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Glossary - Fishing Techniques and Tools
Alabama rig technique (using mini or large) - Technique which is a castable variation of the Umbrella rig technique. An array of four or more artificial lures or baits (with or without hooks) are cast by a single rod and reel combination and attached by a wire or other harness.
Buzzbait technique - Technique using the Buzzbait lure, which has a weighted head (similar to a spinnerbait) and a blade that churns the surface (or "buzzes") as it is retrieved.
Carolina rig technique - The basic setup of the Carolina rig with its heavy weight (usually ranging in size from 1/2 to 1 ounce) and soft plastic lure trailing behind on a leader line is ideal for dragging quickly along structure to trigger strikes from bottom-hugging bass. Dragging the rig at a faster pace along wide open spaces also allows anglers to present the lure in front of more schools of aggressive bass. The Carolina rig technique is suitable for beginners and effective in open-water situations (along structure such as long points and vast flats) where an angler needs to cover water quickly.
Carolina worm technique - Variation of the Carolina rig technique (see "Carolina rig") using a worm.
Casting - The act of throwing bait or a lure using a fishing line out over the water using a flexible fishing rod. The usual technique is for the angler to quickly flick the rod from behind toward the water. The term may also be used for setting out a net.
Chatterbaits - Unique, fish catching lures most commonly used for a constant retrieve (in other words, cast out and reel in). You can fish it like a jig, spinnerbait, or even like a lipless rattle crank bait.
Chum - Small bits of ground bait that is spread around in the water by throwing scoops of it into the water or by dragging it behind the boat in a bucket with holes in it. The scent and small bits of food attract fish and encourage the fish to feed. The fish are then easier to catch by anglers.
Conventional Stand-Up - Stand up fishing in a kayak setting (wearing a safety flotation device) is preferred by many who enjoy the control offered by the technique.
Crankbaits (small or medium) - A type of lure that is "cranked" back to the boat and creates a side-to-side swimming action by displacing water around either side of the front of the lure. Most crankbaits displace water over an angled flat lip on the front of the bait that is made out of thin metal or clear plastic. There are also lipless crankbaits that displace water over a flat section at the front top of the lure. Crankbaits are traditionally made from balsa wood, but most are now made from plastic and contain metal or glass bearing that make noise as the lure wobbles through the water. Fishing with a crankbait is preferred by many bass anglers who need to cover water quickly and explore various depth zones. The most important Crankbait lure feature is a shallow, medium or deep-diving plug (see "Plug" definition). Depending on certain features, Crankbaits can be used for anything from fishing in shallow water of 1 to 4 feet, to potentially reaching depths of 30 feet. Time of year is a key in Crankbait fishing.
Dead-Sticking - A fishing technique whereby a bait is cast and allowed to stau motionless in the water (or with no motion imparted by the angler) for long periods of time.
Dropshot - Technique whereby a worm hook is attached directly to the line above a sinker; typically, a soft plastic bait is affixed to the hook and the rig is presented more or less vertically.
Finesse fishing - Technique whereby small and/or slow moving lures are used to generate feeding strikes from lethargic bass; commonly regarded as the opposite of power fishing.
Flippin' - American slang for Flipping, which is a fixed-line presentation technique whereby a lure (usually a jig or soft plastic bait) is propelled underhand in pendulum fashion to a point a short distance (usually about 15-18 feet) away.
Froggin' - American slang for Frogging, which is surface fishing with a hollow rubber frog. When the fish attack the rubber frog body, it is pressed together and the hooks are exposed at the back). Generally thought of as a simple technique.
Jerkbait technique - Technique in which a lipped, smaller shaped plug is normally retrieved with a jerking motion of the rod tip.
Jigging - Technique that involves moving the hook in the water in an up and down motion that mimics a fish's prey. Jigging is an effective way to impart action into artificial or live bait. It can be very versatile and is often preferred over other methods. Since jigs have a weight on them, jigging is usually most effective when targeting fish that are feeding on or near the bottom. It's also a good method for catching inactive or pressured fish because the jig can be worked very slowly and remain in front of a fish for an extended period.
