We know, we know: if you’ve already bought a boat, chances
are that you enjoy the water enough that you already know a few things about
fishing. But you’d be surprised at how many people go into fishing with a blind
eye, simply bringing out some rods and some basic baits, never putting any
thought into how you’re going to
catch the fish of your heart’s desire.
The truth is, fishing can be complicated. If you’ve ever
experienced an afternoon when they simply don’t seem to be biting, you know
that even sports in which you wait for the action to come to you can be
difficult to figure out. That’s why we’ve put together a few basic tips to
ensure you get the most out of your next fishing trip—and out of your boat.
Strategy: Know Your
Fish
The most important thing to do is to know what you want to
catch because fish behave differently and tend to gravitate to various areas. For example, you can’t expect to catch a shark if you’re fishing in a freshwater lake.
If you want to make it simple, construct a basic checklist
of what you should know about your desired fish:
- Location:
What lakes or rivers are they known to live in? Simply settling on a good
location is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the whole trip,
so make sure you do some research, ask around, and get it right. - Food: sure,
fish species are more like each other than they are different…but some baits
and lures simply work better on some species than others. If you’re going to
catch the fish you want, you’re going to have to know what best attracts it. - Time:
What’s the best time to catch your fish? Don’t simply go out at a time that’s
convenient to you; go at a time when your fish will be near the surface and
looking for food. Some of the most popular “general” times for fishing are
right at dawn and dusk.
From there, you’ll have a good basic set of knowledge as to
how to approach the fish you’re seeking. But that’s not where the journey ends.
Ensuring a Good
Fishing Outing
Now that you have the right strategy in mind, it’s time to
acquire the right equipment. You come prepared with the right baits and lures
on a solid, durable fishing rod.
Once you’ve done all of your prep work, a fishing outing is
largely a matter of good company, good food, and good conversation. So pack
ahead of time. Ensure you’ve got all of the necessary safety equipment (life
jackets, sunscreen) as well as food and water to ensure you’re as comfortable
as can be. Hopefully, if you’ve followed all the tips here, you won’t have to
wait very long until that first bite.
