Category: Musings

Foul Hooking Fish: What It Means and If It’s Legal

Not that long ago, there was quite the scandal when a gentleman formerly renowned as a “big bass specialist” was accused (quite compellingly, and I’ll leave it at that) of foul hooking fish. But what is “a foul hooked fish” exactly, and why was this such a scandal?

Foul hooking, or “snagging” is when you hook a fish anywhere but it’s mouth. In most states, it is illegal to intentionally attempt to do this. In many states (and in most professional and amateur fishing tournaments) it’s illegal to keep any fish that is foul hooked, even if the foul hooking was accidental.

Let’s explore the topic some more so you don’t get accused of foul hooking fish purposefully and land yourself in hot water.

First Thing’s First

I just want to make it clear – I frown on foul hooking fish intentionally. I don’t view it as sporting or challenging and it’s not something I recommend you rush out and try. Not only is it flat out illegal in many places, but it’s also unnecessarily cruel to the fish, in my opinion. The guy who was in the center of that scandal got everything he deserved, as far as I am concerned.

Having said that, it is still legal in some areas, and for some species, and part of my charge here on this website is to help you out with catching fish by any legal means. While it’s not the way I choose to fish, it’s really not my place to judge how you legally use the fishing license you paid for. Even so, my intention in this article is to educate you both on what foul hook fishing is, and to try to convince you to avoid it and catch them in a more sporting way, even if foul hooking a fish is legal in your home waters.

Fair enough? Then read on.

How Do People Foul Hook Fish?

Where it is legal (and that is rapidly shrinking), folks try to foul hook fish where they are congregated in a tight area. This makes sense since you aren’t really trying to attract a fish to your hook, but to snag them with one.

Usually, folks will choose a “sticky” hook like a treble hook weighted with some sort of sinker to allow for long casts. The lure is then aggressively retrieved through the water with a series of hooksets and a fast retrieve. It can look very similar to the retrieve of a jerkbait, without the jerkbait!

treble hooks stand up at all times, making them more dangerous than single hooks.
A weighted treble hook tends to be angler’s (or, in many cases, poacher’s) rig of choice for snagging fish.

Does Foul Hooking Hurt Fish?

Yes, foul hooking hurts or at least injures fish. You’re stabbing them with a hook in a place they aren’t normally poked. The process is indiscriminate, and you have no way of knowing if you’re about to jab them in an eye, fin, gut, or gill. I really can’t stress enough how bad of an idea this is for the fishery, even if it is legal.

Foul hooking is essentially wounding a fish in an area they aren’t met to be wounded. While you could make an argument that any hook is going to hurt a fish, much of their prey species have spines that are just as capable of jabbing them, and do (frequently) in their mouths. So at least being jabbed in the mouth is somewhat “normal.” Foul hooked fish, on the other hand, are the exception and it can be catastrophic.

Even if the entry wound doesn’t look that bad, removing it could badly injure a fish. For example, a fish foul hooked through the tail fins might not seem mortal, but what if you rip the tail to shreds trying to remove the hook? Chaos!

Can You Tell If You’ve Foul Hooked a Fish If It’s In the Water?

If you fish long enough, you’ll foul hook a fish or two by accident. You’ll have a pretty good idea it happened, too, as you might have a giant fight on your hands. This is because you can’t easily turn the head of a fish you haven’t hooked in the mouth! I’ve foul hooked a few carp in my life by accident and they are significantly harder to land than one hooked in the mouth.

Is Foul Hooking a Fish Illegal?

An overwhelming majority of states have outright outlawed snagging any sort of game fish and the few that still allow it have significant exceptions (for example, it’s usually confined to very specific species and very specific areas). Many more will allow rough fish to be snagged, but you’d better be darned certain what fish your state considers “rough.”

Mississippi is the only state that currently allows snagging of fish without regulation (other than a closed season). Here is the law as written:

Snagging (taking of fish through the use of the handheld pole and attached line with one single or one treble fish hook no larger than #2) for fish is allowed statewide. Snagging is closed on waters noted in #3 of this regulation during November 1 through May 31. Snagged fish are those that are hooked in any other part of the body except the mouth/head, including, but no further back than the gill covers.” (source).

Always, always, always consult your CURRENT fishing rules and regulations and remember that they do, on occasion, change from year to year. Also, bear in mind that there probably isn’t great public support for snagging fish, and the press it has gotten in recent years (such as that scandal I mentioned) make it likely to have even less in the future. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more states outlaw the practice completely.

It Can Be Illegal to Keep an Accidentally Foul Hooked Fish

Even if you accidentally catch a fish by snagging it, it might be illegal to keep. For example, Vermont law states: “3.3 A person shall not take any fish pursuant to subsection (3.2) unless it is hooked in the mouth. Any fish taken under subsection (3.2) that is not hooked in the mouth shall be immediately released pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 4602.” (source).

You’ll want to check your own state’s regulations and possibly consult your local game warden if you are unsure about the letter of the law.

Is a Fish Hooked on the Outside of the Mouth Considered Foul Hooked?

Now this is a great question. Sometimes when you’re fishing with a treble hook lure such as a jerk bait, a fish will clearly commit to attacking it, but won’t quite get the lure in its mouth before getting stuck. In this case, is the fish foul hooked, or is it a legitimate catch? In short, this varies. You’re going to need to check out your local fishing regulations, and they could change at the whim of the legislature, so make sure you check each year.

If you’re a tournament angler, you can’t stop there. You also have to check the rules for your tournament, as they differ. For example, the Bassmaster Elite Series has this to say about if a fish hooked outside the mouth is foul hooked:

“When visually fishing for bedding bass, to be counted as a legal fish, each bass must be hooked
inside the mouth. With the fish’s mouth closed naturally, you must not be able to see where the
hook point enters the fish for it to be considered hooked inside the mouth.” (source).

Note that they make the distinction for visually fishing for bedding bass.

