first fishing trip: from zero to the water's edge

before you go: license and rules

Fishing for fun in Brazil is recreational fishing. The general rule is to have the federal recreational angler license, obtained at gov.br: R$20 a year in the shore category (bank, beach, pier) and R$60 in the boat category (valid with or without a boat). Retirees, men over 65 and women over 60 do not pay the fee, but they must still issue the license.

Anyone who fishes only with a handline or a simple cane pole (a rod without a reel), without selling the fish, is exempt from the federal license. Some states have their own license and stricter rules: check yours on the app's rules page.

1. On gov.br, look for the service 'Solicitar Licença de Pescador Amador ou Esportivo'. You need a CPF and a gov.br account.
2. Choose shore if you will fish from the bank. Choose boat if you will get on a boat.
3. Fill in everything and click submit. Paying alone is not enough.
4. Pay by PIX, card or boleto. When you submit, you receive a 30-day provisional license while the permanent one is issued.
5. On the water, carry the license (on your phone or printed) and a photo ID.
6. Check whether the river or reservoir is in closed season. In much of the country, the piracema runs from October or November to January or February, and fishing for native fish is banned or limited.
7. Going to a fishing pond? Ask on site what the house rules are and whether they require a license. The federal rules we checked do not cover pesque-pague.

where to go the first time

The best place to start has fish, a safe bank and people nearby. A fishing pond is the shortest route: a lake with fish, a toilet, shade and someone to help.

a cheap kit that works

You do not need much. The app's 'first fishing trip' kit estimates R$180 to R$350 for the basics. Buy simple and invest later, once you know what kind of fishing you like.

how to rig: simple float

The float rig is the easiest to understand: when the fish bites, the float shakes or sinks. From top to bottom it looks like this: float, split shot and hook.

1. On a spinning reel, open the bail (the metal arm), run the line through all the rod's guides and close the bail.
2. Slide the float onto the line or clip it on with the float stop.
3. Tie the hook to the end of the line with the palomar knot or the uni knot. Wet the knot before tightening and trim the tag end.
4. Place a split shot 20 to 30 cm above the hook. It takes the bait down and keeps the float upright.
5. Set the depth by sliding the float up or down until the bait is near the bottom, without touching it. In shallow water, start with 50 cm to 1 m.
6. Float lying flat: not enough weight. Float that sinks by itself: too much weight.

how to put on the bait

Bait placed well stays on, covers the hook and looks like food. To start, worms and dough catch almost any freshwater fish.

1. Worm: thread the hook 2 or 3 times through its body, going up the shank, and leave a small end loose so it wiggles.
2. For lambari, a small piece of worm on the small hook is enough.
3. Dough: make a ball the size of a chickpea, wrap the whole hook and squeeze firmly. Wet hands help.
4. Green corn: 1 to 3 kernels on the hook, covering the point.
5. Bread: crumb kneaded until it forms a firm dough.
6. After every bite, check the bait. A bare hook catches no fish.

cast, wait and set the hook

A short cast is enough. Lambari and tilapia stay near the bank, in the shade and by the vegetation.

1. Before casting, look behind you and to the sides. A flying hook hurts.
2. With a spinning reel: hold the line with your index finger, open the bail, bring the rod back and release the line when the rod points forward, a little above the horizon.
3. Close the bail and take up the slack until the line is taut.
4. A trembling float means a fish is nibbling: wait. A float that goes fully under or runs sideways: lift the rod tip firmly, without an excessive jerk.
5. Reel in with the rod up, turning the handle without stopping. If the fish pulls hard, let the rod work.
6. A big fish won't come up on the line: use the landing net or bring it to a low bank.

got one! now what?

Decide quickly whether you will release it or keep it. A fish out of the water suffers and spoils.