The question, “Will fish bite rusty hooks” is one I’ve been asking myself a bit lately. As you might have guessed, the reason I’m asking this question is because I’ve had quite a few fishing hooks rust this year! I guess I didn’t dry my gear off well enough and now I’m paying the price. So, the first question is if a fish will bite a rusty hook. If not, the next question becomes if I should try and clean my rusty fishing hooks or simply throw them away.
Will Fish Bite a Rusty Hook?
I see absolutely no reason why a fish wouldn’t bite a rusty hook. The mere fact that they’re biting any hook is enough to convince me of this. Fish are clearly not as bright as we sometimes pretend they are. Further, many different tactics out there (such as power fishing) rely on fish making a “reaction strike.” This means the fish is simply smacking the lure without really putting much thought into it.
If you’re fishing any kind of lure that is moving fast, chances are fish will have no time to notice the hook is rusty. They’ll simply bite the rusty hook just like any other. On the other hand, if you’re fishing something particularly slow, I suppose the fish will have a chance to size things up. Are they particularly likely to care? I doubt it, but I suppose you never know.
What Are Some Problems If a Fish Bites a Rusty Hook?
There are some legitimate concerns about fish biting rusty hooks. First and foremost, has the hook’s strength been compromised? Rusty metal is often less strong than when it is pristine. Indeed, if the rust has gotten very deep, the hook could be considerably weaker. Many fish hooks (especially the smaller ones on crankbaits and drop shots) aren’t that strong to begin with. Anything that compromises the strength even further risks the loss of the fish.
A second issue to consider is whether that rust has dulled the hook’s point. On any given day, not that many fish are going to bite your hook. When one does, do you want to have the best chance of hooking them, or not? Considering all the time and energy serious anglers put into sharpening their hooks for the perfect hookset, it makes very little sense to cast out gear you don’t have confidence in.
Are Rusty Hooks Dangerous?
I’ll bet right now you’re thinking about tetanus, aren’t you? I certainly was when I was mapping out this article and researching it. Low and behold, I guess that rust itself doesn’t actually give you tetanus. Nonetheless, the bacteria that does cause tetanus could be on your dirty, rusty hooks, and they, like nails, are the perfect delivery system to inject that bacteria deep into your body with an errant cast.
How Do You Get Rust Off a Hook?
If you’re going to attempt to clean rusty fishing hooks you’ll need to use some sort of abrasive. A small rotary tool like a Dremel would work quite well, or you could just use some medium grit sandpaper and small block of wood. You’ll need to scrape and brush away the rust until your hooks are shiny.
If this isn’t working, you can use an acidic of some sort. Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can help you loosen up the rust. The common feature is the acidic. I’ve also seen some folks recommend simply placing hooks in vinegar overnight and then wiping them off (source). I think I’d probably shy away from commercial rust removers meant for home improvement projects. I don’t know that fish would like their scent.
Is It Worth Cleaning Rusty Hooks?
In all honesty, unless you catch the rusting process so early that it wipes off easily with some of the methods described, you should probably just throw the hooks out and start over. The amount of time it would take to clean something that may already be compromised simply isn’t worth it. Chalk it up as a cost of going fishing and buy some new, sharp hooks.
When you think about all the time we spend trying to keep our fishing equipment in tip-top shape, the idea of using a structurally-weakened fishing hook is a bit ridiculous, frankly.
Unfortunately, sometimes throwing out the rusty fishing hook means throwing out the lure it’s attached to.
How Can You Keep Fishing Hooks From Rusting in the First Place?
Well, the best way not to have your hooks start rusting is to not let them get wet, but that’s not very practical for fishing gear. However, rust forms after metal has been exposed to water or moisture for an extended period. Let me tell you – the typical tackle box is an outstanding place for this to happen.
To help prevent rust, do the best you can to dry your gear off before you put it in the tackle box. The best option would be to leave it out a bit so it can dry before you plop it in. If this isn’t an option, at least leave the lid open so the lure can breath and hopefully dry out a bit while you continue to fish.
I don’t know that I’d go so far as to claim that any fishing hook is truly “rust proof,” but there are certainly some brands that have taken steps to make their products more “corrosion resistant.” For example, many Mustad hooks are made from stainless steel, which is much more rust-resistant than many other metals. Likewise, some VMC coastal hooks are designed to be corrosion-resistant as well.
Preventing Hooks From Rusting From Salt Water
Salt water especially is going to cause your hooks to rust quickly. While I don’t do a ton of saltwater fishing, when I was researching my article about WD-40 it became clear that many people use this product to keep their gear in good shape.
Here’s a useful YouTube video that gives some advice. In short, the author suggests rinsing your lures in freshwater as quickly as you can, and then drying them. Further, you need to keep moisture from forming.
How to Safely Throw Away Rusted Fishing Hooks
It’s not fun to get jabbed by any fishing hook, much less a rusted one. Be considerate of everyone who might encounter your garbage and do what you can to avoid injuring them. Good advice would be to keep your rusty old fish hooks in one place until you have a few of them, and them popping them in a coffee can before tossing them. You might be able to put them in an aluminum can and throw it into recycling, but I’d check with your local waste management centers to ensure this won’t cause trouble.
If you want to throw out fish hooks without using some sort of container, you still have a duty to ensure they’re safe. The best way to do this is by cutting them up a bit with some wire cutters so they aren’t likely to jab someone. This is especially important for treble hooks that can easily injure onlookers as they “stand up” rather than lying flat as a single hook will. If you’re going through the trouble of cutting them up, you might as well snip off the barb as well. Just make sure you wear safety glasses while doing this as the last thing you need is a rusty little hook point flying into your eye.
Conclusions
Try as we might, we will all, at one point or another, have some fishing tackle that rusts out on us. As far as I can tell, a fish probably won’t be afraid to bite a rusty hook, but if the hook is too far gone, it might snap instantly. If you catch the rusting quick enough (and don’t have tournament money on the line) you can always see if you can clean them up. Personally, I wouldn’t bother. I’d toss the rusty hooks out and go buy some fresh ones. You should be changing out your hooks every so often, anyway, and having a few rust out might just be the excuse you need to do this.
It’s rare that I visit a place I like so much that I immediately add it to my list of the best places in Connecticut to take a kid fishing, but that’s what happened after I visited The Farm at Carter Hill located at 86 East Hampton Road, Marlborough, Connecticut (860-906-7866). A Connecticut bed and breakfast that is about as kid-friendly as they come, the farm has something for literally everyone. Want to take the kids to feed some goats and sheep? They’ve got it. Want to find some sort of outdoor event where you can socially distance yet still feel alive? This is just the place. How about the perfect backdrop for that wedding you’ve been dreaming of since you were little? Yep – the Farm is the place, once again. It has everything!
Granted, my website is “FishingFather” so you can guess what I am most interested in. Yes, the Farm at Carter Hill is an outstanding place to take kids fishing in Connecticut. It checks every box:
Clear areas to cast.
Species easy to catch and find.
A place to grab a snack
PLENTY of distractions for the little ones if they get bored.
All the same, many fishing fathers have a fishing spouse in tow, so let’s do an in-depth review of why The Farm at Carter Hill should be on your short list of summer destinations in Connecticut!
How Did I Stumble on This Gem, You Ask?
For years now, I’ve heard my father rave about “Mitch’s Place” owned by two of Dad’s friends, Mitch and Hazel. For most of that time, it was a large “everything” store in New Britain, Connecticut that Dad used to love. It is no stretch to say that every sweatshirt I grew up wearing, every single piece of paper I ever scrawled on as a child, and every storage shelf in my basement came from Mitch’s place. When Dad says he likes a place, he means it.
Well, much to Dad’s considerable consternation, Mitch and Hazel closed up shop there a few years back and opened up a new bed and breakfast venture in Marlborough, Connecticut: The Farm at Carter Hill. Perhaps because of all the sweaters, paper, and storage shelving they sold Dad over the years, our family was invited out to take a look at the farm and go fishing on its private pond this weekend. We took my son in tow and hoped he’d catch his first fish of 2021. It didn’t take long!
A Relaxing Connecticut Bed & Breakfast
The Farm at Carter Hill is many things, and a top class bed and breakfast is one of them. The rooms are clean, the scenery serene, and when you wake up, there’s plenty to go out and explore. If you’re in New England and are looking for a good spot to take your kids on a “mini-cation,” this place would be hard to beat. Sure, there are a lot of so-called “kid-friendly” bed and breakfasts in Connecticut, but there are very few that boast as many cool things to do with your kids for a weekend. Pretty much everything in this article is something a child would enjoy.
It’s also a good place to bring the grandparents along. There’s plenty of fresh air and sunny places to sit and admire the countryside or watch as the grandkids catch fish and feed the goats. In a time when many are shuttered indoors, this could be exactly what your family needs to feel alive again.
A view of the bed and breakfast. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill
Goats, Sheep, and Ducks!
This is a working farm and there are a number of animals who call it their home. They seem friendly enough and are eager for the bag of feed Mitch and Hazel will sell you for $1. Most of them are in an enclosure with a few trusted enough to walk around and say hello.
Frankly, the experience reminded me a lot of going to a fair in a year where, sadly, I couldn’t take my kids to one. These friendly animals did their part to bring a bit of normalcy back to my son’s life, which I appreciated. Further, as those of you who have read my piece on preparing for a fishing trips with kids know, having distractions is critical when fishing with young children. I’d be hard pressed to think of a better distraction than farm animals.