Major League Fishing makes the same distinction:

“All bass caught while sight-fishing must be hooked inside the mouth and immediately shown to your co-angler or pro for verification.” (source). 

While these two national tournaments are fairly consistent, you should always check your local regulations.

How to Avoid Foul Hooking a Fish?

Look, you’re accidentally going to snag a fish from time to time and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Sure, you could use lures like spinnerbaits or circle hooks that make foul hooking fish very unlikely, but it still could happen under the right conditions. If it does, remove the hook gently and release the fish as safely as possible.

As long as you don’t go too crazy with the hook removal, fish will usually be fine if you accidentally foul hook them. There’s no need to kill them or “put them out of their misery” unless they’re clearly not going to make it – fish are a resilient bunch. Just remove the hook with as little force as possible an get them back into the water as fast as possible so they can start to heal.

What About that Fish Scandal I Mentioned?

To be completely honest, while I read all about the scandal I haven’t kept up with the aftermath, if there were legal consequences, or if charges were beat. I also note that the original article from SDFish.com no longer seems to exist, though I’m unsure why. Anyway, I’m not looking to stir anything up I shouldn’t. However, for those of you who are so inclined, here’s an article from bassmaster.com talking about the scandal. Give it a gander, and try to avoid being the subject of one yourself someday!

In Case I Haven’t Been Perfectly Clear…

Look folks, even where it’s legal for fish to be foul hooked, it’s still unsporting and dumb. I and countless others have put so much time and effort into helping you all catch fish in conventional fashions – please stick to them. It’s much more sporting and fun to actually hook a fish in the mouth than to snag them, and it’s better for the fish. While I suppose an argument can always be made that jabbing a fish anywhere with a hook is “bad” it’s absolutely less bad to stab them the same place a perch spine does than in their eye, gill, fin, or stomach.

I really hope this article was educational and helped you understand why foul hooking fish is such a bad idea. If you have any questions please feel free to drop me an email and we can talk it through. Also note that if you’re really not sure how to catch a fish without snagging it, the books below my signature would be a great help!

Thanks,

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!


Fish Pictures in Online Dating Apps: A Manifesto

As I sat around last night, scrolling for love and checking out the 187th woman who was rocking a bar bathroom selfie photo and claimed to love hiking and concerts, I found myself wondering: would the fish pictures on my dating apps be my downfall?

We’ve all heard it – women are sick of fish pictures and can’t figure out why most men have one or two on their dating profile. Apparently, it would be better for us to lead with the group photo so you could cross your fingers and pray that you’d scroll down and find we’re the cute one. You also might prefer that we bat our eyelashes while stuck in rush hour and take the driving shot to let you know how bad ass we are.

Alas, women just can’t seem to comprehend the magnitude of awesomeness a fish picture represents. All the same, I thought I’d take a moment to explore why men use fishing pictures in their dating app profiles, and at least try and explain why you ladies should praise them.

Why Do Men Hold Fish In Online Dating App Profile Pictures?

OK, so there’s a lot of different blogs and websites out there… That have literally nothing to do with fishing… That have weighed in on this topic. If you ask, “Why do men have so many fish pictures on dating apps,” you’ll find purported answers ranging from, “it’s to display masculinity” to “by comparison, the fish make me better looking.”

Eh… I’m pretty sure it’s a lot simpler than that. We’re dudes. We don’t take pictures of ourselves. Have you ever seen our attempts at a selfie? Probably not, because we take one look at it, say, “Well that angle doesn’t look anything like hers” and delete it. Most of us can barely manage to take a selfie with a fish, when we have all the motivation in the world. We certainly aren’t going to pull off a good one holding a beer.

We also don’t ask people to take our picture. You ladies know this. You’ve lived this. Think of your favorite photo of you and your boyfriend from your last vacation. Who’s idea was it to take the photo in the first place? Who asked the stranger to take it? We both know the answer. Men don’t ask people to take their pictures unless there is a fish in it, plain and simple. It would be weird for me to ask another human being to take my picture unless I’m holding a fish or dead animal in it.

picture of man not holding fish in online dating app
I maintain this photo would be better with a fish in it.

What on Earth Should I Be Doing BESIDES Holding a Fish Picture?

I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s very challenging to win with women. Even if we didn’t use fish pictures in our online dating apps, many of you still would give us grief. Don’t believe me? Let’s walk it through.

  • You all don’t want shirtless pictures as it makes us look like ****boys.
  • If we’re playing sports, we remind you of the jock you dated in high school who is now super proud of his job at Enterprise.
  • You also find reason to complain about our hiking pictures (probably because most dudes in those have one of those man buns).
  • If we’re in another country, next to the pyramids or such, well, then we’re a dude that actually asked a stranger to take their picture and we trusted a foreigner with our phone. A man like that’s liable to get your identity stolen.
  • If we’re posting pictures of drinks, it means we’re drinking something other than American domestic piss water which implies we’re putting on airs. It also implies we prefer late nights to sunrises. Big no no.
  • Should a man have a dog in his selfie, you aren’t looking at the dude.
  • If he has a cat, well, you’re probably not on the same dating app in the first place.

Clearly, a fish picture is not only justified, but the only viable selfie option.

Really, who lived it better?

So Why Not Just Have a Group Picture?

OK, so we’ve established that a solo picture of a man on an online dating app needs to include a fish (or perhaps another dead animal), but what about a group shot? After all, you ladies just love to post those. So why don’t we? Well, pretty simple. We are men. By the age of 30 or so, most of our friends are dead. Those who aren’t dead are mostly married and therefore dead inside. On the rare occasion we can get a group of friends together for a photo and we aren’t all wearing tuxedos, at least one jerk is going to be flipping the bird and making us look like high schoolers. Since older gentlemen are at least trying to feign middle age on these apps, that’s not a good look.

There is, of course, one viable male group photo for an online dating app: one where all our buddies are holding a fish! You ladies should really appreciate a group fish picture shot in an online dating profile. It means the guy you’re creeping not only can find and catch one big fish, but many.

