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Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 17
Start with the BasicsEvery angler has stories to tell: my first fish, my biggest fish, and, of course, the one-that-got-away. Before you can tell your own story, you need to hook your first fish. To make this happen, you need a rod, reel, hook, line, bait, lure and other tackle that will get you off to a good start. You also need to learn how to cast and how to choose the spots where youre most likely to catch fish in a lake, pond or stream. Once you learn these basics, it wont be long before you have your own stories to tell.
Basic Fishing
Tackle and Techniques
2SECTION
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 17
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
18 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
What do I need to go fishing?Thefishingsectionofanysportinggoodsstorecanbeoverwhelming.Thereissomuchfishingtackleandfancyequipmenttolookat.Howdoyoudecidewhattobuy?Thetruthis,allyouneedisasmallinvestmentinabeginnersrodandreel,ahook,lineandsomekindofbaitorlure,andyoullsoonbeonyourwaytocatchingfish!
Rod and Reel TypesYoucanchoosefromfourmaintypesoffishingrodsandreels:spin-casting,spinning,bait-castingandflyrods.Spin-castingisgenerallyconsideredtheeasiesttousewhilebait-castingandflyrodsareconsideredthehardesttouse.Spinningisconsideredthemostversatilesinceitcancastlightandmoderatelyheavylures/baits.Forbeginninganglers,aspin-castingrodandreelisrecommended.
Spin-casting Rod and ReelMostpeoplestartfishingwithaspin-castingrodandreelcombobecauseitiseasytouse.Youcastusingapush-button(right).Spin-castingtackleconsistsofaclosed-facedreelmountedontopoftherod.Spin-castingreelscanbeusedonanyroddesignedforbait-casting,butusuallyperformbestonlight-tomedium-actionrods.Ifyouareabeginner,usearodthatisyourheightorshorterforbettercontrol.
Fishing LineFishinglineiswhatconnectsyoutothefish.Whiletherearemanydifferenttypesoffishinglinetochoosefrom,monofilamentline(mono)isthebestchoiceforbeginninganglers.Monoisinexpensiveandworkswellinmostfishingsituations.
Linecomesindifferentstrengthscalledpoundtest.Choosealinethatbestfitsthetypeoffishingyouplantodo.Forexample,whenfishingforbluegillsandyellowperch,4-to8-poundtestlineisgood.Whenfishingforbass,use8-to12-poundtestline.Eight-poundtestisagoodall-aroundlineweight.
Replacing Your Fishing LineKeepingfreshlineonyourreelisveryimportant.Oldmonofilamentlinebecomesbrittleandlosesitsstrength.Thiscanleadtobrokenlineandalostfish.Ifyourlinebreakseasilyaftertyingaknot,itstimetoreplaceit.Youlllandmorefishifyoureplaceyourlineatleastonceayear.
flybait-
casting
spin-casting
A closed-faced, spin-casting rod and reel is a good first choice.
spinning
Where to begin? The variety of reels, rods, hooks and lures can be bewildering.
Lookforinstructionsonhowtotielinetoyourreelinthepackageoflineyoupurchase.
pushbuttonbodycover drag
handle
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 19
Setting the Drag Allreelshaveadragsystemthatdiffersinappearancebetweenreeltypes.Thedragputspressureonthereelsspool,settinghowmuchforceittakestopulllineoffthereel.Thetighterthedrag,theharderitistopulllineoffthereel.Totightenthedrag,youturnoneway(usuallylabeledwitha+sign),andtoloosenthedrag,youturntheotherway(usuallylabeledwitha-sign).
Settingthedragproperlyisimportant.Youwantthedragtightenoughtosetthehookandcontrolthefish,butnotsotightthatthelinebreaks.Thisgivesyoutheabilitytolandabiggerfishthanyourlinemayberatedfor.Youcantestthedragbypullinglineoffthespoolwiththereelengagedtoretrieveline,asitwouldbeifyouhookedafish.Ifthelineyoureusingbreaks,loosenthedrag.Ifthelinecomesofftooeasily,tightenthedrag.Werecommendthatyousetthedragabout25%lessthanthepoundtestlineyouareusing.Thisisdonebyfeel,whichgetsbetterwithexperience.
