50 fishing terms with plain definitions, including angler, tippet, chumming, backlash and catch and release, in one A to Z glossary.
Fishing terminology reaches from the tackle shop to the water and back to the weigh-in, and very little of it is self-explanatory. The list below gathers the fishing terms and phrases that come up on any dock: the words related to fishing gear, the words associated with the techniques themselves, and the fishing slang that only makes sense once somebody points at what they mean. The fishing glossary further down puts the whole vocabulary in one place.
Must-Know Fishing Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Angler
- Bait
- Cast
- Chumming
- Creel
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Hook
- Lure
- Net
- Reel
- Rod
- Sinker
- Tackle
- Trophy
- Waders
- Jig
- Knot
- Leader
- Line
- Spinner
- Spoon
- Trolling
- Weigh-in
- Catch and release
- Depth finder
- Fillet
- Ice fishing
- Landing net
- Spearing
Fishing Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Angler | Anyone who fishes with rod and line. The word comes from angle, an old name for the hook. |
| Angling | Fishing with a hook and line, as opposed to netting or spearing. The sport as a whole. |
| Backlash | A tangle of loose line on a baitcasting reel when the spool spins faster than the line leaves it. |
| Bag limit | The number of fish of one species an angler may keep in a day. Set by law and enforced. |
| Bait | Anything used to attract a fish, live or artificial, worm or minnow or dough. |
| Barb | The small backward point behind the hook point that stops a hooked fish from slipping free. |
| Barbless hook | A hook with the barb removed or flattened, used to release fish with less injury. Required on many waters. |
| Bobber | A float on the line that suspends the bait at a set depth and shows the bite by dipping under. |
| Bottom fishing | Fishing with the bait held on or near the bottom, usually with a sinker. |
| Cast | Throwing the line out with the rod. Distance and accuracy are the whole skill. |
| Catch and release | Unhooking a fish and returning it to the water alive rather than keeping it. |
| Charter | A trip on a hired boat with a captain, common for offshore and big-water fishing. |
| Chumming | Scattering bait or ground fish into the water to draw fish into one spot. |
| Crankbait | A hard-bodied lure with a lip that makes it dive and wobble when retrieved. |
| Creel | The basket or container an angler keeps the catch in. Also the legal daily catch on some waters. |
| Depth finder | A sonar unit that reads water depth, bottom structure and fish below the boat. Also called a fish finder. |
| Drag | The adjustable resistance in the reel that lets a running fish take line without breaking it. |
| Drift fishing | Letting the bait travel naturally with the current instead of holding it in place. |
| Eye | The loop at the top of the hook where the line or leader is tied. |
| Fillet | A boneless side of fish cut away from the frame. Also the act of cutting it. |
| Fly | An artificial bait tied from feather, fur and thread to imitate an insect or small baitfish. |
| Fly fishing | Casting a nearly weightless fly with a weighted line and a long rod, mostly for trout and salmon. |
| Hook | The curved, pointed piece of wire that holds the fish. Sized and shaped to the species. |
| Ice fishing | Fishing through a hole cut in the ice, with an auger, short rods and often a shelter. |
| Jig | A weighted hook with a soft or dressed body, worked with an up-and-down motion. |
| Knot | The join between line and hook, lure or leader. The Palomar and improved clinch are the standard choices. |
| Landing net | The long-handled net used to lift a played-out fish from the water without losing it. |
| Leader | A short length of stronger or less visible line between the main line and the hook. |
| Line | The cord that connects angler to fish, rated by pound-test and made of monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid. |
| Livewell | The aerated tank in a boat that keeps caught fish alive until release or weigh-in. |
| Lure | Artificial bait that draws a strike through movement, color and vibration instead of scent. |
| Net | Mesh on a hoop and handle used to land a fish, or larger netting used to catch fish outright. |
| Panfish | Small freshwater species that fit a frying pan, such as bluegill, crappie and perch. |
| Reel | The spool and handle on the rod that stores line, casts it out and takes it back in. |
| Rod | The flexible pole that loads on the cast and absorbs the fight. Length and action match the fishing. |
| Set the hook | The sharp pull on the rod at the bite that drives the hook point home. |
| Shank | The straight part of the hook between the eye and the bend. |
