Terms novice anglers may want to learn

Fishing is a fun activity that many people consider a passion of theirs. Novice fishermen may have fun on their first fishing outing but come away confused by some of the terminology used. The following glossary of common fishing terms can help men and women as they further explore their newfound love of fishing.

Angling: Fishing using a hook and line. Anglers are people who fish, and types of angling include bait and fly fishing, casting and trolling.

Bait: The food or food substitute used to lure in fish. Insects, minnows and worms are some of the widely used types of bait.

Cast: To throw the hooked or baited end of a fishing line out into the water.

Catch and release: When anglers “catch and release” their fish, they unhook the fish they catch and return them back to the water before the fish dies.

Drifting: A type of fishing where the angler allows his or her boat to drift.

Fly-fishing: A technique in which a lightweight rod known as a “fly rod” is used to cast live or imitation flies tied to a hook.

Gaff: A type of hook used to land a fish.

Jig: A lure that consists of a single hook with a lead weight molded around it. Jigs are often adorned with fur, feathers or a plastic body.

Lure: Artificial bait designed to resemble live bait.

Plug: A type of lure made of wood, plastic or rubber that is designed to resemble live bait, such as minnows or insects.

Rod: The pole of a fishing pole. Different types of rods are used for different types of fishing.

Sinker: A weight used to prevent lures from floating up in the water. Sinkers come in various shapes, types and weights.

Spinner: A lure made with a rotating blade on a wire shaft.