Have you ended your relationship with fishing after a series of less-than-stellar outings? If so, then it’s time to get started, as this article is a quick-start guide that will teach you the basics of fishing. Take a look at the advice below and see if you can’t add something new to your store of fishing knowledge.

You need to keep your hook sharp if you want to catch fish. The fishing hook ensures that whatever you catch will stay on while you attempt to reel it in. Check your hook’s sharpness to ensure it isn’t dull when you’re on the water.

Live bait tends to produce the most bites. Fish consume the insects that live locally close to the water. Fish will be more tempted by bait that is found along the banks where you are fishing. Some expensive artificial lures are not as attractive to the fish as they are for the fisherman.

You don’t have to keep every fish that you catch. Release smaller fish back into the water as a courtesy. By controlling how many fish are removed from a lake, you will help to ensure a plentiful supply of fish for the future.

Although fishing near plants can be a bit irritating, it can be worth the headache. Though it may seem troublesome, this is the area where insects congregate, leading to a greater concentration of fish in the region.

Take care to not cause a fire when fishing on shore. Some people smoke as they fish, which is why you must be careful that the hot ashes do not create a fire. Although the bank might be wet, the surrounding foliage easily catches fire.

Be sure to bring along the basic fishing essentials with you every time you go fishing. What you need to take with you depends greatly on your location. Typically, you will need a hat, sun protection, and bug repellent. If you will be well off the beaten path, also bring a compass and your cellphone.

Don’t fly fish in windy conditions. Casting won’t have as much accuracy on a windy day. The best time you should try fly fishing is when it’s early morning or evening when there is not as much wind. If it gets too windy simply turn your back towards the wind and fish.

Knowing what type of fish are available and what they like to eat is the best way to be able to catch them. For example, catfish prefer raw chicken livers, but a bream fish will prefer an insect, such as a cricket. If you’re not using the correct type of bait, you’re not going to catch very much.

Ensure that your fishing boat is ready to go at the first sight of spring by taking proper care of its battery. You want to maintain the upkeep of your battery, so take it out and put it around a dry area either in your garage or basement. You want to avoid putting it on concrete floor. This is because when you expose the battery to intense cold, it shortens the battery’s lifespan.

If you need to use a net while catching your fish, always be sure that it enters the net head first. This makes it so that the fish won’t move as much, thus, giving it a lesser chance of escaping. It is usually best to avoid using a net unless you are sure it is necessary.

Now that you have expanded your knowledge about fishing, you should be feeling more confident and motivated. With some time, patience and what you now know, you will be an expert in no time!