Fishing without an actual rod: how do?

I'm practicing my survival skills and I'm wondering how you do this. I have a machete with a little hole in the end of the blade through which I could tie a fishing line and a hook, or I could just use a long stick.

Is there any trick to this? Do you just wait for a bite and then yank it up and grab the line with your other hand?

Any other tips you have on rudimentary fishing techniques without equipment would be appreciated.