An Introduction to FISHING Fishing Fishing is a great way to spend “God never did make a more calm, a day. You can take a lunch and quiet, innocent recreation ....” picnic as you fsh. You can camp near a lake. You can hike or boat to Izaak Walton a fshing spot. Many people build their vacations around fshing. Be sure to take your family or your friends along, for there is no more sociable activity. Missouri has more than 800,000 acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fshing. Our waters hold ancient paddlefsh, wary largemouth bass, and tasty bluegill—more than 200 diferent species. About 40 of those fsh species are the targets of anglers. Some Missourians fsh for sport or relaxation, while others fsh only for food. Regardless of motivation, the majority of anglers reap all the benefts of fshing. They spend quality time on the water and then return home to a satisfying meal of fried or grilled fsh they have caught themselves. One of the joys of fshing is that it can be fun and productive at any skill level. You can complicate the sport with jargon and sophisticated equipment, but the whole sport can be pared down to some basic equipment and techniques. This publication presents those basics to you. It would take many volumes to introduce you to all the species of fsh, all the methods, and all the lures, and so much information at once would be overwhelming. Instead, we want to be your guide for your frst fshing trips. Let us go with you hand-in-hand to the water and patiently teach you how to catch some fsh. We know that once you start fshing, you will quickly learn to love the sport. er n n o d St Davi 2 | An Introduction to Fishing Rod Tip Rod and Reel Spin-fshing reels are of two types: closed-faced (or spin-casting) and open- You could catch fsh with a stick, some faced (or spinning). The spin-casting reel string and a safety pin. In a similar vein, has a cap with a hole in it over the top of you could also drive nails with a rock. But the spool. On the open-faced reel, you can wouldn’t it be easier to use a hammer? see the entire spool and the line wound on Modern fshing reels, rods, line, and it. (See illustrations on page 7.) hooks take the place of a stick, string, and Closed-faced reels have either a push pin. They are designed to improve your button or a lever that, when depressed, fsh catching ability and to decrease your allows line to fall of the spool. Open-faced frustration. Like the hammer, a fshing rod reels have a semicircular metal device and reel is a purchase that will serve you known as a bail, which guides line onto the over and over again. spool when closed and allows line to be Line Fortunately, taking this giant released when open. Guides evolutionary step from stick and string to a You can pick either spin-casting or modern and suitable fshing rod and reel is open-faced reels. Note from the pictures on not expensive. Page 7 that the push-button reel requires You might start by borrowing some a diferent rod handle and grip than do the equipment from a relative or friend to reels with a bail or a lever. begin fshing. Your request could lead You will want a good, all-purpose to a fshing outing with an experienced rod-and-reel combination to start with— partner. You could also use equipment something that will let you catch fsh of all from the many Missouri Department of sizes. Look for or ask a clerk in a sporting Conservation (MDC) rod and reel loaner goods store for a medium-light rod from 5 locations (available online at short.mdc. 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet long and a matching reel mo.gov/Z4X). that will handle lines from 4-pound test to Most beginners use spin-fshing 12-pound test. (The “pound test” tells you equipment. In spin fshing, the reel lays line how strong the line is.) Medium-light tackle around a fxed spool, the way you might is sufcient for fshing ponds, small lakes wind thread on a spool. The spool end and rivers, and even trout parks. points toward the guides on the rod, and line falls of it in loops when you cast. Thumb Button Drag Adjustment Rod Handle Trigger Cover Line Opening hite Grip W f os: Cli Reel Seat ot h p el Re Reel Handle d n d a o R An Introduction to Fishing | 3 Shopping List • A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations • Bait and lures • Hooks » S ize 6 » 1 6–20 • Sinkers » A ssorted sizes of split shot » O ne package of three bell sinkers, ½ ounce • Bobbers • Spare fshing line » M onoflament line, 6- to 12-pound test » 4 -pound test or less • Needle-nosed pliers and nail clippers • Tape measure • Stringer (or fsh basket) Stocking a Basic