Stupid mistakes Number 1.
KNOW WHAT A PLUMMET IS AND USE ONE.
A plummet for fishing looks like this and you use it to find out how deep the water is that your going to fish. You will need to know how deep the water is so that you can put your bait right where the fish are which most times is just off the bottom of the lake or river bed. The plummet is a heavy weight with an eye at the top to thread your line through and a cork at the bottom to stick your hook into. Here's how it works.
When you have your rod set up with your float on the line and your hook tied on ready to fish, take the hook and pass it through the eye on the plummet and stick the hook into the cork base. Ok, now cast out gently to where your going to fish and see what happens.
If your float goes under the water it means you are too shallow so move your float higher up the line and try again. If your float lays flat on the top of the water it means your too deep so bring it down the line and try again until you get the float to sit upright in the water. When this happens you will have found the correct depth. Good now take the plummet off add some split shots to get your float to sit up in the water correctly and put your bait on your hook and cast out. You will now be fishing your bait just on the bottom of the river or lake.
So know you know how to find out how deep your fishing spot is and how to set your float and hook so you fish just off the bottom of the lake or river and learning this simple lesson will help you catch many more fish.
Stupid mistakes Number 2
Not filling the spool on your fishing reel with the right amount of line and the right breaking strain.
It is really important to put the correct amount of line on your fishing reel and that it is of the correct breaking strain, so first of all choose the right type of line.
For instance if your fishing for carp you will need a line with the correct breaking strain because carp fight hard and will most likely break your line if it is too light and if your fishing for roach then a lighter breaking strain will be better as they don't get too big and a finer line will give you better bait presentation. So the golden rules are, fill your reels spool right up to the edge with your line and make sure you choose the correct breaking strain of line for the fish your after.
As a general guide I would use 2lb breaking strain line for roach and Rudd, 4lb breaking strain for small Carp, Tench and bream and 8lb to 12lb breaking strain line for larger Carp, Barbel and Pike fishing. If in doubt ask at your tackle shop before you buy your line.
Stupid mistakes Number 3
Forgetting to take a disgorger with you. A disgorger is a very important bit of fishing gear and you should not go fishing with out one. It is used to safely remove the hook from the fishes mouth when you have caught one. It is easy to use just slide it onto the line and down to the hook push gently and the hook will come out. It is also a very good idea to use Barbless hooks when your fishing as they come out of clothing and nets very easily if you should catch your hook on them and they are kinder to the fish. I suggest Kamasan B911 Barbless hooks for you to try out first get them in size 18 14 and 16 and that will cover most of your fishing needs.
Stupid mistakes Number 4
NOT FEEDING. So you get there and bung in a few maggots and fish you catch a few then no more bites. Try this next time your fishing for roach. Count to 30 and throw 5 or 10 maggots over your float and repeat this constantly. By doing this you will be feeding the swim and getting the fish to compete for your hook bait. Just chucking in a handful of maggots or pellets wont do the trick you need to keep it going in on a regular basis little and often is a good rule of thumb. So remember feed little and often and you will catch more fish.
