Chatterbait Fishing Guide

What is ChatterBait?

Thus an utterly famous fishing allure designed chiefly to catch bass known as Chatterbait. Further, it is also known as bladed jigs. Moreover, Chatterbaits are decorated mini-bladed jigs that are fastened to the hook of the fishing rod. Furthermore, commonly they are available in abundance in beautiful and different designs. Hence apparently, Chatterbait looks like a tiny worm. And sometimes chatter blades are also used. Thus the everyday use of a Chatterbait is not only that it is a beneficial tool in catching fish in excess, but you enjoy the latest and thrilling experience and advanced angling techniques.

What is the best use of ChatterBait?

Hence the best use of Chatterbait is to catch a female fish when she is going to lay eggs. So, Chatterbait is the most suitable option to catch that fish by tying a Chatterbait. Thus with the help of Chatterbait, you will catch that fish because female fish lay their eggs in the very warmest and secured portion of the pond or lake in which the bass living. But preferably, fish lay eggs in shallow dirty ponds or lake water with a solid bottom and many shields such as pilings, stumps, and docks.

Moreover, fish lay eggs in the spring season. Therefore bass Chatterbait is extensively used in the spring season. Further, Chatterbaits are the best alternatives to fish crankbaits.

Why do we call it a ChatterBait?

Thus Chatterbait gets its name due to the shakings produced in waters for the attraction. Hence a Chatterbait is also known by its funny name, Vibrant baits. Moreover, the shallow water area is very effective for using Chatter bait. But in most cases, it is wrong. Additionally, it is very inexpensive.

How to tie a ChatterBait?

Hence bass fishing Chatterbait is easily tied; just follow the simple and easy steps:

Step1

Thus very firstly fastened a blade to the Chatterbait. Moreover, the body of this fish’s attractive tool resembles an octopus. Because made short wires look like 8 legs of octopus around the spook. So, the wires are cackle when throwing Chatterbait in water. Therefore a loop is also attached to the blade with a cord that moves down in the water.

Step2

Moreover, you can make your Chatterbait at home. Thus use spook and put a few wires around it. So, for this, you can also use your favorite colors. Further cut the wires with the help of pliers. In this way, the loop is formed on the blade.

Step3

Hence now join the Chatterbait and hook with cord. Thus the tool that keeps and controls the movement of Chatterbait is mainly the hook. Moreover, when fish are entangled in the Chatterbait fish pole, control the fish.

Step4

Therefore now finally your set is ready by following the above steps. So, now you can catch your fish and eat it. And also can share the fish family and friends. But it is not as easy as it seems because it will time when fish will come and be entangled in the tricky plan you formed with Chatterbait. Moreover, you can celebrate it when you caught abundant fish and enjoy it.

Chatterbait colors:

Hence always try to select colors according to season because few colors effectively work in some seasons. Thus if it is easier for you to match the Chatterbait with hatch, then go with it. Moreover, for the formation of an astute picture, always select corresponding colors.

So, below are the best Chatterbait colors:

Black and blue

Hence the chief colors used in fishing are black and blue. Thus the combination of blue and black colors with more dark colors form the best duo. Because the duo is useful in fishing in less light and murky water, these colors effectively work in scummy water.

Bluegill

Thus the bluegill Chatterbait is an ideal option for getting when bluegills are laying eggs. Because at spawning area, there is the camouflage of bluegills with largemouths. So, bluegill design Chatterbait is the best way to attract bluegill toward it. Then roll the Chatterbait in that shielding area where there is a bulk concentration of bluegills is present.

Green Pumpkin

Further, the Chatterbait of green pumpkin color is an excellent choice for every situation. Because this color appears natural in any water like clear, murky, and shallow. Thus when it combines with light contrasting or dark green color makes your Chatterbait ideal to get more fish.

Pearl or Sexy Shad

Thus pearl or sexy shad Chatterbait is the best choice to get shad when laying eggs in early summers. Moreover, you can use pearl Chatterbait designed with sexy shad whenever you observe glimmering shading on the water surface.

