How to Fish

Fishing has become one of the most popular sports. It’s a good time spent outdoors. Also, it can be a fun family activity. But if you’re just starting out in the water, it seems overwhelming since there is so much info out there.

5-Minute Crafts will show you, step by step, how to fish.

Note: In most countries, you need a fishing license. So before you start, make sure that you have proper documentation.

Step 1: Gear up.

There is so much gear in shops to choose from. When picking out your fishing gear, it’s better to keep it simple so it won’t get too confusing for you. Here are some basic things that you will need to start:

1. A fishing rod is a long flexible pole used to catch fish. It can be made from fiberglass or carbon.
2. A reel is a cylindrical device used to deploy and reel in the line.
3. The line is a thin string used for fishing. It is made from a variety of materials.

4. A float or a bobber is an item that is made from wood, cork, and plastic. It is used for bite indication.

5. A split shot is a round ball made from lead or tungsten. It is used to weigh down the bait when fishing.

6. A hook is a tool to put the bait on and catch the fish.

7. Bait is implemented on a hook and is used to attract and catch fish.

Note: Check this article to know more about how to gear up when you’re a beginner.

Step 2: Pick your bait.

Getting proper bait really makes a difference in catching fish. You can buy some from your local tackle shop or find your own. The most common are:

1. Red worms or earthworms can be found under logs, rocks, and leaf litter. They are good for catching any type of fish. The best time for using a worm is spring.
2. Sweet corn is readily available, and it’s a good bait for carp, tench, bream, roach, and many other fish spices. And corn is good bait for winter.
3. Maggots are the most popular fishing bait because all fish will eat them. They work especially well in winter.

Step 3: Set up your rod and reel.

Setting up your fishing rod and reel is an important step because it can create line twisting and tangle your system. Here is how to do it:

1. Untighten the reel seat.
2. Put the reel foot into the seat.
3. Tighten it back up.

4. Open the bail.

5. Tie a knot on the spool.

6. Hold the line with your hand.

7. Reel the line until the desired amount is spooled.

8. Open the bail.

9. Grab the line.

10. Put it through every rod guide.

Step 4: Tie the hook.

You should choose the hook size according to the bait that you are going to use. Common sizes are 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0. By using a smaller one, any fish can be caught, small or big. But it is important to tie it properly so that it doesn’t untie while having a fish on it. The fisherman or clinch knot is an easy-to-learn and tie. Here’s how to do it:

1. Run the tag end of the line through the eye of the hook and pull it about 8-10 inches.
2. Grab the tag end and wrap it 4-6 times around the mainline.
3. Run the tag end through the loop that is created above the hook eye and the new loop will be formed.
4. Take the tag end and feed it back to the loop.

5. Lubricate the knot with water.

6. Start pulling the mainline and hold the hook with your other hand or pliers.

7. Slowly tighten it.

8. Cut the tag end with fingernail clippers or scissors.

Step 5: Set up the rest of the gear.

After you’ve tied your hook and fed your line through to the rod guides, it’s time to assemble the rest of the system.

1. Grab the float that you choose to fish with.
2. Thread the float through the line.
3. Add float stops.

5. Add the desired amount of led split shuts.

6. Connect the mainline to the hook with a swivel using the same knot that you tie the hook with.

Step 6: Select a nice fishing spot.

If you live near a lake or pond, going there would be a good choice. Also, rivers and sea piers are great options. Most of them are stocked with fish, so it will be easy to catch one. Walk on the bank and look for bubbles or disturbances on the bottom. Those 2 signs are a good indication, so cast your bait there. You can also search for structures, fallen trees, or vegetation in the water.

Step 7: Wait and be patient.

When fishing, patience is key. Fish might take the bait immediately, after a couple of minutes, or even after a couple of hours. Wait until the float gets under or slowly rises on the water’s surface. When that happens, you have to set the hook in order to fix the hook into the fish’s mouth so it doesn’t get away. That can be done by quickly raising the rod in the opposite direction of your float.