Fishing can be a fantastic hobby, good for your health, and a great experience overall. How you fish depends on your preferences. It can either be a relaxing day where you soak in the quiet and beauty of nature, or it can be an adventure where you pit yourself against the fish you’re trying to catch.
You can fish alone or with your family. You can fish in lakes, rivers, or even the ocean, depending on what kind of experience and fish you want at the end of the day. Best of all, if it goes well, there’s nothing quite as satisfying and delicious as eating a fish you’ve caught.
So, if fishing calls out to you, here are a few things to get squared away first so you can plan whatever experience you want.
Fishing Alone or With a Group
The first thing to work out is whether you want to fish alone or with others. As with most decisions, there are pros and cons to either option.
Effective fishing often involves an element of quiet. A lot of noise can scare away the fish, but silence leaves them none the wiser. As you can expect, it’s much easier to be quiet when you’re on your own. Besides, fishing alone is perfect for a truly relaxing experience. It’s just you, your gear, and the fish.
However, there are plenty of good reasons to fish with other people and Find a Fishing Buddy makes it easy to find someone to go with.
First, some fishing experiences cost money. If you go with other people, you can pool the cost of the trip and save money. Even better, you can pool experience, tips, and even your catch. If you fish with people who are as experienced or even more than you, this is a fantastic way to better your skills and your chances.
Also, you might prefer a more fun experience. You might catch less fish if you’re all talking and laughing, but sometimes fishing is more about the fun than the fish.
Fishing can be a great opportunity to bond with your family and forge new experiences. Small children aren’t going to be great fishers off the bat, but they will pick up skills and this is a perfect experience for you both to talk. Besides, if it’s exciting when you catch a fish, how much better will it be for your child if they manage a catch?
Where to Fish
Another thing to consider is where you fish. Fishing isn’t a simple activity, there’s so many options for experiences, and it’s up to your budget, location, and preferences.
Different fish thrive in different areas. If you want to catch a specific fish using a certain method, you will have to focus on the right area for that particular fish. For example, you’re not going to find freshwater fish in the ocean, and vice versa.
If the fish matter to you, make sure you research whether you can keep the fish you catch. Different areas have different regulations. You might not be able to fish at certain times of the year, or you might have to release what you catch.
You will need a license for fishing, and breaking these rules can result in a fine or even losing your license.
If you want to go ocean fishing, one of the best ways to do so if via boat. This might seem difficult to achieve unless you can afford a boat, but don’t worry. You can always hire a boat and join a fishing charter. Look into fishing charters Gold Coast or other charters near your area.
When you join a charter, you can either spend a morning, afternoon, or a full day on the boat. It’s often more cost effective to join a group charter, but you can secure a private charter if you’d prefer. One of the benefits of this kind of fishing is that the fishing guides help you catch as many fish as possible.
A charter might supply some equipment for fishing and safety, but always ask what you need to bring beforehand. If you’re going for a full day, you may need food as well. Some guides will also clean and bag your fish for you, so you can focus on catching even more.
Fishing Equipment
While some people can fish with just their hands, most people need some kind of equipment. Unfortunately, there’s a massive range of equipment and fishing gear, and it’s easy to get confused when you’re first starting out.
The first thing to work out is what kind of fishing you want to do. Different fish require different methods, as well as different bait.
A fishing rod is the most ubiquitous piece of equipment, but there are other ways to catch fish. Net fishing can be incredibly effective and a lot of fun, although it’s far less precise. Shellfish are best caught using lobster pots and other traps, and you can simply set the trap and leave it for a while.
As well as the right rod (or net) for the job, think about your bait. Fly fishing is very different from bait fishing, and both have their pros and cons.
Make sure you also bring a way to transport your fish safely. A cooler box will keep it fresh so you can prep and clean it at home, although some fishers prefer cleaning their fish on the go.
It’s also a good idea to bring food, water, and a first aid kit. You only need to accidentally hook yourself once to realize why a first aid kit is a good idea when you’re fishing. If you’re on your own, make sure you’re easy to contact in case of an emergency.
Finally, make sure you have appropriate gear to wear according to the weather. A hat and sunscreen will keep you safe in the sun. If it’s raining, make sure you have the right clothes to keep you warm and dry.
Main Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
