5 Beginner Fishing Mistakes

Here, we talk about the 5 most common mistakes that beginners make when fishing.

[@KennithL]

Thank you for talking to us beginner fishers like we’re beginners. Most “beginner” videos throw around a ton of lingo that we don’t know about. I feel like I actually learned a lot. Thanks!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@imas4j]

"One of the biggest mistake that people make is to have a skunk 🦨 on their shoulder" 😆

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Lies!

[@jayfrancek2835]

It cant spray

[@devins4081]

I think it's badass😅this man is living the life. Doing his way not anyone elses .

[@kayteelamilton4228]

🤣

[@xxXAntiGovXxx]

That's a porcupine

[@kewlbri125]

I always thought the reason to ball up the worm was so that you give the fish less area to bite without taking the hook. Leaving it long, they just eat the worm and never get hooked.

[@MrMacadamien]

I thought the same to be honest, especially if you have any small breams pecking at it... But i will give it a try.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I find his way works best with bass, as they open the mouth and will swallow the entire worm and hook.

[@BankFishVince]

Bream in my area won’t even bite if the hook point is exposed

[@Seiibaa]

At 4:02, it almost feels more like a bass setup than bluegill. Honestly based on my experience it seems like it'd be almost impossible to catch anything with that. If you are fishing for bluegills, they would pick it off very easily, taking off pieces of worm bit by bit. If you're fishing for bass, the bluegills are gonna come and do the same thing anyway so what you're left with is no worm or fish. I might even use a smaller hook to catch the smaller bluegill that are good at stealing bait, and just enough worm to cover the hook. That way you can catch a ton of fish off of one worm since that one piece is harder to rip off and will last longer and you wont be using the whole worm for one potential fish. Bluegills don't seem to care too much about action, I've even caught them with just a bare hook before so just a tiny piece of worm is more than enough. If they are picky, you can twitch it a little bit and that's usually enough to get them to bite. I also tend to use 8 lb line since you can use it for multiple species of fish, though I have caught 30 lb carp on 4 lb line, so it mainly depends on how you work it. I feel like 8 lb is kind of a sweet spot at least in my opinion. Anyway, all of this is just based on my experiences, I'm sure all these tips will help to catch fish. The most important part is getting more people out on the water to enjoy fishing.

[@CrankYxMankeY]

Thanks for the video, starting to fish after years of never touching a rod. Went 4 times with my dad when I was younger and once with a friend when I was 18. This was very informational and Little Stinker is adorable

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thanks for watching

[@itsoffsafety925]

I have true anglers in my family. I mean they come back with coolers full of fish and they don't take the time to teach me tips and tricks like this to catch more fish. Appreciate the video and knowledge. I've been hooking my bait wrong this entire time hahaha. I was doing it the way your dad taught you. Excited to try the way you explained in this video. Thanks 👍🏽

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

You bet! Good luck

[@joeltower5964]

Me too with the bait

[@SNiiFiinPAiiNT]

@ItsOffSafety me tooo, omg haha. I was so worried the fish were gonna see the hook or that my lure looks fake lool

[@yousweetpotato1]

Super helpful! Thanks! My two cents on sinkers: I recommend non-lead sinkers. Split shot is made of lead. I can’t believe we use lead in water sources and we use it to catch fish that we eat. Lead destroys brains and other organs, especially in kids (who also drink water). It’s why we have unleaded gasoline and why Europe banned lead shot in wetlands a few years back. I would recommend against touching lead, unless you want to damage brains-yours and those of everyone who drinks water.

[@jebj1]

I want brain damage. I eat sinkers.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Ahhh, it's so minute but you have to have something to bitch about

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

You're not going to get brain damage unless you're going to start eating lead shot. Lead is a very inert metal so it just sitting on the bottom of a water source if it falls off, isn't going to do any harm to anyone. As for the UK from where I'm from. Any form of lead was banned in fresh water many years ago. But lead is still used in shot gun cartridges. As an angler for over 50 years, I doubt if I've lost anywhere near the same amount of lead shot that a shotgun user would fire off using both barrels of a double barreled shotgun.

