How to Fish

Fishing makes for a great sport or just a good recreational day out on the lake.

Love fresh fish? There's nothing better than frying up a fish you've caught yourself. For those who have never cast a lure, here's a step-by-step guide to landing the big one.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fishing rod
• Fishing line
• Fishing lures
• Bait
• Fishing net
• Storage for the fish

Planning a Fishing Trip

1. Choose a location. For first-time fishers, try a local lake that's easy to get to. Ask those who fish or do a quick search online for good fishing spots in your area.

2. Know what you're fishing for. Find out what types of fish are predominate in the spot you've chosen. This will help you choose lures designed to entice that type of fish.

3. Buy fishing equipment. Go to your local large department or specialty store and pick up the essentials. You'll need a fishing rod, fishing line, fishing lures and bait.

Casting a Lure Into the Water

1. Grasp the pistol grip in your dominant hand. Right-handed people should turn their fishing rod sideways so the reel's handle points straight up. Left-handed people should have the rod's handle pointing down.

2. Push down on the thumb button of your reel and keep it pressed down.

3. Face the area of water you intend to cast into. The arm you use to cast should be closest to the water.

4. Aim your rod at your target. You rod should be eye-level and pointing toward your casting area.

5. With one quick, fluid motion bend your casting arm at the elbow and raise your arm until your hand is eye-level.

6. When your rod is nearly straight up bend your wrist forward and let your arm follow the motion.

7. Once your fishing rod is eye-level, release the thumb button and let the lure fly into the water.

8. If you plan to fish using the continuous casting method, allow a few seconds for your lure to sink into the water. Begin slowly reeling in your lure until it is out of the water again.

9. If you fish using a bobbin, let your line rest in the water and watch your bobbin for movement. When your bobbin is pulled under the water it likely means a fish has taken bitten your bait.

10. Reel in your fish by giving one quick tug to set the hook and reel in your fish as quickly as possible.

11. If you are fishing alone, pull your fish up onto land and hold it tightly while you remove the hook from its mouth. If you have someone with you, have them reach down and capture the fish in a net when it is close enough to shore. Remove the hook.

12. Store fish in an ice-filled cooler until you can clean it.

Tips & Warnings

• Using sinkers on your line helps you cast and takes your lure to the bottom of the water where fish tend to be.

• Bobbers keep your bait at a desired level in the water. These are great for first time fishers as it is much easier to tell if a fish has bitten your lure.

• The less you handle your bait the better. If you transfer too much of your scent onto your bait it will repel the fish instead of attracting them. For no scent transfer wear disposable gloves when baiting your hook.

• Be sure your fishing line is heavy enough to reel in the size and type of fish found in your fishing spot. When it doubt, opt for a heavier line or the bigger fish may snap it and get away.

• Always be aware of where people around you are when casting. You want to hook a fish, not another person.

• Never fish from a boat without wearing a life jacket.

Resources

• How to bait a hook
• A directory of North American fishing spots