Handline: The Angler's Guide

For those less familiar, handline may look or sound like a technique that evokes a return to the times of more straightforward fishing. Although it is partly true, the fact that it is popular today shows how universal and effective it is.

This technique is reduced to the basics, involving a fishing line, a hook, and your hands. But despite its simplicity, it requires skill, patience, and an intimate understanding of water and fish.

The tactile nature, where every movement of the fish can be felt directly in the hands, brings a wonderful connection with the aquatic environment.

In this guide, we'll discuss the basics of fishing, from choosing the right line (typically a strong, durable line that can withstand the weight of the fish you're targeting) and hook (which should be sharp and of the right size for the bait and fish species) to mastering the techniques, timing, and locations that can turn a beginner into a seasoned angler. So, get ready to experience the thrill born of simplicity!

Understanding Handline

The handline's incredible beauty lies in its straightforward approach and the unique connection it fosters between the angler and the environment. This direct connection, where every movement of the fish can be felt directly in the hands, brings a wonderful intimacy with the aquatic environment. It's also an excellent way for beginners to learn the basics of fishing and fall in love with the water and fishing in general, while experienced anglers can enjoy the constant challenge and honing of their skills.

Handling, the core of handline fishing, involves holding the line directly in the hands rather than using a fishing rod. This means one or more lures or bait hooks are attached to the line. Sometimes, a weight and float are added to secure the bait. A significant advantage of handling is that it lets you escape complicated situations quickly.

Handline fishing is not just about the catch; it's about the experience – the serenity on the water, the thrill of pulling the line, and the exhilaration of a successful catch using techniques that have stood the test of time. The satisfaction of a successful catch is a feeling that every angler can relate to and look forward to.

Why Use Handline

Handline fishing is not only affordable, often requiring less than 50 dollars to be thoroughly equipped, but it's also compact and light, making it ideal for spontaneous fishing trips or hiking to remote places. Its direct connection increases sensitivity, allowing anglers to feel the slightest bite and react quickly and effectively. This practical and efficient technique is a valuable resource for any angler. 

Also, the handlining is suitable for various environments, from shore and docks to boats in fresh and saltwater. It supports a variety of techniques, including jigging, trolling, and bottom fishing, and is travel-friendly, allowing fishing on the move, such as trolling from a boat, without the need to slow down or manage long lines.

Handling is ideal for those who like a focused and forward-thinking approach. A quick and straightforward setup allows anglers to maximize their fishing time.

When to Use Handline

Handlines are particularly advantageous in tight spaces, such as small boats, docks, or crowded shores, where compactness is valuable and welcomed. Especially when you are on the move, between fishing spots or sailing, it allows efficient fishing without stopping and setting up complex equipment.

What is significant for most more experienced anglers is that it is very efficient in catching larger fish since heavier lines (200-300 lb test) can be used for handles, suitable for large catches that can break the lighter lines used with sticks.

However, it's important to note that handline fishing, like any other form of fishing, should be done concerning the environment and the safety of the angler and the fish. Always be mindful of your surroundings, wear appropriate safety gear, and carefully handle the fish.

Also, the handline will withstand rough conditions and choppy waters, as the lower line angle and direct control make it easier to manage lures, improving bait presentation and reducing snagging. Handling is a versatile, cost-effective, and efficient method of fishing that enhances the experience through direct connection and control, making it a unique and valuable option for both beginners and experienced anglers.

Why Fish Gather on a Handline

If any fishing technique combines a direct approach with a very realistic approach but with sensitivity and delicacy for fish, it is a handline. Fish are collected on the line primarily because of its power and natural bait presentation. Handling allows direct control and subtle and realistic movements, effectively imitating prey and attracting fish. 

That's why it is often used near structures such as rocks, reefs, docks, and jetties where fish naturally congregate for shelter and feeding.

