Ever since I was a little kid I loved to go fishing. It was a time for me and my father to bond. It was also a time to relax and clear my mind of everything else. I have been fishing since I was six years old, and every since the first time I threw in my line I loved it. I have gained much knowledge in the sport from my father, who is a lifetime fisherman also. I have developed into a good fisherman, and learned many things over my fishing career. One of the things I have learned was to bait my hook and to cast it. I also learned how to reel in the fish; I have learned this from experiencing it many times. I have also researched this sport, and learned many things from that research. I will try to explain how to bait a hook and reel in a fish while fishing for trout.
In order to go fishing certain equipment is needed; this equipment consists of a fishing pole, a size twelve hook, and three different types of bait. There are three types of bait mainly used for trout, these are worms, minnow-fish, and the artificial bait called PowerBate by Berkley. Three different types of bait are needed because fish sometimes deny certain baits and the other baits could get them to bite. This makes the chances of catching a fish better than if only one type of bait was used. Before actually throwing the line of the fishing pole in the water there will have to be a hook on it.
The hook can be applied by putting the fishing line through the hole of the hook and knotting it about six times, and cut off the excess line with scissors. Then the hook will need bait on it, if the choice of bait is PowerBait by Berkley then you will need to roll it in a ball about a quarter of an inch big and stick the hook into it so it is on tightly. If you are using a worm, you would have to put the hook threw the worm once and let the rest of the worm dangle off of the hook. If your choice of bait is a minnow-fish then you will have to put the hook through the gills on one side and then out of the gills on the other side.
Now when the hook is baited then you are ready to cast your line into the water. First, you will grip the pole firmly with your dominant hand, and hold the line against the pole with your index finger. This will allow you to open the spool without letting your bait hit the ground. Now open the spool with the line still in your index finger. Finally you will swing your upper body including your arms to your dominant side and then swing back. When your body comes back half way let go of the line with your index finger and use your arm and wrist to flick the tip of the pole towards your destination. This will make your bait fly through the air and into the water. You will now need to flip the spool back to normal position so your line is taught. Now with the line taught you are ready to wait for a fish to bite.
When your fish comes along and nibbles on the bait you want to be able to hook him. Hooking a trout is the hardest part of trout fishing, and it is what makes a fisherman good at fishing. Trout nibble on their bait very meticulously and usually deceives the untrained fisherman. When a fish finally nibbles on your bait you want the fish to take his time, but not to much time because then you will miss your opportunity to catch it. While you are waiting for the fish to come along you want to be ready to swing the pole to hook the fish. You can do this by holding the pole with your dominant hand and keeping your non-dominant hand on the handle. Usually it takes about three to four seconds for them to take the bait fully, because trout play their food as you can see in the picture below.
When you feel the first nibble you can wait two seconds and then swing the pole back by arching your back and holding the pole with your arms coming up to a 90 degree angle. Once your arms come up you have to immediately come back down, as you are coming back down you have to reel as fast as you can. This doesn’t allow the fish to wiggle free from the hook; any kind of slack in the line can allow the fish to slip free. Then when you reel all the way down you can pull up again and then reel back down, and repeat this step until the fish is on land.
These steps can get anybody fishing in no time. Fishing is not only for men, but for women and children too. Everybody should fish; it brings the family together to have a great time. Hopefully these steps will help you catch a big trout, and make fishing one of your favorite things to do.