F R E S HWATER

F IS H I N G Quick
Guide

Fishing Kits & Combos

FRESHWATER FISHING KIT & BOOK x1
x5 x2 x2 x2 x5 x5 x5 x5
x2
x3
x5
x5
x 10
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x 15
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x 10 x5 x 10 x5
Freshwater Kit #FK1
Tailored Tackle
! WARNING: Cancer
10002 Aurora Ave
and Reproductive Harm -
N Ste 36 #624
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Made in China
Seattle WA 98133
 Freshwater Lure
Crankbait Cast across shoreline transitions in
depth and bottom, covering the full
water column. Crank and pause on re-
trieve, letting the lure float up. Drive
back down and repeat to mimic a
wounded baitfish.

Pike Spoon
Steadily retrieve alongside wee
lines or directly above weed beds.
Keep the pace consistent, you will
feel a big thud when a Pike or Bass
hit. Maintain tension to set the
hook. Great for trolling as well.

Feather Spinner
Ideal for Trout lurking in Streams and
Creeks. Cast this spinner from bank to
bank, covering a lot of distance. Steadi-
ly retrieve near the surface and try glid-
ing it against a rocky bottom.

Brass Rattle Spinner

Great for Ponds and Small Lakes,
target aggressive Trout and Panfish
with this vibrant spinner. Work shal-
low shoals and shorelines, bumping
against rocks and flickering light to
call in fish.

1
 Quick Sheet
Texas Rig

Thump against the bottom along wee

lines and deeper transitions. Primary
targets include stumps, fallen
timber, boulders, and brush piles. Weedless set up lets you get
into the thicket. Great year round!

Drop Shot Rig + Grub

Your deep water go-to, use a drop shot
rig and a White Grub when Bass and
Perch are +20 Ft deep during the cold-
er months. Drift the sinker along the
bottom, letting your bait ride high.

Wacky Rig
Ultimate finesse approach to Largemouth,
use this rig to target hard to reach Bass in
deep cover. Pitch the wacky rig under docks
and small clearings, let the lure fall slow-
ly with tails wiggling to coax finicky Bass.

Jig and Curl Tail Grub

The most versatile lure combo in
the world, a Jig + Grub will catch
ANYTHING! Jig it along the bot-
tom of mid-lake structure, or swim
it along the shoreline for your best
chance at a mixed bag of species.

2
 Live Bait Rig
Catfish are a great option to target
Catfish Bottom Rig when fishing a river. One of the most
productive ways to hook up with a
big cat is with a simple bottom rig. Cut off a 2-3 Ft piece of mono or fluorocar-
bon fishing line and set aside. With your main line, thread
on a 1 Oz Egg Sinker and a Red Bead, then tie on a Bar-
rel Swivel. Now tie one end of the leader to your swivel,
and the other to a 5/0 Circle Hook. Cut up a 2-3” chunk
of minnow or sunfish and hook it right below the spine.

Try to cast your bait into the deepest portion of the river, typically the mid-
dle. Reel in until your line is taut. Either hold or prop up your pole so that
the line is consistently tight to your sinker. Monitor your rod tip for a bite.

Trout typically feed in the mid-

Trout Bottom Rig dle of the water column within a
Lake. Use a bottom rig to cast out
deep, with a floating bait to rise up to the feeding area. Cut off a 2-5 ft. piece of
mono or fluorocarbon fishing line and set aside. With your main line, thread
on a 1/4 Oz Egg Sinker and a Red Bead, then tie on a Barrel Swivel. Now tie
one end of the leader to your swivel, and the other to a #6 Baitholder Hook.

Ball up your power dough bait around the hook to the diameter of a dime.
Target depths of 10-20 Ft so your bait floats reasonably close to the middle.
Keep your line taut, holding or propping up the pole. After a tap, let the
3 Trout take it for 5-10 seconds. Then set the hook.
Quick Sheet
Live Bait Slip Bobber Slip Bobbers
the most versatile
are

method for fishing

with live bait as they allow you to target any depth while keep-
ing your minnow lively and your presence subtle. Set your depth
by pushing the slip-tie up on your line until the sinker has hit
the bottom. Push your slip-tie back down 2-3 ft. so your bait sits
just above the bottom. Let the wind take your bobber about 20-
30 Yds away to cover more water, but no farther as you are like-
ly past your set depth. When you have a hit, let the fish take the
bobber all the way down before setting the hook. Check your
bait every 10-15 minutes, changing at least every 30 minutes.
See step by step rigging instructions in the following section.