The technique is adaptable to different conditions, such as rough or turbulent waters. The slight angle and flexibility of the line make it easier to control the bait and keep it longer in the strike zone. Anglers can adjust the depth quickly to avoid losing the target fish, increasing efficiency. 

Handling creates minimal disturbance in the water, making the fish less wary and more likely to approach the bait. Quiet, subtle line handling makes for a more stealthy approach, which is crucial in clear or calm waters. 

Natural presentation, strategic positioning, adaptability, efficient use of bait, and minimal interference make crank fishing a practical and attractive method of attracting and catching fish.

Fish Species Commonly Caught by Handline

Handline Is a versatile method that can be used to catch various fish. The fish species vary depending on the location, the type of water, and the bait used. Here are the common freshwater and marine species caught with this technique: 

• Bass: It swims in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It can be caught on live bait, such as worms or crankbaits, or artificial bait, such as plastic worms and lures.

• Trout: A famous freshwater species abundant in cold water streams, rivers, and lakes. Catch it on a handline with insects, worms, and small baits like spinners and spoons.

• Catfish: One of the more dominant rivers, lakes, and ponds species. With a quality presentation, live or cut bait such as shad, worms, and chicken liver will not resist.

• Panfish: This species likes the slower waters of lakes, ponds, and sluggish rivers, where baits such as small worms, insects, and tiny lures are used.

• Snapper: Most fish are found around reefs, wrecks, and coastal structures and are caught on live bait such as shrimp, small fish, and cut bait.

• Grouper: They also like reefs and rocky bottoms, and they bite best on fish, squid, and cut bait.

• Mackerel: This fish also swims inshore and around reefs and wrecks. Small live fish, squid strips, and shiny baits are the best to lure her.

• Tuna: Even the mean open ocean Tuna can be caught by handling with live bait such as sardines and artificial lures. 

• Snook: This fish likes coastal waters, estuaries, and mangroves. It will not resist live bait such as sardines and shrimp or artificial bait such as lures and plugs.

Like every other method, you can experiment and try to catch any fish after you master the technique and learn its essence. If you have a gut feeling, you will successfully land the fish in your basket.

Essential Gear for Handline

Handline fishing is intensive but requires minimal equipment compared to other methods. The essential equipment consists mainly of reels, fishing rods, hooks, weights, and baits or lures. The rest of the guide provides more information about the essential equipment.

Rods 

Regarding handline, the traditional approach eschews rods and reels in favor of a more straightforward, direct connection between angler and fish. However, modern adaptations have also led to specialized rods and reels for this technique. Note the following: 

• Straight Handline Rods: These rods have consecutive handles and are thick and robust, like poles. Designed specifically for hand fishing, they are made from solid materials such as fiberglass or composite to withstand the constant and frequent stress of reeling heavy fish by hand. 

• Short Handline Rods: These rods are about 3 to 5 feet long and provide better leverage, thus giving support when reeling in fish. They are compact and easy to maneuver, especially in tight spaces like docks or small boats. They are not flexible and offer clear, direct feedback from the line to the angler. They are ideal for fishing from the shore or pier.

• Telescopic Rods: Thanks to their folding design, they can be easily extended and retracted, are portable, and are very practical. They can be extended to different lengths depending on fishing needs and the environment and are an excellent choice for anglers who travel or hike frequently.

• Multipurpose Hand Rods: These versatile rods can be used for various techniques. Their convertible design allows switching between the handle and traditional rod and reel mode, making them the best choice for anglers looking for a flexible rod that can be used with different fishing methods.

Since you will be holding them in your hand most of the time, ensure the material is good, ergonomic, and does not add extra pressure. 

Reels

Handline reels store and manage lines, allowing anglers to control depth, retrieve bait or lures, and rig and land fish efficiently. As you assume correctly, they must be well aligned with the rest of the gear and strong enough to withstand the environment, water, and weather conditions.

• Basic Handline Reels: These are classic, single-sided, and very compact. They have a spool that the line wraps around, making releasing and retrieving the line easier. They are made of plastic or metal, which ensures longevity and resistance to the elements. With good maintenance, they will serve you for years.

