Do you feel rather crappie? Do you flail and flounder when you think about casting your reel? If fish laugh at you every time you show up, you’ve got to learn some skills to be better at it. Continue reading for some great fishing techniques.

No other single piece of equipment is as important as a sharp hook when it comes to fishing. It keeps the fish caught while you reel it in. Dull hooks are useless. Sharpen or replace your hooks regularly.

When fishing in a stream, cast upstream and allow the current to carry your lure or bait to your fishing hole. This looks more natural to the fish and makes it more likely that you will catch something. Try to always keep your line taught, and reduce the slack in your line so you can feel the fish bite.

A good tip is to be sure to carry a scale with you on your fishing trips. You can never be sure when that lifetime trophy fish will bite, so having a scale handy can help you practice your catch and release technique.

For the beginning fisherman, it is crucial that you know a few of the basics about proper fishing technique. Do lots of research before jumping in. There are many good books and websites to teach you what to expect and what to do. With this information at your fingertips, you will be sure to get the catch of the day.

Search your fishing environment for areas of deep water. Finding deep water areas is especially important when fishing in rivers. Fish like to gather in this type of area, especially in warm weather. They also like to hang out around very large rocks and ledges. Be sure to make a mental note of your special fishing spot along the river, so you can find it on your next trip out.

For beginners who want to try something else besides earthworms, spinnerbait is the way to go. Water that is dimly lit, such as the murky shallows around a dock or the shaded water under tree branches, is particularly well suited to these lures. Spinnerbait is typically used to attract bass, but it can also lure crappie.

Wet the line before tying a knot. This will cut the friction as you tie your knot, but it is also going to make your knot much stronger. The best types of knots to use are clinch and double fisherman’s knots.

Wind is a fly fishers worst enemy. You will not be able to cast accurately if it’s very windy out. Going early at the crack of dawn or late in the evening are the best times to fish, this is because of the lack of wind. If you go out and there is too much wind, fish with your back to the wind.

Pay close attention to how the colors of your bait compares to the colors of the water. You want something that will clash so the fish down there will see your bait. Brighter colors will get noticed in murky waters. Clear water requires darker colored lures that do not mesh with the surroundings.

Now that you have the information you need, you can control the water as if it belongs to you. These tips will help you master the techniques to become a great fisherman, so you can enjoy tasty fish on your dinner table in no time.