Live Bait Jigs

Target fish holding deeper, with live bait jigs. Hook on a
Minnow to the 1/4 Oz live bait jig as pictured. Fish in 10-
30 Ft of water, bouncing the bait along the bottom . Let it
hit bottom, lift back up, drop and pause. This motion is a
classic jigging pattern. Ideal for rocky, muddy, or sandy
bottoms without snaggy weeds, you can pitch your jig
by casting and retrieving. The most popular method is to
drift your jig along the bottom, keeping it a few inches off
the ground and jigging every 10 seconds.

4
 Set Up a Fishing Pole
To fish with the Freshwater Fishing Kit you will need to use a fishing rod & reel.
The tackle assortment is designed for use with a Light to Medium Spinning or
Spin-casting Rod & Reel. Child size to adult, all common models will work with
our Freshwater tackle. Let’s get your fishing pole set up!

Spooling Line

Spool your reel with monofilament or braided line up to 3/4 the capacity. To
spool your reel, run the line through your rod guides and tie an Arbor Knot to
your spool while the bail is open. Place the spool holding your new line in a pot
of water. Apply tension with your thumb and index finger while you reel the
line on, leaving a 1/8” space between the line and the base of the spool.

How to Tie
the
Arbor Knot

5
 Rig Up a Slip Bobber
1. Thread 2-3 Ft of line through the slip tie tube and slide the
tie off the tube, removing the tube off of your line.

2. Pull on both tag ends until the slip tie is lightly snug on
your line.

3. Thread on a neon bead. This keeps your line from chaffing

against the slip bobber. Then thread on your Slip Float, neon
side first.

4. Push your bobber against the bead + slip tie. Tighten the
tie snug enough to stop the bobber but still loose enough to
move up and down your line with finger pinched pressure.
Clip the tag ends down to 1/2”.

5. Tie on your hook with a Clinch Knot.

How to Tie a Clinch Knot

6. Pinch on a 3/0 Split Shot Sinker about 1-2 Ft above the
hook so your Slip Float stands straight in the water.

7. Push the slip tie up or down to set depth.

8. We recommend Worms, Minnows or Leeches as bait. 6

 Bait Your Hook
Get started catching some easy Panfish from the shore. Grab a 12 count cup of
Nightcrawlers from a local bait shop or dig some up in your backyard. Pinch
a Nightcraweler into a 1/4 length piece. Thread the piece’s tail through the
barb and up the hook shaft. Then, pierce the worms opposite end into the barb,
covering the hook tip. 4-5 kernels of corn or small slices of hot dog can work as
replacements.

Beginner Bait

Nightcrawler Corn Hot Dog Slices

Minnows and Leeches are typically used to target larger and more advanced
species like Walleye and Bass. You can rig these up with your Slip Float, bounce
them with a jig, or present them on a live bait rig. You can even step up your
Panfish game with micro-sized Wax worms. Review the Live Bait Rig Quick
Sheet to rig up and effectively use these baits when you’re ready to advance.

Advanced Bait

Leech Shiner Crappie

7 Minnow Minnow Wax Worms
 Cast Your Fishing Pole
Starting Position: Your fishing combo
should be in front of you with the reel
and rod guides facing down.

1. Hold the reel’s shaft in-between

your middle and index finger. Pull the
line against the rod handle with your
index finger and open the bail (metal
half circle) with your opposite hand.

2. Look behind you to make sure you are clear of other anglers as well as objects
your hook could catch. Slowly bring the rod 90° to your side. Keep your finger
snuggly pressing your line against your rod.

3. Sway your rod back to its original position in front of you, releasing the line
from your index finger at the apex of your rod fully extending forward. Close
your bail to re-engage your fishing reel and begin your retrieving presentation.

