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Home > Learn to Fish & Boat > How To Fish > How to Catch Fish
Many small fish can be landed simply by reeling them in. Hold the tip of your fishing rod at a 45-degree angle and reel. Learn the basics about how to reel in a fishing line here.
Once you successfully set the hook, the fish instinctively struggles to get free. This might involve jumping, making a long run, swimming back against the line or swimming around obstacles. Each species of fish reacts differently. Fish hooked in shallow water are more likely to jump and behave more frantically than those hooked in deep water. Deep-water fish often seek the bottom.
Because bigger fish pull harder, reeling in a big fish is often a challenge for most anglers, including experienced pros. The first sign that you’ve hooked a big one is the sound the reel makes when it speeds into reverse, taking line off your fishing reel while you are holding it tightly. Here is where you must remember your fishing reel techniques such as how to play a fish by not reeling in the line while the fish is swimming away. Other useful fishing reel tips for anglers just learning how to fish include:
Now that you know how to reel in fish, get more fishing reel tips here.
The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.
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