Look at this magnificence. This is a group of guys who can get it done.

What are the Best Online Dating Apps for Fish Pictures?

Having tried a few of these, here is my opinion on what online dating apps are best for men trying to proudly display their fish pictures. In no particular order:

SiteProsCons
Bumble-Women must start conversation. This allows them to weed out those with small fish pictures, so you know if she talks to you, she’s interested.-Must rely on women reading the instructions, understanding they need to make the first move, and then having the guts to face rejection like a man.
Hinge-Dozens of profile prompts allow multiple clever ways to introduce fish pictures. Can also verbally describe them.-If you aren’t paying for “roses,” women may wonder why you don’t really want her to see your fish pictures.
Match-Can basically write novels in support of your fish pictures, allowing folks to understand just how hard said fish were to catch.-Women may feel overwhelmed by voluminous explanations of fishing trips. It can be exhausting for them to read of such awesomeness.
FacebookDating-Most of your fish pictures are already on Facebook so finding them to add to a dating profile is relatively easy.-Can tell when you have friends in common so she might know darn well your buddy is the one who put you on fish.
Tinder-Very large site with plenty of women to look at your fish pictures. -Given customer base, very strong chance they are not there to look approvingly upon your fish pictures.

For the Ladies: Legitimate Reasons You Want a Man With Fish Pictures

OK, so far I’ve basically run down the reasons why men have fish pictures on their dating apps. While I feel I’ve been indisputable as to their properness, I do think it’s at least worth explaining why you ladies should be happy to see these.

  • Fish pictures imply a man has a boat. A boat is a better place to sit around and tan than the beach. There is less sand, you can create your own breeze by moving, and you can access better fishing grounds.
  • A man with fish pictures on his profile doesn’t care what other people think. It is well-known these are a faux pas. A man who displays them in 2023 is a man who stands tall in the face of dating cancel culture.
  • Should the zombies ever come, he’s got you covered. For whatever reason, in most zombie literature and film, they don’t swim. See the point about boats above for one. Secondly, you might want to eat something besides whatever canned goods you can scrounge.
  • Fishing is actually a really great activity for a date. If you’re sick and tired of someone taking you out for drinks, you might want to give one of these guys a shot instead.
  • If that date goes well, fishing is a wholesome family activity that keeps kids off of their electronics and out in the world living life to the fullest.
Not only am I secure enough to post a fish picture… I’m secure enough to post a fish picture of me wearing a fanny pack.

In Conclusion

Clearly, fish pictures belong in profiles for online dating apps. They’re significantly better than photos of a man with a cat, and imply he has a boat. They also are preferable to dude group shots of a friend group half in the bag and flipping the bird. Thus, when you’re looking for your next husband, make sure he has a fish picture or two on his online dating app profile, ladies.

Thanks for reading,

John Paxton

Why Do Fish Jump Out of the Water?

Chances are that every time you’ve gone fishing, you’ve probably seen a fish jump out of the water. I’ll wager that fish was large, and just out of casting range. Them’s the chips, after all. It likely got your brain racing as to what the species was, and just why do fish jump out of the water, anyway?

The fish you’ll most likely see jump out of the water is the common carp, and the main reason it jumps is to clear its gills of debris. Carp are bottom feeders, you see, and they get quite a lot of dirt and muck in their gills while feeding. Jumping clears it. During mating season, you’ll also see carp jumping like mad men in back bays. This is to attract a mate (we’ve all done crazier). However, other reasons fish jump out of the water is to chase food, escape predators, remove parasites, or because they lack enough dissolved oxygen. There are also certain fish, like the invasive Asian Carp, that jump out of the water to give bored rednecks something to do.

Why Do Carp Jump?

As stated earlier, the most common fish (or at least, BIG fish) that you’ll see jump is the common carp. They create quite a racket when they do, and it really gets the imagination spinning. We’ve probably all heard or seen this happen and then cast a lure in their direction hoping to get a bite. Most of us have also probably came up empty handed!

Carp jump out of the water for a few reasons, but the most common is simply to remove debris from their gills. They are a bottom feeder, patrolling the lake and sucking up their prey amongst the muck. Naturally, a good deal of that muck winds up in their gills in the process. They breach the surface and thrash to help dislodge the muck from their gills.

You’ll notice that while carp jump year round, you’ll see them breach much more often in the spring. This is during their mating season, and it is theorized that they’re trying to attract a mate. Frankly, much of this attraction may take place below the water. Carp jumping could indeed be them, again, dislodging this and that from their gills that they stir up in the shallows searching for love.

Other Theories on Why Carp Jump

I often fish the VT side of Lake Champlain south of the bridge. For those unfamiliar, you have about 30-40′ off the shore before the lake starts to get deep. Often, I’ll see carp splashing on the deep side. Are they too trying to dislodge muck from their gills? Perhaps, but another theory is that they may be jumping to stabilize their swim bladders.

A swim bladder assists fish in their ability to control their buoyancy. If you’ve ever caught a bass from deeper water and seen in struggle to remain upright in your livewell or after release, it’s swim bladder is likely destabilized from the change in pressure. This video shows you how to fizz a bass’s swim bladder, if you’re curious. Unfortunately for carp, they can’t count on a kind and gentle angler to fizz them, so these fish jump out of the water to try and fizz themselves.

Some Fish Jump Out of the Water to Chase Food

Fish often jump out of the water to chase food. The air basically acts like a ceiling where prey have nowhere left to go. This should be clear to most fishermen. After all, the entire premise of a top water lure is that a fish will jump to bite it.

This food can either be aquatic, like minnows driven to the surface, or a terrestrial critter unlucky enough to cross a fish’s path. Just think of all the top water lures that look like mice, ducklings, or snakes. You’ll also note that fish jump out of the water much more in the morning and evening. They are chasing insects and other prey.

