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Common Man Survival

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Bio: General outdoors person

More by Common Man Survival:

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Mighty- (/id/Basic-
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Microfishing/) Tube/) Knife/)

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 (/file/FH6P6S5IRDUTJCD/) (/file/FPYDKP3IRDUTJCJ/)

Unlike regular fishing, microfishing aims to catch the smallest fish species in our
local creeks, streams, and ponds; bodies of water which most anglers would
overlook. Microfishing originated in Japan as Tanago (English: Bitterling) fishing
where small species of fish were caught on the tiniest hook with the lightest line
attached to a short Tanago rod which often only measured 2-3 feet long.
Microfishing is a great way to get outside with friends and family, explore local
forests, see what species of fish live in your backyard, or wind down after a long
day of work. I will show you how you can do it on a budget.

Step 1: Equipment

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Of course like any hobby or past time, you can spend as much or as little as you
want. I suggest starting with cheap gear first then upgrading your kit as you go.
This way, you can get out and have fun then optimize your gear to your own
needs.
Collapsible pole (5-20$): The longer, the better. A telescopic rod is ideal so
that the rods can be stored in a backpack while hiking to locations. Guides
are not necessary for microfishing as it is a fixed line style fishing. If you
already have another type of rod such as a fly fishing rod, you can use that
instead and just fix the line to the tip to save some money. I used to use a
3.6m and 4m telescopic rod which cost me 4$ and 6$, respectively (ordered
from China). I have since upgraded to a 3.6m rod but collapses to 32cm
(instead of 74cm as my old ones did) for easier packing which cost me $20.
Fishing line (1-5$): The lightest line you can find will be best. Tippet is often
used but light fluorocarbon or monofilament can be used too. I use a 4lb test
red fluorocarbon which cost me $2 for 100m.
Hooks (0-1$): Specialty Tanago hooks can be found online
(http://www.tenkarabum.com/micro-fishing-hooks.html) for about 0.20$ a
hook (which becomes 0.75-1$ a hook for international shipping). Small fly
fishing hooks (size 20-32) can also be used but are often difficult to find. I
make my own hooks from larger hooks which end up costing about a penny
or two a hook.
Split shot weight (1-2$): The smallest split shot you can find. I used to use
the smallest my local Walmart had in stick which cost 2$ for 80. I have since
upgraded to the weights that weight 0.07g and cost about $2 for 300 from my
tackle shop.
Optional:
Viewing Tank (0-5$): A small, clear plastic container that can hold water.
Used for taking pictures of your catch. I use an old acrylic ant farm.
Floats (0-1$): In my experience, I don't use them often but I still carry some
homemade ones as I couldn't find small enough ones in the store.

Step 2: DIY Hooks

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 Hooks

If you decide to make your own hooks, WEAR EYE PROTECTION. The last
thing you need is visit to the ER with a hook point in your eye.

I bought the smallest hooks I could find on the internet which ended up costing
about 2 cents a hook. The problem was that they were not the proper shape of a
Tanago hook which is designed to fit in the mouth of small fish. These hooks can
easily be reshaped and work very well.

Sorry for the poor quality pictures, no macro on my camera unfortunately.

Step 3: Making Your Rigs

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A typical knot used for snelling a hook IS used to secure a spade ended hook. I
like to add a drop of nail polish to the attachment point to prevent any line
slipping.

A split shot should be pinched about 5cm above the hook.

Different lengths of line should be spooled out. I usually make 60cm, 90cm, and
120cm long rigs. Those reflect the water depths of my local water bodies.

A loop at the end of the rig should be tied with a figure 8 knot.

Step 4: DIY Rig Holder

 (/file/FSZ4VUBIR5MVETD/)

(/file/FW7WDSZIR6ISW11/)

This has saved me so much time and I highly recommend you make one (or
several) instead of carrying rigs in little plastic bags like I used to.

I push 5 sewing pins through a wine cork then cut the points off on the other
side. Make sure to file the sharp parts flat. The great thing about these are that
they are cheap and keep your rigs tangle free.

Step 5: Preparing Your Rod for a Rig

 (/file/FRGYGHAIR6ISVW0/)

A telescopic pole often does not have any guides. Instead, at the tip of the rod,
you will find a short length of cord called a lillian. Although it is traditionally
knotted and the line is looped then secured to the line, I find it easier to just tie a
split ring or swivel to the lillian then secure premade rigs to it. It is also easier for
first timers to fix lines as a regular knot can be used.

Step 6: Bait
A small piece of worm or piece wax worm hooked behind the tip of the hook
works well.

Alternatively, a fishing dough can be made and put into a syringe and brought to
your location if you would rather not dig up worms or buy them from your bait
shop. I haven't been able to find a good recipe though, if you have one please
let me know.

