Fishing with family members will make great memories, unless you don’t catch any fish! Impress your friends and family with a great catch by following some of these tips from the experts of fishing. Here is a bit of advice to get started on.

When fishing with shad, slice the tail from your bait before setting it on the hook. When you do this, the shad won’t spin as you lower it to the bottom. This will keep your line from getting tangled. In addition, you can use the cut tail as scent to attract the fish to the bait.

When new to fishing, go out with an experienced fisherman. They’ll show you what to avoid and give you good tips.

Look for a spot where fish are congregating, and then cast your hook in a place upstream from that area. The force of the current will carry your baited hook right into your target. The fish will take notice of your bait and be drawn to it due to the natural motion created by the downstream drift. This technique is especially useful if fish are collected under a rock or other obstruction.

It’s imperative that you have the correct equipment whenever you fish. In the case of lures, and whether to use live bait, it will depend on the type of fishing you are doing. You must learn what type of lure works best for each fishing situation.

Be mindful of the smells your hands give off. Things like lotions, perfumes, and even strong soaps can transfer to your bait and end up chasing away the fish. The fish in the water might just smell this and they then tend not to bite.

Check your fishing boat in the beginning of the spring season in order to ensure that it’s ready to go, and that the battery is in good condition. The battery should be kept in a dry place in your garage or basement when it isn’t in your boat. A concrete floor can zap your battery’s life, so take care to not put your battery on bare concrete.

When netting a fish try to ensure that the fish goes in headfirst. When you do this, the fish aren’t able to move as much, so they aren’t as likely to escape. Generally, you should use the net only when you truly need to.

Don’t be wasteful with your fish. It’s exciting to catch fish, but if you’re just going to dispose of them after catching them, you are being disrespectful to the fish and the environment. If you think you have too many fish, simply share them or release them back into the wild.

Know what to expect from the weather before fishing. There will be days where the weather just doesn’t permit for good fishing. An overcast day is the best kind of day to go fishing. Although you could catch fish even in other weather conditions, you’re a lot more likely to reel in fish when there’s an overcast sky.

You will catch more fish if you wait for the right time or the right temperature. For example, if you’re hunting bass, the larger ones are generally more active at dusk and dawn since that’s when their preferred food is most active. Be certain the water your fishing in is over 50 Fahrenheit when you fish at times like dawn or dusk.

If you are only sport fishing and not going to eat what you catch that day, use the method for catching and releasing. The catch and release method involves removing the hook and placing the fish back into the water. When you practice catch & release, you will not deplete the number of fish available for future fishing opportunities.

You must have a lot of patience in order to fish. If it’s hard for you, you may need to find a different sport that relies on less patience and time. You might need to go on small fishing trips in order to accommodate your level of patience.

Imagine the look on a loved one’s face if you catch a huge fish to eat for dinner. Enjoy creating wonderful memories as you show off some of your new techniques and fishing skills with family and friends.