1. Bank Fishing – This method can be used while using lures or live bait of any type and with any type of fishing rod combo, including use of a cane pole (no fishing reel). A fishermen simply stays at the edge of the bank and can travel around a pond or lake, to cover a larger area as he attempts to catch fish. Some bodies of water, such as farm ponds or steams are small enough to require this type of fishing due to there not being enough area of water for using a boat, raft, float-tube or canoe.
2. Wade Fishing – With this method, a fisherman can use all types of baits and rod combos as well but he will venture into the water from the bank as far as possible into deeper water where more fish and larger sized-ones are feeding. Some fishermen like to use waders (rubber pants with suspenders), to keep their clothing dry while wade fishing. When this method is used while fishing in the ocean, it is often referred to as “surf fishing” because a fisherman will time his casts into the water, as the surf moves in and out from the beach.
3. Tube Fishing – Using any type of bait or fishing rod combo, a fisherman will use a float tube that has built-in waders that he fits down into so that when he is in deeper water and not touching the bottom of the lake or pond, he will float. Flippers, also referred to as “kickers” are also often used with this method, which are wide rubber devices that fit over the shoes that help a fisherman to propel through the water as he moves to different areas while fishing. Some manufactured float-tubes are also equipped with compartments in them for carrying bait, stringers (to hold caught-fish) and additional fishing tackle.
4. Trolling – This is a method while fishing from a boat, in which lures (usually artificial ones) are tied onto fishing lines on rod and reel combos with several yards of line trailing behind the boat in attempt to attract and catch fish. Many fishermen who use this method will also use electronic imaging devices called “fish finders” that detect fish swimming in areas beneath the boat. If schools of fish are detected a fisherman may also want to mark an area with buoy-markers (small highly-visible flotation devices) so that he can stop the boat and fish an area while stationary. Both freshwater and saltwater fishermen use this method.
5. Fly Fishing – This type of fishing is done using polyamide monofilament fishing line with a small floating lure attached to the end of it called a “fly”. The line is highly visible, so that a fisherman can see where it is drifting in the stream, river or lake he is fishing in. Casting with a fly involves a process of allowing an increasing length of line out from the fishing reel, so that as the line is drawn back and then cast-forward, it reaches further distances where fish are swimming. Some fishermen using fly rods will also use salmon or trout eggs as bait.