Redneck Fishing Guide: 47 Weird Fishing Tips & Tricks

Looking for some weird fishing tips and skills? Welcome to the Redneck Fishing Guide.

Some folks have a negative opinion about the term “redneck”. I don’t. All the rednecks I know don’t. We take a certain level of pride when it comes to being a redneck. And for good reason. We hunt. We fish. We eat and drink. And we get the job done. We discover ways of getting the job done better than the next guy trying to catch his dinner. That’s the beauty of it.

Discover one of the dozens of tips, tricks and techniques to catch more fish than you and you’re redneck family and friends can eat.

47 Tips and Skills To Fish Like a Redneck

1. Fishing With Bare Hands

You got two hands. Use them. When it comes to fishing, your two hands are all you need. Are you limited by just using your hands? Yes. But you can still get the job done without messing with any gear or fishing lines.

See how to fish with only your hands here.

2. Sewer Fishing

Fishermen often travel to great lengths to catch a prized fish, but as often the case we tend to ignore what’s right in our backyards.

Consider the storm sewer to be exact. That’s right, your local storm drain could be the source of your next honey hole.

Teenager Kyle Naegeli, who posts videos to Youtube as The Fish Whisperer demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that sewer fishing is very much a real thing, claiming to have caught hundreds of fish this way.

Naegeli and his friends have been showing off their sewer fishing exploits in and around Katy, Texas. They catch catfish, bass, bluegill and more, the largest being about 3 pounds. Read more at liveoutdoors.

3. Power Drill Fishing

This is what happens when anglers get creative. In this video, “Kyle The Fish Whisperer” attaches a spool of Stren fishing line to his power drill and takes a shot at catching some fish. Little did he know that bluegill automatically starts peeing when caught by a power drill. See the full post here.

4. Cheese and Loose Feathers

5. It’s Electrifying

 I use electricity often because it allows me to see an otherwise invisible fish population. I probably electrofish 40-60 lakes per year to study the fishery and check the status of the wet creatures beneath the water’s surface. It simply doesn’t cross my mind that you, dear readers, might not have ever seen or even heard of electrofishing. Therefore, let me paint the picture for you. See the rest of the post here.

6. Dirty Dancing

If it’s too cold to stand around – dance! Not only will it you warm up, but you’re also likely to make a speedy catch too. Here, anglers leap about on the edge of the ice bordering a river. The fish respond to the thumping of the anglers’ boots which agitates the water beneath, literally leaping into the net! Ice cool or what? See the rest of the post here.

7. Make An Advanced Fish Trapping System

There are basic traps for fishing and then there are these kinds of traps.

8. Make The Best Fishing Trap

This fishing trap is nothing short of amazing. But it’s also surprisingly simple to make. Click here to see the video of how to make it and what it does.

9. Using Birds To Catch Fish

Chinese fishermen on Yangtze river use cormorants for fishing while going out on the water on their bamboo rafts. The birds have a ring at the level of their esophagus so that they cannot swallow the captured fish. The fish is given to the fisherman. Just one fisherman can have tens of cormorants, posed on poles going out of his raft. Read the rest about it here.

10. Dapping

Have you ever seen a trout angler dapping? This once popular fishing tactic seldom is used these days. It’s done using a live mayfly on a long pole with light line. The idea is to flutter the mayfly across the surface without the line touching the water. It’s said to be deadly on rising trout. You can learn more here.

11. Reef Fishing

This is a fishing technique used by the tribe called, “Borneo Fishing Tribe”. Click here to watch the video of their incredible Reef Fishing Method.

12. When In Doubt, Fish With An Otter

If other fishing methods fail you, maybe you should consider getting your own trained otter. Otters have been used by man for fishing since at least the seventh century. Chinese writers during the time of the Tang dynasty (A.D. 608-916) refer to the use of otters for fishing. In the fifteenth century, they were used to drive fish into nets in Europe. King James I of England, who reigned from 1603-25, kept otters for fishing. The practice existed well into the 1900s in parts of China, India and Malaysia. You can read the full technique here.