Tackle Box • Landing net Sporting goods departments and bait shops often stock mind-boggling • First aid kit inventories of equipment and accessories. They ofer artifcial baits in every color • Sunscreen and insect and size. Plus you’ll encounter a whirlwind of bugs, bobbers, sinkers, hooks, and repellent swivels. • Area map Don’t be misled; you don’t need a garage full of equipment to go fshing. In • Know Your Catch fsh ID fact, the following basic items will equip you nicely for your frst outings. booklet Line: Your Link to the Fish We suggest starting with 8-pound test monoflament line. People sometimes use lighter line to cast farther or to get more bites from skittish fsh or heavier lines to pull out of snags, but 8-pound test line is a good compromise for most fsh. Choose clear, light blue or green line for your starting outft. Check your reel or the instructions that came with it to determine how much 8-pound-test line it will hold. Usually hite W a 100-yard spool is large enough to fll a medium-light reel. f Cli Follow the instructions that come with your reel and ox: B lainbeo ubte 1fo/8re in fcllhin fgro. mTh teh ree eolu itss fidulel wedhgeen othf eth we rsappopoel.d D lionne’ ti s er; Tackle allow knots in your line, except at the end. Knots both nn o weaken line and make it difcult to cast. d St Davi h: Fis 4 | An Introduction to Fishing Casting Casting is a mechanical activity. The fshing rod extends your arm and allows you to “throw” your lure or bait a long reel should all be in distance with little efort. Keep in mind that casting is a direct line with the right matter of timing, not strength. eye, right foot, and target. This We’ll teach you a reliable one-stroke cast. places the rod and lure in natural line You can learn to cast on the water, or head to your with the target. Keep your eye focused backyard or a nearby park and throw to targets on the grass. on the target during the entire cast. Practice with a bell sinker or a casting plug attached to the end of your line. A few 10-minute sessions will make you Cast profcient enough to fsh. There are six steps to a successful Hold the rod so that the tip is at eye level and centered cast: grip, stance, aim, cast, release, and follow-through. on the target. Your elbow should be close to, but not Grip touching, your body. With a smooth upward motion, start the cast by raising your hand almost to eye level, bending If you are right-handed, grip the rod handle with your right the wrist and elbow so that the rod extends over your hand, placing your forefnger on the rod handle trigger. If head and behind you. When the rod reaches the 11 or 10 you are left-handed, grip the rod handle with your left hand, o’clock position, the weight of the plug will cause the rod placing your forefnger on the rod handle trigger. Place your to bend to the rear. As it does, bring the rod forward in a thumb on the release button but do not press it yet. crisp downstroke with the forearm, applying only a slight wrist motion forward. Release When your forearm, wrist, and rod reach the 1 o’clock position on the forward cast, release the push button with your thumb and allow the plug to travel toward the target. Line is released when the push button is released. The correct release usually occurs when the rod is between 1 and 2 o’clock, but this will take some practice. Follow-through As the plug is released, your arm should follow through to about the 3 o’clock position. Stance Note: The cast should begin with the plug hanging about 1 inch below the rod tip. If more casting distance Face your target with feet shoulder-width apart. If you are is needed, increase the starting distance from the plug right-handed, put your right foot forward. If you are left- to the rod tip in 1-inch increments, until the desired handed, put your left foot forward. More of your weight distance is obtained. The farther the plug starts from the should be on your forward foot, also known as the aiming rod tip, the harder it will be to achieve accuracy. Holding foot. Keeping your body and target in a straight line the plug against the rod tip can cause excessive wear to increases your chances for a successful cast. the tip guide, which can afect accuracy. The best rule nger Aim of thumb is to start with the plug hanging 1 inch below e es the rod tip, and then experiment. B d Davi Aiming has already begun with a proper stance. The Of course, you’ll get even better with more practice. on: casting arm, the rod, and eye need to be in alignment. If your lure shoots up in the air and doesn’t go very ustrati Place the rod in front of your body, pointing