Fishing Can Be Fun.......Honest!

There is a bumper sticker out there we have all seen and it goes something like this "the worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work". Sorry Charlie........I'm not buying in. I have had some incredibly aggravating days fishing which made me want to be at work. That's right, the fishing fanatic that is the Mastertangler will readily admit that fishing can be an exercise in frustration. I understand and share your pain  .

I think what contributes to that scenario is the sheer complexity involved in the piscatorial pursuit. There are rods and reels, line and lures, knots and more knots. Once that is established where do you fish? The amount of water is overwhelming. And if you do actually catch a fish.......well, you have to "deal" with it. Throw in a little dehydration (you, not the fish   ) some wind or bugs, a tangle or a snag and it's a recipe for relaxing back at camp.

But, when all is "right", fishing can be very enjoyable, exciting and occasionally even relaxing . Here are some tips to make it so.

1) Keep it simple: I have several saying I hold dear and one goes like this........"Do One Thing And Do It Well". This can certainly apply to fishing. If your contemplating trying fishing or re-trying fishing think about limiting your lure selection. 2 or 3 lure types with several back ups is plenty. Get familiar with the lures of choice by using them. Learn what their strengths are.

2) Use good equipment: Good equipment doesn't have to mean expensive anymore. Good reels and lightweight rods are very affordable nowadays and will add immensely to your enjoyment. Start your trip with FRESH line and I suggest having the line put on at a tackle shop where they will start you off right. Barring that Utube can be very informative. If you are not careful you can easily put the line on a spinning reel where it is "twisty". No fun!.......

3) Practice and test your knots before going. Practice, practice! Don't wait until your out there blowing across the lake to realize your knot of choice won't stick! Test your knot. If you have chosen 8 or 10 lb test you should be able to exert that much tension before the line parts.

4) Refresh yourself and wait for good conditions before giving it a whirl. Did you paddle all day? Eat and drink a bit, maybe take a nap........the fish aren't going anywhere. Is it windy? Let it calm down some. We are trying to keep it simple remember? Wind and being tired and dehydrated adds to complexity and ultimately can end in frustration. We're trying to have some fun.

5) Be prepared to "deal" with fish. I pride myself in my fish handling. I don't even have to touch them If I prefer not to. What is required is a fish lipper of some sort (the cheap plastic orange lipper sold at cabelas works surprisingly well and is inexpensive and lightweight) and a pair of some sort of needle nose pliers to remove the hooks. With these two tools it can be a snap.

Still not convinced? Need more direction? How about this..........go to the tackle store and get several rapala shad raps and tie them on 10lb test. These lures generally run not much deeper than 8ft and float at rest. They can be trolled or cast. They are light and do not contribute to line spin like a spinner or spoon might. Simple and hassle free. BTW, if you are put off with the thought of a hook in a fishes lip don't be........think it through, a game fish in canoe country makes its living biting and chewing other fish. These other fish have their own defenses which include spines and scales and such. They are quite used to being stuck on a regular basis. Alls you are providing is a little exercise for the day .

So let's re-cap........Use decent equipment with fresh line, know your knots before you go, limit your lures, and go when you are feeling rested when the wind or bugs aren't so bad. Who knows, you might find that fishing is actually an enjoyable prospect. Oh, and don't forget the camera  .  

i wish fishing could still be that relaxing. i generally fish with my brothers or buddies and it always turns into a competition. i talk a lot of trash about how i'm going to catch the first, biggest and the most. generally it holds true; however, when it doesn't i never hear the end of it.

the only relaxing fishing i get anymore is with my fiancee'.

Awww, talkin a little smack is nothing but good fun. My offshore crew has been at it all week leading up to next weeks trip. I told them to take it easy on the "old man". (Of course that will make it all that much more satisfying when I give them a good spanking ..........yea, I think I can still hang with the young lions.......I guess we'll find out)

MT has it right. I have even learned to enjoy watching someone else catch a trophy almost as much as catching it myself...

For the trash talkin joes I love helping my 12 year old give them a smack down at camp. If you can really fish then you should be able to help someone else catch that trophy Now who is the MAN!!!

Teach an 8 year old how to out fish a group of adults with photo back up at camp.. Yeah thats fun and relaxing. It is also fun to enjoy listing to the youngster shut up mr. trash mouth!!!