On a Boat (still water)

Take all the terminal tackle off the line. Feed out as much line as you can into the water (100 feet would be good). Drag the line behind your boat slowly, after a few minutes all the twist should be worked out of the line. Retrieve it slowly and keep a little tension on the line as you spool it back on the reel; pinch it between your forefinger and your thumb to do this.

On a River or Other Moving Water:

Take all the terminal tackle off the line, and feed out line into the river a few feet past the twisted part. Let the current drag the line out for a few minutes then reel it in slowly while keeping a little tension on the line (use your thumb and forefinger.)

On Land:

Find a grassy spot where you can let your line and it will get tangled or be abraded. Take all the terminal tackle off the line and slowly walk all the line out of your real. Returned to your rod and slowly retrieved the line while holding it tightly between your thumb and your forefinger to work out the line twist.

Tree Method: take all the terminal tackle off the line and replace it with a swivel. Type the swivel to a tree or nail it to a fence and then walk backwards allowing the line to spin off the reel. Every 10 feet allow some slack in the line to see if you twists. If it’s still twisting then keep walking backwards and letting more line out. You have left enough line out when you test it and there’s no twisting. Now slowly, while keeping tension on the line reel in the line and walk towards the swivel; the swivel will turn and take the twist out of the line.

• improperly loading the line on your reel (please refer to How to Load line on a Spinning Reel)
• an imbalanced fishing outfit (please refer to “How will you know if you are a buying a balanced outfit?” Scroll down the post.)

If your line is loaded correctly and your outfit is properly balanced then look to the following line twist culprits:

Swivel Problems

• Swivel Too Big
  Your swivel wire diameter should be about the same as main line on the the reel. If the swivel is too big for your main line, then the line cannot produce enough torque to turn it.
• Cheap Swivel
  Use a high quality ball-bearing swivel – some cheap swivels just don’t swivel smoothly or at all.
• Using Swivel as a Stopper
  A common mistake is to use and oversized swivel as a stopper. You would do better to use the correct sized swivel and a glass or plastic bead between the main line and the swivel to keep your sinker from moving up the line.

Retrieve Problems

• Retrieve to Fast
  If you are using a spoon or a spinner, remember that they are designed to wobble from side to side to varying degrees. They should not be spinning widely. If you retrieve these too fast, the rotation of the lure will be too much for the swivel to cope. It only takes a few of these casts to quickly twist your line deep into your reel. Test the retrieval speed before you start fishing. If you are trolling on a boat, run your lures next the boat so you can see how the lure react to your speed. If you are on the bank, retrieve horizontally to the bank a few times and watch the lure until you figure out how to elicit the right action.
• Snagged Debris
  Check your lure for debris after every cast – Weeds, bark or other debris caught on your lure will cause your lure to stop running properly and start to spin widely. If you pay close attention to the feel of your retrieve and watch the rod tip carefully, you can usually tell when something has interfered with the lure. Remove it immediately.

Bad Technique

• Turning the Reel When a Fish is Running
  You must never reel in against the drag when a fish is taking out line. If you turn that handle when a fish is taking line out you can expect to put 4 to 6 twists in the line per turn before the fish breaks off (and it will break off.)
• Engaging the Bail Automatically
  Always use your hand to close the bail. When you are ready to retrieve use the index finger of the line holding the rod to capture the line between your finger and the rod. Then use your free hand to manually close the bail and turn the handle until the line gets on the bail roller. Now you’re ready to retrieve. Do not use the handle to engage the bail. This usually reduces line twist significantly.

If you find this helpful, leave a comment and let me know.

However, there are other useful casts that under certain circumstances can make the difference between getting that bait where it needs to be and not.

Let’s start with the sidearm cast.

When to use the side arm cast:

• windy conditions, to help you beat the wind
• overhead branches are making it difficult to use a conventional straightway cast
• wadding narrow, tree lined streams that are prone to hang-ups
• while in a boat with more than one angler (gives you more room to safely cast)

How to cast sidearm:

1. Begin with the fishing rod held out in front of you, horizontal to the ground.
2. Initiate a backswing and forward swoop similar to that used on the forward cast, releasing the line just before the rod tip points at the target.
3. Finish the cast with the rod tip pointing at the target.

