Fishing in a lake is easily a favorite among many anglers, especially beginners. This popular pastime covers activities in nature, even though it can be daunting for beginners. But you shouldn’t worry, we have all the tips on how you can utilize the gears and make lake fishing more productive and enjoyable. Here are some tips for a successful day
Benefits of Lake Fishing
The main benefit of lake fishing is becoming one with nature. You also can share the experience with your family and loved ones. Many people enjoy going to a lake for fishing. It’s hardly about the catch and more about the experience.
If you care about the catch, then you should know that lake fishing is also a form of exercise. As you need to throw the line and the fish will fight for their life. Some freshwater fish can be feisty and drain your energy as you try to catch them.
Understanding the Lake
You must understand the lake. This includes its jurisdictions, area-at-large, depth, and other details. Some lakes in the states are part of the national park. If you’re still a beginner, these lakes are your best bet since you can rely on the ranger as your guard.
But most importantly, you understand the lake’s topography, whether it has rocks or primarily grass bottoms. Including how far is the shallow area. And don’t forget about the other details, such as the rocks, wind speed and movement, and the weather in the area.
The Types of Fish
Remember, the different lake holds a different type of fish. While some may overlap or share the same habitat. Therefore, be careful when you’re looking for a specific fish.
Some popular fish in lake fishing are bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. Even though they share the habitat, each fish have different preferences. Lucky for you, most lakes hold minnows or other baitfish. So you can have some fresh live bait from the lake.
Essential Lake Fishing Gear
The fun part about fishing is carrying the essential fishing gear. Most anglers have a dedicated box for all of their fishing equipment. Therefore, a tackle box is one of the essential gears to have. Even if you don’t want to carry a box around and prefer to make do with whatever you have, you still need this box for your substitute gear.
Fishing Rod and Reel
Freshwater fishing can be challenging. But the correct fishing rod and reel can bring you all the fish in the lake. As a beginner, you need a rod and reel combo that is light enough until you are comfortable using it. Then you can get a more advanced rod.
If you have fished several times, but still consider yourself a beginner, you can carry two or three rods on ina fishing trip. This is especially good for when you are trolling to catch fish.
Fishing Line
As a beginner, you may have heard from your friends about the best fishing line. But most anglers agree that you should start with an 8-pounds line. This will give a good motion in the water and also be light enough to reel in. This line is also strong enough to catch most of the fish.
Tackle Box and Baits
Other than the rod, a tackle box is one of the most popular gears for anglers. When someone carries a tackle box, you may quickly assume they are a fellow angler like you.
A tackle box can carry a lot of things. Most anglers only use it for baits, lures, and hooks. But you also can use it for other small items such as the reserve lines.
Carrying several sizes of hooks to match your target fish is always a good idea. In general, you must carry at least one hook between sizes 6 to 10. This size range covers the medium-sized hooks that are perfect for most freshwater fish.
When it comes to bait, you should get one that also works for minnows and other baitfish. It’s great when you suddenly run out of bait or want to try using live bait.
Techniques for Lake Fishing
Several techniques are good for lake fishing. Since you’re still a beginner, you can use either trolling or fly fishing. These two techniques are not only popular but also very beginner friendly.
Trolling
Trolling means you are using the boat’s movement to catch the fish. This technique uses several rods attached to the boat with the lines in the water. As you move the boat slowly, the lure will move along and attract fish.
The thing with trolling is some states banned this technique. So it’s best to double-check the regulation before you take your boat out for trolling.
Fly Fishing
Opposite from trolling, there’s fly fishing which relies more on how you carry the line than the lure. Fly fishing can be a bit complicated to start with. But since it’s similar to the regular fishing technique, it’s easy to learn.
Safety Tips for Lake Fishing
A lake can be as deep as fifty feet or more. Even though you’re fishing from the shoreline, you still have to be careful. And double your effort when you fish from a boat or kayak in the middle of the lake.
Wearing a life vest is not a joke when you’re doing exercise near or on the water.
Another safety tip that you need to know is to wear bright-colored gear if you’re fishing in a lake that is located in the forest. If the lake is part of a national park, make sure you keep a communication line open and ready
The final tip is to stay cautious. Be ready for all situations, including if you get lost or run into an unfavorable situation.
Generally, lake fishing is safe and good for beginners. So if you’re looking for a new outdoor activity that can keep you calm and relaxed, this one is for you. So hurry up, grab your rod and tackle box and schedule a fishing weekend with your family.