1. Basic Fishing Principles
Objective: Summarize fundamentals associated with freshwater fishing and equipment selection.

2. Do you want to be the BEST Fisherman?
You need to know 2 important things…
WHEN TO FISH
&
WHERE TO FISH

3. When to Fish Fishing differs according to the time of year
Early season fishing-first warming in the spring
Time of day is critical
Best time is around 1-5pm because the sun’s rays are at maximum penetration, making the air and water warmer
Best places for early season fishing are small lakes and ponds because areas with darker bottoms absorb heat
Mid season fishing-summer
Generally early morning and late evening are the best because the heat is the least
Summer can be hard to fish because the food chain is at its peak & fish are harder to find due to abundant cover

4. When to Fish Seasons affect how lures or bait are presented
Presentation is how the bait is displayed to a fish
Ways to vary presentation:
Depth of lure
Size of lure
Color of lure
Speed of cranking
Action of rod

5. When to Fish Seasonal lake turnovers
A body of water goes through an annual cycle of temperature changes that parallel the seasons
There are spring and fall turnovers
There is a summer stagnation period

6. Where to Fish
Proper selection of fishing sites determines fishing success
3 BASIC RULES
Always fish structure
Structure-anything unusual on the bottom of a body of water, such as drop offs, bars and deep edges of weedbeds, that will attract fish
Learn to read structure through observation of lake areas or by using a contour map of the lake

7. Where to Fish Pond, lake and reservoir locations
Stream or river mouths are considered excellent because the incoming water often brings in food that attracts the fish
Other spots include:
Submerged rock piles
Points
Deep holes
Lily pads
Submerged tree stumps

8. Where to Fish Stream & River Fishing
Most stream and river fishing locations will be areas with fast moving water passing over some structure, slowing the water down
Consider the current and the structures that current affects to select location
Areas to fish:
Dams and spillways
Main channel edges
Stream or creek mouths
Outside bends

9. Fishing from a Boat
Chumming-involves throwing bait (chum) into the water in order to attract fish
Trolling-done by pulling baited trailing lines behind a moving boat
Jigging-casting the line with the lure or bait to the bottom, then raising it about one foot in a quick motion. Motion is continually repeated.
Drift fishing-trailing fishing lines behind a boat while it drifts with the current or wind