Fishing has changed quite a bit over the past few years and it has become very popular indeed. Of course, fishing has always been popular but it used to just be with men of a certain age; however, now, men, women and children are trying their hand at fishing and it can be quite fun if you give it a go! However, knowing where to start is difficult so the following is a brief but hopefully a thorough beginner’s guide.
Apply For a Fishing License
A permit of license is required for those who wish to fish. Now, it doesn’t matter which part of the country you reside in or where you want to go fishing, everyone must carry a permit. If you do not have permit or license you cannot fish legally and if caught without a license you could get into serious trouble. So, first and foremost, you must look at acquiring a license which is very easy to do, contact the local fishing board or government office for the proper application forms.
Buying the Equipment
You must buy things such as a fishing tackle, rod, reel, hooks, poles, nets and even waders. These are just a handful of the necessary equipment, there are lots more but you will need them all. The correct equipment is vital when it comes to fishing because you can’t head out with a regular fishing pole and hope for the best. You are not going to do a lot with that and in reality; you need to be a little wise in your approach.
You can easily go to a local fishing supply shop and pick out a good basic fishing tool box full of the necessary equipment needed. Generally it will be inexpensive to buy and you will be able to get most of the tools and equipment needed here.
Fishing Bait
Most will understand if there is no bait, there is no fish and when you look to catch even one single fish you must use the correct bait. There is a huge amount of bait options out there however, worms usually do the trick. Most fish eat worms and they are probably your best option when you’re just starting out.
Getting Started
Beginners don’t often want to head out to an isolated spot when fishing because it can be very lonely and at times, dangerous. You should start off at your level, basic, and that means starting off with the smallest fishing pond you can find. This might not sound pleasant or appealing, however, it gives you a taste of what it will be like out on the open seas. It doesn’t matter which area of fishing you want to concentrate on, you want to start from the very bottom and go with the baby ponds.
Yes, sticking to on-shore fishing can seem something only ‘old men’ do but actually it is a sensible option for most. When you choose to sit at a riverbank side and start fishing, you can get a sense of the task at hand and you can see how much of a challenge it can be to sit for hours on end waiting for a bite.
Close Season
Every country has their own fishing laws and regulations and depending on where you specifically want to fish you may run into difficulties. Some regions don’t just have strict rules on fishing in certain areas but also prevent people from fishing during parts of the year. This is called a close season and closed seasons are really the times when the local government shuts down the local fishing scene.
No one can go fishing during a close season and if you are caught fishing during this time; you are going to get into a whole lot of trouble. There aren’t too many people who take kindly to people fishing in local waters during the closed months and you don’t want to upset everyone. Of course, if you are fishing locally then you may already be aware of the fishing laws and regulations but if not, get to know them before setting out. It may just save you a lot of trouble somewhere down the line.
Decide What You Want To Catch
It is hard to know which fish you want to choose when you’re just starting out. There are so many options to choose from and a lot of experts will say you must have a certain group in mind. However, in all honesty, you don’t. This isn’t a professional career for you and if you want to have fun and just ‘go with the flow’ then why not experiment and see what fish are out there.
You may find you start off catching any fish that comes your way but later on, you decide on a specific type of fish. This is good because it allows you the time to get a feel of what type of fish are out there and which you want to concentrate on. Deciding which fish you are going to target before you have even had a taste of fishing is a little crazy because you might change your mind later.
Tell Someone Where You Are Going
It doesn’t matter how skilled or confident you are, you always must inform a close friend or a relative of the destination. Going fishing alone is one thing but not informing others of where you are could be extremely dangerous. If something should happen to you, no one knows where you are and for safety’s sake, you must let someone know where you plan to fish.
Fishing for Fun
Thousands of people take fishing way too seriously and forget that it can be fun. Yes, you need to be serious when you are out on the water but you can also make it fun. You don’t need to jump up and down on the water or do something crazy but just enjoy the experience. Fishing is all about fun and experience something new so don’t forget it.
