Tim Butala – Outdoor Troop

Fishing is an enjoyable pastime that appeals to many due to its relaxing nature, but it can also be a highly competitive pursuit. While there may be myriad ways in which you can try your hand at this activity, knowing the best type of fishing techniques will give you an advantage over others who are just starting. Whether it's trolling, fly fishing, ice-fishing or even float fishing---knowing which technique works best for the given situation is vital to successful catches. This post explores the top 12 types of fish-catching methods and their respective merits. So, read on if you wish to perfect your fish-catching skills. 12 Top Fishing Techniques: Fly Fishing Trolling Spin Fishing Kite Fishing Bait Casting Jigging Float Fishing Bottom Fishing Bait Fishing Ice Fishing Trawling Spear Fishing Let's take a closer look into each technique to get you catching those fish! Fly Fishing Fly fishing is a vastly popular fishing technique with devoted practitioners worldwide. It involves using a unique lightweight rod and a weighted line to cast a lure, known as a fly, on the surface of the water to catch trout, salmon, and other freshwater fish. Some people argue that this is the truest form of fishing as it requires a great deal of skill and practice to be successful. You can try fly fishing in almost any body of water: large rivers, small streams, even ponds. Still, each environment offers different challenges for the ambitious angler. Avid fly fishers will stay updated on the recent hatches and river conditions to have the best possible chance at finding their next big catch. Trolling Trolling is a popular fishing technique among anglers, allowing them to cover a lot of water in less time. This method involves using multiple lines with baits trailing behind the boat, which can be slow-reeled or fast-trolled. While trolling, the boat needs to be kept at the correct speed for optimal performance, and setting up well-designed rigs with the right lures or baits allows for a successful trolling experience. Trolling also requires skillful technique and point-of-view from the angler, so he knows exactly when and where to drop or change bait to get hits. With patience and practice, a good outcome can be achieved through trolling. Spin Fishing Spin fishing is one of the most popular and widely practiced types. It involves throwing a baited line into the water and then waiting for a fish to bite. Unlike conventional angling, spin fishing doesn’t require heavy tackle or powerful reels. Instead, light spinning rods and reels make it easier for anglers to cast a small lure or bait into tight parts of rivers or streams that are typically out of reach. Once a fish has taken the bait or lure, skilled anglers will apply their spin on the line to ensure they land a big catch safely. With its relative simplicity, spin fishing is ideal for amateurs and professionals looking to quickly jig up some bites. Kite Fishing Kite fishing is a technique that involves using a kite to fly a fishing line and bait out over the water. The kite provides a natural way to keep the bait on or near the water's surface, which is especially useful when fishing for species such as sailfish or tuna that feed on baitfish near the surface. It’s the perfect technique when kitefishing for your first bluefin tuna. This variety of fishing allows anglers to cast across a much larger area with increased accuracy. Kites and lines are flown up into the air, and bear baits out over the water that remains visible to eager fish below. This method of kite fishing requires more know-how than traditional rod and reel strategies like trolling or jigging but can be incredibly rewarding if perfected. Those new to kite fishing should consult a local charter guide or experienced friend before attempting this reasonably advanced technique. That's because kites need to be flown in the right direction with a line spread, or they’ll never reach the hungry tuna waiting below. Bait Casting Bait casting is a popular and widely used fishing technique, admired for its long casts and ability to precisely land the bait of your choice. For this technique, a spinning or casting rod and reel combination is used, which allows the fisherman to apply particular pressure or torque when releasing the bait into the water. For downstream fishermen, accurately controlling where the bait goes can pay big dividends when getting your hook near targeted fish species. One example of this could be fishing in areas with strong currents. A good bait caster can put their lure right where they hope their catch will be on their next pass. Bait casting provides as much pleasure as it does productivity because each cast requires finesse and skill that comes with practice. Jigging Jigging is a prevalent method of fishing preferred by many professionals and beginners. It uses a weighted jig head attached to the end of the line, and anglers can extract fish from the water