Questions tagged [fishing]

Questions about the activity of trying to catch fish, usually in the wild, using a wide range of techniques

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26 votes
6 answers
5k views

How do you remove a fishhook from a human?

If one is out fishing and someone gets a fishhook stuck in them, what are the different techniques for removing it?
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
23 votes
13 answers
94k views

When to kill and bleed a fish

I am getting into fishing (I bought an entry-level spinner and plan on going to some nearby rivers/lakes) and have been reading a lot of conflicting information in regards to the sequence of events ...
TicketMonster's user avatar
21 votes
2 answers
3k views

If one falls through the ice while ice fishing alone, how might one get out?

I was talking to a friend from Michigan recently, and she mentioned how short the ice fishing season on her small lake was this year. This naturally led to the safety of ice-fishing, and how one ...
ab2's user avatar
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18 votes
2 answers
31k views

Is it really necessary to gut a fish?

I'm obviously not a fisherman... If I like the flavors, is there any problem with cooking and eating a fish that hasn't been gutted? Any particular species? In other words, what are all the reasons ...
themirror's user avatar
  • 1,779
17 votes
3 answers
6k views

What do fishing regulations mean by "no bait?"

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has said the following as part of the fishing regulations: Starting September 1, the Parks Highway streams and many other Mat-Su and West Cook Inlet waters ...
Freedom_Ben's user avatar
16 votes
6 answers
975 views

What are some alternative ways of fishing - i.e. catching fish?

If I'm out in the wilderness and want to catch fish to survive, what are some ways I can do this without a conventional fishing pole/line?
studiohack's user avatar
  • 7,249
16 votes
5 answers
14k views

How do I catch fish with fish hooks but no bait?

As most survival kits come with fish hooks, I am wondering how do I catch fish without any bait?
wyocalboy's user avatar
  • 3,041
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can fish sense a person's heartbeat from vibrations through the line?

Fishing is 95% waiting and 5% action, well at least that's how it is for me. During the down time, I contemplate deeply on some obscure and inane things. For a while I've wondered if an angler is ...
zer00ne's user avatar
  • 677
14 votes
18 answers
97k views

What are good baits for crabbing?

Now certainly if you're British you likely just had a wave of nostalgia over the idea of Crabbing! I did when I thought this through certainly. Crabbing is not only a great way to spend the afternoon ...
Aravona's user avatar
  • 15.4k
14 votes
9 answers
35k views

What are the benefits of a baitcaster over a spinning reel for bass fishing?

I have been looking at new rods and several people have suggested a baitcaster. I currently have a spinning reel that I am comfortable with but I would like to try a new rod/reel type. What am I ...
J Lundberg's user avatar
  • 1,619
13 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why do some people stand inside the river fishing?

Why do some people stand in the water to fish and not just stand on the bank of the river? They get wet this way.
Ronen Festinger's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
15k views

Fishing Rods: One Piece or Two Piece

A number of fishing rods you can buy have models that are 2 piece and models that are 1 piece. I have heard people say their rods snapped in half when they were 2 piece. However, it would be extremely ...
NULL's user avatar
  • 721
13 votes
4 answers
5k views

How do you determine worm color for Large Mouth Bass

When I was growing up and fishing for Large Mouth Bass with my grandfather we primarily used plastic worms. Color and style matters a lot, and different worms had significantly different results. To ...
Russell Steen's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
411 views

How to determine the thickness of ice?

Thinking about going ice fishing this winter but I am worried about falling through thin ice. I know that ice should be at least 4 inches (10 cm) if clear and 8 inches (20 cm) if cloudy, but how can ...
celeriko's user avatar
  • 488
12 votes
7 answers
10k views

Is the fishermen's greeting "Petri Heil" accepted all around the world?

In Germany fishermen greet each other with "Petri Heil". I asked myself if this is only a German thing or is it kind of universal (at least in developed countries like EU countries, US etc.) for ...
OddDeer's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why do some fisheries have a lower size limit and others have an upper size limit for keeping fish?

My home river has a minimum size limit of 50 cm for keeping atlantic salmon, while I have seen online that some other places have a maximum size limit above which fish cannot be retained. Why is there ...
Kenji's user avatar
  • 1,934
12 votes
4 answers
631 views

Fly casting in heavy cover/growth

I recently began learning to fly fish. However most of the streams I frequent are small creeks in the Southern Appalachians that have a lot of growth on the banks and overhead making casting rather ...
Anycorn's user avatar
  • 221
11 votes
5 answers
1k views

What type of pole can be used for trout while backpacking?

