Secluded spots around ponds or levees outside of town are good bets. Make sure you’re not crossing private property or fishing in a place that doesn’t allow it. Also, be careful not to trample plants along the shore. If you live on the coast, consider ocean fishing. If you get a separate ocean fishing license and rods and bait for the specific fish you want to catch, it’s the same as freshwater fishing.
Catfish are common all over the U. S. , for instance. Look for areas with deep water around large creeks and rivers. Head to them in spring and fall to get a fish that makes for a tasty meal fried and served at your table. [3] X Research source
Go to the Great Lakes region of the U. S. for a variety of freshwater fish, for instance. Walleyes and northern pikes are a few popular catches. Set up on the shore and cast your line. In the southern U. S. , gar and bowfins live in swampy areas. Flounder and perch are a couple of common catches to aim for out there. The northwest part of the U. S. has a lot of rainbow trout for good eating or trophy photos to show your friends. Crappie, walleye, and bass are also pretty common and easy to catch there. If you’re unsure about what fish are in a body of water, throw in some food scraps and wait. See what fish come to the surface. Identifying the fish is tricky when you’re starting out since you don’t know how different fish behave, but it’s something you can learn by fishing often.
Fish go where the food is. Look for spots with reeds, logs, and rocks, especially near sudden drop-offs. These places also provide plenty of cover for times when the fish feel threatened. If you see currents of water, look for spots where the faster and slower-moving currents meet. The fish usually sit out under these spots to catch food drifting on the currents.
If the thought of getting up before the crack of dawn makes you groan, make evening plans. Head out to the water around dusk. You can find plenty of fish in shallow waters in spring and fall.
As a rule of thumb, bigger fish that eat other fish have more pollution. Big fish like tuna tend to have a high level of mercury than smaller fish that eat insects don’t have. It also depends on the quality of the water where you’re fishing. Remember any catch and release policies your local government may have. Some places require you to keep or put back certain fish.
You could also call the department or visit them to pay for your license. Have them email the license to you or print it out at the office unless you don’t mind waiting 2 to 4 weeks for it to come in the mail. You need to get a license for every state or province you plan on visiting. A license from one area isn’t valid in another area. Most places offer various licenses that last from a single day up to 10 years. There are also licenses for kids, but sometimes kids under 16 don’t need a license to fish.
Flexible rods are weaker but less likely to snap than stiffer ones. You won’t catch big game fish with your basic rod, but it will help you land a wide variety of common fish. If you’re unsure about what to get, ask store employees for advice.
Aim on fishing with the lightest gear possible so you don’t tire yourself out while you’re having fun. If you’re angling for a specific type of fish, research its average weight to get an idea of what line weight to bring.
The hook numbering scale is a little weird, but it’s not too confusing. The smallest hook is a 16, and a medium-sized hook is a 1. Larger hooks rank from 1/0 to 6/0. If you’re unsure what size of hook to get, discuss the sizing system with someone at your local tackle shop. If you fish often, have a variety of hook sizes so you can adapt to all sorts of environments.
Try getting a wide variety of baits so you can change your setup according to what fish are active in the area. If you want to catch something without using your rod, try trapping your own bait. For example, catch some minnows to lure in fish that eat smaller fish, such as pike, bass, and walleye. If you’re angling for a specific type of fish, research its favorite bait. For instance, many saltwater fish like shrimp. Other fish eat food ranging from salmon eggs to bacon and cheese.
A fish cage is a great choice for keeping live fish trapped in the water. Many cages also serve as traps for smaller fish, such as minnows. You don’t have to kill anything while you’re fishing. Practice catch and release fishing to return fish to the water. You won’t need an ice chest unless you’re bringing along live bait.
In fly fishing, tying the right knot is half of the sport. The clinch knot is a good starting point, but fly fishers use many different knots.
Sinkers, metal weights, pull your line further into the water, down to where the fish are likely to be. Add sinkers to a larger bobber to keep the bobber in the water but still visible.
Jamming a hook through a worm is a little gross, but you can’t catch a fish if the worm falls off. For example, stick the hook through the worm’s body about ⅓ of the way from its head, then repeat this at the other end.
Releasing the line depends somewhat on the type of reel you’re using, but if you’ve got a closed push-button spinner reel, the job is pretty straightforward. Pushing the button releases the line and letting go stops it.
Fish are startled by loud noises and thrashing. While you can bring a radio and talk to anyone with you, keep the volume down, especially when other people are fishing too. Watch your line and bobber carefully. You can tell when something bites since you feel the line jerk forward. Wait to let any slack out of the line before reeling the fish in. Sometimes you may end up in spots where the fish aren’t biting. If you’re there for 15 minutes without a bite, try moving somewhere else. Finding a good spot can take a little bit of patience.
Sometimes determining if you have a bite is difficult. Through practice, you can learn to distinguish between water currents and fish bumping the bait.
More fish are lost to loose lines than anything else. A loose line gives the fish a chance to escape the hook. To avoid this, keep the line tense with the rod’s tip above your head.
Be wary of fish spines or the sharp tip of the hook. Grasp the fish firmly behind its head as you remove it from the net.
If you caught a big lunker, use both hands to support it. Place one hand around its body near the head, then place your other hand underneath the fish before its tail.
You could use the pliers to crush the hook’s barb, making it easier to remove. Some experienced fishers even do this before casting. If the hook is stuck, work very patiently. Try reaching into the fish’s mouth with your fingers or pliers. Keep the fish in the water, crush the barb if needed, and then twist and pull the hook without wiggling it out.
One of the problems with taking a fish out of water is the stress. The fish may already be worn out from the struggle with your hook. Taking it out of the water and handling it a lot makes it more likely to die even after you put it back.
A park warden or a police officer could stop you and search through your catches. They could also spot illegal catches in any pictures or social media posts you make and punish you. Breaking a fishing rule often comes with a steep fine and the possibility of jail time. Catching an undersized or out-of-season fish could mean a 500 USD fine and 6 months in jail, for instance. [28] X Research source Consider bringing along an identification guide as well as a copy of the rules at your local fishing hole. These rules are often posted on park websites or on information signs around fishing spots.
Another option is to store live fish in a mesh cage placed in the water. It keeps the fish safe but alive while you continue to fish. Then, you can fillet all the fish in one go when you’re ready to head home.
Bleeding is still considered humane since it’s relatively quick and a solid whack with a club stuns the fish. It’s a great way to get rid of acids that affect the taste of the meat. Many commercial fishers do it for large catches like salmon and tuna. When you’re done, fillet and store the fish as you normally would.
