Did you know that nearly one in five Americans went fishing in 2020? The fun, relaxing, and socially distanced activity has seen a strong resurgence that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Fishing can reduce stress, improve focus, build mental fortitude, and even provide a healthy food source. What are you waiting for? Get on board! Here are three steps to help you start fishing.
STEP 1: Gather your tackle
Take your time here. Fishing is much more than just buying a rod (be careful to not call it a pole, it’s a dead giveaway) and a can of worms. You will need rods, reels, bait, gloves, hooks, lines, and sinkers - at the minimum. All of these will vary depending on the type of fishing you hope to get into (freshwater, saltwater, deep-sea, lake, etc.). Tackle boxes are unique to each angler, so take this chance to 'reely' curate yours.
STEP 2: Get on the water
Now that you’ve got all your materials, it's time to get to the water. But wait! There are still a few more things you need to do before you go fishing. You need to find local fishing grounds and research their license requirements. Fishing without a license can result in fines ranging from $15 to $12000 and in extreme cases up to 60 days in jail.
You can go to websites like this to find your local fishing grounds, buy a license, and connect with other anglers near you. It’s still worth stopping by the water without a license to watch others and make some fishing friends. These people will prove to be some of your most valuable resources.
STEP 3: Start Fishing!
Once you're fully licensed and prepared, start practicing! You can start at home by learning how to tie various knots, bait hooks, and cast a line. You may not catch a fish your first or second (or even third) time, and that's okay. There are plenty of fish in the sea (or river, or wherever you’re fishing).
Remember, there are many benefits from the practice of patience and persistence. If you find yourself consistently struggling, try going to different locations or bringing along a more experienced buddy.
Click here to download Dreamfora to add the customized plan “Learn how to fish.” Dreamfora will set you up with a comprehensive set of daily tasks, habits, and milestones for you to follow.