A Quick Guide to Freshwater Fishing

This is a freshwater fishing guide to give you some basic but much-needed information on the right gear you’ll need for fishing in lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. There are a few tips and tricks when it comes to equipment and accessories which will not only help your chances but also make your freshwater fishing experience more enjoyable.

Choosing the Right Fishing Rod

Freshwater equipment differs from saltwater equipment mostly due to two factors, the fish you’re catching are generally smaller, and there is no need for saltwater corrosion protection. This is good news as freshwater fishing gear tends to be less expensive. In choosing the right fishing rod, you’ll need to know what kind of fish you are planning to catch.

• The lifting power of your rod should be determined by the size and weight of the fish you are planning to catch. They are usually categorized from ultra-light to extra heavy. For catching smaller fish you would choose lighter power rods. For larger fish, you would benefit from heavier power rods.

• The next and equally important factor is the action of your rod. This refers to the flexibility of the tip of your rod and is categorized from slow to extra fast. A slow rod means that it will have more bend, so the strike movement you make after a fish bites will have a slower response. A fast action rod will have less bend and consequently means that any striking action will produce a faster response when hooking a fish.

• Length is also an important factor, but this has slightly less to do with the type of fish you want to catch and more to do with where you’ll be fishing. A longer rod allows you to cast further. So if you’re planning on fishing from a boat, a shorter rod of up to 8 feet is recommended. If you plan on doing shore fishing, a longer rod is recommended.

Lures and Bait

Lures and live/natural bait are chosen according to the type of fish you want to catch, different fish respond to different bait and lures, this can be a really deep and often subjective topic that is worth doing some in-depth research on. The best way to find the right type of bait or lure is to research the type of fish you’re aiming to catch and what other people are using to successfully do so.

License

Having the proper license or permit is essential to freshwater fishing and something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Licenses and permits are issued to collect data and protect the fish and their environment. The penalties and fines for fishing without a license can be quite expensive. It’s not worth the risk of fishing without a license or permit.