Tips You Wish You Knew Before Taking Up Fishing
Have you been giving some thought to taking up fishing? Then you better knowing these fishing tips first. If you’re unaware of what it takes to have successful catches and great fishing experience, you’ve come to the right place.
We know that it can be difficult to get everything right on your first fishing trips. This is why we have come up with different tips to help you enjoy your first experience.
Below are fishing tips you wish you knew before taking up fishing:
1. When And Where You Should Fish
Fishes are almost in any body of water from reservoirs, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. You can fish in almost any large body of water.
But you can’t just stick a line in the water and expect to leave with a basket of fish. The vital part of fishing in any body of water is finding out where the fish are biting.
There are different factors that determine where fish will bite, such as type of fish, time of year, and region. However, there are still some general tricks for you to try out. Fish are found gathering at covers or structures, such as docks, trees, weed, and rocks.
There’s also the matter of picking the right time to fish. It would determine your chances of success or failure. The best times to fish are early in the morning before sunrise or in the evenings. These are periods when fish are hungry and will bite at anything.
When fishing at rivers or streams, the best spots to get your catch would be where the streams converge. This part is where you’ll find schools of fish. At a windy lake, you will find more fish where the waves are crashing.
2. Note The Weather
The next best fishing tips to find is to check weather conditions. Does the weather matter before you go on a fishing trip? Yes, it does. If you want to catch any fish at all, you would pay attention to the weather. Make sure to check for weather forecast updates before you plan your trip.
It’s easy to conclude that the best days for fishing are the sunny ones but the truth couldn’t be further. The best fishing days are those with overcast skies. Rainy days are great for fish enthusiasts. Fishes are more active during this period. Rainy day fishing — It’s where the gear really matters — Bring a storm-breaking jacket, bring some instant coffee and enjoy your time!
3. You Need a Fishing License
A common item you will find on most fishermen is their fishing license. You’re not expected to go on a trip without it or you could incur penalties. If you don’t have a license, get one. Getting yourself a fishing license is a simple process and quite affordable too.
There are different fishing rules and regulations in every state. To ensure your compliance, check with the Department of Natural Resources. That’s the only way to ensure that you don’t break any rules.
Most states require that you get your license before gaining access to public lakes, rivers, streams, or reservoirs. On average, a fishing license costs $25 and can be gotten online. It is possible to purchase a license on a daily, short-term, annual, or lifetime basis.
Also, kids under 16 years of age can fish without a license in most states.
Related post: Tips for Early Spring Fishing
4. Fishing Bait and Lures
It is evident that you can’t catch any fish without bait. There are different types of bait used to catch different types of fish.
If you want to catch some bass, make use of spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits come in different colors and sizes. Other popular types of bait are crankbait which looks like real fish and plastic worms.
Anyone planning to catch bigger fish should use different types of larger lures. These are heavy pieces of steel with lures in them that make it easier to catch big fish.
If you’re a lover of traditional fish practices, then the bobbers are a great choice. You could place your worms in them to attract catfish or panfish. But keep in mind that worms are a natural resource and not only used for fishing.
5. How To Dress On a Fishing Trip
There is no special outfit to wear when going on a fishing trip. It’s best to put on what you feel comfortable in. Keep in mind that fishing is an all-day activity, so it is advisable to make a great choice of clothing.
If you’re going fishing on a warm or sunny day, put on shorts and a comfortable shirt. If it’s going to be a cooler day, then the next fishing tips are to put on a windbreaker jacket and pants.
There may be times you have to get wet or get into the water. For this reason, you need to wear boots as normal footwear would not be appropriate. You may also consider getting yourself a hat and polarised sunglasses.
During a fishing trip, you will spend most of your time sitting with whoever is your companion and reflecting. Solar reflections from the water can take a toll on you. Therefore, protect yourself properly.
6. Bug Spray and Sunscreen
It’s easy to forget about bug spray and sunscreen but they are as essential as your fishing pole.
The sunscreen will protect you from harsh sun rays. This protection can be useful in the hot weather and cloudy days.
You can still get sunburned during an overcast day. It’s best to be prepared. Also, different types of insects liken to hang out close to the water, including mosquitoes.
If you don’t want to get bitten continually, your bug spray would come in handy. For an enjoyable trip, bug spray and sunscreen are essentials.
Also read: Best Freshwater Aquarium Fish That Are Perfect for Your Tank
7. Patience
Fishing is an activity that requires a lot of patience. You would spend most of your day holding a pole till a fish tugs at the line. There will be many moments of just plain sitting and waiting.
When you cast the line, do not expect fish to start biting immediately. They would be startled initially and may take some time to come around. Wait for at least 20 minutes and if there’s no fish touching the bait, you can try again or try some other spot.
You can try fishing in another area or reel in the bait slowly to make the fishes think that the bait is still alive. Keep on the lookout for fish movement underwater. As soon as you feel a quick hard tug, then you’ve got something hooked.
Fishing is a fun activity, but you have to do it right. These fishing tips will help you do great on your first fishing trip. Pay attention to the information above and you would find yourself enjoying this exciting activity even more.
