Taking Newbee's fish'n

[GobbleDog]

Like everyone else, when you get a reputation for fishing a lot, you probably have a lot of friends asking you to take them. I've never met a person in my life who said they didn't fish.  If they've ever caught a crappy or any other fish in their life, they will forever say they fish. But few of them actually know how to bass fish. Feeling the bite, reeling down and setting the hook is definately an acquired skill. Not to mention the problem of casting. I can spit further than most of them can cast.

This weekend, I took a friend bass fishing. I caught about 15 bass - he caught 0.  We were using the exact same worm setup and he was getting bites (I watched the pole bow), but he didn't know how to reel down and set the hook. I told him what he was doing wrong, but he just kept missing them. I felt bad for him. I told him next time, I'm taking him salt water fishing with live shrimp and he'll get sick of catching trout.

In order to teach people to cast further, I usually describe it as "using a bullwhip" or "snapping a towel" and to use a lot of wrist action when doing it.  Telling people how to "feel" the bite is more difficult. Especially when fishing in thick hydrilla. I tell them that grass tends to "snag the line" while bass will "pull the other way".  

Anyone else have a difficult time putting into words the how to's of bass fishing? It can be frustrating when they just don't get it.

[roadwarrior]

My partner and I take guests a lot and we often have guys that haven't really "fished". So here are my suggestions:

1. We carry a couple of 6' medium power/ fast action rods with Zebco 33 reels. That eliminates about half the problem.

2. We usually bait fish with circle hooks. That doesn't keep them from hanging up, but the fish "hook" themselves eliminating some of their troubles.

3. You have to "show them" how to cast with their forearms and wrists, don't assume they have a clue. This part is fairly easy to pick up and will alleviate much of your frustration, as well as their's.

4. If you are fishing artificials try crankbaits or spinnerbaits that hook themselves and allows the rookies to "practice" casting while they are fishing. A Rat-L-Trap is the perfect lure. Also, either keep the boat out far enough where they can't quite reach the bank or even better, fish them parallel to cover or structure where they have a chance of catching a fish while randomly casting to what appears to be open water.

5. Stay away from finesse presentations, they need to learn fundamentals before they can move to advanced or subtle techniques.

6. We fish the Tennessee River where anyone with a hook in the water will always catch a few fish. They might not be exactly what you are looking for, but a 5 or 10lb drum for a newbie is fun!

[GobbleDog]

I like that circle hook idea. That would probably help with the hook sets. I'll try that.

You're right that finesse fishing is more difficult to learn, but it's the best way I know to catch fish. Plus, I know they'd quickly get tired of casting a crankbait a million times.  (heck, I get tired of casting crankbaits myself).

On a side note, ever notice everyone wants to bring their own stuff? I usually tell them, "oh no, you don't have to do that, I have plenty of poles and tackle..." (trying to be nice, because I know they're little Snoopy pole ain't going to work very well)  

[Shad_Master]

There used to be a lady that worked in our office you informed me that "fishing is an excuse for doing nothing".  I advised her, not if you do it the way I do and offered to pick her up at 3:30 that next Saturday to accompany me on a 2.5 hour drive to an 8 hour tournament.  She didn't take me up on it

[Capt. George]

Not much more for me to enjoy then taking newbies...Remember when you were one??

Yeah, it's annoying but the end result is worth it, ESPECIALLY kids.

any way to make it easier, nahh! but, so what?

keep on helping the newbies...we were all there once..      gp

[GobbleDog]

Not much more for me to enjoy then taking newbies...Remember when you were one??

Yeah I do. And nobody ever taught me. I had to learn the hard way. I used to fish with a short poll and ugly worms and small mono line and over-sized hooks/weights, etc... I didn't know any better. It took me 10+ years to learn which tackle works best.

A friend of mine was recently getting into bass fishing and asked for my help in buying stuff, so I got him a nice rod and reel and spooled it up with Power Pro and got some Trick worms and stuff that works for me. He has no idea how much time and money I saved him.

[5150bass]

Yes I agree it can be frusturating teaching people that don't know how to fish.  But I think you need to keep it simple as possible.  And it is also important not to give then an information overload all at once.  Saying make sure you do this, then that and make sure you don't forget to.....blah, blah, blah.  Just say cast this crankbait out and reel it in, when you feel something weird pull back.  Then as soon as they catch one fish or see a fish follow their lure to the boat they get so excited and get a bit of confidence.  And then bit by bit you can get them to refine what they are doing.  And then after a while something very strange happens...they start catching more fish than you.  

5150bass

[GobbleDog]

I think you need to keep it simple as possible. And it is also important not to give then an information overload all at once.

I agree with keeping it simple. I try not to say, "do this and do this and don't do that" sort of thing. I just let them fish and then mention a thing or two along the way.

One thing I do mention to them right off the bat is to give their line a tug after every cast, so they don't get loops in the spinning reel.

[Peter E.]

   Nothing tickles me more than to watch someone get hooked on fishing, And the tips road warrior gave are good and as captain george pointed out we were all newbies at one point. i have been an adiment fisherman for the past 10 years and i still think of myself as a beginer because every time i am on the water I learn something new. Life and fishing are much alike in that we should never stop learning nor shoulod we ever stop teaching.

    Take a kid fishing, take a freind but always remeber to share this sport we love so dearly. There are days that i think fishing is one of the greatest joys in my life therefore i love to share it.

    One tip however when you take a person fishing whom has never been, especailly a child take them to catch fish! In other words it may not be bass you catch but make sure they enjoy the trip, bass fishing will come with time as they learn to appreciate the sport more.

