How to hook, fight and land fish

The act of fishing takes you into some of the most scenic places and gives you time to be with people who are precious to you.

However, when you have all the gear you need, the techniques you have acquired, and the scenery and companionship you love at the end of the day it is about catching fish.

A particular rod and reel that is your pride and that you are hoping to pass down to your grandson really is a work of art.

You have learnt how to set your rig in a particular way that suits you.

First, rod out of cover and assemble. Align with one eye closed so the rings are in perfect alignment. The reel is screwed on and the line is passed through rings and ready for float and hook or whatever we are using today.

Now the heart starts to pound just a little faster with excitement. Will this be the day of the big one?

You know you can cast to where you want to fish.

Bait is perfect. The sun is out so a little screen across the forehead. Here you go.

To be a true angler you need to know when to strike at a bite, how to play the fish and be able to land it.

Catching a fish is like riding a bike. The best way to learn is to actually attempt to do it.

But as the way with all things, preparation can help and improve your chances of success when everything goes right and you get a bite.

Different fish have different takes. A pike will pull you to the other end of the lake but a trout will be oh-so-dainty. A roach may take your bait and spit it out but a carp will try to pull your rod in.

A big bite doesn’t require a big response. You have to learn how to play the bite. Don’t try to pull the fish out of the lake but let it take the slack and strain. Now the rod bends!!!! – Beautiful feeling.

Now we are in fishing territory that cannot be explained until you have had a decent fish at the end of your line. This is what you came for. The nerves kick in. You cannot lose it. You have done everything you wanted. Now you have to land. The fish doesn’t want to leave the water and is going to fight you. It will try to find a reed or cover. Try to find something to hold on to.

Just two little fishing tips here

1. Keep a tight line.

2. Let the rod take the strain.

We have a fish on a line and the rod is bending taking a lot of the strain. Now we have to be crafty and that comes with experience. We try to get the fish near the surface so we wind the reel in the line. But the fish will try to dive so we give them a little line. We wind the reel a couple of times and dip the rod. Now the fish is going side to side. Who tells them what to do? We can feel that the fish is tiring and we can use the reel a bit more. We are bringing it close to where we can use the landing net. Just as soon as the fish sees the net it has a new lease of life and makes a break for freedom. But now the line is close and we can manoeuvrer to place the landing net under fish and land. Well done.

Fishing is not a blood sport and one of the nicest aspects of fishing is the ability to sustain the sport by releasing. Care should be taken to remove the hook as safely as possible and not to stress the fish. Try to ensure it is breathing by laying the fish in the water and make sure it’s gills are working and slowly releasing. That fish has given you brilliant sport.