5 Tips For Catching A Big Fish When You Are Just Starting Out

Every angler fantasizes about landing a large catch. And once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of fishing, it’s time to step up your game and go after the big fish. A large fish means more meat on the table, and if it’s caught and released, it’s an impressive story to tell. However, you must have the right strategies in place because a big catch means a tough fight.

In this article, I will share with you 5 tips for increasing your chances of landing a big catch.

5 Tips on how to land a big fish

1. Have the right fishing equipment

Before you think about your fishing spot, you should get the right equipment. Purchase tackle that can handle large catches, from casting to where your target species live to reel them in to the shore.

The fishing reel, fishing rod, and fishing line are the main fishing gears to tailor for a larger hunt. Check the weight specifications of your fishing equipment to make sure it can handle the weight of your trophy fish.

Here are some guidelines for selecting big fish fishing equipment:

• Use braided of fluorocarbon line instead of monofilament– these fishing lines have higher tensile strength per unit of line diameter than monofilament lines. They are also less likely to break, and you get more fishing line for fighting big catches, which can easily pool off the line up to +100 yards.
• If you’re using braided lines, use a thick monofilament leader. Braided lines allow you to fight larger catches, but the fish can see it. As the leader, use 4-6 feet of +80 pound monofilament line to ensure the fish doesn’t notice your mainline. If you’re going after a species with sharp teeth, use a steel leader.
• Unhook your catch with saltwater fishing pliers– Some large catches, such as sharks and bluefish, have sharp jaws that can easily take off your fingers if you get too close. The best saltwater fishing pliers are those that are strong enough to handle large species.
• When targeting large species, use hooks rated for a trophy catch. High-carbon hardened steel hooks are the best because they do not break or bend easily.

2. Locate a suitable body of water and a good fishing spot

You may have all of the necessary equipment, but your fishing location is failing you. If you can’t present your lure in front of the fish, you won’t be able to reel in a big catch. On the internet, look up rivers, lakes, and ocean points where there is a lot of big fish. Cast in deep water when you arrive at your fishing spot because trophy species can be found there.

Because deeper waters are darker, they can be found with a fish finder or estimated with watercolor. If fishing along the shore, fish from the steeper parts of the shore, as steepness disappears underwater.

Keep an eye out for big fish in the transition zone between shallow and deeper waters, as they wait for their prey. Because big fish can cover miles in a day, try to cover as much ground as possible.

3. Go fishing during the right season and at the right time

If you’re fishing in the wrong season or at the wrong time of day, you’re not going to catch anything. In northern climates, for example, fish are inactive and difficult to catch early and late in the year. Furthermore, fishing in Southern America during the middle of the day in July reduces your chances of catching a large fish.

To increase your chances of hooking a trophy fish, always research peak times and seasons based on your chosen location.

4. Use the appropriate lure and presentation for your target species.

Attracting a fish to bite for a hook is the first step in catching it. Use live baits like worms, baitfish, and minnows because big fish are drawn to them because they resemble what they eat.

If live bait is not permitted in your fishing area, use large lures such as a massive candlefish jig, a large spinner, and a large spoon.

Once you’ve chosen your lure or bait, you must swing with the proper action to catch the fish. The best method depends on your target species, but here are some general guidelines for presenting lures when fishing for large fish.

• Start by presenting your lure slowly; big fish are wary, and presenting your lure aggressively can easily spook them. Start slowly and carefully, and if you don’t catch anything, gradually increase the speed with which you present your lure.
• Allow time for the fish to eat the lure/bait before setting the hook. Setting the hook too soon after you feel the bite could rip the lure from the fish’s mouth. Allow some time to pass until you’re sure the fish has received the lure properly, then apply immediate pressure to firmly hook it into the fish.
• When turning your boat, keep your fishing line straight. If you hook a fish with crossed lines, you risk losing the catch while trying to untangle the tangles.
• Consider applying chumming fishing techniques, which consistently yield bigger catches. Trolling or casting are other ways to keep your lineup fresh.

5. Carefully reel in the catch

It’s not the same as landing a catch because some anglers lose them as they reel them in. Here are some general pointers to help you land your catch:

• Set your drag appropriately: if the fish is running the line too fast, add more drag; if your rod is bending too much, lighten it.
• Adjust your boat in open waters to get the best angle to reel it in. Pull the fish up when in shallow water, reel away from underwater structures, and adjust your boat in shallow water to get the best angle to reel it in.
• Keep your rod high and pointed towards the catch to apply pressure. Keeping the rod high and pointed towards the catch ensures the catch does not throw the hook.
• If you don’t have a fishing net, you risk losing the fish after you get it to the boat or, worse, becoming hooked while attempting to unhook it.
• Use a spike or a billy club to kill the fish humanely if it is not ‘catch and release.‘ If you’re going to eat the fish, make sure it’s done bleeding out.
• Jerking while reeling can cause a slackline, which can cause fish to pop off if they’re not properly hooked.

Final Thoughts

Getting a big fish should no longer be a pipe dream. Use the advice above to get out there and catch a big fish like a pro. Above all, practice patience and put in more time, and you’ll be sharing successful trophy fishing stories with your friends and loved ones before you know it!