Start With The Basics
Shore fishing can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. The goal of this guide is to help you understand the basic decisions that go into a day of fishing from shore.
How To Begin
Anyone who wants to fish can learn how. Shore fishing is an enjoyable sport for the whole family. It provides quality time with the added excitement of feeling a bite on your line.
Please remember to keep an eye on your children, as they should never be unsupervised around the water.
If you have to walk, ride or drive to the water, it doesn't matter. Just get there.
Getting Your First Equipment
Start at your local tackle dealer. Ask the salesperson about shore fishing spots they recommend. If they want your business, they will do whatever it takes to help get you hooked on shore fishing.
You do not need to buy the most expensive gear available to start. You can literally catch fish on a hook and line tied to a stick. So buy a moderately priced rod and reel. You can buy the more expensive gear as you get more involved with shore fishing.
And remember, some of the real flashy baits are sometimes designed to catch the fisherman's eye, not the fishes.
Ask Other Fishermen
Ask other fishermen for advice, or maybe to let you go along on their next shore fishing outing. In general, fishermen are a friendly bunch that enjoys helping out.
If you have a relative or friend that likes to fish, even better. They will have the added pleasure of your company.
Basic Casting
Spin Casting
To cast with a spin casting reel, press the release button at the back of the reel with your thumb. Make sure your lure is hanging loose from the tip of the rod by a few inches.
Facing where you want to cast, keep the elbow of your casting arm at your side. Bring the rod tip up over your shoulder and stop when the rod is about a 45-degree angle behind you.
With a quick and smooth motion, snap your hand forward to about a 45-degree angle in front of you. Release your thumb from the button, then continue the follow-through until the rod is parallel to the ground.
Spinning
With a spinning reel, flip the bail and hook the line with your index finger. Make sure your lure is hanging loose from the tip of the rod by a few inches.
Bring the rod tip up over your shoulder, then make a quick and smooth forward motion. Release your index finger and continue the follow-through until the rod is parallel to the ground.
The main difference between the two styles is how the line is released.
Improving Your Casting
Want to cast further?
Practice in a field with a weight or bolt tied to your line. Practice not only improves your aim, it also helps increase distance.
Practice both overhand and, when you master it, try the side-arm method. The same basic principles apply.
The original guide also notes that longer rods generally cast farther than shorter rods.
When you move your hand forward to cast, try to "snap" your wrist at the same time. The original guide emphasizes that much of good casting comes from the wrist.
Casting as far from shore as possible does not necessarily mean more fish. The original guide points out that bait fish and larger fish may be found closer to shore, particularly around structure and drop-offs.
How To Tie One On
Proper knots are essential for a successful fishing trip. The original ShoreFishing.net guide covered a few basic knots that are useful for shore anglers.
Once a knot is made tight, clip off the extra line, leaving approximately 1/4 inch.
Slip Knot
To attach the line to the reel, the original guide recommends the Slip Knot.
- Run the line backwards through the rod's guides.
- Tie an overhand knot at the end of the line.
- Wrap the line around the reel's spool once.
- Pass the end of the line around the rest of the line and tie another overhand knot.
- Hold the line going to the spool and pull tight.
The first knot will slide up to the second one, allowing it to draw tight.
Clinch Knot
The Clinch Knot is one of the original guide's recommended knots for attaching hooks or other tackle to the line.
- Pass the line through the eye of the hook or tackle.
- With your finger on top of the hook, make 6–8 turns around the line.
- Pass the end of the line through the loop above your finger.
- Pass the line through the loop you just formed.
- Pull on the line while holding the end from sliding back through the loop.
The line should form neat coils as it slides down to the hook. The original guide notes that wetting the line slightly may help it slide better.
Palomar Knot
The Palomar Knot is an easy knot for fastening lures to the line.
- Fold the line over itself.
- Feed the loop through the eye of the lure.
- Tie an overhand knot behind the lure, but don't pull it tight.
