Fishing may seem hard and difficult to first-time anglers, but that doesn’t mean you will not try to experience fishing! With just a bit of gear, a fishing license, and the information in this article. You will be able to get on the nearest fishing site and try your hand on fishing essentials at catching some fish by this weekend!
Table of Contents
1. Casting
In angler’s term, casting is the method of throwing the bait or lure in the hook out over the water using a fishing line that is connected to the fishing rod. There are also different varieties of rods and reels that are designed for casting. The most common technique mostly used by anglers is to quickly swing the rod towards the water and do the whipping motion of the rod tip so that it can sling the line and fling out the hook. But there are other techniques that you can try in the casting method. Here are the following tools that is part of the fishing essentials:
Overhead Casting: it is the most accurate type of casting that the angler raises the rod and reel at the back behind the head then quickly casts the rod forward that will release the line as the cast is completed.
Side Casting: it is less forceful but the easiest to learn because the process is the same with overhead but this time, you will swing it horizontally on your side then quickly release the line.
Spinning rods and reels: you can easily learn how to cast a lure with spinning rod and reels. You have to also know that there are two types of spinning reels that have different functions too in casting. The first one is the “Open-Faced” that will require the angler to initially open the bail then hold and release the line with your forefinger in casting. While “closed-faced” has the push button that is held down then released at the end of the cast.
Bait casting rods & reels: it comes with different sizes and capacity. It also has a better control and accuracy of the line and lure than the other type of casting. It is also better in heavier lines and lures. To cast a bait casting reel, a push-button is pressed and held until you want to release the line. But this is hard to learn because there is a tendency for the fishing line to backlash during the casting of the line at high speed rate and when the bait touches the water, the reel keeps on spinning causing it to snarl up.
Fly rods & reels: it uses much heavier fishing lines and artificial flies as lures. So it is the line that carries the fly baits. To cast a fly rod, the angler pulls several feet of line off the reel that makes the rod tip move backward. Then in fluid motion it will move forward together with the line.
Net Casting: the process of this is throwing the net by hand so that it will spread out on the water. It is often used to catch fish for bait as the fish are caught in the net, the anglers will pull back in. The common type usually have the size of 4 to 12 feet. It is better to use in shallow water.
2. Hooking
In the steps of hooking the fish, you have to remember 3 steps so that you will prevent the fish from spitting out of your lure or breaking your fishing line due to the fish weights and power.
Waiting
Inexperience anglers have the tendency to quickly pull the fishing rod when seeing a splash of water at the lure. This should not be done as this will cause the fish to not fully bit in at the lure so it will escape easily. What you should do is to wait for a second before trying to set the hook. This will ensure the fish has the bait in its mouth and you have a better chance of hooking it.
Be Ready
At some point, some anglers may not be in focus with their fishing bait like they are talking to their fishing buddy or just stretching around due to long wait. Always remember that you should always be ready because anytime a fish can take a bite to your lure. You have to be attentive with your posture which is having your feet shoulder width apart to provide stability. Elbows should be close to your body. This provides more leverage and strength when setting the hook.
Hook Set
The first thing you have to do when you get a bite is to reel the excess line as this will result in less power haul when you pull the fishing line that will likely miss your catch. Once you have reeled in the slack, point the rod tip toward the fish; then snap the rod tip back, either toward your shoulder or to the side. Once you snap the rod, begin reeling. This is important too, because it helps ensure the fish gets hooked. From this point, keep constant pressure on the fish and reel it toward you.
3. Landing
This is the final part that you already hooked the fish and now it is ready to come with you. The best advice is to have a net that will scoop the fish when it is already close to you. Like at arm’s length so that it will minimize harm after landing the fish. And there you have it, thanks to this fishing essentials guide, your first fish that you catch!
Conclusion
Catching your own fish is a very rewarding experience anyone can have. All you have to do is set your proper gears and of course learn the ways to catch your first fish. I hope that these guiding methods and introduction about fishing essentials will help you a lot in starting your angler’s journey!