Want Your Kids To Have Fun Fishing – Use The Right Tackle
I know it has been awhile since my last article and I may not be able to post as often as I did last year. I apologize for that but I really do have a good reason. I busted my right shoulder up pretty good before Thanksgiving. The doctor tried treating it with shots for several months and finally decided on surgery which I had March 17th.
It is now almost two months since the surgery and I am beginning to be able to do some things with my right hand but not much. I am not allowed to lift anything more than a glass of water until June. I am not asking for you to feel sorry for me. My shoulder has caused me pain for years and once I am through rehab that should be gone. I just want you to know why I have been silent for so long.
Fishing is a passion of mine and I enjoy helping others. This brings me to this point. I finally talked the doctor into letting me go fishing. He said ok as long as I stayed on shore and took it easy. I knew I couldn’t use my right hand (and I am right handed) to cast and that I would have to do it left handed. I thought that might be difficult with some of my rod combinations but I thought I would do a test of the three real types:
Bait casting
Spinning
Spin Casting
Now we all know which is harder to use and which is the easiest. I was trying to put myself in the context of a kid trying to learn how to cast each of them. So, off I went to a local pond I know that produces some goods catches.
I decided to try the bait casting combination first because I knew it would be the hardest. My first cast went about 10 feet and gave me a ton of line to untangle. My second wasn’t much better a little further and a little less line to untangle. My third try went way left of my target and again I had a ton of line to untangle.
Honestly, no surprise that the bait casting was the most difficult to use. To be honest I quit trying after the third try and an hour of untangling the fishing line. I definitely wasn’t having any fun at this point. Then I remembered that I was a teenager when my father taught me how to use one and I always had another line in the water to keep me from being frustrated until I got the hang of it. Too late now, I was done with the bait casting reel.
But I also remembered what motivated me as a young boy to learn how to use the bait casting reel. Distance, pure and simple. I wanted to be able to cast further than my father and I couldn’t do it with anything else.
I then tried the spinning reel and it was pretty easy to cast after a time or two but it seemed to have a mind of it’s own about where it wanted to go. The problem might have been because I have never casted left handed and the angle of the release was wrong. But in any case I moved on to the spinning reel. My arm was getting sore and I wanted to catch some fish before I had to go.
I had no problems casting the spin casting reel and proceeded to do my best to get something to bite. I managed one small catfish and a decent sized bass before I had to go home. I released both of them.
I guess the point I want to make is that on this day I had much more fun with the spin casting reel. I hope that when all of you take a kid fishing it is because you want them to have fun. It is great if they can learn the finer points of fishing but let them learn when they want to learn and let them enjoy it so they will continue the tradition and pass it on to someone else.
Get Started Fishing
Fishing is an activity the whole family can share or if you are like me it is the perfect get away. With your family or alone it is great feeling to be outdoors away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. It can be a great time to bond with your family and friends or provide you with the solitude you need to relax and sort out what ever is bugging you. Besides fishing is fun. Just ask any of the millions of anglers who enjoy this sport today.
One of the great things about fishing is you don’t have to be an expert to have fun. All you need is basic tackle, bait and a little information. With all the information available through the internet today finding what you need should be easy.
Once you have decided that you want to try your hand at angling the first thing you will need to do is purchase a fishing license. At the bottom of this page is a link to my site. There you will find a page called “State and Local Resources”. Here you will find links to every state. Be sure to look up the license requirements and fishing laws for you state. Some states will allow you to purchase your fishing license online.
Next go to Wal-Mart and purchase your fishing tackle. You should be able to get everything you need for fewer than thirty dollars. Here is what you will need to fish for Crappie, Bluegill or any other pan fish:
-Get a spin casting rod and reel, 5 to 6 feet in length, with 4 to 6 lb test line already wound. This is the easiest rod and reel combination for a beginner to master. When you get it home put a small weight on the line and practice giving it a toss. You will figure it out very quickly.
-Some small split shots
-Number 6 hooks
-A small plastic or wood bobber
-Visit your local bait store and purchase a couple of dozen night crawlers
You are almost ready to go fishing. Tie your hook on the line using a Palomar knot. Attach the split sinker 8 to 12 inches above the hook and to start out with attach your bobber about 3 ft above the hook. Now that you are ready go to the nearest pond (best) or river. Put your worm on the hook and start fishing.
What I have given you here is very basic. I did so deliberately. It is more than enough to get you started. There was a time when fishing consisted of a cane pool with some line tied to the end of it. I promise you they enjoyed fishing just as much back then as I do now. My point is fishing doesn’t have to be complicated. It is supposed to be fun. As you learn and want to do more, that is great, but for now this is enough.
If you want to learn more about fishing you can get a free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” on this website.
A Beginners Guide To Fishing
If you are new to the sport of fishing, you need to know some of the basic rules of fishing. Like other forms of hunting, fishing involves both your environment and those around you. Be respectful of both. You can responsibly enjoy this treasured pastime in several ways. Fishing is an ancient practice. It dates back nearly 10,000 years.
A number of various techniques and traditions have been used during fishing’s progression. Modern technological developments have changed the way people fish, but many of the same rules, regulations, and social norms involving fishing remain. Always practice good stewardship of our waterways when you are fishing. Remember that these waterways were around thousands of years before you and will remain long after we are gone. You can make a conscious decision to leave the areas in which people fish in better condition than when you found it. Take care of our lakes, rivers, and other waterways so that others will enjoy these areas for years to come.
Practicing certain behaviors will ensure that you are taking good care of the places where people fish. Never litter when you are fishing. Always bring a trash bag or other receptacle to use for the collection of your trash. You can easily deposit it in a nearby trash receptacle. Dump your refuse in properly assigned dumping stations instead of tossing it in the water. You do not need to spend much time figuring out the many ways in which this hurts the environment. As you fish, always use the correct type of bait and fishing gear. Certain areas allow for certain bait and gear. You will also encounter limits on the number, size, and kind of fish that you can keep. Become familiar with what these limits are and pay attention to them. Do not wait until you are at your fishing spot to search for what is allowed and what is not. Check with your destination before you head out on your fishing trip to see what the local regulations allow. If you plan on using a boat while fishing, research to see what kinds of watercraft are allowed where you are going to fish.
Every fishing location is different, so pay special attention to local procedures and cautions. This also applies when you decide to clean your boat after you leave the water. You do not want to spread non-native species to another body of water. Finally, never fish where it is not permitted. There is always a reason why it is illegal. Some reasons include the protection of certain wildlife, the proper care of vegetation, and the safety of you and others who want to fish. You should also follow a number of cautionary behaviors to ensure your safety.
As with all forms of hunting, safety is first. If you will be using a boat while you fish, always wear your life jacket. Make sure that your passengers wear their life jackets, as well. Be very careful when baiting and removing hooks. Make sure that you never fish on unauthorized waterways. Follow the posted speed limits and wake warnings that accompany the use of a boat. Bring with you all relevant safety items, such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cell phone. Fishing continues to be a favorite pastime. 2001 saw nearly 16% of the U.S. population over the age of 16 spend 16 days fishing. You enjoy the sport of fishing, so follow the rules that allow for the continuation of fishing. Be responsible and courteous of others and your environment. Take time to discover how you can be both a better and safer angler.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/A-Beginners-Guide-To-Fishing/449603
