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Fishing isn’t just for the old and retired. It’s an activity that provides your body with a number of health benefits and can improve your overall disposition. The game is incredibly fun, no matter where you choose to fish. Whether it’s in a mountain stream, the ocean depths, or even a hole dug at the beach. If you are new to fishing, try these six tips to improve your ability:
RY Outfitters Fishing Guide for Beginners
1. Use the Right Rod or The Rod
The right fishing rod is a must for landing fish. If you’re fishing from a pier, a short rod and reel are the way to go. If you’re out in the open water, you need a longer rod that can help you reel in the fish more easily. A medium rod with a medium reel is a good choice if you’re fishing from a boat. A medium reel helps you bring in the fish easier too.
2. Use the Right Line or The Line
Your fishing line is another key component of your fishing setup. A monofilament line is perfect for the beginner who’s fishing from a pier. This type of line is super thin and doesn’t have a break strength.
The break strength of the line is important because it tells you how much force it will take for the line to break. This can be very helpful in situations where you’re fishing from a pier and your line is on the end of a pole and you can’t reel it in or out. The monofilament line will snap before you can snap the pole!
Your line choice is a little more complicated if you’re fishing from a boat. If you’re using a medium rod, you’ll need a medium to medium-heavy line. If you’re using a medium-heavy rod, you’ll want a medium or medium-heavy line.
3. Use the Right Hook or The Hook
A fishing hook comes in many different shapes and sizes. The most popular hooks are the J and the circle hooks. A circle hook is good for novice anglers because the lure has a better chance of staying on the hook. It also has less of a chance of getting stuck in a fish’s mouth.
The J hook is good for the more advanced fishers because it’s stronger than the circle hook. The line will wear out before the hook breaks.
4. Use the Right Lure or or The Lure
There’s a lot of tension, at least on the surface, when it comes to using a lure. Some anglers like using a lure, and some believe only live bait should be used.
The truth is there’s a time and a place for both. If you’re bottom fishing or fishing from a pier, the best choice is a plastic or wooden jig. You’ll be able to use this type of lure in both saltwater and freshwater.
While you could use a plastic jig in the open water, it’s better to use a metal lure. Plastics and wood can get caught up in a fish’s mouth and metal lures are much more successful when cast out into the open water.
5. Use Good Bait or The Bait
The type of bait you use can make or break your fishing trip. Bait is an important part of the fishing process, but the best bait is also the easiest to find. Most bait shops sell bait that’s alive and swimming. These are the best types of bait to use.
Some anglers will use dead bait like fish chunks. While they’re not bad, they don’t float very well. If you want to use dead bait, try soaking it in water for a little while to make it float higher.
Ready to get the right fishing gear for your next trip? We can help! Contact us today for our recommendations or enter to win our outdoor gear giveaway before it closes!