takemefishing.org

Getting Started

Here are a few resources to help you get started:

• Your local tackle shop:

  This is the best place to find out where the fish are biting and how to catch them. Tell them what you want to catch, and they'll set you up with tackle and point you toward the best fishing spots.

• Books, magazines, newspapers:

  Discover comprehensive instructions on every aspect of fishing, plus stay up-to-date on current events in the fishing community.

• Websites and message boards:

  Find current fishing reports, how-to information, and fishing experts.

• Local Guide:

  Hire a skipper who specializes in working with new anglers. It's the best way to learn the ropes, find new fishing holes and see the most productive tactics in action.

Basic Tips & Tricks

General fishing tips every fisherman should know:

• For lake and river fishing, go where the water turns from shallow to deep. Fish like to congregate and look for food in this area.

• Shiny fishing lures can attract certain fish, but the reflection of the sun can blind them and cause confusion.

• Use a matted metal fishing lure to avoid too much reflection.

• Cast close to the shoreline for more bites.

• Look for mossy areas; fish prefer to swim in these areas to search for food.

• Instead of worms as bait, try locusts to attract larger fish like bass.

• Check the local fishing reports to learn where fish are biting.

• Get on the water early; sunrise is ideal.

• Pay close attention to the movement of your line. Learn the difference between a curious fish and one that is biting.

• Research the region where you will be fishing to find out what kinds of fish live there and what they like.

• Patience is key.

8 Items for the Tackle Box

• Flashlight

  Essential if you need to signal for help.

• Adjustable Wrench

  Open reel covers or tighten motor bolts.

• Split-Ring Pliers

  Open split rings and easily replace hooks.

• Lure Dye

  Change a lure's hue in seconds.

• First-Aid Kit

  A few basics can fix minor injuries while on the water.

• Spare Treble Hooks

  Replace hooks dulled or damaged by rocks and gravel.

• Spare Rod Tips

  Replace broken rod tips.

• Glue Stick and Lighter

  Use to affix a new rod tip. Heat the glue stick with the lighter, apply the glue, then slide on the new tip.

Fishing & Lake Maps

• Knowing how to read fishing and lake maps is helpful both for catching the right fish and for finding large quantities of them.
• A contour map is perhaps the most useful. It helps determine the depth of the water, which is invaluable information because fish are found at certain depths depending on the species and time of year. The lines on the contour map all represent a certain depth.
• After reading any kind of map, anglers should visit the areas they believe have fish to do some in-person "fact finding."
• Bait and tackle shops can be great places to find maps that pertain to local waterways.

Freshwater Temperature Chart

There are regional differences and adaptation differences in the temperature ranges for fish species. This is a general guideline for most areas and most times of the year.

Side Cast Techniques

Learning the sidearm cast adds a useful skill to your casting toolbox.

When to use it:

• For clearing obstacles like overhanging tree limbs and bankside brush.
• When the fish are hanging tight to the bank.
• Windy conditions.

How to master it:

• Consider it the overhand cast shifted 45 degrees to the side.
• Practice in your backyard to get the timing down.

Cross-body:

• This presentation is essentially a lob. You'll lose speed as well as some accuracy, but you'll gain control. This is not for when you need to throw a lot of line. A slower delivery will allow you to get a much softer presentation, which bass seem to prefer.

Bass Fishing

Six bass fishing tips to help you make an exciting catch.

• Choose the right lure for the right situation. Each lure has its own purpose, and is meant for different bass, different locations or different times of day.
• Get familiar with the waters you frequently fish. Learn where the bass tend to swim and what time of day they are most prevalent.
• Casting styles are important. Research which casting styles will work best for your particular fishing area.
• Bait is very important. Most bass enjoy worms, including plastics. Decide which works best for you.
• Learn about different species of bass so you can get an insider's view of how to catch them.
• Ask experts or seasoned fishermen for advice.

Muskie Fishing

• The figure-eight retrieve can help reel in notoriously fickle muskies.
• Cast and retrieve as usual, until there's 18 inches of line between the lure and the rod tip.
• Dip the rod tip six inches into the water.
• Draw a complete figure eight. The directional change can incite a reluctant muskie to strike.
• Keep in mind a monster muskie can come from behind you. You won't see the fish until it strikes.

• Some additional tips:

  • Don't let out too much line or you'll lose control of the lure.
  • Maintain lure speed throughout the maneuver. (Slowing down as you make the turn will cause the blade to stop turning and the musky to lose interest.)
  • Try to set the hook across the face of the fish so that it rests securely in the jaw.
  • Perform a figure eight at the end of every cast.