Active Fishing for Beginners

Do you want to try fishing, but don’t want to sit with a bobber in the water all day? Spinnerbait lures can solve that.

If you are new to the idea of fishing, you probably picture a fold-out chair, a bobber, a worm, and a lot of time with nothing happening. For many, this may seem like a perfect day. For some, however, the idea of sitting in that same chair for hours on end could sound like a nightmare. While it is a common belief that fishing requires a form of patience that can be hard to cultivate, that is not always the case.

If you cannot stand to sit and wait, grab your pole and a spinnerbait lure. Spinners can come in all different shapes and sizes, but the key to their success is the oval-shaped blade that spins round and round the lure. This creates a flash and stir in the water, attracting fish to what seems to be a minnow rushing to safety. Anglers often reach for them when fishing for bass, whether they are after smallmouth, largemouth, or red-eye. However, spinnerbaits are also known to attract bluegill, creek chubs, and trout!

The best part about spinnerbait is that once you tie on the lure, you are free to walk or sail all around the pond, lake, creek, or river. You simply cast out, let it sink for a couple seconds if it is in deeper water, and reel it back in. If the water is clear, you can reel at a faster pace, making sure not to reel so quickly that the lure bobs back to the surface of the water. If the water is murky, you can go at a slower pace, but still fast enough that the blade keeps spinning. The disturbance in the water will still attract the fish even if the flash of the blade is not as visible. Then, cast out again. And again. If the fish are biting, you are sure to feel a tug on the line, so remember to set your hook when this happens by yanking upwards and then reel for all you are worth! Whether you catch-and-release or keep it for dinner, as soon as you get the fish off the hook, you can cast back in and keep going.

This style of fishing is great for those too full of energy to sit and wait with a bobber and worm. It also allows you to explore the area! There is more than one good fishing spot at any lake or stream, so now you can try all of them. Want to pair fishing with kayaking? This is a great way to enjoy both! Kayaks will let you maneuver into those shady areas of a lake where largemouth bass like to lurk, and if you are itching to keep paddling, you never have to stop for long.

So, next time you are spending the day at Cheat Lake or wherever your heart takes you, whether you are swimming, kayaking, or boating, try your hand at fishing with spinnerbait. There are some nice bass lurking in the water just waiting for the flash of that lure.

Don’t forget to buy your West Virginia fishing license before casting out your line in this wild and wonderful state. If you are a nonresident but a full time student, you can get a license for the same price as a resident. It is easily doable online at https://www.wvhunt.com/, and you can just print it out, sign it, and stuff it in your pocket. Also, keep an eye out for free fishing weekends when a license is not required!

About the Author

Alexandria is a senior at WVU with a passion for writing. She is an Englishmajor with a dual emphasis in creative writing and professional writing and editing. Alex is and has always been obsessed with reading and writing and is hoping to become an editor and a published author one day. Since coming to WVU, she has been involved each year in the Calliope Undergraduate Literary Magazine, and recently has begun focusing on writing about the wildness and wonder of West Virginia.