That's what started it all anyway.
I asked her what she wanted for Christmas last year. This is a girly girl. All pink and sparkles if she can get them. Scared to death of any kind of insect or spider.
She answered... "A fishing rod". Wide eyed and completely stunned I asked if she was sure. "Yes". I saked "You mean like a cane pole"? "No daddy, a fishing rod like you throw".
I asked, "Are you going to catch fish"? "Yes".
"Are you goung to bring them in?" "Yes."
"Are you going to put the worm on the hook?" "No daddy, you'll do that."
So, I won this $50 gift card at work for Dicks Sporting Goods and I bought two Shakespere spin cast combos and some light tackle. We went to the small lake nearby near the dam and from the bank we baited our hooks. I figured this would last 30 minutes tops.
That girl fished!
She never took her eye off that bobber. She got a few bites and lost her bait a few times.
I asked if she wanted to go. "No.
She caught about a three inch Shad. She was tickled to joy. Most fishermen(womwn) would have been disappointed but she jumped for joy.
She said "Let's put the fish back daddy or he will be sad". So I did.
She fished some more, got a few bites, lost her bait. I asked if she wanted to get some water. "No."
She caught a Bream. It was like winning the lottery to most folks. About six inches. We let it go and while I was baiting her hook I noticed I had a bite on my rig. I told her to go pick it up and reel it in. She said "It won't turn", I told her to turn the crank the other way, she said "It won't turn that way either". I looked and the line was tight and moving.
I went up behind her, put my arms around her, held the rod and told her to crank the reel slowly. She caught about a 13 inch catfish. Oh my, the fish and my daughter were both hooked.
We fished about another hour and I asked if she wanted to get something to eat. "OK" reluctantly.
So, We go several more times to several more places fishing from the bank. We catch nothing but that girl fishes.
So, my wife says "You can sell your Jeep and buy a boat as long as you don't borrow any money. I almost passed out. This was about six months later and close to my daughter's birthday.
I found a 1991 Ranger 361V with a Yamaha 150 ProV and a Ranger Trail trailer. The guy traded even and I do the exchange tomorrow. I have a friend who has worked on almost all civilian watercraft and he gave the OK on the boat, motor and trailer.
So, I have read everything I can on the internet because I'm no fisherman. And this is my first boat.
I've bought the best rods, reels and tackle I could afford... Baitcasters and spinning reels... Graphite rods, Abu Garcia, Shimano, Lew's and Skeeter Bushito spinning rod. Lots of bait.
But I still have a million questions. So, if you see me here asking dumb stuff, please help a newbie out if you have time.
Wish us luck,
Rob