Red Crawfish

Hence the red crawfish Chatterbait is best to get red lipless crankbaits that reside actively in the cool water during the early spring season. So, keep the red crawfish Chatterbait in that water; slowly roll this Chatterbait around shielding grass, and then split it off to get more fish.

How to fish a ChatterBait?

Thus it is not a very easy job as it sounds about to fish a Chatterbait. In reality, it is not very difficult. Because of this, you must have an idea about the best tricks and tips. But it isn’t easy to go fishing with the Chatterbait in the water with many brushes and rocks. So, below are the most common and easy tips for you:

• Hence always remember that Chatterbaits (bladed jigs) do their job effectively in shallow water spawn season. So, that female fish remain in shallow water from spring to summer seasons and summer to winter. Thus these days are the best days to catch abundant fish because the area is full of fishes and you caught them quickly.
• Moreover, always keep in mind that cast your Chatterbait in the shielding area of shallow water like deep grass around wooden targets.

Hence always remember that Chatterbaits (bladed jigs) do their job effectively in shallow water spawn season. So, female fish remain in shallow water from spring to summer seasons and summer to winter. Thus these days are the best days to catch abundant fish because the area is full of fish and you caught them quickly.
Moreover, always keep in mind that cast your Chatterbait in the shielding area of shallow water like deep grass around wooden targets.
Thus as we know that mussels beds are famous for attracting fish to them during summer, so roll the Chatterbait around the bottom and attract brass from the mussel bed and get it.

Further below discussed are the variety of techniques. Thus you can choose your favorite from them:

Chatterbait Techniques:

Below is the detail of Chatterbait techniques:

Slow Rolling

Hence the technique in which your Chatterbait remains down in the area where fish can easily attract towards it. Thus slow-rolling process keeps it there. Moreover, change the handles very slowly as you can. Further, for the jig that moves towards the top, you have to use a bulkier jig or slow down to another slow level.

Ripping

Moreover is the best technique to catch the fish who are showing a neutral attitude. Because the bass comfortably sees the movement of your Chatterbait in water and is not attracted towards it. So, slowly move the Chatterbait until it touches the upper part of the grass; after that, move your wrist quickly, and split the Chatterbait. Hence in a way, you get the bass to bite.

Burning

Thus the technique is antagonistic to the slow-rolling technique. Further, roll the Chatterbait fast till the blade reaches below the surface. Moreover, it generates some absolute violent waves because the bass found it as a running baitfish.

Shaking

Thus as it sounds, shake the top tip of the fishing rod towards upward or downward shake it all around when you attract the fish. Therefore you have to move Chatterbaits in that area thoroughly because it causes a noticeable, vibrating, and blazing effect.

Best Gear Ratio for Chatterbaits:

Thus below are the best gear ratio for the Chatterbaits. So, you have to select which one suits your requirement. Hence the gear ratio depends on the depth of the lake or pond in which you are fishing. Moreover, lightweight Chatterbaits are used in shallow water, and heavier or bulkier Chatterbaits are used in intense water. Therefore ratios can be:

• Moreover, the average size of Chatterbait should be 3/8 or half an ounce. Hence for 1 to 8 feet deep water, you can ideally use a ½ ounce Chatterbait without any issue. Because it is the ideal weight for catching fish. Thus for picking fish in deep water, one-ounce Chatterbait can be the best option.
• Thus 3 or 4-inch soft plastic are trailer sizes for Chatterbaits and commonly use with small Chatterbaits.
• A 6 or 7-inch medium solid rod with a vital rod tip is the best option.
• A 15lb fluorocarbon in gear also be the best option, or you can go with a 30lb braided line.
• Further, your gear must have a high level of baitcaster or ratio of 6.3:1.

