How Good Is Your Fishing Vocabulary?


By: Heather Cahill

7 Min Quiz

Image: Pixabay by Barbara Jackson

About This Quiz

Time to prepare yourself for the fishing trip of a lifetime. Grab your tackle box, a rod and reel and get out into your boat. A good angler knows all there is to know about their gear, their boat and the fish that they're after. They don't stop until they've caught their limit of fish and they're never afraid to try something new!

Fishing might seem like a waiting game at times, but with a little patience, you can reap great rewards. You never know when you're going to catch that giant of the lake that you've been after for years. But before you can walk the walk, you have to talk the talk. While many of the common terms used are straightforward, you'd be surprised at how many might just be out of the ordinary! Anglers will want to keep their "eyes" on the prize and make sure to refrain from biting the barb. This might just be a tough one for even the most skilled anglers, after all.

Do you think that you're a walking (or swimming) dictionary when it comes to the world of fishing? If you do, then we wish you tight lines as you see if you can catch a good score on this quiz!

There's many types of this that can be used. Artificial bait is which of the following?

Artificial bait is one form of bait that is commonly used. It can come in the form of things like the "Gulp!" brand, which simulates real critters like earthworms, that can be bought live. Every angler has their own preference of what they like to use.


When you're out fishing. you might find that you're catching fingerlings. What is that?

A fingerling is another word for a young fish that can be up to two years old. When catching fish, there are typically size limits that protect the younger fish so that they are able to grow and live their lives, as well as reproduce.


No, it's not the internet behavior! Trolling is which of the following?

Trolling is important when trying to catch a fish, because your speed can greatly impact your lure, and how the fish view it. A quick way to test your speed before casting for nothing is to let your lure go beside you in the boat to see how it moves.


Where is one place that the bait can be placed while fishing?

Bait comes in many different forms, from live bait to artificial bait. Lures are also another form of "bait" that you can use for catching fish. Different types of bait work better for certain fish, but it's also up to what you prefer to use.


Which of the following is a fish that is often caught in North America?

The bass is one of the most popular species in North America, making many competitions come out of the sport. In fact, there is a large professional competitive scene when it comes to fishing bass with large prizes.


A "barb" is part of what piece of tackle that can be a little dangerous if you're not careful?

A barb is an important piece of the hook which has a purpose of making it harder for a fish to get off the hook. It can also help in making sure that the bait stays on. It is placed just underneath where the fish and bait get hooked.


What word is used for the string that brings the fish in as well as holds the lures and bait?

The fishing line is one of the most important parts of fishing. There are also many different kinds of line that you should know about. Using the proper strength line is very important!


A "bobber" is a helpful tool when fishing for certain species. It is used to do which of the following?

A bobber is used to hold bait at a certain depth in the water. Most commonly, they are a red and white ball that floats on the water, with the bait underneath. They work especially well when paired with a worm on the hook to attract the fish.


The more, the merrier in the world of fish! Fish eggs are known as what?

Roe is a collective term for the many eggs that a fish can produce. Depending on the species, they can look much different, but most resemble tiny spheres. The eggs of some fish, especially sturgeon, are eaten in the form of caviar.


What term is used for a fish caught by being hooked somewhere other than the mouth?

Snagging is illegal in many places, as it is not fishing. Instead, it is done without any bait and the hook is used to grab the fish on any part of its body. Snagging is only used if this was intentional, but if it was caught using a rod, reel and bait, it is deemed accidental. This changes varying on where you are fishing.


If you're trying to hook a fish, you might do this. What is it?

Striking isn't just for bowling — it's something that anglers do too. If you get a bite on your hook and think quickly enough, a strike would be when you lift up sharp and quick on your rod to get the fish hooked.


You hold this important tool in your hand while fishing. What is it?

Your fishing rod has to be the perfect one for you. It's great to get out into the store and test it in your hands before hitting the water to make sure that it's exactly what you're looking for. It gives you a chance to test the flexibility and other factors, as well.


Of the following, which word is used for the gear that you take fishing?

Tackle is anything that you take with you to use for fishing. It can include, but isn't limited to, your rod, reel, tackle box and lures. For an angler, you can almost never have too much tackle while out on the water!


The name of the device similar to a rod, but without eyes is known as what?

A pole is a bit different than your typical rod, but still has the same purpose. Instead of using the reel and eyes on this device, you simply use a line and hook on it. Though they're used differently, you can catch a fish on any one of them.


The purpose of the "eye" on a fishing rod is which of the following?

The eye on the fishing rod is important to keep the line straight and stop it from tangling. However, it still doesn't come without problems! It is still possible to get the line wrapped around the rod itself, but holding the rod properly will make a big difference in this.


You can't catch a fish without it! To make a "cast" is to do what?