Jig - A lure that is specifically designed to be "jigged" (see "Jigging"). A jig usually consists of a weight (called the head) that is molded onto a hooks, and is dressed with hair, feathers, silicon, soft plastic, and/or live bait. There are times when fish, for various reasons, are more receptive of a bait that is worked vertically as opposed to a horizontal presentation. This is an example of an instance when a jig can out-produce other types of presentations.
Live Bait Trolling - Very popular fishing method (particularly in North America) despite all of the innovative and high tech features offered by artificial lures. See Trolling for technique description.
Paddle Tail Jigs - Have a soft plastic design with a large, flat tail resembling a paddle.
Pitch Rod - An underhanded casting method which resembles a modified flipping cast; the bait is swung forward by raising the rod tip, and then allowed to travel forward by free-spooling the line; pitching is most commonly used to present a lure to targets that are just out of range of flipping.
Pitching - An underhanded casting method which resembles a modified flipping cast; the bait is swung forward by raising the rod tip, and then allowed to travel forward by free-spooling the line; pitching is most commonly used to present a lure to targets that are just out of range of flipping.
Plugs - A hard-bodied lure made of either solid or hollow wood or plastic. They have a fishlike body and shape, and when they get in the water they swim side-to-side in a wobbling motion. Plugs are also called crankbaits, wobblers and smallers.
Popping Cork technique - An extremely effective and simple technique to catch fish. The tools needed include a medium to light spinning rod, soft plastic lure or ½ -1/4 ounce of shrimp, 20-30lb fluorocarbon monofilament leader and a popping cork. The main advantage of the popping cork is an attention-getting clicking sound created by beads hitting a foam cork along a metal through-wire. When a popping cork is jerked by the rod tip, the lure or bait presentation jumps off the bottom like a fleeing bait. A weight attached to the bottom of the cork adds casting distance and stability; swivels at the top and bottom of the wire serve as line ties for the main line and leader. The sound made by the popping cork mimics fleeing shrimp, crabs, baitfish or even other game fish attacking prety. Some popping cork models also throw a disturbance splash.
Popping Plugs - The word “Plug” was used many years ago to describe a lure that was handcarved from a block of wood, but most modern day plugs are made from hollow plastic or molded plastic. Most plugs replicate some type of baitfish but some types of plugs resemble mice, crayfish, insects, frogs, and snakes that fish prey on. Plugs attract fish by there action and flash, producing sounds that draws the attention of game fish. Depending on the materials and design of a "plug", they are made to product sounds that attract fish (i.e. vibration, click, splash).
Punching - Technique for fishing heavy matted cover (generally vegetation) with a soft plastic lure by which a slip sinker (see "slip sinker") is pegged to the bait and the bait is cast, flipped or pitched into cover so that the sinker pulls the bait through the cover canopy and to the desired area below.
Shaky Head - A special leadhead jig designed for rigging a worm weedless and used in the shaking technique (see Shaky Head technique).
Shaky Head technique - The key to shaky head fishing is using as light of a jighead as possible and still keep the bait in contact with the bottom. A 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jighead works best for shaky head tactics with a finesse worm, but you might have to upgrade to a 1/4-ounce head on windy days or when fishing in current to prevent your line from bowing and losing the feel of the bait.
Sight Casting - (see "Casting") sight casting targets bass that are visible to the angler.
Sinker - A fishing sinker or knoch is a weight used in conjunction with a fishing lure or hook to increase its rate of sink, anchoring ability, and/or casting distance. Fishing sinkers may be as small as 1 gram for applications in shallow water, and even smaller for fly fishing applications, or as large as several pounds or considerably more for deep sea fishing. They are formed into nearly innumerable shapes for diverse fishing applications.