- Put the lure through the loop.
- Slowly pull the knot tight.
Surgeon's Knot
The Surgeon's Knot works well for tying different diameter lines together.
- Place the two lines beside each other in opposite directions.
- Leave approximately six inches of overlap on each side.
- Treating the two lines as one, make an overhand knot.
- Pull the entire length of double line through the loop, but don't pull it tight.
- Pass the double line through the loop again.
- Hold both ends of the lines and slowly pull the knot tight.
When To Go Fishing
Generally, any time you can. Fish feed all the time. But if you'd like to better your odds of having a successful shore fishing trip, the original ShoreFishing.net guide recommends paying attention to changes in air pressure, including the period before or after rain.
Moon Phases
The original guide also records a long-standing observation from older fishermen who watched the moon phases. Some preferred the three days before, during, and three days after a new moon.
Others preferred the three days before, during, and three days after a full moon.
These moon-phase observations are included here as part of the original ShoreFishing.net fishing knowledge and experience.
Low Light
Fish are usually easier to catch during low-light periods. The original guide identifies the period from dawn to approximately three hours afterward, and the three hours before dusk, as good fishing times.
Night Fishing
Night fishing can also be an exciting way to fish from shore.
Bring a flashlight or headlamp when fishing at night.
If you plan to build a fire, check the local fire regulations first. Never leave a fishing spot until you are certain the fire is completely extinguished.
Cloudy Days & Light Wind
The original guide says cloudy days with a light breeze can offer a good opportunity to catch fish throughout the day, when fish may be active, feeding or moving around.
Clear & Calm Conditions
Clear, calm days can still produce fish. The original guide observes that fishing may be better when there are some ripples on the water rather than when the surface is completely calm.
Bait To Use
The more natural the bait, the better. The original ShoreFishing.net guide found that night crawlers (big worms) and minnows (small fish) worked well most of the time. Natural bait available in a particular body of water can also be effective.
When Fish Aren't Actively Feeding
Sometimes fish are not actively feeding. The original guide recommends lures that can cause fish to strike through instinct, using sound, motion and color.
Examples include:
- Spoons
- Jigs
- Spinner baits
- Crank baits
The original guide also recommends keeping various sizes of jigs and soft plastic worms in your tackle box as a standard option when other approaches aren't working.
Examples From The Original ShoreFishing.net Guide
Panfish
Small hooks with small bait, either natural or artificial.
Bass
Spinner baits and pork rinds were among the examples given in the original guide.
Walleye
A jig tipped with a minnow or plastic worm was one of the original recommendations. The guide also mentions perch-coloured crank baits and yellow-and-red spoons.
Northern Pike
The original guide mentions red-and-white spoons, yellow spoons with red diamonds, and jigs with green plastic worms.
Channel Catfish
The original Manitoba material mentions goldeye slabs, tiger prawn shrimp, chicken livers and hearts.
Carp
The original guide mentions a number 4 hook with worm or corn, and sometimes a minnow.
Sturgeon
A large amount of worms on a single hook is one of the original examples.
Cut Bait
The original guide notes that many fish will take fresh bait-fish slabs, provided their use is legal.
These are not the only baits to use for these fish. They are examples from the original ShoreFishing.net site's past experiences and what had worked best.
Different locations can call for different bait at different times. When fishing a new body of water, check what local fishermen are using.
Water Clarity & Colour
The original guide also offered these general observations:
- Murky or dark water — try darker baits or hooks.
- Clear water — a bright-coloured lure may work better.
- Clear, sunny conditions — brighter, colourful or shiny bait.
- Dark, overcast conditions — duller, darker colours.
The original guide describes these as rules of thumb and emphasizes that they are only a starting point. Experimentation is part of shore fishing.
How To Begin
This section will restore the original ShoreFishing.net information on getting started with shore fishing.
The original material covered basic equipment, rods and reels, and casting.
Original ShoreFishing.net material will be incorporated here as it is recovered and verified.