anglerintraining

KansasBassin- Did you go to Jas A Reed? If so, how was it--do you have a report?

Hi-My son recently moved back here & has suggested we go fishing this w/e. We haven't been fishing here in years. We don't have a boat, so it will be bank-fishing. Any suggestions as to where we should go? --Preferably someplace we can catch something so that he'll want to do this again! He suggested Jas A Reed, where we used to go a lot when he was a kid. What do y'all think? --Not north of Liberty or south of Jas A Reed would be best.

I guess we all have a story--had my new digital camera stolen a few months back when I left it under a table @ a restaurant. Went right back, & "No...we haven't seen it"...right...no one seated there since I left. It IS infuriating--I was SO MAD, but we can't give these crooks any more power than we already have. We didn't choose to have them steal from us, BUT we can choose to let them alter our view of mankind. I think the hardest part is that we don't get to "vent" at the right person, and we really want to let them have it. My parents were pretty much ruined financially by a scam artist a few years back, & I can't tell you the level of anger/hatred I felt toward him. He's in prison, thank goodness, after stealing almost $1 million--all from senior citizens. Now my dad works the local elections occasionally for $7/hr at age 82, and we support them financially. HOWEVER, we all have chosen to move on. The real treasure is my parents themselves, and thankfully I still have them. The other things are just...things. They just are in someone else's custody now! When you're ready, life is infinitely better focusing on the good, and I'm grateful to say there's been a LOT of wonderful people in my life...even the kind people who I just meet in passing--like a lot of you guys on this site! Bass Smacker, hang in there--don't let it get you down for long.

Absolutely, LBH. Life in general is just more enjoyable when you can be a good dport. Fishbear, what is a red breasted shell cracker?

Hey Fish, You're happy, you're not hurting anyone. How can this be a wrong decision? As for the uncomfortable "withdrawals", maybe try telling yourself what you would tell your best buddy. What would that be?

I think the difference here, Fish, is that alcoholics & addicts need to give those substances up completely--moderation does not occur for them. Although one can, I suppose, become truly addicted to just about anything, the real question is: Does it cause a problem for you? Are you sacrificing important things like primary relationships &/or your job to focus on fishing? If not, then where's the problem? Life is about dealing w/limits at times--makes us appreciate the activity all the more! If so, then there obviously is a problem, but quitting fishing probably isn't the answer. Once a person could deal w/the life problems they're avoiding by fishing, I think they could most likely still maintain a passion for fishing w/o a problem. OK--I know everyone's thinking, "Oh, brother..." BUT I have a feeling that your question was serious in nature. When there have been things in my life that seem to take over & I'm feeling bad about it, there've always been other things that I'm avoiding. Even w/alcoholics (and I've known many), when they do quit, there is a lot still to figure out/deal with. Alcohol wasn't the original problem--it was the attempted solution. I'll shut up now.

When you visit the site, there is a link for "Create a Certificate". There you can make & print off certificates for "first fish", "best fishing buddy", etc. Great idea to give to kids. They are really cool-looking--nice site.

The other night we ordered Chinese food, and this was the message (I swear!) in my son's fortune cookie: If you go fishing, your catch will be plentiful. I figure mine was just as good, because it read: Your luck will change for the better. So, I guess we'll go fishing! Expect to hear all about the plentiful catch.

What a great question. And thanks, George Welcome for that link. Looks like good info. I have never even tried fishing w/a jig, so I have something new to look into.

Amen to that! I can't believe I forgot to mention that! We do that very same thing--bring bags to collect trash. Once, when we were fishing at a conservation area, I had the kids take their bags of trash in to show the office staff. The staff was so pleased that they asked for the kids' names & addresses. They sent them each a letter of commendation--the kids were pretty proud. Also, since you're in canoes, I'm sure the kids will enjoy some races and/or splashing contests! Hope you all have a great time. Just remember to keep your sense of humor, no matter what!

OK, maybe this is a dumb question (wouldn't be my first though, so why ruin a good record now), but if you cut off the head, doesn't it make it hard to fillet the fish? I always held the head down & cut in below the gills, angled back w/the knife to almost the tail, flipped the cut piece over & slid the knife between the meat & skin to remove the skin. Then, I'd repeat on the other side. (Did that make sense?) To those of you who cut off the head, which I agree would be the most humane way to kill it, how do you proceed from there? PV