This goat was particularly photogenic.
Socially Distant Events
Visiting The Farm at Carter Hill yesterday was the first time I’ve felt normal for ages. For over a year now, I’ve felt like I’ve had to look over my shoulder for some foe I’ll never see. So many of the things I used to do with my kids are off the table for the foreseeable future. It was nice to FINALLY get to do something with my son that was normal.
Now, my normal was taking him to something that seemed like a fair, with animals and cool stuff to look at. Your normal may well be going to a comedy show, classic car show, concert, or cookout. As so much of this venue is outdoors, you can do all of those things even in these unusual times. If you’re interested in checking out what events there are to look forward to, check out their Facebook page for upcoming events and promotions.
Live music is just one of many things The Farm at Carter Hill typically offers. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
A Perfect Country Wedding
Looking for a wedding destination that’s close to home, but still feels like an adventure? The Farm at Carter Hill has just what you need. They offer two buildings for your big day. As you can see from the photos they’ve graciously allowed me to reproduce, you can either rent a rustic barn with cast iron fixtures, or a more classical white pavilion. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll have the entire grounds for some memorable wedding pictures.
Not for nothing, but the pond we’ll talk about below would give you some great opportunities for fishing wedding pictures too (any woman’s dream, I know).
Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Cool Knick Knacks and Oddities Abound
I’m convinced that Mitch and Hazel’s retirement plan is to link up with the guys from that “American Pickers” show at some point. When they aren’t running this Connecticut bed and breakfast, I’d almost think they’re on that show. The Farm at Carter Hill abounds with old advertisements, collectibles, knick knacks, and generally just “fun cool stuff.” You could spend a day just walking around and looking at all the pieces of Americana they’ve collected.
The entire compound has cool stuff to look at. In many respects, it’s like walking through a museum or time capsule. Image courtesy of The Farm at Carter Hill.
Perhaps the coolest of the cool is this 1/2 scale F4U Corsair. I don’t talk much about my love of old warbirds on this site, but this right here is my absolute favorite and it was a nice touch. The story of how Mitch acquired it was even better. Apparently, he put an add in the paper that said, “Looking for an airplane to hang from a tree.” Then this showed up! Well, it might be a bit much for the tree to handle, but it’s darn cool nonetheless.
A 1/2 scale F4U Corsair: Connecticut’s State Warbird.
Finally – a Connecticut Bed and Breakfast With Great Fishing!
I’d have a hard time believing there is a Connecticut bed and breakfast out there with better fishing than The Farm at Carter Hill. Yeah, it’s not on the ocean or some giant lake. It doesn’t need to be. Mitch and Hazel have a great little fishing pond right on the property that lives up to all the lore small farm ponds typically enjoy. There’s a healthy population of largemouth bass and pumpkinseeds for your kids to catch and enjoy. Here’s how our day went.
The Fishing Report
The three of us arrived at Mitch & Hazel’s a little past noon. Our first stop was the farm pond Dad has been talking about all these years. It’s a small little thing – rather unassuming at first – but I quickly sized it up as a great place to go fishing with kids. It has several features that make it so:
You can reach every inch of it from a clear, unobstructed shore.
The water has clear, deep pockets where you can cast without getting all gunked up with weeds.
The slope is slight and safe for little kids to go near. My son managed not to fall in and he wasn’t being particularly careful!
I could see fish – and a LOT of them!
It’s such a great place for kids to fish that I think I’ll have to take my daughter along next time and put her on some fish too. Darned nap time keeps getting in the way of taking her fishing with daddy!
While not large, there’s plenty of room for kids to cast, and the pond is narrow enough you can easily reach any place you want.
The First Cast
I’d brought a few simple rigs with us. Two Ugly Sticks, my son’s favorite St. Croix panfish rod, and my St. Croix Avid and Legend Elite. Drop shots were tied on five of six rods, but I had a watermelon 5″ Senko tied onto my Avid. As I could see several bass immediately, this is the one I started with. One cast, a few twitches, and there was a fish on for my kid to reel in.
We kept fishing for the better part of ninety minutes or so, and the action was nonstop. We must have caught at least 15 largemouth and another 20 sunfish. The largest was only about 12″, but Mitch says there are some larger ones lurking in the weeds. It’s a bit early in the year yet and we couldn’t get anything to hit a fast moving bait (that we could keep up over the emerging weeds), so we “had to settle” for the multitude of fish we found in the deep pools around the pond. No one was complaining!
I was extremely excited as while my son has caught plenty of fish “all by himself” by now, they’ve usually come on a drop shot with a worm or Gulp minnow. Yesterday, I’m very proud to say that he set the hook on a fish with a plastic worm for the first time in his life! While it is a great lure for fishing with kids, it still takes some skill to hook a fish with one, and it was great to see my son have this success. Many thanks to Mitch and Hazel for giving him the opportunity!
The pond is filled with healthy bass like this.
Just a Note – Please Be Respectful
While Mitch and Hazel are gracious hosts who are very relaxed and welcoming, I’d just like to remind my readers that this is private property. This is not a public fishery and if you go down to check it out, you should be on your best behavior. It is a place that patrons of the farm are allowed to fish in a respectful manner. This means that fishing should be one of many things that you do (I’d recommend grabbing some lunch there on a day trip, or staying the night if you want to make an adventure out of it). You should also be vigilant to “carry in, carry out” and not leave a mess of trash behind you. Likewise, remember that these fish are their property. Plan on catching and releasing your quarry, and put the fish back gently.
Not for nothing, but this is the kind of fishing pond that is special for children. While it’s not my place to tell any adults not to fish it (I certainly did), I will simply say that the size of the fish is perfect for putting a giant smile on a kid’s face. I’d bring along the kids and do more helping than fishing if I were you. This is the kind of place that kids can really get the confidence they need to fall in love with this sport. Let’s all try and keep it special for them.
To sum it up, this is a true gem of a place and I hope all of my readers will do their best to keep it that way!
Conclusion: The Farm at Carter Hill is a Great Place to Take the Kids
As you can see, we had a blast in our short time at the farm, and we didn’t even get to scratch the surface of all the many events it has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a cozy Connecticut bed and breakfast, the perfect wedding venue, or just an outdoor compound to take the little ones to for some fresh air and good vibes, The Farm at Carter Hill ought to be on your short list of Connecticut destinations this summer.
If you don’t believe me, just consider my son’s critique. About an hour after we got home, he was already asking, “Hey Dad, when can we go back to Mitch’s place?”
His grandpa is so proud!
Interested in visiting the Farm at Carter Hill? Call 860-906-7866, visit their website, or stop by their Facebook page for more information.
Fishing rods can be quite an investment, so you’ll want to maintain and store them appropriately. Not everyone has a dedicated, heated “man cave” where they can store their fishing rods. Instead, many people have to store their fishing rods in a garage or boat. The question is, should they, or will storing a fishing rod in your garage or boat damage the rod?
To put it plainly, you have to do what you have to do. All the same, if I was going to store my rods for any length of time, I’d take them out of the boat and get them inside, even if that meant putting them in the garage. Storing fishing rods in your boat full time is OK if you use them frequently, but things can go south in a hurry if you don’t take them out frequently. On the other hand, there’s really no downside to storing fishing rods in your garage if that is your only option.
Is A Cold Garage A Bad Place to Store Fishing Rods?
Considering there is a whole niche of this great sport called, “ice fishing,” I think it’s fair to say that fishing rods can handle cold temperatures. Granted, there has to be a point where this won’t be true. Still, it’s hard to imagine that an enclosed garage is going to get cold enough to really damage a fishing rod. Certainly, you wouldn’t expect any issues while the rod is simply being stored there. If ever, you’d encounter the problem after the rod was suddenly flexed.
With that said, if a 10lb northern pike doesn’t break a fishing rod when you’re out ice fishing in super cold temps, why would storing fishing rods in a “cold” garage cause problems?
Is Exposing Rods to Heat Bad for Them?
I’m not so certain that heat won’t damage fishing rods. You have to consider how they are built. Many fishing rods incorporate glue in their construction (source). Glue and heat don’t work very well together. Rod blanks also have considerable resin in them, which also isn’t going to do well with heat. Consider just how hot a car can get in the sun. I wouldn’t want to leave anything I care about in a locked car in summer. It’s just asking for trouble.
I don’t think you’d ever get to a point where your garage was hot enough to cause issues. On the other hand, a rod locker on your boat or especially your car could definitely cause problems. If you don’t believe, me, toss a $4.00 pack of soft plastics on your dash some sunny day and come back to it later. Now imagine that pack was your $400 fishing rod.
Is It Bad to Store Rods Horizontally?
If you’re looking for rod storage options, most rod holders and racks offer either a vertical, or horizontal option. If your rods are taller than your storage space, it looks like horizontal is the way you’ll need to go! Even if you have the height necessary, horizontal rod holders offer some very convenient options such as this nifty product that allows you to hang rods horizontally on the ceiling where they are completely out of the way. There’s even a product that attaches to the roof of your car, which is a great way to store fishing rods on a long trip.
Even though these products exist, some people still wonder if it’s OK to store rods horizontally. Granted, it does seem like storing fishing rods horizontally in a garage or car could place a bit of stress on certain parts of the rod. All in all, you should be fine, at least with graphite rods. For those of you who remember the old fiberglass ones, sometimes they’d “set” a bit if left stressed for awhile. If you’re using fiberglass rods, you might want to take them off now and then to give them a chance to “stretch.”