Trotline fishing is a popular way of fishing, especially for those who fish the coastal areas. Trotlining is very effective and productive because you can catch a lot of fish at once.  It can even be more productive than pole and line or bank line fishing and it only takes 5 minutes to make one.  Trotline fishing is a great way of catching fish of different sizes and you can have fun with it.

Trotlining for catfish is a common practice in the coastal areas because the currents are slow, so fish will stay over a particular area for a long time. This makes trot lining very effective. Trotlines are set up from point to point, or from bank to bank, long heavy lines with baited hooks hung at intervals. They are left for a certain period of time and the person setting them will come back later to check on them.

In addition Trotlines can be used by themselves or along with bottom bouncers. They are very effective because it only takes 5 minutes to prepare and they catch many fishes of different sizes. As the tides change, more fish will be caught as they move along with the changing tides. Trotlines are usually used in areas where there is a current so that the lines can drift along with it. This makes it very easy for fishermen to check their trotlines since they don’t have to travel too far. They can just follow the line or pull it in when they get to where it’s located.

Before we get into the different types of trotlines, it’s important to understand that a trotline is simply a line suspended in the water with several baited hooks.

Many fishermen tie their own lines and add an assortment of lures such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while others use commercially made trotlines with jig heads that already have the bait attached.

There are tons of ways to rig up trotlines, but these six common types are the most popular. They range from easy to use for first-timers, to more complex rigs with additional options—a perfect way to find out which works best for you!

We’ll start with probably one of the most simple to use.

Neck-Style

The neck-style trotline is a basic setup that allows you to fish in waters with vegetation or submerged brush where you cannot set up with any other type of rig without getting hung up on the cover.

Attach your line (we used 50lb test) to a sturdy tree limb, dock post, lay a trotline stake in the ground—whatever is stable enough to hold the weight of your line.

Next, tie on a simple slip sinker about 8 inches above your hook or jig head. The slip sinkers are helpful because once your baits are set you can slide them up and down with ease.

Attaching the bait is quick and easy. We used 4/0 octopus hooks, but many fishermen use treble hooks which are great for larger fish. Slide the open end of the hook through your fishing worm leaving about an inch in front of the barb. Slip it in between the coils on your slip sinker so there’s just enough space for your worm to wiggle and then tighten the line.

There are two ways you can attach your baits once you’ve set up your neck style trotline:

Use a bait band/worm harness which allows for better hook penetration, movement, and durability (it will help keep thinner worms from tearing). You can make one very easily with needle nose pliers and some 400 or higher braided fishing lines. Just bend the point of the hook out into a loop that you can slide on your line, then attach it to your mainline about 4-6 inches above the sinker. Then you just slide your rubber band down over the worm on your harness and place it around the neck to keep it in place.

Once you’ve added your hook, slip sinker, and worm harness or band it’s time to add your bait. You can use a variety of baits for this including crawfish, cut shad/pinfish/baitfish, nightcrawlers, etc. Slide them on your hook so they dangle about 1-2 inches off the bottom.

Neatly stack your baits by making figure 8’s on both sides of your hook, then apply pressure with your pliers to tighten it up and hold them in place. Once the sinker is holding enough weight you can slide all your baits back up together onto the hook.

Now, just tie your line to a sturdy nearby object and you’re ready to fish!

Tip: Be sure to check your knots often since they may loosen or slip and be replaced as needed. You can also attach treble hooks and other objects such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits instead of the jig heads to really entice the fish.

The base of your slip sinker is probably one of your most important pieces when putting together a trotline. A good sturdy weight will ensure that the rigs are properly sitting on the bottom where you want them, and disallow them from slipping off into cover or down under rocks! Try not to go any lighter than a 1/2 oz. weight for this style of trotline.

Floating Neck-Style

This is very similar to the neck style with one major difference. It uses a regular snap swivel instead of the slip sinker and can be left in place during winter months when you cannot access your fishing spots due to ice.

