List Of Fishing Tips
Fishing is an excellent pastime and an even better way to connect with your natural surroundings. But if you’re new to fishing, there can be a lot of things to learn as you’re getting involved in the sport. Here are some tips to consider when fishing.
Tips for Beginners
- Learn how to cast properly
- Consider kayak fishing
- Use the right bait
- Know when to use lures
- Use a multi-purpose lure
- Choose the right rod
- Take your time
Learn how to cast properly
Learning how to cast your fishing rod accurately is key to being a successful fisherman. Bait must be cast within a few feet of the intended strike zone to attract fish. Poor casting can result in missed opportunities and lost lures. If you are new to fishing, consider practicing your casting before going fishing.
Consider kayak fishing
Kayaks are a great way to get out on the water and start fishing if you don’t own a boat. Not only are kayaks affordable and easy to transport, but they also allow you to explore nooks and crannies not easily accessible by foot or larger boats. These areas of water often contain some of the biggest fish.
Use the right bait
If you’re new to fishing, consider using natural bait instead of artificial lures to get a sense of what kind of food attracts fish. It is a good idea to know what fish you are trying to catch and what type of bait should be used to catch them. For instance, catfish are drawn to raw chicken liver while bream fish are attracted to insects. Generally speaking, the most common types of bait include worms, locusts, minnows, and soft shell crayfish. Keep in mind that live bait works the best.
Know when to use lures
Artificial lures can also be used for fishing, but they generally require more skill than bait and you should have a sense of when to use them. Lures are best utilized in clear water, warm weather, and when targeting aggressive, predatory fish. Meanwhile, natural bait is generally more effective than lures and is best used at night, during cold weather, and when the water is muddy or discolored.
Use a multi-purpose lure
If you choose to use an artificial lure, consider using a multi-purpose lure such as the StingRay Grub. This kind of lure is known for being able to attract all species of fish under all conditions. Other popular all-purpose lures include the Mepps Aglia, the Rat-L-Trap, the Johnson Beetle Spin, the TTI-Blakemore Road Runner, and the Bomber Fat Free Shad.
Choose the right rod
Spinning rods are one of the most popular types of fishing rods, especially among beginners. They’re affordable, simple to learn how to use, and allow for long casts with light lures. If you want a more advanced rod that is designed to catch heavier fish, a bait-caster rod is the way to go.
Take your time
Don’t put pressure on yourself to make a catch within a certain amount of time. When it comes to fishing, the best thing you can do is be patient and bide your time. Once you find a promising area and make a good cast, don’t jump the gun and move on to a different spot too quickly. Consider trying at least two different lures or bait before moving on to another area.
Tips for Freshwater Fishing
- Keep your hands clean
- Check the water temperature
- Map the body of water
- Find the weeds
- Pay attention to inlets and outlets
- Keep creel limits in mind
Keep your hands clean
This tip is especially important when fishing in water with little salinity. Water with less than 0.05% salinity is considered freshwater. Fish have a great sense of smell and will be deterred by any foreign scent on your bait or lures.
Check the water temperature
Most freshwater fish prefer cooler temperatures and will move to deeper waters during hot weather. During dusk and dawn when temperatures are lower, fish will move to shallower waters to feed. Be aware of water temperatures and adjust your fishing strategies accordingly.
Map the body of water
Knowing the best spots to fish is half the battle when you’re looking to land your next catch. Consider obtaining a topographical map when fishing in a lake or pond. These maps will provide a sense of the body of water’s deepest and shallowest areas. Additionally, topographical maps may indicate the locations of man-made fish habitats within the body of water.
Find the weeds
Big fish such as northern pike and largemouth bass tend to stalk their prey from the cover of weed beds. Finding a weed bed may give you a better chance of coaxing some fish into taking your bait. The same goes for mossy areas of lakes and ponds. Consider casting your line close to shore in mossy areas because fish tend to swim more frequently in these areas.
Pay attention to inlets and outlets
Because fish tend to favor cooler waters, they like to hang around inlets and outlets where water enters or drains from the lake. Find an inlet or outlet and you’ll have a greater chance of catching a few fish.
Keep creel limits in mind
Lakes, ponds, and rivers have creel limits, meaning there are restrictions on the amount of fish you are allowed to remove from the body of water per day. Creel limits also restrict the size and number of fish that can be removed from the body of water. Consider using a Release Ruler to estimate the weight of your fish and abide by your local creel limit. If you are not planning on catching and releasing your fish, be sure to know your lake or river’s creel limit before fishing.
Tips for Saltwater Fishing
- Consider fishing from a public pier
- Keep an eye out for birds
- Understand tide movement
- Research the area
- Target bay to ocean transitions
- Early and late is best
Consider fishing from a public pier
This is a great place to start if you are new to saltwater fishing, especially if you do not have access to a boat. Fishing from a pier gives you a chance to learn the basics of rigging baits, landing fish, and getting to know your equipment in the process.
Keep an eye out for birds
If you’re casting your line from a boat, one of the best ways to find quality fishing spots on the open ocean is to locate groups of diving birds. When hunting, seabirds tend to circle schools of fish. Find the birds and the fish are sure to follow.
Understand tide movement
When saltwater fishing, it’s important to pay attention to the tides. Make sure to check a local tide chart to figure out the best time to plan your saltwater fishing trip. Fishing during the ebb tide usually presents the best conditions for landing fish successfully.
Research the area
Just like freshwater fishing, you should be familiar with the body of saltwater you are planning to fish. Along with studying the area’s tide movements, it is a good idea to look over navigation charts and review the most promising areas to fish. Learn about the different species of fish available and the best equipment to use. Consider checking with locals for any extra tips specific to the area you plan on fishing.
Target bay to ocean transitions
If you’re fishing from the shore, consider positioning yourself in an area where the ocean transitions into a bay or estuary. These areas typically offer promising fishing opportunities. Keep in mind that these areas are usually hot spots for fishing and can become quite crowded.
Early and late is best
To snag one of those prime fishing locations, it is best to arrive early to avoid the crowd. The evening is also a great time for saltwater fishing, especially if an afternoon thunderstorm has cleared away some of the beach crowd.