Learning How to Fish - All the Basic Needs

If you want to do an activity with your family that's fun; if you want to enjoy the great outdoors and experience the tranquility of Mother Nature; than fishing is for you!

Fishing is an activity that the whole family can participate in, including the kids. Lakes, rivers, streams or any inland fresh water source are just a few areas you can enjoy this sport. If you mix in a bit of patience as you learn to fish, you will quickly acquire the few basic skills you will need. Nothing is quite like hooking into a nice 12 pound Large Mouth Bass and reeling him in. Once you have caught one you will be hooked.

You will want to start out by making sure you are meeting your State's fishing requirements. In the U.S. you will need a fishing license with any applicable stamps you want. You can get your license at most bait and tackle shops or sporting goods store. I know that most if not all Wal-Mart stores will sell you a fishing license.

While at your Wal-Mart or sporting goods store check out their fishing equipment. If you look around you will find some reading material to help you pick out your first rod and reel combo. You can spend just a few dollars or a few hundred dollars on fishing equipment. But keep in mind a fish doesn't care if you have the latest whiz...bang pole and tackle or just some line tied on the end of a stick. So just spend what your budget can afford and not worry about the more expensive equipment. Right now you need only to buy the basic things you will need.

If after you spend some time in the fishing equipment area of the sporting goods store and you have some doubt about what you need, ask the storekeeper for some help. Explain to him/her how much you have to spend and what they recommend. Ask them to explain how each piece of equipment works. They should be able to answer any other questions you have on artificial bait, be it fishing lures or rubber worms. You can ask them about fresh bait they sell or if you live in certain parts of the country you can dig for worms from your own back yard.

You'll be able to purchase an inexpensive fishing rod and reel combo that also comes with fishing line, hooks, weights, bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. If you ware a pare of polarized sunglasses while fishing they will help you to see through the water and lessen the glare.

You can purchase a casting plug, which allows you to practice your casting technique. You want to learn to cast with your wrist, and not with your arm. Everyone has their own particular style of casting you will find yours in no time with practice. Before long you will be able to land any cast you make wherever you want it.

It's always a good idea to stop at a local bait shop and ask if they know of any good locations to fish, ask about local "hot" spots and what type of bait fish are responding to. I also advised that you avoid fishing alone. Always be with a friend, as when emergency strikes, there can be someone who can call for help. Plus you will want a witness when you tell your "should have seen the one that got away" story.

When you start handling fish hooks be careful because fish hooks are extremely sharp. With the barbed end on the hook it's no fun taking one out of your skin. When out on the water it's important that you look around you to make sure your casting area is unobstructed to avoid catching your hook on anything or other people.

After you have mastered your casting technique, cast your line ahead of the fish, making your bait land slowly, with as little splash as possible. The fish can see well up close, but cannot see behind. I suggest you start fishing in shallow waters to begin with. Keeping in mind this is practice and you need to have patience. Look for shady or rocky areas where the water is deep as this is were you would expect to find fish. In a very short time you will gain better casting skills and knowledge of the waters.

If you are fishing with a bobber and bait, watch the bobber closely for any movement. When a hungry fish grabs the bait, the bobber will be pulled under water. This signals that you got a fish on the line. This is where the fun begins. Some say to just wait and the fish will catch itself on the hook, but I like to give the line a small jerk just as the bobber goes underwater. This sets the hook in the fish's mouth.

OK! Now you have a fish on your line and it's tugging on your poll. Remain calm. Keeping your line tight, slowly reel in your catch. If you have a net near, get it under your catch as soon as it is close enough to shore and bring the fish out of the water. Remove the hook from the fish with care remembering that the hook is sharp.

If you got an undersized fish (as noted in the state's regulation book), quickly return it to the water. Likewise, if you have no intention in eating your catch, do not waste it but return it to the water. Releasing the fish back into the Lake, river or stream will be giving future fishermen the thrill to experience a catch.

Happy fishing!