River Fishing For Beginners
If you are into a fishing sport, owning a boat may be part of your wish list. A fishing boat is a good way to enjoy fishing in a more comfortable and convenient way.
However, you do not need to have a boat to enjoy fishing.
If you come to know of any exciting fishing boat deals, do let me know.
River fishing can be a good alternative option for fishing. Here is a guide to the art of fishing on a river.
What You Need
When you go river fishing, it is a good idea to go prepared. This means packing everything you need to tackle whatever fish are in the water.
Most of the time, you will be wading and fishing spots that are not easy to access. This can sometimes be inconvenient, especially if you are fishing with a friend.
You both may end up carrying different things, making it more difficult to manage. To go prepared, you may want to divide up what you need. Someone may carry the poles and some other items, while someone else can carry the cooler with drinks and bait.
Alternatively, you can go alone and carry everything yourself. If possible, keep things compact and don’t be afraid to leave some things behind.
While you can’t forget certain necessities such as fishing line, hooks and sinkers, you can leave other things such as bait, tackle box, rod covers and tools behind.
If you are going out on a river by yourself and you have a car, you can load up your car with as much as you need. If not, you can easily fit all the necessities in a fishing vest.
Keep items within reach, as you will want to have easy access to certain items without having to move around too much.
State Fishing License
The Bureau of Fish and Wildlife will regulate fishing activities in many different ways to sustain fish population as well as the general health of the environment of all the rivers in your region.
One of the methods to do so is to make sure that people have a fishing license in the state if they intend to fish in different rivers.
If you have just moved into the area you might feel overwhelmed about acquiring the license, but the process is usually quite simple and you can easily get the license.
Fishing Rod and Reel
Choosing the proper fishing equipment for the sport is essential to ensure a pleasant experience. It is a must to have the right equipment to fish for the different species of fish.
Here are some of the fishing rod and reel combos that are perfect for beginners.
Shimano Symetre Spinning Combo
The Symetre spinning combo features an excellent quality graphite rod and a high performance internal drag of 22 pounds. Tackle is included in the purchase of the outfit.
Passion Bass Combo
This highly rated spinning reel is the best choice for the novice angler. It comes in a great way to learn the basics of fishing and how to land the catch.
R2C Graphite Fishing Rod
This graphite fishing rod is the best choice to enjoy fishing in shallow waters. It is especially designed for use by beginners. The fishing rod has sensitive tapers and a fine blank that has been designed for long casts and the fish bite.
Fishing Line
One of the most important parts of fishing line is breaking strength. This is because it is the breaking strength that determines how heavy of a fish it can handle.
Breaking strength is based off pounds of pressure per pound of line, making it something you can easily convert from pounds to kilograms based on your preferred measurement.
The breaking strength can range from 20 to 80 pounds for mono line, up to 500 pounds for steelhead line and up to 1,500 for super line.
Monofilament is usually nylon, though it can be other types of plastics. It is known for making a lot of noise, especially when it is being reeled in, when it is exposed to sunlight and also when it becomes dirty and worn.
However, because it is so common in the world of fishing, it is very affordable. It is quite flexible and can be found as monofilament, braided, as tape and even as leader material.
Monofilament is great for using if you are fishing in clear, clean water when you want to present your bait to spec.
Braided line is made by using several filaments made of nylon. The end product is more durable than monofilament and has a better bite.
Fish Hooks
Rods And Reels.
The equipment you need to fish for trout in rivers is similar to fishing for trout in lakes, only without the boat and fishing buddy, so you will need a few extra bits of equipment.
The first and foremost piece of equipment you need is a fishing rod, or rods. River fishing can be done with not just one rod, but multiple rods.
When you are river fishing, you can use a variety of rods that will suit your fishing environment. For a very fast-moving river, you will need a longer rod so that you can cast into deeper water.
As these rivers are filled with obstacles like rapids, a shorter rod is not as good at maneuvering around the river. A longer rod will help you over these obstacles too.
Additionally, longer rods have a softer action, which makes them easier to use and gives them a better feel. Using the correct rod is especially important if you are going to use a spinning reel to aid your casting.
A spinning reel is better used with a shorter rod as it requires a heavier action than baitcasting.
The second piece of equipment you need is a fishing reel, or reels. A reel helps you store up the line you are going to use for the fishing you are doing and allows you to retrieve it quickly.
Lures Or Baits
Before we get into equipment, fish species or access points, I want to make sure that we have selected the right bait first.
If you go to almost any bait shop or store, they will tell you that baits and lures are essential for success.
