Journal Entries
Fishin' Aug. 18-19, 2000
Posted Aug 21, 2000
Got a couple dozen worms and went fishing again...
The usual fishing hole was insanely occupied. I think there must have been 20 people fishing there, so we just tried to find another place to fish.
A fishing jetty is like a little penninsula which extends toward the center of the lake. They're great if there is a small hole where fish are hiding.
Fishing holes are literally that. It's a hole in the water where fish end up swimming around. Fish like to take cover as a defensive measure from other fish. It's one of those instincts.
But friday night we weren't on a jetty, we were just on a shoreline, but we found a hole. The catfish were real fighters and I caught two from there. One had really big whiskers, and I caught it in the side. I didn't know that catfish made a sound, but this one did as I tried to hold it, so I could take the hook out of its side. I think we caught a total of nine fish that night.
Saturday morning was a little better, but no catfish. However, my wife caught a very small largemouth bass. Beautiful fish!
I think we caught 7 that morning. One I caught really close to the gills. I hope it's okay.
We returned all the fish to the water. And when it was all done, we paid about $3 for 7 hours of fishing. (the price of 2 dozen worms)
Much cheaper than a movie.
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Latest reply: Aug 21, 2000
Fishing July 15, 2000
Posted Jul 19, 2000
Something different this time. We didn't get to the baitshop in time on friday, so we decided to try something different. That would be chicken liver.
I don't know anyone who eats chicken liver in the quantity that you buy it in, but it's great for fishing. We had the most success yet, using this stuff.
One of our misttakes was to not keep the livers cold. They sort of turned into liver soup. Toward the end of our fishing experience, we put a big blob of chicken liver and the fish were attacking with a vengeance. When it was all said and done, we had a sure 4 fish caught, but the bobber was always going under the water.
Of the fish that we did get, 3 were bluegills and the other was a catfish.
The lake had very little wind, so it looked really still. It was just mind scramblingly peaceful. A storm was brewing to the west, but even when we started seeing it, we still had 2 hours before it finally got to the lake.
I plan on the next outing to get worms.
I think that this success, increasingly feeds the desire to fish more.
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Latest reply: Jul 19, 2000
Fishing June 19, 2000
Posted Jun 20, 2000
We spent an hour fishing. Not much was learned, but I did have some interesting things occur.
First came the rain. It was not really harsh, but I think the rain god in 'So Long and Thanks For All The Fish' would have enjoyed it. It was a soft light rain, and it wasn't cold. Quite pleasurable!
I think that affected the fish and our ability to catch them. I'll explain: We started by using only worms, but we slowly went to lures. I used a rather large looking minnow with a spinner on the line. I was thinking that the fish needed a little more to bring them about. Anyway, using the lure, I was bringing it very close to shore and it looked like something just swam right up to it and hit it really fast and hard. It was cloudy, but I put on the polarized lenses to watch what was happening. It looked like a bluegill, but it was quite fast and it was hiding at the bottom. I just dropped my lure into the water and it hit it again! It moved quite fast. I was sort of suprised! However, it was waaaay to small for the hook.
Anyway, we called it quits not soon after that. It was fun, but the coming rain made the fish completely hide. 
The next couple of days call for rain, so it gives me time off to recouperate. Fishing may sound easy, but for someone as out of shape as I am, it's a workout. Mind you, that it's only walking, but seeing as how I sit in a chair all day, walking is a good thing.
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Latest reply: Jun 20, 2000
Fishing Research June 17,2000
Posted Jun 19, 2000
This is the second outing in going fishing. Unlike the first outing, this time I actually caught a fish. It was a largemouth bass but it was only 5 or 6 inches long. Unfortunately, it was the only fish that was caught and since it was well under the 18 inch limit for bass, we put it back. My wife joined me and got her education started in fishing, but when I caught the fish, she was the one who jumped right in and released the fish. I told her that I need the experience with touching fish too, so she told me she won't be taking the fish off the hook anymore for me. (thanks)
It was fun tho'. We had a great time. We brought the dog along, and the dog was really happy. (note: make sure the dog can reach water at all times)
I got some feedback to my first journal entry, and I must make something clear. Yes, I am a weenie, but that is because I completely do not know what I am doing! Hey, you just keep watching. I have already improved and at least I am trying. Maybe I am not comfortable with touching slimy worms, or even fish, but I know that experience is the greatest teacher of them all, and I want to be an impressive fisherman only onto myself. I also want to pass along all the knowledge I can. I've seen the websites that supposedly deal with fishing and although they contain stuff regarding lures and such, they really don't tell you the basic of basics.