Slip sinker rig technique - One of the most popular and versatile catfish fishing techniques and similar to the Carolina rig (see "Carolina rig). Fish the slip sinker rig with a bait clicker reel and let the fish run with the bait or use a circle hook with the reel engaged and allow the circle hook to do the work.
Slow Trolling - See Trolling
Spinnerbait lure - A spinnerbait lure has blades vibrate and flash, attracting the attention of bass. You can use spinnerbaits in most bass-fishing situations, but they are especially suited to fishing shallow cover. The most popular sizes range between 1/4-ounce and 3/4-ounce. (See "Spinnerbait technique).
Spinnerbait technique - Technique that is often referred to as the most versatile because Spinnerbait lures can be fished in nearly any condition, year round in both muddy or clear water, from just under the surface to as deep as desired. The spinnerbait has a smooth, flowing action that mimics a swimming baitfish. The blades vibrate and flash, attracting the attention of bass. Spinnerbaits attract predatory fish primarily by activating a special sense organ through the spinning blade that enables fish to "touch" and ‘feel’ objects at a distance. Most fish have well-developed sense of touch and can feel the slightest change of water flow around it as a series of vibrations which may warn fish of approaching dangers or indicate the location of prey. Spinnerbaits can also stimulate other senses of fish to mimic prey by creating flashes in the water (sight) and by creating sound waves in the water (hearing).
Spoons - Metal, plastic or wooden lure (often manufactured with a metallic finish to imitate a smaller is used; jigging spoons are straight slabs of metal that are hopped up and down directly beneath the boat where bass are holding in deep water; swimming spoons are lighter and shaped more like a spoon; they are meant for retrieving through shallow water, including weedy areas.
Swimbait technique - Technique using any of a loose group of lures that emulate baitfish and are frequently characterized by their large size in relation to other bass lures; swimbaits may be soft or hard lures, lipped or not lipped and one piece or jointed.
Swimbait lure - A loose term used to describe a sinking type of artificial lure that imitates fish as it moves. Different from a crankbait in its design. Often swimbaits have rubber tails attached that flutter as you reel in your lure.
Texas rig technique - A method of rigging a soft plastic bait. The hook is threaded through the first 1/4" of the bait, and then pulled though until the eye of the hook is up against the front of the bait. The hook is then inserted again further along the bait. The hook point is partially buried in the bait, making it virtually weedless (similar to a Carolina Rig). A bullet-shaped weight is pushed up snug to the front of the bait and held in place with a toothpick or screwed into the bait with a small spring that protrudes from the bottom of the weight.
Texas worm technique - Similar to Texas rig technique, using a worm.
Topwater lure - An artificial bait which is fished across the surface of the water; typically, a floating lure. It may be moved about the surface of water in order to attract and cause fish to attempt to strike the lure. Non-floating versions may be retrieved at sufficient speed to cause them to travel at the water's surface.
Trolling - Method that requires access to an electric motor or fuel engine boat of any size. Baits lag behind the boat. Trolling allows coverage of larger areas and different depths with your choice of baits. Trolling is very particularly for salmon, trout, perch and pike fishing. The usual equipment for trolling is obviously one or more stiff and durable rods, strong lines and reels that can withstand heavy loads (multi-roller reels preferred). Also rod holders, depth rig, paravaner, mast, maps, sonar and plot or GPS (for larger bodies of water). You can increase your chances of catching fish by either decreasing or increasing your speed (i.e. see Slow trolling).
Twitch bait - Slang term for Jerkbait technique (see Jerkbait). A lipped, smaller shaped plug (see "Plug") is normally retrieved with a jerking motion of the rod tip.
Umbrella rig - Technique using an array of four or more artificial lures or baits (with or without hooks) cast or trolled by a single rod and reel combination and attached by a wire or other harness; a popular trolling rig for striped bass and other pelagic species
Vertical fishing - Technique utilized from a boat, fishing with a jig (fishy rubber bait) straight down into the water vertically. A simple method which, with the aid of modern equipment, can help target the areas and species you want to fish. For example, with the help of a sonar (and depending on the season and your location) you can target and lower it down the bait about 1 meter above and try to lure the fish to bite. Otherwise, for vertical fishing one needs no sophisticated equipment.
