One of the finest outdoor sports for people of all ages is the noble art of fishing. Wherever you might live, there are a lot of great fishing spots within your reach. If you are a novice or a seasoned fisherman, read on for some helpful information that may just enlighten you in the joys of fishing.
When wading, use extreme caution. If wading through a river is necessary, make sure you do it carefully and slowly. Being too noisy will scare fish away, and sound can travel farther under water. Take the time to move through the water without disrupting the habitat.
Perhaps the most useful fishing tip that someone can receive is to be patient. You must be dedicated to fish and there will be times when you won’t get a bite for hours. Stay patient and try to appreciate all aspects of fishing, not just the end result.
If you’re fishing in a stream, it’s best to cast upstream, letting the current guide your lure or bait to the perfect fishing spot. Doing so makes the bait look much more natural. This increases the chances of a bite. Try not to leave a lot of line slack in the water, so you can tell if you get a bite.
It may sound silly as you are heading out on the water, but it is important to keep the floor of the boat as dry as possible. Fishing on a wet surface presents a tripping hazard. What’s worse, you might fall and hit a sharp object. Anytime the floor of the boat gets wet, make sure you find a towel or mop to soak up the water.
Always be careful when you’re wading. Standing still is ideal, as you won’t make much noise, but if you need to move from one place to another, walk slowly so as to avoid splashing. Noise scares fish, causing them to disperse. Take your time and be sure you don’t disturb the riverbed.
Observe the birds while you fish. If you discover that birds are diving near a certain location, it is a good indicator that there are many fish at that spot. Birds love to eat fish, and they dive towards the water to catch them. If you pay attention to how they are behaving, you will likely bring in a lot of fish that day.
Before setting out to go fishing, check the weather. If you don’t bother to check the weather, you may get an unpleasant surprise. Don’t get caught out there with weather that starts out good but turns out bad, later. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry, and this is especially true when it comes to the weather.
You can catch more fish with live, natural bait than with artificial bait. Fish eat whatever insects live locally near a body of water. Whatever bait is available on the shore is most likely to get a bite. Expensive lures tend to be more flash than function.
Fly Fishing
When you are fly fishing, try to avoid the wind. On extremely windy days, your casting won’t be accurate. The optimum time for doing some fly fishing is around dawn or dusk when there is usually less wind. If you’re finding it’s too breezy, try fishing with the wind facing your back.
A quick look at the condition of your hooks is called for if you start to lose fish from a lure that has been reliable in the past. Using the same hook over and over will cause it to get blunt or twisted, making fishing with it difficult. Change your hooks often so that your lures catch fish without hassle.
Remember that your prey will be affected by the phases of the moon. Fish are most active the night of the full moon, and will be easier to catch. However, this will make you even more visible than normal, so you’ll have to take the precautions against this.
If you are out fishing with a friend, remove your line from the water when they catch something, and have them do the same when you have a fish on the line. Your lines will remain uncrossed in this way, and you will also be free to lend a helping hand to your buddy.
Take a camera with you to take pictures of fish you catch and release so people will believe you when they ask you about your fishing accomplishments. This will help you to keep the fish alive, while still preserving your fishing memories.
If you want to change up your fishing routine and experience something different, try night fishing. If you own a head lamp, you can use it to see what you are doing, but be sure to keep your boat lights turned on, as well. The fish you can catch at night may be a lot different than the ones you would catch during the day.
Think about getting a net or gaff to help you land large fish. A gaff gives you a firm grip on a fish and lets you to pull it out. A net might be a better choice, because you won’t wound the fish too much, and that will allow you to easier prepare it later.
Fishing spots that have a lot of vegetation may cause you to become frustrated. While these can be annoying, fish love these areas and you are more likely to catch something here.
Don’t forget to bring mosquito repellant because nothing spoils a day of fishing more than mosquitoes biting. Some of the best fishing spots are also places where you will be exposed to insects that will be biting you. Spare yourself the distraction and discomfort by bringing insect repellent. If you don’t pack a bug spray product, you’ll run the risk of being swarmed by mosquitoes. This is not the ideal way to conclude a fishing trip.
Surf Fishing
The best fisherman is a patient and optimistic one. Fishing can at times become frustrating if the fish are not biting. If it has been a while since you’ve felt your line jerk, avoid the temptation to start thinking negatively.
Surf fishing is a fun alternative to traditional boat fishing. It’s a favorite pastime. There are many varieties of fish to reel in during the summer. Wading into the water is enjoyable and there are trout, reds and other skinny water fish to catch. For surf fishing many options are available when it comes to bait, including shrimp and minnows.
Night crawlers or worms make excellent bait when you are going after perch. Perch are very fond of these types of baits because they are in their environment already. Most people use fresh bait when they fish for perch, but don’t count out artificial baits, as they can work quite well.
Taking proper care of your boat, engine and battery ensures that you are ready to go fishing at any time. Protect your battery by storing it in a protected area where it is dry. However, you should avoid placing the batter directly on concrete as this has been shown to lessen battery life.
Safety is the most important factor when fishing with children. Do not allow small children to bait their own hooks. Explain how the hooks are sharp and can be dangerous, and so they should learn by watching you.
Fishing is a great sport that gives you rewards according to how little or how much effort you put into it. If you are just looking for a relaxing and calm pastime or serious about competitive fishing, there is simply so much to learn. Learn all that you can, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!
Be aware of your bait color and how it will look to fish. The fish need to be able to see your bait clearly. For example, if you are fishing in murky water, you should use brightly colored lures. If the water is more clear, try deeper shades that will stand out and not blend with the natural habitat.