CastingLearninghowtocastwellcangreatlyimproveyourchancesofcatchingfish.Sometimesbeingabletocastfarreallyhelps,suchaswhenyouaretryingtoreachdeeperwaterorwhensurfcasting(castingintothewaves).Butcastingaccuratelyisusuallymoreimportant.Fishlovecover,suchasadownedtreeorarockinthemiddleofastream,socastinginjusttherightplacewithoutgettingsnaggedwillhelpyoucatchmorefish.
Learnmoreaboutcover,andhowtochangeyourfishingstrategytotakeadvantageofit,laterinthischapter.
How to Cast1.Whenyourlineisreadyanda
practiceplugistiedon(below),placethepracticeplug6-12fromyourrodtip.Beforeyoucast,lookbehindyouandmakesurenobodyiscloseenoughtogethitbyyourcast.Checkfortreesandbushesthatcangetinyourway.Makesureyourlineisnotwrappedaroundyourrodtip.
A good way to practice casting is in your backyard (with a practice plug) When starting to cast, press and hold down the push button.
2.Pressandhold downthereelspushbutton.
3.Usingyourwristandelbow(notyourwholearm),gentlybringtherodstraightupoveryourshouldertoaboutthetenoclockposition.Gentlysweeptherodforward,causingtherodtobendwiththemotion.Whentherodisinfrontofyouataboutoneoclock,releaseyourthumbfromthebutton.Thebendintherodcaststhepracticeplugout.
4.Turnthereelhandleclockwise,andreelthepracticeplugbackin.
Practice plug
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
20 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Cast TroubleshootingSometimeswhenyouarecasting,thingsjustdontworkright.Usethesesimpletipstofixsomecommonproblems.
I try to reel in, but the line doesnt come in.
Sometimes,whenthereislooselineonthereel,thereelcantpickuptheline.Trypullingthelinetightandthenreelin.Mostofthetime,thisfixestheproblem.
The handle fell off my reel!
Ifyoureelthewrongway,youcanspinthehandlerightoffthereel.Putthehandlebackonthereelandreelintheoppositedirection.Thatwillspinitbackoncorrectly.Keepreelinginthatdirectiontopickuptheline.
I cast, but the line doesnt go out.
Therearetwopossiblesolutions:
1.Checktherodtiptomakesurethelineisnttwistedaroundit.Ifitis,unwindthelineandtrytocastagain.
2. Ifthelineisnottangledattherodtip,itmightbetangledinthereel.Pushdownthebuttononthereelandletgo,butdonotstartreelingin.Trytopullsomelinefromthereel.Ifnolinecomesout,takethecapoffthereelandtrytountangletheline.
Casting and Fishing SafetyBelowaresomesafetytipstokeepinmindwhilefishing:
Alwayswalkwhenholdingyourfishingrod.Dontrun!
Whenwalkingwiththefishingrod,alwayskeeptherodtipupandbehindyousoitcomesthroughthebrushandtreeseasier.
Makesuretoattachthehooktoarodline-guidewhennotfishing.Thiskeepsthehookfromswingingintobranchesorevenpeople.
Lookaroundbeforeyoucasttomakesureitssafe.Youdontwanttohitanotherpersonorgetyourlinetangledinatree.
Standonsafestablegroundwhilefishingfromshore.
Terminal TackleTerminaltackleisfishinggearthatisattachedtotheendofyourline.
HooksFishinghooksareoneofthemostimportantinventionsofalltime.Theyhavehelpedpeoplecatchfishforover9,000years.Today,therearemanydifferentstylesofhookstochoosefrom,dependingonhowyouarefishing.Fornowwewillsticktothebasics.