This knot is useful in the tying of multiple hook rigs or when trying to keep the hook off the bottom. Later, I”ll show you a good dropper loop rig.

This knot is used to attach hooks, flies, and sinkers.

Click on the photos for a larger view.

Step 1.

Make a loop in the line and wrap the tag end around the standing line 8 to 10 times.

Step 2.

Find the center of the turns. Pull the loop through the center turn.

Step 3.

Put one of your fingers through the loop to keep it from pulling out, moisten the knot and pull both ends to tighten.

General Care

• Do not hand lures or hooks from the guides. This will surely scratch the surface of the guides and negatively affect your casting. Use the hook-keeper.
• Do not let your lures bang the tip top by reeling in them in all the way.
• Do not “high-stick.” This refers to over-flexing the rod and creating excess pressure on the tip top. When fighting a fish do not lift the rod past 90 degrees.
• Don’t strike the rod against hard surfaces.

Transport

• Place your rod in your car or truck so that the rod is not banging against another rod or hard surface, and so nothing heavy will fall on it, smash it or otherwise damage it.
• If you have more than one rod, consider using one a rod transport system, there are many ingenious designs to meet your particular needs.

In the Field

• When there is sufficient space, carry the rod horizontally with the tip pointing behind you. This will keep you from digging the tip into the ground and breaking it off.
• Never lay your rod flat on the ground; that’s like asking for it to be stepped on. Use a bank rod holder instead.
• If you have to lean the rod on your car, make sure you do it away from any open car doors. Car doors and fishing rods don’t play well together and the car door always wins.Other Options: Try leaning the rod in the recess between the side view mirror and the car body or use a magnetic rod holder.

Cleaning

• Wash the entire rod with soap and fresh water. Rinse hot and let it dry thoroughly. Taking a shower with the rod after a good fishing day is a an easy way to get this done.
• Ensure that the ferules are clean. Wipe down the male ferrules and apply a little grease or candle wax. Use a Q-tip to make sure the female ferules are free of dirt and grit.
• Examine the guides for scratches. You can run a cotton ball or ladies nylon hose through the guides to see if it snags. If the the guides are damaged replace them promptly.

Storage

• Do not store your rod by leaning it on a wall or corner of a room. This will cause it to “set” (unwanted bend) over time.
• Do use a good rack system to keep your rod off the floor and out of harm’s way.

Imagine my surprise when I found my self standing at the edge of the water with a a treble hook spoon sticking out of my arm.

After the novelty wore off, I had to get to the unpleasant business of unhooking myself. I learned something important about removing a hook from human flesh; there’s a hard way and an easy way.

Do yourself a favor and learn how to do this before you need it.

The method you use depends on the hook type and how deep it went.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: If the hook is embedded in or near the eye or on the face– DO NOT attempt to remove the hook. Try to stabilize the hook if you can and seek medical attention immediately! All head injuries should be shown to a doctor. Keep your tetanus shots updated.

Before you begin:

• Cut the line and lure off the hook.
• If the embedded hook is a treble hook, cut off all the uninvolved points. A wire cutter or Leatherman tool works great for this, always have one with you when fishing.
• Wash your hands and clean the wound area before you begin. Rinsing it with some anesthetic/antispectic like Bactine™ is a good idea.

The Hard Way

• Push the hook the rest of the way out, until the barb is clear of the skin.
• Cut off the barb, and back it out the way it came in. Yes, this feels just as fun as it sounds.

• If the hook has multiple barbs, once the barb is out, cut the eye off and pull it out by the barb.

The (Super) Easy Way

• Always use barbless hooks or pinch down the barbs.
• If your hook is barbless, just back it out the way it came in.

The (Somewhat) Easy Way

• This is the best method to use if the hook is not barbless and the hook is embedded past the barb.
• Stabilize the hooked part on a flat surface (if the hook is in your arm, place your arm on a rock or in your lap.)
• Use a non-stretchy string or piece of heavy fishing line and loop it around the hook.
• Press down on the eye so it’s flat against the skin.
• Yank the line sharply in the direction opposite of the eye. Make sure you pull PARALLEL to the skin. The hook should pop right out.

