Fishing For Dummies

The complete beginner′s guide to achieving the ultimate fishing experience Whether fishing for carp on a quiet pond or chub on a churning river, tackling trout on a stream or bass at the coast, enthusiasts across the UK are taking up fishing like never before. If you′ve been bitten by the angling bug, and you′re looking for a quick, easy way to acquire the knowledge and skills you need to enjoy this fantastic sport to its utmost, you′ve come to the right place. From baiting a hook to landing your prize catch, Fishing For Dummies is your complete, step–by–step guide to all types of fishing, whether that means coarse, sea or game angling. Learn your fishing ABCs – if you′re a complete novice, you′ll learn everything you need to know about different types of fishing and the best places to give them a go Know your fish – get to know the various fresh water and salt water fish species found in and around the British Isles – from dace to trout, carp to cod Gear up – get the lowdown on rods, reels, tackle, hooks, lines and weights, as well as the most useful knots and rigs for various types of fishing Get them to bite – take a crash course on how to entice fish to fall for your bait, lures and flies Reel ′em in – learn how to prevail in battle against even the feistiest catch and how to handle them once you′ve caught them Enjoy the spoils – from unhooking and weighing fish, to taking the best pictures to wow your friends, discover the many ways to revel in your best catches Open the book and find: The different types and styles of fishing Identifying species of fish in fresh and salt water Selecting the right rods, reels, line and tackle Mastering casting techniques Tying knots like a seasoned angler Hooking and landing fish with ease Safely unhooking and releasing fish Recording prize catches Learn to: Catch the fish you want, and more of them Choose the right gear and the right spots for fishing Get ′The Big One′ to bite

Introduction 1 Part I: Before the Bite 7 Chapter 1: Getting Hooked on Fishing 9 Chapter 2: Gathering What You Need to Fish 21 Chapter 3: Finding and Evaluating Water for Fishing 35 Chapter 4: Putting a Face on the Fins: Common Freshwater Fish 53 Chapter 5: Familiarising Yourself with Common Sea Fish 69 Chapter 6: Staying Safe On (Or Near) the Water 83 Part II: Gearing Up Without Going Overboard 93 Chapter 7: Hot Rods and Cool Reels 95 Chapter 8: The Bottom Line on Line 117 Chapter 9: It′s Terminal (Tackle): Hooks, Weights, Snaps, Swivels and Floats 133 Chapter 10: Going the Extra Mile: Boats, Gadgets and More 155 Part III: The End of Your Line: Enticing Fish with Bait, Lures and Flies 171 Chapter 11: Real Food for Real Fish: Using Bait 173 Chapter 12: It Only Looks Alive: Tricking Fish with Lures 199 Chapter 13: Fish Don′t Fly, But Flies Catch Fish 217 Part IV: Now You′re Fishing 233 Chapter 14: Tying Popular Fishing Knots and Rigs 235 Chapter 15: Choreographing Your Cast 269 Chapter 16: Exploring Different Fishing Techniques 287 Chapter 17: How to Hook, Fight, Land and Release Fish 303 Part V: After the Catch 321 Chapter 18: Photographing, Weighing and Preserving Fish for Posterity 323 Chapter 19: Biting Back: Storing, Cleaning and Cooking Fish 331 Part VI: The Part of Tens 343 Chapter 20: Ten Fishing Lessons You Don′t Have to Learn the Hard Way 345 Chapter 21: Ten Fishing Organisations You Should Know About 349 Chapter 22: Ten Great Fishing Reads 353 Index 357

Peter Kaminsky is an author and a contributor to the New York Times, Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. Greg Schwipps′ work has appeared in a number of outdoor magazines. Dominic Garnett is an angling writer, blogger (dgfishing.co.uk), photographer and guide whom Angling Times recently described as ′Fast becoming one of the most readable angling writers in the business . . . has that rare ability to convey the magic of the sport.′