Several of the places we hike every year have trout. I'd like to have some fresh fish on a couple of those hikes but I'm pretty new to trout fishing and I don't want to carry the weight of full ...
Russell Steen's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
346 views

Walk-away fishing

From a beginning fisher: Can I, say, float a raft out into the middle of a lake, with several fishing lines/hooks/bait hanging into the lake, with the whole thing tethered to the shore by a long rope,...
themirror's user avatar
  • 1,779
11 votes
1 answer
7k views

Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK?

American signal crayfish are a delicious invasive species in the UK. I'd love to catch and eat some but I'm unsure how to go about this. Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK? I'...
user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
278 views

Fly fishing rig knots

I have been fly fishing with my dad for a number of years but recently I went on my own and hit quite the stumbling block... I didn't know how to set the kit properly, normally I drive the boat while ...
rg255's user avatar
  • 383
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is this fish hook type called?

I am trying to buy this kind of fish hook (picture below), but I have no idea what is called. Does anyone know what to search for? The main characteristic of this hook is that the hook eye is solid ...
Roco CTZ's user avatar
  • 213
10 votes
3 answers
3k views

Went fishing on the river for full day, caught one fish; normal?

My dad, brothers and I grew up fishing. However, the vast majority of our fishing has been set it and forget it fishing for catfish, mostly at night. My dad and father-in-law are in town for ...
MrDuk's user avatar
  • 209
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

How can one know where to throw one's spear when spearfishing?

Spearfishing has been around ages and everyone has heard of how great the Native Indians were at spearfishing. As we all know, light is refracted (bent) when it enters water. The key to spearing fish ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
  • 9,589
10 votes
2 answers
379 views

Basic setup for trout fishing

I am a whitewater kayaker and my GF, who does not kayak, sometimes accompanies me on river trips. She loves the outdoors and is never bored when I am boating (besides driving my vehicle from the putin ...
amphibient's user avatar
  • 4,063
10 votes
1 answer
11k views

Worm catching with electricity?

I have heard about people using electricity to catch worms, mostly around catching worms for fishing. How does this work? Is it safe?
James Jenkins's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

How do you smoke salmon in the wild without a smoker?

How do you smoke salmon in the wild without a smoker? I am going camping with a few friends and we would like to try smoking any salmon we catch during our time in the wild. How do we safely smoke ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
  • 9,589
10 votes
1 answer
313 views

What are the best practices to ensure survival of catch and release fish?

I have seen some folks handling fish in a rather rough way before releasing them. The other day I was in a similar situation and realized that I don't know well what the best practices are either. I ...
Kenji's user avatar
  • 1,934
10 votes
2 answers
3k views

Any tips for landing fish on barbless hooks?

I have started to debarb all my flies a while ago (it is much better for the fish if you are doing catch and release), but have been loosing some hooked fish that I was otherwise able to net when I ...
Kenji's user avatar
  • 1,934
10 votes
1 answer
533 views

When are the best times/months to catch speckled trout on the US Gulf Coast?

I would like to go fishing for speckled trout (proper name spotted seatrout) along the US Gulf Coast, specifically near Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay. What months are the best times to catch speckled ...
Chris Mendez's user avatar
  • 7,200
9 votes
4 answers
628 views

Pike fishing equipment & rigging

I'm planning on getting out to try some Pike fishing in Sweden this autumn. Never tried it before so I could do with a few basic pointers on equipment, suggestions for the following: a) Rod type, ...
rg255's user avatar
  • 383
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are there fish in lakes with a lots of glacial flour?

Often times in high alpine lakes you will see lakes like this, where the color comes from the rock/glacial flour suspended in the water. The lakes and sometimes even streams are very pretty, but if ...
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
241 views

Easiest way to preserve a fishing catch - with cooking or pickling

I'm looking for the easiest way to cook or preserve fish at the river or lakeside with as minimal preparation or cooking involved so they can be eaten later. Mainly trout, pike or walleye. Ideally I ...
CG Smith's user avatar
  • 101
9 votes
1 answer
61k views

How long will worms last in the refrigerator?