Attach your line (we used 50lb test) to a sturdy tree limb, dock post, lay a trotline stake in the ground—whatever is stable enough to hold the weight of your line.

Attach them to your snap swivel by slipping it in between the coils with ease. Or, if they are too thick or difficult to fit you can also use a ring harness.

The base of your snap swivel is probably one of your most important pieces when putting together a trotline. A good sturdy weight will ensure that the rigs are properly sitting on the bottom where you want them, and disallow them from slipping off into cover or down under rocks!

Floating-Neck-Style with Float (for ice fishing)

Same as Floating Neck Style, but with the addition of a float to keep your trot line up off the ice during winter months. For this, we used a Berkley Gulp! Alive Shad and applied a small split shot about 10 inches above it. The use of live bait adds another level of difficulty to catching your fish, but it can be well worth the reward! If you are using a Gulp! Alive Baits will last for days if kept in optimal water conditions.

If you see your float start to dip below the surface, re-bait the hook and set your line back out.

You can also add a spin-glow to your line if it is in a particularly dark area or you are trying to fish at night.

Floating-Neck-Style with Float (for ice fishing)

Your trotline is complete, now it’s time to wait for your fish! You can either pull in your line when you are finished or leave it out overnight. If you leave the line in overnight, be sure to check back first thing in the morning to ensure that your catch made it through the night!

If you’re using a Gulp! Alive Baits will last for days if kept in optimal water conditions. Next, tie on a simple snap swivel about 8 inches above your hook or jig head. The snap swivels are helpful because they allow your baits to move with the current, which is important since many fish feed on the drift or just follow their natural instincts.

Attach your bait (we used 4/0 octopus hooks) by sliding the open end of each hook through your fishing worm leaving about an inch in front of the barb. Attach them to your snap swivel by slipping it in between the coils with ease.

The best way to attach your sinker is probably one of the easiest: just slide it on over your line and work it down until you have reached the knot tying your trotline together. The weight helps sink your line and bring it down to the bottom, allowing your baits to sit where you want them. If your weight is too light (such as a small rock) it will allow the trotline to bounce along the lake floor as fish swim by. If this happens you can either tie another sinker to it or use a bigger one.

Three-Way Rig

The Three-Way Rig is another method of fishing where your line splits off into three. This rig is used mainly when you want to use multiple types of baits at once. To do this, tie one end of your string to a swivel and the other end to an offset hook. Then, attach 3 snap swivels to your mainline, about 6 inches apart. Attach your baits (we used Gulp! Alive Baits in Crawfish) by sliding the open end of each hook through your bait leaving about an inch in front of the barbed end. Then attach them to your snap swivel by slipping it between the coils with ease.

• Tie a weight to the end of your mainline and tie a slipknot into that weight. One trick is to cut a small slit about an inch long into the weight, then put the trotline through it so it will stay secure on the bottom of the lake.

Attach your baits (we used Gulp! Alive Baits in Crawfish) by sliding the open end of each hook through your bait leaving about an inch in front of the barbed end. Then attach them to your snap swivel by slipping it between the coils with ease.

• The next step is to tie a slipknot into one end of your line, pass through a bobber, and tie another slipknot. Add split shot to the mainline about a foot from your bobber so you have some room for movement. The last step is to tie another weight on the opposite side of your mainline as you did with the first one, but instead of adding a slipknot to it, just loop it around twice, pull it tight, and cut off the excess.

Slide your bobber down to whatever depth is comfortable for you, then cast out your line into the water. If the boat bobs or waves are causing trouble for you, you can either buy a casting harness or just snug everything up on one side of your boat to stabilize it.

• This method of trot lining is the most versatile and allows for many different types of baits to be used. When using live bait, you can hook them through their nose (this prevents more bites), hook one side of the tail only (to make it easier for fish to take your bait without feeling resistance), or if they are too small, simply nail the tail to a fish board and lay it on your trotline.