I can’t quite agree with that, though. Lures and baits can definitely be helpful, but they are not a requirement.
I started fishing trout for the first time in my life without the help of any bait or lure, and it didn’t stop me from catching them right away. It depends on your own patience, really.
If your ultimate goal is to catch fish, then you definitely need baits and lures.
If you are after the thrill of the sport, the fun of the solitude, the challenge of the wily fish, or any combination of these, you can get started without bait or lure.
Lures and baits are useful if you want to catch fish in a particular body of water, or if you want to catch fish that are not used to being caught.
If you are fishing in a popular fishing spot, you might want to consider using a bait or a lure.
The obvious downside with bait and lures is that it can be cumbersome and slower than the naked approach.
Weights And Floats
A large variety of fishing weights and floats are available on the market. All these parts of fished together, they can help you master a wide variety of fishing situations.
Firstly, there are various types of fishing floats, which can be used for catfish, bass fishing, pike, and salmon fishing as well.
The Types of floats.
A main indicator float, also called bobber, is a simple float attached to one of the two primary fishing rods and used to give tactile and visual information that the fishing line is in a position under or above the water level.
The float is an important part of the fishing rod. Small buoyant devices called floats, offer some protection against lateral line fishing abrasions or damage and are usually made of plastic or cork.
Float profiles.
There are different types of floats used in the field of fishing. They are also a part of the fishing line.
Floats may be solid spheres made of plastic, wood or cork or may be hollow.
Some floats may also have a dimple or cup that allows the line to run freely through the float.
Floats can have various profiles or contours that affect the way the float behaves while fishing.
Float shapes and sizes.
There are various weights and floats that are available in the market. They are selected based on the fishing preferences and situation.
Best Fish for Beginners to Catch
In freshwater, you can catch many different types of fish that are popular game fish. These fish can be divided into three categories.
These are:
Large fish like trout, bass and pike. Smaller fish like shad, sunfish, and crappies. Game fish like salmon, walleye, and sturgeon.
Most fishermen and women will start off by learning to fish for small fish and eventually transition to the larger variety of fish.
Therefore, to help you on your fishing learning curve, we have a great article of a Beginners Guide To Saltwater Fishing. Visit to learn what you need to know to start fishing for salt water fish.
Now, let’s take a look at the types of fish that you can catch in freshwater.
Trout – The trout are arguably the best fish to start with because they are not only beautiful, but also tend to be the easiest to catch. The males have a striped appearance and are the most colorful of all freshwater fish. Trout are large, and some of them grow to over 12 pounds. They feed mainly on insects, and in fact, the larval flies are preferred by larger fish. Great trout fishing spots are found all across the United States.
You can catch these fish in flowing water. Alternately, you can find them in calm water. You can even catch them in small ponds and streams.
Burbot
The lumpy burbot, also called eel-pout or mud-fish, is a very popular fish for river fishermen. It is omnivorous and feeds both on fish, insects and plants.
Its natural habitat ranges from rivers, lakes, and ponds to large streams. Burbot is especially abundant in Great Lakes region as well as in Norway. In the burbot’s natural habitat, you can catch them during the twilight, night, and dawn hours.
This species thrives in various habitats, including rivers with rocky and sandy floor. They make their home near the deep places, in holes they have dug. Burbot can stay deep under water for up to 40 seconds.
Burbot can measure up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh up to 25 pounds. The weight of an adult burbot depends on the type of habitat it lives in.
There are about a dozen different species of burbot, and the most common is the brown burbot, which lives in Northern Europe.
Sunfish
Sunfish are the most typical freshwater game fish for a beginner. They are relatively easy to locate, are very plentiful, and have no special habitat requirements.
Sunfish can be found in most waters in North America, where they inhabit the edges of weedbeds, deep holes, reservoirs, ponds, and slower moving streams.
There are different sunfish species, but the most common varieties for the beginner are pumpkinseed, bluegill and green sunfish.
These are easily distinguishable by size, color, and the pattern of the spotted. Pumpkinseeds are one of the smaller sunfish. They have long mouths and present a spotted dark back and yellow sides and breast with a green hue.
Bluegills are the most active of the sunfish family, and are most often caught in large groups.
Green sunfish are the largest species of sunfish in North America. They are highly variable, from a green-blue color on the back to grass green and olive-green colors on the back and sides. The spotted pattern of green sunfish creates a network of wavy branching lines.
Trout
Trout may be the best known freshwater fish. They’re mostly known for being wily, yet extremely tasty.