[@Joestacemazjojo]

Excellent starter video with beginner gear. Right to the basics, thanks for that. More of these tips needed for beginner videos.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful Joe!

[@forcedtoregister100]

Holy crap I wish every "how to" or "top 5" video was just like this. Excellent video

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thank you for tuning in!!

[@johnherman8861]

Larry not only do I love your videos...Loved fishing with you. So did my grandson, he is STILL talking about our fishing trio!!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

That is awesome!

[@savorymaghrebfoodalgeriamo997]

Thank you Mr.Smith for this valuable information. Next time I will do exactly what you've just taught us.

[@AXNJXN1]

At 5:30 in the morning, I find a video about a man teaching how to 'beginner fish', wish a WalMart rod and skunk chillin' on his shoulders. Gotta love YT's algorithms!!! LOL

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Hahaha!!!!

[@JMPK23]

Awesome man. Ive been fishing since i was a kid but no one has ever taught me what to actually do. Always fished for bluegill. This video will definitely help. Thank you!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

You bet buddy good luck!

[@fishypetkeeping]

I always thought that you should conceal the hook. Thanks for the information!!

[@YankleCandle]

This helped out a lot thank you and I can't wait to try this new info out next time I fish

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Good luck!

[@kmadore2816]

Cute little skunk 🦨 but frustrated dad wasn’t paying attention to her. 😂

[@panfishingfreak]

Crawler Harness Basics? Great informational video for beginners!!👍

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@tm5aw357]

Thank you for explaining so well!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Welcome man!!

[@martinschulz9381]

Good video, some good points. I started out with heavier line when I was a kid and over time I went to lighter line and now that I'm older I've gone back to heavier line....for the simple reason that it's easier to see and much easier to tie. lol I'm a northern trout and kokanee lake troll fisherman though. I'd like to teach my wife some river creek casting fishing here soon. Then I might put some lighter line back on.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad you're fishin man! Never quit

[@don.richard8823]

Thank you for sharing fishing🐛🐟🐟 tips with us!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

You bet!

[@SPIDERMURPHY-np8bj]

Thank you it was very educational. I have found myself doing some of them and now I know better.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sallylara1102]

Taking my son fishing right now, we are writing down a list! Thank you for sharing your tips GBU 🤍

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Any time!

[@riowitdarooga8717]

I hear Cajun in your voice automatically subscribed and start listening

[@mrdeathclaw66]

How bout using them popper corks? any advice on that?

[@MoisesJha]

Good video, thank you for sharing some tips.

[@country3608]

Great presentation Larry!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@prudancelaclay2793]

And this goes onto the list of things I didn't think I would have to look up, but somehow I did, for the book, I'm writing, along with how to play poker and how lightning works.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

???

[@prudancelaclay2793]

@@LarrySmithOutdoors I have a strange story that I am working on. you helped me. thanks for posting the video.

[@cMind607]

That’s my fav part about writing abt various topics I don’t fully know abt, love learning!

[@Yoalfi]

Thank you for sharing...I'm starting to fishing.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Good luck!

[@jp040759]

Alright. You need to explain how you became partners with Lil Stinker. A FAQ video about Lil Stinker is definitely in order. As a matter of fact an occasional FAQ video should be a regular part of your content. Thanks for great vids.

[@JMOSORT]

Thank you Sir., I am used to fishing on salt water and fresh water is been very difficult to address, hopefully with your advice i finally catch something in fresh water, my dad thought me some techniques when i was like 7 but i done forgot them, that was like 24 years ago and fishing is been on and off throughout my life. So again thank you. Say hi to Stinker for me...

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Happy to help out a fellow fisherman and outdoorsman

[@JMOSORT]

@@LarrySmithOutdoors caught two fish with your worm hook technique, they were small but hey better than nothing

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

@@JMOSORT Heck yeah!

[@speeddhiman7686]

Thanks for the information! Thanks Little Stinker for not sending any smell my way!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Haha!

[@brianholthaus8121]

What's the skunks favorite rod/reel combo?

[@crgr83]

Thanks for the tips & tricks.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

You bet!

