Fishing is one of the most calm and relaxing sports there is; whether it is competitive or for fun, fishing is a great way to give your mind a break. Anytime you feel like you have a lot on your mind you can always just find a lake and distract yourself. Fishing also helps you connect with nature!

There are many different types of fishing: fly fishing, spear fishing, net fishing, fishing on a lake, deep sea fishing and more. The variance in the types of fishing makes this sport even better because people don’t necessarily have to stick to one specific type, which could get boring at times.

Because fishing is considered a relaxing and stress relieving sport or hobby, many people assume that it is easy, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.

The first thing you should know before you set off to fish is that you must have a fishing permit, fishing without a permit will cost you a $170.00 fine. A fishing permit usually costs around $15.00 at any sporting good store, don’t take the risk and go get that license!

Along with needing a fishing license, it is important to note that most lakes do not agree with killing and eating the fishes; therefore, if you go fishing and want to keep the fish make sure the lake you choose doesn’t require you to catch and release!

Now that you are safe from any fines, it’s time to get to the good stuff.

The best time for fishing

The best times for fishing are sunrise and sunset. Fish generally prefer early morning and evening sun to the bright midday rays. In midday, the surface temperature of the water is hotter, forcing the fish to move deeper.

Picking a bait

In most situations, live bait will catch more fish than artificial baits, especially when it comes to freshwater fish. Some good examples of live baits are: Minnows, Earth Worms, Crayfish, and Leeches. It is okay to fish with regular bait such as bread, dough balls, chicken, fish, corn, cheese, hot dogs, or raw bacon. However, using life bait will give you the best results.

How to bait a hook with life bait

There are many ways to bait a hook with live bait, but here are the most commonly used:

Worms- To hook worms on tiny hooks for small fish, cut the worminto pieces and thread one or more pieces onto the hook. To keep the bait from sliding off, push the point and barb into the end of the worm. This technique works for all worms in all fishing. Another method is to use several worm pieces and thread the hook through the center of the body so that the worm pieces dangle from the side of the hook. You can also thread small whole manure worms onto the hook the same way. Thread big worms on larger hooks by running the hook through the worm at several places on the body, with the tail extending for attraction.

Minnows- The best way to hook a minnow is to hook the minnow through the back, but avoid the spine so as to not paralyze the baitfish. This allows more natural baitfish movement. For baiting a minnow that you allow to free swim without a weight or float, hook it through the tail so that it can swim naturally to attract game fish.

Crayfish- To hook crayfish, thread the hook shallowly through the back or forward part of the body so as to not hurt any vital organs. An alternative is to hook the crayfish through the meaty part of the tail. You can also cut the tail off the crayfish and use the tail to hide the hook.

Baiting a hook with regular bait

Dough balls- To hook dough balls, thread the hook through the dough ball or form the dough ball around the hook so that the bait completely hides the hook. Some treble hooks include wire springs to help hold dough in place.

Raw chicken- Using chicken breast for catfish bait is simple.  Take a fresh thawed out chicken breast and cut it into cubes as big as the end of your thumb.  You can use larger pieces if you want to keep the small fish away, but the smaller baits will insure that you get bit and will be more likely to catch a fish.  Run the hook through the casing of the muscle, the out shell of the muscle.  If you have chicken breasts with the skin on you can run the hook through the skin to double secure it.

How to cast with a open-face fishing reel

An open face fishing reel, also known as a spinning reel, is one of the most widely used types of fishing rods. When you pick up this type of reel, you’ll notice that the spool (and a majority of the moving parts) is open, instead of placed behind a spool cover. You store line on the spool, and once you cast the line and close the bail arm, it stops uncoiling.

Basic steps on how to cast an open-face fishing reel:

1. Hold the line with your index finger against the rod.
2. Open the bail with your other hand.
3. Check behind you to make sure that all is clear. Bring your rod to a 2 o’clock position.
4. Check that the line is straight and not tangled upon any part.
5. Bring the rod forward smoothly and swiftly in the area you want to cast.
6. To rail the line back, simply close the bail, put the line in the roller, and turn the handle of your reel.

How to cast with closed-face fishing reel

While less powerful and less accurate than open-face reels, spin casters can still be used to cast both light and heavy lures without breaking your fishing line.

Here are the basic steps on how to cast a closed-face fishing reel:

1. Hold the rod at about waist level, grasping it so that the reel is below the rod, and the stem of the reel feels natural between your fingers. The bait or lure should be hanging 10 to 18 inches below the end of the rod.
2. Hook the line with your forefinger, and open the bail, continuing to hold the line.
3. Pull the rod tip back so the tip sweeps over your dominant shoulder, and then bring it forward swiftly pointing the rod tip at your target. As the rod comes forward of your shoulder release the line with your finger so the weight of the lure pulls line off the reel.
4. Close the bail with your hand, and you’re ready to reel using a retrieve technique.

Once you have casted your rod you want to make sure that you are reeling the line slowly every five seconds and slightly jerking to catch the fishes attention. Do this until the line is back to where you are and repeat the process again. Remember, patience is key when it comes to fishing!

Now that you know all the basics about fishing, it’s time to pick a nice lake, sit back, and relax. Don’t forget to jerk hard when you feel a pull!