Size (of the Water) Does Matter

Size (of the Water) Does Matter

Fishing in a small steam is not the same as fishing in a large stream. Fishing in shallow water is not the same as fishing in deep water. This seems obvious to most experienced anglers. However, it is still surprising to see how many don't take the size and depth of the water they're fishing in into account. Things like the type of line to use, the size of your rig and how you should approach bringing in the fish. These are things you actually need to give quite a bit of thought and all of it depends on the type of water you're fishing in. At the end of this article, I really hope you find yourself better equipped to take decisions like that.

The first thing you should think about is the type of rig you're going to use. Not all rigs are equal. That goes double when you consider the water you're fishing in. In small streams, you don't want a very heavy rig. It's just not going to be as agile and flexible as you're going to want it to be. However, if you're in big streams or in very deep water, you want a rig that is tough and strong. That means you need to go with a heavy-duty rig. Some people will ask; they do it all the time, in fact, can't I just get an all-purpose rig? 

No. You can't.

Ok. Let me rephrase that. If you're happy to get average (mediocre) results in all settings, then yes. If you want to get the best possible results, you need to get a rig that fits the occasion. For deep waters and big streams that's a heavy rig. Even that is a bit of a generalization, and I would recommend you research what's been proven to work best in the waters you intend to go fishing in.

You also need to think about the line you're using. Some fish are more line-shy than others. In deep waters and large streams, you may have no choice, but to go for a heavy-duty line, but if you know you're after line-shy fish you should go as light as you feasibly can, depending on the waters off course. Again, this is something you need to do a bit of research on. It depends on the waters you're fishing in.

When you catch that fish do think about how you're going to bring it in. The water can work against you. Especially if you're in tumultuous waters, which are deep. In that case, you will need assistance to bring in the fish. Not necessarily another person, although that can be beneficial, but you might need additional support for your rig to ensure you don't lose it, and the fish. 

The water you're fishing in is something you should always consider before you go fishing. It's not going to be the same conditions in all types of waters. Your equipment needs to match the waters you're fishing in. You can't go with an all-purpose rig and expect good results.