Fishing Methods, Techniques

Landing the Fish

Landing

As your fish gets closer to the boat, drop your entire rod and reel to your waist. If the fish
goes under the boat, get your rod tip in the water and follow it. If you can see the fish,
you'll know when it's tired. It'll roll over on his side. And if you can't see the fish, you'll be
able to feel it.

Mouth Pick-Up

Carefully avoiding hooks, many bass anglers use the thumb and index finger to grip a bass
by its lower jaw. This holds the jaw wide open and temporarily paralyzes the fish. You can
also land pan fish by pulling the fish towards you with the rod. Then grab the fish by the
mouth or around the belly to remove the hook.

Gaff Landing

Don't gaff a fish unless you're planning to take it home. In most cases, you should try to land your
catch with a net. If you gaff a red snapper or a grouper that's too small to take home, you'll be
releasing a fish with a gaping hole in its side that's not likely to survive.
Today's nets are made to withstand a lot of weight when handled properly.

Netting

Always try to land a bigger fish with a net. Place the net in the water and lead the fish into
the net head first. Don't stab the net at the fish. If you don't get it the first time, re-aim and
try again. Keep the fish in the water if you plan on releasing it. If you plan on eating the fish,
get it out of the water as quickly as possible and take the hook out away from the water.
To handle a fish with sharp teeth like a walleye or northern pike, carefully hold it around the
body. Other fish like chinook or Atlantic salmon have a strong tail and you can grasp them in
front of the tail fin.

Eye Pick-Up

Never hold a fish by the eyes or gills if you plan to free it.

Beaching a Fish

Beaching a fish involves leading it into increasingly shallower water and gradually sliding the
fish on its side onto dry land. In salt water, time your retrieval with an incoming wave. As the
wave recedes, quickly grab your beached fish and pull it ashore.

Unhooking a Fish

If you're practicing catch and release, try to remove the hook without exciting or harming the
fish. The eyelet (small hole) of the hook is the best place to grab the hook. Back the hook
out the same way it went in.
There are special tools designed for taking out hooks. But needle-nosed pliers work pretty
well. If you need to, use a hook remover or pliers to flatten the barb. Depending on how
the fish is hooked, you might be able to cut away a small amount of flesh to get the hook
out. Professionals sometimes flatten the barbs on their hooks before they start fishing to
cause less harm to the fish they catch. In some areas, you can only fish with barbless
hooks.

FISHING TECHNIQUES

Fishing Techniques

Catching fish depends on many factors – where and when you're fishing, the time of day, the season and weather, your experience level and your equipment. While anyone can wet a line and eventually get a bite, learning some basics about fishing technique will greatly increase your chances. You can have the best fishing rod and reel in your hands, but unless you know how to rig your tackle, how to cast, and work your lure or bait in the specific waters your fishing, at the end of the day, you'll just have a nice rod and reel in your hands.
To learn more about the specific techniques listed below.

Fishing From Boats

Big or small, motorized or outfitted with paddles, a boat simply allows you to cover more water. But for most folks, a boat simply makes fishing a lot more fun. The boat you choose should be based on where you want to fish and what kind of fish you're after. Some boats are better on rivers, streams and ponds. And some are best used on large bodies of water. Choose your boat wisely and follow the rules.

Know your boat and how to handle it.
The water you're in contains hazards such as submerged trees and rocks.
Watch the weather conditions and follow emergency procedures.
Always carry safety devices and know how to use them.
The boat operator is legally responsible for the boat and the safety of those on board.
Understand the rules of navigation, the courtesies of safe boating and always complete a boater safety course prior to operating a boat for the first time.

Catch and Release

Whatever technique you use, you should understand the importance of catch and release. It was first introduced in Michigan in 1952 as a way to reduce the cost of stocking hatchery-raised trout. Since then, conservationists and sport fishermen alike have promoted catch and release to ensure sustainability and avoid over fishing. Proper catch and release also reduces fish fighting and handling times and helps avoid damage to fish skin, scales and slime layers— damage that can leave fish vulnerable to fungal skin infections.
Here are some simple rules.

Don't keep a fish out of water longer than you can hold your breath.
Handle a fish with your bare hands rather than with gloves or a rag. Check with your state Department of Natural Resources regarding how to handle fish.
Never tear a hook out of the fish. Make or purchase an efficient hook remover.
If a fish loses consciousness, try to revive it by gently moving it forward and backward so water moves through its gills.
When the fish begins to struggle and can swim, let it go.

Learn How to get Started...

Setting up your Equipment:
Put your rod together, ensuring that the line guides (rings) are aligned. Attach the reel to your rod at the top of the handle, ensuring that the reel spool lines up with the rod's first line guide. Open the bale-arm of the reel and thread the line through all the line guides.
To attach the float, thread the line through the small eye at the base of the float.
Now, you have to add the shot to cock the float, ie make the float sit at the right level in the water. The float you select will have a guide printed on it, telling you how much split shot is needed. An important rule when float fishing is that the bulk of the split shot, around 90%, is placed at the base of the float. The rest of the shot should be smaller in size and spread equally down the line.
Next take a size 18 ready-tied hook to nylon from the packet and tie it to the end of the line.

Note: If fishing with a small pole you only need to connect the sections together up to the required length you wish to fish, then attach a length of line and a float as described above or attach a ready tied pole rig.
Next, you need to plumb the depth of the water you are fishing, ie find out how deep it is. Attach the plummet to the hook and let it hang below the float. Swing the plummet into the anticipated fishing area using a gentle under arm cast. The float will either sink or lie flat on the water depending on whether it is set too shallow or too deep. Bring the rig back in and adjust accordingly until the exact depth is found by sliding the float up or down the line until just the painted tip is showing above the water surface. Remember you want your hook to lie either on the bottom or just slightly above the bottom.
The float rig is now set up; remove the plummet and you’re ready to fish. Now set up the rest of your tackle so it is close at hand. You need to fish from a sitting position so get yourself comfortable on your chair or box and insert your rod rest in front of you so when you place the rod on it with butt of the rod on your knee the rod tip is just touching the water. Make sure your landing net is set up and your bait and catapult are at hand.

Bait
There are many different types of bait out on the market nowadays, but the most commonly known, and the bait which is eaten by nearly all fresh water species of fish is the maggot.

Starting your Session:
When you begin your session it is recommended that you start off by feeding six to ten maggots at a time - this means throwing six to ten maggots into the water so that the fish get used to seeing the bait.. Keep feeding six to ten maggots every couple of minutes, even if you are not getting any bites. The key to successful loose feeding is to keep the bait trickling in. Feed little and often.
Attach one or two maggots to your hook, cast into your chosen swim and get ready to strike when your float is pulled by a fish eating your bait.