Still fishing – it’s probably the most basic fishing method, however, can also be the most effective and most versatile. It’s as simple as putting your bait in the water and waiting for the fish to find it. Still fishing can be done from a pier, bridge, an anchored boat, or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom or off the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams for a variety of species. You can still fish during any season and any kind of day, although patience is a must with this fishing technique. You have to wait for the fish to bite.
Tackle: Practically any kind of tackle will work (even a hand line), but the most commonly used is the bait casting outfit.
Rod: Some anglers use a fly rod, equipped with a bait casting reel and line. Others use a fly rod and reel with an old fly line (a new line will become waterlogged). Whatever rod you fish with, still fishing is easier if you use a float or bobber. This can be made of cork, balsa wood, porcupine quill, or hollow plastic, all of which should float and are attached above the baited hook. The exact placement depends upon the depth at which you are going to fish. If you want your bait to go way down deep (just above the bottom of the floor), attach a small sinker to your line and let it drop in the water until it hits the bottom. Raise it about a foot, and attach the float at that point. Pick up the line, remove the sinker, and attach a hook to the end of your line. Now, when you drop your baited line into the water, you’ll be fishing one foot off the bottom.
Hook: A snelled hook or a hook with an attached piece of level nylon leader about a foot long will work best. The leader should be weaker than the line so it breaks in case you get snagged somewhere and can’t pull it loose. A piece of split shot, clamped to the leader about six inches above the bait will keep the line down where it belongs. If you are fishing in a current, you may need more than one split shot. If your line still floats up, use a heavier type of sinker.
Bait: Roe bags with Styrofoam balls mixed in (allows the roe bag to float) or steamer fly.
Technique: First bait up, throw out your line (a long cast is not necessary), relax, and just wait. Watch the bobber for signs of action. If it jiggles a little but doesn’t go down, smaller fish may be nibbling. If it ducks under the water in a sudden motion, something bigger is on the line. As soon as the float goes under, set the hook by raising the rod tip slightly, then slowly begin to reel it in. If there’s too much strain on your rod, keep a nice steady tension on the line. This will tire the fish so that you will be able to bring it in gradually. Remember that the fish is fighting the strength of your rod, which doesn’t tire.
Depth: The exact depth at which you fish is determined by the kind of fish you are after and the temperature of the water. Most fish feed during the morning and evening and prefer the cooler water that is found down below, especially on a hot summer afternoon (the cooler water contains more oxygen than the warm water).
If you are interested in scheduling a chartered fishing excursion in Venice, LA to try out your still fishing technique, give us a call! Just sit back, relax, and let the fish bite. We will take care of the rest!
