So, you're new to fishing...

Read this before your first trip out.
Catch more fish by knowing when to
fish and how to rig your line correctly. |
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FISHING BASICS - SOME QUICK INFO

Fishing offers one the ultimate "Lewis & Clark" experience. You
can go to your local lake or reservoir and find
those secret spots holding the big ones with your friend, and continue that
throughout a lifetime. You can share
your adventures with others, and hopefully spark enthusiasm in those around you
to also enjoy such times outside.
GET
LICENSED! First, please get your license if needed in your state.
Can't go much further until we have that! When embarking
on your journey, use all resources available to ou. Read up on the latest
fishing news and articles to help you
understand what you're going after, and what you're getting into out there.
Also, your best resource may be
through "word of mouth".
Start talking to people that fish in your area. Listen to where they go and what
they
catch. More importantly, listen to how they caught them and when. Once you
identify a spot, you're one step
closer to that first cast. Go with a clear area to "throw out", and look
for coves that keep fish close.
Also, check out anystructure
maps
that may be available for your spot after you've been there a couple of
times. It helps that you have been to the location prior to reviewing the
map and targeting your next trip.
Keep
safety in mind, and let someone know where you're going to be heading.
(Even if just a general idea is provided, it helps).
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PHOTOS
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What YOU'RE
CATCHIN'

Charlotte Kappler
Blue Catfish 6/12/09
Little Sunflower River
at Delta National, Onward MS |


Caught 13 in less than 2 hours. |
Once they open the flood gates and start letting
the water out the
fish will bite when the Litte Sunflower gets back in its banks and the current
is really strong. You'll see a lot of Gar swimming on top but I never hooked
one Gar. Tightline with Chicken Live sprinkled with Garlic Powder. Going back
today and we hear they are biting as soon as you put your line in.
"Charlotte Kappler" |
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| HEADING OUT TO FISH
With your spot identified, call a friend and set the plan.
Decide if you
like an early or late start.
Forget about fishing between 12pm-3pm daily.
You'll burn a lot of time
just waiting. Take a break, since it
seems the fish do then as well, from my years of being out there.
Choose
either a 5:45am checkpoint time,
or a 3:00pm start-time. Trust me, you'll catch fish during these times.
If you go at 5:45am, stay until around
12:00-12:30pm.
If they start hitting, stay until the run is over.
Then, get some lunch,
and if you think it's worth
it, go back until dusk! Check the weather
the day before (don't forget to check
a moon phase calendar as well).
Read about fishing and a
full moon If you
hear
thunder,
most likely/
lightning isn't far behind...consider your
options and get out of the area.
Before you head out, don't forget your
stuff! Here are just some things
to remind you of: |