13. Bucket Fishing

An unusual method of catfishing is used on Louisiana’s Lake Bruin. When catfish begin spawning, local anglers start “bucket fishing.” The participants sink weighted buckets with a semicircular hole cut in the lid. Catfish enter the containers to spawn and are captured by lifting the containers from the water using an attached line. The technique is highly effective. See the full technique here.

14. The Dancing Fisherman

Lots of catfishermen still enjoy jugfishing, where the participants follow floating jugs to which baited hooks and line have been attached. It’s been more than a century, however, since anglers employed a special type of floating fish-catcher called the “Dancing Fisherman.” For this means of fishing, a jumping-jack (a small, jointed man whose limbs are moved by jerking a string attached to them) was fastened to a stick secured in an upright position on a float made from a board. Through a hole in the float passed a string attached to the jumping-jack, and tied securely to this were the hook and line. When a fish took the bait and pulled on the string, the little figure would throw up its arms and legs as though dancing for joy at having performed its task so well. See the rest of the post here.

15. Eels & Bobbing

American eels are popular food fishes in our northeastern states and often are caught for holiday meals or to make into sushi. Anglers sometimes catch them using an unusual method called “bobbing.” Using a needle, numerous night crawlers are threaded on a six-foot piece of heavy sewing thread. The worms are then wrapped into a ball, and the ball is tied with stout line. The line is tied to a pole, and fishing commences. When an eel grabs the bob, the thread entangles in its teeth. Eel on! See the rest of the post here.

16. Yearning & Churning For Catfish

A method of catfishing popular in the 19th century seems quite strange today. Known as churning, it was done like this. “A flour barrel was taken, both ends knocked out, and the hoops secured; then a half-dozen boys and men, thus provided, would range themselves across a canal, and moving in concert, would each bring his barrel at intervals down to the bottom. The moment a fish was covered, its presence was betrayed by its beating against the staves in its efforts to escape.” When the men heard the fish flopping, they reached in the barrel, caught the cat and threw it to companions waiting on the bank. See the rest of the post here.

17. Leap of Faith

Another strange fishing method is used by Chinese fisherman. On one side of each small fishing boat is a white-painted board. The board slopes from the gunwale to the water’s surface at a 45 degree angle. For some reason, upon seeing this board gleaming in the moonlight, fish cannot resist the temptation to leap over it, and right into the boat. See the rest of the post here.

18. Catfish and Phones

In the early ‘50s, an Alabama conservation worker spotted two elderly fishermen using a bizarre device to electrocute catfish out on the Tennessee River. It was homemade, constructed mostly out of parts from an old hand-cranked telephone. As one man turned the crank, catfish began popping up around their boat. Within a few minutes, the worker noticed, they had fifty pounds of catfish. This method has since become known as “telephoning” or “monkey fishing” and it only seems to work on catfish. Word soon spread and, according to aa sports illustrated story from 1954 within a few years telephoners had nearly wiped out catfish populations in certain areas while sending the market price of the scaly critters to a record low. (The practice wasn’t new—it dates back to at least the early ’30’s) These fishing techniques are now illegal in many states…unless you’re a licensed fish biologist. Go here for the full article.

19. Remote Control Fishing

This technique involves remote-controlled boats. Here’s how it works: a fisherman connects a line to the boat and sends it out on the water. This allows the line to cover a much larger area, thus increasing the chances of a catch. Strangely enough, most states still allow this method provided the line disconnects when a fish is hooked, forcing the fisherman to reel it in with a conventional pole, so they kind of have to be onboard, thus negating the remote control aspect. See the full instructions here.

20. End It With a Bang!

Good Ol’ Fashioned Explosives. This is definitely the one of the most illegal fishing techniques on this list and, without a doubt, not one you would ever want to attempt while ice fishing. It’s also the simplest. Just toss a stick of dynamite or a homemade bomb into the water, wait for it to kill every bit of aquatic life within the blast zone, and scoop up all the fish. Also known as “blast fishing,” this one has caused irreparable damage to coral reefs around the world and it’s still popular in parts of Indenesia and the Phillipeanes. This has led to an outcry from marine conservationists as well as billionaire do-gooders Virgin founder Richard Branson. See the full instructions here.

