Fishing is not complicated or hard to do at all. Now I understand there is more complicated forms of fishing that involve a bit more technique or knowledge like fly fishing or deep sea fishing, but what I’m talking about here is simple fishing at a small lake or pond since that is what I’m most familiar with. This article is pretty similar to our fishing with a bobber article, but there are differences so don’t skip over anything if you have already read that one.
Why use a lure?
When fishing with a lure, you are constantly casting and reeling in because the movement of the lure is what attracts the fish. Some people find this to be more entertaining and engaging since there is less sitting and waiting like there is when fishing with a bobber.
Setting up your rod
Simply tie whatever lure you are using with a fisherman’s knot to the end of your line. No need for any extra weights or any live bait.
Casting you line
Now the exact technique you will use to cast will depend on whether you are using a closed face reel or and open faced reel. But for both, the way you swing the rod will be the same, so read on.
First, you want to make sure that you are clear of other people around you. Hold out the rod at arm’s length and make a circle to make sure that you are out of reach of anything that you could get your hook stuck in. On a similar note, if you are beside or underneath a tree, make sure that you aren’t going to put your line into the branches, because that can be difficult to undo.
Once you are sure you are clear, swing the rod flat on either side, or swing it vertically over your head, and release the line about two thirds of the way through the arc so that you get the maximum forward movement possible.
Hooking and reeling in the fish
As you are reeling the line in, you are waiting to feel the line pulling back away from you. When this happens, then that means a fish is on the hook. Pull back on the rod, pulling the fish towards you and as you put the rod back forward to get ready to pull again, quickly reel the line back in to take up the slack you just created before the fish has a chance to swim back away. Take care to not let the line snap and don’t pull to hard or to suddenly. If the fish is making it very difficult to pull in, just be patient. Take your time and the fish will gradually wear itself out making it much easier to pull in.
Taking the fish off the hook
Now that you’ve caught the fish, whether you plan on releasing it or keeping it to eat, you’ve got to get the hook out. If you have a pair of needle nose pliers it makes the process much easier so make use of them if you have some. Especially if you are using a lure with a triple hook. Grasp the hook as close to the fish as you can and wiggle it until it comes loose. If it doesn’t come loose enough to get out, you may have to give it a stern tug.
As you’re trying to get the hook out remember to be as gentle and respectful to the fish as you can, especially if you are going to release it.
Experiment with different casts, fishing spots, and lures to find what works best for you. Happy fishing.