Once you have set out your line, you can check it periodically by slowly pulling your bobber down, then letting it rise back up. If there is any tension on the line, then there is either something caught or hooked on or something swimming around with it. If you want to tell which type of bait is effective, just tug on it a little to see if they try taking off with it or if they are trying to get away from it. As for the fish board, you can either check every five minutes or wait until you feel tension.

If using live bait, remember that catching too many of the same type of fish is not good for the lake. It is best to keep one or two, then throw them back if you are trying to catch some other species.

If using artificial baits (such as plastic worms), try putting a Gulp! Alive Baits on it to give your line an extra boost. If you’re feeling lucky, try out a Gulp! Alive Baits in Crawfish.

If you have any trouble with your line being stolen or snagged by other people’s lines, just add some nails near the top of the water to discourage them from going after it. If they get their hooks stuck on a nail instead of yours, nothing will happen and they’ll probably get confused, which will give you enough time to pull it up.

Nail the tail to a fish board and lay it on your trotline.

You can also add some nails near the top of the water to discourage them from going after it.

buck-line

Another type of trotline is called a buck-line because you can add a hook to each clip, making it a type of “mullet run.” This is an especially effective method when using live mullets because they are good at attracting every fish in the vicinity.

Wrap Up

From setting up the trotline to reeling it in, there are many steps involved with this type of fishing. It is important that you understand these techniques before trying your hand at catching any fish! If you want more information on how to set up a trotline and other methods for fishing, give us a call today. We can help provide expert advice so that you catch as many fish as possible while minimizing your effort.

All About Shimano Fishing Technology

Shimano is a Japanese company that has been producing quality fishing reels for many years. They have many different models and the majority of them are designed for saltwater use, but there are some freshwater designs as well. I will try to explain about Shimano’s technology found in Shimano reels so you can understand what each one does for you.

Shimano’s Propulsion Line Management System

Shimano’s Propulsion Line Management System is featured on their Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels. These systems feature multi-disc drag washers that work together to eliminate back play in the gearing system as well as increase stopping power by increasing the number of contact points between each gear and one or more of two major drag washers. Shimano calls these systems “PLMS” and they are very reliable as well as smooth running. They also work very well in both saltwater and freshwater applications.

The G-Free Body

You can find this feature found only on the Curado 200G, 300G, and 400G reels (the first generation models). It is basically a machined aluminum body that is heavier than the later models, but it also feels better in your hand. It also contributes to how smooth running these reels are.

Hagane Gear

Hagane Gear (also called Hagane Body) is like G-Free Body which is on some of Shimano’s Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels. It is a machined aluminum body that is found on the high-end Curado models as well as some Chronarch and Stella models. Their Shimano Calcutta D series of reels also have Hagane Bodies, but they are rare because most people cannot afford them.

Hagane Gear produces longer casts than graphite gear and it is also more durable. It can be found on Curado, Chronarch, and Stella brands of reels as well as the Shimano Calcutta D series of reels.

X-Ship

X-Ship is a bearing supported pinion gear that provides for smoother operation as it reduces friction in the drive train. It was first used in the Stella brand of reels, then found on some Curados, and finally adopted by all of Shimano’s bait casting reels.

Cross Carbon Drag

Cross Carbon Drag is a brake system with carbon fiber discs that are supported by stainless steel plates to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It was first used in the Calcutta D line of reels, then found on Curado bait caster models. It eventually made it into Chronarch and Stella brand reels as well.

Aero Wrap II

It is also a brake system with two stainless steel plates that are supported by carbon fiber discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in all current Shimano bait casters and some of them feature a “Dual Force Drag” system which is basically the same thing, but each side has its own dedicated drag. The Aero Wrap II break can also be found on many other brands and models of reels that are made by Shimano (such as their spinning reels).

S A-RB

S A-RB is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and one carbon fiber plate that are supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. All current Shimano bait casters feature this brake system, but there are some Calcutta D models (even the newest revision) that feature the Aero Wrap II break.

