The beginner’s guide to fishing: what you need and how to do it

Getting into fishing starts with choosing the right rod. There are plenty of types on the market, and picking the correct one for your use case is crucial. For instance, telescopic rods are collapsible like an antenna, making them extremely compact and easy to take on road trips. If you’re the type to travel a lot, this is your best bet as they can fit in backpacks, carry-on luggage and the trunk of your car—allowing you to fish whichever body of water you might encounter. This does come at the cost of durability. More moving parts mean frequent maintenance and faster deterioration. All in all, not a bad choice for a first rod.

On the other hand, multi-piece rods break into several parts that are assembled individually. They often come in three pieces, making portability tougher, but it shouldn’t be that hard to bring around. Where it really shines is durability and performance. Multi-piece rods are stronger than their telescopic cousins and offer a more sensitive feel when a fish is on the hook. While not a rod for beginners, it’s a great one to have early on so you won’t have to reinvest in a new one in the future. Whatever you choose, make sure to never skimp on your rod. Nothing hurts more than ending your fishing trip early because of a broken piece.

A key skill you’ll want to have when you get into fishing is knowing how to tie knots. This is where your knowledge of the scouts’ code can come in handy, as you’ll need to tie a handful of different knots when setting up your rod, hooks and sinkers. The improved clinch knot is every fisherman’s go-to. Quick, reliable and simple enough to learn on the fly, it keeps your line strong, allowing you to reel in heavy catch. Another thing to consider is the material of your fishing line. Nylon and braided lines are the most common, and it really depends on your preference. The former makes it easier to tie knots and is more durable than the latter, which is more sensitive to bumps, allowing you to tell if you caught a fish.

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Once you have your rod set up, it’s time to choose your bait. Different fish like different baits, so it’s important to do your research on what species live in the area you’re fishing in. For instance, the locals at the Tagalag Fishing Village swear by earthworms for catching Tilapia, while Milkfish can be lured in with small shrimp, provided you cast far enough where they’re known to stay. If you prefer not to handle worms, bread balls are also effective.

Tatler Tip: When using bread balls, make sure to pack them tightly so they don’t disintegrate in the water. Don’t expose your bread to air, and keep it in a plastic bag to maintain freshness, as it will harden when exposed.

Artificial baits, while effective, are often harder to use, especially for beginners. These baits require an active approach to fishing, introducing their own kind of minigame to play. They often take the form of plastic worms that wiggle in the water when tugged, requiring you to slowly reel them in to entice the fish. It surprisingly works on almost any aquatic animal, as we at Tatler have successfully caught an octopus while fishing in Subic Bay using an artificial worm.

After you’ve pierced your bait with a hook, it’s time to start casting your rod into the sea or lake. Hold the rod with your dominant hand with a firm grip, open the bail on the reel and trap the line with your index finger—it should feel like you’re holding a trigger. Bring the rod back, then forward with a flick of the wrist, release your finger while maintaining your grip and watch it fly. From here, it’s a waiting game. You can set your rod down and enjoy the breeze while you wait for a fish to bite. When you feel something, you can typically start reeling it back in quickly to make sure it doesn’t get away, but if a big fish is on the line, get ready for an arm workout, as it won’t go without a fight. There will be some instances where your hook gets caught on something in the water—rocks, logs or plants. Trying to free it may be a challenge, and if you pull too hard, you might end up snapping your line. It’s best to take it slow and assess if it’s salvageable. If not, you’ll have to cut your line with scissors and tie on a new hook.

Once you have the fish at the end of your rod, snap a photo with your first catch and gently remove the hook from its mouth by hand. Handle hooks with extreme caution, as they are barbed and can cause serious wounding if you end up hooking yourself. To that end, fishing pliers can be helpful in removing hooks safely. The fish will flail from panic and you can either release it gently back into the water or perform the Japanese technique ikejime—a humane and efficient method of killing a fish with a swift pierce to the brain followed by bleeding—before placing it in a cooler with ice if you plan on eating it later. After that, you can add another piece of bait and try again until you feel like going home.

Just like that, you’ve learned how to fish. Don’t get discouraged if you haven’t caught anything after waiting for hours. Fishing is a game of patience, and you aren’t guaranteed a catch each time you set out. Whatever you’re doing it for, remember the reason why you’re out there in the first place—to soak in the tranquillity of nature amidst your closest friends as you tell funny stories.

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