Some Fish Jump Out of the Water to Escape Predators

As some fish jump out of the water to chase food, it stands to reason that other fish jump out of the water because they are food. Minnows and other fish will leap from the water in a last ditch effort to avoid being dinner. Sometimes, they’re successful. Other times, they’re not, and they’re caught in a fury of nature.

Jumping Out of the Water Helps Fish Shed Parasites

Another reason it has been theorized why fish jump out of the water is to help shed parasites. Just look at a fish. It has no arms or real ability to clean itself. They’re also covered in a protective slime coating that can rub off if they brush against objects too vigorously. What is a fish to do if it is covered in parasites? One of its few options is to jump to try and dislodge them, much like carp jump to dislodge muck.

Fish May Jump Out of the Water Due to Inadequate Dissolved Oxygen

Some fish aren’t as lucky as others and find themselves in waters with inadequate dissolved oxygen. Over time, some species (such as catfish in Africa, and bowfin in North America) have evolved the ability to take a gulp of atmospheric air in a pinch. Ever seen those nature programs where all the animals are gathering at a rapidly shrinking watering hole? This is something that happens every year. If the fish in the pond didn’t have the ability to do something about it, there wouldn’t be many generations of fish!

Why Do Asian Carp Jump Out of the Water?

Asian carp are an invasive species found in many river systems in the Midwest. While there are many theories on why they breach so often (many likely much more accurate than this), I firmly believe that Asian Carp jump out of the water to give rednecks something to do. I say this with love, pride, and a touch of envy.

You see, many enterprising folks in the Midwest have made quite the sport of jumping carp. As the fish tend to fling themselves up near passing boats, people have gotten creative with how to remove the species. You’ll see folks wearing full battle gear and attacking them with bats, catching them in nets, or even slicing them with katanas. They’ve even invented a sport called “Skarping.” Never underestimate the ingenuity of people trying to preserve their natural resources.

What About Aquarium Fish – Why Do They Jump Out of Water?

Most of us who own an aquarium keep a lid on it. Those of us who don’t run the risk of one of our scaly friends ending it all, intentionally or not, and winding up on the carpet nearby. But why exactly do aquarium fish jump out of the water? Well, there’s a few reasons, but they boil down to this: there is something about their tank that compels them to leave.

  • Your aquarium fish might jump from its tank because it is startled or scared. If a fish lacks sufficient cover, that same prey “fight or flight” mechanism could catch in, and they may inadvertently jump from the aquarium trying to escape.
  • Their tank may be overcrowded, causing them to try and leave. It could be that one fish in the tank is a bully and again triggers that prey response.
  • There may be something wrong with the water. Clean your tank regularly and maintain proper water temperature to keep your fish happy and away from the life of a hobo.

Conclusions

As you can see, fish jump out of the water for a number of reasons, be it biological or simply for our own amusement. I hope this article helped you gain a deeper appreciation for just why they do it. As always, please reach out to me with any questions at my email.

Further, please note that the main aim of this website is to help parents take their children fishing. If you know someone who is just starting out, consider sharing this website with them. They may particularly find my Illustrated Guide to Fishing with Kids helpful.

Thanks,

John Paxton

An Ode to Knibblet – A Day Fishing with My Friend in Putnam Creek

Today is December 13. Today is my friend, Christopher Knibbs’ birthday. He isn’t here with us to celebrate it, but I wanted to take a few moments to celebrate him. Tim McGraw once sang a song that’s quite fitting. To paraphrase, “My old friend, this [post’s] for you, because a few simple [paragraphs] was the least that I could do to tell the world that you were here.”

Chris (or “Knibblet,” as we called him) was one of those very decent human beings placed here on this earth for far too little time. While he had his struggles as we all do, he also had a deep sense of honor and conviction and lived his life by a code.

The first time I noticed this was in high school. I’d recently broken up with my longtime girlfriend. He caught her eye, and she pursued him. It was still a fresh wound, and he asked me what I thought. I told her, “I still love her, dude.” He tilted his head down, shook it, and that was the end of their dalliance. Most high school kids wouldn’t have done this (she was a real looker). In fact, most didn’t (she was a real looker). Knibblet did.

I always thought this was admirable. Knibbs was my best friend’s cousin, you see, and we got along just fine, but it’s not like we were hanging out every day. He owed me nothing. Luckily for the pit in my stomach, he owed his own sense of honor, morality, and code the duty of doing what he felt was the right thing.

For me, simple as the gesture was, long ago as it was, this was the act that cemented in my mind the thought that Knibblet was an all around good guy, and I was very glad, some years later, to spend a wonderful day with him at Putnam Creek in Crown Point, NY.

Knibblet and My Adventure at Putnam Creek

In the years before I was a father, and before I took fishing very seriously, our family home at Crown Point was a bit of a party house. I’d routinely travel up there with friends to enjoy the Adirondacks and all the fun they had to offer each summer. Knibbs was routinely a guest, and he loved the place so much that his parents would eventually choose it as his final resting spot, spreading his ashes there. I like to think that part of the reason he loved it so much was Labor Day weekend of 2006.

We went up to the lake with our usual group of friends. The girls, always adventurous, wanted to rent a boat down at Lake George. Knibbs and I considered it, but the water at Lake Champlain was too inviting and we decided to stay back and drag out the canoe instead. We loaded up a couple of rods and several dozen nightcrawlers, and headed off for nearby Putnam Creek.

Neither of us were particularly skilled anglers at the time, but it didn’t matter. We moved through Putnam Creek catching fish after fish – mostly sunnies. We made it past the bridge into the backwaters, seeing heron and listening to mourning doves sing, telling jokes and laughing the whole way. This day cemented our friendship firmly and from that day on, I’d consider Knibblet one of my best.

