Share your thanks with Michael Reynolds
Your thanks is on its way!
Michael Reynolds
Professional Fishing Instructor
wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Q&A Comments (24)
Co-authored Articles (65)
How to Tie A Hook on a Line: A Guide to 10 Useful Knots
''Give your bait the most secure hold with these fishing hook knots'' Nothing quite compares to enjoying an early morning by the water's edge. You throw your line out, and a short while later, your line tugs. After a few...
How to
Fish
Whether you’re looking to spend time with friends and family or catch dinner, fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. The waters have a variety of vibrant fish for you to reel in. To begin fishing, plan your trip...
How to Tie a Weight on a Fishing Line: Split Shots, Texas Rigs & More
Pro fishing teachers share when and how to use popular sinkersWant to catch more fish swimming below the surface? Adding weights or sinkers to your rig can help your bait sink to deeper water where fish are more likely t...
How to Gut a Fish (And Cut Fish Fillets or Steaks)
Get expert advice on cleaning fish from a professional fishing instructorCleaning and gutting are essential skills if you want to prepare a whole fish for a meal. Luckily, it’s a pretty fast and easy process once you k...
How to Line a Fishing Pole: Expert Tips for Beginners
Load new line onto your spinning, Spincast, or fly fishing reelIf you run out of fishing line or you notice your old line is tangling or breaking easy, it’s time to load new line onto your pole. Spooling new fishing li...
How to Prepare a Fishing Line: A Beginner’s Guide to Rigging
Catch any kind of fish with these rigging methodsThe key to hooking a prize catch is to start with a solid line that provides the right balance between visibility, weight, and control. There are many different ways to ri...
How to
Spool a Spinning Reel
A properly spooled spinning reel gives you the best chance of catching a big one out on the water. A poorly spooled spinning reel with twists and tangles, on the other hand, will probably send you home empty-handed. Don...
How to Tie a Swivel to Your Fishing Line
Use these quick knots to attach a fishing swivel If you need to attach a swivel to fishing line, you can do so using your choice of a few different knots. You can tie a simple knot, an offshore swivel knot, or an improve...
How to
Bleed a Fish
Removing the blood from freshly caught fish can help remove some of the “fishy” flavors from the meat and make it taste better. You can bleed the fish right after you catch it so it stays fresh until you serve it. Wh...
How to Hook Live Shrimp as Bait
Plus, how to store live or dead shrimp for your next fishing tripDead or alive, fresh or frozen, shrimp are one of the best baits for inshore saltwater fishing. Black drum, bonefish, flounder, grouper, jackfish, pompano,...
How to
Humanely Kill a Fish
If your aquarium fish is seriously ill, it's more humane to kill it than to let it suffer. A fresh-caught fish will inevitably feel some pain, but there are ways to minimize this and kill it quickly.
How to
Use a Fishing Rod
Fishing is both a fun and complicated endeavor. There are a for both hobbyists and professionals. There are a number of factors that determine the type of rod you should be using including the type of fish, the type of ...
How to Attach a Leader to Your Fly Line
Easily connect a leader with or without welded loopsOne of the most important parts of a fly fishing set-up is having a secure connection between your fly line and your leader. Most of the time, your fly line and leader ...
How to Setup a Lure on a Fishing Line
Picking the best lures for any situation Fishing is a global pastime used for sport, recreation and work. A common fishing tool is a fishing lure. Fishing lures come in various shapes, sizes and colors. They are made of ...
How to
Fish for Squid
Fishing is a fun way to get outside and interact with nature, and squid fishing can be a real joy for novice and experienced fishermen alike. It can present a challenge, though, as squid like to hide out in grassy areas ...
How to
Unhook a Fish
You've just caught a fish, and you're struck by the reality of the situation: you have the choice to kill the fish or let it go. If you are practicing catch-and-release fishing, you will need to remove the hook very care...
How to Read Tide Tables the Right Way
A simple guide on how to analyze and assess tide chartsLearning how to read tide tables is an essential skill for those whose livelihoods or forms of recreation depend on the ocean, such as fishermen, divers, and surfers...
How to
Fish a Drop Shot Rig
A drop shot rig is a popular fishing setup that includes a weighted leader that causes your bait to sink. This style of fishing emulates the natural movement of prey found in the wild and is perfect for catching bottom f...
How to
Use Rapala Lures
The familiar Rapala thin minnow is a great way to snag a fish on your next trip, but how do you go about using it? Never fear, we have all the information you need below! From choosing the best tackle, to applying the ho...
How to
Tie a Leader to the Main Line
A fishing leader is a short strand that goes between the main line of the fishing reel and the hook or lure itself. A leader is great for bait fishing because it's tough and difficult for big, strong fishes to bite throu...
