The feeling of throwing the line in the water and catching your first fish is blissful. This memory is one we all treasure and reminisce about. Obviously, the first attempt is full of flaws and clumsiness- hitting yourself in the head with the heavy rod, getting your line tangled with things that were definitely not a fish, nearly falling into the water when a fish falls for your bait. Being a beginner is undoubtedly a cherished moment of every experienced angler.
We all start out with no knowledge, and slowly build upon our fishing methods and tricks. If you are a beginner, there is no need to fret. From what equipment to use to how to catch your first fish, we have all the basics right here!
PERMISSION BEFORE MISSION
The foremost thing to do before beginning your fishing journey is to get a rod license. It is important to do so according to the guidelines of the Environment agency to protect the fish stock in the water bodies to prevent over exploitation of the fishery stock.
You are exempted from the requirement of a license if you are fishing on private property or are below the age of 12. Adolescents (13-16 years old) can get a license for a period of a year for free. Adults are charged some amount to acquire a license for a period of 1 day, 8 days or year. You can register online for the same at the website of the Department of fish and wildlife of the state you are fishing in.
Permission from the owner of the land that you’re fishing on is necessary. Alternatives to fishing on private lands is to join fishing clubs or purchase tokens for fishing in commercial fisheries online.
THE BASIC KIT
The crucial thing for aspiring anglers is to have reliable gear backing them up. The basic equipment that a beginner requires are a rod, reel, fishing line, tackle, tackle box, and hand tools.
The best combination for a beginner is an assembled 6- or 7-foot medium-action spinning rod and reel. This would help in both freshwater and inshore saltwater fishing. You should choose a pre-spooled, monofilament fishing line and keep tools like pliers and handheld line cutters at your disposal.
You should pick a transportable medium-sized tackle box. It ought to contain compartments for a few fishing instruments and trays of various sizes. Depending on the kind of fishing you decide to undertake, you’ll need to choose the tackle. For ease of usage and attaching the bait, use a J hook if you intend to fish on a freshwater pond or lake shoreline. A good choice for a tackle box would be a 3-Tray Tackle Box.
You need to set your hand on the fishing rod that you plan on using. The choice is between a spinning rod and a casting rod. The type of reel attached to them is their distinguishing factor. A baitcasting reel, which resembles a miniature winch or hook attached to the rod handle, is used with a casting rod. A spinning reel, a wide and underslung design, is attached to spinning rods. This reel revolves to wind the line of the rod.
Casting rods are preferable when using larger lures, but they are difficult for beginners to handle. A 7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod is a better option for a novice. Get a medium-heavy rod and a spinning reel of size 2000 or 3000. A medium rod is usually weak. Moreover, a medium-heavy rod is simple to set and cast bait into the water. A telescopic carbon fiber fishing rod would be an appropriate rod.
Fishing reels come in three different varieties: spinning reels, spin-cast reels, and baitcast reels. A spinning reel has a “bail” that may be opened and closed to release a line or to cast. To limit the line, the reel can be locked. Due to how easy it is to cast, the Spincast is incorporated on beginner’s and children’s poles. A button on the reel releases the line. When you press and hold the button, the line will lock and be ready to flow from the reel. Larger fish like salmon or trout are caught using baitcast reels. They are for saltwater and big-lakes where you could hook a large fish.
HOW TO FISH?
Knowing the technical aspects isn’t enough. Performing is always a little harder than planning. But don’t worry, we have your back! As a beginner, the main things you need to consider are:
1-Basic fishing gear
The bare minimum equipment you need to begin with is a fish rod, chair, landing net to catch big fishes, a container filled with your bait and a tackle box with some terminal tackle.
2-Assembling the fishing gear
Use a 3-meter-long whip while putting up your fishing gear for maximum effectiveness. The hook on the pole rig should be somewhat small, preferably a size 18. By removing the pole rig’s elastic anchor the loop comes into display. Grab the whip’s end, wrap the loop onto the connector, and secure it. In order to allow you to swing the fish to your hand, the hook should be at the end of the whip with the line looped on it. The length of the whip and the rig should match.
3-Find an area suitable for fishing
To prevent the line from becoming tangled, you should choose a location with minimal undergrowth. Look for regions where there are floating plants, such as weeds, lotuses, and lily pads, where fish may be hiding.
4-Find out the water’s depth
The water depth is measured using a plummet. The float, a little buoy connected to a fishing line, is drawn into the water by a heavy weight that is fastened to the hook. You are fishing in shallow waters if it vanishes, and deep if it floats on the surface. You are fishing at the same depth as the lake when the float is resting slightly above the water. As a beginner, you should fish at the same depth as the waterbody.
5-Arranging the bait
Maggots make excellent bait. You might also use artificial bait or insects.
6-Casting the rod
To lessen the possibility of striking adjacent persons or your own head when casting the rod into the water, make sure to do so underarm rather than above.
7-Detaching the catch
Take hold of the fish by the lower lip. Supporting its belly, lower its dorsal fin and rotate it horizontally. To remove the hook use tools like pliers.
8-Choosing the rig
BASS FISHING RIGS
SALTWATER FISHING RIGS
The arrangement of fishing gear is called a rig. It could be as simple as a single line, hooks, and lures. The best rig hacks for beginners for different types of fishing are:
- Beach fishing- Fish finder rig, HI-LO rig, and Popping cork rig
- Bass fishing- Texas rig, Ned rig, and drop shot rig
- Saltwater fishing- Bottom rig, Carolina rig, and Baitcaster rig
TRY OUT A CHALLENGE
We have gone over all basics: the requirements to claim your first rod, the equipment you need and how to actually score a catch. When it comes to fishing you would adapt to a particular style. There are over 12 types of fishing methods: Fly fishing, Freshwater fishing, Saltwater fishing, Ice fishing, Bank fishing, Jigging and Spinning, Surfcasting, Trolling, Drop-lining, Spearfishing, Bowfishing and Kayak fishing. To take on an intimidating method would be a fun challenge as a beginner. Fly fishing is one such technique that comes off as tough, but is easier in practice.
A fly rod, fly line, fly reel, and artificial flies (lures) are all you need in fly fishing. It targets fishes in deep freshwater and saltwater bodies. Artificial flies are skillfully tied to mimic insects and other aquatic creatures in order to stimulate different fish species. The way to fly cast is with your line spread with the rod tip pointed downward. Accelerate out of this position and halt to make the line spread behind you. Then go forward swiftly to throw the line in the front. The perfect breed to catch using this method would be trout. Despite being a challenging fish to catch, trout is relatively accessible. Freshwater trout often live in chilly streams and lakes. Trout are resilient and can live in a variety of waters. Worms, aquatic insects, and fish eggs make the ideal baits for trout.
The Maxcatch Extreme Fly Fishing Combo Kit and Wild Water Deluxe Fly Fishing Starter Package are a good purchase to start with your fly-fishing challenge.