Fishing is more than just sitting on the pier or in a boat, waiting for something to nibble on the line; it’s a way for people to relax and de-stress their minds. It’s also a great way to immerse yourself in nature and just enjoy the sights and sounds. Some enjoy it so much, that they want to be a professional angler. If that is your desire, then you better start working on your fishing skills.
However, what’s the point of doing something if there’s no end result to it, right? If you’re going fishing, you need to catch some fish. In order to become a good angler, you don’t need to be strong or tall. You just need a little bit of practice, and you will become an expert angler before you even know it. Written below are 5 skills you should master so that you can become an expert angler. From there, it is a hop, skip and jump from being a professional angler.
1. Casting
Knowing how to cast a reel is a really important part of being an angler. A lot of people find this super hard, but you need to remember that practice makes a man perfect. You can start by practicing in your backyard, and before you know it, you’ll be really good at this aspect of fishing.
For beginners, it is highly advised to start off with spin casting since it is much easier than baitcasting. Baitcasting is more suited for those who are already experts in the field. Spin casting allows you to catch fish without breaking the line, so if you’re a beginner, you should definitely opt for this method of casting.
2. Set the Drag
If you don’t really know what the drag is, then don’t worry. The drag is a pair of plates in the fishing reel that creates friction. They act a lot like the brakes of your car. This drag helps to save the line from slipping when a fish applies pressure on it when it’s trying to get away from you. Setting the drag to the appropriate friction will make sure a fighting fish doesn’t snap the line. Beware the fish that uses drag to get you caught in the weeds or rocks.
3. Setting the Hook
This is an extremely crucial part of fishing. If you’re a beginner, then you should make sure that you feel the weight of the hook before you try to catch fish. It can help you get an idea of how heavy it is so that when the fish applies pressure, you can immediately pull it out. Pull too hard and the big one could spit the bait out on you. Pull to weakly, and the fish might make it all the way to the boat just to let you see what you lost.
4. Choosing Bait
You need to choose the right type of bait so that you can catch just the type of fish that you want to. For this purpose, you first need to know what kind of fish you’re looking to catch, and then choose your bait accordingly. It is up to you whether you want live bait or artificial bait. Both are ideal for different species of fish.
Live bait includes worms and small pieces of fish. If you’re choosing artificial bait, then you need to choose the right color to attract the fish that you’re trying to catch.
5. Reeling a Fish
You should hold the rod at a 45-degree angle so that you can reel the fish in perfectly once it’s hooked on. Fish in deep waters tend to swim to the bottom, whereas the ones in shallow waters tend to jump. To ensure that you don’t break the line or the rod, you need to reel the fish in at just the right angle and with the right amount of force. Don’t reel in while lifting the rod tip. Definitely reel when lowering the tip. Then stop reeling and pull up on the rod. Repeat until the fish is caught.
With practice, determination, and by following the tips mentioned above, you can become an expert angler. Try to master these 5 skills, and you will see the improvement in your fishing trips. If you are one of the many with your sites on being a professional angler, I wish you good luck.
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