4. For greater casting distance, repeat these steps over your shoulder vs. at your
side. An over the shoulder cast will give you more velocity, however accidents
are more likely to occur so graduate to this style after you master the side cast.

8
 Catching Fish
Let your bait sit for 5-10 minutes. When the bobber begins The Bite!
to move abruptly you have a bite! If the bobber goes under,
bobs rapidly, or is consistently moving to the side for over 5 seconds, the fish
has taken the bait. Reel in some line by rotating the reel handle counter clock-
wise. Once the line is taut, set the hook by swiftly lifting your rod tip a few inch-
es. Once the fish is locked in, gradually reel the fish in by balancing the tension
of the fight with the pace of your retrieve to avoid losing the fish.

Maintain pressure and never let your line go slack.

The Fight! Keep your rod tip up so you maintain leverage over the
fish. Adjust your drag so that line pulls out gently when
tough tension is applied, this will give the fish room to wear itself down without
letting out slack. Retrieve at a steady pace, slowing down if the fish runs, and
speeding up when the fish gives. When preparing to land, never let your lure or
rig get close to your rod tip. Always keep 1-2 Ft of space.

9
 Releasing Fish
Remove Hook Lift your freshly caught fish fully out of the
water, be careful not to let it fall to the ground.
Cup the belly of the fish with the palm of your hand so the spine remains ex-
posed. Remove the hook by gripping your pliers right below the eyelet of the
hook. Push the hook down into the fish’s mouth, rotate the hook away from the
point, and remove. Sometimes you will need to twist, dig, and rotate the hook
for removal. You can also remove the hook by applying pressure on the eyelet
with your opposite thumb and index finger. Push hook towards the fish extract-
ing the barb, then remove.

Remove by Hand Remove by Pliers

Releasing Fish Release your catch by submerging the fish

with your hand cupping the belly. Let the fish
paddle off on its own as you open your hand. If the fish is not kicking off on its
own, hold it upright in the water cupped by the belly with one hand. With your
opposite hand, wag the tail back and forth. Repeat this process 3-4 times over 5
minutes to resuscitate the fish. If the fish does not revive, please harvest it.

10
 Where to Fish
Target Panfish such as Bluegill, Sunfish, Perch and Crappie in 3-10 Ft Depth.
1.) Right Next to the Dock: These species love to be close to cover like a dock be-
cause it gives them shelter from predators and hosts abundant food sources. If you
have access to a dock, set you line up near the posts of the dock as many Panfish
tend to congregate there.
2.) Vegetation: Panfish also love hiding in weed lines, if you do not have access
to a dock, nearby weeds are a good spot to target. Panfish will be located in and
around the weeds, try to get your bait close to the outer edges of the weeds.
3.) Transitions in Structure: If the dock or shoreline you are fishing has a change
in depth of a few feet, this transitional location will often hold Panfish. If the bot-
tom contents change, like soft silt -> rocks, Panfish will hold along that transition.

Advanced Fish Finding

Structure: Fish hold to it, particularly where transitions in structure occur. Chang-
es in depth or bottom consistency are the general markers of structural change.
Common structural features that support these changes are creek channels,
points, humps, holes, and drop offs.
Cover: Fish use cover to find shade and ambush prey. Cover is made up of natu-
ral and man made features that provide ideal characteristics for fish to feed. Ex-
amples of cover are Docks, Weed Beds, Boulders, Logs, Sunken Trees, Lily pads.
Structure + Cover: Your goal is to position yourself on structure (where fish are
holding) and target areas that supply cover (where fish are primed for striking).
An example of this would be at the end of a dock that has a steep transition in
depth (drop-off). Fish will often position themselves along the changes of a drop-
off, and the smaller area where the dock provides shade is an ideal position
11 for a fish to feed along that drop-off while they benefit from shade.
 Lake Map Example

Mapping Structure Creek Channels are an ideal starting

place because their S-turns and slop-
ing framework cover long expansions of water that serve as underwater high-
ways for fish and their bait. Seconded by points and drop offs, these structures
relate to the surrounding topography and corral fish along the greater outlay of
the water body. Humps, holes, and sunken islands serve as an oasis drawing in
fish from the greater expanse. Use a lake map or an App to get a general sense
of your lake’s layout. If fishing from boat, electronic sonar will best assist you in
identifying deeper water structure.

