>>2798214Don't expect to catch any fish, even if you put a lot of effort into it. I've been fishing multiple times a year since I was 8 and if I learned anything it was to keep my expectations realistic. Sometimes I don't catch anything and it sucks. They say 10% of fishermen catch 90% of the fish, and as far as i can tell thats mostly true because that 10% get up before dawn and fish all weekend, every weekend like monks, and even they get skunked sometimes.
If other people are fishing by you it's acceptable to ask for assistance or advice. Fishermen love to show off how handy and smart they can be. They might even give you a gem of knowledge or two. They might mix in some bullshit, but that's just part of their charm.
Also, if you want to release what you caught but the hook is too deep, too stuck, or you reel in a turtle or some other shit, just cut the line as short as you can so it can swim around without getting snagged. You'll do more harm to it, and yourself, trying to wrestle the hook out rather than just letting it go with a free piercing. Fish and reptiles are incredibly resistant to infection and pain, and they're also suprisingly capable of getting hooks out on their own.
Aside from that, big hook big fish and small hook all fish.