Anatomy of a Fish Hook
Choosing the right size hook is veryimportantwhentargetingacertainspeciesoffish.Hooksizesareclassifiedbynumbersrangingfromthetiny#22,usedfortyingsmallflies,tothegiant#16/0usedforsharkfishing.Inbetween,areavarietyofdifferentsizedhooksusedfordifferentsizedfish.Thechartthatfollowswillhelpyoudecidewhichhooksizetouse.Ingeneral,useahookthatisnotsobigthatafishcaneasilydetectit,butnotsosmallthatitcanbeeasilyswallowed.
Going BarblessSomepeoplemayprefertousebarblesshooks.Anyhookcanbemadebarblesssimplybyusingapairofplierstobendthebarbdown.Barblesshooksaregoodtousewhencatch-and-releasefishing.However,remembertokeepatightlinewhenreelinginyourfish,asyouwillnothavethebarbtohelpkeepthefishonthehook.
When casting, avoid bobber-snagging branches.
bite
gap
bend
eye
shank
barb
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 21
Whenfishingforpanfish,size6to8aberdeenhooksworkbest.
Basic Fish HooksBait holderThisstyleofhookhastwobarbsontheshanktohelppreventbaitfromslidingdowntothebend.Thisisapopularstyleofhookwhenusingwormsforbait.
Aberdeen This is the classicj-shapedhook.Itisverypopularwhenfishingforpanfish(suchassunfishandperch)andtrout.Ithasalongshankthatmakesiteasytoremovethehookfromthefish.
Circle This hook is becomingmorepopularwithanglersbecauseitwillrarelyhookafishinthegutorthegills.Itisagood hook to use whenfishingwithlivebait.Onemajordifferenceisthatyoudonotsetthehook.Instead,justreelsteadilywhenyoudetectabite untilthehookisset.
Bait Hook Sizes
Hook SizeHook Length
in Inches Tro
ut
No
rthe
rn P
ike
Mus
kellu
nge
Cha
nnel
Cat
hfish
Bul
lhea
d
Sm
allm
out
h B
ass
Larg
emo
uth
Bas
s
Blu
egill
Cra
pp
ie
Yello
w P
erch
Wal
leye
Suc
kers
Car
p
Sal
t W
ater
Fis
h
Hook sizes are determined by length of shank excluding eye
Sizes recommended for bait fishing
20 5/3216 9/3212 7/16
8 11/16
4 15/16
1 1 1/4
1/0 1 1/2
3/0 1 3/4
5/0 2
6/0 2 1/4
7/0 2 1/2
8/0 2 3/4
9/0 3
10/0 3 1/4
11/0 3 1/2
12/0 3 3/4
13/0 4
18 7/3214 11/32
10 9/16
6 13/16
2 1 1/8
1 1/2 1 3/8
2/0 1 5/8
4/0 1 7/8
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
22 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
KnotsKnotsconnectyourfishinglinetothehook.Theyaretheweakestpointinyourfishingline.Someknotsarestrongerthanothers.Youcanhelpkeepfishfrombreakingyourlinewithagoodknotsuchasanimprovedclinchknot.
How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot
1.Puttheendofthelinethroughtheeyeofthehookandbringitbacktowardtheline.
2.MakesixStwistsaroundtheline.
3.Taketheendbacktowardthehookandpushitthroughthefirstloopnearesttheeye.
4.Bringtheendbackthroughthebigloop.
5.Moistentheline.Holdingthehookandline,pulltheknottightuntilitlooksliketheknotshown.
Bobbers
Abobberorfloatisdesignedtodothreethings.First,itkeepsbaitsuspendedabovethebottom,weedsorothercover.Second,itindicateswhenafishisstriking(bitingornibbling).Third,itprovidesadditionalweightwhencasting.Bobberscanbemadeofhollowplastic,foam,orcorkandcomeinavarietyofsizesandshapes.Themostcommontypeofbobberisroundandismadeofhollowplastic.