Docks and overhanging features are

Identifying Cover typically a go to as they do not require
electronics and are accessible by boat-
ers and shore anglers. Boulders and brush piles require the use of electronics to
target effectively and are typically less accessible from shore. Lily Pads and thick
vegetation shelter fish in shallower waters where depths are unavailable to
provide adequate shade. 12
Largemouth Bass
Bass are popular inhabitants of Lakes, Ponds, Rivers &
Location Streams across the US. Bass are most active from May to
August, feeding heavily at dawn and dusk, but can be
caught throughout the day. Generally fished in 5-15 Ft of water, Bass hold to shady
areas. Target overhanging cover like docks, branches and lily pads or submerged
cover like weed beds, brush piles, and boulders. Ideally, these are near changes in
depth or bottom.

Lures

Crankbait Wacky Worm Finesse Worm

Bass are reactive, so fish

Tactic aggressively for a reac-
tion. Cast artificial lures
that provide an erratic presentation. Fish
a lot of water. Target a new spot on every
cast, covering a new area every 30 min-
utes. Start deeper, but fish various depths
at different levels of the water column.
Try to retrieve your lure through chang-
es in structure or cover. Key Takeaways:
Mobility & Experimentation.

Technique
Crankbait: Crank down and pause on
the retrieve to mimic a wounded baitfish.
Set the hook right when you get a thump.
Soft Plastics: Swoop your worm along
the bottom as you retrieve, lifting and
dropping it 3-4 Ft. Give it a 5 second Wacky Rig Bass
pause on the bottom (most bites), set
13 the hook on a tap-tap.
 Panfish
Bluegill - Sunfish
Bream - Crappie

Panfish can generally be found anywhere and are the best

Location species for learning how to fish or taking kids fishing. They
hold to areas that provide protective cover from predators
and the hot sun. Almost any dock in freshwater will hold Panfish underneath it.
Simply drop a worm under a slip bobber rig off a local dock or marina and you
will catch fish. When fishing from shore, target the edges of a weed line or a bed of
weeds in roughly 3-10 Ft of water

Lures

Bobber & Worm Grub + Jig Rattle Spinner

Panfish are aggressive sight feeders so get your bait right in front
Tactic of them. For massive quantities of Panfish, simply fish a bobber
and worm halfway down the water column near shade providing
cover. If you are trying to hone in on trophy Panfish, use an artificial grub or lure to
sort through the smaller fish. Bigger Panfish can be found stratified in deeper water
(20-30 Ft) like the basin of a lake or on emerging mid-lake structure like humps.

Live Bait: Fish fast, changing your bait often and

Technique getting it back down. Panfish have small mouths so let
them hit it 2-3 times before setting your hook. When
the bobber completely submerges set your hook, or if the bobber is bobbing or
moving rapidly for more than 3 seconds then set the hook.
Lures: In deeper water, use the grub
+ jig. Jig the lure by lifting and falling
roughly 2-3 Ft off the bottom. Re-
member to pause after the fall to let
the fish hit. For bigger Panfish in the
shallows, cast your Rattle Spinner
alongside weed lines, retrieving at
a constant pace so the lure glides
through the middle of the water
column.
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Walleye & Perch
Location Walleye & Perch habit deeper, cool water. 15-30 Ft. depths
in general, 7-15 Ft in colder months and 25-40 Ft in deep
summer. They feed 1-3 Ft off the bottom, and hold to structure. Substantial chang-
es in depth and bottom consistency are key. Focus on near shore Points and Drop
Offs in Fall, mid-lake structure like Humps and Holes in Summer, and Mudflats in
Fall. Key in on the bottom transitions like weeds to sand or rocks to mud.

