The fishing tips for beginners are a guideline to help catch more fish. As a beginner, there are some basic areas of fishing to understand. Fishing is more than casting a bait or lure out into the water. There are basic skills that you need to acquire. Learning them is easy. The skills are important, but so are the rules. Let’s look at them first.
Fishing Tips
Laws
The states and federal governments have laws pertaining to fishing. Gamefish have seasons, in other words, it is illegal to harvest the fish at certain times. This is to maintain adequate numbers. Additionally, the type of bait, lure, and hooks have regulations, you need to check. The size and how many fish you keep will be in the regulations. Enforcement is through the selling of licenses and fines. It is likely you will need a license.
Etiquette
Give other anglers room, do not crowd in on them, especially if they are catching fish. This leads to arguments and fights quite often among some anglers; for this reason, leave enough space between you and others to prevent line crossing and other problems.
Do not leave trash lying around when you leave. Trash has more areas posted no fishing than any other reason. Pick up your garbage when you leave. A few plastic shopping bags will do the job. If possible clean up any trash left by others. Treat it like your property.
Watch your language. Fishing is a family activity with children and women present often. It may not offend you but likely will offend other people. It is not necessary and shows poor manners. Simply be polite.
Children may be around. You have to tolerate their behavior or leave and go somewhere else. Children get excited or bored with fishing outings. They are still learning what is acceptable in public areas.
Fishing Tips
Where
There is more to where to fish than just finding water. Fish have habits that make their behavior predictable. The depth, color, and temperature of water influence fish. Also, they like hiding and ambush points. They will seek water with cover. In other words, they will be in the brush, weeds, fallen trees, and other elements providing a hiding place. Additionally, crystal clear water is a danger to them. Try to avoid clear water.
Fish like a specific temperature range. Bass like warmer waters and walleye prefer cooler water. The shallows will be warmer than the deeper water in summer. Look for a waterway that has various depths to suit the fish. The other key to finding fish is structure.
The structure is the contour of the ground underwater. Drop-offs, ledges, points, and submerged roadways or stream beds in lakes are structures. Fish require structure as a pathway with safety. An area without structure will likely be void of fish. Find a place with structure and cover.
Ask other anglers where to fish and for a few fishing tips also. Anglers often will tell you some spots to fish if asked politely.
Useful Skills
Knot Tying
Knots tied incorrectly will fail, in other words, learn to tie knots correctly. The knots needed are the improved clinch knot, Palomar, uni-knot, and loop knot. The line determines the knot. The wrong knot will cut the line inside the knot or slip apart. The result is you lose a fish or lure.
The uni-knot ties the braid to a leader line, either mono or fluorocarbon. The improved clinch knot is for tying mono to hooks and some lures. Braided lines use a Palomar knot. The knot prevents the line from slipping loose or apart on lures. Jerkbaits and topwater lures use a loop knot. Since this allows a better action. Practice tying knots at home.
Lures
Lures are for specific presentations. Each lure works in different conditions. The weather and amount of cover will dictate when and where to use lures. Use cheaper lures until you have confidence in working lures through the cover. A good lure in open water does not catch fish.
Lures used improperly do not perform. Inexperienced anglers retrieve jerkbaits with a steady retrieve. You work the lure with twitches, jerks, and pauses. It will appear as an injured minnow. This allows the fish time to strike. Practice this technique, as a result, will lead to catching more fish throughout the year.
Crankbaits use steady retrieves and work for various depths also. The crankbait should ricochet off the bottom or cover. If they are not hitting and ricocheting you are missing fish. There are different types of crankbaits for specific situations also. Have different models for the different depths and conditions.
Soft plastics are finesse baits, as a result, they require going slow and being patient. You only move the bait a short distance then wait. Practice developing a cadence with them, as a result, you will catch more fish. Additionally, do not jerk until you feel a fish tug on the line. Rocks and weeds will grab the lure, but not tug on it. You will learn the difference.
Hot Tip
The wind pushes baitfish towards shorelines. Focus your efforts on the cover the wind is blowing into and catch more fish.
Live Bait
Live bait is how many people start fishing. There are ways to improve on live bait fishing. The fish drop a bait if tension is felt. The use of slip rigs eliminates the problem. They allow the fish to take the bait without feeling the weight of the sinker. An Example is the Lindy rig, similar to the Carolina rig used on soft plastics.
Note: live bait regulations vary in states. Lear the law governing live baits.
What to Do With a Catch
Since a few species are quite tasty. It is fine to enjoy a few. You need to know what fish to keep. The larger fish are breeding-age females, release if possible to ensure better breeding. As a result, the population will be stable or increase. Keeping a few small ones is okay and they taste better. Selective harvest will maintain a healthy fishery. Considered a good practice by many anglers.
Unhooking fish can be dangerous at times. Since larger fish will thrash about causing a hook to get you. Needle nose pliers are a safety item. The pliers make hook removal easy and safer, so every angler needs a pair.
Anglers like to take photos of their catch. Be prepared to take pictures and save a fish’s life. Keeping a fish out of water too long causes delayed mortality. Three to four minutes is the maximum for a fish to survive. Since taking longer usually leads to death later after the release of the fish. Use a net to keep the fish in the water. As a result, it will allow time for photos.
Be Prepared to Fish
Fishing unprepared is asking for failure. Properly maintain your rods, reels, and tackle As a dirty reel does not work efficiently and will wear out quicker. Also, having guides with damage ruins the line. As a result, the line needs replacing often. Replace the old line with a new fresh line and use a good quality line. Lastly, check your tackle box and organize everything, and needless to say, but check the hooks. Sharpen or replace it if necessary.
Shop for Fishing Pliers
These fishing tips should help you become a better angler. Do not overlook the little things. Thinking everything through and being prepared leads to success. Whether you’re fishing for bass or another species. Follow this link to frequently asked questions.
John McIntyre