One-Piece Bail

One-Piece Bail is a one-piece stainless steel wire that is used to create the bail on Shimano reels. It provides less friction than the older two-piece wires which can result in better casting distance. It also makes assembling and disassembling these reels easier than it would be with the older two-piece bails. One-Piece Bails can be found on all current Shimano bait casters and some of their current spinning reels as well. Some models perform better than others because of this feature, so it is important to consider when choosing a new reel.

Waterproof Drag

Waterproof Drag is also a brake system with three stainless steel plates and one carbon fiber plate that are supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in some of their newest reels such as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+, some Stella, Calcutta D, and some Curado models.

X-Protect

X-Protect is a corrosion-resistant coating that is used on many Shimano reels. It can be found in Stella, Calcutta D, and some Curado models as well as the new Chronarch CI4+.

MGL Rotor

MGL Rotor is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and two carbon fiber plates that are supported by three large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in the Shimano Chronarch CI4+ as well as some Stella and Calcutta D models.

Silent Drive

Silent Drive is a drive system with silent washers to reduce noise and vibration when reeling in line. It can be found on many Shimano spinning reels, some Curado and some Stella models.

MicroModule Gear II

MicroModule Gear II is a gear system that is made up of very light and durable stainless steel pins surrounded by two layers of polymer. This helps provide for smooth rotation and less friction while also reducing weight. It can be found on current Curado, Stella, Calcutta D, and Chronarch bait casters as well as some of their spinning reels.

Long Stroke Spool

Long Stroke Spool is a longer, extended spool that provides more line capacity than the older reels. These are most often found on Curado and Calcutta D reels, but some Stella models also feature this technology.

Rigid Support Drag system

Rigid Support Drag system with one stainless steel plate and carbon fiber discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found on some of their Curado models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.

CI4+ Drag

CI4+ Drag is an upgraded version of the Coreprotect drag system. The Carbon Infused Concept gives enhanced stopping power without loss of smoothness, plus it has less inertia so you can fish for longer periods of time. It can be found on some Shimano Curado models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.

Quickfire II

Quickfire II is a brake system with one stainless steel plate and one carbon fiber disc that is supported by two large carbon discs to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found on Shimano Curado, Calcutta D, and Stella models as well as some of their spinning reels.

Rapid Fire Drag

Rapid Fire Drag is a brake system that features one stainless steel plate that supports six carbon fiber plates to provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. It can be found in all current Curado models.

EI

EI is a smooth, stainless steel drive gear that reduces weight but keeps the same durability as the older gears. This can be found on some of their Curado and Stella reels as well as some Calcutta D bait casters.

Fighting Drag

Fightin Drag is an upgrade to Shimano’s Re-Tooled G Free Body Drag. It is a system with two stainless steel plates and six-carbon discs that provide smooth stopping power with less inertia or weight for increased castability. This can be found on some of their Stella, Curado, and Calcutta D models as well as the Shimano Chronarch CI4+.

Final Words

Shimano has been making fishing reels for over two decades, and they are still the most innovative company in the industry. With their wide variety of products to choose from, it’s hard not to find a reel that will fit your needs. Whether you want an inexpensive model or one with all the bells and whistles, there is something for everyone at Shimano. If you need help choosing which type of reel is right for you, contact us today!

Everyone who fishes has caught a fish, and everyone who catches a fish wants to keep it fresh. But how do you keep a perishable food product fresh until you get home from your fishing trip?

I’ve been fishing my whole life, and I’ve had more than one experience of overloading my cooler on the drive home from the lake only to find that some of my catch has begun to go bad. Here’s a list of tips that will help you to keep fish fresh after catching.

what To do With Fish After Catching

1) Keep fish whole until you are ready to prepare them for storage.

2) Put ice packs in your cooler before adding your fish. If possible, use ice made with distilled water because it will not leave behind any mineral residue that can affect the flavor of your catch.