simply by lifting it and dropping it back down again. This method of fishing has a wide range of applications for catching a variety of fish species, such as bass, perch, walleye, trout, and other predator fish. When jigging isn't working, anglers may add live or plastic bait to the hook to entice more inquisitive fish. It’s crucial to find out what kind of bait each type of fish is most likely attracted to so that you can use the right one at the right time. Jigging is excellent if you're looking for something that doesn't require too much special equipment or great expense. After all, there's no need for reels or multiple rods---just a few jigs should do the trick. Float Fishing Float fishing is a fun, uncomplicated way to catch panfish and other small freshwater species. It's the perfect technique for beginner anglers and those looking for a simple, relaxing day on the water. Fishing with floats is also productive, targeting various depths in rivers, reservoirs and streams. The key to successful float fishing is choosing an appropriate line, weight, and bait size, so make sure you've got your rig dialed in before casting. When done right, float fishing can put plenty of tasty fish in your boat. Bottom Fishing Bottom fishing is an incredibly successful and popular trolling technique-–-for a good reason. It's typically used when the fish are feeding near the bottom of the water, which makes it easy to catch several fish in a relatively short amount of time. The method involves using weighted rigs that can be dragged along the seafloor, allowing fishermen to target their desired species without using bait. Bottom fishing techniques often yield larger catches than traditional techniques like casting, jigging, or drifting. Bottom fishing is worth trying for those looking to maximize their time spent on the water in search of fish. Bait Fishing Bait fishing is one of the most popular fishing techniques, and the range of bait used by anglers is almost limitless: worms, crayfish and all sorts of artificial lures. Bait fishing is an ever-evolving art form that can be endlessly modified to achieve greater success. Of course, no matter which bait you choose when using this fishing technique, you must learn how to place it correctly to catch more fish. This means understanding your gear and using techniques such as jigging and floating so that the bait will have the highest chance of attracting a bite from nearby fish species. Ice Fishing Ice fishing is a unique technique possible only around the winter months in regions where the weather is cold enough to form a thick layer of ice over water sources. Unlike other forms of fishing, ice fishing doesn’t require any boat as it occurs on frozen surfaces. Many specialized ice fishing techniques have been developed throughout the years, such as cutting, drilling, or melting holes in the ice to gain access to fish underneath. It requires different gear than regular fishing. Luckily, many online guides can provide helpful tips and tricks for ice anglers. Although experienced anglers succeed using this technique, it's important to remember that safety comes first. So, understand and abide by your local safety regulations before setting out on an adventure searching for your next big catch. Trawling Fishing techniques often vary based on the area and type of fish one is looking to catch. Trawling involves dragging a net in the ocean or along the bottom of a lake, which can effectively snag a lot of fish more quickly than traditional strategies. Trawling is especially useful for fishing in larger areas at once. Although trawling is much simpler and quicker than other forms of fishing, it has caused controversy due to its potential impact on other fish populations. Nonetheless, it remains prevalent among many fishermen around the world. Spearfishing Spearfishing is a traditional and primitive type of fishing technique. It has been practiced for centuries in many parts of the world, usually as a means of subsistence fishing. While it may lack the glamor of other forms of fishing, it’s still one of the most challenging and rewarding activities. Spearfishing involves watching carefully for creatures and then spearing them quickly with a jagged trident or piercing arrow. This fishing technique requires stealth and skill and may only be attempted by those who possess strong swimming abilities, know of safe spearfishing practices, and are willing to take a few risks. Even with all these qualifications, however, success in spearfishing largely depends on luck. Conclusion Different fishing techniques can be used depending on the type of fish you plan on catching. Each method has its unique set of skills and equipment required to succeed. The technique will depend on the fish species, the environment, and personal preference. Learning these techniques can add excitement and variety to your fishing experience and help you catch a broader range of fish in different settings.