Mastering the Fishing Reel for Awesome Angling

Written by Andres on March 19, 2011 · Leave a Comment

52918149 5958584474 e1305813358268If you are a newcomer to fishing, then you might be confused about the different kinds of fishing reels available. To the casual observer, it seems like the only purpose of a reel is to organize the fishing line that you aren’t using. However, they have many more functions than that. Fishing reels are finely tuned pieces of equipment and part of the gear you need to do battle with the fish. Let’s take a look at fishing reels and how the different styles are designed for specific fishing situations and environments.

Fishing reels are a central component of your fishing gear, second only to the rod in terms of importance. There are three main types of fishing reels: spin casting, bait casting and spinning. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. Which type you will need depends on the kind of fishing you plan to do.

It takes skill to handle a fishing reel. It’s not the sort of thing you can pick up and use without practice. And learning to use one kind of reel doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the other kinds. The most popular style of reel among beginners is a closed-face reel. Its design keeps the line from getting tangled.

Spin-cast and spinning reels are extremely popular. These reels have an open spool. They usually hang under the rod. Casting with this type of reel can be a challenge at first, but you can be sure of improving with practice. The main trick is keeping the line from coming off the spool before you cast. Once you hook a fish, there are tension knobs for controlling the reel.

The two most difficult things to master when bait casting is accuracy and keeping the line untangled. You will also need to learn how to control line tension. This can be tricky because you have to account for the weight of the lure and the power of your cast. Fortunately, this is not impossible to master with a little practice. You will probably begin to enjoy the challenge of accurate casting. You will relish being able to place the bait perfectly into tight spots.

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Are You Fishing with the Right Bait?

Written by Andres on March 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Many new fishermen make the mistake of believing that bait isn’t that important. Of course, everyone knows that having some kind of bait or lure is essential. But did you know that certain kinds of bait attract only certain kinds of fish? Experienced anglers understand this and put it into practice. Before complaining that the fish aren’t biting, maybe you need to take a look at what’s on the menu.

Attracting big fish to your line and doing it consistently means using the right bait or lure. Ultimately, fishing is not a sport of luck, but of skill. And part of that skill is knowing what to put on the end of your line. The right lure will help you catch more fish and catch the specific kind of fish you are angling for. Lures will determine whether you attract small fish, fast fish, large fish or fish in shallow waters.

The first order of business is to get the fish’s attention. Some lures create a shaking or rotating action to awaken a feeding reflex in the fish. The lures are designed to mimic the action of a swimming fish and to also be highly visible underwater. Other lures are roughly fish-shaped and can be manipulated by your rod to look like prey to the other fish. Visibility of lures is often enhanced with a rainbow of colors that sparkle and reflect the reduced underwater sunlight.

The size of the lure affects the size of the fish you will catch. Although this seems obvious, you would be surprised how many fishermen cast an average size lure and then expect to catch the biggest fish in the lake.

The most effective lures are often designed to look like your target fish’s favorite food. Coloring, shape and even reflective fake eyes can convince a fish that his favorite meal is waiting. The idea is to make the fish react without hesitation or caution.

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How Much Fishing Gear Do You Really Need?

Written by Andres on February 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment

So what do you really need in terms of gear to enjoy the sport of fishing? Well, there are a few items that are absolutely essential, and some more things that would sure be nice to have. Let’s take a look at basic fishing gear and see if we can figure out what’s what.

First of all, you’re not going to be very successful at fishing without a rod and a reel. I suppose you could stand out in the water like Tom Hanks in Castaway and try to grab the fish as they swim by. My memory is that he wasn’t very lucky and I don’t think you will be either. If you are just starting out, you can usually buy a rod and reel combo pack. It will contain most of the items you need. Basic tackle like hooks, line and sinkers can also be found in a starter collection.

You should add a pair of needle nose pliers to your tackle. You may be surprised how often they will be the perfect tool for the task. Another item to take along is a net. Once you reel the fish into shore, a net will help you make the transition from the water to your bucket.

