Freshwater vs Saltwater

One of the things that occurred to me while picking up my fishing license was that I needed to decide whether to focus on freshwater or saltwater fishing to get my feet wet (literally)*. This decision would also determine what equipment I would be buying. 

The closest saltwater body near me is the Chesapeake Bay which is 1 hour away in the middle of the night and 2 hours due to the terrible local traffic. I know nothing about it and I don't have a boat. Sounds like fun. Not!

Freshwater bodies on the other hand are all over the place. There is even a stocked lake* only 10 miles from my crib. This seems like one of the easiest choices I've made since I had to decide between NY Pizza and Chicago Pizza*. Freshwater (NY) it is!

Now that I knew which designation to get I dropped that skrilla and I happy to report that I am now legal! I'm a licensed fisherman! Hide yo' wife, hide yo' fish!

1. You typically have to get a separate license for saltwater and freshwater because government
2. A stocked lake is one where fish are loaded in a dump truck and dumped into a lake with trash
3. Deep dish pizza sucks

Wal-Mart Concussion

SMACK!

That was the sound of my head slamming into the floor of the Wal-Mart fishing aisle. I had just passed out looking at the overwhelming selection of fishing gear.

I'm not sure if you have ever been in the fishing section, but it is a smorgasbord of disaster. It is jam packed with thousands of items in bags the size you see drugs sold in. In those one million tiny bags are what seems like 1 million different weights, sizes, colors, styles, shapes, and flavors of whatevers. How in the hell am I supposed to know what I need!?

1/16th ounce. Rattlin'. Heavy Action. Ultra Lite. Monofiliment. Baitcast. Spinners. Tubes. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

This initial experience was way too confusing for me and my fishing-aisle based concussion. I figured I better go home and break this new experience down in the comfort and safety of my soft bed.

Some Preliminary Research

I am the kind of person who doesn't like to just jump into something. So when I decided I was going to become a fisherman I didn't just grab a pole and head to the lake. Instead, hoping to do everything right and not pick up any unbreakable bad habits, I went online and researched everything there is to know about reeling in a big one.

I read articles, I read blogs, I watched YouTube videos, I checked out books at the library, and I scoured message boards. After hour upon hour of research I learned something. There are 1 million different ways to catch a fish. Everyone has their own ideas strategies and tactics. Everyone has their own equipment, bait, and location preferences. And everyone is right. Somehow.

Oddly enough all my research actually led me to exactly what I thought. There are 5 steps to catching a fish. It's just what happens before, during, and after each step that makes everything so complicated...or is it complicated? See below...

I'm going to have to go out on the water and find the way that works best for me. But I'm kinda feeling like that kid. Can you guys touch the fish for me...

Five Steps To Become A Fisherman

I know I haven't even gotten started fishing yet, but from what I understand, there are 5 steps to catching a fish:

1. Decide You Want To Be A Fisherman
2. Buy Some Equipment
3. Find Some Water
4. Toss Said Equipment In That Water With Bait
5. Reel In A Fish

Bam! Sounds easy! I'm already 20% there! This is going to be a breeze. I can already picture myself holding up that world record trophy fish!

What's that? It isn't that simple? Dag Nabbit! This guy makes it seem easy:

I guess I'm going to have to expand my view of fishing. Maybe add a 6th step...

It's Official...I Think I'm Going To Go Fishing

My interest in fishing is generated by my interest in survival. I love books like Verne's Mysterious Island and Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. I love movies like Castaway and the Beach. I love TV shows like Survivor and Man vs Wild. All of these devices have one item in common. They all involve self-sustenance...on a beach. And when you are on a beach, there is one very important way to get food. Fishing.

While I do like fantasizing about being stranded on a desert island and catching delicious meals, I kind of like the idea that I can take up fishing as a fun hobby instead of a fight for survival. If I catch fish I am happy. If I fail I don't die. There is always a McDonalds nearby. How poetic.

I enjoy winning. I enjoy competing. I enjoy a good challenge. I enjoy learning. I enjoy mastering things. All of these traits make fishing a possible target hobby. But the main driving force that pushes me to the water is that yearning to be a survivor. Cue Destiny's Child.

In order to become Beyonce, I have one simple goal. I want to catch a fish, and then eat that fish. It is that simple. If I can do that, I will be satisfied. And the only way to accomplish that goal is to go fishing. This blog is going to chronicle my transformation from regular city guy to expert fisherman.

I guess I should probably stop typing and figure out how in the hell fishing works...maybe this guy can help: