Landing a fish
After “hooking” a fish, try to keep it away from objects in the water such as weeds, rocks, poles, bushes and trees. If your line gets tangled around an object, it may become “unhooked,” or you might break the line and lose your fish. To steer the fish, try moving your rod left or right, keeping your rod tip up. This will maintain pressure on your fish.
If your fish does get tangled around an object, continue to maintain pressure on the fish. Many times, the fish will work itself loose and you can reel it in.
If the fish surges forward, reel in the slack.
If the fish swims away, stop reeling in and allow the drag to release a bit of line. As soon as the fish stops pulling out line, reel in the slack.
When the fish tires and stops pulling out line, it’s OK to pump and reel the fish in. To do so, lift the rod tip – this pulls the fish toward you. While maintaining pressure on the fish, lower the rod tip and take up the slack in the line. Repeat this process until the fish is close enough to land by hand or with a net.
About Hooked
“Hooked” is a new comic strip based on characters taken from the book “Learn To Fish, A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginning Anglers.” It features a multicultural cast of teens who love to fish and decide to form a fishing club in Cleveland. See “Hooked” monthly right here on the Signal Cleveland website produced in partnership with Dennis James Knowles and Gail Ann Grizzell of Cleveland’s The Fishing Foundation.
Ohio does not require those under 16 to have a fishing license. Read more on Ohio fishing laws here.