• Inline Handline Reels: These reels are made with a smooth reel and effective line control so that the line is wound directly in line with the spool. This reduces twisting and tangling, ensuring a smoother fishing experience. Reels with an inline handle are best suited for anglers looking for a minimalist design with minimal hassle. 

• Drum Handline Reels: This type has a larger cylindrical spool and greater line capacity, resulting in better control and smoother line drag. Made of stainless steel or high-strength plastic, it will withstand heavy fish and deeper waters.

• Hand Reels With Levers: They have a lever system that allows precise resistance adjustment, allowing better tension control. They are primarily intended for use in high-stress fishing scenarios.

Reels can have different line capacities to adapt to various situations. Thus, some holding rollers have a built-in rope attachment point or guide for attaching the rope during use. You can choose what suits you best, and if you are a master in handlining, you can improvise. 

Lines

Handline is all about well-aligned gear and your ability to handle that gear in a way that will bring you successful catches. Here's what you need to know about handling technique lines:

• Monofilament Handline Lines: These lightweight nylon lines consist of only one strand and are known for their stretchability, which can help absorb shock caused by restless fish. They are also relatively inexpensive and can be found in various strengths, making them a popular choice for beginners and handline enthusiasts. 

• Braided Lines: They are made of interwoven synthetic fibers, resulting in a strong, thin line with minimal stretch. They are sensitive, durable, and wear-resistant. They are excellent for handlines in the deep sea.

• Fluorocarbon Hand Lines: This type of line is made of plastic that is almost invisible underwater. At the same time, it is much heavier than water, which allows it to sink quickly and reach greater depths. It is also resistant to UV light and abrasion.

• Wire Lines: They are made of a tangle of solid metal wires and are primarily used to target toothy species such as Pike or Muskie. They are resistant to bites and cuts but less flexible than others, requiring careful handling.

Remember, the handline should weigh between 10 and 50 pounds, depending on the target species and fishing conditions.

Hooks

Hooks serve to attach the bait and hook the fish when it takes the bait. You choose the size of the hook depending on the target species and the size of the bait used. In the handling technique, the following types are most often used:

• J-Hooks: Traditional hooks are probably the most well-known and popular.  They are J-shaped and effective for a wide range of baits.

• Circle Hooks: Designed to hook fish in the corner of the mouth, reducing the risk of deep inhalation and improving catch-and-release survival rates.

• Treble Hooks: These are commonly used to attach artificial lures and increase hooking efficiency.

• Barbless hooks: Many anglers prefer these hooks because they are barbless and for their easy hook removal and reduced damage to the fish.

Keep in mind smaller hooks are suitable for smaller baitfish or panfish, while larger hooks are needed for larger species.

Rigs

Rigs use hook, line, and weight configurations to effectively present bait and attract fish. Here are some of the most commonly used handling techniques.

• Single Rigs: This consists of a single hook attached to the main fishing line, suitable for presenting a single bait or bait.

• Multi-Hook Rig: This type has multiple hooks spread along the main line, thus allowing anglers to present multiple lures at once to increase their chances of catching fish.

• Bottom Rigs: Designed for fishing on the bottom or near-bottom structures, the rig usually includes a pan or weight to anchor the lure.

• Float Rigs: For handlines, a floating float or bobber is generally used to suspend baits at a predetermined depth and is an excellent choice for fishing in the middle of the water or near the surface.

When choosing, ensure that the material is resistant to wear. Also, remember to combine them with swivels that can prevent the rope from twisting and tangling, especially in equipment with multiple hooks or components.

Essential Baits and Lures for a Handline

With most fishing techniques, choosing the right bait makes a big difference. Which species and bait you choose depends on the type of fish, its saltwater or freshwater habitat, and weather conditions. Read below for more details to help you quickly select a handline bait.