Vertical jigging - See Vertical fishing
Carolina rig technique - The basic setup of the Carolina rig with its heavy weight (usually ranging in size from 1/2 to 1 ounce) and soft plastic lure trailing behind on a leader line is ideal for dragging quickly along structure to trigger strikes from bottom-hugging bass. Dragging the rig at a faster pace along wide open spaces also allows anglers to present the lure in front of more schools of aggressive bass. The Carolina rig technique is suitable for beginners and effective in open-water situations (along structure such as long points and vast flats) where an angler needs to cover water quickly.
Carolina worm technique - Variation of the Carolina rig technique (see "Carolina rig") using a worm.
Casting - The act of throwing bait or a lure using a fishing line out over the water using a flexible fishing rod. The usual technique is for the angler to quickly flick the rod from behind toward the water. The term may also be used for setting out a net.
Chatterbaits - Unique, fish catching lures most commonly used for a constant retrieve (in other words, cast out and reel in). You can fish it like a jig, spinnerbait, or even like a lipless rattle crank bait.
Chum - Small bits of ground bait that is spread around in the water by throwing scoops of it into the water or by dragging it behind the boat in a bucket with holes in it. The scent and small bits of food attract fish and encourage the fish to feed. The fish are then easier to catch by anglers.
Conventional Stand-Up - Stand up fishing in a kayak setting (wearing a safety flotation device) is preferred by many who enjoy the control offered by the technique.
Crankbaits (small or medium) - A type of lure that is "cranked" back to the boat and creates a side-to-side swimming action by displacing water around either side of the front of the lure. Most crankbaits displace water over an angled flat lip on the front of the bait that is made out of thin metal or clear plastic. There are also lipless crankbaits that displace water over a flat section at the front top of the lure. Crankbaits are traditionally made from balsa wood, but most are now made from plastic and contain metal or glass bearing that make noise as the lure wobbles through the water. Fishing with a crankbait is preferred by many bass anglers who need to cover water quickly and explore various depth zones. The most important Crankbait lure feature is a shallow, medium or deep-diving plug (see "Plug" definition). Depending on certain features, Crankbaits can be used for anything from fishing in shallow water of 1 to 4 feet, to potentially reaching depths of 30 feet. Time of year is a key in Crankbait fishing.
Dead-Sticking - A fishing technique whereby a bait is cast and allowed to stau motionless in the water (or with no motion imparted by the angler) for long periods of time.
Dropshot - Technique whereby a worm hook is attached directly to the line above a sinker; typically, a soft plastic bait is affixed to the hook and the rig is presented more or less vertically.
Finesse fishing - Technique whereby small and/or slow moving lures are used to generate feeding strikes from lethargic bass; commonly regarded as the opposite of power fishing.
Flippin' - American slang for Flipping, which is a fixed-line presentation technique whereby a lure (usually a jig or soft plastic bait) is propelled underhand in pendulum fashion to a point a short distance (usually about 15-18 feet) away.
Froggin' - American slang for Frogging, which is surface fishing with a hollow rubber frog. When the fish attack the rubber frog body, it is pressed together and the hooks are exposed at the back). Generally thought of as a simple technique.
Jerkbait technique - Technique in which a lipped, smaller shaped plug is normally retrieved with a jerking motion of the rod tip.
Jigging - Technique that involves moving the hook in the water in an up and down motion that mimics a fish's prey. Jigging is an effective way to impart action into artificial or live bait. It can be very versatile and is often preferred over other methods. Since jigs have a weight on them, jigging is usually most effective when targeting fish that are feeding on or near the bottom. It's also a good method for catching inactive or pressured fish because the jig can be worked very slowly and remain in front of a fish for an extended period.