     I like to take people where they can get into a school of bass with a crank bAIT nd weAR THE FISH OUT. That is how I got hooked.

Peter

[Capt. George]

What is it about, "give a man a fish, but if you teach a man to fish " etc.

[GobbleDog]

Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for one day.

Teach a man to fish, and he'll wear an ugly hat.

[GobbleDog]

make sure they enjoy the trip, bass fishing will come with time as they learn to appreciate the sport more.

True. Some friends came down from Wisconsin earlier this year and did all the Disney attractions and stuff. Then the husband asked if I'd take him fishing, so I took him over to the coast. We caught a bunch of junk fish... catfish, snapper, jacks, whiting, ladyfish, trout.... etc... Personally, it was fun catching fish, but we didn't catch anything I'd want to write home about.

But he had a blast! I gaurantee he'll remember that fishing trip a lot longer than he remembers a day at Disney. Catching a ton of fish, seeing dolphins swim around in the wild, pulling up crab traps and taking a peak, etc... I was proud of myself for taking him.

I done good.  

[Bass Hammer]

One tip however when you take a person fishing whom has never been, especailly a child take them to catch fish! In other words it may not be bass you catch but make sure they enjoy the trip, bass fishing will come with time as they learn to appreciate the sport more.

Peter

Peter has a good point.

I know this because I have three boys.

When I take them out I stop worrying about catching fish myself and spend my time helping them to catch fish. The look on a kids face is priceless.

Besides I figure if I spend the time with them when they are young they will take me fishing when I'm old.

[Capt. George]

and he'll wear an ugly hat!!!! :exclamation  

[stratoscaster]

A sign hanging in our kitchen reads, Give a man a fish he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the weekend.  

[Cajun1977]

first time i took the wife fishing i was in the do this dont do that mode      then she started calling me the fishing natzi  so i lightened up real fast now im called the hook and fish remover boy

[Panamoka_Bassin]

Last spring I took my 10 y.o. nephew to the pond by my house.  I think he'd been fishing once or twice before, so he knew the basics, but I did have to show him some tips.  First, I thought something that you reel in, rather than jig, would be a good idea, at least he's doing something active.  So I set him up with a little Mepps spinner.  Then I made sure I knew there were bass to be caught where we were.  We fished for a little while, and as he's looking a little bored, a bass makes a huge attack at his bait, and his eyes lit up like he's going to explode.  He didn't set the hook, so I made sure he knew how to do that, and told him to cast right where the bass first hit.  This time when the fish went for the bait he set the hook and fought for a few minutes until he pulled in a nice 2 pounder.  The rest of the day he had hits and misses, I know he truly enjoyed it.  He keeps asking me to take him, and to be honest he's a real treat to have around.  In fact, I think I learn just as much from watching him as he does from me.

I just wish I had a cool uncle when I was growing up.

[Kana]

ive taken a few friends fishing.  some have some grandpas hand me downs, so i tell them ill bring the gear.  iusualy give them the bascs on a cast and have them practice in an open unobstructed spot for a few minutes, and watch what theyre doing and how i cn help.  i usually dont fish for at the beginning, but rather help them if needed, and retrieve stuck lures.  i agree a ratl trap is a killer beginner bait.  its best not to overload them with info.   i just try to let then get comfortable and point them in the right direction.  if all else fails, gills give them a bit of practice!

[George Welcome]

Kids fishing:

Nothing can replace it: the excitement and joy is a treasure to see as youngsters learn what fishing is all about.

[Capt. George]

ain't nothin better then a kids smile.

[Aaron_S]

Roadwarrior hit it right on the nose, I like all of his suggestions, and make sure that you take some Zebco 33's because they are easy to sue for beginners!

[Peter E.]

Amen Captain, Amen,

Peter

[Preston]

Theres no words to describe the feeling of having a person you taught how to fish OUTFISH you on YOUR home lake. I dont know if its bad or good. It happened to me and i was at a loss for words cuase i taught him how to use a spinning reel and how to do eveyhitng. Now hes teaching me, you gotta love fishing.

[Whopper Stopper]

I have tried to get younger kids started fishing. Believe me it takes alot of patience. I can sit for hours casting hundreds of times on a big bedded bass, but thirty minutes with an eight year old and I go crazy.

But it's the right thing to do; when I was that age I didn't have any one to take me fishin. I used to get on my bike and ride down the gravel road to fish off of a bridge. It was a small creek with small bass, but I never got tired of it. It would have made me so happy if I had someone to take me out in a boat or to a place different than that creek.

I think the best way to start some one off is to leave your rod at home. (Or at least in the truck in case they get bored.) Sit there and coach them; and point out what works and what don't. Start them out with live bait and a bobber. A good fish to start with is bluegill, because they almost never quit biting. If they have problems with timing/setting the hook, tie on a cirlcle hook. Don't get angry when they get their line stuck in a tree. When I was younger I once got a fish stuck in a tree, long story.... ;D

They aren't ready for a marathon day of fishing, so 30 minutes to an hour should be enough; unless they're having enough fun that they want to stay longer.

[George Welcome]

I don't agree with the "leave the rod at home" theory. I do agree with leaving when it is time to do so. The youngster will tell you when. I see many fathers trying to force their kids to like fishing. If it's not in them don't force it. Not everyone is destined to enjoy this sport, however if they don't when they are 8 perhaps they will when they are 12. Let them tell you what they want to do.