Every now and then, we’d tie into a small pickerel deep in the marsh, which was a good thrill amidst the perch and bluegill. Eventually we came to an especially clear section of the creek near some fallen trees. Peering into the water, we spied a largemouth bass! It wasn’t particularly large, but we hadn’t caught one yet and we were determined to catch this one. We tossed worm after worm at that darned fish but he wouldn’t take any offering. This was strange, as he was so little, and we were so far back in the creek, past where any bass boat could go, that surely he hadn’t seen a lure once in his life, but he wouldn’t budge or bite. After about 30 minutes of trying we moved on. I’ll bet that bass sired some huge monsters with lockjaw in his day.

We were out there for hours and hours having the time of our lives. We spent the entire time it took the rest of our friends and the girls to drive the 45 minutes to Lake George, find a boat rental, use it for their allotment, and come back. Our cell phones rang eventually as the girls were looking for us. They took the rowboat into the creek and found us, and Paulina, twig though she was, nearly capsized the darned canoe transferring in. Knibbs then transferred to the rowboat to help the other girl out and I got to hear all about how much of a pain in the butt that was to row home through the late-season weeds.

Knibblet and I would have many more trips to Crown Point but we’d never have a fishing trip quite like this again. As years went by the house became even more of a party destination than before and fishing took a bit of a backseat for a time. Even so, 18 years later, I look back on that early adventure with Knibblet and consider it one of the better days I spent alive.

Miss you buddy,

JP

Why Do People Fish? Are They Just Gluttons for Punishment?

It was a blustery cold day today, the sort that must make onlookers wonder, why do people fish? Yet there I was, braving the howling wind and trying (unsuccessfully, mind you) to tempt a bite. If you’ve seen an angler out there having their face chaffed by the wind, or clothes soaked by the rain, fishing can’t seem like that much fun. Yet millions of people love fishing, and perhaps you would too. Let’s explore some reasons why.

To Stand Up to Nature

You remember that scene from Forrest Gump where Lt. Dan has tied himself to the ship’s mast and is screaming at the hurricane? Every time I go out in a deluge, or when it’s really cold and windy, I think of that. While I try not to be quite as maniacal (I wouldn’t want to scare any onlookers), I definitely draw strength from that scene to get me through the day. There’s just something about staying out fishing when you should be warm at home, writing a blog post, that just does it for me.

Ever wonder why people fish in the rain? Because the fish bite! That's why!
A little rain never hurt anyone.

To Learn Life Skills

A major reason why people fish is to learn life skills. While we all hope we’ll never have to deal with a zombie apocalypse, 2020 was pretty close. Fishing is a good life skill to know as it can help you survive lean times. Even if you didn’t need to eat the fish you caught, the other skills you learn in fishing are very useful. For example, a Double Uni Knot is extremely handy whenever you need to join two sets of rope together.

To Relax

Many people fish to try and relax. Those who are going for this are probably avoiding the windy, rainy days however. There’s certainly a cathartic effect to fishing. I’m able to lose myself for long hours just walking around a pond or drifting through a bay making casts. Indeed, by about March (the start of open water season in much of the Northeast) I’m practically insane and need my fishing fix.

To Bond With Friends

One reason people like to fish is to bond with their friends. Fishing is a great thing to do while you’re having a conversation or a beer. Two heads are also often better than one, and having multiple people casting can help you quickly decide what is working (and not).

People Love to Go Fishing for the Views

There are only three views I loved more than the sunrises and sunsets I’ve seen while fishing: my wife on our wedding day, and the first time I saw each of our children. While fishing is never going to contend with either of those, I have seen my share of glorious views out on the water. Here are a few of my favorites.

Because Fishing is for Everyone

Fishing is one of the few sports on earth that anyone, and I mean anyone can play. No matter how short, tall, wide, thin, smart, silly, rich or poor you are, you can catch a fish. Not only that, but you could catch fish professionally without needing to be an athlete in peek physical condition. Fishing is extremely accessible and fun for all. Fish could care less who you are, much less who your father was.

People Fish to Provide Meat for the Table

The prime reason why many people fish is simply to provide meat for the table. Fish are delicious and nutritious and not at all cheap at the grocery store. You will never taste fish as good as one that was wild-raised and freshly caught that day. Nor will you find one that is less expensive. Fishing is a great hobby for those that want a little extra meat in their diet without spending extra coin.

People Enjoy Fishing Because Fishing is Hard

Not to overdo it with the movie references, but there’s a great scene in A League of Their Own where Tom Hanks’ character says, “It’s supposed to be hard.  If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it.  The hard is what makes it great.” This quote fits fishing well. Yeah, it’s fun and all to have an easy day where the fish are just biting, but there’s something incredibly rewarding to manage one big bite when all other fish have turned up their noses. It means you stood up to something, and saw it through.

Fishing is an Exciting Adventure to Share with Children

Perhaps I’m biased given this whole blog started as a way for me to talk about fishing with my kids, but one of the main reasons why people fish is to share a great day with their children. There’s nothing like the smile on a small child’s eyes as they proudly look at the fish they caught. It’s a beautiful sight each parent should get to see at least once, and this article I wrote will help you see it! You also might want to pick up this handy book on the topic:

To Get Cool Pictures for Dating Apps

OK, so this is a little tongue in cheek, but I’ve heard plenty of ladies wonder why so many men have pictures of a fish with them on dating apps. There is no shortage of women wondering about this. Though, in fairness, if you’re a fisherman, how many pictures of you do you have without a fish? I’ll bet it’s as simple as them thinking it’s a good photo (and darn it, if it has a fish in it, it’s a GREAT photo).

Because Fishing Makes the Perfect Date

On that note, my wife discovered how manly I was by my taking her on fishing dates. The way I was able to touch slimy fish and even be jabbed by their spines without flinching truly mesmerized her, I’m sure. In seriousness, fishing is a unique way to take that someone special out.

Need some tips for that next fishing date of yours? Read this article chock full ways to land the catch of your life!

When two people like fishing and each other, it makes sense for there to be a fishing wedding photo.
This whole thing started because two people liked to fish.