21. Scream and Shout

Splashing in the water scares fish away, right? Not always. Anglers in Venezuela often splash the water with a fishing rod to attract the toothy payara, also known as the Dracula fish. This popular South American gamefish is drawn by sounds of splashing, perhaps because the noise mimics schools of feeding piranhas, the payara’s favorite food. See the full instructions here.

22. Wrap Your Rods

By wrapping rope or paracord around your fishing rods, you’ll be able to keep them organized and together, and will make it easier to separate them from the rest of your fishing supplies.

Need some extra strong rope or some 550 paracord? We’ve got lots of each – click the images of the rope (left) or paracord (right) below to stock up. Click here the full instructions.

23. Stay Salty

Bring a small plate and the salt shaker next time you head out on the water. When it’s time to bait your hook, pour your salmon eggs onto the plate and sprinkle table salt on top (you don’t need much).
Then immediately bait your hook and cast – the salt will help the eggs stay put on the hook, even in a rough current. See the full instructions here.

24. Dig-Proof Crawlers

Remove the ends of a coffee can and cover each side with a plastic lid. Then open up the top and fill it with fresh soil and earthworms. When it’s time to bait the hook, simply remove one of the two capped ends to grab them; this way, you’ll never have to dig to the bottom of the can for the last worm. See the full instructions here.

25. Become a Master of Fishing Knots

This tip isn’t exactly weird or strange. But it’s so essential to becoming an angler that actually knows what he’s doing. Learning and practicing the essential fishing knots is key. Any redneck can tie one hell of a knot.

26. Add a nail in the head of your plastic worm bait to create more movement to lure in those basses

See the full instructions here.

27. Organize Your Fish Hooks with Safety Pins

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten pricked by fishing hooks before I learned about this handy invention.

Simply open up a safety pin and slide the tip of it through the tops of your fishing hooks, one by one. When you’re done, close up the safety pin and you’ll have an easy, convenient storage space for your hooks when you need them. See the full instructions here.

28. Earplugs For Bobbers

That’s right – your everyday foam earplugs can make excellent bobbers when fishing. Simply push the hook through the plug and slide the foam up the line. See the full instructions here.

29. Vacuum Sealing and First Aid

Click here for the full instructions.

30. Reuse Pouches To Store Your Stink Bait

Kids love those Capri-Sun juice pouches, but they can fill up the trash can fast. Reuse them by cutting across the top (just under where the straw goes) and rinsing them out with water. Dry the pouch, and then fill it with your smelliest bait.

Close up the pouch using a hair straightener or other hot clamp, and then cut open a small opening once you’re on the water.

I like these juice pouches way better than Ziploc bags, as they seem to be more waterproof and durable than our typical sandwich bag. See the full instructions here.

31. Notch a Paddle To Grab Your Decoys

You can go here for the full instructions.

32. Wine & Slide

You’re able to use wine corks as slide bobbers on your fishing line. Seriously, don’t throw those away. You can also use them as ear plug too. See the full instructions here.

33. Baby Wipes Dispenser Transformed Into Ice Chest

If you’ve got little kids, you know how many baby wipe boxes you throw away every month. Luckily, you’ve just found a way to recycle these and help save the planet.

First, fill up a Ziploc bag a little over half way with cold water and freeze the bag. While you wait for the bag to freeze, remove the dispenser flap from the top of the box. Once the bag is frozen, place it in the box, and your bait on top. Put the lid on and you’re good to go. This will not only keep your bait cold but will also help protect it from birds and bugs. See the full instructions here.

34. Dental Backlash

You might have raised your eyebrows at this one, but dental picks can actually work great for picking out the line from the backlash caused by a baitcaster. Plus, it’ll work without cutting the line – essential for a positive fishing experience. See the full instructions here.