If you need more reassurance, just remember that almost all fishing rod lockers in any boat are going to store the rods horizontally. There seems to be literally millions of fishing rods out there that are stored horizontally with no issue.
These rods take up quite a bit of floor space. Perhaps I should hang them vertically from the basement ceiling?
Can You Leave Fishing Rods in Your Boat All Year?
It is a real pain to constantly move your fishing rods from your home into your boat, so it is tempting to just keep them in your lockable storage lockers on the boat. Assuming you live in a safe location where you don’t have to worry about thievery, this is fine if you use the rods often. However, there are several things that can go wrong if your rods aren’t in routine use. I learned this the hard way when my daughter was born, and I didn’t have time to go fishing for several weeks. Here’s a few issues to consider:
Mold
Mold is a legitimate issue for rods stored in a boat, at least if the boat is stored outside. Very few “dry” storage lockers live up to that name in a deluge. Slight imperfections in how a parked boat is leveled can also cause issues. When my daughter was born, I was living at a home where I had to park my boat with the bow angled slightly down. I didn’t want to put the jackstand up on cinder blocks as I was worried if some kids started messing around, someone could get hurt. Anyway, this meant that there was no way for water to escape from the bilge if I failed to tarp the boat well. Well, after a few weeks of water sitting in my boat in the August heat, I had quite the clean up project on my hands!
If you do need to store your fishing rods in your boat, try your best to prevent rainwater from accumulating. Also, make sure that when you get back from a fishing trip, you leave the lockers open for a couple of hours so everything has a chance to dry out. This will also help prevent any hooks on your rods from rusting.
Animals
Mice love boats. They are like 5-star hotels for these little critters during the winter. As much as I trust Bounce dryer sheets to keep mice out, I’ve never set up cameras and couldn’t tell you if it works for sure (although I think they do, since I’ve stopped having issues). In any rate, if you meet the mouse who doesn’t mind these sheets, they’ll be creeping and crawling all your rods, and potentially chewing on your handles and line.
Heat/Cold
All the issues we’ve discussed with potential issues from heat and cold are going to be amplified sitting outside in a rod box. While it’s somewhat sheltered from the elements, your rod lockers might not be completely enclosed. Indeed, many aren’t in the hopes that the mold issue above can be mitigated. The same moving air that helps allow rods to dry can also allow very cold air in. Further, a closed box underneath a vinyl floor is going to get HOT. Will it get hot enough to do some damage? That’s for the scientists to answer, and all of us to ponder.
Can You Leave Fishing Rods Outside?
Not everyone has a garage to keep their fishing rods in. All the same, I wouldn’t recommend leaving fishing rods outside.
First, they’ll be far more exposed to extreme temperatures than they would be in a garage. All bets are off when you start talking about the temperature swings that mother nature can provide.
Secondly, you have to worry about accidents. It’s possible that the wind might blow something into your fishing rods, or knock them over. They aren’t going to do very well if even a small tree branch lands on them.
Finally, anything left outside is a prime target for thieves. Depending on where you live, this might be something you need to take into consideration.
Conclusion: Go Ahead and Store Your Fishing Rods in the Garage
Everything I’ve found suggests that your fishing rods will be just fine in a garage. At worst, you might have to worry about some spiderwebs if you don’t use them often. Assuming your garage locks and is enclosed, your fishing rods will be fine.
They’ll also likely be just fine in your boat, but you need to keep a closer eye on them. If you’re keeping them on the boat, it’s likely because you’re using them too often not to. Just keep that up and don’t go for a long time without checking in, as a misplaced tarp could spell huge problems quickly if water gets in.
Regardless of where you store your fishing rods, you’re fine storing them horizontally if that’s the best fit. Just make sure you use your fiberglass rods now and then so they won’t “set” (although, honestly, I imagine that would take considerable time). All the same, it’s something to consider and keep an eye out for!
I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any other questions on the topic please feel free to email me, or leave a comment. I”ll respond as soon as I can.
Sometimes when I put on my little cape and scour the internet looking for pressing fishing questions to answer, I find weird things. I’m going to chalk this article up as one of them. I’ve seen some people ask, “Will fishing line melt or burn?” Well, yes. Emphatically yes. Fishing line can melt and burn. But, if your fishing line is about to melt or burn under anything approaching normal use, you probably have waaaaay worse problems to deal with.
I’m reminded of an old The Far Side comic where two fishermen are marveling at the arrival of a nuclear holocaust and deduce that they no longer need worry about fishing regulations. If you are doing anything sensible with your fishing line, such as putting it on reels and casting them, you don’t need to worry about your fishing line melting or burning. You’re even fine leaving them in the rod locker for extended periods. No melting should occur. You only run into trouble when you try to get creative with finding solutions to problems, such as trying to boil fishing line to reduce its memory.
Let’s dive into this a little bit more.
Why Is This Even a Question?
I ask myself this a lot sometimes when I search for article topics, but here at least it makes sense. People usually want to know if fishing line will melt or burn because they’re trying to think of ways to reduce fishing line’s memory. Memory refers to the way fishing line will retain its shape when coiled around a fishing spool. When a line with high memory leaves the spool, it comes off with a spiral. This leads to line twist, monster tangles, and eventually reduces the strength of the line. It’s no wonder people are looking for a way out of this situation. Even so, the solutions leave me scratching my head…
The Three Main Types of Line
Just to level set – there are three main types of fishing line: Monofilament, Fluorocarbon, and Braid. The latter is basically a fabric so I’ll cut to the chase: it’s not melting and it will burn like any other thread. This article is going to focus on monofilament and fluorocarbon which are both made of types of plastic.
Of the two, fluorocarbon is going to have much worse memory than monofilament. If you’re using monofilament and it’s giving you trouble with memory, it’s likely time for a new spool. I prefer Berkley Trilene XL – it has very little memory and is great for using on kid’s fishing rods (where, believe me, you don’t need any other reasons for a tangle).
If you need to use flurocarbon, I’d search for the most pliant you can find. I pay a bit of a premium for high-quality Seaguar products like Invizx as it is one of the softer ones out there. Even with this, I still use a line conditioner as I’ll discuss further below.
That candle will ruin all of these fishing lines.
Can You Boil Fishing Line to Reduce Memory?
The internet is rife with forum posts asking if you can boil fishing line to reduce memory. I can’t imagine why this would be a good idea. There may be some merit to warming it with hot water under the faucet, or letting it soak for a bit. This can warm it up a bit and help reduce memory without damaging your line or spool (source). Boiling however is just a bad idea. There’s a few things to consider:
Your Fishing Line Could Become Weaker If You Boil It
There’s not a ton of science out there on this topic, but the folks at Berkley (the fishing company, not the university) did write an interesting article talking about why it’s so important to respool. Though they spent far more time talking about the effects of sunlight on fishing line, their article did make mention of heat caused by friction a few times, and how this too damages line (source). Given that the folks at Berkley mentioned that heat damages line, I don’t know why you’d take a risk by exposing it to the considerable heat of boiling water.
Even if your fishing line didn’t melt or burn if you boiled it, I wouldn’t try this. I can’t stop you from trying it, I suppose, but I’d chalk up boiling fishing line as one more way to make it snap. If you don’t want fish to keep breaking your line, try something else!
You Could Damage Your Spool
If you’re planning on boiling your fishing line, you’re probably planning on doing so while it’s on some sort of spool. Most likely, you aren’t trying this when you first put the line on, as it is still supple at that stage. This leads me to infer that you’ve found this post while staring at that spool from your fishing reel with the coiled line on it. If you’re wondering if you can just dunk the whole thing in boiling water and be OK, eh… I wouldn’t recommend it.
Again, with the caveat that I’m not a scientist, and there are limited resources out there to draw on, let’s apply some common sense. Even if the fishing line itself wasn’t damaged, some spools may have components that don’t react well to being boiled. Consider tiny, precise little elements of the drag system. How will they hold up? Does your reel have one of those “braid ready” spools with the little rubber lines? I wonder how well they’d resist melting. It’s not the kind of thing I want to find out!
Can You Put Fishing Line in the Oven or Will It Melt?
This is a bit of a secondary question. I did a little research to see if people were curious if you could put fishing line in an oven or if that would burn it. By and large, this question comes up more on cooking forums than fishing forums. It seems some folks are asking if you can use fishing line to tie up various concoctions in your oven (think pinwheeled steaks). NO. Do not do this. Fishing line is made of various plastic compounds. These can melt if exposed to heat. They can then be absorbed into your food. Do not use fishing line to tie up your food for cooking!
Save the Science Experiments and Buy Line Conditioner Instead
Look, I’m never going to fault someone who tries to save a few bucks and make fishing less of an expensive hobby. All the same, I have to tell you, spare your line the science experiments. Seriously, think this through. Your fishing line is the critical connection between you and the fish, right? I imagine you probably check it for nicks and frays routinely? You might even strip a few feet now and then to prevent breakoffs, right? Ok. So then why on earth would you take the entire spool and plunge it into boiling water? Why evenrisk that your fishing line might melt? Why not just buy a dedicated product that will keep it nice and supple? Do you really want to take the chance that something could go terribly wrong?
There are multiple fishing line conditioning products out there that you can choose from that are an infinitely better idea than boiling your fishing line to try and prevent memory. While you’ll have to check Amazon for the best price at any given moment, they cost less most spools of fluorocarbon. They also can be used on multiple setups and spools and will last quite some time. They are, by far, a better option. Here are some of my favorites and links to where you can find them on Amazon.