For the Thrill of It All

Fishing is FUN, period. There is something uniquely thrilling about having a pike smash your spinnerbait as you burn it over some sunken weeds. Likewise, the immense weight you feel when you start to twitch a jerkbait and find it has company is something you won’t soon forget. As for topwaters? Do they need any explanation? If those won’t get your heart racing then nothing will!

As for the Main Reason Why People Fish? Well…

I love fishing because it is the one pristine moment left to me in this chaotic world. I imagine I’m not alone. In a life where we’re always racing from one task to another, and grinding each day to make ends meet, fishing is the one time I can just be at peace. There’s no boss to deal with, no clients to appease, and no deadlines looming over me. There’s nothing to do, no real agenda, and just time to breath in deeply and enjoy life.

Just a few weeks ago I was nearly at my wits end. Fishing is the best therapy I’ve ever known. It sets me at ease and allows me to reenergize and refocus for the coming challenges — and they are always around the corner! I don’t know what I would do without fishing to help me brace myself for whatever lies ahead, so I thank God for creating the fishes of the water, and making them dumb enough to bite my lures.

Thanks for reading,

John Paxton

Fish Taxidermy: Should You Mount a Fish, or Get a Replica?

I’ve always been fascinated by the fish mounted on the wall at our camp. Dad and Uncle Steve sarcastically named the room “The Aquarium,” and as a child I would spend hours staring at the impressive displays of fish taxidermy they had acquired. I remember studying every inch of the fish mounts, and feeling every tooth of the northern pike. Immersing me for hours, these taxidermy displays were very much my version of the iPad.

This inevitably led me to want some trophies too, and I spent a lot of time pestering Dad about when I could get a fish skin mount of my own. This led to some fish going up on that wall that really had no business being there, as a “trophy” to a six-year-old looks mighty small 30 years later.

All the same, it is pretty neat to see the sorts of fish I was pulling in as I was starting out fishing. They’re almost like peewee hockey trophies at this point. Not really that special, but an important reminder of a right of passage, so I keep them up. Even so, if I had it all to do over again (and I might with my children), I wouldn’t get a real fish skin mounted. I’d avoid taxidermy and buy a fiberglass replica fish mount instead. They last longer, are easier to clean, and enable a fish that beat all the past odds to beat one more.

With that said, I’m not here to judge anyone. Let’s discuss how to prepare a fish for the wall, regardless of if you choose taxidermy or a replica fish mount. We’ll compare costs as well as the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for your trophy.

This pike went through traditional fish taxidermy.
I spent many hours staring at this pike as a boy.

What Is Fish Taxidermy?

Also referred to as mounting or stuffing fish, fish taxidermy is the act of preserving parts of a real fish as a display or trophy to last a lifetime. You know those fish that are hanging on the wall at your local tackle shop? That’s a fish mount. If they’re older, they’re probably skin mounts. Nowadays, replica fiberglass fish mounts are becoming more popular as they are comparably priced, tend to be more vibrant, will last longer, and don’t require you to kill that trophy!

How is Fish Taxidermy Done?

Contrary to popular belief, fish mounts are only “somewhat” made from real fish. Yes, these fish mounts include the fish’s real teeth, head, fins, and skin, but these are all stretched over a foam mold that is cut to size. After placement, the skin is brushed with formaldehyde while certain areas of the head have formaldehyde injections. Some taxidermists, like Nature’s Design Taxidermy, use ethers made from ethanol or glycol, and inject it across the entire skin as well as the head before rubbing the skin down with Borax.

All of the fish we have on our wall have a shiny gloss to them. Some taxidermists use a clear coat to protect their work for longer, especially if they had to do any touch up painting. Despite this, I can attest that these fish have lost some of their luster over the years.

How to Preserve a Fish for Taxidermy

If you intend to have your trophy fish skin mounted, there are several steps you need to quickly take to ensure that your trophy is properly preserved, frozen, and stored for mounting. If you miss one of these steps it could affect the quality of the skin mount despite the taxidermist’s best efforts.

Step 1: Land Your Fish Without Damaging It

Landing nets can severely damage a fish’s fins, especially if they are made of nylon rather than rubber. Unless you want to bring your fish to the taxidermy shop all banged up, try to land them safely. Ideally, you’d land a fish without a net, though this could be nerve-wracking with a trophy on the line. If you’re going to use a net, make sure you know the proper way to net and land your trophy fish.

Step 2: Photograph the Fish Quickly and Take Good Measurements to Prep it for Mounting

A fish’s color changes much more rapidly than you might think. If you don’t believe me, take a good photograph of a fish you catch sometime and then put it in your livewell for a bit. You might be surprised by the results. Make sure that you quickly photograph a fish so you can have a good representation of what it looked like “fresh caught.” This should be done regardless of if you are having the fish skin mounted or if you will have a replica fiberglass fish mount made. Any taxidermy shop is going to need good photos so they can touch up the real fish appropriately, or airbrush a cast.

Step 3: Store the Fish in the Livewell If Possible, but Cool Water If Not

Because fish start to deteriorate quickly after death, try to keep the fish alive as long as possible prior to bringing them in for taxidermy and mounting. Ideally this would be in a well regulated livewell.

Step 4: Kill the Fish Without Damaging It

If you’re going to kill your fish for a skin mount, at least do so humanely and efficiently so it doesn’t suffer any longer than necessary. You’ll need to do this in a way that doesn’t damage the scales or gills before your fish reaches the taxidermy shop. I’d suggest giving it a good thwap on the head with a blunt object. This is unlikely to damage the scales and will put it out of its suffering.

Step 5: Sprinkle Powdered Borax or a Color Preservative on the Skin

I remember bringing one of my fish over to George Daniels’ bait and tackle shop over in Port Henry for mounting. I was very young at the time but I distinctly remember George patting the fish down with a white powder. This was strange to me and I wasn’t sure why he was doing this to my beautiful fish. As it turns out, it was to help preserve its color.