You can locate these native fish all across the US. They’re a great challenge to catch, especially with more experienced anglers trying to reel them in on a regular basis.
While bass, bluegill, and catfish fillets make for excellent meals, trout stands out on the dinner table.
Even when cooked, the meaty, delicate taste of the fish is unmistakable. Whether you’re on a relaxing camping trip or a serious fitness-based outdoor excursion, trout fishing should be on your mind.
What to Do before You Go
Make sure you gear up before you head out to the lake.
Trout like to stay in deep pools and around ledges for their homes. That’s why you need to aim your lure in deep waters.
The other thing you should check is the fishing license. If you are thinking about fishing on a public lake or in a state park, you will need the license to fish in those places.
Make sure you have your tackle box packed with all the essentials. Your gear should include your rod and reel, line, flies, and a few other things like cover up.
Bass
River Fishing: How To Catch Bass
Bass River Fishing is one of the best sources of entertainment in the world. The sheer excitement of experiencing a giant tug on the line is an experience that no one can resist.
If you want to experience the feeling, then you need to learn how to fish for Bass and how to catch Bass.
A lot of river bass fishing enthusiasts simply love the challenge of the sport. They look for old rivers, flood plains, or Rocky mountain streams to challenge themselves.
They also lace up their boots and pack for a trip, sleeping in tents or old shacks, as well as facing the challenge of getting their fishing gear through the rough and tough terrain.
To the rest of us, however, it is more about the thrill of the fight.
Here we’ll go over everything you need to know to go fishing for river bass. For people who are still wondering what river bass is, it is the same as largemouth bass, our common backyard bass.
But unlike the regular backyard bass, river bass is much more hardier and more vicious.
Why Catch Bass?
Because the thrill of catching a fish like a giant monster with the strength to give you serious battle is a feeling that no one can resist.
On top of that, the taste of river bass is incredibly delicious; any fish lover will attest to that!
Perch
Summer is an awesome time to go perch bass fishing.
This is great fishing for both kids and adults, easy to get started, and fun for everyone. And let’s face it, if you live in a Northern state, you need a summertime outlet for your fishing addiction.
The best part is that you can catch perch in the most unlikely of places. Rocks, weeds, trees, anything they can hang onto will attract some perch.
Perch are members of the sunfish family and are some of the best-tasting freshwater fish you’re going to find. They are small, but very tasty.
Perch like a lot of similar environments as walleye. They like still water, places with no current, and near structure.
What are perch fishing conditions? Usually, you will find these fish in areas with gravel, sand, or weeds.
This includes everywhere from the bank, to flats against the bank and below the bottom of a dam. In reservoirs, this is usually somewhere the river was a little deeper in the past.
Perch don’t swim fast and are easily spooked, so they are usually found within two feet of weeds, brush, or trees.
Crappie
Fishing is a Great Hobby for Anyone, Anywhere.
Crappie fishing is a great hobby to get involved in if you’d like to catch a lot of fish, and build your knowledge of fishing quickly. It’s easy for anyone to do, and you get to choose your fishing equipment and location.
Crappie fishing is such an easy hobby to get into because all you need is a rod, some line, a few artificial lures, a rig or two and a pole mounted anchor.
If you want to venture into crappie fishing, keep this one thing in mind: You need to learn how to locate crappies just like in any other type of fishing.
Until you familiarize yourself with the species, you have to stick to an area where you have already caught crappies before.
Similar to where you find bass, locate crappie friendly structure such as drop offs, bridge pilings, or arching tree limbs. These areas are perfect for crappies because the structure provides cover.
You will be able to catch crappies under any condition if you learn to locate them.
Other Things You Need to Know
Before you hit the water, there are several factors that you need to consider, such as river features, the river ’s difficulty level (class), its length, climate, weather, season and time of day.
Here are a few common fishing techniques that you can practice before heading out to the river:
Nymph Fishing (Including Dry Flies)
Most anglers prefer this when fishing on small catchable fish like trout (usually caught with dry flies – p.s. you can buy a lot of different kinds of flies online).
A nymph is typically a live fly that imitates an insect larva that lives in the bottom of a river or stream. This is a very effective fishing technique as this is a favorite food among many species of fish.
The nymph can be made by tying a piece of chenille or yarn with attached hooks (usually 10 or more). This has to be submerged into the river or stream, so slow or no current is needed for the nymph. Make it even more effective by moving it in a subtle manner to attract fish.
Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is also a popular fishing technique on a river. A fly is any artificial lure made from feathers, fur, hair, and other materials. Fly fishing is more popular in rivers which have big and faster water flow.