Of these, I’ve used Kevin VanDam’ offering and found it did a good job of keeping my fluorocarbon line supple (I’ve never felt the need to use it on monofilament). With that said, I’ve heard great things about Ardent Line Butter too. That’s not to say the other products aren’t good – I just don’t have experience with them nor have I heard others rave about them. But, it might be worth checking out the reviews and seeing what works for you. At some point I’ll pick up the others and review them for you, but for now, I leave you to brave that challenge yourself.
Conclusions
Fishing line will not melt or burn unless you’re really trying. That doesn’t mean it can’t be microscopically damaged and cause you to lose the next big fish. While I’m no scientist, and might be completely off base, I’m not willing to risk it. Why, after all, invest so much time and energy into this hobby and then do something (such as boiling your fishing line) that just seems like a bad idea?
Go to the links above and buy a can of line conditioner. Save the science experiments for science class. You never know, your personal best trophy bass could be on the line.
Every winter, I look forward to the day when the ice will break away and I can launch my boat again for a spring fishing trip on southern Lake Champlain near Crown Point. That first walk towards the sunrise each spring is almost cathartic. The way the lake shimmers almost seems like God’s way of saying, “You’ve made it one more year!”
I only got one sunrise like that in 2020, and it was far too early in the year to make much good of it. One morning, I rushed up from Connecticut to New York right in the early throws of COVID to get my gear and bring it back home. I figured 2020 would be the year I’d never use it otherwise. While it was interesting to spend more time plying Connecticut waters for a change, it didn’t compare to Lake Champlain. I’m itching to get back and just have to “think out loud” a bit about what I’ll do.
A Lifelong Adventure
I recently found an old fishing log that I’ll have to put up here on the blog bit by bit. Here’s an entry where I guess I felt like talking about the past. This scene has been repeating for years now:
Lake Champlain – The Past
I grew up fishing Lake Champlain with my brother & sister. Dad would take us up, but we would also fish with Uncle Steve and George Daniels, who owned a bait shop near Bulwagga Bay.
I’m not sure how, but Dad managed to take the three of us out on his 15′ Fisher Hawk 2V Mod-V Bass Boat, which he had bought new in 1987 for $5,000. The plan was to usually go across the lake and drift the Vermont shore from Yellow Point lighthouse to the point north of Leonard Bay. We would catch a lot of smallmouth bass on spade-tailed green grubs with an 1/8th oz ball jig head, usually black with yellow eyes. We would also toss marabou jigs (white & red) and small light tan, skinny crankbaits [Rebel Fastrac minnows] and baby bass colored square bills. Eventually, George taught us about dropshotting live bait, and we would fish near Two Trees and the Buoy.
We didn’t spend as much time on the New York side, but when we did, it was usually the bays around the house. We would fish these with chartreuse and yellow spinnerbaits.
These formative years were when the fish went on the wall. We were young and wanted to be like Uncle Steve, who had mounted some real trophies, including the large pike he caught in the mouth of the creek before it was dredged and ruined. Our fish weren’t exactly trophies to anyone but little kids, but that is what we were at the time.
They were good days and some of the better memories I have of spending time with my siblings. We actually got along (most of the time).
Fishing on Southern Lake Champlain in April
Anyone who has fished Lake Champlain will tell you that it’s darn near crystal clear north of the bridge at Crown Point, and nearly mud once you go much south from there. Well, cold muddy water can sometimes be a problem when you want to go fishing.
I know I should really time my first fishing trips better. If I can hold out until the first or second week of May, it’s usually a dynamite fishery. Still, after a cold winter of staring at hooks in my basement, it’s all I can do to stop myself from heading up there while it’s still nearly freezing in April.
This makes for tough fishing. The weeds aren’t in and the water’s high, cold, and murky. Spinnerbaits that will work a few weeks later are largely out of the question. Instead, you’re faced with trying to poke around and see if the bass have loaded up on rocky points near spawning bays yet. If they have, a jerkbait kills them. If they haven’t, you’re going to go a long way between bites.
You’ll see many guys fishing with jigs though it’s a challenge to work them from a walleye boat while the wind is blowing something fierce as it tends to do that time of year, so I usually stick with my jerkbaits.
The Fleet is Out and Killing It
The one place you will find a ton of boat traffic down south is Bulwagga Bay. Here and near the Crown Point Bridge, you’ll find that the fleet of salmon trollers is out fishing in full force as many of the Atlantic Salmon come shallow enough to be taken here. Some day I’d like to try it, but I usually only troll for pickerel and am not quite sure that I really want to start another expensive tactic.
If you’re interested in reading up more about this, I suggest reading the forums over at www.lakechamplainunited.com. A few folks on the site have already been out getting some great action.
At Least It’s Serene
Bass season doesn’t start on Lake Champlain until a few weeks in June. Until then, you must release all catches promptly. While this is a bummer, I’m sure, for the tournament guys, it does allow late April and early May to be quiet, calm, and relaxing, Even south of the bridge, where everything narrows, you can find a bit of space for yourself.
Unfortunately, that sometimes also means that the eateries you were used to during the summer may not be open and ready, so bear that in mind and plan ahead!
Early Spring is serene on Lake Champlain.
May – When the Action Heats Up
Some of the best fishing I’ve had in my life has come in May in southern Lake Champlain. It’s still catch and release only for bass, but you can find plenty of them. They’re going to be splitting their time now between rocky points and actual spawning bays. To the extent you can find a point that has bass stacked on it, you can easily have 100-fish days with the use of a jerkbait or squarebill. Once the water heats up to around 60-degrees, spinnerbaits and Senkos come into their own as well.
Where to Find Fish near Crown Point
During May it’s hard not to find fish in southern Lake Champlain. The bass that haven’t spawned yet will tend to stage on the points while bass start moving into the shallows. There are several bays in Crown Point and Ticonderoga worth fishing, some more than others. Popular spots include the delta near the Fort and the bay just north of the paper mill. I haven’t found as much luck fishing bays on the Vermont side around Crown Point, but the rocky shoreline has produced some great smallmouth since I was a kid.
The shoreline in Vermont across from Crown Point has several rocky stretches that produce big football smallies like this.
When I was young and Dad was taking the three of us out on “Sinky,” we had to stay close to home. Once I upgraded to my Lund Impact, I’ve started to explore far and wide. The Ticonderoga area has a number of good spots that I’ve found recently. Pretty much anything near the fort can produce, and you’ll find many boats stacked up there. East Creek in Vermont can also be fun, though you’ll need a Vermont fishing license to fish it. Finally, if you are willing to run south a bit more, there are some spawning flats on the way to Mill Bay that can be dynamite when the fish are hitting top waters.
Lastly, there are the many rivers and creeks in this area. The mouths and deltas of all of these can work out quite well. Ticonderoga especially, with two large creeks to choose from, is well worth your time. Depending on the water temperatures, I’d throw some Senkos into weed pockets to try and entice a bite.
My Game Plan
Regardless of when I go, I think I’ll follow the usual game plan that has served me well these past few years. I’ll start by targeting the rocky points of Vermont and New York, as well as some big boulders I discovered via map research back during the drought a few years back. The goal will be to find a school of largemouth to spend a day with.
If I can’t find anything on rocky points, I’m going to go into several bays on the New York side. What lure I’ll use depends on the weed growth. If it is still clear enough to get treble hooks through the backwaters, that’s what I’ll use. If not, I will switch up to a Senko and start targeting pockets. Fish start spawning around this area in mid-May or so. You can find huge bass by looking for little ripples from sunfish raiding their nests.
If I find an area with warmer water temperatures, I’ll break out my spinnerbaits. These are great for catching chain pickerel which are everywhere in the southern end. I’m really hoping that my son will get his first spinnerbait strike from a pickerel this year.
Of course, all this depends on finding the time to go. This is my son’s first year in kindergarten so it’s not like I can just leave for a week in May. I’ll have to pick my spots and maybe take a long weekend here or there. Usually when I do that, I find that the weather turns south quickly!
Useful Resources for Fishing Lake Champlain
While I hope to expand upon my knowledge of Lake Champlain in this blog, there are several other great resources available for you in the meanwhile.
The forums at www.lakechamplainunited.com – long-running site with members who routinely target salmon and lake trout.
Here’s a great book on Fishing Lake Champlain. The author’s website seems to have gone out of business, but you can find Bass Fishing 101: Lake Champlain by Dale Brown here.
Finally, while my book isn’t specifically written about Lake Champlain, most of the tactics and tips I write about were developed on the lake, so it’s worth a read. You can purchase that here.
Conclusions
I suppose this work was a bit rambling. I just needed to think aloud a bit about this great fishery so I’d have something to look forward to. Hopefully you were at least able to pull some information out of it to help you next time you visit this wonderful fishery.
After several days of trying, I’ve finally pulled it off. My first open water (or any water for that matter) fish of 2021! We’ve had ice out here since the 11th and I’ve gone a few times to Spring Pond and the Farmington Reservoir trying to catch a fish.
I’ve been going a bit nuts trying to get the first fish of the year. This COVID thing is really starting to get to me and I needed the smell of victory on a fishing lure or two. Unfortunately, it’s much harder to fish these days than when I was younger. Years ago, I’d simply get out early and stay out late until I managed to coax something — anything — to bite. That’s not possible with small children and having only so much time to work with.
