Fishing Skills and Tricks

This article includes a list and description of the necessary skills to be an effective fisherman. Enjoy!!

Fishing

1. Knot tying
1. Clinch Knot- This knot is used for tying line to lures.

                                                               i.            Bring the free end of the line
up through the eye of the hook.
Give yourself about a foot of free
line on top to work with

                                                             ii.            Take the free end back, behind and then under the straight line.

                                                            iii.            Bring the free end back over the top to form a full loop. Keep loops
fairly loose at this point.

                                                           iv.            Continue looping the free end around the straight line in the same direction.  Make about 4 loops.

                                                             v.            With the free end coming from the bottom of a turn, pass it
between the eye and the first loop.

                                                           vi.            Slowly pull out all slack. Then
pull tightly and trim off the end.

2. The Palomar Knot- Used for tying hooks to line. The Palomar Knot is strongest knot known to hold terminal tackle.

                                                               i.            Double about 4" of line and pass the loop through the eye of fishing hook.

                                                             ii.            Let the fishing hook hang loose, and tie an overhand knot in the doubled line. Avoid twisting the lines and do NOT tighten the knot.

                                                            iii.            Pull the loop end of the line far enough to pass it over the hook, swivel or lure.  Make sure the loop passes completely over the attachment.

                                                           iv.            Pull both the tag end and the standing line until the knot is tightened.  Clip off the tag end of the fishing line.

2. Foot position-
1. Stand with dominant foot forward and other foot behind you in a 45 degree stance.
2. Weight should be distributed evenly
3. You want a slight bend in the knees
3. Holding rod and casting
1. Hold the handle of the rod in your dominant hand.  Place other hand under other hand, or around dominant for added support. Modification:  more experienced fisherman may cast with one hand.
2. Push down on release button on reel with thumb.
3. Take rod back in either a 45 degree angle or straight over the top.
4. With a smooth controlled motion, bring rod forward and snap your wrist out in front of you.
5. As you get to release point, release the button on the reel.
6. At the release point, also known as the follow through, hold this position until your lure hits the water.
7. Once lure hits the water, switch the rod into your non-dominant hand, “steady hand/arm” and begin reeling with your dominant hand.
8. Your “steady arm” is in charge of providing support for the rod and your reeling hand.
4. Hoop Fishing Drill        
1. Place hula-hoops around the field at different distances from a line. 
2. Students must cast and try to land a hook less lure into the hoops.
3. Students must focus on the difference in distance and adjust force of cast accordingly.
5. Reeling in Lure
1. Based on type of lure, you always want to reel in a controlled smooth motion. 
2. Try to minimize any extra motion/activity in steady arm.
3. When reeling, make sure there is not excessive slack in the line.
6. Setting the hook
1. When you feel a fish hit the lure/line, bends you knees and arch your back.
2. In unison with arching your back, keep arms and hands close together.
3. Pull back with an aggressive force and brings hands upward towards your cheek or ear.
4. Once tension has developed in the line, continue reeling in until fish is out of water.
5. Never let any slack develop in the line.
6. "Reeling in the Big One"

                                                               i.            Have students practice setting the hook position.

                                                             ii.            Make sure you focus on having knees bent, arms close together, and bring hands towards cheek/ear.