10 Ways to Catch Fish in an Emergency

Formative years
“Throw that line in hard, son!”, my father would say. In those days I was around nine years old and eager to catch my first fish. We would sit on the jetty for hours, sweat pouring down my face as the sun above became the sky itself with its bright, long razes. It would take me a few years before I would catch my first fish, and when I did, I was seated with my wife in a fishing kayak we rented while on vacation somewhere in New Zealand. I don’t recall exactly where. I am getting old and the brain is not what it used to be.
Moving along. Since that first catch I have not looked back. As destiny has ordained, I would catch many more fish but under the strangest of circumstances; when there was some sort of emergency. Like the time when I wanted to pee so badly, that in my hurry to unzip my pants to let the ocean meet my bright yellow urine, I mistakenly kicked the bucket of fish bait into the water. However, as the bait hit the water, it was as though the fish anticipated my clumsiness and instantly started to devour the free bait, including the bait attached to my 20 pound line.

So spill your bait, give the fish a banquet and you are sure to catch at least one. At least that has been my experience. I have had many more experiences throughout my fishing career and I have learnt a lot as a result. Many of these lessons came when I was facing some sort of emergency. Take a look below.
No bite along the length of the river? Well set multiple lines and wait.
You have no bait? You are wrong! Where there is fish there is bait. Just peruse your surroundings and use what you find. From maggots to insects to worms, you are sure to find live food for fish to eat.
You are stranded near a river bed where wild predators abound? Find the nearest tree and hang from the sturdiest branch and cast your ‘line’.
You are in your professional fishing kayak in the middle of the lake and all your bait has been used? If all your bait has been used it means you caught at least one fish. Well just a small piece of your catch is needed for you to continue fishing.
No line to use? Well although illegal in some parts, drift nets can prove to be a viable alternative.
The water is clear so fish can be easily spooked? Well camouflage yourself so that you blend into your environment.
Big sea fishing in rocky waters? Rough waters actually prevent fish from seeing you easily and being spooked. Just keep your line steady!
It is spring and you don’t know where to fish? Fish near the shore. This is where fish tend to lay their eggs after winter.
Small pond, but plenty fish? Never be afraid to get into the water and trap fish if necessary.