Jig - A lure that is specifically designed to be "jigged" (see "Jigging"). A jig usually consists of a weight (called the head) that is molded onto a hooks, and is dressed with hair, feathers, silicon, soft plastic, and/or live bait. There are times when fish, for various reasons, are more receptive of a bait that is worked vertically as opposed to a horizontal presentation. This is an example of an instance when a jig can out-produce other types of presentations.
Live Bait Trolling - Very popular fishing method (particularly in North America) despite all of the innovative and high tech features offered by artificial lures. See Trolling for technique description.
Paddle Tail Jigs - Have a soft plastic design with a large, flat tail resembling a paddle.
Pitch Rod - An underhanded casting method which resembles a modified flipping cast; the bait is swung forward by raising the rod tip, and then allowed to travel forward by free-spooling the line; pitching is most commonly used to present a lure to targets that are just out of range of flipping.
Pitching - An underhanded casting method which resembles a modified flipping cast; the bait is swung forward by raising the rod tip, and then allowed to travel forward by free-spooling the line; pitching is most commonly used to present a lure to targets that are just out of range of flipping.
Plugs - A hard-bodied lure made of either solid or hollow wood or plastic. They have a fishlike body and shape, and when they get in the water they swim side-to-side in a wobbling motion. Plugs are also called crankbaits, wobblers and smallers.
Popping Cork technique - An extremely effective and simple technique to catch fish. The tools needed include a medium to light spinning rod, soft plastic lure or ½ -1/4 ounce of shrimp, 20-30lb fluorocarbon monofilament leader and a popping cork. The main advantage of the popping cork is an attention-getting clicking sound created by beads hitting a foam cork along a metal through-wire. When a popping cork is jerked by the rod tip, the lure or bait presentation jumps off the bottom like a fleeing bait. A weight attached to the bottom of the cork adds casting distance and stability; swivels at the top and bottom of the wire serve as line ties for the main line and leader. The sound made by the popping cork mimics fleeing shrimp, crabs, baitfish or even other game fish attacking prety. Some popping cork models also throw a disturbance splash.
Popping Plugs - The word “Plug” was used many years ago to describe a lure that was handcarved from a block of wood, but most modern day plugs are made from hollow plastic or molded plastic. Most plugs replicate some type of baitfish but some types of plugs resemble mice, crayfish, insects, frogs, and snakes that fish prey on. Plugs attract fish by there action and flash, producing sounds that draws the attention of game fish. Depending on the materials and design of a "plug", they are made to product sounds that attract fish (i.e. vibration, click, splash).
Punching - Technique for fishing heavy matted cover (generally vegetation) with a soft plastic lure by which a slip sinker (see "slip sinker") is pegged to the bait and the bait is cast, flipped or pitched into cover so that the sinker pulls the bait through the cover canopy and to the desired area below.
Shaky Head - A special leadhead jig designed for rigging a worm weedless and used in the shaking technique (see Shaky Head technique).
Shaky Head technique - The key to shaky head fishing is using as light of a jighead as possible and still keep the bait in contact with the bottom. A 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jighead works best for shaky head tactics with a finesse worm, but you might have to upgrade to a 1/4-ounce head on windy days or when fishing in current to prevent your line from bowing and losing the feel of the bait.
Sight Casting - (see "Casting") sight casting targets bass that are visible to the angler.
Sinker - A fishing sinker or knoch is a weight used in conjunction with a fishing lure or hook to increase its rate of sink, anchoring ability, and/or casting distance. Fishing sinkers may be as small as 1 gram for applications in shallow water, and even smaller for fly fishing applications, or as large as several pounds or considerably more for deep sea fishing. They are formed into nearly innumerable shapes for diverse fishing applications.
Slip sinker rig technique - One of the most popular and versatile catfish fishing techniques and similar to the Carolina rig (see "Carolina rig). Fish the slip sinker rig with a bait clicker reel and let the fish run with the bait or use a circle hook with the reel engaged and allow the circle hook to do the work.
