Fishing For Beginners
By Syahrul Azlan Idris
Fishing is probably one of the most popular forms of recreation in the world. You can find people of all ages and gender, from all walks of life, enjoying the sport from shore and from boats. The equipment used in fishing, or tackle as it is called by fishermen, is relatively uncomplicated. All you really need to start fishing is a rod, a reel, fishing line, hooks and lures. The cheap equipment and abundance of fishing spots all over the world make it easy for anyone to fish. For others, it can be another source of food; for many, it’s a chance to go out into the outdoors and spend time alone or with like-minded friends.

Fishing, or angling, can be enjoyed either in fresh water or salt water. When you fish in streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds, then you’re going freshwater fishing. You can catch trout, bass, and several other species this way. On the other hand, saltwater fishing takes place in oceans, estuaries, and tidal rivers. The fish you can catch here are typically bigger than the usual ones you can catch while freshwater fishing. These include tuna, snappers, marlin, sailfish, and tarpon.

You’ve probably heard about spin fishing, bait fishing, and fly fishing. These are the most common types of angling used both in salt water and fresh water fishing. But what exactly are the differences between these three?

Bait fishing means using live or dead bait to catch fish, plain and simple. When a fisherman goes bait fishing, the bait is placed on a hook and then cast into the water, where the bait sinks. Now, depending on the type of fish, the fisherman may then let the bait sink to the bottom of the water, jig the bait up and down to attract fishes by the movement, or reel the bait in to attract fish swimming near the surface of the water.

Spin fishing uses metal or plastic lures to entice and catch fish. These lures spin as the fisherman reels in the line. Fishermen using this technique always pay close attention to the speed by which they reel in the lure, as well as the depth, or how deep is the

Biologist Report -- North Branch Susquehanna River Young-of-the-Year Walleye
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Fish and Boat Commission urges support for referendum
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas J. Austen today urged citizens to vote ?Yes? on Election Day for a $400 million referendum to help upgrade the Commonwealth?s aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.
Fish & Boat Commission set to drain Opossum Lake
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Commission votes to acquire Erie County properties, adopts regulations to slow aquatic disease
During its fall quarterly meeting on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to purchase two properties in Erie County in order to enhance public fishing opportunities and approved final regulations aimed at slowing the spread of an infectious disease found in a variety of fish.
Commission approves grant program to restore Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed
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Steelhead are on the run
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced today that steelhead are officially on the run in Erie after the heavy rain experienced this week.
Biologist Report -- Pymatuning Reservoir YOY walleye, Crawford County
On September 27, 2008 crews from both the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission conducted a night electrofishing survey on Pymatuning Reservoir. A young-of-year (YOY) abundance survey is preformed annually to monitor survival of walleye stocked into the lake.
Biologist Report -- Raccoon Lake (Main Lake), Beaver County
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists surveyed Raccoon Lake to measure the size and quality of the lake?s resident gamefish and panfish populations relative to previous management targets.
Fish & Boat fall meeting set for October 6-7
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New state record for golden rainbow trout
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Exciting change for the Commission?s Boating Facilities Grant Program
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Biologist Report -- Warmwater stream survey results from ten southeastern Pennsylvania waters
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Reading Phillies fan wins national ?Take Me Fishing? sweepstakes & heads home with Lowe boat
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Commission looking for diverse applicants to perform the varied duties of a waterways conservation officer
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Biologist Report -- Tamarack Lake
Commission biologists surveyed Tamarack Lake on the evenings of May 14 - 15, 2008 to evaluate our efforts to bolster largemouth bass density.
Biologist Report -- Pymatuning Reservoir
Area One Fisheries Management personnel performed an annual spring trapnet survey of Pymatuning Reservoir immediately following ice-out, from March 31 to April 11.
Lake Wilma closed
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Biologist Report -- Keystone Lake
Area 2 biologists surveyed fish populations and evaluated the success of the walleye and tiger muskellunge stocking programs at Keystone Lake (also know as Keystone Power Dam) during the week of April 21, 2008.
Region Reports
Local fishing & boating reports for each region of Pennsylvania.
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Area 8 biologists surveyed Beaverdam Run Reservoir to measure the size structure and quality of the lake?s resident gamefish and panfish populations.
Biologist Report -- Upper Woods Pond
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Biologist Report -- Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, Crappie Angler Opinion Survey
In May and June of 2008, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission fisheries management personnel conducted an angler opinion survey concerning the Blue Marsh Lake crappie fishery.
Biologist Report -- Presque Isle Bay
Beginning on May 28th Area One Fisheries Management Personnel sampled Presque Isle Bay by means of an electrofishing boat for 3 consecutive nights to assess black bass populations.
Trout regulations modified at Fish & Boat Commission summer meeting
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Majority of trout anglers satisfied with fishing experience
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Biologist Report -- Lower Hereford Manor Lake, Beaver County -- Spring night electrofishing survey
On May 6, 2008 Area One Fisheries Management personnel sampled Lower Hereford Manor Lake by means of night electrofishing to assess the largemouth bass population.
Biologist Report -- Conneaut Lake, Crawford County -- Spring trapnet and electrofishing survey
During the week of April 14th, 2008 Area 1 Fisheries Management personnel sampled the fishery of Conneaut Lake by means of Pennsylvania style trap nets.
Fish & Boat Commission summer meeting set for July 14-15
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Fish & Boat Commission opens Leaser Lake to all fishing
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Harvey?s Lake access area to close July 8-9 for paving
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Native eastern brook trout added to PA Wildlife Action Plan
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lure in the water. These actions, along with the spinning of the lure, are necessary to imitate the movements of common game fish prey. When a fish bites the moving lure, it usually hooks itself, and then all the fisherman needs to do is to reel it in and land it with either a net or a gaff. Lighter fishing rods are used for smaller fish, and bigger rods are reserved for larger ones.

Fly fishing is generally considered the most difficult method. A typical fly fishing rod weighs less than the rods used for spin and bait fishing, and longer, too. This type of fishing uses feathered lures particularly created to resemble the appearance of insects or small fish. In casting, the fisherman whisks the rod forward then back with only the forearm. The line is then cast into a specific spot in the water with a sharp and smooth flick of the wrist. Depending on the type of fly, it can then float or sink in the water. What makes fly fishing so difficult is the smooth, precise movement necessary to introduce the fly into the water as naturally as possible.

The spring and autumn seasons are generally considered the best for game fishing, since these are when the fish are most active. Fish can still be caught during summer and winter, although the fish are usually a bit more sluggish and less inclined to chase lures or bait. Water temperatures also play an important part in deciding the best time to fish, since different types of fish are active at different temperatures. If their natural prey is around, you can also expect game fish to be more active.

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