For many of us fishing is a hobby, an escape from the daily grind, for more importantly a way to spend time with family.  A special thank you to my dad in heaven for sharing his knowledge and his passion for fishing. Thanks to him I am able to bond with  friends and my family on the water!

 

Who taught you to fish???

 

 

My dad taught me to fish for catfish and panfish when I was a kid.  When he retired he started fishing more and more for bass until he was bass fishing all of the time.  He taught me how to read the water, and how to read the sky.

My dad died when I was young. My step dad was my fishing partner.  He spent a lot of time with me on the water. Good memories. 

I guess I have to thank myself then, lol. I’m self taught. However, and I’ll cherish this until the day I die. I took my dad fishing and taught him how to fish. It is a small token of gratitude since he taught the other things in life. 

My dad taught me the basics .Best man Ive ever known.

 

This guy!  He's 80 now...even after four rotator cuff surgeries, and a shoulder replacement, can still bring it! 

 

My older brother Tom, taught me about bass fishing in farm ponds during the late mid to late 1960s. 

This guy and his father had a lot to do with it.

Didn't have anyone actually, my Dad didn't fish much and it was up to me. Books-video's-trial and error. Bought a 12' alum. and a 7.5hp outboard and that was the door to many adventures on the water. Fish will teach you.....I never looked back : ) 

My Grandpa Sweasey bought me a rod and took me fishing when I was 4. I caught an 18.5" carp that first trip. It's been my favorite pasttime ever since. One of my earliest memories, and I still recall it vividly 48 years later. Thanks Gramps, I miss you.

My mom taught me to fish and still enjoy the trips with her more than any trips I take during the year with my friends.  We're going on a salt water trip in October and both are looking forward to it maybe her more than me!  She's old school still bait fishes(minnows/worms) about 95% of the time.  I can sometimes get her to throw a little hair jig under a float for crappie, but long as she's out there with me that's all that matters. 

 

My grandfather and Dad were both serious bass fisherman and began taking me at an early age. At first they would take me fishing for bream and sac-a-lait (that's what we call crappie in south Louisiana). 

 

When I was 12 years old my grandfather gave me a Pfleuger baitcasting reel and told me when I could cast without backlashing he would start taking me bass fishing. Also, I had to be able to hit a target consistently. 

 

This was before I had my first Ambassadeur 5000 free spool reel. I had to learn how to rely on my thumb only. I still set my baitcasters without the centrifugal brakes and/or magnets.

 

So much of what I know about shallow water fishing came from them. 

 

 

A neighbor took me to the Santa Monica pier when I was 6.  I read magazines, mostly Outdoor Life, and learned from them.  Joe Brooks was my hero.  @ 10 my folks signed me up for fly fishing lessons @ a local park and bought me a rod, reel and a Ned Grey fly tying kit.  @ 13 a friend from my dad's office took me yellowtail fishing on a charter boat out of San Diego.   

Caught my first fish with my Grampa, but Glenn, Bassresource and sa whole bunch of other internet folk taught me most of what I know. I never had an avid fisherman in my life to teach me.

My grandpa who passed away several years ago. I will always have a fondness for a Zebco 33.

My dad Introduced me to Fishing when I was a lil guy.  It didn’t stick. My youngest son got me back into it and I taught myself along with a lot of advice 

I learned how to specifically bass fish completely on my own. I have also turned a couple friends, my Father, my wife, and my brother on to it. I have a 2.5 year old son that may eventually learn from me too.

 

Both my parents taught me some basics when it comes to fishing and boating in general, but my Grandfather specifically taught me how to walleye fish.

 

 

I pretty much taught myself...and I still have a ways to go.

Its a lifetime of learning...and some of the best days on the water are not catching anything at all.