Whether you’re a new angler or want to explore new fishing skills, this
comprehensive list will reveal the most popular fishing techniques you might love!
In fishing, there’s an entire world of techniques, each with its own charm and
challenges. If you’re a newbie angler and want to know your options for catching
prize-worthy fish, this blog is for you. You’ll also want to tag along if you’ve been
fishing for years and want to explore new techniques to challenge your skills and
sense of adventure. Whatever the case is for you, read on to explore a comprehensive list of popular fishing techniques! We will cover what each method entails, when to use it, and how to get the most out of the experience.
Bait Fishing
Bait fishing is where most anglers start their journey. This straightforward method
uses live or dead bait to attract fish. The concept is simple: fish see something they’d
normally eat, and they bite.
Common baits include worms, minnows, crickets, and cut bait from other fish. You
simply have to match your bait to the fish you’re targeting. For example, if you’re
after bass in Lake Fontana, you might have luck with using crawdads as bait. Or if
you’re interested in catfish, they usually can’t resist stink baits or chicken liver.
Bait fishing works well for beginners because it requires minimal skill to get started.
You can fish from the shore, a dock, or a boat. Just remember that you need to keep
bait fresh, and sometimes the fish just aren’t hungry for what you’re offering.
Lure Fishing
In lure fishing, instead of waiting for fish to find your bait, you’re actively trying to
trigger their predatory instincts with artificial lures that mimic prey.
There are many types of lures with unique applications. Topwater lures (including
poppers, darters, crawlers, prop baits, and flexible plastic) can float, skim, and skip
on the water’s surface to create exciting action that fish are drawn to. If you’re
targeting fish in deeper waters, you’ll probably need lures in the categories of jigging,
swimbait, crankbait, and so forth.
Overall, lure fishing demands more skill and knowledge than bait fishing. You need
to understand how different lures work, which lure to use for which fish species, what
retrieve speed to use, how to read water conditions, and more. But the payoff is
huge, as lure fishing can be incredibly productive once you master it.
Fly-Fishing
Fly-fishing might just be the most artistic form of angling. This technique uses
lightweight flies that imitate insects, small fish, or other tiny prey. The specialized
casting technique relies on the weight of the fly line rather than the lure itself.
In this technique, you can use dry flies or wet flies. Dry flies sit on the water’s
surface, mimicking insects that have landed or fallen in. Wet flies go below the
surface, imitating drowned insects or aquatic larvae.
If you want to learn how to fly-fish, you must be prepared for a steep learning curve.
But once you get the hang of it, you might find it to be the most relaxing and
rewarding form of fishing.
Trolling
Trolling involves pulling lures or bait behind a moving boat. This technique covers a
lot of water quickly, making it perfect for locating fish or targeting species that roam
open water. That’s why trolling excels for species like salmon, trout, walleye, and
various saltwater fish. It’s particularly effective on large bodies of water where fish
might be scattered across vast areas.
When you go trolling, remember that speed control is crucial. If you go too fast, you
might pull the lure away from fish. But if you go too slow, fish probably won’t be
interested in the lifeless-looking bait.
Bowfishing
Bowfishing combines archery skills with fishing, and what’s not to love about that?
This technique is best for targeting fish in shallow, clear water. You use a bow and
specially designed arrows attached to the bow with heavy line to make your catches.
Common targets include carp, gar, suckers, and other rough fish species. This
method requires good aim, quick reflexes, and the ability to spot fish in their
underwater environment. The key is accounting for light refraction because fish
appear higher in the water than they actually are. You will also need to choose the
best motor for bowfishing if you’re traveling offshore. Consider quiet electric motors
that won’t spook fish in shallow water.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is like bowfishing—but underwater. It’s also more common as a
saltwater fishing technique, but you can absolutely spearfish in fresh water. This
literally ancient technique uses spears, pole spears, or spearguns to catch fish while
you’re free-diving or scuba diving.
Spearfishing is difficult. Success depends on your breath control, swimming ability,
and understanding of fish behavior. Different fish react differently to divers; some are
curious and approachable, while others flee at the first sign of humans.
Just keep in mind that this method is heavily regulated in many areas, with specific
seasons, size limits, and gear restrictions. It’s also one of the most selective forms of
fishing, so it’s a great option if you’re wanting to develop a niche skill or target very
specific species.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing extends the fishing season into winter, even when lakes and ponds freeze
over. Though we never really have the opportunity for ice fishing in the Carolinas, you
can enjoy this technique and keep practicing your hobby year-round by traveling out
of state. Make sure the ice is thick enough as well!
To ice fish, you simply cut holes through ice and fish in the confined space below.
You’ll need some specialized equipment, including ice augers for cutting holes,
shelters for warmth, and sensitive rods designed for subtle bites in cold water. Fish
metabolism slows in cold water, so lure or bait presentations need to be more subtle
and patient.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing brings the excitement of ocean angling to the shoreline. This technique
involves casting from beaches into breaking waves, targeting species that feed in the
surf zone. In the Outer Banks, this is a very popular technique.
Long rods help achieve the distance you need to reach fish beyond the waves. You’ll
also need pyramid sinkers to hold bait in place against strong currents and wave
action. Timing is everything in surf fishing. Fish often feed most actively during
moving tides, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Each of the popular fishing techniques on this comprehensive list is well-liked for
a reason. They’re all fun and skillful and typically offer a good return on investment.
Based on your experience and interests, you can pick a technique that resonates
with you and gets you out on the water catching trophy fish!
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