Saltwater 

Handline in the seas and oceans differs from the same technique practiced in the freshwater area; the fish are more significant, generally more dangerous, and the sea water is not so easily predictable and can be tricky, especially if you are far from the shore. If you have chosen the sea or the ocean as your handline, stick to some of the following baits.

Live Bait

The use of live bait is very acceptable to nature. Besides, this approach most easily awakens the fish's predatory instincts with its smell and movements.

• Shrimp: There are favorite menu dishes for various types, such as Red Snapper, Snook, and Trout. Hook them through a fishtail or armor to stay alive and look natural.

• Live Fish (e.g., Pinfish, Mullet): This type is used for handlining Tarpon, Grouper, and Kingfish by threading it through the lips or back for a natural presentation.

• Crabs: With a good presentation, Redfish, Tarpon, and Permit will not resist them. Use them by hooking them through the leg or the back.

Take good care of your live bait. The more active and frenetic they are in the water, the better the chances the fish will bait.

Artificial Baits

Artificial baits are practical and very popular; they are used for almost all fishing techniques, and handline is no exception. Here are the most common handlines: 

• Bucktail Jigs: They primarily target Flounder, Redfish, and Striped Bass. Use them to bounce rhythmically on the bottom to imitate prey as naturally as possible.

• Casting Spoons: They are an excellent choice for handline Mackerel, Bluefish, and Tuna. Retrieve at different speeds to simulate a running baitfish.

• Soft Plastic Floats:  They are a good choice for coastal species such as Redfish, Snook, and Trout. Park a slow retrieve to mimic the swimming action of the baitfish.

Keep used or broken pieces of artificial bait behind to keep nature and water healthy and ready for future fish and angler generations.

Freshwater

Handling freshwater has specifics, but choosing between live and artificial bait is possible. What you will choose or combine depends on your preferences.

Live Bait

Choosing live bait on the spot while handling freshwater areas is much simpler than in marine regions because there are more worms around. Of course, you can always buy in specialized stores.

• Minnows: This type is primarily used for hunting Bass, Trout, Crappie, and Pike. It is used by slipping it through the lips or back for a natural swimming action.

• Nightcrawlers and Redworms: Common baiting choices are Bluegill, Perch, Catfish, and Trout. Slip on the hook to completely cover it, improving the presentation of the lures.

• Crickets and Grasshoppers: They are primarily used for hunting Panfish, Trout, and Bass. Hook the bait through the chest or back to keep them alive and moving.

The good thing with live bait is that you can always improvise and see on the spot whether fish will ignore it or find it delightful. 

Artificial baits

Artificial lures offer many practicalities and functionalities and provide many options for improvisation and maneuvering. Here are the typical handlining artificial baits.

• Soft Plastic Lures and Worms: Used for fishing Bass, Crappie, and Perch. Use a rig on a jig head or Texas rig for versatile presentations.

• Lures: With this species, you fish for Bass, Walleye, and Pike, so change the retrieve speed to mimic injured prey.

• Topwater Poppers: Also target Bass and pike in a way that creates a surface crowd to attract aggressive strikes.

Thanks to its popularity, there are so many artificial baits that you can be very specific when choosing them.

Where to Do Handline

Hand fishing is simple but not dull or a technique reserved only for a boat or shore. Its simplicity opens up a multitude of possibilities for research. Let's see where you can explore the handline.

From the Shore

Shore handlining is easily accessible and cost-effective, requiring minimal equipment and no boat rental or maintenance costs. Having a river, lake, or sea is enough, and your fishing adventure can begin quickly. Depending on where you are, you can also target different fish species.

For rocky shores, target species like Bass, Perch, and Trout near rocks and submerged structures. If you are on sandy sea beaches, use live bait or bait to attract species such as Flounder or Whiting. Along river banks, fish for Catfish, Carp, and Panfish often gather near mined banks and sunken logs.