[@BallsandNuts69]

I’ve been fishing for years and I still learned something. Thanks stinker

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad to hear it

[@zachlee-gx9jb]

ive never learned so much in 6 mins thank you

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Awesome!

[@exquisitexxo]

Interesting. I was taught and have always covered my hook with the worms.. does the worm being put on like that not cause you to miss fish a lot?

[@WZN_S3V3N]

Same

[@dancourtney429]

@@WZN_S3V3N Yes...you can have more bait "stolen", and miss more fish...but you'll experience many more fish. Worth the trade.

[@lucynatas8458]

@@dancourtney429 no actual its not worth it 8 out of 10 times you'll be missing they absolutely take the bait instantly off the hook without even touching the hook the point of covering the hook and sticking the bait properly the fish does not take it in one go and swollow the hook with the warm and u almost every single time catch it try 2 fish roots with one like this and one with covering the hook and putting the bait properly fit and you'll see the difference

[@CharlieApples]

A good compromise is to pierce the tail of the worm with the hook and then bring it back through the worm about 2/3s down so the head end is still dangling a bit, still wiggling around, but at least half the body is covering the straight part of the hook.

[@BadAtGaming100]

The worm wiggles the same from stabbing the head and tail though… but the idea of keeping a whole worm is better than mine, which is separate a portion and thread it up the hook but allow some to dangle

[@Flying244]

For catching quite small fish, the smaller hook almost guarantees you won’t be able to do catch and release fishing because it’s too hard to work the tiny hook out of the fish’s mouth if it bites it at a tough angle, and it will die. Just a bit of advice for whoever it might pertain

[@PoppyJone]

Your personality made me a subscriber you're great!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Wow, thank you!

[@commandercool1669]

This is great. You're the man

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Happy to help 👍

[@gwb8445]

I've been fishing for years and caught lots of nice fish with a big glob of night crawlers. I like very small hooks even for big fish.

[@DavidWilliams-vc9kq]

First time watcher. I like you Larry. The skunk is a little weird but I dig it. Subscribed and I will be watching. Stay blessed.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thanks and welcome to the great outdoors buddy 🤝

[@leegilbert9518]

1:27-2:37 That fly that keeps bothering your skunk needs to be fish bait😂

[@DamplyDoo]

Damn I want a Tub o Towels tshirt! That's a good look!

[@Rob-oy2hr]

When you put a worm on like that and there are perch around where you are fishing they will steal that worm in 2 seconds.I like to cut my worms into sections(makes them last longer) Fish have a really great sense of smell so attracting them to the bait shouldn't be a problem.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Good tip!!

[@TreeofLibertyDigest]

right, any time i use a whole worm, the baby blue gills will rip it apart before the big bluegills get their shoes on.

[@chumchum2543]

Thank You for the video, I'm a beginner fisherman, and you corrected some of my mistakes! I have a question about fishing in heavy grass, I usually fish for trout, blue gill and pan fish, what do you recommend (weed less set up, exposed hook, plastic bait or live bait)? Oh and one last thing you have a new subscriber!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thanks for joining us!

[@theivth3943]

Hey man, read your comment, if you are still wondering, a good weedless hook setup is called a TEXAS RIG. Definitely look into that setup. Hope that helps.

[@SNiiFiinPAiiNT]

LMAO "okay stinker i'll tell them why". I loved this video so much and I love stinker and his input. I'm trying to learn about fishing so when i go with my dad he's not spending most of the time helping me. Plus I really want to catch a fish, only caught one my whole life

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

That is so great!! Keep fishing more!

[@robertlosasso4222]

If your dad is taking you , let him help and teach you, he won’t mind because it’s something he will remember the rest of his life . That’s what makes beautiful memories and you will remember your dad always . I’m sure he loves you and you love him , catchem up .

[@Aethelvlad]

awesome hunting buddy u have

[@willow3660]

skunks and fishing? two of my favorite things in one place!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

The best!

[@fishinglamdore1018]

Realy good video, for angler ,i am from india

[@purrfectmistake3902]

Dude just casually has a skunk on his shoulder. Lmao

[@snoopsxi]

I think my favorite part of the video is your little friend on your shoulder XD but for real, thank you!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Mine too!

