Fishing

Fishing is one of the most popular, relaxing, and rewarding forms of outdoor recreation. People enjoy fishing in a wide variety of fresh, saltwater, and brackish (slightly salty) bays, lakes, oceans, rivers, and streams.

Some people fish with simple bamboo or cane poles. Others use modern rods, reels, and additional equipment that require greater skill to operate. People who use the combination of a rod, reel, and line to catch fish are called anglers. The challenging thrill of angling involves outsmarting, hooking, playing (tiring out), and finally landing the fish. Some anglers catch fish only for enjoyment and release the fish after landing them, while other anglers catch fish either to eat or to preserve as trophies. Fishing derbies and contests are popular, with participants competing for prizes of money or merchandise. For example, in bass fishing, competitors can make a living from prize money along with endorsement money from companies that manufacture fishing equipment and clothing.

Some common methods of fishing include casting, still fishing, drift fishing, trolling, and ice fishing. In casting, anglers use rods to throw a line with natural or artificial bait into the water. Then they retrieve the line by hand or by turning the handle of a reel to tempt the fish to bite the bait. In still fishing, the angler casts the bait from a bank or an anchored boat and waits for the fish to bite. When drift fishing, the angler allows the bait to trail the boat, which drifts freely with the current. In trolling, the bait is dragged, at or below the surface, behind a moving boat. In ice fishing, a popular winter sport in cold regions, the angler fishes through a hole chopped in the ice.

This article discusses recreational fishing. For information on commercial fishing, see the article Fishing industry.

Fishing equipment

Manufacturers produce a wide variety of tackle (equipment) designed for every type of fishing. Fishing tackle includes rods, reels, lines, leaders, sinkers, floats, hooks, and bait. The choice of equipment depends chiefly on the kinds of fish sought.

The three most basic fishing tools are the rod, reel, and line. They can be obtained in a wide range of sizes, types, and styles, from those designed for small species of fish to the larger, more hard-fighting species. Small freshwater fish, such as bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and perch, are sometimes called pan fish because they are small enough to fit in a frying pan. Some of the large, hard-fighting saltwater game fish include tuna, marlin, sailfish, and swordfish.

Rods

are tapered poles of various thicknesses and lengths. The most basic rod, often called a fishing pole and popular with children, consists of a tree branch with a piece of string tied at the end to serve as the line. Many rods are made from such materials as bamboo, steel, and aluminum. Modern materials like fiberglass, graphite, and boron also have become popular for making rods because they are strong yet lightweight and flexible.

Most rods include a handle, a reel seat, and guides. The reel seat is the area near the handle where the reel is attached. Guides are ring-shaped attachments along the shaft that permit the line to flow easily. Some rods consist of two or more sections joined by ferrules (sockets and plugs), which allow the pole to be taken apart and stored easily.

Rods come in many lengths, weights, diameters, and designs to complement various methods of fishing and types of fish sought. Each rod is designed for use with a particular type of reel and line. The action (flexibility) of fishing rods also varies, ranging from limber to stiff. Stronger, longer, and more flexible rods often are needed to catch larger species of fish.

Reels

store unused line, release line in casting, and retrieve line as the reel’s handle is turned. Most reels have a drag-setting device that controls the tension of the line on the spool while catching the fish. There are four basic types of reels: (1) spinning, (2) spin-casting, (3) bait-casting, and (4) fly. Each is manufactured in varying sizes and designs. Spinning and spin-casting reels are the easiest to use and the most popular. Generally, the larger the reel, the more line it will hold. Reels that hold very strong line must be large because the size of the line increases along with its lifting strength (weight it can lift before breaking).

Spinning reels

have an open-faced spool mounted on the reel’s seat in a position that is parallel to the rod. The spool does not turn when the line is cast or retrieved. When cast, the line merely peels off the open end of the spool. Spinning reels have a handle and a bail for retrieving line or for allowing line to be played off the spool. The bail is a semicircular device that winds the line evenly around the spool. The spool turns only when the fish pulls on the line hard enough to overcome the drag.

