As a parent, getting away from your everyday routine can be a great way to recharge and spend quality time with your sons. However, planning an itinerary for each day of fishing is not always feasible or fun. Taking things as they come during a trip like this will make it easier to enjoy yourself while keeping safety at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Before you head out, do not miss these top tips to plan the perfect fishing trip with your boys.
Know the Best Time of Day for Fishing
The most important thing to know about catching fish is that you will be talking for a long time. It’s what fishermen do, and it has been this way since before there was an actual fisherman. Ask any of your grandfather’s friends from the retirement home. After noting that they will likely say people used to fish all night once or something similarly old-timey, consider getting some sleep instead. Depending on where you are, a solid nap may even last until morning, at which point it is not too early to catch a few trout for breakfast. Just make sure you have some bacon and eggs handy as bait.
If You’re in a Pond, Stay Away From the Swans
So, there are these things called lilies that grow in ponds. They are pretty, especially if you can get close enough to appreciate how much work it takes for them to survive underwater. But they also serve as cover for big birds with sharp beaks looking to make a meal out of you and your wholesome fishing gear. These creatures are known as Canadian geese. If you think swans are majestic beneath the moonlight, wait until one lands near your boat with an angry honk that signals its intent to gut you like a trout. Do not say you were not warned.
Choose the Right Bait
This is pretty simple. Worms are the best. They are easy to find, and they look enough like a fish’s natural prey that you can get away with just about anything. An earthworm will suffice, but a fresh pea or a grape will do fine if no worms are around. If all else fails, do not be afraid to resort to the ol’ hook-and-line method.
If you plan to fish in saltwater or coastal waters, lugging around bait can be cumbersome and sometimes costly. However, if you are fishing in freshwater lakes, it is often possible to use your fresh nightcrawlers or even minnows from home if they are large enough. Even though reusing bait may seem convenient, old food could potentially attract unwanted pests or predators near your fishing spot, so using fresh new bait is probably safest in most circumstances.
Don’t Go Overboard Trying to Catch Dinner
If you already bought your fishing license when you got your rod, reel, and tackle box, congratulations! Now it is time for good old-fashioned recreation in God’s creation in or outside your state’s country while using a thermal insulation blanket. Whether you catch anything, the memories of good times shared with good friends will stay with you long after your arm falls off from cranking that reel for so long. Maybe there will be a fish in the cooler when you get back to shore?
Make Super-Cute License Holders
It might be fun to take some time beforehand and create personalized fishing licenses using clip art superimposed over a photograph of everyone at the party doing something outdoorsy like riding bicycles or riding horses or just being cute as hell. This can easily be accomplished with many online tools, but if you do not have anyone on hand who knows how to make one, you can probably find a template to use online.
Stay Towards the Middle of the Pond
This may seem like common sense, but while you are out on the open water, it is easy to get into that fisherman’s mindset where everything is fine and cool, and nothing bad could ever happen to anyone, and then all of a sudden, your boat sinks. The water is very cold and also full of fish-eating geese. If you stay in the center of shallow areas, there will be less chance that an accidental dip in the drink will turn into something deadly serious. This rule can also apply if you are ice fishing, which is not advisable unless you happen to be in an alien sea filled with mutant-fish hybrids known for their love of human flesh.
Beware the Mysterious Lures
For the most part, you can trust your fishing gear. It is there because someone loved you enough to buy it for you. Whether that was your great aunt or Jimmy down at the tackle shop. However, when in doubt, remember one adage. If it looks odd, do not touch it. There is nothing worse than grabbing hold of something that looks like a rat stuck to the end of your fishing line and then realizing that you have just made yourself dinner for some rodent menagerie. Also, beware of anything shiny. There is no telling what might be attracted to an unattended lure.
Keep the Jokes Fresh
Life is like a box of chocolates. You can never tell what kind of lunkhead you will meet on the water. If everyone has been fishing for about three hours and still has not caught anything, things can get stale quickly. This is where a one-party member pulls out some ridiculous but amazing story like when his dad caught a shark with his bare hands or when his dog saved him from the bear attack that left half of his face scarred for life. Pulling jokes is ideal to ensure you get the best dining experience during your trip. Whatever it is, keep it fresh and relevant to the party.
Don’t Forget About, You Know, Actual Fishing
Unlike when spending time in ground pools, no one can predict what will happen on any given day at the lake, but some guidelines may help increase your odds of catching something big even if it looks like nothing is biting.