| Shelf | An underwater ledge where the bottom drops away. Fish hold along it, so anglers work the edge. |
| Sinker | A weight that carries the bait down, holds depth or adds casting distance. |
| Snag | Line or hook caught on rock, weed or timber. Also the obstruction itself. |
| Spearing | Taking fish with a thrown or thrust spear, by hand or with a speargun, in shallow water or through the ice. |
| Spinner | A lure with a blade turning on a wire shaft, throwing off flash and vibration. |
| Spoon | A curved metal lure that wobbles and flashes on the retrieve, imitating a fleeing baitfish. |
| Strike | The moment a fish takes the bait or lure. |
| Tackle | The general word for fishing equipment: rods, reels, lines, hooks, lures and everything in the box. |
| Tippet | The fine end section of a fly leader that the fly is tied to. |
| Trolling | Dragging lures or bait behind a slowly moving boat. |
| Trotline | A long line strung across the water with many baited hooks hanging from it, left to fish on its own. |
| Waders | Waterproof boots or chest-high pants that let an angler stand in the water. |
| Weigh-in | The end of a tournament day, when catches are weighed and the standings are decided. |
#1 Angler
An individual who engages in fishing, often as a hobby or sport, using various techniques to catch fish. The term is rooted in the use of the angle (hook) in fishing, hence ‘angler’.
#2 Bait
Substances used to attract and catch fish, which can be live, such as worms or minnows, or artificial, resembling prey. Bait selection is crucial as different species are enticed by different baits.
#3 Cast
The act of throwing the fishing line out into the water using a flexible fishing rod. The technique and distance of the cast can be pivotal to the success of an angler.
#4 Chumming
A practice where anglers throw bait into the water to attract fish to a particular spot, enhancing their chances of a catch. Chumming can consist of various fish-attracting materials, including fish parts or manufactured chum.
#5 Creel
A portable container, often woven, used by anglers to hold their catch. The creel is designed to keep fish cool and moist until the angler returns ashore.
#6 Drift fishing
A technique where anglers allow their bait to drift naturally with the current, offering a more subtle presentation to fish. It is especially effective in rivers or streams with a steady flow.
#7 Fly fishing
A method of fishing where lightweight, artificial ‘flies’ are used to imitate natural prey. This technique involves casting a nearly weightless fly with a specially designed rod and line, often used to catch trout and salmon in freshwater.
#8 Hook
A curved piece of metal with a sharp point used to catch fish by piercing their mouth when they bite bait or a lure. Hooks come in various sizes and shapes, tailored to the type of fish being targeted.
#9 Lure
A type of artificial fishing bait designed to attract fish’s attention through movement, color, and vibration. Lures mimic the appearance and behavior of prey, encouraging fish to strike, and are used in various fishing techniques.
#10 Lure
An artificial fishing bait designed to mimic the look and movement of prey, used to attract and entice fish. Lures are made from a variety of materials and come in countless shapes, colors, and styles.
#11 Net
A piece of netting material attached to a hoop and handle used for landing fish once they have been reeled in close to the angler. Nets aid in safely capturing and releasing fish unharmed.
#12 Reel
A device attached to the fishing rod used to wind and stow fishing line. It allows the angler to cast the line out, retrieve it, and play the fish by letting out or taking in line as needed.
#13 Rod
A long, flexible pole that provides leverage to an angler when casting a line and reeling in fish. Rods vary in length, strength, and flexibility, accommodating different fishing styles and species.
#14 Sinker
A weight used in fishing to force the bait or lure to sink more rapidly, maintain depth when fishing, or increase casting distance. Sinkers come in various shapes and weights, tailored to the fishing environment.
#15 Tackle
The general equipment used in fishing, including rods, reels, lines, hooks, lures, and baits. Tackle can vary widely depending on the type of fishing, targeting specific species or adapting to different environments.
#16 Waders
Waterproof boots or pants often extending to the chest, used by anglers to stay dry while wading into water bodies for fishing. Waders are essential for fly fishing and other forms of angling that require entering the water.
#17 Jig
A type of lure that consists of a lead sinker with a hook molded into it, often covered by a soft body to attract fish. Jigs are versatile and used in both freshwater and saltwater fishing, especially for bass and panfish.
