishing.