Let's Go Fishing

by Mark Hohne
photography by Cliff White

Young anglers: Wake up! The author is going to share his fishing secrets, expertise--even an embarassing moment.

"Let's go fishing" is music to my ears. When I was little my Grandpa took me fishing, and I couldn't catch anything. Now I am catching lots of fish. It has taken me 13 years to be good at fishing. I've learned that it takes patience and lots of practice.

One time my Grandpa tried all day to catch a fish, and all he caught was a minnow. See, sometimes adults can only catch little fish, too! The biggest fish my Grandpa caught was a 40-pound catfish. I started by catching small fish, then worked my way up. I'm going to beat his catfish record yet.

A good place to start fishing is in small lakes or ponds. When I was younger, I used to go fishing with Paul Johnson. He was a retired conservation agent. He built a lake and stocked it on his ranch in Drake.

There are many kinds of bait you can use to catch fish in a lake or pond. You can cut carp into 1-by 2-inch pieces and let it sour for a week, or take three worms and put the hook through the heads. You can use lures or bobbers. I mainly use worms or lures. One way to keep your worms fresh is to put them on ice.

If you are going to use worms, pick them up on the way or about an hour before you go. That way they will be fresh. Many times I have forgotten my worms at home. I had to run all over the place to catch grasshoppers or bugs before I could fish. When you use grasshoppers, you want them to be alive. That way they will make the water vibrate and the fish will bite.

Remember the fish usually bite early in the morning or in the evening. Once you get to where you are going, check the wind to see which way it is blowing. If you cast against the wind, your line will come back towards you. After you have checked the wind, find an area you like.

Make sure that there are no trees or bushes around the area to interfere with your cast. Then look at the water to see if there is anything in there that might snag your line. If you see lots of fishing line and hooks, you know that other fishermen have snagged their lines there. If you find problem spots, look for someplace better. I lost several hooks by getting the line snagged. I spent more time untangling my line than fishing.

Next, choose what bait you are going to use to catch your fish. After you put the hook or lure on the snap swivel, you are ready. If you are using a hook, bait it. If you use a lure, tie a snap swivel on your line to keep it from twisting. Make sure that no one is standing near you to get caught by the hook when you are casting. The hardest part of fishing is casting the line. Don't catch your brother with a hook! He won't like it.

It takes lots of practice to become good at casting. When you are casting, hold down the button on the reel, then throw from your side. Make sure you have a good grip on the rod or you will throw it into the water. It takes practice to learn to release the button at the right time. I use this method because it gives me better control over the rod than any other method.

Leave the hook and bait out until you get strikes. Strikes are big nibbles, or bites. When the bobber goes under, jerk the rod. If you are using a lure, slowly reel it in and, when a fish bites, give the line a little jerk with your wrist. This takes time to learn. Once when I was young I jerked too hard and fell down on my rear end. You can save yourself a little embarrassment.

When the fish is hooked, the fight begins. Don't force the fish but keep a tight line. A slack line will let the fish shake itself loose. If you are fishing from land and not by boat, take steps backwards. Be careful, and keep reeling in slowly. This way the fish will be coming towards the shore.

As soon as the fish is on land, carefully grab the fish. The fins are sharp and can cut you. I carefully grab the sides right behind the head and begin to take the hook out. You don't want to force the hook out. If you do, you will injure the fish. Work the hook from side to side slowly.

If the fish is too small, throw it back. Only keep fish that are within the legal limits. It is up to you to learn the fishing regulations for the area you fish.

Remember that fishing is not learned in one day. Think about how long it took you to ride a bike. It takes time and practice. I practice casting in my backyard. Practice, practice and practice again! The main thing is not to get mad but to be patient. You never know when the big one will strike.

My patience paid off this summer when I began to catch some largemouth bass. It was great. I got to share that moment with people who care about me very much: my dad and my brother.

Have fun and enjoy fishing, but remember, a part of fishing is helping to clean your catch-and enjoy eating it.

Author Mark Hoehne is 14 years old. He lives in Sedalia.