Usethesmallestsizebobberthatyoucaneasilyseeandholdsyourbaitwithoutsubmerging.Thereasonforthisisthatthefishdonotliketofeelresistancewhentakingyourbait.Thesmallerthebobber,themorelikelyitisforthefishtoholdthebait.Thisequalsmorefish!
Weights
Weightsorsinkerskeepyourbaitatornearthebottom,orcanmakeyourlurerundeeper.Theycomeindifferentshapesandsizes,eachforaspecialpurpose.Traditionallysinkersweremadeoflead.However,leadsinkerscanbedangeroustowaterfowlandotheranimalsifswallowed.Smallleadsinkersunder-oz.cannolongerbesoldinNewYorkState,buttherearenowmanysinkersavailablethatarenotmadeoflead.Likebobbers,thelargertheweight,themoreresistancethefishfeels.Usethesmallestweightyouneedtokeepyourbaitatthebottom.
Note:useapairofplierstoputsplitshotonyourline.Donotuseyourteeth!
Fish are not alwaysnearthebottomorthesurface.Tryadjustingyourbaituntilyoufindthedepthwherethefisharehangingout.
Whenleadsinkersarelostthroughabrokenlineorinotherways,birdsandotherwildlifecanmistakenlyswallowthemwhilefeedingandbepoisoned.
N. Schoch
(Left-right) bullet weight, split-shot, egg sinker
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 23
Natural Bait/RigsCommon Bait RigsArigisthecombinationofterminaltackleusedtocatchfish.
Bobber and Bait Rig
Thisisthebestrigforbeginnersbecausethebobberletsyouknowwhenafishtakesthebait.Youcanusethisrigwithalltypesoflivebait.Asplitshotsinkerisoptionalandshouldonlybeusedifnecessarytoimprovecastingortokeepyourbaitdown.Thisrigcanbedifficulttouseonwindydays.
Bottom Rig
Thisagreatrigtouse,especiallywhenfishingforspeciesthatfeedonthebottom.Itsalsogoodtouseonwindydayswhenitisdifficulttouseabobberandbaitrig.
Swivels and Snaps
Aswivelisasmallmetalconnectorusedtopreventlinefromtwisting.Itishelpfulwhenusingdifferenttypesoffishingrigs,suchasthebottomrigbelow.
Asnap-swivelisaswivelwithaninterlockingsnapattachedforchangingluresquickly.Snap-swivelsaregoodforluresthattwistline,suchasspinnersandspoons,butmaykeepothertypesofluresfrommovingastheyweredesignedtothroughthewater.Keepthatinmindwhenusingthem.
LeadersAleaderisashortpieceoflineorwirethatconnectsyourmainfishinglinetoyourbaitorlure.Wireisusedforsharp-toothedfish,suchaspikeandpickerel.Fluorocarbonisusedforline-shyfishsuchastroutbecausefluorocarbonblendsintothewatersothefishcannotseeit.
Natural (Live) BaitNaturalbaitsconsistofthingslikeearthworms,cricketsandminnows,andnaturalmaterialssuchascornordoughballs.Theuseofnaturalbaitsisrecommendedforbeginninganglers.Youcanpurchasenaturalbaitsatbaitshops,somemini-marts,andinthesportinggoodssectionsofsomedepartmentstores.
Worms
Asbait,wormswillprettymuchcatchanythingthatswims!Wormsarefoundinrichsoil,underleavesinthewoods,oringravellysoilalongstreams.Keepthemintheshadeinacanwithmoistsoil.Becauseawormwillwiggle,holdittightlyatoneendwithyourthumbandfinger.Bring the hook down through one endofthewormandattachitinoneofthewaysshownbelow.
