The art of fishing might seem a little complicated at the beginning, especially if you are doing it for the very first time. However, that shouldn’t be the case for you, as long as you have the right gear and follow the information provided in this guide.  

But, before we begin this guide, there’s something you need to know.  

This article will specifically cover the “spinner” methodology, which basically uses a fishing rod with a hardened spinning reel. And if you are following this guide, you will also have to focus on live baiting to attract whatever fish you want to catch.  

In any case, this is the best and easiest fishing method for beginners. And thanks to its efficacy, it can help you do saltwater and ice fishing without any issue. So, what are you waiting for? Let us get started with the article right away without any further ado.  

1: Get Your Fishing License 

Before you hit the water, make sure you have got your fishing license sorted for the state you’re heading to. You can grab one online, at fishing stores, or even at some corner shops.  

Prices vary depending on where you’re from and where you’re fishing.  

However, a day pass usually won’t set you back more than 20 bucks.  

If you’re planning to fish more often, it might be worth snagging an annual license, which can range from 30 to 150 bucks. And, hey, if your first outing goes smoothly (which probably will), you might find yourself buying the best winter carp bait and itching to go again! 

Where Should You Go? 

If you are on the move, it’s always best to talk to a native person to know more about where you can go fishing. After all, they’re likelier to have more information about their locality. Hence, the chance of you getting the right information will be much higher than usual.  

Or if you want, you can also use a crowdsourced fishing app, such as Fishbrain, to get additional information about it. In general, though, opting for a lake is a sounder option due to them having a much larger volume of fish. You can easily find rainbow trout, bass, or panfish here.  

2: Choosing the Bait 

Selecting the correct bait for fishing can depend on a lot of considerations. So, before you make a decision, it’s best to learn and differentiate between a live and an artificial bet first. 

When you start fishing, one of the first things to decide is what bait to use. There are two main kinds: natural and artificial. Natural bait is things like worms or minnows, found in nature. Artificial bait is made by people, like those colorful plastic lures. 

Both types work, but they have their own advantages. However, choosing between them depends on what type of fishing you are doing. In most cases, though, fishes don’t usually care if the bait is real or fake. If they find it tasty and attractive, they will go for it anyway. 

In any case, if you are looking for a few tips in this regard, here’s what we can offer as of now – 

Think about what your targeted fishes like to munch on. Live baits are basically anything alive or once alive that you toss out to hook a fish. Some nice picks for freshwater fishing snacks are worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets, and grasshoppers. 

For catching fish in the ocean, you’ve got a bunch of great options for bait. A few regular stuffs, such as crabs, eels, shrimp, etc., work pretty well in most cases. You can also buy a bunch of these without much difficulty too. They’re pretty cheap as well! 

3: Setting the Hook 

When learning to fish, a handy tip is to be patient and wait until you feel the fish’s weight before hooking it. If the fish is gently tapping your line without fully biting, it’s best to wait.  

Let the fish take the bait, then set the hook once you feel its weight. Using the right hook setup, like circle hooks for catfish, can make hooking the fish easier without needing to set it manually. 

Here’s how you can set your hook without making a mess out of it –  

When it comes to setting the hook, the first thing you need to know is how a fish bites the same. For instance if you find your bobber to be pulled down underwater completely, that is usually a sign of “you’ve found the gold!” 

Once you’ve got the sign, just start reeling in slowly while keeping your line straight and intact. It can help in increasing the overall sensitivity of the rod and be in a better position to set off your hook. I know it sounds a little difficult now, but that’s not true at all. 

The motion of setting the hook tends to be relatively simple. However, sometimes, it can be difficult to say if you have a bite or it’s just the feeling of strong current. So, as a rule of thumb, we’d ask you to pull almost always. This way you won’t miss out on anything. 

You know, the more you learn about the fish you’re aiming for and the more you’re out on the water practicing, the more fish you’ll reel in. So, get your gear ready with the right fishing hooks and watch those catches pile up! 

4: Setting the Drag 

So, you’ve hooked a fish and you’re all set to reel it in.  

But the last thing you want is for your line to snap, right? Well, good news! You can avoid that headache by learning how to set the drag on your reel. It’s a game-changer for drag fishing. 

So, ever wonder what drag fishing is all about? Well, picture yourself out there with your trusty fishing rod and reel, aiming to reel in that big catch.  

Now, when you’re using this setup, you’ll probably find yourself tinkering with something called the drag. It’s like your reel’s tension control, helping you manage the resistance when a fish takes your bait. Pretty handy, right? 

Think of the drag on your fishing reel like a built-in safety net for when you’ve hooked a big one. It’s basically a set of friction pads inside the reel. So, when Mr. Big Fish decides to put up a fight and yank on your line with all his might, these friction pads kick in.  

They sort of say, “Hold on, buddy!” and let out just enough line to ease the tension, so your line doesn’t snap like a twig. Now, you got to set that drag before you even cast your line.  

If you finally have got a fish on the hook, don’t try to fiddle too much with it. Instead, try to get it close to you rather slowly. The more calm and composed you are, the better it will work out. 

Furthermore, most fishing equipment isn’t really built to handle on-the-fly adjustments like that. So, you might cause more harm than good if you begin messing with it while tussling. 

Be sure to think ahead and set that drag right from the get-go. Your fishing adventures will be a whole lot smoother because of it! 

5: Casting the Fishing Rod 

Spincasting reels usually do great for beginners for two reasons – they are affordable, and you can take care of them pretty easily. They’re also the best choice for learning the casting method. 

Unlike open face spinning reels, spincasting reels have a line enclosed in a plastic cover, which helps prevent tangles. While they might not be as strong or accurate as spinning reels, they can still handle both light and heavy lures without risking your line breaking.  

To start, all you need is a 7-foot rod, a spincasting reel, and a 6- to 10-pound test line for casting lures weighing between 1/16 to 3/4 ounces (about 118.29 ml). 

So, let’s see how you should cast the fishing rod perfectly – 

Hold the rod around your waist, with your hand positioned comfortably on the reel stem below the rod. Let your bait or lure dangle about 10 to 18 inches below the tip of the rod. 

Now, use your index finger to hook the line and flip open the bail. Then, hold onto the line as you do it.  

Finally, you want to start by pulling that rod tip back, right over your dominant shoulder. Then, when you’re ready to cast, bring it forward quick, aiming the tip at your target.  

As you do that, just let go of the line with your finger, so the lure can do its thing and pull the line off the reel. 

The Final Say! 

If you’re just starting out, YouTube’s like your fishing buddy.  

Seriously, whether you’re figuring out knots, casting techniques, or how to put your rod together, a quick five-minute video can be a game-changer. 

Don’t sweat it if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. Fishing’s one of the easiest outdoor hobbies to dive into. Bagging your first catch? Piece of cake. Just scout out a lake, do a bit of homework, grab some basic gear, and get that line in the water.