User Guide for Fishing For Beginner
Content
1 2 3 4
Introduction
Common Species in Hong Kong
Location & Weather
Bait & Equipment
5 6 7 8
How to fish
Knots
Fishing Tips
Fishing Glossary
Introduction There has, without question, never been a better time to go fishing than the present. Our waterways are becoming cleaner, fish are growing bigger, the number of fisheries is increasing and the quality of fishing tackle available is constantly improving and competitively priced. In this introductory user guide, you can discover places for fishing in Hong Kong, common and useful techniques, how to catch fish and some tips for fishing. Enjoy the moment!
Common Species in Hong Kong Species Name
Epinephelus akaara
Distinguishing Features
Teeth small but strong, Dorsal fin spines strong, Stout second anal fin spine, Body with red spotted
Habitat
Shallow coastal waters
Species Name
Lutjanus johnii
Distinguishing Features
Preoperculum with a slight notch, Scale series above lateral line parallel to it and those below lateral line horizontal
Habitat
Shallow coastal waters
60cm
70cm
Species Name
Acanthopagrus latus
Distinguishing Features
Jaws with posterior molars, Slightly forked caudal fin, Strong dorsal and anal fin spines
Habitat
coastal waters 50cm
Species Name
Plectorhinchus diagrammus
Distinguishing Features 6 or 7 dark reddish brown longitudinal bands on head and body Habitat
Coral reefs 60cm
Species Name
Scarus ghobban
Distinguishing Features
Distinctive blue and organe pattern
Habitat
Coral reefs 40cm
Species Name
Nemipterus bathybius
Distinguishing Features
Head without spines Upper lobe of caudal fin prolonged into a filament
Habitat
Muddy sand bottoms at depths of 50 to 250m
30cm
Species Name
Acanthopagrus schlegeli
Distinguishing Features
Jaws with posterior molars, Moderately large scales Strong dorsal and anal fin spines
Habitat
Shallow coastal waters 80cm
Species Name
Lutjanus stellatus
Distinguishing Features Distinct pearly-white spot on body side Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs 55cm
Location & Weather
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Gold Coast Piazza Tsing Lung Tau Hong Kong Science Park Hung Hom Ferry Pier
Lei Yue Mun Sunny Bay Ap Lei Chau
Bait & Equipment
Cut Fishing Bait
• Using fish cut into pieces • Fish are attracted by scent • Scale the fish but leave the skin on
• Use them singly or in multiples • Hooked the body at least twice Or pushed round onto the bend and shank
Leeches
Worms
• Hooked through the sucker in the tail (Leeches have suckers at both ends) • Roll slowly and attract the fish by its swimming motion
• Hooked through the tail with the point below second or third segment • Remove the shell if its hard
Crayfish
Clams
• Crack the shell open, cut out the clam or mussel and allow the bait to harden slightly in the sun so it stays on the hook Insects
• Ants, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars are ideal
• Used in freshwater & saltwater • Add a minnow or piece of bait on the hook (optional) Fishing Jigs
• Used with spin-casting tackle • Very good for fish that feed on the surface Poppers
Equipment Fishing rods Fishing rods are used for throwing out a line with a hook on the end to catch fish.
Fishing reels Fishing reels are mechanical devices that hold and spool out the fishing line.
Fishing baits and lures They are used for attracting fish.
Reel •
A bait-casting reel is designed to cast larger lures or bait for a longer distance. A levelwind mechanism is used to prevent the line from being trapped under itself during rewind and subsequent casts.
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Anti-reverse handles and drags are equipped to slow runs by large and powerful fish.
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Standard bait-casting reels are mounted above the fishing rod and have a retrieving crank usually on the right side of the reel.
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Heavier lures are suggested to use with a bait-casting reel to fit the momentum of the forward cast .
Rod A spinning rod is made of graphite or fiberglass with a cork or PVC foam handle. The length of a spinning rod is between 1.5 to 2.6m. A five to eight large diameter guides arranged along the underside of the rod is used to help control the line. The guide nearest to the handle is usually larger than the rest to allow less friction as the coiled line comes off the reel.