Early Failures…
My first attempt was back on the 11th, again at Spring Pond. I brought out my trusty St. Croix Legend Elite 6’6″ spinning rod with a clown Rapala Shadow Rap and worked the only water I could find (which wasn’t much). You wouldn’t believe me, but I did manage to get a small bass to hit it right in that lane you can see in the photo below. Unfortunately, it threw the hook about 4′ from shore, crushing me! So much for an early fishing report from Spring Pond – I need at least something to write about.
I may have been a bit keen, but I nearly caught one, I swear!
After that heart break I went back a few times but didn’t have much time to work with. You really need to work jerkbaits slow this time of year to be successful. That’s twice as hard to do that when you know you only have 45 minutes to an hour to fish.
I also tried my luck at the Farmington Reservoir off of Route 6 a few times but had no luck there, either. That place is always tough. Frankly, so is Spring Pond, but Spring Pond at least has huge fish that could reward you. The best I’ve ever pulled from the Reservoir went about 3-4lbs. Anyway, I tossed my share of jerkbaits, jigs, and lipless cranks. No matter what I tried, nothing bit since that one that spit the hook on the 11th.
Today’s Spring Pond Fishing “Action.”
I’m not really sure most would call one fish “action” but I beat the skunk and that’s all that matters. I set out to Spring Pond after finding high temperatures for most of the week (easily in the upper 50’s if not greater). The hope was that would thaw out the place a bit more and perhaps make the fish more active.
I parked in the south lot and started working my way with a #10 X-Rap in Yellow Perch color counterclockwise around the pond. Not so much of a hit anywhere. I did notice that the pipe in the southwest corner was gushing in water and the water rose a bit. This’ll probably set things up nicely in a few days near some of the “hidden gems” you’d know about if you ever fished it at low levels. Spring Pond can have some furious action once the water is about 6-10″ higher than it is right now.
I didn’t have a thermometer for the water temps, but at least it wasn’t immediately freezing my line guides as I brought it up. In any event, the one fish of the day – and a glorious little bugger at that – was caught in the extreme northeast corner by casting out far (not near the laydown) and working the x-rap back in. The bass (all of 10″ or so) hit the x-rap about halfway back. It wanted to jump but I managed to keep it down and get it to shore. It was a little dinker but I’ll take it!
The first fish of 2021!
Other Signs of Life
Carp where already breaching all over the northwest spawning flat, which is a promising sign of things to come. Further, multiple turtles were observed in the southeast. The pond is starting to come alive and good fishing should be had in just a few more days to weeks of stable weather. Hopefully I’ll have more Spring Pond fishing reports for you soon.
I need to wait a bit before I take my kids fishing (taking them this early would all but guaranteed violate my “get a fish in the livewell/bucket” rule), but I hope to get them out soon. My son especially has been chomping at the bit, and it’s time for my daughter to catch one too. As I’ve mentioned before, Spring Pond is a great place to take kids fishing. I just need them to have a bit better chance of catching something!
Anyway, the skunk is gone. Here’s to a great 2021 fishing season, everyone!
We are a little over a month away from the two year anniversary of when I started my fishing blog, FishingFather. This website was born on April 22, 2019 and has come a long way since then. Even so, I’m not quite sure what I was expecting or if I’ve achieved that or not. I knew it would take several years of hard work to get going, and if we’re being honest, I’ve been pretty inconsistent with all that hard work, so I suppose being as far along as I am is kind of a steal.
I thought I’d take a moment just to think back on where I’ve come from and consider where I want to go.
Why I Started My Fishing Blog
I started this website mainly because I was frustrated with the bad information out there directed at clueless newbies. Fishing is such a huge money maker that there are no shortage of products out there, some good, and some completely horrible. What I came to notice on some of the so-called “affiliate sites” out on the internet is that they were clearly just grabbing whatever looked good and throwing it up as a recommendation, trying to get someone to click and buy it.
Case in point, just look at all the websites out there recommending telescoping rods (which sometimes could fit in a pocket) as a “good fishing rod for beginners.” Let’s be real clear about something here, folks. Those rods are basically gimmicks set to be quickly forgotten. Instead, you should always aim to get yourself or your kids some quality equipment.
I just see so much nonsense being tossed out as a recommended buy and it makes me shake my head. A lot of parents are doing the best they can for their kids in extremely trying times. COVID hasn’t increased the dollars available, for sure. To tell someone to buy something that isn’t good isn’t something I’m willing to do. Fishingfather.com has to be a website where the recommendations are items you’ll actually keep and use. Not just some place to fill up space with every product I can find to link to.
No matter what I change in 2021, that guiding principle needs to remain.
Goals for Year Three
I do have dreams, and FishingFather plays a large part in them. While I don’t think it’s terribly likely that starting a dad blog about fishing will ever pay my mortgage, I do hope at some point I can at least take a less stressful day job because of it. My goal in year three of the blog is to inch closer to that. My drop dead date where I’m going to admit I failed is going to be the end of his decade.
All the goals below reflect a desire to reach and help more people, and grow this brand. I guess I’ll have to wait and see just how well they work.
My fishing blog feels much like this photo. Yes, the lake is starting to thaw, but there’s so much more ice to go.
Start Adding More Musings to My Fishing Blog
Some of you may have noticed this new category, “musings.” I have to allow FishingFather to be more of an outlet for my creative needs to keep my sanity. Up until now, nearly all of the articles I’ve written have been written specifically to address certain questions. For example, I’ve answered if expensive fishing rods are worth it, and even stuff as silly as do fish like dead worms, or can you use WD-40 on fishing gear? There’s nothing wrong with this, and I’ll still keep answering questions as I find or am asked them, but I want to spend more of 2021 trying to connect with my readers.
What do I mean by that? Well, I’m a dad dealing with raising two kids in the middle of this crazy world. Fishing is an outlet for that, sure. I want to talk more about the experience of it all, as opposed to having every article answer a specific question. In short, I want this fishing blog I started to become more about the journey and the questions than the gear or tools or answers. I’d also like to add substantially more “fishing reports” posts.
Can We Get on Schedule
I’d like to keep a schedule of publishing things more consistently instead of haphazardly. Granted, right now it is March and I’m typing away, trying to get some articles written that I think might rank well done in time for them to actually have a chance to rank. There’s not much I can do about that. They need to be written NOW. However, at least when it comes to musings, I want some sort of schedule. I want to try doing this for two reasons:
I’m hoping it helps grow my readership;
I want to start taking this more seriously.
I think having a schedule of posting should help with both.
A Mailing List?
People keep telling me that I need a mailing list. I’ve resisted it until now because I haven’t been as consistent with the delivery on this blog. I often going a few months without an addition, so who needs a mailing list? If I want to grow FishingFather, this needs to change. I’m going to try and be more consistent going forward, and want to develop a way to tell everyone that there’s something new to ponder. So, starting a mailing list up and running and installed is high on my list of priorities for this fishing blog of mine.
A YouTube Channel?
Do kids even read these days? I’m not sure. I think for FishingFather to succeed over time it will need to go to other mediums. However, I also need to be honest about who I am. I’m not a professional fisherman. I’m just a dad who likes to fish. Being a dad of little ones with a wife who works full time, I don’t even get to go fishing that often. So, it’s probably not in the cards to have a show like Uncut Angler. It’s going to have to be a different format that brings something unique.
I have an idea of what I want to do and the right partner to do it with, but I’m not going to do it unless it is good. All the same, keep an eye out for it in 2021.
A New Book
I self published my first book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide, early in 2020. Given I didn’t really do any marketing for it aside from this blog, I’m surprised it has sold at all! I am quite excited to say that a publishing company has reached out to me and I’m currently writing a book for them about fishing. This new book will be designed to be given to the child instead of the parent to help them learn to fish. It should release sometime in August/September 2021. If anyone wants an advanced copy when it is time for pre-screening, send me an email.
Hopefully this new book will help drive some additional traffic to this fishing blog.
Wrapping Up
It’s been interesting starting this fishing blog. I’ve learned a lot about myself and work habits and had some fun bringing what I hope is value to many readers. My goal in the rest of 2021 is to take a transformative turn. I want this dad blog to become less about answering every question. Instead, I want to talk more about life. It might be that I’m getting older. Or, maybe this year of relative solitude is getting to me. All I know is I’m craving more of a connection with all of you, and I’m going to try what I can to establish it.
Fishing is a fun hobby to get into, and given the current state of the world, with everyone seeking socially distant ways to unwind, it will only become more popular. If you’re new to the sport and just starting out, it can be overwhelming to try and weed your way through all the tackle out there to find the best fishing lures for beginners. Whether you’re looking for good fishing lures for bass, pike, or panfish, this article will help you cut through it in no time.
Note that while I have written an article about what the best fishing lures are for children, this article assumes that the beginner is an adult, so there will be some slight variations. Ready? Then read on for my take for the best fishing lures money can buy.
What Makes a Fishing Lure Good for Beginners?
In my mind, a good fishing lure for beginners should have three traits:
A bite should easily be detectable;
The lure should catch a variety of species;
The lure must be fishable with a basic, beginners fishing rod.
Easy Strike Detection
One of the toughest parts about learning how to catch fish is learning when they’ve bit. Certain lures, like jigs, are much more difficult to detect some bites with. This is why bass jigs, though immensely popular and a great lure for largemouth bass fishing in general, won’t be found in my list below. Instead, it will be extremely obvious when a fish bites any of the lures I list below. This will allow a beginner to gain some confidence before moving up to some fishing lures that are hard to use, and take a bit more skill to realize a fish is biting.
