The Most Popular Types of Fishing Explained

Ever wondered what the most popular types of fishing are? We have listed the most common types you will see and explained them below.

What is fishing?

Let’s begin nice and simple. Fishing, in our case, is a sport where you try to catch a fish using a rod, reel, line, hook and bait. There is also commercial fishing with huge boats, nets and sonar, but I’m going to focus on sport fishing for this article.

While some sport fishers still keep their catch either for trophies or to eat, most sport fishers these days practice something called “catch-and-release fishing.”

This, as you can probably guess, is where you return the fish, unharmed, to the water after you catch. This is practiced in order to protect the local fish population.

Fishing is a great way to spend your time. It’s fun and exciting when you’re playing a big fish, plus it’s a good reason to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.

From fishing for largemouth bass in your local lake to deep sea fishing for marlin to flicking a fly over a mountain stream, fishing is a sport that everyone can enjoy.

Freshwater

As you can probably surmise from the name, freshwater fishing is any type of fishing in water that isn’t the sea.

Streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes are great places to go fishing, and you can fish from the bank, wade in the water or fish from a boat.

In North America, the species of fish you’ll most likely catch in freshwater include bass, trout, pike, salmon, walleye, musky, perch and more.

Saltwater

Saltwater fishing is any type of fishing in the sea. This can be from the shore, often called surf fishing or surfcasting, or fishing in a boat.

The variety of species in the sea is greater than freshwater fish, and the sea is where the real trophy fish are, including tuna, tarpon, sailfish, marlin and swordfish.

It is important to select the correct lures when you are fishing, but it is even more vital when sea fishing. We have composed a list of the best surf fishing lures here if you are looking for some tips.

Ice

Wintertime might seem like fishing’s off season, especially if you live in a colder climate. However, if you live in an area where the lakes freeze over, then ice fishing is one way you can fish all year round.

Ice fishing is where you drill a hole through the ice and drop a line through it. If you go ice fishing in North America, you’re most likely to come across trout, walleye or perch.

This is by far one of the most popular types of fishing in the northern states of the USA. Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Vermont, Utah all have world class ice fishing spots.

Just remember to take your hat and gloves, because it gets cold waiting for a fish to bite. I always take a thermos of coffee to help keep me warm.

Note: It is vital to make sure that ice fishing is done safely. Read these guidelines and tips on how to stay safe on the ice.

Bank Fishing

Fishing from the bank of a river or lake is one of the most popular types of fishing because of the ease of access. You don’t need a boat or waders, all you need is a fishing rod with some line, a hook and some bait.

If you’re fishing from the bank, try to find a spot that isn’t too shallow or impeded by obstacles like bushes and trees which are perfect for snagging and tangling your line.

Always double check what’s behind you because most casting techniques involve the hook going above and behind your head. Make sure you don’t hook anyone!

There are many different cast styles and gear set ups for all types of fishing. Here I will lay out the most common types, as well as some trickier ones at the end.

There are plenty of types of fishing and there is something for everyone, from beginner to advanced.

Jigging and Spinning

Jigging is the type of fishing where you use something called a jig, which is a specific type of fishing lure. A jig is a lead sinker with a hook built into it, usually with a soft body covering it to attract the fish.

When jigs move through the water, they are designed to move in a jerky motion, almost like an injured fish. This will look like a perfect meal for hungry predators who are happy to snap up the slower, weakened prey.

The fishing style called spinning is similar, but the bait (called a spinner) moves quickly through the water in a spinning motion when the line is reeled in. This makes the spinner look like a fish swimming, and is perfect for attracting bigger, hungry fish.

Both jigging and spinning are nice easy ways to start fishing. Grab a rod, reel, line and bait and start casting. You will soon pick up the right techniques through trial and error.

Check out our article on the best crankbait rods here with tips and tricks as well as an FAQ section.

Surfcasting

Surfcasting, or surf fishing, is a type of saltwater fishing where you cast your hook and bait into the surf from the beach. This is one of the most popular types of fishing in saltwater.

This is a great way to catch big saltwater predators who have come close into the shore to feed. Surfcasting rods tend to be long so you can cast long distances over the breakers.

