Sitting in a boat, admiring the beauty around you and casting your rod out beyond is an amazing, relaxing pursuit. That said, actually catching fish takes some skill. Read on to find out how you can start reeling in the big ones.
If you have always fished from the shore, there are many things you need to understand before you undertake boat fishing. The differences are very large and there are many more safety issues at play when you begin to fish from the prow of a smaller boat in the middle of the water.
Some people keep the fish that they catch for eating purposes. However, others prefer to fish using the catch and release method. If you are the latter, then firstly wet your hands, next you need to very gently remove the hook from the fish. Finally, the fish can be returned to the water and let go.
Before you go out into the water, confirm that you have an anchor to support your boat when you are fishing. This anchor should be sturdy enough to hold your boat down so that the tide does not carry you. Invest in a strong anchor to set a strong foundation on your fishing trip.
You will be more successful if you go fishing at the right time of day. Wait until the late afternoon, once the water is warm: this is when fishes are looking for food. The weather and the season influence the best time of day to fish, but you should always wait until the water warms up.
When fishing you should remember that there is no particular type of lure that works for each and every kind of fish. Like people, each fish has its own preference for food. You need to research before you go fishing so that you can sure to bait your hook with food that will appeal to the type of fish you are trying to catch.
Always pack extra supplies of food and water, especially on hot days. Fishing on a hot day will dehydrate you and you will need to replenish calories burned in the excess heat. Depending on the length of your trip, bring a few meals and some snacks.
Taking safety into consideration, always have at least one life vest for each passenger that you take out on your trip. Also, make sure that you and your passengers know how to wear the life vest. In the case of an accident, it is imperative that you have the proper safety precautions in place.
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.
If you are balding, it is incredibly important to wear a hat when fishing. The sun will be hitting your head at very hard, concentrated temperatures, and when you are out on the lake it is difficult to find any kind of shade. A wide-brimmed hat can help to avoid any problems.
When fishing in fresh water, look for fallen debris. Cattails, logs in the water, and lily pads make great places for fish to hide, and therefore they usually equal a great fishing location. Just be sure that any water you pull your boat into isn’t too shallow or you might end up getting stuck.
One of the best pieces of advice for any going fishing is to have patience. Without patience, no skill or technique out there is going to have you catching fish. You must learn to wait, to watch, to enjoy the peace and calm, and to implement strategies as you patiently take control of what you are doing.
If you plan on eating what you caught, you should keep the fishes as fresh as possible. Bring a cooler or a live well with you and fill it with water from the lake. If you can, do not kill your catches until later. If a fish dies, put it in a separate cooler filled with cold water.
One of the most important things that you must do before your fishing trip is, to map your entire route. This will help to organize your day so that you are not spending valuable time deciding on where to go. Also, you should find hot spots for fish to maximize your results.
Never throw fishing line into the water. Fishing line is not visible to the naked eye, and therefore it is easy for fish, turtles, birds, and other marine animals to get tangled in it. This can lead to injury, up to and including death. When you change out your line, always be careful to put it in a place where it will not get blown overboard by even the strongest of winds.
Fishing is pretty straightforward once you understand the major underlying concepts. Use the advice you just read to help boost your confidence next time you go fishing.
