Fishing Forum

[font "Verdana"][size 3]Teaching Novices How to Fish[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1] [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]Many beginning golfers and tennis players learn the fundamentals of their respective sports by receiving instruction from teaching professionals. These seasoned pros walk their students through the basics, show them proper form and technique, and help them put what they learn into actual practice. But who do novice anglers turn to when they want to learn the fine art of fishing? The fact is, most beginning anglers do not take fishing "lessons" from angling professionals. Typically, they are introduced to the sport by their fathers, grandfathers, older siblings or friends, who often have limited fishing experience themselves. While these "angling mentors" have nothing but good intentions, they may unknowingly pass on ineffective techniques and bad angling habits to their students. There are a few "on the water" fishing schools available to anglers, such as those offered by Penn's Fishing University and the fishing newspaper, Western Outdoor News. Several national workshops and seminar series are also offered by various sponsors, including Salt Water Sportsman magazine. The majority of these programs, however, are designed more for those that already have a basic understanding of fishing, rather than the angling novice. This being the case, most beginning anglers are dependent upon friends or family members to show them the ropes." Since you may be called on to perform this duty in the near future, here are a few helpful tips for teaching novices how to fish. [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]Have Patience! [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1]Before you attempt to impart your "vast fishing knowledge" upon a beginner, you must make sure your patience level is high. This is even more important if the "student" happens to be a young child. Prepare yourself to field some questions that may seem simplistic or downright ridiculous. Get ready to witness plenty of rookie mistakes, including some horrendous tangles and backlashes. Some of the biggest challenges you will face as the "angling instructor" will be delivering information in a manner easily understood by a beginner, answering questions clearly, making sure you are teaching proper technique, and remaining calm, cool and collected at all times. [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]Introduce the Tools of the Trade [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1]Prior to getting into actual technique, be sure to familiarize the angling novice with the tools of the trade. Remember, while the operation of this equipment may be second nature to you, elementary tasks like clicking a reel into gear, flipping over the bail or adjusting the drag may seem confusing to a complete beginner. Make sure the novice is starting out with a rod and reel combination that´s easy to use, such as a spinning or spin-casting outfit. This will help minimize potential problems, such as tangles and backlash, that are more likely when using conventional or baitcasting tackle. Also make sure the rod and reel combination is appropriate for both the angler and angling application. You don´t want to start off a novice with a combination that´s too difficult to use or too heavy, long or bulky for comfort – especially if the beginner happens to be a child. Likewise, make sure the outfit being used by the novice is designed for the type of fishing you will be doing. Don´t try to teach a beginner how to jig for freshwater bass with a rod and reel made for saltwater trolling. Finally, spool the novice´s reel up with quality line that´s right for the job. According to the manufacturer´s recommendations, spool the reel up to near capacity. If you overfill the spool, you are more likely to encounter all sorts of line problems. [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]Practice Makes Perfect [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1]It´s best not to wait until you are out on the water to run through the basics with a novice angler. Discuss and demonstrate things like increasing the drag, casting, setting the hook, cranking on a fish, opening/closing the bail and other common procedures, before you get on a boat. Attempting to do so with the added distractions of wind, waves and cramped conditions will make your teaching job considerably more difficult. If the beginning angler has a fundamental understanding of operation and technique before he or she arrives on the fishing scene, it will be much easier for the novice to handle a "live" fishing scenario. Prior to your first actual fishing trip, take the beginner to an open park or field (making sure there are no people close by), and practice casting. Thread the line through the guides and attach a casting "dummy" or a small sinker, and help the novice get the motion and timing down. Take time to demonstrate the proper motion that should be used when fighting a fish, as well. Depending upon the age of the student, you may also want to teach the beginner how to tie on a hook using a simple knot (such as the Palomar). [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]On-the-Water Instruction [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1]Assuming you´ve outfitted the beginning angler with the appropriate tackle and have covered basic technique, you should be ready for a "sea trial." If the angling student is not used to being out on the water, have the beginner take motion-sickness medication, apply a seasickness patch or use another preventative, prior to setting forth. Once you´re on the spot and everyone is in ship-shape condition, you can begin providing some "field" instruction. If you will be using live bait, show the novice how to select, handle and hook a bait properly. If lures will be used, show the beginner how long to let it sink, how fast to crank, and how to "work" the artificial correctly on the retrieve. If your fishing student has had trouble with casting motion and technique in practice, it may be best to skip casting altogether initially. Instead, have the beginner drop the bait or lure straight down and fish vertically in the early going. You´ll need to pay close attention to what your angling student is doing. Don´t expect to instruct a beginner and do some serious fishing yourself at the same time. While this seems possible in theory, it simply doesn´t work when you´re out on the water. If you get into a "hot bite," it may be difficult for you to lay down your rod and help the novice, but be prepared to do so. Keep in mind that teaching a neophyte how to fish will require a certain amount of self-sacrifice on your part. If the rule of "beginner´s luck" rings true, the angling student will probably hook up. When this happens, remind the novice to stay calm and in control, (easier said than done), and apply what he or she learned during practice maneuvers. In most cases, you´ll also need to serve as the "angling coach," walking the beginner through the various stages of hooking, fighting and landing the fish. Be sure to stay calm yourself during this process. Shouting out instructions wildly will only create tension and confusion during the battle. Also make sure this advice is coming from the designated instructor only, and not from multiple persons barking out orders simultaneously. Stay with the novice throughout the entire process – from the moment the hook is set, to the landing of the fish – providing instruction as you go along. Hopefully, the beginner will be successful in landing his or her first fish, but even if proper technique is used, there´s no guarantee. If the fish is lost, let the novice know that this is simply a part of the game – you win some and you lose some. Compliment the beginner on the effort, review any major errors, offer remedies to the problems, and encourage the novice to "get back out there and hook another." [/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 1]Post-Catch Pointers [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 1]Once the novice lands a fish, the lesson is not over. After congratulating the novice on a job well done, be sure to show the beginner how to handle a game fish, remove the hook, and release or store the prized catch properly. Don´t forget to take a picture of the angler proudly displaying the fish (especially if it´s his or her first) to preserve the memory forever. If you will be keeping the catch for the dinner table, you may want to also show the beginning angler how to clean, fillet and cook the fish. After all, many fishermen consider preparing and eating their fresh catch to be an essential part of the overall angling experience.[/size][/font] [signature]
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