Of the many leisure sport activities today, fishing is perhaps the most relaxing and popular. The sea, flowing streams or rivers are some of the places where fishing can be done; however, lake fishing is the favorite among them all to most anglers. On-shore fishing and fishing from a boat are two types of lake fishing. These two types of lake fishing can be done using different techniques.
Boat fishing – delivers more effective results among these two types of lake fishing, and is also the more relaxing of the two. Some boat fishing techniques include to and fro trolling, casting, drift fishing and the use of down riggers. While it’s true that certain techniques are more effective for different fish species, most anglers prefer to troll when fishing from a boat. Pulling a lure or a number of lures behind a slow-moving boat is referred to as trolling. Back trolling and forward trolling are more or less the same, however, the difference between the two is that in back trolling, the boat moves in reverse and considerably slower in speed.
Anglers are able to move quietly and slowly in boats equipped with trolling motors, because these motors make little or no sound, thus avoiding any disturbance to fish. Anglers find it more convenient to cast lures in places most likely to have more fish present when using boats fitted with trolling motors. Although lake fishing from a boat is ideal for catching fish, the price of boat hire can prove quite costly, so consider hiring an inflatable kayak or pontoon boat as an alternative. These options are quite effective and far less costly than traditional boats.
Fishing from shorelines – are preferred by most anglers, as it doesn’t require hiring or buying of expensive boats. Among the different techniques used for fishing from shorelines, the most popular one is ‘still fishing’. For this technique, a stopper (floater), sinker and hook/s attached with bait is fitted to the fishing line. Above the hook/s and sinker is where the floater is secured, to avoid the possibility of the sinker moving down to the bait. Using multiple hooks for this rig is more effective than using just one as the bait will appear more natural to the fish. After casting this rig and giving it enough time to sink, the angler then reels in the slack line slowly to lure and catch fish.
Walking along a shoreline, while casting a number of lures at different places, is another lake fishing technique that is popular with most anglers. However, this technique is only possible in lakes which don’t have too many bushes that can obstruct walking and angling along the shore. Lake fishing using these techniques is a wonderful way to enjoy a relaxed weekend.