Basic Fishing 101

Are you looking for a way to relax. Have you ever been fishing. If your like most people your Dad or Grandpa probably took you fishing as a child. Do you remember that first fish you ever caught. I know I sure do. It was a bluegill. Back then I thought he was huge but he most likely wasn't. But you know what fishing and going fishing is one of the most relaxing things you can do.

If your going to take up fishing be sure to check and see if you need a fishing license in your area. Don't want to ruin the fishing trip before it even gets started. You can start out fishing with some very basic fishing equipment. If your fishing in a farm pond it can be as simple as a cane pole, some fishing line, hooks, sinkers, and a bobber or two. However most people like to use a rod and reel.

And depending on what your hoping to catch you may want a lightweight rod and reel or something heavier for farm pond catfish. There's nothing like fishing with a bobber in a farm pond on a warm spring afternoon. When you see that bobber bounce up and down and then go under the water the excitement level is something else indeed. There's just something about watching that bobber go under the water.

When it comes to picking out a rod and reel pick out something your confortable with. Graphite rods are most peoples choice right now because they are so lightweight. And right now you should be able to find a great rod and reel at a Walmart near you for $20 - $40. It should come with the fishing line all ready on it. You'll want a supply of various sizes of fishing hooks, sinkers, and bobbers of various sizes. And you'll for sure want a good pair of needle nose pliers and before long you'll be wanting a good fishing knife. A pair of scissors usually come in handy also. Buy you a good sturdy tackle box to put all your items in. A good cotton towel you can take home and wash often will also come in handy. And some people love a good folding chair. 

Yes after many years of fishing stocked trout ponds in the mountains of western North Carolina I have come up with a way of catching trout that works almost every time with out fail.

You will need for this method a regular rod and reel, some clear bobbers of various sizes and a selection of trout flies of various colors. I have found that the black and darker colors work best in western North Carolina plus really bright green trout flies.

You want to use clear bobbers and attach your flie about 2-3 feet below the bobber. Cast into a area where you know their are trout and every once in a while jerk your rod to bump your flie and cause it to move. I guarantee you that a hungry trout is going to see it and come after it.

There are three trout ponds in front of the KOA Campground on Big Cove Road on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in western North Carolina where this method of fishing for trout works perfect. The method will also work in the big pools you find in the rivers and streams on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. You will find over 30 miles of streams that you can fish in on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. You can fish for $7.00 a day and the daily limit is 10 fish. The tribal fishing license is the only one you will need on the reservation.

The clear bobber is very important. So be sure if your going to try this method that you take a supply of clear fishing bobbers with you. When your using this method in large pools of water in trout streams cast above the pools and let the water carry the bobber and flie down into the pool of water. And if your lucky a big trout may be waiting for you.

I have used this method to catch trout when no one else was catching any at all. Over the years I have tried it around the United States and it will work great almost anywhere.  

I love to use a very lightweight rod and reel to catch farm pond bluegill. On a lightweight rod and reel the bluegill will put up a mighty fight that your going to really enjoy. I usually use a bobber and bait my hook with a small piece of red worm or nightcrawler.

If you live in a area where grasshoppers are pleantiful you can really catch bluegill and crappie. I usually fish the grasshopper with no bobber and just a split shot or two. I cast the grasshopper out where I see fish rising and the bluegill and crappie will usually grab the grasshopper as soon as it moves. Crickets will work for bluegill to but not as well as the grasshoppers do.

And another good thing with a lightweight rod and reel is that you can more easily cast your bait into those tight spots behind rocks and under tree branches. Often where you will find a abubdance of hungry bluegill waiting to feed on what you have to offer.