Lures

Bobber & Minnow Jig & Leech Grub + Jig

Present your bait in the strike zone, 6 In - 1 Ft off bottom at any

Tactic depth. Use a Slip Bobber with lively bait when the bite is slow,
jig live bait when the bite is moderate, and jig plastics like a grub
when the bite is aggressive to key in on bigger fish. Walleye & Perch feed on the
same forage, so minnows and leeches work for both. Drift all presentations along
the bottom, letting the wind propel you, or use a trolling motor at low speeds.

Technique
Slip Bobber: Let the wind
carry your rig 20-30 yards
each drift. Wait until your
bobber submerges 2-3 Ft, reel
in any slack and set the hook.
Jigging: Keep your jig 1 Ft off
bottom. Lift up 1-2 Ft, drop
down, pause. Repeat every
15 seconds. Most hits come
at the pause. After you feel a
Slip Bobber “tap-tap” wait 3 seconds and
set the hook.
15 Walleye
 Trout Rainbow - Brown
Brook - Cutthroat

Trout are found in rivers, streams, lakes and stocked ponds

Location across the country. While species and regions vary, these
general tips work for Trout everywhere. In rivers and
streams, Trout love deeper pockets of water. Look for darker pools, near the mid-
dle that sport slower moving water. In lakes & ponds, Trout typically navigate
adjacent to shoreline. They prefer cooler water, ideally 20-40 Ft depths. However
they often hold to the top half of the water column so try to fish halfway down.

Lures

Bottom Rig Feather Spinner Rattle Spinner

Stay quiet and stealthy, in clear water Trout can see you from
Tactic about 15 yards away and scatter from sudden noises. Lures are
preferred for rivers/streams. Cast upstream so your lure retrieves
naturally with the current. Defer to a bottom rig + floating bait when fishing lakes/
ponds from shore. If fishing from boat, troll lures instead, 100 Yds back at 1.3-1.7
MPH, add a series of split shots to get deeper.

R i ve r / S t r e a m :
Technique Cast upstream,
from one bank
to the other in a diagonal line to cover all
changes in structure. Vary pace so that
you fish all levels of the water column, pri-
oritize deep pools. Stay mobile & quiet.
Lake/Pond: Cast the bottom rig as deep
as you can (~30 Yds) and let it fall to bot-
tom. Reel in until line is taut between
your tip and the weight. Hold or prop up
your rod, monitoring the tip for a bite. Af-
ter you see a “tap-tap”, wait 5-10 seconds
for a second “tap-tap.” After the second,
Cutthroat Trout - or you see a hard tug, set the hook.
Bottom Rig 16
Northern Pike
Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel are found in
Location lakes and rivers across the US, but predominate-
ly in the northern states. These are aggressive pred-
ators that react to flashy and loud presentations. Most often lurking in the
weed lines near shore, Pike habit 5-15 Ft depths wherever Panfish and baitfish
are lurking. They aggressively sight feed and are most active during morn-
ing and evening hours. However, you can catch them anywhere any time.

Lures

Pike Spoon Crankbait Bobber and

L. Minnow
Pike roam individually, or in packs of 2-3. To find them, use lures
Tactic that reflect light and make a lot of noise. Cast a Pike spoon along
weed lines or above weed beds to pull them out of cover. When
fishing a rocky or deeper body of water, cast a crankbait to get down further. Keep
moving & cover a lot of water. If mobility is an issue, let the Pike come to you by
fishing a larger shiner minnow under a float.

Technique
Lures: Use a wire leader. Cast and
retrieve at a steady pace, halfway
up to the top of the water column.
Sternly set the hook right when you
feel a thump, the trebles and speed
will do most of the hook setting for
you.
Live Float: Set your depth 2-4 Ft. off
the bottom, bait your hook through
the back of the minnow before the
tail. Cast right along the edge of the
weeds. Change your bait every 15
min. Wait for your float to submerge
17 for 5-10 seconds then set the hook.
 Catfish
Catfish are the quintessential river monsters, also found in
Location reservoirs and stocked lakes. Cats hug close to the bottom
and forage with their whiskers. Target depths range dra-
matically (10-40 Ft), focus on the deepest section of water < 50 Ft. The middle of a
river where the original channel slopes on the bottom will hold Cats. Deeper pock-
ets sheltered from current like eddys require less energy from Cats at the same
depth. Cats most actively feed from evening to morning.