A Good Fishing Lure Will Catch Many Species
I have absolutely no idea where you’re reading this from, as FishingFather has readers all across the planet (and thank you for that!). What I do know is that regardless of where you’re fishing, the lures on this page will catch the species in your neighborhood. All of these recommendations are great lures for largemouth bass or crappie large enough to hit them. This makes them some of the best fishing lures to use, because you have a good chance of catching anything in the lake. About the only caveat to that is that some of these lures aren’t particularly “tooth-proof” so if you’re fishing for northern pike or other fierce critters, you may want to look at the lure and ask yourself, “Is there any chance a pike is biting this without cutting my line?”
Good Beginner Fishing Lures Must Work With Good Beginner Fishing Rods
There are certain lures (like plastic frogs) that are notorious for needing very specialized equipment to throw. “Very specialized equipment” does not belong in the same article as “good fishing lures for beginners.” Accordingly, you won’t find me raving about some of the better largemouth bass fishing lures like plastic frogs here. These lures require very stout rods and heavy fishing line that you probably don’t have sitting in your garage. Everything fishing lure and bait that I recommend could be thrown with a standard, medium power Ugly Stik.
And the Winners Are?
Now that we’ve talked about what makes a great fishing lure for a beginner, let’s get into what I feel are the best lures you should buy. I thought we’d have a little fun by having a countdown of sorts with this post, so here they are, the best fishing lures for beginners, with #1 being the best overall (and all on one page without annoying click bait)!
10. Devil’s Horse
This topwater is easy for beginners to use.
Number 10 on my list might surprise a few people. It is a topwater lure and not one that gets a lot of press, either. Some people think that topwater lures are challenging for beginners, but if you can get over the extreme urge to yank your lure away the instant a fish strikes, you can catch a lot of bass, pickerel, pike, crappie and bowfin with a Devil’s Horse fishing lure.
A Devil’s Horse is one of the easier topwater lures to use because all you need to do is cast it out to a likely hiding spot and wait. You see all those circles that are moving away from it in the water after it touched down? Keep pausing until they are gone. Then, give it just the slightest little “twitch” and hang on. Fish cannot resist this. I think they look at these things and wonder what they are and where they came from when they first touch down. Then, the little twitch drives them crazy and makes them think it’s something barely alive and struggling.
There is absolutely no mistaking when a topwater lure has drawn a strike – you’ll see and hear a giant splash that will leave no doubt. The only trick is making sure the fish actually has the lure in its mouth before you pull back – this is one of the few times in sports where slower reflexes pay off! As stated, the lure catches a wide variety of fish and is easily used on standard gear. All of this makes it a great first topwater fishing lure for beginners.
If you follow this link it’ll take you to Amazon where you can buy the Devil’s Horse. Make sure that you change the little tab over on the right to get the color you want. Personally, I prefer yellow/black striper as I’ve had the best luck with it over the years, but bullfrog works pretty well too.
9. Grub or Marabou Jig
This marabou jig was one of the first lures I learned on.
I mentioned that this article would not discuss “bass jigs.” These are not the same thing. A bass jig is typically large and heavy with a bulky rubber skirt designed for catching large fish. They are meant to be crawled or hopped along the bottom of the lake, and every little rock or twig you encounter will feel like a fish until you get the hang of things. There’s so much “false noise” that they aren’t the best fishing lures for beginners.
Grubs or marabou jigs, on the other hand, are excellent fishing lures for novices. They are usually much smaller than bass jigs, and aren’t usually worked along the bottom. Instead, you work them back to you by swimming them slowly through the water, “hopping” them every now and then to make them dart and flutter.
They are small enough that you can catch darn near anything on them (they are a great fishing lure for trout) and their thin wire hook makes it likely that a fish will be hooked. It’s also quite obvious when a fish bites, because any lure you’re moving will suddenly and deliberately STOP when a fish comes and nails it. Finally, this is a lure that works well with any beginning fishing rod. Simply put, it checks all the boxes.
Marabou jigs come in a few different styles, but I always had the best luck with red and white models like the ones you can purchase here.
8. Buzzbaits
There’s no mistaking a buzzbait bite.
Buzzbaits are another lure that might surprise people simply because they’re a topwater choice, but they’re one of the best and easiest topwater fishing lures to use. All you need to do is cast them out and then reel them in. Their buzzer does a fair job of keeping the lure up above the water where it needs to be. Fish will come in and annihilate these lures early in the day and late in the evening making them fun to throw. Since they are top water lures, there is no mistaking the strike.
The ease with which they’re utilized as well as how obvious strikes are makes them a good fishing lure for beginners. The only issue is that (as with other top water lures) one must take care not to pull them back from the fish when they jump to hit it but before they have a chance to grab them.
There are plenty of different manufacturers who sell buzz baits in various different styles. While I have caught some big fish on some of the more flamboyant, double-bladed offerings, I’d recommend that you stick to something simple like this War Eagle buzzbait from Amazon.
7. Jerkbaits
Once you get the cadence down, a jerkbait is surprisingly easy to use and catches many fish.
I would only put a treble-hooked lure like a jerkbait on a list of best fishing lures for beginners who are adults. If you’re reading this for your kids, skip this section (and the next 2) as these lures can be dangerous.
While jerkbaits aren’t on most lists of good fishing lures for beginners, that’s a bit of a shame as they’re easy enough to use. Models like the x-rap (my personal favorite) are easy to cast and retrieve, and fish love them. Jerkbaits are also a better choice during times of year like early spring when lures lower down this list won’t perform quite as well. This makes them a good fishing lure for new anglers starting the hobby in the beginning of the spring.
Jerkbaits are a great fishing lure for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. A size 10 x-rap has been responsible for more than a few 100 fish days for me on Lake Champlain. Smallmouth bass especially love these lures. Bronzebacks tend to favor long and thin lures instead of the bulkier crankbaits, I find.
Jerkbaits are all about cadence. You cast them out and then work them back in a series of, well, “jerks” interspersed with pauses of different lengths. The trick to catching fish is to figure out what cadence they want on any given day. Once you do, you can light them up.
6. Lipless Crankbaits
Lipless cranks are as easy as chuck and wind, making them good fishing lures for beginners.
Again, I would only put a treble-hooked lure like a lipless on a list of best fishing lures for beginners who are adults. If you’re reading this for your kids, skip this section (and the next one) as these lures can be dangerous.
Lipless crankbaits make a good fishing lure for beginners because they’re easy to use — all you need to do is cast them out and retrieve. Sure, you can vary this up now and then and give little “pops” with your rod, but a straight old cast and retrieve will catch fish.
If you’re new to fishing, using a technique that involves a lot of casting and retrieving is important. This is called “power fishing” and it is significantly more enjoyable than watching a bobber twitch. Any lure that gets you moving and casting is a good thing because it makes the sport more enjoyable. As to which one to buy, you can’t go wrong with the original.
Lipless crankbaits are one of the first lures I tie on each year because they work well even when the water is cooler. My first big largemouth bass of 2021 came a few days ago on one of these.
One downside of lipless crankbaits is that their treble hooks will snag literally every obstacle they can. If you’re fishing in heavy cover you might consider the squarebill crankbaits discussed below.
5. Squarebill Crankbaits
Squarebills have all the benefits of lipless cranks with an added bill that deflects off cover.
Squarebill crankbaits offer most of the benefits of lipless ones with a few key differences. The bill on the front regulates how deep the lure will dive, and helps it deflect off cover that would snag a lipless crank.
These lures make great choices for beginning anglers because they catch fish when simply cast and retrieved. They’ll also catch pretty much any species large enough to hit it (and sometimes just sunfish who are large at heart). Finally, they work well during all times of the year. The only thing that makes them a bit “iffy” for beginners are the treble hooks, which can make any errant cast a trip to the emergency room.
I’m a bit of a broken record at this point, but to remind you once more, I would only put a treble-hooked lure like a lipless on a list of best fishing lures for beginners who are adults. If you’re reading this for your kids, don’t tie on a crankbait, as these lures can be dangerous.
4. Swim Jigs
Swim jigs can get places spinnerbaits can’t.
As with many of the lures on this list, swim jigs are good for beginners because they’re simple to use. Again, you can cast them out, and reel them back in. While variations of this retrieve can be productive, the tantalizing nature of their rubber skirts flowing on retrieve is usually enough to do the trick.
While swim jigs look like traditional “bass jigs,” they are far easier to detect bites with. It is obvious when a fish hits a moving lure, so you won’t mistake a fish for leaves. Use swim jigs in the same areas you’d fish a spinnerbait. Indeed, you can toss them into slightly denser weedgrowth because their lack of blades means they’ll come through vegetation cleaner.
Just remember that the lack of blades also means they’re less protected from teeth. I find I lose many swim jigs to pickerel that a spinnerbait would have survived.
3. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits make outstanding fishing lures for beginners.
A spinnerbait makes a great fishing lure for any beginner who is learning to cast. As with many lures on this list, they work with a cast and retrieve. There’s no rocket science to them!
Spinnerbaits are great search lures because they’ll call up all the active fish. Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, and bowfin all have a hard time resisting spinnerbaits.
These lures are best worked over large weed flats that have several pockets or channels to run your lure through. Cast spinnerbaits parallel to a weedline, or in a pocket, and work it back to you. This gives any fish hunting along that weedline a chance to size it up and strike.
