If you love fishing, but just can't seem to fit it into your schedules except for unexpected times, then the solution for you is to always have a handline set at the ready. This way you can go fishing within minutes and enjoy your passion, even at the odd moments, like stopping beside a roadside stream or small lake. Furthermore, a handline set does not take too much space like a rod and reel set does; the vest or pants pocket is enough for a handline set.
Basically, a handline set consists of a spool or reel to store the line, a lure or hook and bait. Of course, you might want to add a swivel, sinker, leader material and all those things in various sizes so you have choices. But essentially, a handline set is just the line and hook; all others are additions you can do without if necessary.
To start your handlining adventure, understand first its concept. Handlining is fishing with a hook and line at its barest minimum, or at least without the usual expensive accoutrements. It is system conducive to snap activities of probably short durations. It is getting to fish without the hassle of preparing a lot of things, the time for which is better spend actually fishing.
Begin with your line. You can choose any kind of line you want: monofilaments, fluorocarbon, braid or Dacron. Perhaps mono? It is by far the cheapest and simplest to maintain, is not affected by weather or temperature, and resistant to corrosive or acidic substances better than the other lines. So if you lose a handline set, you would not mind so much, and they are easier to misplace, mind.
About your reel or spool, the best would be a short length of bamboo tube. Failing that, you can use a PVC tube, laminated carton tube or anything of similar nature. But you can also use the spool the line came in (termed 'yo-yo' spool), and you might not even want to unspool the line from it to save some labor. However, such a spool will not work as good as the tube kind, for reasons you would see later.
For hooks, you can use the ones you are familiar with, although j-hooks are preferred over circle and octopus hooks. These latter styles are not as effective in active fishing where you strike the bite as j-hooks of the o'shaughnessy or baitholder styles; something to do with the positioning of the point. Consider the o'shaughnessy most; it is most versatile for the purpose.
After you've assembled you rig (tied the line to the spool and wound it, its end to the hook) you're ready to go fishing. To cast, hold one end of the tube spool in your right hand, strip a foot or two of line and hold it with your right. Pendulum and hook (and bait) forwards and backwards a few times until you feel its weight at the end of the arc.
At the extreme backward point of the arc, speed up your pulling forward and cast it. At the same time, raise your left hand holding the spool and point it to the direction of the cast. The line should run out smoothly unassisted, pulled out by the weight of the cast terminal rig. This is where the tube spool works better than the 'yo-yo' spool, from which you must strip the length of line you intend to cast.
If you want to learn more about handline fishing, you may be interested in my book Five Secrets of Handline Fishing. Just check it out. Thank you.
L Edwin G Rondina is a freelance writer and has been writing for over 25 years, more than 10 of them for online clients on various topics. He is also an avid saltwater sportfisherman and small game hunter.
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