Spin-casting reels

resemble spinning reels, but the spool is enclosed within a cylindrical hood or cap. Line coming off the spool passes through a hole in the hood or cap. A push-button releases line freely from the spool during casting. This reel also has a turning handle to retrieve line. A device winds the line evenly onto the spool and prevents it from tangling.

Bait-casting reels

have a wide spool that lies across the reel seat perpendicular to the rod. The reel also has a handle that turns to retrieve line and a button to release the spool for casting. The spool revolves several turns for each turn of the reel handle. Most bait-casting reels have a level-wind device that winds line evenly across the spool. These reels, which are called free spool bait-casting reels, allow longer, smoother casts.

Fly reels.

In fly fishing, the angler pulls the line off the fly reel and then casts the line using the rod. There are two basic types of fly reels, single-action and automatic. The single-action fly reel has a handle that turns a spool and retrieves line. The automatic reel has a spring mechanism that gathers line onto the spool with a push of a lever or trigger.

Lines

consist of such natural fibers as cotton, linen, or silk; or such synthetic fibers as rayon, nylon, or dacron. Monofilament lines are single strands of plastic fibers. They are the most popular and are used on spinning, spin-casting, and bait-casting reels. These lines are strong for their tiny diameter and, because they are clear or tinted to the color of water, they are almost invisible to fish. Some lines are made of many fibers braided or twisted together for strength. Specially coated braided lines are used on fly reels. These lines are designed to float or suspend, or to sink to different depths. They also are heavier than monofilament lines. In fly fishing, this extra weight is needed to carry the line smoothly through the air when cast.

Lines are made in a variety of thicknesses and lengths. They are rated in pounds test, which measures their lifting strength. Most lines range in lifting strength from ¹/₄ pound (0.1 kilogram) test to about 200 pounds (90 kilograms) test. Fly lines are rated with density and size ratios.

Leaders

are short pieces of line connected to the end of the line and attached to a hook. Some are made of synthetics, such as monofilament materials and others are made of wire. Wire leaders are used to catch sharp-toothed or rough-scaled fish that may cut monofilament leaders. Monofilament leaders are transparent and therefore less visible to fish. They are not needed with monofilament lines that are themselves transparent. Leaders range in length from 12 inches (30 centimeters) to 12 feet (3.7 meters) or longer. A leader may be attached to a line with a device called a swivel. A swivel allows the bait attached to the leader to rotate freely and thus prevents twisting of the line.

Sinkers

are weights generally made of cast or molded lead. They are attached to a leader or line and serve many functions. Sinkers hold the bait at or near the bottom of the water. They provide the needed weight to cast bait great distances. Sinkers also can be used to move with the currents, as in trolling or drifting. Anglers select the type and size of sinker that is just heavy enough to hold the bait at the desired depth. Lead sinkers are molded into various sizes and shapes designed for waters with muddy, rocky, or sandy bottoms. Sinkers weigh from ¹/₁₆ ounce (1.8 grams) to 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms).

Floats

suspend the bait in water or allow the bait to drift along at desired depths in moving water. They are made of plastic, plastic foam, cork, or other materials that float. Floats are frequently called bobbers because they bob or wiggle whenever a fish strikes or nibbles at the bait. Like sinkers, floats also provide additional weight for casting.

Hooks

are made of strong metals that maintain their shape and sharpness. They come in hundreds of styles.

Bait

used to catch fish may be either natural or artificial.

Natural bait.

Most fresh and saltwater fish feed on a variety of smaller fish or other aquatic organisms. Therefore, small fish or other water creatures placed on a hook alive serve as the best kinds of natural bait. Fish used as bait include freshwater minnows and saltwater herring, smelt, and anchovies.

Freshwater fish eat worms, insects, and frogs. Saltwater fish also eat worms, along with clams and crabs. Fish that feed on dead animals and plants will eat cut bait (pieces of dead fish or animals) or prepared bait. Some freshwater fish will eat popcorn, marshmallows, cheese, bread dough, and fish eggs.