While note quite as weedless as the swim jig above, a spinnerbait stands a decent chance of making it out of cover without getting stuck. This, coupled with the way it catches large fish and is easy to cast and use makes the spinnerbait a top three fishing lure for beginners.
There are many spinnerbaits to choose from. In the past, I’ve recommended Terminator spinnerbaits, and I still use them frequently. However, as of late I’ve added War Eagle spinnerbaits to my arsenal and really appreciate how true they run. You can buy them here.
2. Drop Shot Minnows
Drop shots are my favorite lures for fishing with kids.
A drop shot is one of my favorite fishing techniques when I bring kids along. Indeed it is “the” technique I preach as the only one a parent really needs to know. The reason it is not #1 on this list is because you have to weed through a number of small bites to get to a big one, and I’m willing to bet that most adults aren’t going to be as satisfied by a bunch of sunfish as kids.
Drop shots work so well that I often use them as a “search bait” when I come into a new area with cover I want to work over. While they aren’t as effective for searching out a large flat, if you’re trying to find out if there are aggressive fish in precise locations, a drop shot will tell you nearly instantly. Indeed, if I don’t feel at least little fish pecking at it, I know they (and bigger fish) likely aren’t around. I have that much confidence in this lure.
Drop shots are so simple to tie and use that they’re featured in my article about the few skills you need to start fishing. If you need help learning to tie one, check out that article. For now, know that you’ll need a sinker of some sort, a hook small enough for a fish to bite, and a lure of some sort.
Drop shots are another one of those lures that will catch every fish in the lake. They are a great fishing lure for every species in that you can use artificial lures, or the best bait you have for trout, largemouth bass, catfish – whatever you want! Because you can use these with live bait or artificial minnows, a drop shot rig is one of the best choices out there.
My Favorite Drop Shot Lure
My favorite lure to use on drop shot setups are Berkley Gulp minnows. I swear their marketing team was on to something when they say they outfish live bait. There have been plenty of days where I can attest this was true! While they come in less expensive plastic bag packs, I recommend picking up one of their larger offerings that comes in a dish filled with scent. These work much better. You can buy them at Amazon.
1. The Best Fishing Lure for Beginners: The Plastic Worm
Behold the humble plastic worm – the best beginner fishing lure of all time.
At long last, we’ve reached #1 – the best fishing lure for beginners: the plastic worm. I don’t, however, mean just any plastic worm. No, I mean the Yamamoto Senko. This soft plastic works so well wacky rigged that it is the only soft plastic I’ve restocked my tackle box with for this year. That’s right, folks. I made it through the entirety of Black Friday, Christmas, and now Spring Sales Events without buying another type of worm but this.
There’s a simple reason for that — there’s no need to buy anything else. A wacky-rigged Senko is about the easiest way I’ve yet found to catch largemouth bass, especially in the spring. All you need to do is hook one on, make a cast to where you think a bass might be, and hang on. Nature will take care of the rest.
Not only will this lure catch bass, it will also take more than its share of pickerel. This makes it a good choice for beginners who want to have an opportunity to catch larger fish than perch and other panfish.
I hope you found this article about the best fishing lures for beginners helpful. While I did a descending countdown for “theatrical suspense reasons,” I’d definitely suggest that you work your way backwards on this list. The first three fishing lures you should buy are a pack of Senkos, the elements necessary for a drop shot rig, and a spinnerbait. These are some of the best fishing lures for largemouth bass, crappie, and (in the case of the drop shot) even trout. With these three items you’ll go from novice to respectable in no time flat.
If you’d like to shorten the learning curve further, consider buying my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. While it is designed primarily to teach you how to fish so you can take your kids out, there’s nothing stopping you from skipping that second step.
Have a great day for fishing,
John Paxton
Want to learn how to take your kids out fishing? Do you have a friend who might need a hand? Click the pictures below to purchase my helpful books!
While I’ve written several articles discussing the best fishing rods for kids, what if you, the parent, are just starting out? What is the best fishing rod for beginners like you? Well, much like with kids, I’d recommend an Ugly Stik as about as good a fishing rod as a beginner could buy. It’s durable, inexpensive, and capable of handling most situations you’ll encounter. The only trick is to make sure you buy an adult-sized one that will serve you well. In this article, I’ll get you set up in no time.
Why an Ugly Stik is a Great Fishing Rod for a Beginner
I suppose I’m partial to recommending Ugly Stik so much because I it’s what I grew up fishing, and it’s still my father’s brand of choice. All of its strengths are very useful for novices, and even its “shortcomings” are huge pluses if you’re just starting out. While it’s not going to be seen on many professional tours, it is an extremely popular fishing rod and it’s easy to see why.
Durability
For a few years now, I’ve been writing about Ugly Stik’s durability on this blog. I’ve been raving about it to my friends in person for a few decades. Ugly Stik’s simply don’t break. They stand up to the kind of abuse that a novice might accidentally bring, making them great fishing rods for beginners.
Dad has owned several of these rods for what must be over 30 years at this point. About the worst damage I can ever recall one sustaining was having part of the line guide eye fall out after years of service. This includes years with three young children dragging and smacking them around, countless fish of all sizes, exposure to the elements, and general wear and tear.
This is far and away the reason I’ve recommended the brand for kids for years, but it’s also great for the parent. As a beginner, you might not quite appreciate all the different ways you can destroy a fishing rod. Chances are an Ugly Stik will give you a “scare” rather than a bill, as these rods simply hold up.
Affordability
Even if you did manage to break one of these rods, it wouldn’t hurt as much when you consider the price. While I hesitate to give you a price as they can change at any moment on Amazon, I am comfortable telling you that Ugly Stiks are some of the most affordable rods out there. This makes them a great fishing rod for beginners because you don’t need to break the bank to get set up. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and check out the price of this Ugly Stik Elite. It is a mere fraction of more expensive entry level rods like the St. Croix Triumph.
Sometimes, a low price can make people nervous. They wonder if they’re really getting quality, or if they’re going to be in a position where they will have to buy another, more expensive item shortly. I know when I start a new hobby, I’m hesitant to buy “the cheapest” anything as I figure it’s just junk. Well, first of all, Ugly Stik isn’t “the” cheapest, it’s just inexpensive and affordable. Secondly, however, you will own that Ugly Stik forever and it will do what you ask it to do. It is an inexpensive item that you can have confidence in.
Versatility
Ugly Stik rods are versatile. First, you can buy one for almost any situation. They have everything from ultralight models that are great for panfish up to true bruisers designed for dealing with catfish. Even if you just bought a run of the mill, “standard” model, you’ll find that you use it for different things as your angling hobby takes off. At first, it would be your go to fishing rod that you bought as a beginner. Later on, if you upgrade to more expensive rods, you’ll find you still press the Ugly Stik into service for some of the dirtier fishing jobs out there. For example, many of those Ugly Stiks I used as a child are now the catfish and bowfin rods I use with chicken liver today.
An Ugly Stik is one of the best fishing rods for beginners because you can still use throughout your life. This is the kind of purchase that you’re going to end up getting more than your money’s worth out of. There aren’t many tools for many hobbies that you can say that about.
Which Ugly Stik is the Best Fishing Rod for Beginners?
As mentioned earlier, Ugly Stik offers a wide variety of rods within their brands. All are relatively inexpensive fishing rods that make a good choice for beginners or people who don’t fish that often. I personally favor the Ugly Stik Elite just because I enjoy a cork handle more than a foam one found on the GX2, but you do pay a bit of a premium for this. In fact, I like the Ugly Stik Elite so much that I wrote an entire article discussing it specifically. You can read that here.
I’m a huge fan of the Ugly Stik Elite and own several.
Why No Other Options?
I really don’t want this article to feature the typical SEO-grab you see where the article lists a bunch of different rods and reels that just so happen to have a comparable price point. I wrote this specifically about Ugly Stik because I believe in that brand. There are certainly other rods of a comparable price point. I’ve tried a few and when I did, it always felt like an entry level rod to me, or broke quickly. If you’re a beginner looking for your first fishing rod, this is the brand for you.
I hope this article saved you some money and gave you more confidence in this brand. While you will, eventually, move on to other rods, I am a firm believer that if an Ugly Stik were your first fishing rod, it would also be the one that lasts the longest.
As an aside, if you’re new to fishing, go ahead and pick up my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. While it is written from the perspective of teaching a parent how to fish so they can take their children with them, it’s also quite useful as a solo guide.
Long before I had the chance to become a “Fishing Father,” and even before fishing pictures in online dating apps was a thing, I was just an awkward boy trying to impress the prettiest girl on the planet. Then and now, my wife was totally out of my league. Taking her on a fishing date was the only way I could level the playing field a bit. Read on for some tips on how you can take your crush on a fishing date, and perhaps land the catch of your life.
Why Fishing Makes a Great Date
Assuming that your love interest enjoys the outdoors, fishing makes a great date that is sure to stand out. This is not your typical “dinner and a movie” that she’s been asked out to his/her whole life, after all. You may well be the first person who has ever asked him/her to go fishing. This makes it new, exciting, and just a little bit nerve-wracking. This is a good thing. What fun is a date if you don’t have at least a few butterflies?
Some of the reasons fishing makes a great date include:
There will be gorgeous scenery as a backdrop for the perfect photo op.
It’s something not everyone can do successfully, so if you pull it off, you’ll look like a hero.
