SHARE THE LOVE OF FISHING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION

There’s been a huge influx of new anglers attracted to the sport in recent years as more and more people’s eyes have been opened to the tremendous benefits of safe, fun, relaxing outdoor activities like fishing. Whether you’ve met a new friend who wants to discover the angling experience or you’re taking your own grandchildren out on your fishing boat for the day, be sure to share these timeless fishing tips with all who care to listen.

Be a responsible angler

That means de-hooking and releasing fish gently and with care when you aren’t going to keep them; never overharvesting when the bite gets hot; and always following the laws regarding licensing, minimum sizes and closed seasons.

Be respectful of the aquatic environment

Most reasonable people understand that tossing trash into the water isn’t okay, but dedicated anglers understand that it’s incumbent upon us to go the extra mile. We’re the ones who are out there on the water every day, and we’re the ones who need to act as its guardians. If we’re fishing from a boat and we see a plastic bottle or a bag floating by, we’ll scoop it up in the landing net and dispose of it properly.

We pay extra care to avoid spilling fuel or oil into the water, and we take pains to make sure we don’t spread invasive species. There’s a long list of ways anglers act to protect and enhance the waterways we fish in, but most importantly, we’re aware of how our actions impact the lakes, rivers and bays we love so much.

Be respectful of other anglers

Crowding people, yelling or getting impatient at the boat ramp makes the day less enjoyable for everyone involved. This can be particularly problematic when there are so many inexperienced anglers out on the water, as there are these days. A bit of friendliness and patience goes a long way when a “newbie” parks in front of the ramp before getting their gear ready or when someone drops their anchor a bit too close for your comfort.

Remember that most people aren’t intentionally acting discourteous, they probably just don’t know the good etiquette that experienced anglers acquire over the years. It’s up to those of us who do have that experience to share the knowledge in an encouraging way.

Will these three tips help you catch more fish? Probably not. But they will help you enjoy angling even more than before. And hopefully, your friends and grandchildren will, too.

For more on this topic, watch this episode of the Ultimate Fishing Show on Passing on the Passion of Fishing, and read these great tips on taking your kid fishing.