Becarefulwhenputtingbaitonyourhook.Itiseasytopokeyourselfwithafishhook!
with or without sinker
egg sinker swivel
12-18
(Top-bottom) 3-way swivel, swivel, snap swivel
Thread worm onto the hook, covering it
Attach the worm to the hook in several places
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
24 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Crayfish
Crayfishmakegreatbassbait,butwillcatchplentyofotherfishaswell.Holdthemalongthebacksoyouwontgetpinched,andpushthehookthroughthetail.Notallbaitshopssellcrayfish,soyoumighthavetofindthemyourself.Yourbestbetistoflipoverrocksalongrockyshorelines.
Wax Worms
Waxwormsaregreatforcatchingtrout,perch,crappieandsunfish.Theytendtobelessmessythanearthworms,makingthemperfectforthebeginningangler.Theyworkwellwitheitherabobberorabottomrig.Grabthewaxwormbytheheadbetweenyourthumbandindexfinger.Withyourotherhand,insertthehookthroughthetailendofthewaxworm.
Dough-like Baits
Doughballsaregreatbaitforcarp.Doughballsareeasilymadefromflour,breadandcornmealdampenedwithwaterorhoney.Experimentandfindwhatworksbestforyou.Thedoughballshouldbeformedinatightballandpressedontothehook.
Minnows
Minnowsusedforbaitareusually1-to3-incheslong.Putthe hook through the verytopofitsback,avoidingitsspine,justinfrontofthefin.Minnowscanalsobehookedthroughthetailorlip.Thesemethodswillallowtheminnowtoswimnaturally.
Crickets
Cricketsareagoodbaitforcatchingpanfish.Hookthemthroughthecollarjustbehindtheirnecks.Thehookshouldbeslippedunderthiscollarsothatthepointisexposed.Thiskeepstheinsectalivesoitwillattractmorefish.Lookforcricketsunderrocksandlogs.
Catching a FishSoyouhaveyourbaitinthewater,nowwhat?Howdoyouknowwhenafishisstrikingyourhook?
Ifyouarefishingwithabobberandbaitrig,keepacloseeyeonyourbobber.Ifitstartstogounderthewater,afishisbiting.
Whenfishingwithabottomrig,keepyourlinefairlytight.Closelywatchyourrodtipandline.Ifyourrodtipstartsbobbing,oryourlinestartstomoveorgetslack,youaregettingabite.
Whenusinganartificiallure,detectingastrikedependsonwhatkindoflureyouareusing.Forexample,iffishingwithaplasticworm,waittofeelataponyourbaitorsomeresistance.Iffishingwithafast-movingbait,yourlinewillimmediatelygettight.
Whenyouthinkafishisbitingyourbaitorlure,youneedtosetthehook(seeexceptionintheboxbelow).Thisisdonebyraisingyourrodinafastupwardmotion,whichcausesthehookpointtopenetratethefishsmouth.
Hopefully,afteryousetthehook,youwillfeelthefishattheendofyourline.Nowisthetimetotrytojudgethefishssizeandfigureouthowyouaregoingtoplayit.Thebiggerthefish,themorecarefulyoumustbetoavoidbreakingtheline.Adjustingthedrag(page3)isawayforyoutoadjusthowmuchresistanceafishfeelswhenpullingontheline.
Remember,ifyoureusingacirclehook,theresnoneedtosetthehook.Ifafishisbitingontheendofyourline,simplystartreelingin.
Did You KnowMinnowscanspreadfishdiseases.Useonlyminnowscaughtfromthesamewateryouareusingthemin.Otherwise,youcanusecertifieddisease-freeminnowsfromyourlocaltackleshop.Also,makesurethattheuseofbaitfishispermittedinthewateryouarefishing(seethecurrentFishingRegulationsGuide).
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 25
Ifyouthinkyouhavealargefish,considerlooseningthedrag.Thisallowsthefishtotakesomelineandpreventsthelinefrombreaking.
