Fishing is hardly a lost art. Indeed, thousands of people enjoy the experience every day. Virtually any place that has a natural lake or river access offers fishing opportunities. Read on to learn more about why fishing is a great hobby and how to succeed at it.
When bottom fishing using shad, snip the tail prior to putting it on the hook. This keeps the baited fish from spinning and winding around your fishing line as it sinks to the bottom, helping you prevent a tangled line. Fish find the scent of blood very alluring, so cutting the tail helps your chances of catching a fish.
You may get better results if you cast near the shore of a river or lake. This is the best place for insect-eating fish to find food, so keep your lure close to the edge where you should get plenty of bites. Just watch out for those weeds!
If you are using shad to bottom fish, then you should cut the bait's tail prior to placing it on the hook. When you do this, the shad won't spin as you lower it to the bottom. This will keep your line from getting tangled. In addition to this, fish will also be attracted to the bait due to the scent it emits from its cut tail.
Change up your artificial bait if you are not having any luck. If you have not had even a nibble on your line and have spent a considerable amount of time on the water already, this tip can prove extremely valuable. Fish can sometimes become intrigued by bait that is brighter than normal, or a different shade than they are used to, which might just equal a catch for you.
To make live bait more enticing for fish and easier for you to handle, flatten them before you use them. Simply put some worms in a container that is lined with newspapers and flat in the refrigerator and retrieve them the next morning. The cold temperature, together with the added humidity, will plump up the worms.
Remember to release fish you would not necessarily use. It is common courtesy to release smaller catches, as well as excessive catches. Controlling the amount you take from a source will help ensure fish for later seasons.
If you want to catch fish, be sure your hooks are always sharp. If you don't, fish won't come to your bait and you'll catch nothing. If you do not have the time to sharpen your hooks, buy new ones.
It is important to learn how to set a hook properly. Especially when you are using lures, a fast hook set becomes essential in fishing. You do not want to put a lot of effort into fishing, and then lose your fish just because your hook sucks.
Fishing is easy to take up but offers a lifetime of learning opportunities. It really isn't that difficult to begin fishing. You just need effort in learning how to do it, so go out there and practice in luring in your next meal. This is a great feeling, and fish that you have caught yourself always tastes better!