As any angler would tell you fishing is not only fun, but also a peaceful sport that enables you to spend a few quiet moments with friends, family, and nature. The sport of fresh water fishing includes catching fish in rivers, lakes, and streams.
Even children can take part in a fishing trip. However, you need plenty of patience for fishing. It is quite challenging and requires a lot of skill on your part, which you can aquire only with the passage of time.
1. Get a License
To begin with, you have to study the fishing laws and rules of your state and find out if you require a license for fishing. If you need a license, ask at a good sporting goods store for information on how you can acquire one. The people at the sporting goods store will help you get a license. Some will even get it done for you.
2. Purchase Fishing Equipment
In the meantime, you can take a look around the store and purchase some quality fishing equipment for your fishing trip. Since you are only a beginner, purchase only the basic equipment required for a fishing trip. When you have doubts about the equipment you require, don't hesitate to clear them with the store owner.
Remember that you have to stay within the limits of your budget. Don't purchase each and every thing that the store offers you. Although artificial bait is available at the stores, you could try using the worms in your backyard as live bait if you wish to save some money.
For your first fishing trip, you need to purchase only an inexpensive fishing rod, a reel, a line, a hook, a weight, a bobber, some bait, and a net. Purchase a pair of polarized sunglasses too because they will enable you to see through the water clearly without having to suffer an eyestrain due to the rays of the sun.
When you are more experienced, you can purchase quality equipment. Till you gain experience, enjoy fishing with ordinary, basic equipment.
3. Find a Good Fishing Spot
You need to find out about local fishing spots. If you don't know any, ask for information regarding local fishing 'hot spots." You can also check the fishing regulations of your state for information about the best locations for fishing in and around your state.
4. Practise Well
Practise will make you a better angler. When you have sufficiently developed your skill, you can go into deeper waters. Before you venture into deeper waters, ensure that you have practised casting your line well.
The best place to practise is your backyard. Use a rope to mark a practise area in your backyard and pratice casting your line there. Study a number of fishing techniques to find one that suits you best. Use your wrist when you cast, not your arm.
You have to handle fishing hooks with care because they are very sharp. Before you begin your practise in your backyard, make sure that nobody is around. The hook could hurt someone.
When you have had enough pratise in your backyard and you want to try it for real, proceed to a popular fishing spot.
5. Some Fishing Tips
Keep these tips in mind during your first fishing trip.
As far as possible, don't fish alone. Always fish with a friend or a group of friends so that, in case of emergency, there will always be someone to help.
It is not a great idea to fish in shallow waters. Cast your net in shady, deep, and rocky places where the fish are more likely to be.
Remember to cast the line just in front of the fish. Let your bait down slowly without making any splash. The fish can see the things that are close to them, but they cannot see behind them.
If you are casting your line in a haphazard manner, you need to go closer to the water to be able to cast more accurately.
Watch your bobber carefully for any movement. Whenever a fish swallows the bait, the bobber disappears under water. This means that you have caught a fish. Don't let this excite you too much. It is important to be calm, especially at this moment.
Keep the line tight while your reel up your catch. Use your net to get the fish out of the water. Take care while you separate the hook from the fish.
If you have caught a particular size of fish, as specified in your state's fishing regulations book, release it immediately. In the same way, if you don't intend to eat your catch, you had better release it into the water. This will ensure that the lakes, streams, and rivers will be full of fish always so that many more generations of anglers can enjoy this sport.
Before you call it a day, enjoy the calmness and serenity of the river.
