Page 13 - 2021 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

Sometimes we get so amped up fishing that WiLDLiFeDePARtMent.COM
we forget to offer the most basic of guidance.
What’s old hat for you are the first steps for
a new angler. Patience is as important for the
mentor as it is for the student.
Don’t be in a rush to get your student on
the bank right away. Consider starting with
some education at home first, where their
attention won’t be on the nearby water.
Teach them about the equipment they
will be using and how to get it rigged up.
Simple knots such as the improved clinch
and Palomar are great for first-timers.
Every craftsman takes pride is his or her
work, and reeling in a fish is the result of
that dedication, so don’t skip these steps.
They will instill confidence in the new
angler and eventually lead to their ability
to do it on their own, which is ultimately
the goal that can sometimes get lost in just
simply catching fish.
This also means encouraging a new WiLDLiFeDePARtMent.COM
angler to bait his or her own hook. If a
new angler is hesitant to touch a worm or
some other type of “yucky” bait, start out
with a crappie nibble. These work great for
panfish, cost about the same as a cup of
worms, and can last much longer since they
keep without refrigeration. The nibbles are
great for panfishing. There’s less mess, and
you don’t have to worry about forgetting
them in a pack on a hot day.
Once your new angler gets the hang of
the cast-and-wait (or bobber) technique,
you’re ready to move on to cast-and-retrieve
methods. I can’t stress the importance of
making sure your angler has a firm grasp
of casting and reeling when deciding to
upgrade to lures. The variables for success
increase dramatically at this stage, so it’s
best to stick with the same basic rod and reel
setup and use small, steady retrievable lures
such as rooster tails and beetle spinners.
And be aware that this is the time when
the dreaded hang-up is fully in play. Be
ready to deal with any frustration that
results from getting hung up.
Casting is a skill honed through practice.
And a great way for a student to develop
casting skills is to use a hookless casting
plug to practice in the yard or park. A
casting plug would make a great “welcome
to fishing” gift! Mentoring a youngster in fishing provides seemingly endless “teachable moments,” such as learning about the fish
When it’s time to fish with lures, consider that are caught or learning how to tie fishing knots.

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