Do you want to know a secret? It’s all about using the right gear and technique. Fishing for the very first time may feel like a complicated thing to do, but it doesn’t have to be. You’ll be able to get on the water and try your hand at catching fish this weekend with only some basic gear, a good fishing bag, and the very useful tips that you’ll find in this guide.
Get the Rod Rolling
Maybe you’ve discovered how much fun freshwater fishing can be, or perhaps some recent saltwater fishing thrill has hooked you on the sport. No matter how and where you fish, all anglers (which is what fishermen are called) can benefit from some fundamental fishing guidelines for beginners.
If you’re starting your fishing journey for the very first time, a lot of beginner’s like to go with spin fishing to start with. What is spin fishing? Well, it is basically a fishing technique that involves attracting fish with a spinning reel and lures or live bait. It’s one of the simplest methods that beginners can try their hand at before they go on to other fishing techniques like fly-fishing, saltwater fishing, ice fishing, and other sorts of gear fishing that use different reels.
Here’s a little secret you might not have thought about: A lot of your success out there on the water has a lot to do with the technique and the gear that you use. Take a look at some of the tips below to see how you can improve your fishing game.
Your Gear Needs to Be The Right Size
You don’t need to buy one of those one-size-fits-all rods and reels. What you should do instead is get fishing gear that is the perfect match for the fish you’re hunting. For example, the 12-pound-class casting reel you love for bass is simply too heavy for tossing the small jigs and spinners that black crappie prefer. Oh, and the four-pound-class ultralight that proves to be so excellent for casting micro-jigs to those crappie that can’t withstand a huge largemouth bass is simply too heavy for crappie.
No, if you want better luck out there on the water, your fishing gear needs to match the kind of fish that you hope to catch. Invest in equipment that is appropriate for the species you’re hunting. You’ll be glad that you did.
A Matching Set
Does the lure that you use match the color of the water you’re fishing in? If it doesn’t, then you should absolutely start doing this for better fishing success. As a general rule of thumb, start by picking lures that match the colour of the water. You never know what colour lures the fish will favour on any given day, so if you’re not catching, try changing colours.
Lime or chartreuse are frequently used in green water. Choose white or pearl if the water is clear, and root-beer is typically effective in tannin-stained water. Give it a go and see if you start catching more at the end of your line.
Go With What the Fishes Want
When you’re out there on the water, you’re on their turf. This means you need to give the fishes what they want if you hope that they will start nibbling on your line. There’s a term in fishing called “match the hatch”. Matching the hatch is the process of trying to figure out what a certain fish is eating, and then picking the correct fly design to match. This is what is known as selective feeding, and it is frequently the cause of a fish’s refusal to look at, much less eat, any fly design you present.
Therefore, if you want better luck, you’re going to have to choose lures that match the hatch in terms of form and size. For example, when the fishy predators are hunting a school of small, thin fish like anchovies, a little, thin spoon with the same shape and size as the bait fish is typically fatal. However, a five-inch lure with a large body may go unnoticed by the fishes.
Profile and length are generally the most important aspects that need to be focused on too. This is because your quarry may be concentrated on the form and size of the dominant bait and overlook other factors.
Invest In Quality Fishing Lines
There are many different types and brands of fishing line available, and when it comes to fishing lines, you’ll want to choose wisely. The line that you use absolutely makes a difference to your fishing experience. For example, braid lines have a lot of sensitivity and hook-setting strength, so they’re wonderful for fishing with lures.
On the other hand, monofilament lines have less sensitivity and stretch a little, so they’re great for when fish are nibbling on baits. You also have fluorocarbon saltwater fishing lines. These lines have a refractive index comparable to that of water, which means that it is practically invisible. These lines have a low stretch and high abrasion resistance, making them perfect for jigging in rocks, reefs, and rigs, as well as leader material for surfcasters and fly rod methods.
Investing in Dry Bags
If you plan on bringing your catch home for a feast, you’re going to need something sturdy to transport them. Simply sticking your fish in any old bag won’t do, you need a bag that is specifically made for your catch. Dry bags, or kayak bags, are the gear that you’re looking for.
Not only are these bags useful for keeping your belongings safe while you are out there on the water, dry bags are also suitable for carrying and transporting fish of various sizes. The bags are insulated and waterproof, which means that your fish are going to stay fresh in there for a very long time. This gives you enough time to get home and prepare your meal without worrying that your fish are going to go bad.
If you’re looking for quality fishing gear to get you started, visit Reliable Fishing for all your fishing needs.