at the target. far, you probably released the line too early. If the lure g Ill Keep your elbow bent at approximately a right angle. Keep smacks into the ground in front of you, you released the n Casti your eye on the target and not the rod. Make a point to line too late. hite; check to see what’s behind you. Press the push button Remember that the cast has no sudden or jerky W f with your right thumb (if you are right-handed) and raise motions. Practice until it becomes smooth and nearly Cli el: the rod to the 2 o’clock position. The right hand, rod, and efortless. e R An Introduction to Fishing | 5 Filling the reel spool How to tie an arbor knot Thread the line through the spool cap or under the 1. Wrap the tag end of your line around your reel spool. bail to start. Tie one end of the line to your reel spool 2. Tie an overhand knot in the tag end. This will keep with an arbor knot, and then reel it on. Most spools of the end from pulling through the main knot. line come with suggestions on how to avoid line twist 3. Tie another overhand knot with the line around the when flling your reel. spool. 4. Wet the main knot and pull it down tight onto the spool. Make sure the frst overhand knot pulls in tight to this main knot. How A Drag Works Fishing reels have a drag to prevent the weight and pull of a fsh from snapping the line, making it possible to land even large fsh with light lines. Before fshing, set the drag to release line before the breaking point of the line is reached. When a big fsh is pulling, line will come of the reel, sometimes making a clicking sound. Learn to recognize when the drag is letting a fsh run and don’t reel during that time, or your line will twist. Avoid the temptation to tighten the drag while fghting a fsh. e hit W f Cli 6 | An Introduction to Fishing Finer Points All anglers do not cast alike. As you fsh, you will develop • Longer rods generally allow you to cast farther, if they your own casting style. You will also learn special casts, are correctly matched to the weight of the lure or bait. such as the sidearm cast or underarm fip, that will allow Make sure your reel is flled to capacity, so the line does you to throw a lure when branches or brush make the not drag on the reel spool. overhand cast impossible. All casts, however, depend on • If you need more distance, use a two- hand grip and the basic back and forth motion. That’s the best way to bring the arm back more quickly on the backcast, take mechanical advantage of the rod. Here are some tips loading the rod with more energy potential. to improve your casting: • Casting into a strong wind requires a lower trajectory, • Accuracy is often more important than distance. Many which is achieved by releasing the line slightly later in fsh remain near protective cover and will strike only the forward part of the cast. those lures that come into their immediate vicinity. • If your lure bounces or skitters across the water, you are • Improve your accuracy by casting to defnite targets, releasing the line too late. Release earlier for a higher even while on the water. Make sure you focus on your trajectory. Remember the bouncing technique, though, target while casting. for you may someday want to skip your lure under a • If you sense you’ve cast too far, you can slow the lure dock or raft. by providing some drag on the line with your fngers or • Many problems with distance or accuracy result from by lifting the rod so that the line drags against the end holding the rod too tightly. Use the minimum amount guide, instead of fowing through it. of force necessary to hold the rod through the cast. • Casting heavy lures or baits requires more of a lob Seizing the rod tightens muscles and restricts fuidity, than a cast. Increase slightly the distance between especially in your wrist. The lighter the grip, the more the lure and the rod tip, and use more of a sidearm control and distance. cast. Bring the rod back more slowly and pause longer before beginning the forward cast. Use your entire arm, instead of just the forearm, for casting. Spin-fshing reels and rods and how anglers hold them Open-faced reel Spin-casting reel The rod is held in the right hand with the reel on the The rod is held with the reel up. Cast with the rod in underside for both casting and retrieving. Right-hand the right hand and switch the rod to the left hand anglers reel with their left hand. Closed-faced reels before retrieving. Reel with the right hand. (Some with levers are also held in this position. reels allow you to switch the handle to the other side of the reel if you prefer.) e hit W f Cli An