How To Get Started Fishing – 10 Simple Steps

Fishing is a fun and favorite pastime for many people. It is a great activity to spend time with friends and family outdoors. It’s also great to do on your own as its form of escape from the daily hustles and bustles of life. If you are new to the activity, you’re in luck as this is the best place to begin.

As a beginner, it is easy to feel intimidated by the activity. You might have a ton of questions, and maybe you have no clue where to begin, with no one to point you in the right direction. Well, look no further. This article will help you get your bearing and get you started on the wonderful and fun activity that is fishing.

Table Of Contents

Get a License

A fishing license is very important. The first thing you need to do is to get the license because you do not want any trouble with the law or with the local authorities for fishing without a license. This is bought in the state in which you plan to fish. It can also be bought online, fast and easy and you can even go fishing that very day.

Identify The Fish Species That Inhabit The Waters You Intend To Fish

You should learn how to identify the different species that inhabit those waters because when you know you are going to fish a certain species, you familiarize yourself with the fish as this will help you accurately predict or find out any other fishing regulations pertaining that particular species. You can also refer to any size limits or bag limits.

Find A Good Fishing Spot

You might want to use a map or find out from a professional the top fishing spots in that area and select your location. This is very helpful, so you don’t go in blindly and waste a lot of precious time and come out with no fish. You could go there in advance to confirm access points and many other things.

Assemble Your Fishing Gear And Tackle

Here is a short list of basic fishing essentials for beginners. With these, you are good to go.

Small tackle box with divided trays
Rod and reel combination
Round plastic bobbers
A spool of monofilament fishing line
An assortment of various sizes of hooks (size 2 for smaller bait and 3/0 for bigger bait)
Pliers to remove hooks
A pair of scissors to cut line or leader and a pair of pliers to remove hooks.

Practice A Couple Of Fishing Knots

Learning how to tie knots is important for obvious reasons. Fishing needs special knots to securely hold the hook as a fish is pulling against you. You need to learn one rig knot or lure knot and one line joining knot. For beginners, two good knots are the double-uniknot and the improved clinch knot which will come in handy in tying your leader to the fishing hook.

Remember to wet the knots before you pull tightly because as they say, bad knots lose good fish and we don’t want that.

Check State Fishing Regulations

It is crucial to know the fishing regulations and laws guarding the fish you intend to catch. You can also bring a copy along on your trip. These regulations are put in place to protect waterways and fish populations so our children’s children can also enjoy them.

Get Live Bait

Needless to say, without bait, your fishing trip is almost pointless. Bait will easily get you the fish you intend to catch. Live bait can either be caught in the garden (this is more fun), or you could buy them. Live bait could include crickets, earthworms, nightcrawlers and et cetera. They are excellent baits for freshwater fishing.

However, other baits will work as well, depending on the kind of fish you want to fish. For trout, cheese and kernel corn will do as bait. Saltwater fish love dead or live shrimp, making it a good option for bait.

Head On Over To The Fishing Spot And Bait Your Hook

By now you know some basics, and you already identified your location, so head there and let’s get that line wet. When you get there, unload your gear and bait the hook. Match a hook to the bait regarding size. Tie the hook to the end of the line with a good knot, making sure it won’t slip. I talked about knots earlier, but you could do more research on them and even a lot more practice on tying them.

Cast The Line Into The Water

After baiting the hook, attach the bobber two feet above your line. The two feet is just for starters, and it can be longer if you need the bait to go deeper. Then, extend the pole out over the water and then lower it, till the bobber is floating on the water. The pole should be held steady, and it should be horizontal to the water.

Wait For The Fish To Bite

At this point, you need to remember the important virtue that is patience. Fishing takes time. It will take some time before fish find your baited hook. You need to keep a keen eye on your bobber. If it jumps or shakes, get excited a fish is nibbling on your bait!

When the bobber is pulled under the surface, raise the pole quickly then point it up in the air, so the fish swings towards you.

Final Words

If you followed step one through ten, congratulations on your first fishing experience! Remember to handle the fish with care, as they have spiny fins. Some might have sharp teeth. Aim to strike a perfect balance between gentle and firm when holding fish.

Grasp behind the head and remove the hook using the pliers you brought along. If you were fishing for fun, you need to release the fish back into the water soon enough so it can have the best chance at survival to live to make babies.