After some research here is what I have learned:
There are basically 3 different types of fish you will have to deal with in a lake/river setting. They are set apart by mouth types. The either have teeth, don't have teeth or are catfish. For fish with teeth, the best place for holding them seems to be on top of the head just behind the eyes. Make sure that you wet your hand so you do not remove the protective slime from these fish. Now, the ones that don't have teeth and are not catfish can be held by the lip or on the top of the head.
I guess catfish are the exception as they have a sharp bone defense mechanism, so here's what I have heard. Supposedly you can hold these on top of the head, but I've been recommended to wear a leather glove. Another thing is that you use the first two fingers and hold it by the gills and use your thumb to put in the corner of the mouth. The whiskers, which are the primary markings of catfish, are not the part that stings you, but I don't know if I want to take my chances.
Anyway, I cannot confirm that any of these methods work, as I have not had the opportunity to try any of them yet. I have also misplaced my towel, but at least I have stayed away from the water snakes.
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Latest reply: Jun 19, 2000
Begining fishing
Posted Jun 13, 2000
On June 10, 2000, I was invited to spend a couple of hours fishing with my brother. Since I am really uninformed as a fisherman, I think this is the perfect opportunity to tell how to begin fishing and what to do in what scenario.
Basically, I know two things: nothing and next to nothing. I can cast a line, but I am one of those squeamish people who couldn't even put bait on a hook. So, fishing is actually a new experience, and I think I can give enough hints and tips that can start anyone fishing.
I had my brother check out my old rod and reel. Yes, I did have one, but I never caught anything with it. It had a ten year old 5lb test line. His recommendation was a 15-20 lb test line, because you just never know what's out there. We were looking at anything from bluegill to largemouth bass to catfish.
We then went to a baitshop and picked up two different kinds of live bait. Worms are classic bait and is what everyone should use their first time out. Also there are live minnows. In the food chain, minnows are the fish that are eaten by larger fish.
We got to the lake and pulled out all of the equipment. One interesting thing to note is that there is a lot of equipment involved with fishing. If you can find a way to reduce the amount of stuff you are carrying, you will probably find your experience will be more enjoyable.
Do not forget the sunscreen and apply it thoroughly. I got a sunburn. Also you might try to find polarized sunglasses as they will reduce the strain on the eyes and reduce the glare from the water.
Now you can't just throw the hook into the water, because fish are not stupid. You need to entice them with food. This outing I would be using worms. If you have never put a worm on a hook, prepare to feel the worm squirm in your hand. However, I found a way that will introduce you to the worm, and slowly get you used to putting a worm on the hook.
Worms usually come in styrofoam cups. First try to dig one to the top of the cup. If you need to, remove the dirt from the top to find them. One you got one to the top, you can use the side of the cup to spear the worm with your hook. That way, you don't even have to touch it when it starts really squirming.
You also need to wind the worm around the hook and continuing to put the hook through the worm, until the hook is mostly covered by the worm. You will most likely have a lot of the worm left over. You can either try to pull it apart, or you can use the edge of the cup like a butter knife and cut the worm. As long as there is a bit of dangling and wiggling worm, you have an enticing feast for the fish.
We were using bobbers on our lines. For beginners, this is definitely the way to go, as you can not possibly feel when a fish is nibbling at your lure. Always remain vigilant to your bobber, because when that thing goes into the water even just a little bit, that is a fish trying to eat your worm. The goal is to get the fish to take the hook, so when the bobber shows a fish, then you need to give a little tug on the line.
If you haven't been paying attention, reel in your hook, as you will no doubt find it cleaned of food. This is basically how the whole day went. There was one strike on my brother's line, but it got away, before he could reel it in.
At one point we had the worm just dangling just underneath the top of the water and before we knew it, there were about a dozen or so fish just looking at it. We figure that the hook might be too large, so we then changed to a smaller hook.
There are some things of note that everyone should know before fishing. The first is that you need to get a fishing liscense. Ask the clerk at any sporting goods counter. I think I paid 10.50 for mine here in iowa. It's good for an entire year.
Another thing is that you really don't have to spend a whole lot to get started with fishing. Make sure you have different sizes of hooks. If you attach one of those things that keep your line from twisting up, you can change your hook in seconds.
I don't have anything at this time to tell you what to do when you have the fish, but this information should be a good start. Fishing may seem really easy and maybe that's why people laugh when they say it's not a sport. The truth is that they probably have never really fished. I am a fairly sedentary guy, and the experience of being a bit active and being outdoors was actually better than anything else that I have done.
I think if you like to eat fish and you feel the need to get out of the house. This might be the thing for you.
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Latest reply: Jun 13, 2000
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