What do you love about fishing? You can probably come up with a list as long as your arm, but did you know you could find even greater love, just by knowing more about what it takes to be a great fisherman? Read on for some tips to help you do just that.
When fishing alone, be careful not to go into water that is too deep. This is especially true when fishing near large rivers as a sudden undercurrent could pull you under and drown you in even fairly shallow water. It is typically better to fish with at least one other friend.
Since having just the right bait is crucial to catching more fish, here is an easy way to tell if you are seeing black or white crappie. White crappie have six spines in their dorsal fin while black crappie have seven or eight. White crappie also tend to have bands across their body while black crappie have a more speckled pattern.
If you want to know where the fish are, keep an eye on the surrounding wildlife, particularly the birds. If the birds are diving in a particular location, there is a good chance that there are fish located there. Birds just scoop up fish by diving down and catching them from the water. Closely observe their behavior, as it may assist you in having a great day of fishing.
If you are new to fishing, then take the time to do some research. Make sure you do your research before your first caste. There are countless fishing books on the market that teach the finer points of angling. Check the library. Once you have this knowledge, you can begin catching some monsters.
Always know what the local regulations are about fishing when you head out on the water. Specific areas may prohibit fishing at certain times of the day or only allow certain types of bait. Contact your local government if you are not sure.
A great tip for all fisherman is to stay relatively quite while you are on the water. Everyone has heard that loud voices can scare away fish, and while this is slightly exaggerated, making a lot of noise on the surface, particularly disturbing the surface, can indeed spook fish.
Adding a sharp knife to your tackle box is a must when you are preparing for a fishing trip. This equipment is very important and you'll have lots of problems if you do not have it. Be sure the fishing knife you purchase is rust resistant, sharp and a quality instrument.
Select the best type of line. The best type of line for fishing is in the range of 4-8 pound test. Less than four pounds, your line will break with larger fish, and higher than eight pound, in calm waters the fish will see it and it will deter fish from biting. So unless you are going deep sea fishing for large trophy fish, your best line will be between 4-8 pounds.
Dress in layers. Many good fishing trips can last all day long, and even on shorter trips, the temperature can change drastically. By wearing many light layers of clothing, you will give yourself plenty of options. With some minor adjustments, you can make yourself comfortable, no matter what the current temperature is.
Pack insect repellant in with your fishing gear. When you are fishing, you are going to be closer to bugs and insects, which include mosquitoes. It is very important to pack bug spray so you don't get bitten all over your body. Just don't forget the bug spray, because being plagued by mosquitoes can quickly ruin a fishing trip. Needless to say, this can turn a fun fishing trip into a disaster.
As you fish, make sure that you stay well hydrated. Make sure to have lots of water around, and drink it throughout the day whether you feel thirsty or not. When you're dehydrated you can become sloppy and it can even hurt your fishing abilities, you might even get light headed and fall off of your boat. Ironically, drinking water makes one of the most effective methods to prevent yourself from being drowned.
Use salt to keep your salmon egg bait on your hook. A strong current is apt to wash away your fresh salmon eggs. To prevent this, coat all your salmon eggs with ordinary table salt. Do this right before you go fishing, and then use them right away. The salt will give the salmon eggs a rubbery texture, and they will stay on the hook better.
Bigger fish don't necessarily make the best keeper fish. Larger, older fish don't always make the best filets. Large fish may contain contaminants that would make them unhealthy to eat.
To help you ensure you don't give up too early when you're fishing, it's important to have patience. Experienced fishermen can spend hours out on the water at times without catching a single fish. Remember that self control is crucial and having the patience to catch the fish is as important as any other advice.
While fishing is an amazing hobby, it can be made even better by finding success more often. What we've written here provides you with all you need to know to better your technique and improve your skills, leading to more catches, larger catches and an overall, great time on the lake.
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