Tips on Catching Big Fish

Few things in the outdoors match the feeling an angler has when she realizes that she has hooked into a big fish. The ensuing battle is also an exhilarating endeavor, followed by the attempt to land the fish. A fisherman can greatly increase his odds of tying into fish as long as 2 or 3 feet and weighing as much as 15 to 20 pounds by targeting certain species that typically grow to such sizes, like the carp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Spinning rod and reel
10-to-12-pound test fishing line
No. 4 hooks
Split shots
Night crawlers
Fishing net

Step 1

Focus on catching carp if you want the excitement of catching big fish. In most freshwater environs in the United States, the carp is one of the largest fish that an angler will ever encounter. While the fish is not among those that people normally want to serve as table fare it grows to monstrous sizes, has incredible endurance and strength, is common in many bodies of water around the country and goes after many types of bait.

Step 2

Locate carp in rivers in the slow moving backwaters close to shore or in pools underneath overhanging branches. Carp tend to stay in the weedy regions of a lake or pond and when hooked hightail it to the nearest vegetation, making rivers the best setting for catching these fish. Look and listen for large splashes as carp come out of the water to feed, breaking the surface close to shore before falling back in the water.

Step 3

Use a variety of baits to catch carp. Those who consider themselves carp experts will often make their own baits out of a combination of ingredients like semolina and fish meal, boil them until they turn hard and then use them to catch carp. You can use night crawlers or canned corn as bait until you become more acquainted with carp habits.

Step 4

Employ a No. 4 hook with a fat night crawler or several kernels of corn threaded onto it for carp. Always attach a pair of split shots 20 inches from the hook. Your line should be at least 10-to-12 pound test and braided line is the best for carp, possessing greater strength than regular monofilament does. Spinning reels that can allow you to cast to where the carp feed are preferable as are heavy action rods that can withstand the strain of a fish that can easily weigh in the 20 pound range.

Step 5

Stay patient as you wait for carp to bite. You will frequently see carp feeding in groups near shore where the water is slow and somewhat deep. Cast your night crawler or corn into the water and wait for a bite. When a carp does take the bait, it will suck it into its mouth. Set the hook hard since carp have a tough fleshy mouth.

Step 6

Let the carp take line after you hook it. You will quickly see that you cannot just reel the carp in like a normal fish. It is too big and strong and it will make several runs attempting to escape. Set the drag on your reel so the fish can take line with tension still applied to it. Some anglers will set their reel so that they can keep their line tight while a fish takes line by reeling backward.

Step 7

Tire the carp out before attempting to land it. Keep constant pressure on the fish, reeling in line as it tires. Be prepared for a carp to make another run just when you think it could not possible have any energy left. Remember that steady pressure is what will eventually win out. Maneuver the carp toward you where you can net it or beach it on the shore.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

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