So, my two kids are old enough to go fishing and have fun, but they get bored after an hour or so. I purchased some worms from a local shop, and at our rate of fishing, it's going to take a while to ...
JPhi's user avatar
  • 700
9 votes
1 answer
12k views

Where to get replacement parts for a Ugly Stik GX2 fishing rod [closed]

Where can I get a handle for my Ugly Stik GX2. My handle fell off into the lake. I found the screw on the other side but the handle is gone. I couldn't find a single replacement parts dealer so far.
Duncan Bannon's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
620 views

What are the disadvantages of using a lighter fly line than the indicated for the reel?

I'm thinking about buying a new reel for my weight 8 rod (which I use for steelhead), but want also to use it for my weight 5 rod (which I use for trout). The reel is supposed to be used with lines ...
Kenji's user avatar
  • 1,934
8 votes
4 answers
10k views

Knot to tie a hook onto the middle of a line

If I have a fishing line that's secured at both ends, what knot would I use to tie a hook onto the line? My situation is I'm making some rigs for fishing behind a boat, with 10 hooks spaced a foot ...
Nic's user avatar
  • 183
8 votes
3 answers
5k views

Can ocean/saltwater fishing gear be used for freshwater/lake fishing?

This is one of those instances where I need answers that are written as if you were speaking to a 5 year old. I don't know a whole lot about fishing. My uncle likes to go fishing on the long island ...
OrganicLawnDIY's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Kayak for fishing and low class rapids?

I am in the market for a kayak and am wondering what type of kayak or what features I should look at given my requirements. Here's the details you'll probably need to help me out: I'm 6'1" and 215 ...
Dave's user avatar
  • 81
8 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why does my flurocarbon leader keep breaking when tied with a double uni-knot?

I am trying to connect 12lb leadline (lead removed for knot) to a 6lb flurocarbon leader but when I tie them with a double uni knot the flurocarbon breaks when pulling it tight. I have tried a couple ...
undefined's user avatar
  • 181
8 votes
1 answer
291 views

What are some good kayak fishing areas in Friendship, Maine?

I am going to Friendship, Maine, USA, 04547, for the first week of August 2014. I am thinking about kayak fishing. Are they any good spots? What kind of fish species should I expect to find there?
IndieTech Solutions's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
8k views

Where do I attach a bobber?

I am going to use live worms for fishing in a local pond, but i don't know where to put the bobber on the line. I have a regular ball shaped bobber and a taller, skinnier one. Where/how to i put ...
A T's user avatar
  • 305
8 votes
1 answer
6k views

What is the reasoning behind not disposing of fish guts in the water?

Quite a few fishing regulations say something similar to this, Don’t dispose of fish entrails or other byproducts into any body of water 2018 Colorda Fishing Fish die in the water all of the ...
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
137 views

Rod and Tackle Combination for Beginner Fisher

I want to get into fishing but don't know the technical side because I just fish with rods pre-setup. So I decided that I wanted to get a spinning reel and am pretty sure I want a Shakespeare ugly ...
NULL's user avatar
  • 721
7 votes
1 answer
393 views

License Not Needed for Fishing in County of Residence

It seems pretty clear but I would like to make sure that I don't need a license or permit to Catch and Release in Florida, in the county that I live in. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife ...
NULL's user avatar
  • 721
7 votes
2 answers
6k views

Does freezing cut bait affect its attractiveness to fish?

Some background: I go fishing 3-4 times a week at a local river for catfish, carp, perch, bass, and sunfish. My favorite bait for catfish (and the one that I find most consistent) is fresh cut perch/...
celeriko's user avatar
  • 488
7 votes
2 answers
10k views

Why did the handle come off my spinner rod?

I am brand new to fishing and have only made it out 4 times before this morning. Today I planned on fishing all morning. After a few casts (I have a Shakespeare Ugly Stik spinner) I noticed that the ...
Zac's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
1 answer
499 views

Fish aren't biting, how to get more bites?

I live in Miami, Florida. I have been attempting to catch fish in a canal near where I live with a light rod, 8lb test mono line, and size 6 and 8 hooks. I have primarily been using night crawlers as ...
NULL's user avatar
  • 721
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can you use a loop-to-loop going braid to mono/fluoro?

I have been using a double uni knot to go from braid to a fluoro leader, and just recently learned a perfection loop, and accompanying loop-to-loop for fly line to fly leader. For spinning gear with a ...
taylorwc's user avatar
  • 131
7 votes
1 answer
316 views

Gas or Electric trolling motor?

What are the important differences between a gas and electric trolling motor for fishing in a small jon boat? I'm primarily concerned on the impact the the actual fishing (as opposed to any ...
Russell Steen's user avatar