Page 21 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

The Basics

There’s a reason it’s called fishing and not catching. DANIEL GRIFFITH/ODWC
While we’ve all heard the saying “A day of fishing is
better than a day of anything else,” that sentiment is
not always shared with first-time anglers. Success is
important, and that success is a result of good prepa-
ration, proper technique, know-how and a little luck
sprinkled in. The nuances enjoyed from a day on the
water come with time and appreciation of the sport.
In order to get someone to that point, we must first
look at what got us to that point.
A first catch. There’s nothing better than seeing the
marvel on a new angler’s face when he or she reels
in that first fish, but there’s nothing more frustrating
that watching a new angler fidget with impatience.
That’s why it’s best to start someone off with the
basics: bobber, bait and a productive time of year. In
Oklahoma, that’s late spring, summer and early fall.
Those times of the year are when most Oklahoma
fish species are actively feeding near shore. Bass,
sunfish and catfish all patrol the near-shore areas
of lakes and ponds during the warmer months. A
worm and a bobber fished near structure, such as Fishing clinics conducted by the Wildlife Department are fantastic
opportunities to introduce someone new to fishing. These
logs or rip-rap, can yield great results. The fishing is clinics teach the basics of casting, reeling, knot tying and fish
usually fast and furious, which is perfect for begin- identification — all musts for first time anglers.
ners. The thrill of seeing a bobber bounce around It’s important to provide encouragement when a
almost immediately after hitting the water keeps new bite is missed. A target-rich environment allows a new
anglers actively engaged in the experience. It also angler the opportunity to make mistakes while still
teaches those anglers where to look for fish, which is having success.
extremely important as they venture further into the This is where a small body of water, such as a Close
sport. to Home lake or farm pond, comes in handy. A large
For this type of fishing, a light- to medium-action reservoir or stream can be overwhelming for a new
rod (5-1/2 to 6-1/2 feet) with a spincasting or spinning angler. Keep it small, from water size to fish. Panfish
reel, light line (4 to 6 pounds) and small tackle is best. are an excellent start for new anglers. They’re easy to
Traditionally, small round bobbers are used when hook and easy to reel in. We live for the excitement of
fishing with a worm, but for new anglers I recom- fighting a fish, but we didn’t learn to accomplish that
mend using small stick-shaped bobbers. They create feat by starting off with monsters. Remember that
less friction with the water’s surface. Small fish and learning to cast, reel and set a hook are paramount to
small bites do not always allow for the round bobber an angler’s success. Those skills are perfectly honed
to fully submerge, making it more difficult for novice on summer sunfish.
fisherman to know when to set the hook. This can Sometimes we get so amped up fishing that we for-
lead to frustration, which may result in a bad experi- get that people new to the sport need the most basic
ence. The stick-shaped bobbers also help eliminate of guidance. What’s old hat for you are the first steps
some of the slack caused from a fish strike, making it for a newbie. Patience is as important for the mentor
easier to set the hook and ultimately reel in the fish. as it is for the student.

2019 ANGLERS’ GUIDE 19

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