35. Paracord Trotline

You can make your own trotline out of paracord! This is incredibly handy in both redneck fishing and in a survival situation. Plus, the trotline will allow you to go off and do other things rather than constantly babysitting your fishing pole. Go here the full instructions.

36. Letters & Lines

Bring along a compact letter opener (the kind that conceals the blade) on your next fishing trip. This will safely and easily cut through braided line without fraying it. See the full instructions here.

37. Transform a Tic Tac Box as a Small Bait Dispenser

I love tic tacs, but I could never think of a good use for the box once I was done…until now. If you use wax bait while fishing, you can store these easily in a tic tac container. The box is small enough to fit in your pocket, and will hold a surprising amount of bait. See the full instructions here.

38. Turn a Tin Can Tab Into a Fishing Hook

Coke cans can be of significant use to you while fishing – especially the can tabs. All you’ll need are some soda can tabs, some brightly colored paracord, a multi-tool, a pair of scissors, a pair of diagonal cut pliers, and a pocket blade. See the full instructions here.

39. Keep a Hook and Leader Safely Stored In a Matchbook

First, take out your full matchbook; then place the point of the hook behind the matches. Wrap the leader line around the matchbook until you’ve wrapped almost all of it. When you have just a little line left, store it behind one of the matches to secure it in place. See the full instructions here.

40. Create Your Own Fishing Spear

See the full instructions here.

41. Perfect Pocket-Sized Tackle Box

Using a few everyday items you can make your own mini tackle box! See the full instructions here.

42. Attach a Wine Cork To Your Sunglasses To Keep Them From Sinking Into The Abyss

One of the most annoying experiences while fishing is to lose your expensive sunglasses in the water. However, with the help of a wine cork, you can ensure this doesn’t happen again.

First, paint the cork a bright color, such as yellow or orange. Then, drill one hole through the cork near the top, and another near the bottom of the cork. Then simply take a piece of shoelace or paracord and slip the cord through both sets of holes, and attaching one end to each side of your sunglasses.

This little project will not only make your sunglasses float in the water, but the brightly colored cork will make them easy to “fish out” of the lake when you need them. See the full instructions here. See the full instructions here.

43. Spit On Your Bait

How’s this for a redneck fishing technique. Does it work? Absolutely… not positively backed by science. But it’s worth a shot.

44. Sink-Proof Fillet Knife

Filet knives are great for speeding up the cooking process, but you can’t do much if your knife is sinking to the bottom of the lake. Keep it afloat even if it gets knocked off the boat with the help of a wine cork.

Using the same process as listed in #3, slip the paracord through the cork and tie it to your knife. That way, if your knife does take a plunge, it won’t be lost to a watery grave. See the full instructions here.

45. Pool Noodle Canoe Shield

Canoes are great for rowing out onto the lake; however, the damage that can be done to them by loading it onto your car roof can make it seem like it’s not worth the hassle.

Luckily, pool noodles are here to help. Cut a notch down the entire length of the noodle, about an inch wide and a few inches deep. Do this for multiple pool noodles.

Now slip these over the gunwales of your boat; these will help protect the canoe (and your car) from damage as you load the canoe onto the roof your vehicle. See the full instructions here.

46. Keep Your Spool Tidy With a Koozie

Large spools of fishing line can become a hassle when they’re coming undone and rolling around your boat. Plus, they can be a major pain to string back together – especially when you’ve got a fish on the pole.

Bypass the hassle by storing your large spool in a drink koozie. Let a small piece of the thread hang out so it’s easy to find/use, and simply pull and cut as needed. See the full instructions here.

47. Eggs & Bobbers

Once you’ve used that last egg from the grocery store, make sure to save the carton it came in. These can be great storage spaces for loose bobbers! See the full instructions here.

Conclusion

Some of these tips have been proven to work. Some not so much. But are still worth trying at least once. Anything for that 20lb bass.

Happy fishing.

Now that you know how to fish like a redneck, learn how to hunt like a redneck.

We hope this article helped you learn how to fish like a redneck with these weird fishing tips and skills.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Survival and preparedness video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.