Let's Try Fishing PT. 2

Last week we talked about fishing as a way to help pass the time until it is warm enough to go back out on the water and start landing new tricks. We started with the basics of fishing, the hook. This week we will continue on the topic of beginner fishing to help you find the perfect fishing rod out of all the ones you see sitting in the store.

Picking a rod is an important process in fishing and it can seem overwhelming with all the different options. Let us help you to narrow down your selection. What you are trying to catch plays a huge role in the fishing rod that you end up with. There are five different categories of rod/reel combos. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?

Once you know what type of fish you will be looking for in the lake, you can decide on the length of your rod. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide. For the beginner fisherman I would suggest a nice mid weight, mid length rod. Nothing to fancy, remember you are just learning.

The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.

Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole comes down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want pick it up and handle it in the store. Don't worry, you won't look stupid. It is best to get a rod that you feel is comfortable in your had. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects.

Finding the right rod can seem like an impossible task, but hopefully with this help, you are able to find the one that will help you learn how to fish.

Let's Try Fishing PT.1

It's winter. Yes I know it isn't the best season to be a boater but that doesn't mean that you have to give up spending time on/by the water. Fishing is a great all season sport, one that you can enjoy even during this time of year. It's OK if you haven't gone fishing before we can help you. Let's start with the basics, the hook.

What is a hook? A fishhook is a device used in catching fish; in fact it is what catches the fish. It does so by hooking the fish by the mouth. Hooks come in many different shapes and sizes. The hook is attached to the pole by fishing line.

You would think by looking at a hook that it is just a simple piece of metal in the shape of a J. In fact, the hook is made up of a few different parts. It starts at the top of the hook with the eye. The eye is where you tie on your fishing line to hold the hook in place. Following the eye is the shank which is the long part of the hook. The shank flows into the bend which in turn takes you out to the point of the hook.

The point of the hook is where all the action happens. The point is where you hook your fish onto the line. Attached to the point is also a piece of metal called the barb. The barb is there to prevent the hook from coming out of the fish's mouth.

There are different types of hooks out on the market. The first being the traditional J hook. It gets its name because it looks like a J. This hook is best used with natural bait, meaning live or dead bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks that are offered. It is the hook that all other hooks come from.

The next type of fishing hook is the treble hook. This hook actually has three different points attached to one shank. You will usually find these attached to artificial baits that you  find in your tackle shop.

The final type of fishing hook is called a circle hook. It looks similar to the J hook but the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft, making it look like a circle. For all of us beginners, this is the hook to use. There is little to no work when catching the fish on the hook.

With all the different styles of fishing hooks you are bound to find the one that excites you the most. Stay tuned next week and we will talk about the fishing rod and how to pick yours out of the hundreds that you find in the fishing isle.