Bottom Rig Bait

Cut Bait Nightcrawlers Dough Bait

Get your smelly bait on the bottom, holding against the current
Tactic and let it sit. All the above baits work, however Cut Bait is best
for targeting trophy sizes. Start fishing in the afternoon to find a
safe and productive location for the evening/night bite. Find a deeper spot where
current is light enough for your sinker to hold. Check your bait every 20 minutes,
the current and smaller bites will poke away at your offering. Bring a net!

Technique Bottom Rigging: Cast out to the deeper section of the

river. Once the weight hits bottom, reel in any slack.
Keep your line taut and prop up your rod, monitoring your tip for a bite. Cats
suck in, and spit out their
meals a few times before
committing. If you see a
tap, leave it. Wait until
you see repetitive taps or
a big pull. The Cat’s got
it and is either shaking its
head or about to run. Set
the hook. Keep leverage
with your rod tip up to
avoid snagging on river
debris and rocks.
18
 How To Clean a Walleye

Lay the Fish on its side so that the

spines are facing you. (1)

Locate the side fin and slice down 2

1
from the side fin back towards the
spine, deep enough to pass the
meat. (2)

Turn the knife horizontal and cut

front to back, just above the spines.
(3)

About halfway back, poke the knife 3

carefully through the fish and con-
tinue cutting towards the tail. (4)

Apply pressure, slicing back forth

against the spine until you reach
the tail.( 5)

4 5

19
 6 7

Open up and carefully cut around

the ribcage from the top to the bot-
tom, in an arc towards the belly. (6)
8
Cut in a strait line along the belly
until you reach the tail. (7)

Do not slice off the side of the fish

yet. Flip it over, still attached to the
tail. (8)

Press the tail down with your fin-

gers, slice down at the edge of the 9
tail until you reach the skin. (9)

Lay your knife flatly angled to-

wards the skin, and carefully shave
against the skin back and forth.
After the fillet is removed, repeat
on the opposite side. (10/11)

11 10

20
 How To Clean a Trout

How to Gut a Trout 1

Cut the gill away from the jaw. (1)

Pierce through the belly near the anus, cut up

towards the head of the Trout in a straight
line. Grab the base of the gills and pull down, 2
removing all the organs. Rub your thumb
against the spine to remove blood. (2)

(Optional) To cook Trout with the skin on,

remove the scales by grinding the back of
the blade against the scales until the skin be- Optional
comes smooth and semi transparent.
To harvest a fillet, proceed to the next
section. Otherwise, you can cook the
Trout whole, eating off the bone.

How to Fillet a Trout 3

Start with the Trout’s head facing

your dominant hand. Break the neck
by snapping it backwards. (3)

To remove the bones from the fillet, 4

slip the blade right beneath the rib
bones, working the knife up along
the rib cage to separate. (4)

Flesh out any left over bones with

the edge of your knife, working up-
wards from the spine to the belly. 5
Flip over and repeat. (5)
21
 6
Pierce blade through the back, right
above the neck. Cut from head to tail,
as close to the spine as possible. Flip
over & repeat. (6)
7
Remove the head by cutting across
one fin to the other, severing the
spine. Remove dorsal fins. (7)

Cut at the base of the tail to remove

the spine, leaving the tail on. (8) 8

For a skinless fillet move onto the

next section. Otherwise, sever each
fillet from the tail and wash before
you cook.

9
How to Skin a Trout

Press 2 fingers firmly down at the tail.

Slant your knife to a 45° angle near
the base of the tail. Slowly draw your
knife back and forth until you are un- 10
derneath the meat, pressing against
the skin. (9)

Lay your knife flat. Work your knife

back and forth against the grain of
the skin, separating the fillet from the
skin. Repeat on opposite side. (10) 11
Trim any fins or fat that were missed
from steps 1-10. Run under cool wa-
ter, feeling for any missed bones. Dry
off and prep your meal! (11) 22
Freshwater Fishing Kit

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