Fishing is an activity that many people learn early on in their lives. It’s something that people have been doing for thousands of years, and we’ve gotten pretty good at it.
There is everything from depth-finders to complex rods and reels, but you don’t need to know about all of that right away. If you’re someone who hasn’t been exposed to the wonders of fishing, you’re in luck.
When you understand the fishing basics, you get that it’s a simple, enjoyable thing for anyone to do. We’re going to explore the essential parts of fishing in this article, hopefully giving you the inspiration for your first time.
Understanding Fishing Basics
You’ll be glad to know that you don’t need too much money, equipment, or knowledge to simply go fishing.
Talking with old-timers and seasoned fishermen might have you thinking that you have to have some kind of ancient communion with the fish in the pond to know what they’re thinking. People are chock-full of strange ideas and superstitions on what works and what doesn’t.
There are those who can really get in-tune with what fish are doing, know their habits, and find their location based on a number of elements. If you’re really invested, you might pick out a nice fly rod roof rack or different pieces of boat technology to locate fish.
The nice thing for you is, you don’t have to do any of that to catch the biggest fish in the lake.
There’s a large element of chance to fishing, and simply dropping your line in the water is half of the battle. Before you get there, though, there are a few things you need to get in order.
Get a Fishing License
It’s important that you get a fishing license from your local distributor. This might be the bait shop, gas station, grocery store, or even a city hall. A simple search online will direct you to where you need to go to get a license.
They’re cheap, too, and they typically last for the whole year. It may seem silly to have to pay to drop a line in the water, but the consequences of getting caught or significant.
Additionally, the money you pay for a license goes to keep your natural beauty preserved, the water clean, and the fish and wildlife populations in check. In other words, you’re helping the DNR do its job.
So, the first move is to go out and pick up a fishing license for yourself.
Find a Pole, Tackle, and Bait
Your next step is to buy yourself a fishing pole and tackle. Any place that sells these things is likely to have a package deal that allows you to get everything you need in one purchase.
You want to make sure that your pole is simple enough for you to understand each of its features, but complex and sturdy enough for you to be able to use it as you progress with fishing.
As an adult, you should aim to get something that’s pretty sturdy. You’ll also want to make sure to get a spinning reel and rod combo for your first rod. This just means that the reel and rod are sold as one package as opposed to being mixed and matched.
The reel will probably come with a line, but you’ll be well-served with an 8-12 pound line if you have to choose one yourself. That will handle any small fish you might catch, as well as some mid-to-large sized bass that could swim your way.
Tackle
The tackle you choose should depend on the type of fish you’re intending to catch. Generally, you want to make sure that your hook isn’t too large to catch the smaller fish of your lake or river.
As you get started, you’re going to want to catch a few fish before you go home. You’re much more likely to catch smaller fish, and having a large hook or lure could prevent you from catching anything.
You’ll need hooks, weights, and bobbers. Weights will help give your cast some distance, while the bobber will keep your line from sinking to the sediment at the bottom of the lake or river.
Allow enough line from the bottom of the bobber to the hook for the bait to sit comfortably in the middle-depth of the water.
Bait
Again, the bait you use will depend on the type and size of fish you wish to catch. Typically, beginners are trying to catch smaller fish, so worms will always do.
You can slide the worm onto the hook just like you’re putting a sock on a foot. You can do the same with leeches. If you choose minnows, it might be best to hook it through the side of the body so that it can still swim around in the water, attracting larger fish.
Find a Spot and Drop Your Line
Once you’ve assembled all of the pieces, got your license, and picked up some bait, you’re ready to go out and start fishing.
It’s important to note that fishing isn’t a “party” activity for most people. In other words, fishing entails being quiet and respectful of other people out on the water. Bringing loud speakers, disrupting the water, and talking loudly may be seen as offensive to most fishermen.
By all means, have a great time, but make sure that you’re doing so without bothering other people trying to do the same thing. You can start out on a dock, on a boat, or any other spot that gives you direct access to drop your line.
If you’re looking to catch as many fish, we recommend trying to start right off of the dock– you’ll be sure to have some luck.
Need More Insight?
Learning the fishing basics is simple, and it opens you up to a wealth of other opportunities to get out and experience life on the water.
Explore our site if you’re in need of more information on anything from fishing to woodworking, we’ve got what you need.