Whenyougetthefishclosetotheshoreortheboat,youarereadytolandthefish.Ifyouplantokeepyourcatch,anetcanbeabighelp.Ifyouplantoreleaseyourfish,trytoavoidtakingthefishoutofthewater.Excessivehandlingcanremovetheprotectiveslimethatcoatsafish.Ifyouarenotkeepingthefish,trytoreleaseitasquicklyaspossible.Needlenoseplierscanbeabighelpwhenremovingthehook.Ifyourfishisdeeplyhooked,avoidtearingitoutasthiscanharmthefish.Instead,simplycutthelineabovethehook,andthehookwillcorrodeanddissolveovertime.
Holding FishSomefishhavespines;somehaveteeth;afewhaveboth.Thereareseveralwaystoholdfishsoyoudontgethurtandneitherdoesthefish.Wheneveryouareholdingafish,makesuretowetyourhandsfirst.Thishelpskeeptheprotectivemucuslayer(slime)onthefishwhereitbelongs.
Spiny-rayed Fish
Formostspinyfish(i.e.sunfish,perchandwalleye),wetyourhandandthenslideitovertheheadofthefishandslowlydowntheback.Letthespinydorsalfinfolddownagainsttheback.Holdthefishfirmlyaroundthebody.
Soft-rayed Fish
Soft-rayedfish(i.e.trout)canbeheldthesamewayasspiny-rayedfishexceptthatyoudonthavetoworryaboutspines!
Bass
Ifyoucatchasmallbass,placeyourthumbinsidethelowerlipandyourforefingerontheoutside.Youcanpickupalargerbassthesameway,butyoushouldalsocradlethebodywithyourotherhandorholditstraightdowntopreventinjurytotheorgans.Avoidholdingthebasssothatthelipbendsdownasthiscaninjureitsmouth.Becauseofthesizeoftheirmouths,youcanalsousethistechniquewithcrappies.
Pike
Pike,pickerelandmuskellungeallhaveasetofverysharpteeth.Neverputyourhandintotheirmouthstoremoveahook!Insteaduseforcepsorneedlenoseplierstoremovethehook.
Toholdamemberofthepikefamily,grabthefishbehindthehead.Nevergrabafishbytheeyesocketsorgillcovers,becauseyoucanhurtit.Ifyouplantoreleasethefish,keepitinthewateraslongaspossible.Ifyoudopickupthefishoutofthewater,holdithorizontallyandsupportthefishsbellytopreventinjurytothefish.
Catfish/Bullhead
Membersofthecatfishfamilyhavethreelargespinestobeawareof:oneonthedorsalandoneoneachpectoralfin.Forsmallcatfish(i.e.;bullheads),putyourfingersinaV-shape.RuntheValongthebellyofthecatfishtowardthehead.Yourfingerswillslideunderthepectoralfinspines,allowingyoutoholdthefisheasily.Forlargechannelcatfish,placeonehandunderthepectoralspinesandholdthetailwithyourotherhand.
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
26 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
Where to Fish in Lakes and PondsLakesandpondsareagreatplacetostartfishing.Youcanfishlakesandpondsfromshoreorfromaboat.Youcanfishinshallowordeepwater,inopenwater,ornearstructure/cover.Dependingonthelakeorpondyouarefishing,youcancatchavarietyoffishspecies.
Structure = Fish!Whenyoufirstgettoapond,lookforfishylookingspots,suchasadownedtree,lilypads,weededges,oradock.Whatdoalltheseplaceshaveincommon?Theyareallstructure,andwhereyoufindstructure,youwilllikelyfindfish!
Structureprovidesshelter,shade,andprotectionforfish.Structurecanalsoattractbaitfish,andbaitfishattractgamefish,thefishyouwanttocatch.Theformulaissimple:findstructureandyoullfindfish!Othertypesofstructurearesubmergedobjects,suchasstumps,rocksandbranches,overhangingtreesandbrush,points,covesandinlets.
Mostpeoplebeginfishingfromshoreorfromasmallboatnearshore.Sothissectionwillconcentrateonstructureneartheshoreline.
