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Fishing
is Fun Getting Started Fishing is fun - just ask any of the 50 million chkdren and adults in America who now enjoy the sport! Better yet, try it yourself - you can quickly learn to fish at any age. Fishing is not just about fish - during a fising trip, families and friends relax together a they enjoy being outdoors and learning new skills. Here's
what you need to fish in freshwater:
You
Choose a fishing rod that you can hold comfortably in one hand. There are many inexpensive combination packages available include a rod, reel and fishing line. Tie a hook to the end of the line with a fishing knot. With spincasting or spinning tackle you can put the bait or lure where the fish are. Spin casting outfits use a rod with a pistol-like grip and a reel that's mounted on tip of the rod's handle. Line is released using a push button on the reel. Spinning gear uses a rod with a straight handle and a reel that's mounted under the handle. Line is released using your index finger. Practice. Once you've selected a spincasting or spinning outfit, use either the Palomar or Improved Clinch Knot to tie on an inexpensive casting plug... Find an area away from other people . Make sure you set your reel's drag properly by checking the instructions that came wth the reel. Don't be discouraged if your first casts don't go exactly where you want them to. You will improve with practice - keep trying!
Hook, line and sinker Now you are ready to set up your rod with hook, line and sinker. Tie on a hook and attach 1 or 2 sinkers or fishing weights to the line, 6 to 12 inches about thehook. This weight will keep your bait or lure down in the water and will help swing it away from the shore. Live natural bait such as worms, minnows, crickets and othe insects is a good option. Minnows should be cauthhht in or ner he water syou want to fish. This prevents bringing new diseases or fish species into a fishing hole. Fishing lures are excellent artificial baits buy may require special fishing techniques. The bobber les you know when fish are biting. You cn make a bobber from a cork, or buy an expensive plastic one. Be
sure and practice good safety. Catch and release Fish should never be wasted. If you catch a fish that is under the legal or minimum size or that you do not want to keep, release it quickly. If possible keep the fish in the water and handle it carefully, pushing the hook back through the lip. If the fish has swallowed the hook, do not tear the hook out. Simply cut the line as close to the mouth as possible. You can revive a fish by gently moving it back and forth in the water so that water runs through its gills. When it begins to struggle and can swim normally, let it go. Go fish! Look for a weedy or rocky area where the water is several feet deep. Avoid shallow water that doesn't offer fish a hiding place. Look for areas where the bottom changes in some way — from sand to gravel or from sand to mud. Stay quiet and avoid disturbing the water or you may scare fish away. Next bait your hook or tie on a lure. If you use a worm, thread the worm from one end. Once stuck on, it will slide around easily. If you find fish stealing too much bait without getting caught, try using a smaller worm or switch to a smaller hook. If you use a minnow, hook the bait through both lips. Swing the bait or lure as far from shore as you can and watch the bobber. Small panfish will nibble at the bait, causing a slight movement and a small circle of ripples around the bobber. When a fish has the bait, it will probably try to swim away, pulling the bobber under the water. When a fish bites, raise the tip of the rod quickly to set the hook and reel your catch in. Steer the fish away from thick weeds or submerged branches. Panfish, such as bluegill or perch, bite almost any time of day. If you have no action after 10 or 15 minutes, move to another likely spot and try again. For other types of fish, such as trout or bass, you may want to fish early in the morning or late afternoon. Printed with permission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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