Getting away from everything can be fun and relaxing. This is why businessmen, women, and parents need to step away from their responsibilities occasionally. One of the best things to do during your free time is to go fishing. When you do, you’ll be able to forget about your responsibilities and worries back home. You’ll be able to focus on reeling in a hefty fish and nothing else. Or, you can take your child and use the opportunity to strengthen your relationship.
Within this guide, you’re going to find out what you need to be successful out on the water.
A Comfortable Spot
First and foremost, you need to find a comfortable spot. Depending on where you live, you may not be able to fish in certain locations. Doing so could get you into trouble. Therefore, you’ll need to find a lake that is open to the public. You should be able to find this information online. It is wise to choose a secluded location so you won’t have to encounter too many people.
Once you’ve found a good location, you’ll need to collect everything else mentioned below.
Fishing License
In all likelihood, you will need a fishing license. This is far more important than you could ever imagine. If you’re caught fishing without a license, you’ll be lucky to get a warning. If not, you may be slapped with a costly fine. Suffice to say, you don’t want that to happen. You can buy a fishing license in a variety of locations including your local Walmart. Otherwise, you’ll want to check local grocery stores, sporting goods stores, and some convenience stores.
Either way, it is pertinent to get a license before heading out.
Tackle Box
When fishing, you’re going to be using a lot of items. For instance, you’ll have a rod, lure, bait, sinkers, and other items. You’ll also have some fishing line. Carrying all of this at once can be very difficult. You can eliminate this problem by purchasing a good tackle box. Be sure to choose a durable model so it won’t break during your fishing expedition. You’ll also want to make sure it is spacious enough to carry all of your items.
Once you’ve bought a tackle box, you’ll be able to transport your items without any trouble whatsoever.
Live Bait
Depending on what you’re trying to catch and how successful you want to be, you’ll want to try fishing with live bait. This is a good way to boost your catch rate. Remember that certain fish are only going to accept live bait so you’ll want to have some on hand. You can use a variety of baits including worms, crickets, minnows, grasshoppers, leeches, and beetles. Either way, you’ll want to know what type of fish live in your waters. Then, you’ll want to buy the bait that is going to work best for you.
Also, you’re going to need a container for the bait. Otherwise, there is a chance that they’re going to die and spoil. A solid container will keep them fresh much longer.
First Aid Kit
You never know what is going to happen. You may run into problems that result in an injury. To ensure that you’re prepared for such problems, you’ll want to carry a first aid kit with you. Doing so will ensure that you’re able to fix the problem immediately. If you can stop the bleeding quickly, you’ll be able to prevent the wound from worsening. Furthermore, you should realize that a first aid kit may save your life. Don’t leave home without one or you may end up regretting it!
Fishing Knife
You may not realize it but a fishing knife will prove to be very beneficial out there. When fishing, you’re going to encounter a variety of situations. A knife may come in handy. For instance, you might need to start a fire. You can use the knife to cut twigs so you can ignite the fire without much trouble. Also, you’ll be able to use your knife to prepare your fishing line and gut your fish. With this in mind, you’ll want a knife by your side or in your tackle box. Be sure to check out the fishing product reviews before buying a fishing knife.
Rod & Reel
Unless you want to use a cane pole to fish with, you will need to invest in a rod and reel. Depending on the brand, you may need to purchase the two products separately. The more expensive brands generally sell the rod and reel separately but that is not always the case. If your budget is strict, you can always opt for the two as a set. Most affordable brands sell the rod & reel as a set to ensure access to those on a strict budget.
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a fishing rod. Some of these factors include construction, flexibility, weight, warranty, length, and thickness. Depending on what type of fishing you plan on doing, you may need to get a thick, long rod that is ideal for snagging shark and large fish.
Thinner, lightweight rods are more suitable for fishing in a stream, pond, lake, or wherever small fish are located.
Net
A net is not always necessary but it can come in handy when lifting fish out of the water and into a boat. Fishing nets are available in various sizes, depending on the size of fish you are planning on trying to snag. The large-sized net will be around 20” X 23” with a long handle average about 6-feet long. This net is ideal for carp.
Fishing nets are designed from a variety of materials, including flax, grass, nylon, other fibrous materials. The materials are woven together to ensure durability and longevity. When you purchase a net made of these materials, you will never need to worry about it decaying for many years. The more expensive the net, the longer it will last. If your budget is low, it is recommended to opt for an affordable brand and later on, upgrade to a more expensive brand.
The handle should be ergonomically designed for comfort and full control. If you plan on snagging large fish, you may need to invest in a large net and vice versa for small fish.