#18 Knot
A critical aspect of fishing, the knot secures the hook, lure, or swivel to the fishing line. There are many knots for various purposes, with the Palomar and Improved Clinch being among the most popular and reliable.
#19 Leader
A short length of material, stronger than the main fishing line, used to prevent fish with sharp teeth or rough mouths from cutting the line. Leaders can be made of monofilament, fluorocarbon, or wire.
#20 Line
The fishing line is the cord used for angling, crucial for reeling in a catch. It comes in different strengths, materials, and diameters, known as the pound-test, and can be monofilament, braided, or fluorocarbon.
#21 Spinner
A type of lure with a blade that spins around a wire shaft, creating vibrations and visual appeal to entice fish. Spinners are effective for predatory fish like pike, bass, and trout.
#22 Spoon
A type of fishing lure made from a curved, oblong piece of metal that wobbles and reflects light when pulled through the water, simulating a swimming action. Spoons are effective for attracting and catching predatory fish due to their vivid motions.
#23 Trolling
A fishing technique where lures or bait are dragged through the water behind a moving boat, designed to mimic the movement of prey and entice fish to bite. Trolling is commonly used in both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
#24 Weigh-in
A critical event in competitive fishing where anglers present their catch to be weighed. The weigh-in often determines winners in tournaments and is a moment of truth for boasting the biggest fish.
#25 Catch and release
A conservation-minded practice where anglers carefully unhook and return the caught fish to the water. Catch and release helps to sustain fish populations and is a hallmark of responsible fishing.
#26 Depth finder
An electronic device used by anglers to locate fish and determine water depth. Also known as fish finders, they use sonar technology to provide insights into the underwater landscape and fish location.
#27 Fillet
A boneless piece of fish meat that has been cut or sliced away from the bone. Filleting is both a culinary preparation method and a skill prized by anglers for preparing fish for cooking.
#28 Ice fishing
A winter fishing technique where anglers catch fish through a hole cut in the ice on a frozen body of water. It requires specialized gear, including ice augers for drilling holes and often portable shelters.
#29 Landing net
A net used by anglers to safely capture and land a fish once it has been reeled close to the boat or shore. The landing net helps to prevent the fish from escaping and reduces harm to the fish.
#30 Spearing
An ancient fishing technique that involves thrusting or throwing a spear at fish. Today, spearing can be done by hand or with specialized tools like spear guns, primarily in shallow waters or through ice in frozen lakes.
FAQ
What is the term for grouping fish together in one spot by scattering bait in the water?
Chumming. Bait, ground fish or scent is thrown into the water to pull fish into a small area and hold them there while the angler fishes it.
What is the word for fishing from a boat while it moves slowly?
Trolling. Lures or baited lines are dragged behind the moving boat so they swim like fleeing prey. It works in both fresh and salt water.
Is angle a fishing term?
Yes. Angle is the old word for a fish hook, which is where both angler and angling come from. Angling means fishing with hook and line rather than with a net or spear.
What is the shank of a fishing hook?
The shank is the straight section between the eye, where the line is tied, and the bend that curves round to the point. Hook length is measured along it.
What is it called when you jerk the line to keep a fish on the hook?
Setting the hook. A short sharp pull on the rod at the moment of the bite drives the point past the barb so the fish stays on during the fight.
What word is used as a general term for fishing equipment?
Tackle. It covers rods, reels, line, hooks, lures, sinkers and everything else in the box. Hence tackle box and tackle shop.
They fall into gear (rod, reel, line, hook, sinker, tackle, waders), technique (cast, troll, jig, drift, chum, fly fishing) and the catch itself (strike, landing net, creel, weigh-in, catch and release). The fishing glossary above covers all three.
What are some Fishing terms for beginners?
“Angler,” “Bait,” and “Cast” are some Fishing terms beginners should start with. They encapsulate the basic concepts of the sport, including the fisherman, what attracts fish, and the action of throwing the line.
What are some funny Fishing terms?
“Chumming” and “Trolling” are some funny Fishing terms. The first involves scattering bait to attract fish, humorously sounding like buddy behavior, while the second has a dual meaning with internet slang.
What is a famous Fishing phrase?
“Catch and release” is a famous Fishing phrase, denoting a conservation practice where fish are caught but set free instead of being kept for consumption, promoting sustainable fishing habits.
