Michael Reynolds
Professional Fishing Instructor
wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Co-authored Articles (50)
How to
Fish
Whether you’re looking to spend time with friends and family or catch dinner, fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. The waters have a variety of vibrant fish for you to reel in. To begin fishing, plan your trip...
How to Tie A Hook on a Line: A Guide to 10 Useful Knots
''Give your bait the most secure hold with these fishing hook knots'' Nothing quite compares to enjoying an early morning by the water's edge. You throw your line out, and a short while later, your line tugs. After a few...
How to Tie a Swivel to Your Fishing Line
Use these quick knots to attach a fishing swivel If you need to attach a swivel to fishing line, you can do so using your choice of a few different knots. You can tie a simple knot, an offshore swivel knot, or an improve...
How to
Spool a Spinning Reel
A properly spooled spinning reel gives you the best chance of catching a big one out on the water. A poorly spooled spinning reel with twists and tangles, on the other hand, will probably send you home empty-handed. Don�...
How to
Set Up a Fishing Pole
Fishing can be a complex sport depending or simple hobby depending on the individual. Regardless of how you like to fish, there are some key elements you must remember when setting up a fishing pole. No matter what type...
How to
Clean/Gut a Fish
Cleaning and gutting are essential skills if you want to prepare a whole fish for a meal. Since you can’t eat the bones or guts, you’ll have to carefully remove them with a knife. To do this, you’ll need a clean wo...
How to
Fillet a Fish
While catching a fish can be as simple as casting out a line with bait and being patient, filleting a fish takes a little more finesse. Knowing the correct process to fillet a fish can make the difference between getting...
How to
Fish for Squid
Fishing is a fun way to get outside and interact with nature, and squid fishing can be a real joy for novice and experienced fishermen alike. It can present a challenge, though, as squid like to hide out in grassy areas ...
How to
Bleed a Fish
Removing the blood from freshly caught fish can help remove some of the “fishy” flavors from the meat and make it taste better. You can bleed the fish right after you catch it so it stays fresh until you serve it. Wh...
How to
Humanely Kill a Fish
If your aquarium fish is seriously ill, it's more humane to kill it than to let it suffer. A fresh-caught fish will inevitably feel some pain, but there are ways to minimize this and kill it quickly.
How to
Hook a Shrimp
Dead or alive, fresh or frozen, shrimp are one of the best baits for inshore saltwater fishing. Black drum, bonefish, flounder, grouper, jackfish, pompano, redfish, snook, sea trout, sheepshead, tarpon, and whiting are a...
How to Setup a Lure on a Fishing Line
Picking the best lures for any situation Fishing is a global pastime used for sport, recreation and work. A common fishing tool is a fishing lure. Fishing lures come in various shapes, sizes and colors. They are made of ...
How to Read Tide Tables the Right Way
A simple guide on how to analyze and assess tide chartsLearning how to read tide tables is an essential skill for those whose livelihoods or forms of recreation depend on the ocean, such as fishermen, divers, and surfers...
How to
Tie a Leader to the Main Line
A fishing leader is a short strand that goes between the main line of the fishing reel and the hook or lure itself. A leader is great for bait fishing because it's tough and difficult for big, strong fishes to bite throu...
How to
Unhook a Fish
You've just caught a fish, and you're struck by the reality of the situation: you have the choice to kill the fish or let it go. If you are practicing catch-and-release fishing, you will need to remove the hook very care...
How to
Bait a Hook with a Worm
A worm on your hook isn't any good to you if it wiggles off with every cast. Get the most out of your worms with this how-to guide. You'll learn how to hook a worm quickly and easily so that it stays on the hook until yo...
How to
Use Rapala Lures
The familiar Rapala thin minnow is a great way to snag a fish on your next trip, but how do you go about using it? Never fear, we have all the information you need below! From choosing the best tackle, to applying the ho...
How to
Fish a Drop Shot Rig
A drop shot rig is a popular fishing setup that includes a weighted leader that causes your bait to sink. This style of fishing emulates the natural movement of prey found in the wild and is perfect for catching bottom f...
How to Use a Baitcaster
Hook, line, and sink ‘em like a baitcasting proBaitcasting reels date back to the mid-17th century and first became popular in the 1870s. They are suited best to fishing for larger freshwater fishing species such as la...
How to
Fish a Spinnerbait
Learn to rig and tie a spinner bait to lure in bass Spinnerbaits are a type of fishing bait that are well suited to catching bass. You can use a spinnerbait in a variety of fishing scenarios, but they work best in clear,...
