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Fishing is FUN!
Fishing is fun— just ask any of the 50 million children and adults in America who now enjoy the sport! Better yet, try it yourself— you can quickly learn to fish at any age.
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Fishing Is Fun for Everyone
It's Easy to Learn How
Getting Started
Fishing is fun— just ask any of the 50 million children and adults in America who now enjoy the sport! Better yet, try it yourself— you can quickly learn to fish at any age. Fishing is not just about fish— during a fishing trip, families and friends relax together as they enjoy being outdoors and learning new skills.
Here's what you'll need to fish in freshwater:
An inexpensive fishing rod and reel
4- to 8- pound- test monofilament fishing line
A package of fishing weights
Fish hooks (Number 6– 10 size)
A plastic or wood bobber
A selection of live bait or fishing lures
A casting plug
A state fishing license (depending on your age)
You'll find everything you need at a fishing tackle or sporting goods store. Many discount or hardware stores also sell fishing tackle. If you want to fish in saltwater, ask for help in selecting the right equipment.
While you're in the store, ask about a fishing license. Depending on your age and your state, you may need one to fish legally. Also pick up a copy of your state's fishing laws (or regulations), which will tell you the types of fish, the minimum size limit, and the number of fish you can catch in one day.
Then, choose a fishing rod that you can hold comfortably in one hand. There are many inexpensive combination packages available that include a rod, reel, and fishing line. Tie a hook to the end of the line with a fishing knot. Instructions for the Palomar or the Improved Clinch knot are in the full article at www.sportsjack.com - Look for the "Learn to Fish!" link.
What Tackle Can I Use?
With spincasting or spinning tackle, you can put the bait or lure where the fish are. You can cast greater distances with more accuracy, work lures effectively, fish in deeper water, and handle larger fish more easily with this tackle.
Spincasting outfits use a rod with a pistol- like grip and a reel that's mounted on top of the rod's handle. Line is released using a push button on the reel.
Spinning gear uses a rod with a straight handle and a reel that's mounted under the handle. Line is released using your index finger.
For most beginners, spincasting and spinning are two fishing methods that can be learned quickly. Both spincast and spinning tackle are available in packages that contain a rod matched with a reel that is already spooled with fishing line. Buy the best equipment that you can afford— all will work well, but look for better quality pieces with more features.
How Can I Learn to Cast?
Practice. Once you've selected a spincasting or spinning outfit, use either the Palomar or Improved Clinch Knot to tie on an inexpensive rubber covered weight called a casting plug. Ask your dealer to suggest one, or buy one that fits the size of your fishing rod.
Next, find an area away from other people where you can practice casting without breaking a window or hurting someone. Make sure you set your reel's drag properly by checking the instructions that came with the reel. Now follow the steps for your type of rod that are shown on the next two pages.
Don't be discouraged if your first casts don't go exactly where you want them to. No matter what type of fishing tackle you use, the timing of your arm and hand movements is critical for long, accurate casts. You will improve with practice— keep trying! Fully illustrated instructions are in the full article at www.sportsjack.com - Look for the "Learn to Fish!" link.
What about Accessories?
A tackle box will store the variety of lures, hooks, snap swivels, weights, tools like pliers and wire cutters, and other gear. You might also need a live bait container (such as a minnow bucket or a worm box), a stringer or an ice chest to keep your catch fresh, a landing net, rod- and- reel cases and a first- aid kit for minor emergencies. Other handy items include a scaler, hook disgorger, tape measure and scale, and a filet knife.
Safety First!
Fish with a companion who can offer help in an emergency
Be careful when handling sharp hooks
Don't cast near other people, and always look around before making a cast.
Wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device or life vest when wading or in a boat.
Practice Conservation
A good angler respects our natural resources and wants to conserve them for others to enjoy. Always carry out what you brought in— never leave behind plastic containers or packaging. Fishing line is very dangerous to birds and other wildlife, tangling around legs or the mouth. Bring old or tangled fishing line to a fishing tackle store to recycle it.
Catch and Release
Fish should never be wasted. If you catch a fish that is under the legal or minimum size or that you do not want to keep, release it quickly. If possible, keep the fish in the water and handle it carefully, pushing the hook back through the lip. If the fish has swallowed the hook, do not tear the hook out. Simply cut the line as close to the mouth as possible. You can revive a fish by gently moving it back and forth in the water so that water runs through its gills. When it begins to struggle and can swim normally, let it go.
Go Fish!
Look for a weedy or rocky area where the water is several feet deep. Avoid shallow water that doesn't offer fish a hiding place. Look for areas where the bottom changes in some way— from sand to gravel or from sand to mud. Stay quiet and avoid disturbing the water or you may scare fish away.
Next, bait your hook or tie on a lure. If you use a worm, thread the worm from one end. Once stuck on, it will slide around easily. If you find fish stealing too much bait without getting caught, try using a smaller worm or switch to a smaller hook. If you use a minnow, hook the bait through both lips.
Swing the bait or lure as far from shore as you can and watch the bobber. Small panfish will nibble at the bait, causing a slight movement and a small circle of ripples around the bobber. When a fish has the bait, it will probably try to swim away, pulling the bobber under the water. When a fish bites, raise the tip of the rod quickly to set the hook and reel your catch in. Steer the fish away from thick weeds or submerged branches.
Panfish, such as bluegill or perch, bite almost any time of day. If you have no action after 10 or 15 minutes, move to another likely spot and try again. For other types of fish, such as trout or bass, you may want to fish early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
Where Can You Go to Fish?
There are many sources of information on where and how to fish. Fishing is regulated by each state government, so try looking on state Internet home pages or call 1- 800- ASK- FISH for fishing information available by phone. Most states have an aquatic resource education program that teaches fishing skills along with conservation education. Here are some places to look:
State Fish and Wildlife Conservation Agencies
State Departments of Natural Resources
Recreation and Tourism Agencies
State Parks
County and Local Government Agencies
Chambers of Commerce
Fishing tackle and sporting goods stores
Fishing clubs
Here are a few Internet Websites that may be of interest:
www.gofishing.org
www.fws.gov
www.asafishing.org
Angler Dollars for Conservation
Each time you pick up your fishing rod, you are helping make fishing better. Every purchase of fishing tackle, from the smallest weight to the biggest salt water rod, carries a tax that goes from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to state fish and wildlife agencies for fisheries research, habitat improvement, aquatic resource education programs, and fishing and boating access. This user- pay/ user- benefit system has been in place since 1950, and has quietly cleaned up rivers and streams, restored fish populations, and created public access to waterways.
See this article with illustrations and instrucctions at www.sportsjack.com - Look for the "Learn to Fish!" link.
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