| | | | | day. The small fee is much better than being fined |
| Truth be told, there are really only three things | | | | $100 or so for fishing without a license. |
| (other than fish and water) absolutely needed to | | | | Tackle Box |
| go fishing. First item needed is a rod (a complete | | | | All it takes is dropping a weight, hook or bobber in |
| set can be purchased for as little as $20). Second | | | | the water once or twice to learn that some type |
| necessity is bait of some kind and third, a fishing | | | | of carrying case is a necessity. Since hooks can |
| license. | | | | rust, keeping them dry is important, another |
| However, for those who want the most out of | | | | reason for a tackle box of some kind. It’s |
| their initial fishing experience, there are other | | | | also the best place to keep the fishing license |
| items that can help make that first time so much | | | | since it’ll go where the fishing is happening if |
| better. So, to help prepare, they are listed below. | | | | it’s kept in the box. |
| Rod and Reel | | | | Different fish like different kinds of bait and |
| As mentioned before, a basic rod and reel set can | | | | purchasing worms gets expensive after a while, |
| be purchased for less than $20. A starter combo | | | | so it’s safe to assume that a few varieties |
| includes the rod and reel pre-spooled with line. | | | | of lures will be purchased pretty early on. Keeping |
| These are strong enough to catch catfish, striper, | | | | them separated will make the fishing experienced |
| and other game fish. | | | | much more pleasant. |
| Bait: Worms, Leeches and Others | | | | Know a Few Knots |
| While a Norman Rockwell picture of bait gathering | | | | As with everything, there’s a right way to do |
| would give warm fuzzies, in reality, trying to | | | | knots and a wrong way. The wrong way could |
| gather big enough worms for fishing is time | | | | result in lost hooks, or even worse, fish. The clinch |
| consuming and not really worth it when worms | | | | knot is the common fishing knot and the best |
| can be picked up from a bait dealer for just a | | | | way to tie swivels and hooks to line. |
| few dollars per dozen. | | | | Protection From the Sun |
| Crayfish, minnows and leeches are other common | | | | |
| forms of bait for fresh water fishing. The biggest | | | | Two factors make it doubly important to wear a |
| drawback from all four of these types of bait is | | | | hat, sunglasses and sunscreen while fishing. The |
| that they are still alive when put on the hook and | | | | first is the water, which reflects sunlight in all |
| should be “hooked” in such a way as to | | | | directions and can magnify the sun’s affects, |
| keep them alive and struggling for as long as | | | | and sunburn. The second is the amount of time |
| possible in order to attract fish. | | | | that tends to slip away while sitting in a boat on a |
| If the novice fisher thinks that this might cause | | | | beautiful lake. It can be very easy to let hours go |
| squeamishness, it’s a good time to consider | | | | by, and even on cloudy days, harmful rays are |
| using some kind of lure instead of fresh bait. | | | | getting through can causing sun damage and |
| Lures cost a bit more money initially, but can be | | | | causing eye strain. |
| used over and over. | | | | Bobbers |
| Lures Instead of Bait | | | | A bobber can mean the difference between |
| There are four main categories of lures for | | | | spending the day in the boat and catching fish for |
| freshwater fishing: plugs, spinners and spoons, jigs | | | | the novice. Since it’s important to get the fish |
| and finally soft plastics. For the beginner | | | | to “take the hook,” it’s essential to |
| fisherman, the soft plastics will do well. They are | | | | know when they’re nibbling. Having a bobber, |
| made to imitate fish and other aquatic types of | | | | and keeping an eye on it, is the best way to learn |
| bait. The lures are drawn through the water in an | | | | how to feel the nibble and when to give a small |
| attempt to emulate the natural movement of the | | | | tug on the lin. The best place for the bobber is |
| creature the soft plastic imitates, such as a | | | | located around two feet from the hook. |
| prawn, baitfish or crawdad. | | | | Sinkers |
| The Fishing License | | | | When using worms or some other lightweight bait, |
| Be sure to pick up a fishing license for the state in | | | | added weight is needed on the line or it will just |
| which you intend to fish. These can be obtained | | | | float on the top of the water. Sinkers come in a |
| at most sporting goods stores, gun shops, | | | | variety of weights and materials. A metal sinker is |
| department stores, discount stores, bait and | | | | easiest to put on the line since all that’s |
| tackle shops, grocery stores, and many other | | | | needed is a gentle squeeze. Trial and error will help |
| types of stores, as well as online. A license can | | | | find what weights work best and how many are |
| cost around $30 per year and $10 for a single | | | | needed. |