Floating and Submerged Vegetation
Castintotheedgesandopeningstoavoidtanglingyourgear.Lookforweedbedsthatleadtodeeperwater,orlookforsunkenweedbedsindeep,openwater.Fishtheedgesoftheweedbed,wherefishliketocruiselookingforfood.
Downed Trees and Other Submerged Objects
Whenexperiencedanglersseeasunkentree,theyheadstraightforitbecauseitprovidesstructurethatattractsfish.Othersubmergedobjectstofisharoundarerocks,branchesandstumps.Takecarenottosnagyourgearwhenfishingaroundsubmergedobjects.
Docks
Haveyoueverwalkedonadockandwatchedfishfromit?Thefisharetherebecauseadockisgreatstructure!Fishhideunderdockstotakeshelterfromthesun,sotheyaregoodtofishnearanytimeoftheday.Sometimes,thebiggestfishcanbewayunderneath,sodontjustfishtheedgesifyouareabletosafelycastbeneaththedock.
Points
Pointsarepiecesoflandthatextendoutfromtheshorelineandslopeintodeeperwater.Graduallyslopingpointsaregoodplacestofish.Thesloping-outformationcreatesanaturalhighwayforfishtomovefromdeeptoshallowwaterinsearchoffood.Fishthetipofthepointandthecornersofthepoint(thepartthatcurvesbackintotheshore).
Inlets
Areaswhereriversandstreamsenteralakeorpondarecalledinlets.Theyaregreatplacestofishbecausetheycarryfoodintothelake.Whereverthereisfood,therearefish!Spawningfishoftengathernearinletsbeforemovingupstreamtospawn.Theycanbeexcellentplacestofishseasonally(usuallyspringorfall).
Overhanging Trees and Bushes
Overhangingtreesandbrushyshorelinesprovidecoverfromfish-eatingbirdsaswellasshade.Insectsoftendropintothewaterfromoverhangingtreesandbrush,providingfoodforfish.Hugefishcanliveunderoverhangsjustfeetfromshore.Thedeeperthewaterunderanoverhangingtree,thebetterplaceitistofish.
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 27
Where to Fish in Streams and RiversFishinginstreamsandriversoffersdifferentchallengesthanfishinginlakesandpondsbecauseyouhavetodealwithmovingwater.Riverandstreamfishinginvolvesknowingwherethewaterismovingandhowfishbehaveinit.
Thefirstthingyouneedtoknowiswherefishhideinstreamsandrivers.Undercutbanks,eddies(asmallcircularcurrent),sunkentrees,rocks,andoverhangingtreesandbushesprovideprotectionfromthecurrentandpredatorssuchasbirds.
Feedingplacesincludetheoutsidesofbends,mergingcurrents,drop-offs,feederbrooksandsprings.Theseareplaceswherethecurrentslowsandfoodcollectsorsinks.Whenyouhaveahidingplacenexttoafeedingplace,youhaveareallygoodfishingspot!
Outside Bends
Whentheriverorstreamcurves,thefasterwater(whichcarriesthefood)movestotheoutsideofthebend.Fishlookforfoodinthesebends.Sometimestheoutsideofthebendalsocontainsarockorfallentree.Thisslowsdownthefood-carryingcurrentandprovidesshelter,makingitanevenbetterplacetocatchfish.
Rocks (Pocket Water)
Whenflowingwaterhitsarock,thecurrentsplitsaroundtherock.Thiscreatesaquietpocketofwaterforfishtorestin.Sincethecurrentisnexttothepockets,fishcandartouttograbfoodasitdriftsby.Whilethesequietpocketsareusuallysmall,awellplacedcastcanoftenlandyouanicefish.
Eddies
Eddiesformwhenflowingwaterhitsanobstruction,suchasarockoralog,andslowsdown.Asthewaterslowsdown,itcreatesamini-whirlpool,whichcollectsalotoffood.Castintotheslowwateroftheeddyandalongtheedge,wherethefastercurrentmeetstheeddy,tocatchfish.