Slow Trolling - See Trolling
Spinnerbait lure - A spinnerbait lure has blades vibrate and flash, attracting the attention of bass. You can use spinnerbaits in most bass-fishing situations, but they are especially suited to fishing shallow cover. The most popular sizes range between 1/4-ounce and 3/4-ounce. (See "Spinnerbait technique).
Spinnerbait technique - Technique that is often referred to as the most versatile because Spinnerbait lures can be fished in nearly any condition, year round in both muddy or clear water, from just under the surface to as deep as desired. The spinnerbait has a smooth, flowing action that mimics a swimming baitfish. The blades vibrate and flash, attracting the attention of bass. Spinnerbaits attract predatory fish primarily by activating a special sense organ through the spinning blade that enables fish to "touch" and ‘feel’ objects at a distance. Most fish have well-developed sense of touch and can feel the slightest change of water flow around it as a series of vibrations which may warn fish of approaching dangers or indicate the location of prey. Spinnerbaits can also stimulate other senses of fish to mimic prey by creating flashes in the water (sight) and by creating sound waves in the water (hearing).
Spoons - Metal, plastic or wooden lure (often manufactured with a metallic finish to imitate a smaller is used; jigging spoons are straight slabs of metal that are hopped up and down directly beneath the boat where bass are holding in deep water; swimming spoons are lighter and shaped more like a spoon; they are meant for retrieving through shallow water, including weedy areas.
Swimbait technique - Technique using any of a loose group of lures that emulate baitfish and are frequently characterized by their large size in relation to other bass lures; swimbaits may be soft or hard lures, lipped or not lipped and one piece or jointed.
Swimbait lure - A loose term used to describe a sinking type of artificial lure that imitates fish as it moves. Different from a crankbait in its design. Often swimbaits have rubber tails attached that flutter as you reel in your lure.
Texas rig technique - A method of rigging a soft plastic bait. The hook is threaded through the first 1/4" of the bait, and then pulled though until the eye of the hook is up against the front of the bait. The hook is then inserted again further along the bait. The hook point is partially buried in the bait, making it virtually weedless (similar to a Carolina Rig). A bullet-shaped weight is pushed up snug to the front of the bait and held in place with a toothpick or screwed into the bait with a small spring that protrudes from the bottom of the weight.
Texas worm technique - Similar to Texas rig technique, using a worm.
Topwater lure - An artificial bait which is fished across the surface of the water; typically, a floating lure. It may be moved about the surface of water in order to attract and cause fish to attempt to strike the lure. Non-floating versions may be retrieved at sufficient speed to cause them to travel at the water's surface.
Trolling - Method that requires access to an electric motor or fuel engine boat of any size. Baits lag behind the boat. Trolling allows coverage of larger areas and different depths with your choice of baits. Trolling is very particularly for salmon, trout, perch and pike fishing. The usual equipment for trolling is obviously one or more stiff and durable rods, strong lines and reels that can withstand heavy loads (multi-roller reels preferred). Also rod holders, depth rig, paravaner, mast, maps, sonar and plot or GPS (for larger bodies of water). You can increase your chances of catching fish by either decreasing or increasing your speed (i.e. see Slow trolling).
Twitch bait - Slang term for Jerkbait technique (see Jerkbait). A lipped, smaller shaped plug (see "Plug") is normally retrieved with a jerking motion of the rod tip.
Umbrella rig - Technique using an array of four or more artificial lures or baits (with or without hooks) cast or trolled by a single rod and reel combination and attached by a wire or other harness; a popular trolling rig for striped bass and other pelagic species
Vertical fishing - Technique utilized from a boat, fishing with a jig (fishy rubber bait) straight down into the water vertically. A simple method which, with the aid of modern equipment, can help target the areas and species you want to fish. For example, with the help of a sonar (and depending on the season and your location) you can target and lower it down the bait about 1 meter above and try to lure the fish to bite. Otherwise, for vertical fishing one needs no sophisticated equipment.
Vertical jigging - See Vertical fishing