Hitting the Trail:
Michael Hyatt (left) & Harry Levy
walk to a challenging fishing spot at Loch Raven
Reservoir in Baltimore County, Maryland. |
TOOLS
NAIL CLIPPERS - For cutting line quickly.
FLASHLIGHT / BATTERIES
BAIT BUCKET - Good one for shiners.
GEAR BAG - NO TACKLE BOX! - Gear bag w/some small
containers for hooks & stuff.
PLIERS - For just about anything you have to get
out.
FORCEPS - To help get hooks out of the fish mouths
easier.
KNIFE - Cutting bait, and if
able. Check weather radar maps if Internet access many other uses.
CELL PHONE - Stay in touch and available. Many
have GPS...big advantage.
BUG SPRAY - To help avoid ticks, fleas...etc.
MACE - To assist with any wild animals or
situations.
ID - Always bring for fishing license verification.
FISHING LICENSE - Must have with ID, and display on
gear bag so it's easy to spot. Avoids un-needed
visits by authorities so they'll see that you're legal from a distance.
Can be worn
on jacket or hat.
SELF DEFENSE - It's a good idea to have
a working knowledge of self defense. Martial Arts training
not only offers kicking and punching. It also increases self confidence,
flexibility,
and promotes fast response times. These are all crucial "personal tools"
that one
should carry at all times.
CAMERA - Practice "catch and release" by bringing
your camera. Once you take a photo, gently put
your catch back in its place.
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Are you READY TO FISH?
Fish Hooks Fish hooks are an absolute need, of
course. Using the right kind will make sure you see some action.
Take a variety pack as a spare, to start with. Then,
spend the money and get a couple of packs of high-end
laser sharp or super sharp hooks. You'll break these
out later, depending on the action out there for the day.
Go with size #2 hooks. They will make sure you get a
fish of good size, if they're out there hitting. If they have
them, get some weedless hooks. These are crucial to
have and carry with you. The barbs on the hooks can
be pushed down with a pair of needle-nose pliers, to make it
easier on the fish (for catch and release). It tends
to make the fishing a bit more challenging, and causes less
harm to the fish. I recommend always taking your
pliers and pushing the tip of the hook in towards the stem.
This gives more of a "cane" effect, and helps when
pulling the big one in. It works, because when I forget to do
it the Largemouth tend to flip off the hook when they
jump out of the water after what I thought was a complete
hook-set.
Fishing Line Fishing
Line - Your main link to the water, and there a many to dazzle you when first
looking. For example,
you see braided lines and monofilaments. There's 2lb
test and 15lb test. Lines that are easy to cast, and
others that help with more abrasive bottoms. On top of
that, you have to match this all to your rod and reel,
and consider the bait you're using, and the fish you're going
to go after.
To start, get some good line, but NOT anything
braided like Fireline. That's for later. Braided line is very
strong, and really needs to be handled properly. Rod
tips can break, your hands can get cut very badly,
and too much of that line left in the water can be dangerous
to others, and cause problems for other fisherman
in that spot for years to come. Go with a 4lb test,
easy casting monofilament. Buy a known brand like Berkley
or Stren. Have them put the line on for you there and
that part is all done.
Rods/Reels
Get an ultra-light set (spend about $30). Go with
something that feels great when you pick it up and imagine
yourself hitting your spot. Look for a combo-set as
your first option. If not available, ask someone to help you
match things up. It's important that the rod and reel
match one another is scope. They need to work together
and have a balanced operation.
Sinkers
There are a million different sinkers out there. Just
get a combination pack of bullet weights or bass sinkers.
Nothing fancy here. Nothing too big needed. Also,
get a pack of split-shot weights as well. You need weights
to get the bait to the fish, but not too much that pulls it
out of their mouths!
Bobbers & Floats These
are good to carry if the fish aren't hitting when using your sinkers. Grab
several, just average sizes
(not big or small). They clip on your line easily and hold
the bait up at the level you set. Nothing crazy.
Very easy to use. I have had great luck in coves with
these around Maryland.
Plastics/Lures Plastic baits and lures are
great to bring, and you should take some your first time as well. Ask your
local
store what's working, or look for what's sold out on the
racks. If you see all the purple "Mr. Twisters" are sold
out, you know what's working! Since this is one of your
first times, don't focus too much on this area yet.
You'll get frustrated fast, and lose a lot of money and
tackle. Just take a sampling to throw around if nothings
hitting that day.
Baits Since we are speaking about freshwater
lakes and reservoirs, I just recommend night crawlers, crawfish,
or shiners. These live baits crush in the waters.
Ask your local store what size shiners they have. Smaller
are for Crappies, Yellow Perch...etc. Bigger are for bigger
fish - Northern Pike, Hybrid Stripers, Large LM Bass.
Get 1-2 dozen of one, and take them with you. Keep
worms out of the sun at your spot, and give your shiners
fresh water constantly via your bait bucket.
Tackle Box - NONE! NO TACKLE BOXES ON THESE
TRIPS, PLEASE! Way too bulky, and not needed.
You want to travel light and practical. Get a waist
pack, back-pack, or a large bucket, and put your stuff in there.
Much better, and you can get out of a spot fast if the
weather gets bad, or animals start to annoy you.
Not to mention it's just much easier to get your things
out and on your line this way.
Terminal Tackle - Make sure to bring a
plentiful amount of terminal tackle. Snaps, swivels, steel leaders,
and more. You can never have enough of these
supplies in your gear back.
HOW TO SET UP
FOR YOUR FIRST CAST
RIGGING UP AND THROWING IT!
Cut the line
about 12 inches from where
your swivel is now hanging. You now have your swivel
tied to
the 12 inch line.
The other part of your line is back to the beginning.
Now take the line that's hanging from your rod...get that sinker and put
it on first (use a bullet sinker), then put any color bead you think would
be good for the day. Consider whether it's cloudy or sunny.
Tie the line on the free
end of the barrel swivel (polymer knot used again). You now have your
weight, bead, and swivel on the line.
You should have a free line just
dangling from your swivel now, waiting for
your hook. |
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Add a weedless
#2,or any hook you chose. Depends on where
you're fishing. Now, put either your plastic worm/crawfish on, or
a night crawler. Test your line by releasing the bail and making
sure it's all smooth. Pick your place out in front of you (clear from
trees and power-lines) cast out, and go get-em!
Best Fishes! Frank D

whaticaught.com YOUR
Online Fishing Spot
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