Your Guide to Learning to Fish

Fresh water angling can be a very involving and relaxing sport that involves catching fish in lakes, rivers and streams. It involves a lot of patience, as well as challenge and skill. To begin, check with the state for laws regarding fishing to see if a license is required in order to fish. If it is, you must acquire one by checking a sporting goods store i.e. the back of wal-mart who will help you to get it, and some will even provide it for you.

While you are in the store you can choose to look over the store's stock and purchase proper equipment that you need. If you're just starting out make sure you budget well on the cost of the equipment, not purchasing on expensive equipment buy only the basic things you will need.

If you aren't sure what you need check with the store owner but do remember that sticking to your budget is important. Choose wisely and don't be afraid that you ask how to use each piece of equipment that you are offered. Artificial lures for bait can be used or you can simply look for worms from your yard or someone else's if you're feeling adventurous. a low priced rod and reel will suffice as well as a fishing line, hooks, weights, a bobber (this keeps your line afloat), fishing lures and net. Polarized glass is important as well since it will assist you to see through the water.

You should of course take a friend with you so if something should happen there is someone who will be able to seek help. It is also wise to start fishing in shallow waters. Drop your line in shady places where water is known to be deep since fish are will be found. As your skill level develops and increases, you can then go the deeper waters but before you go be sure you take time to practice casting to familiarize yourself with your equipment.

There is no better place to practice than in your own yard and to do it mark off an area using a rope and use it to guide yourself in aiming your cast. Rehearse and study your movements to discover a method that will work for you but cast with your wrist and definitely not your arm. Fishing hooks are very sharp and should be used and handled carefully to keep others or yourself from being injured so before you cast it is important that you should look around yourself and make sure you remain unobstructed to prevent accidents.

When the time comes and you go fishing for real, remember to cast your line ahead of the fish making your bait land slowly, with little splash Watch the bobber closely to see if it moves as when a fish takes the bait the bobber will be pulled under water showing that a fish is on your line but be calm about it. Keeping tension on your line bring in your catch carefully and bring it in the last few feet with your net remembering to remove the hook from the fish's mouth with great care.

In the event the fish is undersized (as noted in the state's regulation book), then throw it back. Similarly if you don't plan in eating your catch, don't waste the fish and put it back in the water. Returning the fish will keep more fish in the water giving other anglers a great time fishing.