Step 7: Scouting a Location

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I often use Google Maps' Satellite feature or Google Earth to look for small
ponds and creeks along local trails. Of course, you will not be able to see
everything from the sky but it is good to have an idea of where to look before
heading out. You're looking for small creeks or streams and ponds that form off
of fast moving water.

Budget Microfishing by
Step 8:
Common Fish!
Man Survival (/member/Common+Man+Survival/) in fishing (/explore/category/outside/keyword/fishing/)

Download h (/id/Budget-Microfishing/) 8 Steps . Collection I Made it! Favorite Share

 (/file/F5EE57KIR6ISRM6/)

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Very often you will be able to see the fish swimming around in slow moving/ still
shallow pools of water. This is a good place to start as you know there are fish
and can see them as they investigate your hook. Once you've become used to
feeling the bites of these microspecies (which is surprisingly strong on a long
rod), you can move to water that fish may not be able to be seen due to water
clarity, vegetation, etc.
 You'll see a lot of other aquatic life too! A great opportunity to teach kids.

I hope you get out there in your free time and explore your local area with your
friends and family. Be sure to take the proper precautions when going out in the
sun such as sunscreen and bottled water. Have fun!

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Comments

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Catfaced8 (/member/Catfaced8/) 2016-09-01 Reply

I used to take coconut frond leave midrifs, the spine of the actual individual
leaves, then find a spider web and take the "dry" thread and kinda twist and
stick it on the end of the midriff, then for my hook Id kinda roll a ball of the
"sticky" web, I swear catching mosquito fish and small goldfish was so
entertaining this way, Id spend hours doing it till there were no more webs in the
surrounding area...

ThomasK19 (/member/ThomasK19/) 2016-07-29 Reply

Should fishing/kill animals always be connected with the need to fill one's
stomach? I liked to go for perches with fun but always with the idea to see it in
my pan later.

BradBuilds (/member/BradBuilds/) . ThomasK19 (/member/ThomasK19/) Reply

2016-07-30
Fishing does not kill fish, as long as you release them careflly
with pliers.

Jobar007 (/member/Jobar007/) 2016-07-29 Reply

Do you heat your hooks before you bend them? Also, it looks like you bend
them out before you bend them in. Is that correct?

Common Man Survival (/member/Common+Man+Survival/) . Jobar007

(/member/Jobar007/) 2016-07-29 Reply

I used to heat when I made hooks from thicker hooks but found that
heating made them too soft and hardening them (by quenching) made
them too brittle. I bend out first so that I can reduce the height of the point
when I bend it back in.

rcaputo1 (/member/rcaputo1/) 2016-07-29 Reply

Now I can tell other fishermen that I am just micro fishing
when I hook an undersized game fish and have to release it. LOL.
Warning.....make sure you check your local fishing regulations. You may need a
license once you put a line in the water in any attempt to catch a fish. If you are
required to have a fishing license and do not get one, the fine might not be
micro in size.

deluges (/member/deluges/) 2016-07-29 Reply

So cool ! I only macrofished before but this is great and I'll give it a try next time
I go fishing

parisusa (/member/parisusa/) 2016-07-28 Reply

Interesting. I've never heard of this either but we see lots of the little fish in our
local lakes while swimming! Regarding macro photos: with my phone camera, I
pull the phone away until it focuses on the small object (my rabbit's face, a
flower, etc.) snap the photo, then just crop the photo (your phone should have
"crop" under the edit option or a free app will do it) & there you have easy
macro photos!

seamster (/member/seamster/) 2016-07-28 Reply

I've never heard of mircofishing before, and found this very interesting.

Do you release what you catch, or eat them?

gravityisweak (/member/gravityisweak/) . seamster (/member/seamster/) Reply

2016-07-28
I hadn't ever heard of this either, and especially enjoy seeing a
how-to of a new hobby at the same time I learn about it for the first time.

Common Man Survival (/member/Common+Man+Survival/) . seamster

(/member/seamster/) 2016-07-28 Reply

Definitely catch and release as I don't believe these are good to eat. If
they were, you'd have to catch at least 30 for a decent meal! Thanks for
the comment.

seamster (/member/seamster/) . Common Man Survival

(/member/Common+Man+Survival/) 2016-07-28 Reply

I figured as much, but being completely unfamiliar with the hobby I wasn't
quite sure! :)

Uncle Kudzu (/member/Uncle+Kudzu/) 2016-07-28 Reply

Interesting! I've caught plenty of mosquito fish with a little net and once a
beautiful endangered darter, but it never occurred to me to fish for small fish
with a hook. Do you know what kind that is in your first photo?

Common Man Survival (/member/Common+Man+Survival/) . Uncle Kudzu

(/member/Uncle+Kudzu/) 2016-07-28 Reply
 Likely a blacknose dace. I haven't had any luck catching any darters yet,
they're absolutely beautiful (especially the rainbow darter)! Thanks for the
comment.

I More Comments

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