Survival fishing calls for primitive means and unconventional fishing techniques. Find out more about this below!
Survival Fishing: A Means to an End
1. Fishing Nets
Using nets, either passively or actively, is one of the most common ways that people fish worldwide.
A small net can easily fit in a pack better than a rod and reel. Nets roll up to be compact, so they're perfect to fit in a bug out bag.
Fishing nets often require no bait, making them ideal for survival, too. These nets also allow you to catch more fish at once.
The biggest issue is you often have to get wet first to set up or use the net, which isn't really ideal in colder places.
2. Different Types of Fishing Nets
I like using a gill net, which is designed to be rigged up vertically allowing fish to tangle in the net.
It has floats at the top and weights at the bottom and normally works best in moving water.
You can set up a gill net, go work on other projects, and then come back several hours later to collect your fish. This is a huge advantage in a survival scenario.
Throw nets take some practice, but are a more active way of fishing. You must be able to fling the net off of your shoulder and cast it into deeper water. You then let it sink to the bottom and pull in your haul.
Seine nets are designed to be dragged through the water by two people. It requires wading, but one person must get on each side and just pull it through the water until fish get caught in the net.
3. Trot Lines
There are two passive ways to use cordage and hooks to catch fish that can be done without a rod and reel. A trotline is a long primary line with several shorter lines tied to it.
Typically, the main line has loops tied into it. The shorter lines are two to three feet long with baited hooks at the end.
One end of the main line is tied to the shore, while the other is weighted and cast out as far as possible.
This gives you baited hooks in several locations and at several depths. It also allows you to catch more than just one fish at once.
4. Branch Poles
Branch poles are another way to use a line to fish. You can either find low-hanging branches along the shore or cut-off branches that are straight and at least five feet long.
If you cut the branches, drive them into the mud on the shore as hard as you can and position it completely vertical.
Then, tie a line with a baited hook to the end of the pole or the end of the low-hanging branch. Cast it out as far as you can so there is little slack.
When the fish strikes, you will see the branch move and you can go collect your fish.
5. Hand-lining
This is actually the version of primitive fishing that is the closest to using a rod and reel. Find an object on which to spool your line with such as a bottle or a chunk of wood.
Tie the end of your line to the base, and then wrap it around the object until you have about six feet of line left. Attach a baited hook, and make sure it has some weight to it.
Hold the spool in your left hand and the line in your right. Spin the line underhanded until you have some momentum, release the line, and then hold out your left arm to let the rest of the line unravel.
You can then re-spool the line as you draw it in so that it will not get tangled.
6. Survival Fishing Bait
Catching your own bait is one of the essential survival skills you also need to consider. After all, your survival fishing kit with your whole set of hook, line, and sinker will be pointless without an effective bait.
You won't go wrong with insects, grubs, and worms which is naturally abundant in the wilderness.
But, you won't find them if you don't know where to look. A rotting log, under a rock, and a scoop of dirt are the perfect spots to look for fishing bait.
Check out this video from Bob Hansler for more unconventional survival fishing traps and tricks:
One of the best sources of protein and other nutrients in a survival scenario is fish. Fishing is safer and expends fewer calories than hunting or trapping.
It also gives you better nutrients than collecting wild edibles. Fishing may seem straightforward enough but if you don't know survival fishing methods other than the fishing rod, surviving on fish can be tricky. Know your way with primitive fishing now!
Do you have other unconventional ways of catching fish? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 28, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Where I live we use milk jugs or another type of cleaned jug that has a handle on it. Tie a length of fishing line, with whatever size weight you think you’ll need, to the handle. Add your hook and bait and toss the jug into the water. We go back to shore and camp out over night or at least several hours then go back out to check all the jugs.
We call it jug fishing