Today I want to talk a little about fishing and some of the various methods, baits, and lures. The first method that I will talk about is casting.

Usually when some first learns to cast a fishing-pole they use a close-faced reel since they are easier to control. When you use a close-face reel it will have a button that when depressed will hold the fishing-line in place until the button is released. Once you bring the pole back and then start your forward motion with it you want to release the button right about the time the pole is next your ear. If you did it properly the line should sail a good distance out in to the water. If you release the button to early you will end up with a tangled mess with the line wrapping around the pole and possibly even inside the reel. If you wait too long to release the button the line will just plunk straight down. It will take practice to get the technique down which is why they make practice weights.

Once you have picked up the hang of casting you are ready to go put it to use in actual fishing. There are two different types of fishing when you cast and they are live bait and spin-casting where you use an artificial lure.

• Live bait fishing will normally involve a hook, a sinker, a swivel, and a bobber. The hooks that you will most likely use will be snelled (already tied to a line) and that would normal get attached to a swivel that will get tied to the end of your line. Swivels come in many forms but they are all the same in there purpose in keeping your line from tangling when you have a fish on the line and allowing you to change hooks without cutting the line. Next up the line is your sinker (or weight) that will be attached about 6" above the swivel. Then the bobber goes on the line and that will be placed somewhere above the sinker, usually about 18"minimum, depending on how deep you will be fishing. Once you have your line ready you can bait your hook. There are several live baits to choose from and it really depends on what you are fishing for as to the bait you choose. For this article we will stick with eggs and worms, which there are many varieties of both. Once you are done with the bait then cast your line and sit back. The bobber will let you know when a fish is biting, the bobber bob up and down, and when the bobber goes under the water you have a fish on the line. This is where the real fun comes in especial if the fish is a fighter. Reeling in he line when you have a fish on the line is sort of an art in itself since you don't want the line to go lax or the fish might jump off but you don't want to pull too hard or you could break the line. 
• Spin-casting uses artificial lures, of which there are several kinds, a swivel, and possibly a sinkers it depends on the type of lure. For this article we will just use a spinner, they are bulk and don't require any other weight, on the end of your line. As the name implies you cast you line one and reel it back in making the spinner rotate. The rotating and reflection of the lure will attract the fish but you will need to be very alert when the fish strikes. Since you are using an artificial lure the fish will only strike once and you need sharply jerk back on the pole to set the hook once you feel the fish hit. Once again though you don't want to pull too hard or you will just end up pulling the lure away from the fish and you don't want to be too soft or the fish can spit out the lure. 

I will go in to some of the other types of fishing on my next entry.