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.
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