| A number of fish nibble, others pick-pick-pick, and | | | | With a number of fish, it might benefit you to |
| there are some that simply swallow a bait and | | | | open the bail arm to let the line to run without |
| swim for it. Knowing when to lift the rod and set | | | | restraint from the reel. In this case, the line is not |
| the hook will bring you the most success. Should | | | | tense and a small chunk of polystyrene on the line |
| you hang on for two nibbles or three? Should you | | | | indicates a bite. To cease the line running out with |
| try to set the hook when the tip of the quill float | | | | the wind or tide, place a small stone on it. Instead, |
| wiggles, or wait until it is reeled beneath the | | | | hook the line between the reel and the first guide |
| surface? | | | | around an empty can. When the can falls over |
| You could say yes or no to any of these | | | | the bait has been taken. |
| questions. Now and again pickers need to be left | | | | When using a quill float, the moment to set the |
| for a few seconds, at other times the same fish | | | | hook is when the tip of the float disappears |
| will need to be hooked the moment it is felt. As a | | | | underneath the surface for a second or so. If the |
| common ruling, a couple of picks will be followed | | | | fish is fussy, it could pull the float under for a |
| by a decent bite and the angler will react on | | | | short time without taking the bait properly. |
| impulse. | | | | Once you manage to hook your fish, you are still |
| One of the problems new anglers find is that they | | | | only halfway to achieving your desired result. |
| are often so eager to set the hook they | | | | Once the fish is on, a gentle pumping action, with |
| consistently strike at the earliest indication of a | | | | line gathered in on the downward stroke of the |
| bite. Patience in waiting for the right second is not | | | | rod is the right style. Don't rush it, make sure you |
| a virtue - it comes with familiarity that is born of | | | | take your time. |
| the experience of having been there before. | | | | Can I Keep It? |
| Once you have cast the bait, set the drag of the | | | | If the catch size is an issue - as in the fish are |
| reel to something like one quarter of the breaking | | | | too small but little Johnny or Jan wants to keep |
| strain of the line. After that, tighten the line on | | | | them anyway - make sure you have a bucket |
| the rod, then place the rod down nearly in the | | | | filled with water, and put the undersized fish in the |
| horizontal position, preferably with the rod aimed | | | | bucket so they can be kept alive and returned. |
| at the bait. | | | | Some convincing may be necessary, but after a |
| Having a slight angle on the rod will make it | | | | while the kids will get as great a thrill putting fish |
| simpler to notice a bite if fishing on the bottom. | | | | back as they do catching them. |