Artificial bait

consists of a wide variety of items called lures. Most lures are designed in shape, color, and movement to represent natural bait. Examples of lures include flies, plugs, spinners, spoons, and jigs. Lures, unlike natural bait, can be used over and over. Some lures can be cast great distances.

Flies are lightweight lures made of feathers, fur, hair, and yarn tied onto a hook. There are two types of flies, dry (floating) and wet (sinking). Some flies look like insects, small fish, or frogs to attract fish that feed on these animals.

However, fish do not always feed out of hunger. For this reason, many flies have strange colors and shapes that appeal to the fish’s other senses, such as anger and territorial aggression. Such fish as salmon and steelhead feed on flies of this type.

Plugs are made of wood or plastic materials and are designed to look like small fish, frogs, or other natural food sources. There are two kinds of plugs–floating and sinking. Floating plugs lie on the surface, and sinking plugs remain underwater. Some plugs are equipped with a diving plane or bill in front. Plugs with this feature dive to certain depths when retrieved at certain speeds. Plugs are designed to make noise, vibrate, roll, spin, wiggle, twirl, or flash in order to tempt gamefish to strike them.

Spinners have a revolving blade in front of the hook that spins and refracts light as the lure is retrieved through water. Spinners may be used alone or with other lures. The noise, vibration, and motion of spinners help direct fish toward them in cloudy or deep, dark water.

Spoons are rounded, oblong, or dished-out metal lures that flutter when pulled through the water. Their action resembles that of a wounded baitfish. This similarity helps attract fish because some species instinctively feed on wounded prey whether they are hungry or not. Spoons only ¹/₁₆ ounce (1.8 grams) may be used for small panfish, while spoons weighing 2 ounces (57 grams) may be used for larger game fish.

Jigs are weighted tubelike lures with feathers or hair attached. When placed at the bottom of the water, jigs make short hops when the rod is jerked.

Other equipment for anglers includes nets, tackle boxes, gaffs, stringers, creels, and electronic devices. Gaffs are barbed spears or long-handled hooks used to pull large fish from water. Stringers are cords and chains used to keep fish alive in the water but restrained. A creel is a container made of canvas, wicker, rattan, or willow that holds fish out of water. Damp vegetation placed in the creels helps keep fish fresh and permits anglers to carry this catch while they continue fishing. Some electronic devices, such as sonar, are helpful in locating schools of fish. Other electronic devices measure water temperature and salinity (salt content).

Fishing tips

Anglers must learn how fish react differently to each given situation. Fish can be moody, aggressive, cooperative, stubborn, shy, and cunning. Anglers’ chances of outsmarting fish will increase as they learn more about the character of each species and its feeding habits. However, fish also learn, which makes sportfishing a great challenge. Anglers need to exercise patience and be willing to change strategies as well as bait to outwit game fish.

The habits of various fish species influence the choice of bait that anglers use and how they present the bait to the fish. Some species of fish are benthic (bottom dwelling), while other species feed or swim near the surface. Some fish are held to a boundary, such as a pond or reservoir. Other fish can travel freely between lakes and river systems. Anadromous species can move from fresh water to salt water. These fish include salmon and sturgeon.

Water temperature greatly influences the hunger and activity of fish. If possible, a fish will move to other levels or areas to find its preferred temperature range. Salmon and trout are examples of cold-water-dwelling fish. Warm-water-dwelling fish include crappies, sunfish, and catfish.

Fish are more active during low light periods of early morning and late evening. Some fish are nocturnal species. These types of fish feed mostly at night. Most species of fish behave according to a general pattern. However, the behavior of fish is never totally predictable.

In the United States and Canada, state and provincial fishing laws regulate the seasons of the year that fish may be caught. Some areas are set aside only for catching and releasing live fish. Many states and provinces issue fishing licenses and limit how many fish may be caught.