Blackfish are popular among anglers in the region from Nova Scotia to South Carolina and are most plentiful along the Cape Cod to Chesapeake Bay area. Also known by its Native American name Tautog, the blackfish can be found near the shoreline as well as deeper waters, depending on the time of year. Blackfish tend to congregate along the bottom in areas that are rocky and their favorite spots include piers, bridge pilings, wrecks and mussel beds. The fish have a set of teeth resembling molars located in the back of their mouths that help them to crush shellfish and crabs. Blackfish can be difficult to catch and require some skill in setting the hook and reeling them in without getting your line tangled up in rocks.

Steps

1.  Know that blackfish tend to stay closer to the shoreline during the warmer months. When the weather cools during autumn, blackfish will move out into deeper waters in the ocean and stay there during the winter.

2.   Realize that blackfish tend to prefer familiar territory and a structured environment. Blackfish will gather and stay in a particular area and not travel too far when looking for food.

3.   Consider that fishing for blackfish requires some skill and knowledge of the area waters where you will be casting your line. If a popular area has a reputation for an abundance of blackfish, after a time it may be fished out and you will need to find a new fishing spot.

5.  Catch blackfish using bait such as fiddler crabs, green crabs, clams or shrimp. Rig your line with a sinker, the weight of which should be in the range of 2 to 4 oz. (56 to 113 g) for inshore fishing or up to 8 to 12 oz. (226 to 340 g) when fishing offshore where the waters are deep.

• Use a strong fishing rod and a 40 lb. (18 kg) test fishing line in addition to a heavier weight leader, 60 lb. to 100 lb. (27 kg to 45 kg), to protect the line from becoming frayed once you hook a blackfish. Consider that you will be putting your line down among sharp rocks, jetties, piers and bridge abutments.

6.   Let your baited line lie quietly on the ocean floor to attract the blackfish. Do not move or bounce the line. Let the blackfish take the bait and swallow it before you set the hook or you will risk losing the fish.

• Reel in your blackfish quickly once it is securely on the hook. Bring the blackfish up before it attempts to swim into the rocks and tangles up your fishing line.

7.  Cook with blackfish to make fish stews and chowders. Blackfish has a lean, white flesh with a mild taste and can also be broiled, saut�ed or baked as well as poached or smoked.

• Enjoy your blackfish in a variety of recipes. Blackfish can also be frozen and later thawed for cooking.

This will guarantee you a snipe. Works well anywhere especially in crowded public places.

1.  Have some bait. That is always a requirement. A chocolate bar will do.

2.  Make a trap. One of those "Official Wilderness Explorer Snipe Traps" will work. After you make the trap, put the chocolate bar in the middle of the trap.

• Don't let the name fool you. It not only catches snipes but human and any other organism that happens to set of the trigger. It will trap you as well. If you are uncoordinated, we suggest you not go near this trap unsupervised.

3.  Know what to do if a snipe can't smell. Then dang nabbit, you have to let him hear you. Snipes are a bit like dogs, so walk around in circles and clap loudly yelling at the top of you lungs "HERE SNIPEY SNIPEY!!!!"

4.  Do this until the snipe comes. You cannot stop or the snipe will go away!

5.  Know that following all these steps correctly will, most likely, attract a snipe. It will also attract you a lot of publicity, so that is a two for one deal right there.


Tips

• While calling the snipe, it may be helpful to do a little dance. They really like tribal dances and jigs of all sort. You just have to get it and they will come.

Catfish are freshwater fish that thrive in ponds, lakes and rivers in temperate climates. To be good at catching catfish, you need to know what they like to eat, where they dwell, and which techniques entice them to take the bait. Read on for catfish-catching tips that will ensure you won't leave the boat with an empty cooler.


Method 1 of 3: Choosing Gear and Bait 

1.  Buy a fishing rod and line. The size of the rod you buy should be determined by the size of the fish available to catch in your region.

• For fish under 20 pounds, use a six-foot rod with at least a 10-pound test line.
• For fish over 20 pounds, use a seven-foot rod with at least a 20-pound test line.
  • Longer rods are better for fishing from banks, as opposed to a boat, since they offer greater reach.

2.   Buy fishhooks, bobbers, and other gear. Most sporting good stores sell starter tackle boxes that include a range of supplies to get you started. When it comes down to it, all you really need are sharp fishhooks, but some of the other accessories are nice to have.

• Glow-in-the-dark bobbers can come in handy when you're fishing at night.
• Other types of bobbers can be helpful when you're fishing on a still pond.
• You'll also need buckets and coolers to hold your bait and any catfish you'll be bringing home.

