Are you feeling crappie? When you are fishing, are you just floundering around? If you feel that the fish are jeering when you attempt to catch them, you need to become more knowledgeable about fishing. Here are some great tips for catching those elusive fish.

You should always wear sunscreen when fishing – even in cool weather. The sun’s beams reflect off the water so you want to be protected.

TIP! The most important piece of equipment in your tackle box is a sharp hook. The hook ensures your catch stays on the reel when you pull it in.

Whenever you fish, you need to have the proper gear. When it comes to what kind of lures and bait you use, that will depend on what kind of fishing you’re doing. Different fish will require different lures.

When going fishing, be sure you bring the basic essentials with you. What you need to take with you depends greatly on your location. Items like sunblock, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses are must-haves for any fishing trip. If you intend on fishing out in the wild, take a compass, flashlight, and cell phone.

TIP! Always take along sunscreen when you go on a fishing excursion, even if it feels cold outside. The reflective action of the water can intensify the effect of the sun’s rays, which can cause serious sunburns.

It is helpful to wet some types of line before tying on your hook, sinker, and other tackle. This fortifies the knot and cuts down on friction caused by the process of tying the knot. Many professionals prefer to use the double fisherman’s knot or the popular clinch knot.

You must know what kind of fish you want to go for and the bait you need to catch them. For example, if you’re fishing for catfish you might use raw chicken liver; however, if you’re fishing for bream fishing you might use crickets. If you fish with the wrong bait you are unlikely to catch anything.

TIP! Fish with a mentor if you are just learning the sport or are trying something new. They’ll not only be able to give you worthwhile advice, they’ll also show you how to keep yourself out of dangerous situations.

Stay calm when you are wrestling with a big fish. Don’t reel in the fish while it’s swimming away. You want to try and let your rod’s drag do all of the work for you. As soon as the fish is hooked, start setting your drag. Your fishing rod should maintain a forty-five-degree angle with the water. It should remain aimed toward your fish.

Be patient. If you find fishing difficult, then it maybe you do not have the patience it requires. You might need to go on small fishing trips in order to accommodate your level of patience.

TIP! Make sure that when you go out to fish, you know the maximum weight capacity that your boat can hold. Tipping the boat in the middle of the lake and losing everything you have would be a disaster, potentially even fatal.

Don’t go on solitary fishing expeditions, even if you want to escape from stress or just relax. If there’s an accident or your boat breaks, you don’t want to be isolated with no one to help.

Because of their large teeth, it is important to be careful when reeling in a walleye or a pike. Compared with other types of fish, these are known for their particularly sharp teeth, and they might try to bite you. Once you verify the fish is no longer alive, grab it by its belly and carefully remove the hook. If you practice catch and release, make sure you wear gloves while removing the hook.

TIP! If you have your eye on a large fish, it is recommended that you use a larger lure or bait. Although larger bait is more costly from most tackle stores, it can result in a larger catch.

Make sure that you have included everything you will need before you leave for your fishing trip. Nothing is worse than realizing you forgot something, and you have to turn around to go back home and pick it up. Make sure that you have all the items that you need, including food, proper fishing clothes and plenty of bait.

Have you ever tried surf fishing? This is a great way to catch different fish in the summer. You can catch fish such as reds, trouts and skinny-water fish out there. There is a variety of bait that appeal to this fish such as minnows, shrimp or even artificial bait.

TIP! A positive attitude is an important part of your fishing gear, whether you are entirely new to the sport or an experienced angler. As relaxing as fishing is, it can also become extremely frustrating, and a negative attitude can sour a good fishing trip.

Fisherman who use nets to land fish, should always net their fish head first. Netting from the tail gives the fish a chance at another run and could cause damage to your line.

Bigger fish aren’t always better for eating. It is wise to throw back especially large fish because they are a lot older than the others. Its size and age means that it has been submitted to more contaminants in the water, making it an unhealthy meal.

TIP! It is extremely important that you are aware of the type of fish you are attempting to catch and the bait that attracts them. As an example, catfish are drawn to raw poultry liver, while bream fish like to eat crickets and other inspects.

Make sure the bait is fastened properly to the hook; otherwise, you may lose it. This is especially true whenever you use live bait, such as worms. If you thread the worm onto the hook lengthwise, it will be much less likely to wiggle off of the hook. This eliminates the chance of your worm slipping off your hook.

Now you know just how to catch any fish in the lake, so all you need to do is go fishing! The information in this piece is ideal for learning how to catch big, beautiful fish, and can be used right away to get real results.

TIP! Clouds can be useful too. They cause dark, murky water, and fish have to work harder to seek out food.