Michael Reynolds
Professional Fishing Instructor
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Co-authored Articles (40)
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Live Minnow
A simple guide to hooking and caring for live minnows To fishermen, “minnow” refers to any small fish used for bait, which may or may not be one of the members of the minnow family. Minnows are a popular baitfish for...
How to
Fish a Spinnerbait
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, shallow water that is less than deep. The spinnerb...
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
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
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
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 Hold and Throw a Cast Net
Mastering your form to get the widest cast possible Knowing how to throw a cast net can come in handy if you forget to pack your baitfish or need to catch more baitfish during a long day fishing out on the lake, river, o...
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
Cast a Fishing Pole
Fishing rods and reels come in 4 main types: spincasting, spinning, baitcasting, and fly-fishing. While the basic action of casting a fishing rod is similar, each of these rods comes with its own unique design elements a...
How to
Cast a Baitcasting Reel
Baitcasting 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 largemouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge. La...
How to
Keep Fishing Worms Alive for Fishing
There’s no reason to discard the worms left over from your latest fishing trip. Worms are easy to care for and will multiply rapidly if left to their own devices. If you only have a few worms to keep, store them in you...