There’s an opportunity for your date to either show how well they can hold a fish, or look cute by acting like it’s the grossest thing in the world.
It’s a quiet date where you can chat and really get to know a person. There’s no music blasting in your ears and you’re probably sober and just being yourself.
It’s certainly a date that’s about having a fun adventure, versus anything else. All the pressure is off and you’re just hanging out, having a good time.
You get to go fishing. I mean, really, this should be enough, no?
My wife on our first fishing date.
Is Fishing a Good FIRST Date?
All the reasons that make fishing a great date in general apply to first dates. I’d argue they apply even stronger, because fishing is exactly the sort of unique first date that will make a great story some day. There are just a few issues with it that you’ll need to get past:
The Need for Licenses
It can be a little bit challenging to make it seem spontaneous, because you’re both going to need a fishing license. While some states have select days where anyone can try fishing for free, you probably don’t want to wait to ask her until one of these rolls around. Nowadays, most states allow one to buy their fishing license online, so at least you won’t have to kill the mood by meeting somewhere to fill out paperwork ahead of your date.
Safety Considerations
This world is filled with weirdos. Fishing makes a great first date if you know and trust the person, but just remember that it’s usually a fairly solitary pursuit, often in the middle of nowhere. This isn’t to say you can’t go fishing on a first date with someone you don’t know well, but you should practice some basic safety steps:
Ask for a “float plan.” Where are you going to be fishing and how? Will it be on a boat, or from shore? Will others be joining you, or are you going alone?
Do a little research of the area. There are plenty of public parks with fishable ponds. Is he asking you to go to one of these, or someplace more remote?
Does he seem to actually be a fisherman? Are there photos of his catches on Facebook? It would be very odd if there weren’t.
How to Go on a Fishing Date If You Don’t Know How to Fish
If you want to go on a fishing date but don’t know how to fish, you have two options:
Struggle through and learn it together.
Hire a fishing charter.
While some people might find incompetence adorable, I’d suggest you book a reputable charter in your area. Although expensive, this could make for a much more enjoyable trip for both of you. If you book a fishing charter, then the captain is in charge of putting you on fish (and will probably be pretty good at doing this). If you go it alone, “you’re the captain now.” It will be your responsibility to handle everything on your own.
If you’ve never booked a charter before and are looking for help, I wrote an article that will assist you in picking a good one for a relaxing date. As always, if you’re fishing in the Northeast make sure you consider booking a charter with my friend, Captain Mick Maynard at www.lakechamplainangler.com. Case in point, he took my wife and I out on a fishing date during our honeymoon!
What Does It Mean When a Guy Wants to Take You Fishing?
Point blank: if a guy (or girl) wants to take you fishing on a date, they’re into you. Fishing is not something that you do with just anyone. Believe me, your date has friends and family members they’ve known their whole life that they wouldn’t want to take fishing, so if you get asked, it means something.
Granted, if you’re asked on a date to go anywhere and do anything, it probably means they’re “into” you, sure. But fishing is different because of the level of effort that goes into trying to make a trip successful. A fishing trip is not as simple as buying dinner and a movie or dressing up to go dancing. I guarantee you that if a guy asks you out on a fishing date, he will spend hours scouring the internet for fishing reports, sharpening every hook, inspecting every bit of fishing line, and doing everything he can to make sure you catch something. Even though you’ll never see it, because it goes on behind the scenes, the amount of effort that goes into one of these dates is a far greater commitment than most other dates you’ve been on. That says something.
So, even if the idea of going on a fishing date makes you a little nervous, at least you can approach it knowing that someone thinks highly enough of you to put in all this effort.
Is Fishing Romantic?
I’m sure I’m biased, but to me there are few things more romantic than the pristine beauty of the world around us. Fishing takes you out into that world. Here are a few sights I’ve shared with my wife over the years:
You’ll see breathtaking sunrises that remind you how precious life is…
Lake Champlain, New York / Vermont
There will be gorgeous sunsets radiating every hue of pink, orange, and red reflecting off the water…
Spring Pond, Connecticut
Even if you go mid-day, the mere nature of water being lower than its surroundings suggests there’s a majestic landscape next to it…
Lake Moomaw, Virginia.
Finally, the view from a boat is a whole new perspective, and one few see.
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
Just imagine a view like these as the backdrop for your first photos together. Yes, fishing is a romantic date indeed.
What Expectations Should You Set?
In many ways, fishing with a date who is unfamiliar with the sport is a lot like fishing with kids. It’s very important that you set expectations that can be achieved or exceeded, or else you’ll feel as though you fell flat on your face. Whatever you do, don’t over promise things, as fish don’t always cooperate.
There are a few things you should promise:
Explain that you will handle all the “yucky stuff” – don’t make a big deal out of things if your date doesn’t want to unhook the fish or spear a worm. Volunteer that you’ll handle all of the mess so they can just enjoy themselves and have fun.
Promise that you will let all the fish go if your date wants to. Remember, not everyone wants to unlock their inner Viking on a first date to field dress a fish. Catch and release is the way to go on your first couple of dates.
Encourage your date by letting them know that you’ll provide all of the tackle and tie all the knots. All your date needs to do is show up and have fun!
As an aside, you should expect that your date will end up catching the biggest fish. That’s how it almost always works when I go fishing with my wife!
Expect her to always land the big fish, and never let you forget it.
Where Should You Go Fishing on a Date?
I very strongly suggest that you go to a lake or pond that you know well and are confident will be productive. Now is not the time to try a new place. Much like when fishing with kids, your goal is to catch a fish – any fish – as fast as you possibly can so your date is “successful” and gets his/her photo op. Go some place you know, bring lures you’re confident in, and get that sunfish to the boat. Once you catch some quantity, you can start searching for “upgrades.”
As with fishing with kids, I would have a Plan B on hand. Personally, I think a picnic makes for a nice date that isn’t done that often, but if you don’t like ants and bees, you might at least choose a fishing hole that is near some sort of restaurant. It need not be a five-start joint, either. Part of the experience of fishing is going to new places that are a bit out there. That ice cream stand near the boat ramp could be the perfect stop on your way home.
What You Should Bring on a Fishing Date?
If you were the one asking someone to go with you on a fishing date, you should bring absolutely everything they need to be successful. That means all the rods, tackle, pliers, gear, etc. are your responsibility to bring. You should also bring an extra hooded sweatshirt and set of raingear in case your date didn’t realize what they were in for. It’s easy for non-anglers to misjudge just how cold it can get out there on the water. Finally, I would suggest bringing along a rag in case your date needs to clean up, or wants to use it to hold a fish.
If you were the one asked on the date, you need to bring your fishing license. Your date may offer to pay for this and I’ll leave that to you, but you should show up “legal” so there aren’t any issues, and this isn’t normally something your date can get on their own for you. I’d also suggest that it would be a nice touch to offer to bring some lunch. Preparing for a fishing trip takes a lot of time and energy – your date is likely scrambling like a madman trying to ensure you have a good time. Anything you can offer to do that will help would be appreciated.
What Type of Lures Should You Use?
I would strongly encourage you to fish in a manner that will not bore, or frustrate your date to tears. I would go with techniques that are easy to learn and use. Some great choices include a drop shot, wacky-rigged worm, or spinnerbaits. All of these are fairly active and productive ways to catch a fish.
Drop shots are great if your date isn’t good at casting as you can cast for him/her and then hand them the rod.
Wacky-rigged worms are very productive if you want to make a game of seeing who can cast into certain holes in the weedline. Usually, the person who wins this competition has a decent chance of snagging a bass in the process.
Spinnerbaits are fun because they’re so active – you aren’t sitting there waiting for something to happen. You’re actively going out there and making things happen.
Just make sure you give your date a primer on casting and walk them through it a few times. Just make sure you stay out of their way if it’s their first time casting!
What Should You Wear on a Fishing Date?
Dress in something practical for this date. This is not the time to “look cute” but to be ready for an outdoor adventure. Showing up in heels will only backfire and make your date think you lack common sense. Make sure you check the weather the night before, and apply a healthy dose of skepticism to anything those lying meteorologists tell you! Remember, they aren’t allowed to get their title until they’ve killed at least three fishermen.
My wife looks cute in anything so long as she’s smiling. Dress for the weather so you can enjoy your day!
Bring Layers
You will never regret having too many clothes on a fishing trip, especially if you’re headed out on a boat. Even in summer, mornings can be very chilly on the lake. By midday, the sun can become scorching hot. Wear several layers that you can discard as necessary throughout the day. My wife used to very much enjoy the tanning elements of fishing and I doubt your date will object, but don’t show up at 6:00 a.m. in a bikini or you will freeze.
You Never Know What Might Happen…
You never know – that person you took on a fishing date may just turn out to be “the one.” There’s something to be said for a spouse who enjoys your hobbies. Building a life together with someone is much better with a best friend who shares your interests. Even if they don’t get quite as into fishing as you, if you can get them somewhat receptive to it, the “I think we need a new boat” conversations will go over better…
This is my favorite photo from our wedding.
Who knows, maybe some day that first date will lead to you being a fishing father of your own. That’s how my life played out, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for reading, all. I hope this article helped you have a fun date. I’d love to hear back about how it went so please leave a comment or send me an email. Don’t forget, if it went so spectacularly well that you now have your very own tiny fishing buddy on the way, I do have a book that teaches parents how to take their kids fishing. You can find it here.