3) Drain all water from your fish before you put them in the cooler, whether they were whole or gutted. Water will speed up the decay process, and even if it doesn’t make spoilage happen faster, it can affect the quality of your product.

4) Keep in mind that fish will spoil from the head end first, so if you have a fish that is nearly full size, putting the head end in contact with an ice pack or cooler wall will cause it to go bad more quickly. It’s better to lay them down flat on their sides.

5) If you don’t have enough ice packs for your cooler, add a couple of clean water bottles to the mix. They will take up space and make your cooler less stable, but it’s better than putting your catch in danger.

6) Keep your catch cool until you get home. If you have a long drive ahead of you, consider stopping at a supermarket on the way to pick up some ice packs. It’s worth the hassle, and won’t cost much in gas money.

7) If you have friends who are fishermen, pool your resources to keep your catch safe.

8) When you get home with your catch, clean it immediately. Then store it in a glass or hard plastic container, and put it on ice. If you need to hold it for a while before cooking, wrapping portions individually in butcher paper and covering them with ice packs will help keep your catch fresh for at least one more day.

Remember that fish spoils quickly – after just 24 hours of being left unrefrigerated, even the best efforts to keep it fresh will no longer be effective.  If you plan on catching a lot of fish and keeping them for more than a single day, stock up on ice packs and learn how to fillet so that it’s easier to care for your catch.

Happy fishing!

Are you thinking about giving fishing a try but are scared of how complex fishing is for beginners? Are you looking for a new activity to enjoy with your family and want to give fishing a shot? Well, you have come to the right place because, in this article, I am going to share with you all the necessary guides and tips of fishing you need to know before you start fishing. From choosing the best fishing stuff and finding the best fishing sites to how to actually catch a fish, this article will clarify all your queries.

Ultimate Fishing Guide for Beginners

Getting a Fishing License

One of the primary things that you need before starting fishing, apart from a rod, is a fishing license. No matter which state you are in, if you get caught fishing without a license, you will be charged with hefty fines. And while it may seem a long and tedious process, like how most paperwork is, it is actually quite easy to get one. It can be made in a day, and you can get it either at a fishing shop or online, whichever is the more suitable option for you.

There are various types of fishing licenses; you can buy one that is valid for a day, a week, a year, or even a lifetime. The prices of each of these vary according to the period of time they are active with the licenses for one day or one week being cheaper than that for a year or lifetime. Furthermore, some states require different fishing licenses for different types of fishing, like freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, shellfish fishing, and so on, although you can buy a combination license that is valid for all three types. And so, you can decide on the type of license you need by assessing your situation and requirements.

If you are new to fishing and want to experience it hands-on, before deciding whether it is worth it to be further invested into, then the one-day or one-week license can be perfect for you. And if you have decided to continue this hobby, then you can purchase a yearly or lifetime one.

Finding the Right Tools

There are also some fishing rod starter kits that are more beginner-friendly than others, although they might not be able to catch better fish than the professional ones. And so when buying a new rod you should take all of these factors into account to make sure that you get one that is able to provide you with an optimal fishing experience. A suitable beginner rod would be a spinning rod due to its being lightweight, having easy-to-use spinning reels, and being quite affordable.

Next, you have to set up a fishing line. While there are various types of lines available, the best option for beginners is the Monofilament line in the color, clear and 330-yard length. This is because this line type is the easiest to maneuver, inexpensive, and easy to tie. Furthermore, the clear color makes sure that it is not visible to the fish, and so they don’t get scared away. And the length ensures that you have enough line to spool your reel, the requirement of which being around 200 to 250 yards.

Lures and baits are other important factors when it comes to a real fishing trip. Lures are artificial fish bait, made from plastic, wood, cork, or rubber, and are brightly colored with sometimes feathers attached to them in order to catch a fish’s attention. Bait, on the other hand, comprises items that are there in a fish’s diet; these include worms and other critters as well as bits of food from your dinner table.

