A lot of people have difficulty pursuing hobbies anymore, especially if they want to learn a new one. Even more so if that new skill involves a fishing rod, a lot of patience, and a huge body of water out in the wilderness. Fishing is a great pastime once you get yourself into it. It’s relaxing, it gives you an excuse to explore nature, and you can use the skill to keep yourself fed, if you’re interested.

But such a hobby takes time, and learning it takes even more of it. Time that you may have very little of. So, in order for you to maximize what you can learn, you’ll need to know when the best time is to learn how to fish. This guide will be pointing you in the right direction.

1. The Basic Necessities

Before you can consider learning how to fish, you’ll first need the right tools for the job. Aside from clothing that can protect you from the elements, like a fishing hat to keep your face safe from the sun’s rays or a long-sleeve shirt to keep yourself from freezing, you’ll also need a proper fishing rod. For a complete guide of basic fishing gear, see here.

Unless you plan on going into fishing competitions or catch the heaviest of fish, any good beginner fly rod will suit you well. Choosing the proper lure is also important and will vary greatly depending on what type of fish you’ll want to catch. It’s best that you look up what kinds of fishes are available in the area you plan on fishing and securing the right lure for what you might catch.

2. The Location and the Time

Understanding the equipment you will need and when the best time to fish is great and all, but it wouldn’t do you much good if you can’t find a good place to position yourself for fishing. Where the fish congregate generally depends on what time of the day it is. In the evening, fish tend to get sluggish because of the cold and it naturally follows that once the sun starts rising, the fish begin to get more active due to the rising temperature.

Early in the morning, the shallows tend to warm up faster than in the middle of whatever body of water you’re fishing at, so the fish are more active there. During midday, once it starts heating up further, the fishes will try to get into depressions at the bottom, or into deeper places to cool themselves off. This is the perfect time to try and catch one, since they can still be inclined to be bated out. Noon or early afternoon, on the other hand, is generally the worst time of the day to fish, as it gets too hot and the fish wouldn’t want to leave their cool spots at all.

3. The Tides

myfishingtools.com claim that fishes prefer to spend as little energy as possible, catching prey, which is why it’s better to try and catch fish when the water is moving. Fishes usually wait in places with strong currents for smaller fish to get swept up and deposited to where they are, hence making it easier for them to eat it.

Casting along these areas an hour before or after the high tide would entice fish to try and bite what for them seems an easy meal. The worst time to fish would be when the tide is at its highest or lowest, since there would be very little movement in the water. To the perspective of fish, they will need to pursue the lure rather than just wait for it to get washed up to where they’re waiting for it.

4. The Season

Depending on what season it is will also determine the most optimal time to fish. During spring, the days are a bit cooler, so the fishes aren’t as active in midday like normal. The best time to fish during this season is during the late afternoon, when the sun has heated up the waters enough.

In summer, the best time of day is during the early morning and the late afternoon. Most of the day would be too hot for the fish to be active at all and wouldn’t be too keen on leaving their hidey holes. Fall is similar to spring, in that it’s starting to cool down again. Midday and early afternoon are when the fish are most active, due to the water already warming up.

While following these guidelines can help you pick out the best time to fish, it’s not a guarantee you’ll be getting any. Each locale has its own set of rules and prime location, and it’s up to you to learn them. Now that you know the basics, however, it’s that much easier to get to know your new hobby better.