Fishing Hacks All Beginners Should Know

Before even getting to cast a line, an angler would have to prepare many things. They have to think about what type of equipment to bring corresponding to the fish in the area. They would have to prepare bait and lures, as well as rods, lines, and hooks. And if you want to go fishing off the coast then that’s extra planning too! Taking all of these into account, fishing can be a hobby that’s hard to get into. However, the satisfaction of catching tough fish coupled with a nice quiet afternoon on the water makes everything worth it. 

Here are 5 Insider Tips and Tricks New Anglers Should Know

1. Be Organized

It goes without saying that half the fishing trip is setting up gear. There are loads of different equipment used for specific fish. Rods, lines, reels, and tackles can be used in any number of combinations. Although a new angler may not have all the equipment, having a moderate amount to pick and choose can still seem confusing. A lot of fishermen use containers that have separate compartments like pill dispensers in order to organize their hooks or tackles.  In the same vein, anglers can also put their hooks in safety pins in order to separate them from the tackles. Other fishermen stick their hooks into corks in order to keep them in one place. An organized angler can also use color-coded tape in order to differentiate the type of rods they have on hand. The sooner you have your rod, the sooner you can get back to fishing. 

2. Bring Helpful Household Items

Cutting a line can be tough using conventional tools like using an actual line clipper or even scissors. Spending an entire day out on a fishing trip will also have you cutting lines every so often, leading to your cutting tools becoming dull. However, nail clippers are an inexpensive and easy tool to use when cutting a line. They can be found in any home and can be bought almost everywhere, just in case you forget. Finally, they’re also safe and will be less prone to slipping.

Using a nail file can also be a helpful tool. With multiple uses, a hook will degrade through time. And while a semi-blunt hook can still be useful against some fish, catfish, like black bullhead or channel catfish, are known to have a significantly thicker skull. When trying to catch any catfish an extra sharp hook is a must in order to lessen the chances of a hook not latching on to the fish. A nail file can help bring back some of its sharpness. 

3. Keep Clean

This tip goes hand-in-hand with being organized. Not just in fishing but in everyday life, keeping clean is an essential part of any activity. It keeps everything organized, efficient, and most importantly, safe.  Being able to properly clean your fishing rod will not only keep you at the top of your game but will also save you some money in the long run as taking care of it will obviously give it a longer lifespan. This is especially true for anglers looking to fish in the sea as saltwater can corrode equipment over time. Be sure to submerge your rods in regular water after going fishing in the sea. Again, household items are your ally as dishwashing soap and toothbrushes can be used in keeping the grime and blood off the rod. For places they can’t reach, using cotton swabs can do the trick. 

Another way to keep clean is having a separate bag or container for fish guts. Though it is legal in some states, the act of throwing large amounts of fish guts back into the water is both looked down upon and can be bad for the environment. A responsible angler will have proper containers (mostly zip-lock bags) in order to keep both the entrails and their smell inside. 

Lastly, being hygienic towards your own body is equally important. The smell of fish is strong enough to linger on for a couple of days when not taken care of properly. This is due to the sulfur compounds found in fish that stick to your skin. One of the most popular solutions to a lingering odor is washing using lemon juice. The acids contained in lemons are enough to overpower the odor and have been a popular odor cleaning method by fishermen and even chefs. Another way to get rid of the smell is to use baking soda which can be done by mixing it with water and using it to wash hands. 

4. Use Local Live-bait

A lot of people think that any type of bait, in general, can do the job. While they can offer a measure of success, anglers can have an increase in success rate by using bait found in the area. Not only are fish more attracted to bait found in the area, but this practice is also eco-friendly in that anglers aren’t introducing foreign elements into the ecosystem. Anglers should try different bait-catching methods like netting, chumming, and trapping and see which is most effective. 

5. Bring a Waterproof Case

From work to family, everything is mostly handled through the smartphone. It is the most essential item for a modern-day man. And while keeping it in the pocket or away from the water will, in most cases, keep it safe, it is still good to prepare for the worst. Investing in a cheap waterproof phone case can save you the hassle of buying a new phone in case anything goes wrong.

Be Prepared

While a fishing trip is supposed to be a day of relaxation and sport, there are a lot of things that could happen while out in the water. A good angler is a prepared one. In the end, an angler who has all bases covered will have a more relaxing experience without having to think of every little thing. For a newbie angler, being able to go on a fishing trip with little to worry about might just be what hooks you (no pun intended), into the world of fishing.