foreword this written information is adapted from the work of doug darr of the alabama division of wildlife and freshwater fisheries it has been edited for use in kentucky with photographs replacing drawings wherever possible this edition is intentionally created state free so other states can use it without extensive editing in the original alabama version many individuals and state fish and wildlife departments contributed this only emphasizes the fact that fishing and the stewardship of our natural resources are national passions not restricted to any state or agency for the kentucky version i am thankful for the guidance received from fellow employees john boone information education division on computer layout bonny laflin fisheries division for stimulating the internet page and all directors who supported this endeavor this brochure and web site entry is funded by sportfish restoration funds fishery management aquatic education and boating access programs are not funded thro
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basic fishing skills participants who use this information will be introduced to the various types of equipment tackle and learning experiences after learning how to assemble the fishing equipment and stringing the line budding anglers will experience knot tying and simple techniques used to cast they will then learn to hook appropriate bait to catch common fish in all cases we hope these lessons lead to fishing adventures as you plan to go fishing you need to know where to place your bait habitat features that typically attract fish will be described we certainly hope you catch fish so fish handling cleaning and preparation of the catch will also be discussed section 1 tackle fishing tackle is the connection between the angler and the fish the fishing tackle is necessary both to get the lure or bait to the fish and to get the fish to the angler a fishing pole selection fishing poles are named for the reel or lack of reel that holds the fishing line each type of fishing reel has an app
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3 3 pass the tag end through the tear drop loop above eye 4 pass the tag end through the big loop 5 moisten the line and slide the knot tight against the eye 4 palomar knot 5 the palomar knot is also a good knot for beginning anglers as it is strong and easy to tie to tie a palomar knot 1 double about 4 inches of line and pass loop through hook or lure eye for small openings pass line through then pass through in opposite direction creating the loop 2 tie an overhand knot with loop and doubled line 3 pass hook or lure completely through line loop and 4 moisten line and pull knot tight against the eye 1 2 3 4 basic fishing 7
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b beginning casting when learning to cast a fishing pole for the first time it is recommended to have new anglers tie on a casting plug without hooks using newly learned knots · as safety is an important habit to establish each person should check the immediate area around and above him/her to be sure each caster has plenty of space · reel in line so casting plug hangs a few inches from the tip of the rod · line all casters across the casting area · have all anglers point the fishing rod at an object on the horizon with the hands comfortably at the waist some youth may have difficulty holding the pole with one hand so the rod may be held with one hand or two this is the 3 o clock position · have each caster raise the rod to 1:30 clock position normal release point push the push button with their thumb and practice sliding thumb off the button release the line if line does not come out pull line slightly to start reel the plug back to original position a few inches from the tip repea
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other tackle that is helpful in fishing figure 10 includes a tackle box to hold all equipment a sharpening stone keeps hooks and knives sharp a lure retriever frees lures a rag keeps your hands clean fingernail clippers or scissors safely cut fishing line a pair of long nose pliers with wire cutters is useful for holding and removing fish hooks a fish basket keeps smaller fish alive until you finish your fishing trip some anglers land fish with a net after they are hooked landing nets are more critical for large fish fish with spines such as catfish and fish with sharp teeth such as musky sauger and walleye a cooler with ice keeps your catch fresh a thin flexible fillet knife makes it easier to clean fish an inch ruler measures fish to verify legal length an angler s diary helps you become a better angler by reminding you of how fish were caught what the weather was like and what the fish were eating dcbafg figure 10 tackle that is helpful to the beginning angler a stringers or floatin
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b choosing where to fish some fishing areas are better than others the quality of fishing depends upon the water s productivity the fish species present and the size of the fish present productive water has more fish than unproductive water up to a point the greener the water is the more productive the water in some waters undesirable fish compete with desirable fish fishing is better in a lake with a high proportion of the right size fish check the fishing forecast for predicted hot spots habitat is the key to fish survival and fishing near habitat will result in more bites stumps weed beds and man-made fish attractors are all good examples of fish habitat during summer fish can be found near fishing or boating docks as they prefer shaded areas farm ponds in streams and rivers anglers focus on riffles the swift areas that bring food into the deep slower portions fish congregate in this area and feed more actively as water begins to rise and carry more food also you should try areas
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d choosing bait every angler has a favorite bait or lure to catch fish it works because that lure is on the line most often by sharing information with new anglers we help them be successful while learning the variety of fishing techniques live bait simulates food items that fish normally eat bait that is alive and moving after you hook it will catch more fish some bait is available year-round and some is seasonal see your state s fish id book for ideas on what baits work for which fish meal worm insert a size 6 8 hook into the underside of the meal worm note tiny legs near one end run the hook inside and bring the point of the hook out near the opposite end red worm run the hook usually a size 6 8 through the worm about 1/2 inch from one end go through the worm about every inch leaving 1/2 inch wriggling at the other end night crawler use larger hooks such as size 2 can either be hooked like a red worm or in one spot only to give the worm a natural look run the hook inside the wo
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c cleaning your catch after you leave the water with your catch you want to properly prepare it for eating there are two different ways to clean your catch filleting and dressing 1 filleting figures 15-19 involves cutting the edible part of the fish away from the inedible part no bones are left in the edible portion 2 dressing figures 20-22 implies taking off parts that cannot be eaten and most bones are left with the edible portion some fish like catfish have a skin that must be removed figures 23 and 24 other fish have to be scaled with a knife or a spoon figure 20 filleting figure 15 filleting fish such as bass removes all bones from the meat to fillet a bass place the fish on its side on a firm flat surface make a cut behind the gill plate from the top of the fish to the belly and into the flesh to the backbone do not cut through the backbone basic fishing 23
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dressing figure 20 small fish such as bream sunfish are usually dressed dressing a fish leaves some of the bones in the meat but less meat is lost during the cleaning process figure 21 to dress a small fish place the fish on its side on a firm flat surface use one hand to hold it in place by the head scrape the scales from the tail toward the head by using a fish scaler spoon or dull knife remove the scales on both sides of the body 26 basic fishing
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d final touches for fillets many fish have a dark strip on the skin side of the fillet this is what is left of a blood vessel that took blood to the tail it is also a place where fat has been stored and fat is associated with some of the pollutants that accumulate in fish flesh using a fillet knife lift that fat and dark area out 1 make a v-cut the full length of the fillet from both sides of the dark area 2 now lift out the dark meat out gently cutting underneath it and discard that portion next look on both edges of the fillet for white or yellow fat trim that fat and your fillet is ready for your fish fry eating fish even fish from an area listed in fish advisories is a choice you make as an angler by limiting your consumption rate selecting smaller fish to eat less time to accumulate pollutants removing as much of the potentially polluted flesh fat as possible and cooking it properly you lower your risk dramatically for more information on fish advisories see your state s fish
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ethics an ethical angler · keeps only the fish needed · does not use illegal live bait · uses only native aquatic species for bait and does not release aquatic bait · properly disposes of trash and waste including old fish line · observes all applicable laws and regulations · practices safe angling and boating · hones angling and boating skills and passes knowledge to others · respects the rights of other anglers and property owners · supports local conservation efforts 32 basic fishing
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