A cast is what you make when you throw your line out into the water by swinging your rod. The goal is to get your lure far enough out into the water to drag it behind you, or back into the boat for another cast. Just be careful of where your cast goes!


What term is used to describe an area that has been fished so much that there isn't much left?

Overfishing is something that many countries do their best to avoid. This is why there are often many regulations put in place to keep the fish populations healthy and thriving. Anglers do their part to contribute to this by buying licenses.


If you've got a "bite," what do you really have?

A bite is just a way of saying that fish is on your hook, or biting on your hook. If it has bitten your hook, then you're probably already reeling it in. If it has nibbled on your hook, it's probably thinking about biting it!


You're out on the backwater trying to catch some fish. Where are you in more familiar terms?

The backwater is a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main part of the water where everyone is. You never know when you may come across a piece of the backwater that will become your new favorite fishing spot!


An "affluent" is a place you might find yourself while fishing. What is it?

An affluent is a part of a river that is often quieter and more reserved than the bigger portion that it flows into. This is something of an archaic term. You might hear "tributary" more often.


A not so important part of the fishing rod, the "butt" refers to what part of it?

The butt of the rod is at the far end of the grip. It's probably not wise to hold onto this part of the rod, as you can easily lose it this way. When holding your rod, hold it near the reel or on the grip for the best results.


When someone refers to the "action" on a rod while fishing, what are they talking about?

The action on a rod is how flexible it is when pulled or when there is pressure on the rod. It's important to assess this when you're in the market for a new rod so that you can get the rod that fits you.


The dorsal fin, important to balance, is located on which area of the fish?

The dorsal fin is located on the top of the fish. It does a lot for the balance of the fish, especially when it is making a turn in the water. Without it, the fish could spin right over rather than stay upright.


Which type of bait uses a technique where you have to pull it so that it goes underneath the water?

Jerk bait is one type of bait that can be used for certain fish by attracting them through the motion of a creature going underwater very quickly. It is done through pulling on the rod to create the diving effect.


Of the following terms, which one is used to describe the act of putting young fish back into the water?

Restocking fish is something that is done to either help sustain fish populations or get them back to the level that they were once at. Often, species of fish are also introduced to new areas so that they can also sustain a good population within their species.


Important to the function of your rod, what does the "anti-reverse" do for you?

Anti-reverse is an important part on a rod and reel. Depending on the reel, anti-reverse can be enabled and disabled depending on preference. Most times, the reel will come with anti-reverse, which stops the reel from spinning backward.


"Balsa" is most often used for which of the following pieces of fishing gear?

Balsa is a type of wood that is used for lures for many reasons. Though they're quite buoyant, they're also very delicate and must be treated with more care than a regular lure might. They're quite popular when it comes to bass fishing.


This isn't math class, but what does it mean to "angle?"

Angling is just another way to say fishing. If you're into fishing, then you may refer to yourself as an angler. Anglers can fish in many ways, from a boat or from the shore, depending on what they are fishing for or their preference.


When a fish comes to the surface of the water to feed, what is it called?

Fish often rise to feed on bugs that land on the surface of the water. When this happens, you can almost always catch a glimpse of the fish or a fin emerging from the surface. It's most commonly witnessed at both dusk and dawn.


The term used for pulling, then leaving slack on the line while reeling in a fish is known as what?

Pumping is a great technique on fish that are giving you a hard time when reeling in. Pulling will give you some ease on reeling once you let go, making it much easier to get the fish into the boat.


Anglers say "good luck" to one another in which of the following ways?

When fishing, a tight line is usually a good sign with a fish pulling on the other end. Sometimes, it can mean that you're stuck on the bottom of the lake or you've caught onto another object. But hopefully, you've got a fish on the end of that line!


You've just had a "crack off." What does this mean?

A crack off is something that happens when your fishing line snaps during a cast. Often, this will also result in the loss of your lure or bait, as well as quite a bit of line. The only option to keep fishing after this is to use a new lure if you have enough line or put an entirely new line on if you don't.


"Wow, that's a big chuck," is something you might hear if you do which of the following?

A big chuck is a cast that was large and far. It's usually a good thing to cast out far, depending on what you're fishing for, as a boat and motor can scare fish away at times. A long cast means that your lure will be far enough away so that it doesn't frighten the fish.


Knowing the fish that you're catching is important. A caudal fin is located on what part on a fish?

One unique thing about the caudal fin, which is located on the tail is that it is part of the spine. It gives the fish many advantages according to their different shapes and sizes. For example, it helps the fish to propel itself forward in the water.


The angler's word for saltwater fly-fishing is what?

While swoffing is the term used for the practice, someone who takes part in it is known as a swoffer. In swoffing, there is a specific rod used that isn't necessarily the same as a regular rod that you would use.


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