Disinfect, add a little antibiotic ointment on that baby, slap on a band aid and your’re all done!

The blood knot is used to tie together two lines of similar diameter. Why would you want to do that?

To save money on line.

You will cast farther if your reel is close to full. Cutting off line because of snags and the changing of bait eventually leads to low line on the reel. Instead of stripping off the remaining line on the reel and refilling it, you can simply tie on more line.

Click on photos for a larger view.

Step 1.

Lay the line parallel to each other so the ends overlap by around 7 inches. Hold them in the middle with one hand and wrap the tag end of one line and wrap it around the other line five times. Bring the tag end back to middle.

Step 2.

Pinch the middle down with your fingers, and with your other hand repeat the same procedure on the other side.

Step 3.

Push one tag end down through the loop in the center. Push the other tag end up through the center loop.

Step 4.

Moisten the knot. While holding the tag ends, slowly pull on the standing lines to draw the knot tight. Clip off excess.

]]> http://fishingnoob.com/209/how-to-tie-a-blood-knot/feed/ 0 http://fishingnoob.com/200/how-to-tie-the-worlds-fair-knot/ http://fishingnoob.com/200/how-to-tie-the-worlds-fair-knot/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:00:00 +0000 nick http://fishingnoob.com/2008/01/23/how-to-tie-the-worlds-fair-knot/ Not many people know this knot, but it’s a good one to add to your arsenal.

This knot was created by Gary L. Martin and was selected by a panel of outdoor writers as the best new all around fishing knot out of 498 entries. It was demonstrated to the public for the first time at the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair.

It works great on line up to 40lb test, and is very strong. Try it and see how you like it.

This knot is used to attach terminal tackle.

Click on the photos for a larger view.

Step 1.

Create a loop six inches long and pass it through the eye of your tackle.

Step 2.

Bring the loop back and pull the doubled line up through the loop.

Step 3.

Pull the tag end under the doubled line.

Step 4.

Bring the tag end back over the doubled line and through the loop you just made.

Step 5.

Pull the tag end and slide the knot down to the eye until tight. Clip off the excess.

I’ve been reading a little about wind theory lately, and I found some old wind lore that seems to have been around for a very long time.

I haven’t really tested the accuracy of this, but it seems easy enough to remember. By keeping a careful record of my fishing outings in a fishing log, I should be able to tell if there’s any truth to it at all.

Let me know if you’ve heard of this, and how it worked out for you.

Wind from the NORTH fisherman does not go forth.

 

Wind from the SOUTH, blows the bait in the fish’s mouth.

Wind from the EAST, the fish bite least.

Wind from the WEST, the fish bite best.

Photo By Jaako

If you want to make friends with other anglers and to continue to have access to places where you can fish you need understand and follow basic fishing ethics:

2. Follow angling and boating regulations.
   They are there for a reason, most of the time to protect you or others.
3. Don’t pollute.
   Don’t leave your trash on or around the water; that includes used line, bait containers, and cigarette butts. Throw it in a trash can or pack it out.
4. Only keep fish you are going to use.
   If you are not going to use it, put it back. Take the time to learn proper catch and release techniques.
5. Never release fish (including baitfish) or plants into waters that do not normally hold them.
   Introducing exotic species into public waters is not only unethical, it’s illegal. Don’t do it.
6. Respect the property rights of land owners.
   You will not endear yourself to other’s by trespassing on their land or their water.
7. Treat other anglers and people we meet in the outdoors with courtesy and respect.
   That includes respecting the personal space of other anglers; if they found the hole first, give them room to fish it. Worse than fishing on top of another angler is crossing another angler’s lines (makes people see red.)
8. Support local efforts to protect the environment.
   Take care of your home water so you and others will something to fish now and in the future.
9. When operating a motor boat, keep your speed low and stay a safe distance away from others.
   Terrorizing anglers and other people on the water is a great way to expose yourself to some colorful vocabulary.
10. Share your knowledge.
    Sharing what you’ve learned about fishing is rewarding for you, for those who learn from you and for the sport in general.