[@PaulodeMelo]

Omg my dad also taught me the same thing. The "hide the entire hook" thing. Haha

[@michaelbartlett1589]

If the worm is hanging like that wouldn’t the fish just eat the 90% of the worm not on the hook?

[@michaelbartlett1589]

I gave this a try and they did eat the the warm just hanging off the hook sometimes but mostly they just sucked the whole thing in. Works great. Just use a small hook

[@siqthechiq9073]

Thank you! I never had a dad or male figure in my life to teach me how to fish properly; imagine my surprise (and relief) when I learned you didn't have to hide the hook with the worm. 😂 Now I don't have to gut that poor worm.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Glad to help!

[@Choochm361]

Great sportsman , Catch & release.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

we always try to catch and release!! Gotta look to the future of the fishery

[@zer0deaths862]

I use a worm threader, whole worm straight on the line with the hook popping out the bottom. Fish will bite and chew that worm up but hardly ever get it off the line, I can catch half a dozen fish off one worm all day.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

That's a great tip!

[@robertlosasso4222]

That’s not many fish for a whole day .

[@jamesverzani4847]

I learned a few things here I can use and did not know, thanks. My question is line weight. If i am going after bass 3 -4 or up to 10 lbs (ha) what line weight is best.

[@robertlosasso4222]

Get yourself some clothes line rope , that’ll hold ‘em .

[@jamesverzani4847]

Ok 3lb . I’ve been watching the winner of Lake Eufala Bass Tournament in Oklahoma he used a 14 lb leader and 10lb braid.

[@clairruckman7674]

Just getting into fishing again? My dad would take me as a kid and where they moved pond. So to say the least the poor man did all my rigging. Even when I'd fish with my friend. I'd take our fish off and she'd bait. Well, now adulting and buying my own stuff. So vids like this helpful. Also, mainly commenting to help you with the algorithm:)

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Thank you so much for stopping by Clair! Be sure to subscribe and check out our other fishing videos to help with your journey

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Interesting video to watch from a UK anglers perspective. But I do find American anglers tactics are very crude compared to UK anglers when _"bobber fishing"._ Or as we'd call it in the UK, _"float fishing."_ There are so many UK tactics I'd employ if I was fishing in the USA with a float that would boost catch rates.

[@N2DEEP818]

What happens if you hook the worm the way you explained it and they slowly keep eating the end of the worm and now you’re stuck with no bait ?

[@randyl5205]

The little stinker had a fly on his nose, cute!

[@violettracey]

Thanks!

[@joeyt62541]

What fishing line do you usually use for trolling rods

[@robertlosasso4222]

That depends solely on what kind of fish your after .

[@DavidGarcia-eo7wv]

What size split shot sir?

[@walters8809]

WALTER SLOAN JR I LOVE THE INFO.

[@gregchadwell4267]

I would be interested in different ways to hook a live minnow

[@markp5417]

Best part of video was the snack for little stinker at 1:24. You can see him chomping right after it lands on its nose.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Love that lil guy!

[@Mike-jp3tn]

What if you dont know what type of fish are in the water..is there a general line to use?

[@incognegro2315]

Great question

[@robertlosasso4222]

Yes just throw a stick of dynamite in the water and wait for the fish to float to the top .

[@wise18525]

Hey Larry, What's the best knot to use for a beginner

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

In what situation?

[@ananalbataineh2654]

This is the best video I ever seen

[@Bandman_392]

When I leave the worm hanging vs wrapping it around the hook they just always eat the part that’s dangling and then there’s just a little piece left on the hook what should I do go smaller on the hook size

[@nathanross2720]

I watched a video that said to use both a smaller hook and smaller bait if that happens, I have 0 first hand experience but seems logical enough

[@jjd903]

Prolly cut the worm in half before baiting

[@otsavage6087]

I paid $30 for my rod, I put 15lb braided on my rod and I've never had an issue. I've snagged a few times and snapped it without an issue (I'm catching bass, pike, trout and stuff like that)

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

That's great!

