Monday, August 3, 2009

Fishing 101

By Colin Jones

So, you have decided that you want to learn a new hobby - fishing. There are a few ways of learning, the hardest way being trial and error. The best way is to find an instructor for one-to-one instruction.

1. Get some seasickness tablets: If you're going to be fishing from on the water, nothing is worse than having your fishing ruined by a bout of seasickness. Most seasickness medicine is appropriate (e.g. Bonine). Even expert fishermen take some on rough-weather days. Take one tablet before you go to sleep, another when you wake up and a third before you go on board.

2. Buy a reference book: There are a lot of good books available at your local bookshops and online. The book ought to give you instructions as well as terms and definitions. There are some things you may not immediately understand but that you have to know anyway. For example, learn how to tie different kinds of knots. This knowledge will also be invaluable for other reasons throughout your life.

3. Go to a party: There are party boats that carry from five to as many as sixty anglers. The boat provides everything you need such as bait, rod, reel, weights and hooks. They assist you in fishing and even take the fish off the hook for you too. You will make new fishing mates and they will help and advise you. Party boats will generally cost you between $25 - $70 a day and the fish are yours to keep. The party boat is a bargain for beginners.

4. Choose your pier: After you have already learned the skills to use a rod and reel, you should look for a fishing pier. Most seaside cities have a public pier or pay-to-fish pier. You can rent tackle and buy bait at these piers and, if you do have trouble, there will be plenty of pier anglers around to help and give you advice.

5. To do party or pier?: You should try either method three or four times each or both at the same time at this juncture. The best thing to do is to practise them both ways several times to really learn how to do each method.

6. The reel deal: The conventional reel is probably what you've been using up to this point. The conventional reel is designed to take a lot of wear and tear. However, maybe you now ought to consider other types or / and makes of reels. Ideally you have already met other fishermen and perhaps made a friend or two who can assist you in choosing a reel. You could even ask a fishing equipment shop owner for tips.

First off, you need to learn the mechanics of the reel and the other equipment. Learning to cast, tie knots and bait is not that complicated. Secondly, you need to learn where to fish. Successful fishermen know where the fish are swimming. Fish move from place to place and knowledgeable anglers know these patterns and are able to anticipate where the fish are swimming.

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