User Guide for Fishing For Beginner
Content
1 2 3 4
Introduction
Common Species in Hong Kong
Location
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.
Common Species in Hong Kong Species Name
Epinephelus akaara
Distinguishing Features
Small but strong teeth, 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
Powerful jaws, 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 orange 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
Powerful jaws, 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
3 1
2 6
4
7
5
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
• Cut fish into pieces • Attract the fish by scent • Scale the fish but leave the skin on
• Use them singly or in multiples • Hook the body at least twice Or pushed round onto the bend and shank
Leeches
Worms
• Hook through the sucker in the tail (Leeches have suckers at both ends) • Roll slowly and attract the fish by its swimming motion
• Hook 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
• Use in freshwater & saltwater • Add a minnow or piece of bait on the hook (optional) Fishing Jigs
• Use with spin-casting tackle • Very good for fish that feed on the surface Poppers
Fishing essentials Fishing rods used for throwing out a line with a hook on the end to catch fish.
Fishing reels Used for holding and spooling out the fishing line.
Fishing baits and lures used for attracting fish.
Reel types Useful tips! •
•
Fishing in different places requires the use of different reels For beginners, spincast reels are the easiest to handle while baitcast reels are the most difficult
Spincast • a closed face type of reel
Spinning • an open face type of reel which is suitable for using light lures in saltwater and freshwater Baitcast • an advanced type which requires the control of the angler’s thumb and designed to cast large lures or bait long distances Fly • used for fly fishing and the reel is only used for holding the line
Rod types Useful tips! •
Choose the most suitable rod based on your target type of fish and chose bait or lure
•
Longer rods are better for distance casting and controlling the lure
•
Use heavy rods for heavy lures and vice versa
Cane Pole • a pole tied with fishing line and used for shoreline fishing Spincasting & Baitcasting • a rod with small guides for line to move through on the topside of the rod • the handle equipped with a finger grip • reel mounts on topside Spinning • a rod with large guides for line that decrease in size towards the rod tip • reel mounts on bottom Fly • a flexible rod with guides • reel mounts 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, 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.
•
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
•
The speed of the boat determines the depth of your bait
•
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
1
Preoperculum
2
Operculum (gill cover)
3
Nape
4
Breast
5
Lateral line
6
Caudal peduncle
1
Line guide
2
Spool
3
Post
4
Anti-reverse switch
5
Bail