[@luffyfries88]

Leaving it long always led to a free buffet for the fish

[@familymoneybuilders9930]

THANKS BIG BRO

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

No problem buddy!

[@vovin8132]

The bait advice is bunk. I was taught the so-called "incorrect" way and was always successful. I've fished with people doing the "correct" way and they are always losing their bait off the hook or the fish are (obviously) ripping off the worm from the hook without biting the hook. I'm not sure what scenario would work better for the "correct" way but definitely not for catching trout here in Canada.

[@ML-ks2lj]

I had the Shakespeare alpha spinning combo and i fishedthat thing hard for yesrs without changing line i fished it eith 24 ounce sinkers off three ways in very hard current in a big big river thats.about 30 feet deep where i fish it. It is a connecting water way for freighters and what not. Any way thst combo eoth origonal line kept me fishing forabout 5 years ALOT i had to change line probsbly about 3 years in after so many break offs. Thst rod and reel sat in blizzards and storms of all kinds. The handle on the reel eventuslly sheared off after hooking a big salmon or maybe walleye. Then i vroke the tip in the door

[@jjd903]

I've experienced a lot of line twist with too thin of line. I go with minimum 10-12 # in this situation

[@robertlosasso4222]

You have line twist because you didn’t put the line on the reel properly.

[@adamdahlin6025]

I'm sure the video was good, couldn't pay attention to anything but the adorable skunk playing with flies though.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

HAHA!!!

[@anarchist_parable]

I've been vegan for 24 years and recently reintroduced fish into my diet. I'm not comfortable eating things that I don't know how to harvest or handle so thank you for true beginner instruction.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

That's great! You bet!

[@djmorry8748]

I'm not interested in the fishing but I am interested in the Skunks name and does he skunk you if he falls out with you due to the high wire balancing act he has to perform?

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Lil Stinker! AHhahhaaha!!!

[@Tokushima77]

If you attach worm like that head you say first how long it will last on hook? Maybe once second time force of casting will rip of that worm !

[@David-vo5cz]

Love the skunk.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

How couldn't you?

[@prepareaccordingly]

Thanks, been hooking my worms improperly

[@GT-43]

Everybody all of the sudden a master baiter

[@millionsubz3943]

Stinger on the shoulder 😆

[@sorinankitt]

At 2:37 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 BOINK 😳

[@itsdakota6442]

I know your probably right, but not hiding my hook goes against everything I've ever been told

[@martinskilton6360]

Do not put it on the hook like either of them pictures. The way they say is right, it will more often than not get ripped off the hook by the fish

[@travenpulliam317]

Took me 4 minutes to realize “hey there’s a skunk there”

[@cameronjohnson2815]

I would imagine many people can't tell the difference between the head and tail of worm

[@stephenbell2588]

I've heard of line sensitive fish from all my friends I always laugh at them while i use braid, and catch more and bigger fish than they do.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Braid is awesome!

[@TheStringWalker]

Great beginner fishing tips! But these split shots you're using are made out of lead, which is poisonous. So I wouldn't recommend using teeth to work with those.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Ok, thanks

[@trippw88]

I use the rocket bobber ALOT!! don't use any weight at all and the bobber will lay flat on the water then they are very sensitive, if it stands up straight, set the hook!!

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

They work great!

[@mixedmartialnutrition1746]

lead split shot # opening with teeth ill stick to pliers or tin.

[@SniffiestHalo1]

60 ibs test line baby, gotta be ready for anything

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Right!!

[@dazzling3237]

Worm placement for most fish is unimportant. For panfish, the way you did the worm, you're going to feed 8 or 9 of them then possibly catch the 10th one.

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

Sounds good!

[@haroldbaker5051]

The line sizero and type should be on the package.

[@jjcjr009]

He sounded a whole lot better at the end, I was clearing my throat through out the whole video, 🥺

[@LarrySmithOutdoors]

😅😅😅

[@stephenfarrell7775]

I’m thinking of doing a Fishing video also….anyone got a spare skunk 🦨 for when I’m filming it.

[@keithheminover2278]

Ya... Don't bite lead weights. That's bad mmk.

[@techsavvyscruz]

Why is there a skunk on his shoulder 😮