Introduction to Fishing | 7 Rigging Up Now that you’ve acquired some fshing gear and learned how to cast, it’s time to arm your fshing pole for action. The end of your line is the scene of all the action. Here you’ll tie a hook or lure and, perhaps, fasten on split shot sinkers, swivels, or bobbers. Use the improved clinch to tie on hooks and lures. Improved Clinch Knot Rubber Grip Egg Bullet Split Shot There are dozens of diferent knots, but most anglers settle on one or two favorite knots to tie line to reels, hooks, swivels, and lures. The improved clinch knot is 5. Pull on both the line and the tag end to tighten strong and easy to tie, even with cold, wet fngers. the knot and snug it up to the eye. The knot will come together more smoothly if you moisten the line with saliva 1. Run the end of the line through the eye of a hook before tightening. Trim the tag end about 1/4 inch away about 6 inches and fold it back on itself. from the knot. 2. Leaving a loop (Loop 1) near the eye, wrap the end of the line around the standing (or long piece of line held in Finished Knot your hand) about fve complete turns. Standing How you rig depends partly on the kind of fsh you Cord hope to catch. Catfsh usually search for food near the Loop 1 bottom, so you need weight to keep your bait near the fsh. Crappie and many other panfsh often swim a few feet beneath the surface, and a bobber will hold your bait up where the fsh can see it. 3. Pass the end back up through Loop 1 (the loop beside Generally, use the lightest tackle you can. Holding your the eye). This creates another loop (Loop 2) between the bait on the bottom of a pond on a calm day, for example, standing cord and Loop 1. doesn’t require a large sinker. One or two split shot will do, and the lighter weight is less likely to alert fsh that are Loop 2 sampling your bait. Standing Similarly, use a small bobber and balance it with Cord Loop 1 enough split shot beneath that the fsh can pull your bobber down without much resistance. Spring Slip Foam Plastic Torpedo Round 4. Pass the end down through Loop 2 and out along the side of the standing cord. You’ll fnd it helpful to use • the fngers holding the hook to help you guide the end through the loop. e hit Loop 2 Standing W f Cord Cli ers: b b o B d n nkers a Si 8 | An Introduction to Fishing What you should use for bait also depends on the kind Baited Hooks of fsh you’re after. (See the chart on Page 11.) The best all Keep baits fresh. With few exceptions, fresh bait will attract around bait is probably a worm or a part of a nightcrawler, more bites than old bait. both of which will catch panfsh and trout, as well as most larger species. Hook the worm several times through, or pinch of part of a nightcrawler and run the hook through it. Bobber Rig l 4 to 10 inches 4 to 10 Bottom Fishing Rig inches er g n e es B d Davi An Introduction to Fishing | 9 Hooks come in many sizes and shapes. An ideal hook Types of Lures and Baits is one that is small enough to slip into a fsh’s mouth, yet large enough to hold its lip securely. Hooks are measured with a numbering system that runs from No. 20 to No. 0 — Oversized Plug the bigger the number, the smaller the hook. For example, a No. 20 hook is much smaller than a No. 6 hook. p When fshing with natural or live bait, a package with an assortment of hooks ranging from sizes No. 6 through No. 10 is good to have. However, when fshing for catfsh or other large fsh, larger hooks are needed, such as No. 2 through No. 6. Trout fshing requires small hooks in the No. 14 to No. 20 range. Large Bucktail Spinner Aberdeen Bait-holder Treble Spoons Aberdeen Hook The Aberdeen hook has an elongated shank and wide gap. Mostly used with worms, minnows, and insect larvae, Crankbaits the Aberdeen allows for easy removal from a fsh, as the shank is usually visible for easy access. This hook is a good beginner’s hook. The long shank helps anglers get a safer feel for unhooking fsh, and baiting is easier than if using short-shank hooks. Bait-holder Hook Bait-holder hooks are recognizable by a series of two or more barbs on the shank. Anglers who fsh with nightcrawlers often use them. These barbs help hold the worms on the shank. This keeps bait on the hook longer and limits bait loss from small fsh that try to pull the worm ner n Flies o of the hook. d St Davi Treble Hook es: The treble hook is actually three single hooks stuck baits, Fli together. Used most often with lures, but are also used to nk hold doughbait or stinkbait because they hold soft bait ns, Cra better than single hooks. oo p e; S hit W f Cli oks: o H 10 | An Introduction to Fishing