How to set up a fishing rod for lake fishing – step by step expert opinion

How to set up a fishing rod for lake fishing as a beginner? probably, the question is roaming in your head right now.

Freshwater fishing is a funny entertainment for amateur and professional anglers. 

If you’re planning to go fishing in the lake water then you have tight preparation. Before going on the fishing trip, anglers carefully select the targeted species and complete their basic rod set up according to their style of fishing.

If you’re ready to go to the lake fishing, so arrange all the pieces of equipment and tools so that you don’t feel crazy when you’re on the fishing site. 

Most of the anglers prepare their fishing rod set up before going on the fishing trip. However, there are many different things involved when you decide to make a certain type of fishing set up. 

In this article, you will go through how to set up a fishing rod and other useful tips and tricks that expands your freshwater fishing experience.

So, let’s dive right in…

Suspended Float Fishing Setup:

floating set up is a great option to catch fishes that are moving around the top and middle section of the lake.  In this setup, anglers decide to put the bait at a chosen depth of the length line (length line is the distance between the boober and hook).

It’s a common and popular setup for the new angler. It’s also a widely used option that uses experienced angler whenever going to lake fishing.

Many fishing enthusiasts want to know how to set up a floating fishing rod setup because it’s easy to set up and it works great to catch fish from the lake.

Bobber:

The bobber is made from plastic or foam that is attached to the fishing line to keep bait floating closer to the top or middle layer the lake water. It allows you to keep your bait suspended near to top or midsection of the lake. However, it also works as an indicator that delivers a signal when fishes hit your hook. 

Hook:

You can choose any types of hook. But, before using a hook, make sure that it’s legal to use according to your local fishing laws and regulation. Meanwhile, you can pick a single hook so that it’s useful to decrease the mortality rate of releasing fishes. 

Bait:

All baits are not useful for fishing. However, you can choose worm, shrimp, leech, artificial bait etc. You can select any type of baits, but experts recommend that live bait work well in freshwater fishing. Live bait tends to attract more fishes easily. Don’t forget to check your local fishing laws and regulations when you’re planning to use live bait. 

Weights:

It’s often called split shots. It’s lightweight that you can easily connect your fishing line. However, there’s a wide range of weights are available. You can pick the right one that suits your fishing goal. 

Bottom Fishing Setup:

Bottom fishing setup is a popular fishing setup that targets the fish from the bottom of the water. 

When you don’t notice fishes aren’t swimming on the surface then you can decide to use this setup to catch fishes from the bottom of the lake. Fish likes to stay close to bottom during daylight (midday) & winter season. 

In the winter season, professional anglers prefer to use the bottom fishing technique to catch fish from the bottom of the lake.

3-Way Swivel:

3-Way Swivel is an ideal choice for the bottom targeted fishing setup. It allows you to link the mainline to a leader line. Additionally, it allows an option to connect to the third line. The third eyelet features to add extra weight or line. 

However, there’s also 3-way swivel which comes with a snap instead of the third eye. If you’re continually changing your weight during the time of fishing then it’s a convenient fishing setup for you. 

Weight:

The weight helps your bait reach directly to the bottom of the lake. However, weight types don’t affect when you link it to the 3-way swivel. 

Fishing line weight, bait size and other factors affect the weight size. So try a few different weights until you find the right one to cast effectively. 

Leader Line:

A leader line links a swivel to the hook. You don’t need a long leader to reach to the bottom. It’s better to use a leader line that lengths between 12”-18”.

Hook:

Before choosing a hook for bottom fishing, make sure that it’s approved by local fishing laws and regulations.

Baits and Lures:

You can almost use any type of bait for bottom fishing of the lake. However, you need to analyze the condition of the bottom. For example, floating bait works great when you’re fishing a lake which bottom consists of muddy. 

Casting & Retrieve Fishing Setup:

Generally, anglers use cast and retrieve setup when they target surface or middle section’s fishes of the water body. In this method, you need to continually cast and retrieve your lure so that it attracts fishes roaming around the surface and middle part of the lake.

Swivel:

Swivel is a metal fishing gears that allows you to link between the main-line to the leader line. However, it helps you stop the floating and prevents to drop down to the lure. You can choose a swivel depending on your depth of the fishing set up.

Neutral Buoyant Float:

There are many types of flote that help you expand your cast and retrieve fishing experience. It’s a small piece of tackle that add water to increase the depth of the lure. Adding water will allow you to go down the float depending on the water weight. Anglers prefer to fill half of the water to achieve good neutral buoyancy. 

Spoon/Blade:

Spoon or blade is a metal or plastic built lure that attracts the bait fish. It’s a common choice of beginner fisher to catch fish easily.

Conclusion

Throughout the guide, you’ve learned how to set up a fishing rod for lake fishing that give your sharp ideas to catch fish from the lake. 

However, you need to have a general idea of how to set up each of these setups that impacts your performance and efficiency. Over time you will understand to pick the right setup for a lake fishing adventure.

Which setups do you love most when you go to the lake fishing? Know me by commenting below.