My uncle introduced me to fishing at an early age. My love for fishing began during our first trip together. I became hooked on the sport the moment I threw my line in the water and caught my first fish. In fact, that first fish, as little as it was, was mounted and hangs on my bedroom wall. Whether we caught fish or not, every trip was filled with new experiences and increased my love for the outdoors. An added bonus, although not realized until I matured, was the increasing bond between myself and my uncle which deepened with each trip.
I attribute my vast knowledge of the sport from my uncle who is a lifetime fisherman and as conceited as it sounds, I have become a good fisherman. Choosing the right bait, using the appropriate equipment, casting the line, reeling in the fish have become second nature to me. I continue to expand my knowledge of the sport by regularly fishing, watching fishing television shows and reading outdoor magazines. Basic fishing knowledge, careful preparation and planning are integral to a successful fishing trip.
First and foremost, a fishing license must be purchased from the sporting department within local stores or online at the Wild Life and Fisheries website before going fishing. A basic fishing license costs thirteen dollars and is required for all individuals age sixteen to sixty. The license must be renewed yearly as it is valid for the year in which it is purchased. However, a lifetime fishing license may also be purchased at a more costly price. Louisiana law requires the fishing license to be carried by the angler.
Therefore, it is a good idea for the license to be placed in the angler’s wallet as Wild Life and Fishery Agents routinely check that anglers are fishing legally. Failure to have the fishing license will at the very least result in a verbal warning, but could result in a monetary fine or even suspension of the fishing license. Now that you are legally able to fish, you must focus your attention on your fishing equipment. If you are fortunate enough to own your own boat, it must be registered and it must be insured.
In order to do so you must complete a boat registration application form, gather proof of ownership in the form of a dealer’s receipt or manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO), and provide proof that the appropriate taxes have been paid. The cost of the registration is dependent upon the length of your boat. Registration prices range from twenty-three dollars for boats fourteen feet or less to seventy-three dollars for a thirty-eight foot boat; two dollars per foot is added to boats longer than thirty-eight feet.
The above listed documents along with a check or money order for the fee payment must be mailed into the Department of Motor Vehicles to complete the registration process. A registration number will be assigned to your boat which must be displayed on the starboard side. As with your fishing license, failure to register your boat will at the very least result in a verbal warning, but could result in a monetary fine or even impounding of the boat.
Additionally, Louisiana law requires all boaters born after January 1, 1984, to complete a boating education course and carry proof of course completion to operate a motorboat in excess of 10 horsepower. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also mandates every boat to contain floatation devices for each occupant and a fire extinguisher. With all the legal requirements met, it’s time to begin preparing for your fishing trip. To ensure nothing is left behind, it is a good idea to prepare a check list of everything needed to make your trip successful and enjoyable.
A good check list should include the following: gas for boat and vehicle, outboard motor spark plug, trolling motor, trailer tires, paddle, floatation devices, boat plug, fire extinguisher, fishing license, boating education certificate, ice chest, fishing poles, tackle box, bait, hook trailer to vehicle, food, drink, sun screen, bug spray, change of clothes, cell phone, and a navigation device. It’s always a good idea to check weather and tide conditions as there is nothing worse than being caught in a storm or beached on a sandbar.
Consideration must also be given to the type of fish you intend to catch to ensure you have the appropriate equipment and bait. Upon arriving at the boat launch, park your vehicle in the staging area to unload everything from your vehicle into the boat that you will need for your trip. The tiedown straps located at the rear of the boat should be removed in the staging area as well. The bow strap should remain attached to prevent your boat from being dumped on the pavement instead of the water.
The trailer must be backed into the water to allow the boat to float off the trailer. The rule of thumb is to back the trailer into the water far enough so that the tops of the fenders are just above the waterline. This is generally far enough to float the boat off the bunks. Not all trailers are alike so you might need to back in farther or less. At this point, you should be able to remove the bow strap without getting your feet wet, back the boat off of the trailer, tie the boat to the dock, then pull the trailer out and park.
Once inside the boat, untie it from the dock and start the engine. Some motors have an electric start wherein it is started via key while other motors have a pull cord. While riding you should be on the lookout for areas with dead trees hanging into the water as fish usually hang around them. Once a fishing spot has been decided upon start the troll motor to keep the boat in the vicinity you want to fish. If you are using live worms, you have to put the hook through the worm once, letting the rest of the worm dangle as a method of enticing the fish to bite.
If you are using a minnow, the hook should be placed in and out of their gills. Should you choose to fish using an artificial bate, you simply need to decide which one to use and attach it to the monofilament line. Now when the hook is baited you are ready to cast your line into the water. If you are using a cane pole, firmly grip the pole and hang the line into the water. If you are using a reel you should grip the pole firmly with your dominant hand, and hold the line against the pole with your index finger.
This method allows you to open the spool without letting your bait hit the ground. Now open the spool with the line still in your index finger. Finally you will swing your upper body including your arms to your dominant side and then swing back. When your body comes back half way let go of the line with your index finger and use your arm and wrist to flick the tip of the pole towards your destination. This will make your bait fly through the air and into the water. You will now need to flip the spool back to normal position so your line is taught.
Now with the line taught you are ready to wait for a fish to bite. A bobbing cork indicates a fish is biting and you should attempt to set the hook. A seasoned fisherman has patience and will allow the fish some time to continue nibbling until the fish takes the bait fully into its mouth. Once that is achieved, you should hold the pole at a ninety degree angle and pull up on the fishing pole. If using a cane pole simply swing the fish into the boat, however a reel requires you to reel the line in quickly before swinging the fish into the boat.
It is important to keep a resistance between the line and fish as to not to allow slack. Slack in the line can cause you to wiggle free from the hook. Following these steps should ensure a successful, enjoyable fishing trip. Fishing is not only for men, but for women and children too. Everybody should fish; it brings the family together to have a great time. Hopefully these steps will help make fishing one of your favorite things to do.
