IGX

While The Soon-To-Be Mrs. Kenny X and I were shopping at WAL MART for provisions for our vacation- booze, protein, junk food, etc. she asked me what, other than floaties, kites, and things I might like for having fun at the lake. I said "Well shit, they sell fishing poles for like, 30 bucks here, let's get one of those!"

She thought it was a smashing idea, and said "Yeah! There's tons of fish in that lake!"

So we bought one and off we went.

Fishing is fun. It is also relaxing. Check this out-

She was laying out on the slip, getting some sun and reading to me, and I was fishing. After an hour or two, I felt a bite, set my hook like I read on the Internet I was supposed to do, and proceeded to battle the fucker for a while until my fucking line broke.

My line broke on two other occasions, and on another, I fought a fish, or possibly a turtle, for a while before he got free.

Anyway, I get how this is an addictive hobby.

Anybody got any pointers? I already set my drag better to account for the line, and keep it from breaking. What other knowledge can you drop?

Kenny X wrote: She was laying out on the slip . . . .

Anybody got any pointers?

that should be lying

Well, you've seen what I can do.
Unfortunately, son, it's a natural talent. There just aren't any pointers.

Well, don't eat the freshwater lake fish. Too much mercury. Other than that, well, crickets make awesome bait. Put the hook in through their belly and up through the head. Harder to steal that way.

Thanks, DMW. Five beers deep after sitting in the sun all day and my grammar goes straight to shit.

Ginger, there has to be hope for me as an angler! It was too much damn fun and too relaxing! I gotta keep doing it!

Syaigh, I will try crickets! Thanks!

There's always hope, X.
I haven't fished much, but I enjoy it, and it doesn't matter if I catch anything. In a few weeks, I'll be on a boat off the outer banks with my brother, brother-in-law, and three nephews. It'll be a good time and hopefully someone will catch something, probably not me.

Other than bass and fly fishing, fishing is an inexpensive hobby. I can't think of one time I've gone fishing with a buddy, caught nothing, and didn't have a great time.

A few things:
Learn your basic knots-- you don't need many
Use an open reel
Eventually get a light and a heavier pole. The light one is great for crappie and other small fish. Crappie is my favorite freshwater fish-- easy to catch, delicious, and great for kids to catch. Trout is awesome too-- easy to clean and cook over a fire.
Never go fishing with someone who won't take their own fish off the hook, unless that person is a small child.
If the future Mrs. Kenny X has a problem with you going fishing occasionally, throw her back.


If you really like it, consider getting a sit on top fishing kayak that seats two one of these years. Kayak fishing is fun, and you can take your future young one with you in a few years.

'Walmart' is one word.

Learning the right knots is good advice, ordinary knots will weaken the line too much. Actually you can probably get by if you just know the Palomar knot. Buy a rod and reel to match the pound test of line you'll use, it's written on the rods and reels. With the right knots, 6-12 pound test works for most freshwater fishing up North, but with the thicker weeds and big fish down South, you might want to go heavier. I saw a Mitchell combo at wal mart that was super deluxe for $50. Shimano makes ugly black reels that are surprisingly good for $12, they are like the Glock of fishing.

If there are fish with real teeth where you're fishing, you would need a wire leader or they'll cut even heavy line, but if you don't want those fish anyway, you can skip the wire and let them get away.

Buy some plastic worms / minnows, a couple dark, a couple light, different sizes. Google up the "drop shot rig" and the "Texas rig" and you'e got a good start. Work out what's the best size and type of hook for what you're doing. With the drop shot rig you just take up the slack and wait for something to happen, with the Texas rig you will want to keep it moving or stop and go.

Bring a nail clippers for cutting the line and a pair of needle-nose pliers or other gadget for taking the hooks out. Actually
Google around a little about how to land and handle fish. If you're keeping the fish, bring a stringer, and google up a video or illustration of how that works. If you are going to filet the fish, you'll want a filet knife, more internet videos, and practice.

I salmon fish, that is about it for pole fishing. I also crab, oyster and clam. I prefer crabbing, oysterinf and clamming as these activities involves more physical activity that most pole fishing.

Don't necessarily need a fishing rod

It is called fishing and not catching for a reason, coonass.

Baiting the hook is optional.

I think bobbers are the shit.

To each his own. You ever want to know about fly fishing, ask me.

Well, don't eat the freshwater lake fish

Yeah that's mostly bullshit. I spend months at a time eating what i catch.
Good equipment and lots of practice. Watch the old timers. Ant watch the tourney guys too.

I'm with you. I want to see test results before I go in for that stuff.

BJJ......


Fishing......

Son, you're one wooden boat away from create a rift in the fabric of reality with all the #NEGATIVESPARETIME you're gonna have.

I have no idea how anybody can be into such a thing. That and scat are what my line is constructed of.

You need to get some braided line.

Thanks you guys, for the advice! I've been reading it and digesting it thoroughly.

I have the Palomar Knot and the Uniknot down, and I've been checking out local spots online. There are a bunch of places here to fish, for all kinds of things.

I'm keeping it on the inexpensive side, with our plans for having a family and all. I'll be starting with crappies and sunfish, with what I have now, using the crickets, and see where that takes me.

I'll be posting pics if I catch anything on any of my forthcoming excursions.