To any fishing neophyte, it’s easy to think that getting ready for a day on the lake is simple. Just grab a rod and reel, pick up a can of worms, and toss your line in the water. It’s that simple, right? Hah, we can hear the experienced anglers laughing from here! There are so many elements to consider that it can quickly feel overwhelming for the uninitiated. But not to worry, with a bit of know-how, you can set up a rig and get ready for a day on the lake. Consider these common fishing mistakes anglers at all levels of experience make setting up their rigs:

Fishing Blind

We have mentioned it before, but one of the biggest mistakes any angler can make is not knowing what they plan to fish or where they plan to go. Your quarry will determine a lot of the changes you want to make to your rig setup, but the area you’ll be fishing will also impact the decisions you need to make, from hook size to rod length, and more.

Not Preparing

Day-Of Prep

You’ll need to make changes or repair a rig on the fly; that’s a common enough occurrence when you’re out on the water. And if you’re not prepared with extra hooks or bait, you may find that your day on the water ends sooner than you want. A big part of having a good day is making sure you’ve got everything packed — plus extras to carry you through the day — before you head out the door.

Initial Rig Prep

The other side of this coin is how you’ll get prepared to begin with. It’s a good idea to set up your rig in advance so you can get on the water quickly, but you may find that you have to fudge things if you forget to grab the necessary hooks, sinkers, bait, or other parts at the store. This is where knowing your fishing locale and quarry will help guide your choices. Do some research and make a list before you head to the store to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Choosing The Wrong Lures

Going fishing isn’t (typically) like waving an old protein bar in front of someone on a diet; the fish are getting enough to eat that, while hungry, they aren’t likely to snap at the first available food. They can be more choosy than accepting the first chance at food, which is why you need the right fishing lure for your quarry and the environment.

Using The Wrong Hooks

The hook isn’t going to lure a fish in the way the right lure will, so does it really matter which hook you use? Yes, yes it does. You need the right size hook to ensure it will fit in your quarry’s mouth and fit your lure/bait. Make sure you have the right hook for the species you’ll be fishing.

There are more common mistakes to avoid, so stay tuned for part two of this blog series. And, to really get a good idea of what’s going on underwater, grab the GoFish Cam fishing line camera and record every minute of your days on the water. Shop online today!