From the Boat

The advantage of owning and handling a boat is mobility and access to deeper and more remote fishing spots. Tp means you can troll, bottom, and drift fish, significantly increasing your chances of catching more significant and elusive fish.

For trolling, lure or bait handles cover more water and attract species such as Tuna, Mackerel, and Salmon. For moorings, drop anchors near reefs, wrecks, or drop-offs to target species such as Grouper, Snapper, and Cod. When drifting, let the boat drift with the current to cover different depths and habitats.

From the Piers and Jetties 

Dock and pier treatment provides a stable fishing platform, making managing lines and gear easier. The underwater piers of these structures often attract and hold fish due to the available structure and food and offer community amenities such as benches, cleaning stations, and social interaction with other anglers.

In these habitats, fish are often more active in the morning and evening, so this time is suitable for pier fishing. Species such as Sheepshead, Drum, and Flounder fish are mainly caught from here during high tide when the fish are usually closer to the jetty.

Specific Handline Strategies

Specific handling strategies, such as trolling, bottom fishing, drift fishing, casting, and vertical jigging, add to the adventure and can significantly improve success. Let's get to know them better.

Trolling 

Line trolling involves dragging a baited line through the water while the boat moves constantly. To get the best out of this strategy, it's essential to continually pay attention and adjust to suit the type of lure or lure, using slower speeds for live bait and faster speeds for artificial lures. 

Use weights or planers to cover the bait better, fix it, and control depth. Place multiple handrails behind the boat at different depths and distances to cover a wider area. Trolling is a traditional technique primarily used offshore to target pelagic species such as Tuna, Mackerel, and Salmon.

Bottom Fishing

Handline bottom fishing targets fish living near or at the bottom of lakes, rivers, or the ocean floor. To optimize this technique, you must use heavy weights to keep the bait close to the bottom, especially in strong currents.

Experience has shown that natural bait, such as live or cut bait, works best as it will most easily fool bottom-dwelling species. Yours is to drop your line near objects such as reefs, wrecks, or rocky bottoms where fish are likely to hide. Bottom fishing is excellent for hunting Snapper, Grouper, Catfish and Flounder.

Drift Fishing

Drift fishing lets the boat drift with the current and wind while placing baits at different depths. It is an evergreen technique that you can improve by using a drift sock or sea anchor to control the speed and direction of the drift. This excellent method allows you to experiment with different bait depths to locate where the fish are feeding and modify your rig with floats or weights. It is primarily used for handlines on species such as Walleye, Sea Bass, and Snapper.

Casting

Casting is also a simple technique. It involves manually casting a baited line into the water and retrieving it to simulate the natural movement of the bait and attract the desired species. You can practice casting from the shore, boat, jetties, or any place that seems practical.

Practice casting accuracy to place your bait close to the structure and frequently vary your speed and movement to mimic your prey's natural behavior. Also, consider using lighter weights and smaller hooks to improve casting distance and lure presentation. This method mainly targets species such as Bass, Trout, and Perch.

Vertical Jigging

Vertical jigging with a handle involves dropping a lure or lure straight down and then moving it up and down to attract fish. Use quick, jerking movements to make your bait look like a running bait. Continuously adjust your bait depth to locate schools of fish. Ensure your hooks are sharp and checked frequently for optimal penetration.

This approach to handling is mainly used for targeting species such as Cod, Mackerel, and Striped Bass. Combining trolling, bottom fishing, drift fishing, casting, and vertical jigging can significantly improve your fishing success. Of course, provided you are skilled in all three fishing approaches.

Final Thoughts

From the simplicity of its gear to its versatility and incredible techniques, handling embodies the essence of fishing. It allows anyone interested in any kind or type of fishing for any reason to start with a handline, and it's just one layer of its overall appeal. 

We have a gut feeling that you're interested in learning a little about handlines and their possibilities. Hence, share your fishing experiences, tips, and questions in the comments below as you plan your fishing adventure. Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, we'd love to hear from you. Tight lines and happy fishing!