4.   Choose a bait size that matches the size of the fish you want to catch. If you know you stand the chance of catching a 50-pound fish, you're going to need a large piece of bait. Smaller bait like nightcrawlers will get stolen off the hook.

2.  Go early in the morning. Catfish are more active very early in the morning, so plan to start your fishing expedition before sunrise, or even earlier. They tend to feed during these hours.

• Fishing at night can also yield a large catch. If you like to stay up all night on the water, try fishing starting around one or two in the morning.
• You might find some catfish later in the day if it's overcast or raining, but if there's full sun, the fish are likely to be less active.

3.   Look for spots with cover. Catfish like to dwell in places where a current meets a still area, so they can rest without fighting the current. "Covered" areas can be found where the current hits a large log or rock, usually near the bank of a river. Other resting places might be found near dams or other man-made structures in the water.

• In smaller rivers and streams, look for eddies created by rocks and fallen logs toward the middle of the water.
• If you're fishing in a pond or reservoir, look for areas near feeder creeks, very deep spots, and fallen logs and boulders.

4.   Take your position. Once you've chosen the spot where you want to start fishing, drop your anchor, set up your equipment, cast your line and wait for a bite.

Method 3 of 3: Bringing in a Fish

1.  Reel it in. When a catfish bites, let the line go a bit slack and then start reeling it in, quickly. Read How to Reel in a Large Fish to learn proper reeling techniques. 

Catching fishes in the lake is not easy. You need presence of mind and patience to catch. It is very easy to catch a fish. Just read this article and go on

Steps

1.  Choose a place where many fishes are found. Most of the lakes have many fishes but some have less. So it's up to you to choose the right place. 

2.  Take a deep breath and relax. Count the number of fishes in the lake. Go to different areas and compare the number of fishes in one lake. See where the most number of fishes are found.

3.  Research about the fishes you found. Which thing attracts them most? Who are their enemies? What do they like? What do they hate? Where they live?

4.  Fishes are usually attracted by worms. Tie a worm on a hook and fishes will be attracted.

Muskies are a difficult fish to catch. Patience, understanding, and luck are required to catch them.

Steps

1.  Location This is important in catching your first muskie. If just catching one is your goal an action lake is your best bet. An action lake is a lake that has many fish, but because of their numbers the fish are generally smaller. 

2.  Right equipment: Have equipment that can handle a muskie. A light bass rod and reel is not going to cut it. Do research. See what's the best set up for your price range. Lures are also very important. Good lures to start out with are bucktails, topwaters such as the globe, and the hawg wabbler. You have to experiment and see what works for you. Make sure to have proper measuring and release tools such as pliers, hook cutters, jaw spreaders and a net big enough to land a muskie. Don't forget the camera.

3.  Patience is very important when fishing for muskies. Don't expect to catch one right off the bat. They are often lethargic and will show themselves, but won't eat, so if you're getting them to follow your bait you're on the right track.

4.  Be ready! It always seems like they hit when you least expect it. Always be anticipating a muskie to hit your lure

5.  Have confidence in your bait. It will help you stick with it longer and it will keep you ready for a strike.

6.  Have knowledge. You have to know what you're doing to properly release a muskie, which by the way is strongly advised. Know how to handle a fish. Holding fish vertically without support can hurt the fish. Never let the fish flop in the bottom of your boat. It will lose it's protective slime and it could hurt itself. When releasing, gently grab fish by tail and rock back forth in water until fish swims away. Make sure that from the time the fish is hooked until the fish is swimming away is as short as possible.



Tips

• Talk to people who fish the lake. See what's working and where.
• Find out as much as you can.
• Don't be afraid to try something different.
• KNOW AND PERFECT THE FIGURE-EIGHT TECHNIQUE! Muskies are best known for following the lure up to the boat and are tricky to hook, so the best way to counter this is the figure-eight. when the fish is by your boat move the lure in a fast and quick figure-eight motion. When the fish follows the lure to the surface, stick your rod in the water and use the figure-eight technique. This technique has been proven to work, and could make the difference between going home empty handed or going home with a trophy.
• Get polarized sunglasses. You will see a lot more.
• Keep an eye on your lure. If you don't see the fish, you won't know they are there.
• Watch the weather and moon phases, when windows open it can be great.

Warnings

• Don't fish for muskies if you haven't done your research or don't know what you're doing.
• Muskies are a very aggressive species of fish (along with the northern pike) and have been known to ram the boat when anglers raise their bait or lure out of the water. muskies are sometimes unpredictable and should ALWAYS be handled with care.
• Make sure you're fishing legally. Know the seasons and requirements.