Be liberal with the application of borax before freezing your fish. Try to coat both the inside and outside of the fish. Just make sure that the borax is the fine grain, non-bleaching type or you’ll have all sorts of issues you don’t want!

Step 6: Wrap the Fish Up in a Wet Towel

Once you’ve applied borax or a color preserver, it’s time to protect the fish and prepare it for shipment to the taxidermist. Take a soft towel that your wife won’t miss and wet it. Wrap the fish up in the wet towel. Be gentle with the fins so they aren’t damaged. Your goal with the towel is to provide a sturdy layer of protection during transport to the taxidermist.

Step 7: Place the Wrapped Fish in a Plastic Bag

Your next step is to take your fish, towel and all, and warp it in a plastic bag. Make sure you squeeze all the air out of the bag. Once wrapped, tape it up so the plastic won’t unravel. It’s not the worst idea attach a label to this bag with your information, including fishing license number and the date the fish was caught. If a conservation officer checks in on the fish at the taxidermy shop, this information will make for a smooth process (assuming you did everything on the up and up)!

Step 8: Freeze the Fish

You’ll want to freeze your fish to preserve it for taxidermy. Put it in a freezer where it will fit without needing to be bent. Take care in where you store the fish – stay away from areas in the freezer that normally frost over. You want to do your best to avoid freezer burn, which can damage the scales or ruin the color.

Step 9: Bring the Fish to the Taxidermist and Wait Patiently

Most taxidermists take anywhere from 8 – 14 weeks or longer to mount a fish. Depending on how unique and artistic of a job you’ve commissioned, some taxidermists can take as long as a few years. Consider that the actual act of taxidermy takes several weeks to properly cure and paint everything. Then you need to factor in the fact that if the shop is any good, they likely have other customers besides you and may be facing a considerable backlog.

While you could shop around and find a shop that will turn yours around quicker, that might not always be the best idea. Make sure you check references and ask for examples of their work to make sure that you’ll be happy with the result. After all, it’ll be up on your wall for years.

How Are Fish Replica Mounts Made?

If you want to practice catch and release while still mounting your trophy fish, a fiberglass replica is the way to go. Replica fish start off as molds that were made from real fish in various sizes to match the length and girth common to trophies. These molds are then used to produce fish casts, or blanks, that taxidermy shops can buy and paint. Think of casts almost like a plastic model airplane that you might build. They’re shipped to a taxidermist in a box and, as with models, have rough edges or flash that needs to be removed, and little seams or creases that need to be restored or fixed before details can be added and the cast can be airbrushed to life-like quality.

Because these casts are mass-produced, only one trophy fish of any given size needs to be killed to enable multiple anglers to purchase replicas to match their catch. Small little details like scarring or genetic variations can be accounted for and replicated by a skilled taxidermist the same way scale models come out so life-like in the hands of an expert. If you work with a true master, you’ll be amazed at how close they get it.

Replica fiberglass fish mounts are a good alternative to real fish skin taxidermy.
We can all dare to dream of catching a fish this large!

How to Measure a Fish for Replica Mount

You will need length and girth measurements of your fish to make an accurate fiberglass replica mount. The length is easy enough – this is the length from the tip of the (closed) snout to the tip of the tail. Girth is just as simple. It is the measurement around the widest part of the fish.

If you have a digital scale handy, you should also also weigh the fish before you let it go. While the fiberglass taxidermy replica will of course have the correct measurements, most freshwater trophies are judged by their weight. If you don’t have a scale, you can estimate it using the measurements you took using a bass weight calculator.

How to Photograph a Fish for a Replica Mount

Good photographs are going to make all the difference for any fish mount, replica or skin. These will allow your taxidermy shop to accurately portray your fish and bring it to life. Make sure that you take photographs of both sides of the fish from several angles. Try and ensure the lighting is proper. Have the sun in front of you – never behind you.

You will get better photos earlier or later in the day than at noon as you won’t have to contend with as many shadows, however remember that the purpose of this photograph is to give the taxidermist something to work with on your fish mount. Just try and keep shadows off the fish even if this means they are more pronounced on you.

How Much Does It Cost to Mount a Fish or Build a Replica?

Different taxidermists have different prices for stuffing fish and creating skin mounts, as well as creating fish replicas. It is, however, industry standard to charge by the inch. After doing a little research I’ve found that this can be anywhere from $12 to over $20 per inch. Some taxidermists charge less per inch for larger fish while others take the opposite approach. You’re really going to have to call around and ask many questions. Also, be aware that most places have a minimum cost (usually around $200).

With a range like this, it’s fair to say that you could assume a skin-mounted largemouth bass trophy would run you somewhere from $300 – $500, or possibly more if you go to a particularly renowned taxidermist.

Fiberglass mounts can be about the same cost or a bit higher, at least if you want it to actually look like the fish you caught. Some companies will sell you a fiberglass mount that is the same size of your trophy, but which comes in a standard color. Most, however, will also offer to paint your replica to look just like the fish you caught if you send them good photos. If you go this route, you’ll pay for it.

Other Factors That Affect Price

The cost of skin mounting a fish or commissioning a fiberglass replica will fluctuate further when other additions are considered. While some taxidermists will offer a true skin mount where the fish’s color is what it is, others will airbrush or paint it for a better look. Replica fish are all going to be painted by someone, and the better the painter, the higher the cost.

Further, some taxidermists will mount your fish in a “live action” display. Perhaps the best examples of this come from the award-winning artists at VanMar Taxidermy. If you visit their website, you’ll see they offer replica fish mounts in incredible “live action” displays. They can turn your fish into the world’s coolest coffee table for your den, or centerpiece for your mantel. This will add to the cost considerably, but you’ll emerge with something breathtaking and, if I may be so bold, priceless.

How To Clean a Mounted Fish?

Regardless of if you go the taxidermy route and get a skin mount of your trophy fish, or if you opt for a replica, the thing is going to get dirty and old hanging on your wall. Here are a few tips to keep your mounted fish looking great for years to come.

