How to Fish – A complete guide to fishing
After reading this guide, you will be well prepared to get on the water and give your best shot at catching a fish.
I remember the first time I went fishing, I felt, and pun intended, like a fish out of water. I understood that I needed to send the hook into the water, that the fish was supposed to bite, and then I could turn the handle of the fishing rod around until I could pull the fish out of the water, but I have absolutely ZERO idea on how to go about doing all of this. Luckily I had my father with me, and he patiently taught me everything I know. This complete guide to fishing is going to cover everything I know about the sport, with the hope that after reading this you will be well on your way to enjoying your first time fishing, or that you learn more than you knew about fishing.
What is so great about fishing?
This is what I often hear from my son when I tell him that tomorrow we will be getting up before the sun rises to spend some time on the lake. I get it, he wants to sleep in and watch some netflix when he wakes up, not forced into the car at some ungodly hour. But after we get into our little fishing kayak, and paddle to a good spot on the lake, his smile comes out and it’s obvious he’s answered his question from the night before.
Fishing is Relaxing
Lets face it, how many of you spend a few hours looking around at nature, hearing the sounds of the wildlife coming to life as the sun rises, feeling the breeze on the water, enjoying either the time alone or with others in silence? Without fishing I would be working on my “honey-do” list, mowing the lawn, raking leaves, shuttling kids to the pool, or grabbing groceries. With fishing I am at peace, even if nothing bites.
You can Fish Anywhere
We travel a lot as a family and it’s clear that a lot of people realize you can fish anywhere, though most when first learning about fishing think you need a fancy boat, or to hire an expensive charter. Next time you drive around see if you can spot all the places you might be able to fish, from nearby streams and rivers, to bridges spanning waterways, boats, kayaks and canoes. Basically if there is water you can fish. You might not be able to eat the fish, but you can try to catch one.
Fishing Boat
From a large chartered boat to a small dingy, you can use anything in between to get out on the water to fish. If you venture near any body of water you’ll find many different types of boats suited to the environment.
Fishing Kayak
A fishing kayak is a wonderful way to get out on a lake or bay and paddle around looking for the perfect spot. No engines, no fuel, just your own body power to move your boat around.
Inflatable Fishing Boat
For those that either don’t have the room at home for a kayak or boat, these new inflatable fishing boats might be the answer. With a quick pump it doesn’t take long to fully inflate, though when finished you will need to leave it out to dry. But the fact that it weighs less than a conventional boat and you can pack it in your trunk means more opportunity for fishing.
Fishing Paddle Board
It seems Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) are being used from everything from Yoga to pool aerobics. But in this case using a SUP to navigate a calm body of water for fishing is a lot of fun. You get good visibility from standing, you get in a good workout from paddling, and it’s easy to put on the roof of your car to transport.
Fishing on a Bridge
Nothing better than pulling up to a spot and casting over a bridge. You can easily have all your gear in the car and set up shop anywhere you think they out be biting. Up near me there is a nice spot where when the tide changes a huge influx of water will come in which brings in more fish then you can imagine.
Beach and Surf Fishing
Surf casting is such a different type of fishing since you will be using long rods to cast over the braking water and dig the poles into the sand. Depending on what’s biting though your catch could be huge but it does usually require a lot of sitting on the beach listening to the waves. Which if I can do that every day I would.
Deep Sea Fishing
This is where you’ll catch the big Tuna’s, Marlins and Swordfish since the big fish like to be in deep water. While anytime I catch a fish is exciting, knowing you are pulling in a fish in excess of 200 pounds makes it all the more real.
Ice Fishing
I’ve only ice fishes a few times since our winters don’t get as cold as Canada, but it was such a peaceful experience. You know how it sounds the morning after a snowstorm? When sounds are muffled? Well on the ice it can be so quiet, which adds to the experience.
Backpacking
While on a hike, backpacking in the woods or near a lake or stream, you can easily buy a small light weight best backpacking fishing rod and reel.
Fishing is Healthy
While sitting in a boat might not provide as much exercise as going for a run, don’t forget that you needed to get the boat to the spot in the first place. If you don’t live on a lake or river, you might have a fishing kayak on your roof or a trailer, so you would have had to lift and load it, then you’d have to lug all your fishing gear, like your fishing cooler filled with ice, your snacks and food, your fishing backpack and tackle box, and your fishing rods and reels. Then when the day is over you’ll have to lug it all back home. So there is exercise in there.
If you are fortunate that you are fishing to keep the fish and eat it, and if that water is not contaminated, you will enjoy a healthy meal when you get home of fresh caught and fresh cooked fish. Nothing is better after a day on the water or on the shore.
Mentally too I come back so refreshed from fishing. My wife says I come back a new person. And while it’s true if nothing was biting I might grumble a little, there is always a smile on my face, and my shoulders are no longer near my ears from all my workweek stress.
What Fishing Gear and Accessories do I need to start Fishing?
