Fishing Techniques and Equipment

Fishing is a very popular pastime for millions of people around the world. In this article, we will introduce you to various techniques and lures used in fishing, in the recreational sense not commercial.

Techniques

To angle means to fish with a "hook". The hook is usually attached to a line, and weighted by a sinker so it can sink to the bottom. The Chinese and Egyptian first fished with a hook, line, and sinker as early as 2000 bc Modern fishing line are manufactured in many varieties for factors such as breaking strength, knot strength, castability, stretch, and UV resistance. The angler will choose line according to the given fishing environment.

The main types of angling are line fishing and fishing with a rod. Line fishing is simply done with a fishing line. Hand lining is fishing with a fishing line wrapped around a bar-like device that is held in the hand and set vertically down into the water. It is also baited with lures or bait such as worms or small fish. Hand lining can be done from boats or from the shore. Trolling is another method of line fishing. It is angling with a baited line drawn through the water from behind a slowly moving boat. Trolling can be used to catch mackerel and salmon.

Fishing with a rod gives more control to the fisherman. The rod is usually outfitted with a fishing reel which functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line with a hand crank. Casting is the act of tossing the line out over the water with a fishing rod. The technique is done by quickly flicking the rod from behind and toward the water. Accuracy and distance casted are measures for this type of technique.

Bank fishing is done from river banks and shorelines. It is usually performed with a rod and reel, although traps and nets can be used. Many people do not own boats and find bank fishing as an accessible alternative. Water depth, time of day, location, and type of bait and lures are factors for succeeding in bank fishing. Fly fishing is the fishing with artificial flies as lures. Particularly constructed fly rods and fly lines are used. Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method.

Types of fishing lures

Lures are objects attached to the end of the fishing line which resemble prey to attract attention of the fish. Color, movement and vibration all serve to attract attention. There are quite a different number of lures. A jig is a weighted hook with a lead head opposite the sharp tip. Spoon lures are bent pieces of metal and are made to resemble fish in distress. Surface lures float on top of the water. They float and resemble prey that is on top of the water. Crank baits, also known as plugs, have a fish-like body shape and run through the water where they make a variety of movements. Soft plastic baits are made with rubber and made to resemble worms and leeches and other creatures.