Fishing For Dummies

From Fishing for Dummies by Peter Kaminsky

Fishing at the optimum temperature means catching more, but make sure you have the right weight on your fishing rod and line so you can cast effectively. Keep the fishing world record chart handy in case you make the next big catch.

Fishing and Temperature

Fish respond to temperature just like people; if it’s too hot or too cold, they’re not doing much. When you’re fishing, use this chart to find the optimum temperature to catch the most fish. (All temperatures are in Fahrenheit.)

Type of Fish	Lower Limit	Optimum	Upper Limit
Freshwater
Bluegill	58˚	69˚	75˚
Brook Trout	44˚	58˚	70˚
Brown Trout	44˚	56˚– 65˚	75˚
Channel Catfish	55˚	82˚– 89˚	na
Coho Salmon	44˚	54˚	60˚
Lake Trout	42˚	50˚– 59˚	na
Largemouth Bass	50˚	65˚– 75˚	85˚
Muskellunge	55˚	63˚	72˚
Northern Pike	56˚	63˚	74˚
Rainbow Trout	44˚	61˚	75˚
Smallmouth Bass	60˚	65˚– 68˚	73˚
Walleye	50˚	67˚	76˚
Saltwater
Cod	31˚	44˚– 49˚	59˚
Bluefish	50˚	62˚– 72˚	84˚
Bonefish	64˚	75˚	88˚
Dolphin	70˚	75˚	82˚
Fluke	56˚	66˚	72˚
Redfish	52˚	71˚	90˚
Red Snapper	50˚	57˚	62˚
Snook	69˚	70˚– 75˚	90˚
Speckled Trout	48˚	72˚	81˚
Tarpon	74˚	na	100˚+

How to Match Your Fishing Lure, Rod, and Line

Your fishing rod has a limit to how much weight it can cast effectively. So does your line. Freshwater anglers can use this chart as a guide to match up the right lure, rod, and line for some prime fishing.

Lure (and/or Sinker) Weight	Rod	Line
1/4 oz	Light or Ultra Light	6–12 lb test
3/8 oz	Medium Light	12–14 lb test
1/2 oz	Medium	14–17 lb test
5/8 oz	Medium Heavy	17–20 lb test
7/8 oz	Heavy	20–30 lb test

Fishing World Records

Do you think you just hauled in the next fishing world record? It could happen! Print out and keep this fishing world record reference chart, and if your fish beats the current record, get it registered at the nearest tackle shop. Then, wait for those endorsements to come piling in!

Fish	Weight	Where and When
Brown Trout	40 lb 4 oz	Little Red River, Arkansas, May 9,1992
Largemouth Bass	22 lb 4 oz	Montgomery Lake, Georgia, June 2, 1932
Smallmouth Bass	11 lb 15 oz	Dale Hollow Lake, Kentucky, July 9, 1955
Northern Pike	55 lb 10 oz	Lake of Grefeern, Germany, Oct. 16, 1986
Muskellunge	65 lb	Blackstone Harbor, Ontario, Oct. 16, 1988
Walleye	25 lb	Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, April 1, 1960
Striped Bass	78 lb 8 oz	Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 21, 1982
Bluefish	31 lb 12 oz	Hatteras, North Carolina, Jan. 30, 1972
Weakfish (sea trout)	19 lb 2 oz	Jones Beach Inlet, New York, Oct. 11, 1984