Practice makes perfect, the more time you spend fishing, the more experience you gain. However, putting more fish in the boat is not just about the number of hours dedicated to your favorite pastime. Plenty of other things can mean a huge difference between an awesome catch and… well, you got the idea. Your knowledge, confidence, what you have in your tackle box, the techniques and equipment you use (or do not) – often, insignificant at first glance details can become real game-changers. And although there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for the ultimate experience, there’s a method able to kickstart your day and help you get the most out of the circumstances and resources you have at your disposal. Follow these steps to learn how to find and catch more fish, and, of course, become a better angler.
Choose The Right Spot
Even Elite Series pros could hardly brag of a worthy catch if they are fishing at the places where fish are rare guests. So, the first and foremost thing you should do is to figure out a decent spot for your next angler adventure. Do a bit of research, study local lake maps, check out fishing reports, and very quickly you’ll get a pretty clear idea of where to go. Naturally, those anglers looking for a big game like Yellowfin Tuna or such freshwater monsters as Peacock Bass will have to set off on a mission to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, or Kenai Peninsula, Alaska respectively, but those with somewhat more modest requests will have no problem to find their perfect spot nearby. Do not forget to consider the current time of the year and actual water temperature, as well as other weather conditions that might affect your experience.
Take Advantage Of Modern Technologies
Again, all seasoned pros do it – instead of trying to visualize what the bottom of the lake looks like and to guess how deep the fish are, use one of those sophisticated fish finders. These little wonders make life much easier, especially if kayak fishing is your passion. Do not worry, a decent finder won’t cost you a fortune but it’ll take some time to master reading electronics. If you’re not sure which model is the best for kayak fishing for bass, an in-depth review from All Fishing Gear covers all important aspects and explains the differences between the products available in the market. As soon as you get this advantageous gadget, you’ll enjoy a fish eye’s view of what’s actually happening below your kayak with Down Imaging technology.
Make Sure You Have The Right Fishing Rod And Reel
With a plethora of all conceivable and inconceivable rods and reels available out there, getting the right one can be pretty overwhelming. Newly-minted anglers especially can be easily confused by such a diverse offering, created with so many different fishing styles in mind. However, as a beginner, you definitely want to keep things simple, at least at the very outset, hence make sure to get a medium-strength rod, which is responsive and gives you the perfect ability to catch your favorite bass, as well as other sought-after species commonly found in lakes and rivers. As for a fishing reel, give preference to the spinning reels, again, they are great for bass regardless of whether you are fishing from a kayak or ashore. It also makes sense to look for spinning reels enhanced with some useful extras as smooth retrieve or maneuverability, for an even better and hassle-free experience.
Select Suitable Fishing Line And Hooks
Despite what you may think, such an unpretentious thing as a fishing line is also a very important element in the whole story. Both online and brick-and-mortar shops offer a wide variety of products that are made from different materials and can come in a broad range of diameters. The rule of thumb when it comes to picking the latter is the larger the diameter, the stronger the fishing line. Speaking of the material, it’s safe to say that monofilament lines are the sure bet for beginners because they are easy to use and uncomplicated to knot. Plus, they have a tendency to keep afloat and stretch, which makes them a great choice for the majority of situations. One more piece of advice, never embark on your fishing adventure without packing extra rolls, the more, the merrier.
Hooks are one more essential item that comes in a myriad of types and sizes. Even though it might be incredibly tempting to buy a double hook at the very beginning of your road towards a pro angler, stick with a single hook, which is not snelled. As for sizes, you will need more of them to catch both small and big fish, keep in mind that #32 are the smallest and #19 are the largest.
Lure Tips
With lure, everything matters – size, shape, color, and speed. When shopping for bait, avoid making a huge yet commonly seen mistake among the newbies. Do not look for stuff that seems appealing to you – those baits aren’t for you, right? Size, shape, and color your bait to suit the preference of your future catch. Of course, in the beginning, you might want to try different options and see the results but generally, the rule is pretty simple: you use minnow-shaped lures in waters rich with minnows while shad-shaped counterparts work the best for waters packed with shad.
Fishers are a superstitious breed, hence do not expect to hear advice on colors, you’ll have to figure it out by yourself. Anyway, do not forget that live bait is often superior and the best thing is, you can just get these fat and so delicious worms in your backyard. No backyard? Then a local shop can save your day.
As already said, the more time you spend fishing, the more experience and knowledge you gain. Many seasoned anglers claim that they keep a notebook, writing down all the details about every single session and trip. It’s good advice to follow as very soon you’ll be able to create your own secret formula for being a successful fisherman.