Now we can get down to the brass tacks and outline what you need to at least look like a seasoned angler.Fishing License
A fishing license is extremely important. Don’t think of this as a fee, but more of a donation as you are contributing to the states conservation program. Near me, and each spring, they stock the local lake with rainbow, brook, and brook trout. Without this money they wouldn’t have enough to continue these efforts for future generations to enjoy the sport of fishing. A fishing license can be easily purchased online, check out your states program, and the cost is really low when you buy annually.Fishing Rods
Fishing rods come in many different sizes and types based on where you are fishing and what you are trying to catch. It’s important to know they types of fishing you will be doing in order to find the right fishing rod. I know up in my mother in laws vacation house in cape cod she has a number of rods, from surf casting to a plastic Spider-Man rod for kids. If you are planning on going out on a boat the long surf casting rods would not be appropriate. Trying to cast into the ocean from the shore with that Spider-Man rod would also be a frustrating situation, for you and the kid
Depending on the child there are many options available. I know for my three year old I do not want him near anything sharp, so a fisher price set makes the most sense. My 9 year old however has done a lot of fishing and while he still needs help with tying knots he can handle a bigger rod. Click here to read our reviews of the best kids fishing rods.
Fly Fishing Rods
Fly fishing rods are used primarily in moving water and are lighter weight than spin fishing rods. You would use a fly fishing rod in streams or rivers, but some are now using out in salt water with great success. Casting a fly fishing rod is much different than a spin fishing rod as the line weight is what sends the cast. We’ve put together a list of the best fly fishing rods here, so check them out.
Spin Fishing Rod
Spin fishing rods are used in still water and in areas with wide open water.
Custom Fishing Rods
For those that like to manage every aspect of your fishing experience it’s quite easy to put together your own fishing rod and reel yourself or pay someone to do so. Like everything in life you can find ways yourself to lessen the cost with a little DIY, or you can
Pen Fishing Rods
Pen fishing rods are small collapsible rods that you can store easily in your glovebox and take out when passing by your local fishing spot. They are portable and quick to put together.
Best overall fishing rods
Depending on your needs, and how you plan to fish, you may need to target specific rods to either the type of fish you are fishing, or how you plan on fishing.
Fishing Reels
A Fishing reel in its simplest definition is a device used for the winding and unwinding of the fishing line. Even simpler is that a fishing reel is the thing that spins and is where the fishing line is stored. It’s like a spool where thread is stored, except it has a handle that you use to collect the fishing line to capture the fish. So in terms of fishing a fishing reel is very important
Fishing Lures and Fishing Bait
If you want to catch a fish you need to make it think it’s about to eat what it normally eats, so that is where Fishing Lures and Fishing Bait come in. Generally you’ll see lures for fly fishing, since in fly fishing the fish targeted like to eat bugs, hence the flys are small. When it comes to other fish, and depending on their size, they may go for earthworms all the way up to larger fish used as bait.
Fishing Camera
What’s a good fish story without the perfect picture to document it? Well technically then it would be a true fish story, but in today’s world we all want to share the fish that didn’t get away on our favorite social media app, but we also don’t want to risk pulling out our nice phone, with slippery hands, on a wet deck, or over water, only to see that phone drop and sink. So for these types of scenarios I think it’s a great idea for a waterproof camera as a single purpose.
Fishing Rain Gear
Fishing is a fun and relaxing experience, except when being pelted by rain. With the right rain gear you can still fish in most rain showers. If it’s a storm and there is lightning you need to get into a protected area as soon as possible. For those cases of light rain, or just in case packing, you do need to carry along at least a few rain essentials.
Fishing Apparal and Fishing Gear
There are several items that you should consider always having on hand for every fishing trip. I consider the list below my every day carry for fishing.
- Fishing Hats
- Fishing Vest
- Fishing Sunglasses
- Fishing Shirts
- Sunscreen
Specific Fishing Gear
- Ice Fishing Gear
- Fly Fishing Gear
- Kayak Fishing Gear
Essential Fishing Apps
There is an app for fishing, not just fishing games, as there are many of those, but of the types that will actually help you fish better and find great fishing spots.
Types of Fishing
Defining the types of fishing will help you understand there is more ways to catch a fish than you might have believed. I’ve omitted the dangerous fishing types, like fishing with dynamite, and am only covering the ones I’ve done, or had friends try.
Fly Fishing
Click here to read our reviews on the best fly fishing rods
Freshwater Fishing
Saltwater Fishing
Ice Fishing
Shore Fishing
Canoe Fishing
Kayak Fishing
Paddle Board fishing
Rock Fishing
Drone Fishing
Magnet Fishing
Fishing Rigs
- Best Surf Fishing Rigs
- Fish Finder Rigs
- Bass Fishing Rigs
- Bottom Fishing Rigs
Types of Fish
Bass
- Bass Fishing
- Best Bass Fishing Lures
Trout Fishing
How to Catch a Fish
- How to Tie a Fishing Hook
- Adding Bait
- Fishing Weights and bobbers
- Best Fishing Knots
How to Cast
- Spinning Reel
- Baitcasting
- Fly Fishing