FAQs From Beginners

How do I release a fish after catching it?

There are a few ground rules you should remember when releasing a fish, to ensure that they recover from being caught; use plain steel hooks or plain steel with bronze finish instead of stainless steel, Use preferably braless hooks to prevent wounds so you can release the fish.

Release fish as soon as possible with as little as touching as possible. Fish have a protective layer of "mucus" that should stay on them. Make your hands wet to avoid removing the mucus from the fish.

If the hook is stuck in the body of the fish, snip the line an inch from the mouth. The hook will decompose in a couple of days.

Do not land a fish to be released by putting it in a net, dragging it, and don’t let it flop around on the ground.

Don’t throw the fish back in the water, but let it swim away gently.

When the fish is weak, you can revive it by moving it (head towards the current) slowly in a forward and backward motion in the water, until it swims away.

How do I keep my maggots and worms the best way?

Maggots and worms are best kept in a mini cool box when you are fishing. Lay your maggots in the cool box above the cooling element.

Worms are best kept in a fridge; inside a bucket with earth in it. They can remain there for months at a time. However, you should regularly refresh the ground and the fridge should be on position 3 or 4 so it won’t be too cold. An old fridge in the garage is great for this. Don’t forget to make little holes in the lid of the bucket.

How do I clean and store my rod?

Take a bucket with warm water and soap. Normal dish washing soap is fine. Dip a soft cloth into the water and clean your rod with it. Pay attention to the grip of the rod. You will find food or slime on it. Let the grip soak for a few minutes in the soapy water and remove undesired particles gently. As a last step, clean the rod with cold water and let it dry properly.

Treat the rod with silicone spray after it has dried and polish it. Now wax the boxes with hardened candle wax. It is a bit of a tough job, but you will notice the result later. Of course you can polish the rod with real rod wax but that is more costly than candle wax.