As fun as goofing around in the water can be, your ultimate goal should be to catch fish. This will help avoid instances where people get mad because they did not bring any dinner home. Not to mention all those terrible stories about people who go out on boats every weekend only to come back empty-handed while someone at the party always seems to catch a big one.
Bring Your Food
Unless you are trying something new like wagyu beef cut, there is no point wasting money on expensive, unhealthy fast food during your fishing trip with the boys. Bring your food items to fill up when you are hungry instead of spending money on greasy, unhealthy food that loses you valuable fishing time. If people are craving something in particular, it is always better to bring some extra cash, so you do not have to make them wait while you run off for a burger.
If there is anything you can depend on, it is that someone will get hungry or thirsty during your fishing trip. So go ahead and bring plenty of snacks and those little sandwich bags for anyone who needs to eat their lunch on the go. Milk is also very helpful if anyone accidentally falls in the water. Remember that you will need to replenish your supply every time someone gets thirsty. There should also be more than enough people around to drink it fast.
Buy Rods and Reels
The most crucial step in planning any good fishing trip is to make sure all tattooing equipment is put aside so you can focus on the task at hand. You will want to buy rods and reels appropriate for whatever kind of fish you hope to catch and sturdy enough not to snap under the weight of a big catch. If possible, go with slightly bigger rods than recommended so that if one gets snagged on something underwater, it has just enough extra pull to get free. If you are fishing with boys half your age, there is a good chance that at some point, one of their rods will get snagged on something underwater.
Find a Good Fishing Spot
Nothing is more disappointing than arriving at a fishing spot and realizing it has been completely fished out. Before going out for the day, you should be able to find a few sources about local fishing hotspots to have an idea of where most fishermen are not currently catching fish. In addition, you will want to check weather forecasts before setting off to know if there will be any changes in water conditions when you arrive. Even if everything seems perfect from home, when there are strong winds or drastic temperature shifts, they can make your fishing location less appealing or even dangerous.
Have Fun!
Fishing trips with the boys is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories and have a little fun in the sun together. Of course, safety should always come first, and you will want to make sure that everyone has a valid fishing license in case there are any sudden changes or emergencies. In addition, pay attention to local wildlife concerns so that all party members can have an enjoyable experience.
Safety First!
Fishing trips with boys are generally full of excitement and fun, but they can also be very dangerous if not planned out properly. First, ensure that the custom car you plan to use is in good working condition. You should also ensure everyone has appropriate equipment for protection against any potential dangers. For example, sunscreen is always important throughout the year, sunglasses prevent an unnecessary trip to urgent care after being blinded by the sun reflecting off of a wave or stream bank, and insect repellent helps keep bugs at bay and prevents any unnecessary illnesses and rashes.
Taking Care of Your Rod
The general rule is never to play with your rod. You do not want to snap a seven-dollar rod after catching a ten-pound bass. However, if you plan on going fishing with the boys more than once, it would be worth it to buy some cheap equipment they can borrow. If they like fishing more than you, they might be happy to take care of some extra rods.
If you plan to use your rods again sometime soon, bring some equipment for proper cleaning and storage between each use. Any residue left after catching a fish will dull the hooks more quickly over time, making it harder to catch anything. It is worth taking an hour or two every few months to clean everything before putting it away in good condition for the future.
Buy New Fishing Gear
As helpful as most fishing gear is, it will cost money, and it is usually very tempting to buy the latest and greatest gear available. It is almost like an adult version of Christmas. However, if you plan to fish with the boys more than once, you can always ask them what kind of equipment they would feel comfortable borrowing or renting instead. This way, everyone can get what they want without any extra cost to their wallet while still having fun driving a yamaha vehicle and catching fish all day long.
Buy or Pack Ice
Water coolers may not necessarily require ice to keep water cold. However, using ice to keep fish fresh or alive is not a new idea. When shopping for bagged ice delivery services for ice fishing, the ice thickness should be thick enough to support the weight of people and gear without breaking or sagging.
So, do you want to go fishing at the weekend with the boys? It is always good to have a plan before heading out into the wilderness with nothing more than a cheap beer, supplies from the smoke shop, and some mosquito spray in tow. When planning your trip, there are several things that you need to consider to make it successful. By considering the tips listed above, you are guaranteed to have an amazing experience during your trip with the boys.