You've gotten great advice. I'm far (way far) from being an expert angler, but I have taken kids (mine & their friends) fishing a lot. So, here are some other things to consider: First off, social interaction will be of primary importance w/teens. Don't worry if they get distracted & end up skipping rocks (not where you're fishing, of course!), catching bugs, etc. The important thing is that they're enjoying the outdoors. Keep the focus on the process (fishing, enjoying nature) not on the outcome (catching). Be aware that some of them may be really squeemish about worms, but often the guys are embarrassed to admit it & will just say they don't want to fish. I had one boy try to hold a worm w/pliers & put it on the hook that way! ;D Make a joke of it, & get them to do as much on their own as possible. Bring lots of food & drinks! Maybe even make time for a snack or lunch break together. Take the opportunity to emphasize conservation (No littering, catch & release carefully, etc.). Bring a camera to record both the catches & the funny moments. I had one boy catch everything BUT a fish--plastic bags, a soda can, a man's shirt, a stick... Though frustrated at the time, it has become a very funny memory between us all. If the kids are new to fishing, bring experienced helpers. You'll be VERY busy helping tie hooks, releasing fish (hopefully), showing them how to cast, reminding them to keep the worms in a cool spot, reminding them not to hook each other, etc. Safety first! The trip to the lake is the perfect time to state the rules & go over how to avoid getting injured. A good hook-in-the-body-part-of-your-choice horror story is always a cool addition w/teens! You can find many on this site! Here's another fun thing we do somtimes: Have some sort of competition with or without prizes. A dollar for the 1st fish caught, biggest fish, most fish. It could be a piece of candy for the prize, or just bragging rights. Be sure to have a prize for "most restraint" or some such thing for someone who catches nothing. Keep it light & funny. HAVE FUN, & good for you for taking kids fishing! They will love it, & it won't even be a video game! Let us know how it goes.

At this point, I'd settle for anything! But, I have to agree w/Rodbender--what a blast my boys would have catching fish all day! And, one of these days, WE ARE GONNA DO IT!

What a great question & even better responses. THANK YOU, AL, for asking--I didn't even think to ask--I had just concluded that I pretty much stink! ;D This thread has really helped. No boat here, either, and most of the time I'm limited to some small city-owned ponds. It really does help to hear some very experienced anglers say how this time of year a bass an hour, even on a boat, can be a good day. I agree that it's a win-win situation when you're fishing. Even if I catch nothing (all too often), it is still so calming to be out of doors watching the water, the sunset, watch/listen to the birds, etc. But, when you take kids, they need to catch a fish now & then or get bored really quick. So I always hope my son can at least catch 1! It has been sooo hot here. I'm hoping to rent a boat this Friday & take my boys out fishing. It's supposed to be cooler then--highs in the 80's not 100's. I haven't posted that often--usually w/DUH! questions, but I do read the forums a lot since I found you guys a month or so ago. Great info & willingness to help, & great commaderie! Thanks again, Al, for starting this thread. PK

Dang! For a minute there I thought you were offering the solution to my problems! If you decide to turn it into a mojo-bestowing chain, I am the perfect candidate!

Between that and the alligators, I have definitely scratched FLORIDA off my lists of places to ever live!

If I could bass fish anywhere in the world, I'd bass fish everywhere in the world, and take my time doing it!

Hello all-- As to boat vs. shore fishing, I love both, but alas, no boat. We do rent one once or twice a summer. Here's my question: How do you locate these not-over-fished ponds if you're not lucky enough to know someone w/one on their property? Here's one thing that REALLY bothers me about shore fishing: Putting up w/all the trash left by inconsiderate fishermen! I will never understand how someone can love to fish & just trash the pond/lake/river. We often take a trash bag & pick up, but talk about a "enjoy the outdoors" spoiler when you're faced w/all those beer bottles, worm tubs, stench, flies... Ok...pardon the rant...

Wow! I never expected to get so much feedback! Thanks a ton, & I have begun to read the articles. My son & I will continue to keep on keepin on, but I'm also considering the guide idea. Do guides always work by boat, because I'm thinking that to learn bank fishing, we should be trained that way. I'll have to see if I can swing that by fall. Anyhow, I've taken note of the lure/bait suggestions & other ideas as well. I rarely watch TV, but I will try out some fishing shows. You know, I think I even have a video series on fishing that my brother once gave me. I'll hunt for that, because I think it was geared for beginners. I will check back & let you know how the next fishing trip goes. I appreciate the warm welcome!

Hello- My son (14 yo) & I are relatively new to fishing. The more we learn, the more I realize we don't know. As we don't own a boat, we mostly bank-fish, but occasionally we rent a boat & troll. We'd really love to get good at this fishing thing, & we especially enjoy bass fishing. Mostly my son just loves to catch anything, though! At least now we've gotten to where we can tie knots efficiently, know when we're hung as opposed to having a fish on the line, etc. BUT, we're not knowledgeable about what type of lure to use when/where, how to change things up when not catching, etc. So what do you experienced anglers recommend? Should we look for a club to join, or are those mainly for people w/boats? Should we just keep pluggin along as is & let experience hopefully impart some knowledge along the way? Any/all suggestions appreciated. ~Angler in training