The reels tend to be heavy duty in order to stand up to the weight of big saltwater fish as well as the heavier bait.

If you’re going surfcasting, or any other type of fishing in the sea for that matter, you should definitely make sure your gear is designed for saltwater.

Unlike freshwater fishing, you will need some gear that can withstand the salt corrosion. Additionally, make sure you rinse your gear off when you get home, too.

Trolling

Trolling is a type of fishing where a baited line is trailed (or trolled) along behind a moving boat.

This type of fishing is different to trawling, though the names sound similar. Trawling is a commercial style of fishing where a boat drags a big net behind it through the water.

In trolling, the fishing line, or lines, is baited with either lures or bait fish. Bait fish are small fish that can be caught or bought from fishing stores.

They are used to attract large predatory species of fish. Common types of bait fish include sardines, pilchards, mullet, herring, ballyhoo and eel.

It can be difficult to locate the fish with this method due to our oceans being so vast. Most anglers will use a good fish finder to locate the fish and give them a better chance at coming home with a decent fish.

Trolling tends to be good for pelagic fish. These are fish that live in the pelagic zone of oceans or lakes. The pelagic zone is pretty much right in the middle, neither on the surface nor on the bottom.

Common species of pelagic fish that are often caught trolling include salmon, mackerel, and kingfish.

Droplining

Droplining is a type of fishing normally done in saltwater where a long fishing line is dropped vertically into the water with a series of baited hooks attached to it (the attach-points are called snoods).

It is a great way to target deep dwelling finfish, including ocean perch and snapper.

When droplining, the hooks (normally between 1 and 5 hooks per line) are often baited with bait fish or pieces of fish, though prawns and worms work as well.

Often there will be a lead weight at the bottom end of the line. This keeps it in a vertical position and stop it from tangling.

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is a type of fishing that uses a super lightweight lure, called a fly. The fly is cast using a rod, reel and heavy line by using a specific, and quite challenging, casting technique where you flick the fly back and forth through the air over your head before bringing it down on the water.

The artificial flies are made to mimic invertebrates and small bait fish. You can even get flies that mimic mice and ducks!

Flies can be dry or wet. Dry flies float on the surface of the water, while wet flies sink and are “reeled in” by pulling the line in with your hand.

Fly fishing is a good technique for freshwater and saltwater. Typical species to go after using fly fishing are trout, salmon, steelhead and bass.

Check out our ultimate fly fishing gear checklist here.

Spearfishing

One of the most ancient types of fishing, spearfishing has developed dramatically since our ancestors used sharpened sticks. Modern spearguns are elastic powered or compressed-gas powered.

Spearfishing is often done while snorkelling or scuba diving, though using scuba equipment is illegal in some places, so be sure to check your local rules and regulations.

Bowfishing

I wouldn’t consider this one of the most popular types of fishing however it is worth a mention due to its increasing popularity and.. well it’s just cool!

Bowfishing is a type of fishing where you use specialized archery equipment to shoot and retrieve fish. Fish are shot with a barbed arrow that is attached to a fishing line.

Once a fish has been shot, the angler (or archer) can either hand-retrieve the line or use a specially designed reel attached to the bow.

Bowfishing is a unique type of fishing and is a great way to target carp, rays and even sharks.

Kayak Fishing

Kayak fishing has been on the rise massively in recent years. It is without a doubt one of the most rapidly rising forms of fishing in America, and for good reason too!

It’s a fantastic way to get out onto the lakes, rivers and oceans. It will give you the ability to reach some of those hard to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

I have used a fishing kayak for years and absolutely love it. Depending on the one you use, you can get a whole host of features. Some come with rod holders, storage facilities, removable seats, and some of them are even tandem.

Feel free to combine the fishing methods and styles listed above with kayak fishing. Experiment a little!

There are even competitions around the states specifically for kayak fishing. It brings a whole new element of accessibility to the sport, as well as a bit of exercise too! What’s not to love?

Check out our article on the best fishing kayaks for under $500. We did our research and found the best of the best for the lowest price.