If you’ve been fishing all your life, you might believe you know everything there is to know about fishing. On the other hand, if you have not yet fished, you may feel like you do not know anything at all. The fact is that pros and new people alike can learn a lot about fishing, so here are a few tips you can learn.
When fishing, sit in a location for at least 30 minutes before giving up. In many cases, you need to give the scent of your bait time to travel and you need to give the fish in the water time to locate your line. If you don’t wait at least 30 minutes for this to happen, you might miss out on some great catches.
Since having just the right bait is crucial to catching more fish, here is an easy way to tell if you are seeing black or white crappie. White crappie have six spines in their dorsal fin while black crappie have seven or eight. White crappie also tend to have bands across their body while black crappie have a more speckled pattern.
Pay close attention to the movements and actions of birds around your fishing area. Heavy concentrations of fish will attract birds, so a stretch of water that birds are diving into is likely to be a good fishing spot. Birds love to eat fish, and therefore are willing to make steep dives to get them. Watch the birds next time you fish and they may lead you to a great spot!
If you really want to enjoy your day on the water, make yourself comfortable. Invest in a high-quality fishing chair and make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the weather. A fisherman who is not comfortable will never stay on the water long enough to have a great fishing day.
While learning to fish, get in the habit of observing your surroundings. You may start to notice correlations between environmental elements, and the luck you have with catching fish. For instance, if you hear frogs, there may be bass nearby. Look for clues in the weather patterns, sights, and sounds around you.
Many bass fishermen choose to fish with lighter-colored grubs. Grubs that have a predominantly white, chartreuse or yellow in color are some of the most effective at attracting bass. Another popular choice is a more translucent grub with reflective metal chips inside of it. These grubs reflect light and can draw more fish in. However, if nothing really seems to be working, resort to a grub that closely matches the color of the water.
Cut the fish line! If a fish you’d like to release has swallowed its hook, you can still get it safely back in the water. Simply cut the line as close to the fish’s mouth as you can, then release it has normal. The stomach acid of a fish is powerful, and will be able to dissolve the hook.
While many people catch plenty of fish using artificial bait, you may have better luck catching a fish with something that is alive. Worms have been long known to be a good natural bait choice, but other options are very effective such as small crabs, and live shrimp.
Be sure to use correct casting technique when you are fly fishing. You need to have approximately 20 feet of line out in front of you when you cast. Try to avoid jerky motions, and cast a straight line. Most importantly, try to relax so your tense muscles will not ruin your casting.
If you do not want to keep the fish you catch, it is important that you are properly catching, and releasing. When you catch and handle fish, it increases their lactic acid, it causes their pH to increase, and it can wear them out. This will make them more vulnerable to predators.
Weather conditions play a big role in how enjoyable your fishing trip is. It is a good idea to bring along a radio or smart phone, so that you can keep tabs on the weather forecast during your trip. Do not be afraid to cut your trip short if inclement weather is on the way.
When planning on where to go fishing, be sure that you pick an area that contains a lot of fish. If not, you could waste hours trying to catch a fish to no avail. If you are unsure if there are many fish in your area, ask an expert.
When you pull together all of your equipment for your next fishing trip, make sure to bring your camera along! If you make a particularly impressive catch, you will certainly want to document it. Even if you don’t land a whopper, you may want to make a record of a fun trip with friends.
It makes no difference whether or not you’ve ever been fishing before now. Fishing is enjoyable at any skill level. Using these tips can make your commitment to fishing even stronger and more successful.