Merging Currents
Currentscarryfood.Wheretwocurrentsmeet,thereistwicethefoodagoodplacetofeedifyouareafish.Plus,thewateractuallyslowsdownintheseamwherecurrentsmeet,creatingaperfectplaceforfishtositandforyoutocast.
Drop-offs
Whenwaterflowsoveradrop-off,itslowsdownandsinks,takingthefooditcarrieswithit.Adrop-offisagreatriverfishingspotbecauseithasfood,deeperwaterandisawayfromthecurrent.
Dams and Waterfalls
Whenwaterdropsoffadamorfalls,itdigsoutabigholeinthestreambottom.Fishwillsitinthisholetofeedonthefoodcomingoverthedamorfalls.Damsandfallscanpreventfishfrommovingupstream,concentratingfish.Thismakesdamsandwaterfallsexcellentplacestofish.
Undercut Banks
Undercutbanks,formedwhenthecurrentcutsoutacave-likeholeinthebank,areperfecthidingspots.Theyprovideoverheadcoverandeasyaccesstodeeperwaterforfeedingorescape.Thelargestfishinariveroftenlivenearundercutbanks.
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
28 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
SunglassesPolarizedsunglassesnotonlyhelpprotectyoureyesbuttheyalsohelpyouseeintothewater.
Line clippersTocutyourfishingline.Remember,fishinglineisnotdentalfloss.Nevercutlinewithyourteeth.
Regulations guide For referenceandtomakesureyouaredoingthingslegally
CameraYoulldefinitelywanttocaptureyourmemorablecatch.
Buddy upFishingwithfamilyandfriendsisalotoffunandsafertoo.
Needlenose pliers Great to havefortakinghooksoutoffish
NetJustincaseyoucatchthebigone
BucketAplacetoputyourfishortakeaseat
Bug sprayTomakeyourfishingtripmorecomfortableinthespringandsummermonths
Rain gearJustincase
SunscreenToprotectyourselffromsunburnwhileouton the water
Hand sanitizerTocleanyourhandsbeforeeatingorleaving
TowelHandywhencleaningyourhandsafterhandlinglivebaitandfish
FlashlightImportantforfishingatnight
RulerTofigureoutifyourfishislargeenoughtolegallykeep
HatTokeepthesunoutofyoureyesandface
What to BringBelowaresomethingstokeepinmindbeforeleavingonyournextfishingtrip:
Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques
Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 29
ActivitiesFishing Around the World GameFindafieldorlawnareawithlotsofroom.Placeawashbin,hooporothercastingtargetinthemiddleoftheareaandmarkvariouscastingstationsaroundthetarget.Stationsshouldbeatvaryingdistancesfromthetarget.Castersbeginatthefirststationandcanonlymovetothenextiftheysuccessfullyhitthetarget.Firstcasteraroundtheworldwins.Ifyouarealone,challengeyourselftoseehowfewcastsittakesyoutogoaroundtheworld!
Catch a FishNowthatyouvelearnedhowtofish,itstimetogooutandcatchone!Typically,smallpondsloadedwithsunfisharethebestplacestogetabite.VisitDECsPlacestoFishpages(www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html)tofindafishingspotnearyou!
Fishing for more information? Web ResourcesNYSDECLearntoFish www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ 44804.html
NYSDECPlacestoFish www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ 7749.html
Take Me Fishing How to Fish http://takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/how-to-fish
AnimatedKnotsbyGrog www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php
Fishingnoob.com Beginners Fishing Guide http://fishingnoob.com
BooksThe Complete Idiots Guide to
Fishing BasicsbyMikeToth
Fishing for DummiesbyPeterKaminskyandGregSchwipps
BULLSEYE!
Start with the BasicsWhat do I need to go fishing?Rod and Reel TypesSpin-casting Rod and ReelCastingTerminal TackleNatural Bait/RigsCatching a FishWhere to Fish in Lakes and PondsWhere to Fish in Streams and RiversWhat to BringActivitiesFishing for more information?