Tip of the Month

Ever open the bail and watch your line spring off the reel like a slinky or spend quality fishing time dealing with twists, loops, and tangles?

The culprit is often line memory, or the tendency of fishing line to hold the shape of the spool it came from.

Here’s a simple trick to help:

Before spooling new line onto your reel, place the spool in a container of warm water for a few minutes. The warmth helps relax the line and reduce its memory, allowing it to lay more naturally on the reel. Leave the spool in the water as you add the line to your reel to keep the line on the spool.

The result? Fewer line-management issues, smoother casts, and more time focused on catching fish instead of untangling knots.

It’s a quick and easy step that can make a noticeable difference the next time you’re preparing your gear for a day on the water.

Photo provided by Joel Pritchard.

Fishing at Dawn and Dusk

During the heat of summer, many fish become less active during the middle of the day and move to deeper, cooler water. That’s why some of the best fishing often happens during the cooler hours around sunrise and sunset.

If you’re planning a summer fishing trip, consider getting on the water early or staying out until evening. Not only can these times provide more active fish, but they’re also better for anglers looking to avoid the day’s highest temperatures.

As a bonus, dawn and dusk are often some of the most beautiful times to be outdoors, with calmer conditions, more wildlife activity, and spectacular views.

A little adjustment to your schedule could lead to a more enjoyable day on the water and possibly a few more fish on the line.

Summer Catch and Release: Best Practices

Warmer water temperatures can place additional stress on fish. Even a brief fight and handling time can make recovery more difficult, which is why proper catch-and-release practices become especially important this time of year.

Here are a few ways you can help ensure a fish’s chances of survival:

• Land fish as quickly as possible to reduce exhaustion.

• Keep fish in the water whenever you can. If you want a photo, have your camera ready and return the fish to the water quickly.

• Wet your hands before handling fish to help protect their natural slime coating.

• Use needle-nose pliers or a hook-removal tool to quickly remove hooks.

• Support the fish gently and avoid squeezing it.

• Allow the fish time to recover before release, especially if it appears tired from the fight. Do this by putting into the water and running water through its gills.

By taking a few extra moments to practice responsible catch and release, anglers can help ensure healthy fish populations and quality fishing opportunities for years to come.

That said, catch and release isn’t always the best approach. Check out the video linked below for more information on cleaning and cooking.

Largemouth bass photo provided by Stephanie Williams.

Send Us Your Fishing Photos

The Wildlife Department is proud to showcase your Oklahoma fish catches to the world. The Dock is a photo sharing platform at wildlifedepartment.com where anglers can upload fish photos right from their mobile phone. So catch that fish, snap that pic and show it off at The Dock.