When you first take up a new hobby the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming at first. Taking up fishing is no different. There are just so many kinds of fishing equipments in stores and online. The are thousands of books and even more websites all giving the 'best' advise. The truth is that you can probably learn something very usefull from each one of these resources. The challenge however is that when you are so overwhelmed you tend to never really take any of the advise in.



To make it all simple, here are the basic things you need to know for your first fishing adventure. If you need any additional information and lnow-how, it's better to add on. Start simple. Start with the basics and grow your knowlege and expertise.

1) Fishing with bait:

- Tackle

To plunk the bait, you should purchase lead weights. The weight of the lead would vary depending on the current of the environment. Anglers commonly use and recommend bank sinkers with a number-two hook. To avoid sinkers to slide, you would need a swivel to act as a stop. To protect the knot, you could use plastic beads between the swivel and weight. Using two appropriate swivels could allow you to rig the sliding sinkers.

- Bait

The commonly used bait for all kinds of fishes is worms. Another popular bait is chicken liver. Remember to buy fresh bait and keep them cold to avoid them from getting soft and allowing the bait to stay within your hooks. Some of the commonly used baits are cut-baits which include skin from fried chicken, fish entrails, grasshoppers, salmon eggs, shrimps and crayfish tails.

2) Fishing Methods:

- Plunking ? It is the most common method used. Use a suitable amount of weight for you to be able to take hold of the bait in a position which is against any current. An option in plunking is to use minimal weight for the bait to move along with the water current.

- Back bouncing ? It is done by lifting the bait out the bottom and raising the tip of the rod for one to two feet. Allowing the bait to walk with the current, you should free the back reel or spool. Repeat the steps when the lure settles down on the bottom. Back bouncing is effective in deeper water like fishing in a boat.

- Drift-fishing ? It is a simple method wherein you cast upstream or downstream. This may vary depending on the current's amount. You should count the appropriate depth and start reeling.

3) Fishing From a boat:

It is important to determine in which location you would perform your fishing. Deeper water needs heavier jigheads compared when fishing on shore.

- With heavy weight which keeps your bait near the bottom of the water and the line straight down from your boat, you are able to drift the boat along with any current. A good technique of fishing on boats is trolling slowly with a fishing device called bottom-walker.

Fishing is a skill that most people can pick up quite easily. You don't need to be a world champion to enjoy fishing. Remember that the real purpose of fishing is to have fun and to enjoy the experience of being close to nature. Why not bring some of your family and friends along and make your first time fishing a memorable one.