We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to appreciate nature and venture into the great outdoors. As someone who may have never gone fishing before, you may have often wondered why it is such a big fuss to go fishing or why everyone is often so excited about it as a hobby.
The simplest answer is that it is an exhilarating and insanely fun activity. Moreover, it is also a very useful skill that may come in handy in life if you ever need it because it is considered to be a life skill. If you are an absolute beginner, then fishing may seem to be the most complicated thing and quite overwhelming.
However, you can quickly change that with a little information and by getting some fancy gear for yourself.
However, you have to prepare yourself by investing some time and energy into the whole process of learning this skill. In this guide, we will walk you through the fishing etiquette and steps to get started with the process.
Mind your space: fishing etiquette for crowded waters.
A Concise Checklist to Help You Start Fishing
The first thing that you need to do is to figure out all the things you will have to learn about fishing! It may sound like a tongue twister but this is the first step towards becoming a fishing expert. Afterward, as soon as you check off the items on that list you will be able to gradually improve your skills.
You have to understand that you cannot transform into an expert overnight because it does take a fair amount of time and training. It requires practice because fishing experience from a pier is absolutely different from fishing offshore or in a lake, saltwater, or ice fishing.
Acquire a Fishing License
It’s important to note that in order to become skilled at this activity, you do need to acquire a fishing license. All states require that you have a fishing license- but there is nothing to be worried about because these licenses are neither expensive nor difficult to get.
All you need to do is to apply online and pay a license fee. However, fishing license costs for residents vs non-residents may vary drastically, so check the status of your residency in the region you are residing in at the moment.
Shop for the Required Gear
This is the interesting phase of the whole process. Once you start exploring, you will realize that there are various types of fishing gear and they may confuse you a bit because, for a beginner, it can be quite overwhelming if you don’t do your research first.
One thing you must keep in mind is that fishing gear is specific and you have to be aware of what you are purchasing. It may be a good start to gather advice from experienced fishermen because according to Donny Karr at All Fishing Gear, fishing gear is specially designed to help you train for a particular fishing style or to catch a particular fish.
But the good news is that you do not have to acquire all that information in a single day! And that is why we mentioned earlier that becoming a fishing expert takes time as it is a long process and more like a journey because the more you learn, the better you become.
About the Lures and Tackle
The next to-do on your list has to be tackle and lures because they are quite similar to the dilemma of gear variety, as there are various types of lures and bait and each is specific to the type of fish that you want to catch. Although you cannot learn the basics in a single go, we are going to share some of the most pertinent details about it.
If you are an absolute beginner you may start with live bait, like a worm or an alternative for this. After you have practiced enough with live bait, you can start to use other bait options. You will also require a net, tackle box, bobbers, and needle-nose pliers.
Catching the Very First Fish
It’s certainly an extremely fulfilling and exciting moment, so relish it because the thrill of the first catch is unforgettable. The first catch can be an exciting experience or a simple one. Either way, it’s a satisfying and memorable moment.
Experienced fishermen recommend casting from the shores of a river or lake in order to get familiar with the process and equipment. Casting is a sophisticated skill and will require ample practice on your part before you become an expert at luring and catching fish.
While hooking the fish you have to be careful about the line, because if it breaks your first catch will be lost before you can relish it even for a second. To avoid that from happening, you need to set the hook properly and keep the rod tip upwards.
Good fishing etiquette shows respect for the sport and the environment.
How to Land the Catch
If you thought that just hooking the fish to the fishing line was all you needed to do, then think again because landing the catch is as important as anything else.
However, it may not be as challenging as you initially thought it to be because you just need to make sure that the fishing line is taut well enough and that you continue to reel it in. Once the catch is within your reach.
you can either go ahead and grab it (but you have to be skilled in this because fish can be quite slippery) or use a rubber net to scoop it out of the water and onto the shore.
The tips mentioned here are all the basics you need to know if you are just starting out. However, you have to understand how to tie knots, and how to behave respectfully towards other anglers and the environment as well.
You might also need to go on a search for the best locations and gain a better understanding of the best seasons for fishing. Learning to fish is a skill and art at the same time so give it the time and energy that it deserves.
Check This Guide: Winter Bass Fishing From Shore [Ultimate Guide]
