The most surprising aspect of fishing is that sitting for hours could be so complicated. Aside from the deft touch required to actually fish, setting up a fishing rod can give you fits if you don't know what you're doing. Be just as patient as you would on the lake, and you'll be fine; be antsy, and you'll wind up in a tangled mess of fishing line.
Getting Started
The first step in setting up a fishing pole is getting the line onto the reel. Wrap the line around the reel, and tie a knot. Then tie another knot on the tail end of the line, to keep the line from slipping through the first knot. This is an arbor knot.
Reeling
Now that you have your line secured, you can add more line onto your reel. Reel the line onto your reel carefully, to avoid tangling. Stop reeling when the reel is about 80 percent full.
Threading
Run the line from the reel through each of the eyes on the rod. Pull through enough line to attach whatever bait, lure, bobber, etc., you plan to use.
Clinch Knots
Fishing requires a specific knot that sounds difficult, but it is quite simple in execution. Run the line through the eye on your hook or lure, leaving several inches of tail. Pinch a loop near the eye. Take the tail, and wrap it around the line five times. Then take the end and run it through the loop, pulling it tight. This is a clinch knot.
Finishing Up
Add weight, a bobber, etc., depending on your plan for fishing. Always throw away excess line and hooks, so other fishermen don't step on them, and so animals don't eat them.
Member Comments