Fishing is a great way to spend hours hanging out at a lake with your BFF, but it's not that easy. Besides the sharp hooks, the squirmy bait and the slimy fish, casting a fishing line isn't easy. Here are some quick tips that you can use for your next fishing trip.
Choose the right rod and reel
Starting with a basic fishing rod with a simple spincast reel. This type of reel has the line enclosed in a little box and releases with the push of a button. This reel is simple to use and doesn't tangle easily.
Pick the right tackle
"Worms" is the name of the game here. You don't want to catch a 30 pound trout that you can barely lift with your biceps, so let's aim for a smaller fish that likes to eat worms. Worms don't require any big special hooks. One dozen worms can last all day if you split them into one inch pieces and put them on a small J or circle hook.
Set the sinkers and bobbers
Bobbers and SinkersCourtesy of www.trails.com
Bobbers and sinkers??? Ok, ok... an explanation is needed for this crazy lingo. A bobber is a little floating ball that you watch closely to see if you have caught a fish or not. If the bobber disappears below the water's surface, there is a good chance that you caught a fish. A sinker is a piece of weight that sinks the hook and bait straight down from the bobber. Set your sinker about a foot above the hook, and the bobber a foot or two above the sinker.
Cast the line safely
Using the dominant hand, bend your arm 90 degrees with your rod straight up from your hip and press and hold the button on the reel. Then with a smooth motion, push your arm forward and release the button when your arm is completely straight. Timing between releasing the button and fully extending your arm is the secret to launching a nice long cast.
Catching a Fish
Boat FishingCourtesy of gittyuprodeo.blogspot.com
Wow, you've caught a fish!!! Now what? OK, be careful and reel him in with patience and use a bucket to hold him. Now you have to get the hook out of the fish's mouth. This is not easy. The best thing to do is to cut the line right at the connection between the line and the hook with some pliers.
Check local regulations
Local fishing regulations may vary, so make sure and check with your local fish and wildlife authorities to see if you need a license to fish. Also, make sure and actually release the fish if you are fishing at a catch and release pond.
Have Your Say
What do you think about fishing? Let us know in the comments below...