And when it comes to beginner fishing, a bait might be a better choice than a lure as it requires less skill and is more likely to catch a fish. The best bait for fishing is usually worms, which can be purchased quite cheaply at your local tackle shop, or you can even dig them up in your garden. But some beginners are not comfortable with using worms and other live insects at first, and if you are one of them, then you can use bits of food like bread, corn kernels, dough balls, strips of meat from small baitfish, and so on.

Determining the Best Spot for Fishing

Now that you have essential fishing gear, and ready to go for fishing. But for that, you need to find a suitable fishing spot. Using the internet, you can easily find a hot fishing spot in your area, from which you can choose one based on the type of fish you are hoping to catch or how convenient the location is for you. Apart from the internet, another great way to learn about the best fishing locations is through the professionals themselves.

Go to your closest tackle shop and ask for the best places for fishing they think would be suitable for you to fish, or, if available, you can get in contact with a fishing guide and ask for their help. Once you have decided upon a location, it is better if you check it out once before making your fishing trip. Through this, you will be able to know whether the site is suitable for your needs, what to expect when you are on your actual trip, and if people are finding it easy to catch fish there.

Even if you have found the best fishing areas, your job still isn’t done because now you need to find the perfect spot to fish in that location so that your chances are high of catching more fish. Usually, this includes staying around 50 to 60 feet away from others who are fishing so that you don’t crowd a place too much and scare away the fish by having multiple lines being cast at a time.

Next, if you don’t get a single bite for around 20 to 30 minutes, then you should leave your spot and choose a different one that is farther away. If there is a dock in your fishing location, then you should use that as your fishing spot as many fish hide under docks for shelter. If you want to catch a specific type of fish, you should research its preferred living conditions, whether it is a shallow cove, vegetation, or other areas, and use that knowledge to decide the best place to fish.

Method to Catch a Fish

Finally! you have the right equipment and the perfect location, now you can move on to actually catching a fish. There are three steps to fishing, that when done correctly, will reward you with a fish. The first of these steps is casting. This is the process of throwing your lure into the water. If you have a spinning rod, then to cast out your bait; first, you have to make sure that there are around six to eight inches of line hanging freely from your rod.

Then making sure that you are holding the rod comfortably in your dominant hand, use your index finger to gently hold the line in place. Next, using your other hand open the bail, that has been locking your line in the spool. Then facing the direction you want to cast, bring the rod over your head and then jerk it forward while releasing the hold of your finger on the line. You might need to practice this a few times before you can actually perfect it.

Once your bait has been cast, you can move on to the next step, which is hooking. This step occurs after you get a bite from a fish and includes you ‘setting’ the hook in its mouth so that you are able to reel it in without your line breaking or the hook coming out. To make sure that the hook is set in the fish properly, as soon as you feel a bite at your line or see your bobber drop, jerk up your rod over your head. This will ensure that your hook is properly attached to the lip of the fish.

The next step is to reel in your fish. When the hook has properly been set, the fish will try to swim away and resist you pulling it out of the water. Because of this, it is important to not try to reel in your fish as soon as the second step is successfully done; otherwise, your line will break, freeing your fish. You need to wait till the fish slows down a little as it gets too tired to resist, and then you can try to reel it in.

Keeping your rod at a 45-degree angle, slowly reel in your fish, making sure that you are aware of the tension on your line. When your fish breaks the surface of the water, reel in the remaining line while being conscious of the bobber, till you are able to grab the fish in your hand. Then hold it gently, remove the hook from the mouth of the fish and you can either keep it for your dinner or release it back into the water. And now that you have successfully caught your first fish, you are ready to catch more.

FAQs

Happy weekend

Fishing can be an extremely fun and relaxing hobby that you can either enjoy by yourself or with family and friends. And unlike most hobbies, this one is economical and actually helps you save money by providing you with your dinner. And while it can seem quite a daunting activity at first, if you actually give it a shot it might end up as your favorite weekend activity.