One nice gadget to have is an electronic alarm. You thread your fishing line through the alarm as directed. When a fish takes a nibble at your bait, the alarm lets you know what’s happening. This is really handy for beginners who aren’t quite sure what they’re feeling yet. It can also help if you happen to be using a stronger, less flexible rod. Sometimes those don’t transmit the feeling of the strike very well.

Of course, you can’t fish properly if you’re not dressed for the part. Seriously, you will need fishing sunglasses with polarized lenses and a good hat to protect your head. A fisherman’s vest will provide lots of pockets to store all those hooks, sinkers and other small items. Depending on where you plan to fish, thigh or chest waders could help you stay dry. In the same vein, a waterproof jacket or rain suit might be nice if the weather is looking wet.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should get you started. As you can see, a tackle box to hold everything is probably a good idea as well.

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Tips for Family Fishing Trips

Written by Andres on February 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment

If you want to introduce your family to the fun of fishing and the joy of being on the water, here are some tips for making it happen. The key is in preparation ahead of time, before you even pack the cooler. Most of the basics can be taught and practiced in the backyard without a drop of water nearby.

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Don’t try to teach your kids to fish five minutes before you back out of the driveway. A week should be plenty of time. It gives you enough time to teach the basics without overwhelming them. Plus it helps to build up their excitement and interest before the trip.

Teach your children how to use fishing gear properly. Make sure you have some appropriately-sized rods and easy to operate reels. As always, the equipment should be specific to the fish you want to catch. Spend some time training in basic casting methods.

As you practice casting, you should have plenty of opportunities to teach your kids some troubleshooting as well. What makes the reel malfunction? What do you do if the line gets tangled? If you help your children encounter and solve these problems before you go, then the problems won’t get in the way of an enjoyable fishing experience at the lake or stream.

When it comes to trip planning, be sensitive to the interests of the whole family. You may be happy doing nothing but fishing when you go. But members of your family may not share your enthusiasm for full-time fishing. Make sure you add some side trips and other activities to keep everyone involved and engaged. This may even include a trip to the local mall.

Make sure you have everything you need in terms of gear and equipment. Take along extras and replacements for critical items. It would be a shame to break a pole without having a spare to keep the fishing trip going. Again, it is best to have some child-sized gear so that your kids have a sense of ownership in the trip.

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Choose the Right Fishing Tackle by Following One Simple Rule

Written by Andres on January 21, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Too many people make the mistake of trying to go fishing without a full set of tackle. Then when the fishing trip turns out to be stressful instead of enjoyable and relaxing, they wonder why. Choosing the right fishing tackle is often overlooked when putting together your fishing gear. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by following a few simple guidelines.

The first guideline for choosing the right fishing tackle is to make sure your lures are appropriate for the fish you want to catch. To do this, you have to know what food source is most abundant in the area where you’ll be fishing. You want your fishing lures to look just like the local fare the fish are used to eating.

Once you’ve chosen your bait, you will need to get the correct fishing line. The three most commonly used fishing methods are fly-fishing, spinning and plug casting. When spinning or plug casting, the weight of the bait is what drags the line from the reel to your casting target area.

Depending on your chosen lure and fishing method, you will need one of four different line weights. These are known as weight-forward, double taper, level taper and shooting-taper. This isn’t necessarily a free choice you make, but rather is determined by your earlier choices. Fishing line is ranked from one to fifteen in terms of weight. Some anglers pick a ballpark figure somewhere in the middle of that range. But the exact method of choosing line weight is to match the weight of your rod to the weight of the first 30 feet of line.

Of course, fishing is pretty difficult (if not impossible) without a rod and reel. Beginners should stick to something like spin-casting until they become more experienced. A spin-casting reel mounted on a six-foot, light action rod with eight-pound test line will probably work for almost any kind of fishing you want to try. This combination can be found ready to buy and fish in lots of sporting goods outlets.

Essential items you might not think about right way include sinkers, hooks and bobbers. These are available separately in a wide range of sizes and applications.

If you ever have trouble picking out fishing tackle, just remember this one simple rule: match everything to the kind of fish you are trying to catch. It is this one piece of information that will help you decide about everything else.

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