Your Recreational Fishing Resource Guide

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Recreational fishing is done for pleasure or competition and is a favorite hobby among people of all ages. The most common type of recreational fishing uses a rod, line, reel, and hooks, as well as a variety of baits to attract the fish. The practice of attempting to catch fish using a hook is known as angling and the fish is usually released back into the water. Other types of sport fishing techniques include: hand gathering, netting, spearfishing, and trapping. Whether it's in a pond, lake, river, or ocean, recreational fishing remains a popular hobby demonstrated by men and women everywhere.

Different Techniques

Recreational Fishing Guide: Information on using rods, reels, lines, hooks, knotting, regulations, and permits.
An Introduction to Fly Fishing: Beginners guide to fly fishing, fly rods, reels, lines, and casting.
Bowfishing Tips FAQ: Information and tips about bowfishing and the best equipment to use.
Fishing Methods: Descriptions of many types of fishing techniques, including hand gathering, drift net, and pole and line.
Spearfishing Education: Collection of articles about spearfishing, free-diving, and tips for choosing the proper equipment.
Trammel Nets: Information on a form of recreational fishing called netting that consists of two to three layers of mesh netting in which the fish entangle.
Freshwater Fishing and Angling Tips: Angling tips and techniques for fishing in freshwater areas.
Take Me Fishing: Website dedicated to fishing techniques with tips on where to find fish, when to fish, setting the hook, and landing a fish.
Fishing Responsibly: Code of conduct for recreational fishing and catch and release tips for recreational anglers to ensure survival of fish.

What's in Your Tackle Box?

Hooks: Learn the parts of a fishing hook and some of the types that are used in freshwater angling.
Lines: Information on different types of fishing line, such as braided, nylon monofilament, and multifilament.
Sinkers: Diagrams and descriptions of types of popular sinkers used in recreational fishing.
Floats: Article about float types that come in various colors, sizes, and shapes to accommodate any environmental condition.
Rods: Information on several types of fishing rods, including the spinning rod, casting rod, and fly rod.
Reels: Tips on how to choose the best fishing reel with details on the spincast, spinning, and baitcast reels.
Lures: Article about different types of fishing lures based on the freshwater species of fish.
Spears: Collection of photographs and information on spearfishing and the proper techniques to catch fish using spears.
Nets: List of common types of fishing nets with descriptions, such as leaded gill nets, tie down gill, and seines.
Trappers: Tips and techniques for fishing hobbyist about trapping and marking trap lines.
Waders: Buyers guide to fishing waders with information on wader materials and types of fly fishing waders.

Live Bait

Earthworms: Information about using earthworms as a form of fish bait for anglers.
Night Crawlers: Instructions on how to find night crawlers and catch fish using them as live bait.
Insects: Guide to insects and fly patterns for those fishing hobbyist who enjoy fly fishing.
Small Fish: Best types of baitfish, such as the fathead, chub, common shiner, and mud minnow.
Frogs: Online video that demonstrates how to catch fish in weedy areas using frog bait.
Crayfish: Information on crayfish, their appearance, and how they are used as a live bait for fishing
Shrimps: Photographs and details of using shrimp as an effective way to catch fish.
Minnows: Learn which baitfish are the best and why so many fishers use live minnows as bait.
Crabs: Information on choosing the right bait, including live bait such as the fiddler crab and blue crab.
Sand Fleas: Photographs and information on the sand flea, where it can be found, and how it is used for live bait.

Competition

What is a Fishing Competition?: Information on the tournament and the four major types.
Shooting and Fishing Competitions: Details on shooting and fishing competitions from national bass fishing to anglers of all levels.
International Gamefish Tournaments: Learn about international fishing tournaments, competitions, and cash prizes awarded to winners.
American Sportfishing Association: Here you will find a sportfishing community, data, statistics, and competitions.
International Game Fish Association: Find news, information about tournaments, events, and world records.
Neat Fish: Neat Fish is the standard for National Environmental Assessment of Tournament Fishing.
New Zealand Fishing Competitions: Complete guide to fishing tournaments and competitions.
Bass Fishing Competitions: Listing of bass fishing competitions that take place all over the world.
Anglers Fishing Guide: Information on the requirements of various fishing competitions.
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society: Find articles, news, and information about events and competitions.

Rules and Regulations

Summaries of Recreational Fishing Laws: Commercial and recreational fishing laws and regulations.
Division of Fish and Wildlife: Fish and wildlife violations information from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Fishing and Shellfishing: Fishing pamphlet that contains all rules and regulations of fishing and shellfishing.
Recreational Fishing Regulations: List of topics about recreational fishing rules and regulations.
Fishing and Aquaculture: Saltwater rules and regulations of fishing activities, including information on license fees.
Saltwater Fishing Regulations: List of saltwater fishing regulations with details on reef fish, recreational crabs, shrimp and lobster, and other saltwater species.
Game and Fish Department: Requirements for taking aquatic wildlife from public waters.
Regulations for Recreational Fishing: Information regulations in accordance to various types of fish.
Fishing and Boating: Definitions, methods, and associated regulations related to recreational fishing.
Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations: Find fishing methods and gear restrictions, fishing hours, and general definitions and provisions.

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