Fishing Techniques

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is an old method of fishing in which fish are caught using lightweight lures that imitate a fly or insect. Fly fishing is different from other fishing methods as other forms rely on the weight of the lure to pull the line. In fly fishing, the fly is very light thus the angler is casting the line versus the lure or bait. The idea is to get fish to take the bait on or just above the surface of the water. While a great number of anglers pursue trout, there is no limit to what you can catch with this method. Some anglers fly fish for everything from bass to various saltwater species like tarpon.

When fly fishing you need a fly rod, fly reel, and fly line. A fly rod is noted by its length which is typically between 7 1/2 and 9 feet long and is quite flexible. They are typically made of fiberglass, graphite, or split bamboo. The fly reel is a piece of equipment that acts as a spool to hold the fly line. The reel on a fly rod is attached below or behind the rod’s grip. Fly lines are silk or nylon and range from 0.060 to 0.020 inches in diameter.

Still Fishing

Still fishing is a method of fishing in which the angler does not move from one spot. Think of fishing from a dock, river bank, or off a pier or bridge. This method of fishing employs a lot of patience as you are waiting for the fish to come to you. Still fishing is successful in both freshwater and saltwater settings. You can catch fish like catfish, bullhead, and crappies in freshwater and flounder and sea bass in saltwater.

There are many different types of rod-and-reel combos that can be used in still fishing but one of the most common and popular is a cane pole. These are between 8 and 12 feet long. When still fishing, you will also need a hand line, a bobber, and a hook with bait. While worms may be popular and easy to obtain, you can also use minnows, grasshoppers, and crayfish. When a fish bites, the bobber will go below the surface of the water indicating that you should lift the pole quickly to catch your fish.

Bait Casting

This is a very popular technique in which the lure is heavy enough to pull the line from the reel to the desired location. This method is to catch both fresh and saltwater fish of all kinds. This technique also eliminates the need for a longer rod which would place bait further away. When bait casting the line is cast and the lure hits the water. The angler then winds the line in on the reel hoping that something will bite.

A bait-casting rod is about 5 to 6 feet long and is usually made of graphite, split bamboo, or fiberglass. It also has little metal rings called guides that the line passes through. The reel will hold up to 200 yards of line allowing an angler a great amount of distance with which to cast. Many different types of lures can be used both live and artificial. There are also lures called spoons that have a metallic finish usually silver, copper, or bronze. These flash and wiggle in the water as they are reeled in order to attract fish.

Trolling

This technique of fishing uses a boat to pull bait through the water. This is a very popular technique in big game fishing. Often times, different rods called boat rods are used for trolling in deeper, larger bodies of water. These rods are stiffer, shorter, and weigh more in order to increase the chances of reeling in a fish. Trolling is also a popular method used in freshwater fishing. Boats can be equipped with special trolling motors allowing anglers to move slowly and quietly through the water.