You're fishing something heavy hits your line. You try reeling in fast, but it won't move or surface. Chances are that you've hooked a carp or catfish, and only a few techniques will get these biggies in without breaking your line.

Method 1 of 3: Casting Corn Method 


1.  Make sure that using corn to fish is legal in your area. Some states it is illegal to fish with corn so know your local laws. 

2.  Set up your fishing rod. (tie hook to the end of the line and add a small weight.)

3.  Get a can of creamed corn and open it.

4.   Grab a handful of corn and throw it into the water.

5.   Put about 3 pieces of corn onto the hook and put it in the water.

• (Note: you don't have to cast the line. It just has to be about a meter or 2 away from you and be ready to put it in the water when needed.)

6.   Wait at least about 10 minutes. (make sure not to make any movement. Carps are very sensitive to movement.)

7.   If a carp has eaten your corn, you will feel one or two small tugs and that is when you very quickly raise your fishing rod.

8.   Hold the rod straight with the tip facing skyward.

9.  Keep the tension on your line, because if the line goes slack the fish can spit the hook.

10.   Don't let the carp go around a log or stone.

11.   The carp will eventually tire out and that's when you reel it in.

2.   Reel in slowly and steadily. These fish will pull back hard if they feel threatened. As the fish tires, move the tip of your rod back and forth. This may seem unorthodox, but the fish will lose it's ability to thrash with all it's fins.

3.   Remember that if no net is available, do not grab the carp by the lip as you would a bass. this is difficult and could tear the jaw of the fish. Put one hand under the fish in front of the tail, and one between the head and stomach. Hold it firmly, but do not squeeze. If it's a catfish, you may have to go in to the water and haul it out whole.

2.   Search for a spot to set up your fishing rod. A flat large rock would be fine. Set up your rod.

3.   Take a few pieces of canned corn and put it on the hook. It depends on how big the hook is.

4.   Cast the line and position your rod in a 45-50 degree angle. You can use a rock or a log to hold the rod up.

5.   Take about a handful of corn and throw it near the place where you cast your line. This will help to draw in the fish.

6.   Wait for the fish to bite.

7.   When the fish bites you will see your rod moving, grab the rod and immediately pull the rod up in the opposite direction of the movement of the fish.

8.  Keep pulling and at some times let the fish swim away from you but immediately pull back. The bigger the fish the harder it is to pull the rod.

9.  Wait and before you know it the fish would have gotten too tired to put up a fight. As soon as you feel the calmness of the line reel in your catch.

Tips

• Using creamed corn attracts carps by smell.
• If possible, have a friend or family member help you pull the fish in.
• You can also boil potatoes slightly and substitute that for the creamed corn.
• Be patient. Carp have good senses, often at times a lot of Carp are lost to impatience.
• Let the fish "win" the first round of the fight, if there is no place for it to swim into and snag the line. This will make it easier to reel in.
• Always pull the rod back in the opposite direction of the fish, if you keep the rod straight it will create an easy getaway plan for a carp.
• It's good to bring a net to hold your fish.
• Bring an additional fishing rod, this will raise the chance of a carp biting the hook.
• Bring plenty of hooks because the hook can be ripped off by a monster fish or even sea weed and kelp.
• Have a net that you can put your fish into then stick the net back into the water and secure it using a rock. This will keep your catch alive for some time.
• Remember the thinner the line and the smaller the hook the more Carp are going to bite. This will make it harder to reel it in because it is easier for them to break the line.
• A lot of times kelp or sea weed would get caught in the hook.
• You should loosen your drag when fighting the fish. Once you have it worn out and by the dock or boat, tighten the drag and "bring it home".

Warnings

• Don't leave trash at the spot you are fishing at, it can also get you into trouble because somethings like hooks can kill a fish or injure another person.
• Watch out for the hook and make sure it doesn't end up piercing your hand or leg.
• Watch out for ticks and possibly snakes or any other insect that may bite, do some research on the area you will be fishing at.
• Carp and catfish grow to large sizes. Make sure you can handle the fish before "committing" to setting the hook.
• Most rivers have regulations on the minimum and maximum size of certain types of fish, find out how big or small your catch has to be to stay out of trouble.
• Carp have certain sharp spines on their back, watch out not to stick your hand in one.
• Be careful not to slip and fall into the water, it's pretty deep even a few feet away from shore and can cause injury or death if you drown.

Carp are a very smart fish and if one sees your shadow it could be gone before you even realize it. So when you fish, sit down. Carp are skittish and will swim away if they see your shadow.