Bait-casting and closed-spin casting rods are designed to hold fishing reels that are mounted above the handle. So the line-guide eyes are on the top and the casting trigger is on the bottom.
How to fish
1. Hold the rod at about waist level, place the reel below the rod, and the stem of the reel feels natural between your fingers 2. Hook the line with your forefinger, and open the bail, continuing to hold the line 3. Pull the rod tip back so the tip sweeps over your dominant shoulder 4. Bit forward swiftly pointing the rod tip at your target. As the rod comes forward of your shoulder release the line with your finger so the weight of the bait pulls line off the reel. 5. Close the bail with your hand, and you’re ready to reel For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPVXhRGrr28
• Access to a variety of species • Used for fishing on the bottom or off the bottom in lakes, rivers and streams • Decide the size of the hooks and bait depends on what kind of fish you want • Wait for the fish to bite. Patience is the key point.
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Use a small electric motor that moves the boat quietly and fish aren’t spooked Or troll by towing a lure while walking along the edge of pier
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The speed of the boat determines the depth of your bait
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The depth of the bait is determined by the species of fish you’re trying to catch
• Cast out and let your jig hook sink to the bottom • Use your rod tip to raise the bait about a foot off the bottom • Allow it to drop back to the bottom • Jig up and down, side to side or up and down and sideways • Can be used with or without live fishing bait
How to fish How to set a hook
Common Signs to Set the Hook • Your bobber is pulled under water • Your still fishing line starts moving, or “bends”
• You feel a “thump” on your fishing line • You have been in contact with the bottom and now your line is slack or lighter
How to reel in a fish
• Without reeling the fish in, lift the tip of the rod up like pointing it skyward to about 90 degrees. (A stronger, or heavier fish will often put a major bend in your fishing rod, but don’t worry) • Reel as you lower the rod tip back down to about 45 degrees, keeping even pressure on the fish • Repeat the above process
For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA8DddHdaVw
Knots Locked Half Blood Knot
1 3
Thread the line through the eye of the hook, Twist the tag and mainline together, Complete 3 – 6 twists
Pull the line but not too tightly
4
Thread the tag through the open loop at the top of the knot
2 5
Thread the tag back through the first twist
Pull the know up firmly Trim off the surplus tag
For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5QkyMO8dfA
Grinner Knot
1
Take the line through the eye of the hook, Take it over the line, Make an overhand knot
2
Add 3 -4 turns to this overhand knot
3
Pull both ends to tighten the knot
3
Pull both ends of the line to tighten the knot
For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK8nVxXfP84
Loop Knot
1
Take the line through the hook, Tie an overhand knot
2
Take 3 -4 turns around the mainline above the overhand knot
For videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGTgvAvm64
Fishing Tips Catch-and-Release Fishing
Keep the fight short by using heavier tackle.
Never dangle a fish by its jaw, and always support its body with your hands.
Use a circle hook to avoid injuring the fish
Use a venting tool to relieve the air from the deep-sea fish's air bladder.
Never keep a fish out of the water longer than you can hold your breath.
Use wet hands or gloves when you handle the fish.
Cleaning & Keeping
Put the fish in ice at once
Grip the slimy fish more securely and protect your hands
Drain the blood by cutting the fish across a major artery
Put the meat in a bag that seals and add water until the fish is covered
Glossary Anadromous
Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, e.g. salmon.
Benthopelagic
Living and feeding near the bottom as well as in midwaters or near the surface.
Catadromous
Migrating from freshwater to the sea to spawn, e.g. eels.
Ciguatera
Ciguatera fish poisoning is a chemical food intoxication caused by consumption of fish containing ciguatoxin
Demersal
Living on or near the bottom and feeding on benthic organisms.
Oceanodromous
Migrating within oceans, e.g. tunas.
Oviparous
Producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the body of the female.
Venomous
Capable of producing a poisonous fluid that is transmitted by a bite or sting.
Viviparous
Bringing forth living (active, free-swimming) young, rather than laying eggs; producing live young from within the body of the parent female.
Widest distance
Widest distance between the tips of the pectoral fins, as in skates and rays.