  • Clean the dust from it from time to time with either a dedicated duster, or a damp soft rag. Use rags that are going to be gentle, like the type of washcloths you used when your kids were little.
  • When wiping, always go in the direction of the scales. If you go the opposite direction, you could damage them.
  • Take special care around the fins as these are the most delicate areas of any mount. Take your time so you don’t damage them.
  • Remember that anything that would damage a priceless painting is going to damage your fish mount. Avoid hanging it in direct sunlight to prevent it from fading over time. Also, if you’re one of the people who still smokes (either the real thing, or those stupid e-cigarette flash drive contraptions), consider smoking outside so you don’t ruin your trophy!

Why You Should Get a Replica Mount Instead of Stuffing a Fish

While this is definitely a judgement-free website, it’s also my little soap box and I’d be remis if I didn’t take at least some opportunity to convince you to use a replica fish mount for your taxidermy needs instead of a skin mount. There are several outstanding reasons to choose a fiberglass replica fish vs. a traditional skin mount:

Replica Fish Mounts Look Better Than Skin Mounts

While this is subjective, and both types of taxidermy fish can be works of art, the replicas just look nicer these days. They’re basically the equivalent of buying a custom airbrushed crankbait vs. the regular ones you can buy in the store. If you don’t believe me, go walk into any tackle shop that has skin mounts and then compare them against a fiberglass one that you see hanging at Cabelas. They don’t compare.

They are Comparably Priced

The cost of having a replica made of your trophy bass is not that much different than a skin mount in most places. In fact, the places I’ve checked usually featured a surcharge of only $2-$3/inch for the replicas. That’s not bad at all when you consider all the other benefits. Anything in this price range is what I’d call comparable and when you consider how much more time you’ll get out of the replica fish than the traditional skin taxidermy, it’s a no brainer.

Replica Fish Mounts Last Longer Than Traditional Fish Taxidermy

Ol’ George had quite a few skin mounts at his tackle shop, some of which were ancient by the time I laid eyes on them. Let me tell you, it was pretty obvious which ones had been around for some time. Even at our house, we had one particular walleye that was caught some time ago. It is in worse condition than the other fish. Perhaps a trained taxidermist could look at it and tell me, “well, that was poor technique,” but I will say that fish never looked as good as the replicas I’ve seen, and it only seems to get worse each year.

An old walleye skin mount that has started to deteriorate.
It’s hard to tell from the photo, but this old walleye has seen better days.

You Don’t Have to Kill the Trophy Fish to Have it Mounted

The most important reason to consider a replica fish mount rather than “real” fish taxidermy is that you don’t have to kill the fish. Look, this isn’t some environmentalist speech, it’s simple math. In 2020, Bassmaster produced an article called The Mathematics of Trophy Largemouth Bass Management. It is an exceptionally important article for every angler to read. In it, they calculated that only 10 of 100,000 largemouth bass fingerlings spawned in any given year will reach trophy size.

First, they have to get past predation year after year to grow (no small task). Even if they manage that, there’s no guarantee that the survivors will be genetically predisposed to grow that large. Just look around you. People come in all shapes and sizes. So do largemouth bass. Not every bass “has it in them” to grow to be a true trophy. It’s critical that the ones who do should be allowed to remain in the lake to breed progeny who will share this desirable trait!

Point in fact, when you take a trophy largemouth bass and have it stuffed, you’re basically closing a chapter on one of the more illustrious odd-beaters in your lake, as well as its entire line. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a fantastic reason to take a couple of photos and measurements, cough up a few more bucks per inch for a replica fish mount, and return your trophy to the depths.

Thanks for reading,

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!


Batterson Park to Be Maintained, Finally

I’m extremely pleased to hear reports that Batterson Park will be maintained again, finally. There’s a whole article where you can read all of the details here. Aside from the gist of things, I don’t intend to rehash them. I’m simply writing this post with my thoughts on the matter as someone who lived within walking distance of the park for several years and who fishes it often. Who knows? Perhaps those tasked with restoring this park will see this article and take some of the thoughts into consideration.

The Gist of Things at Batterson Park Pond

Batterson Park is situated between Farmington and New Britain, Connecticut, but curiously owned by Hartford. This situation seems to have caused some issues with keeping the park operating well, especially with all the financial trouble the capitol has had in recent years. As a result, the park has been “closed” since 2015.

This closure led to several issues:

  • The boating ramp deteriorated. Despite a total lack of outboard motors and, thus, no power loading to speak of, there are huge potholes in the ramp.
  • The expansive Farmington side becomes completely overgrown by wild grass and weeds just in time for Memorial Day.
  • The actual “park” itself (on the Farmington Side, and with a beach) has been shuttered. One of the buildings sustained considerable fire damage.

At one point a few years ago, people were just driving their vehicles through the road fence (which was broken). They’d park all along the Farmington side and party. This was eventually stopped (while there was no money for mowing, there was money for no-parking signs and to drag giant felled trees out to make a new fence).

What This All Meant

The situation above basically meant that unless you had a boat, it was tough to take your kids fishing at this park any time the fish might reasonably bite. As soon as the weather warmed up enough that you’d want to go outside for the weekend, the grass and weeds took over and the place became a haven for ticks and snakes. My wife wouldn’t even let me take our son out there once the grass grew too high, which stunk as we were within walking distance at the time.

Yellow perch caught at Batterson Park Pond.
This photo was taken along the Farmington side in April. One month later, this would be completely inaccessible due to overgrowth.

As much as that personally troubled me, the far greater impact was to all the families and children who relied on the actual park itself for some clean summer fun. Once upon a time the park was open and kids could swim or have a picnic, perhaps shoot some hoops or just, well, be kids. Now those same areas that used to service them look like something out of Chernobyl. Even the basketball court is overgrown and decrepit. That’s a shame as despite all the great work New Britain has done under some excellent leadership the past few years, much of the city isn’t exactly renowned as a great place to let your kids run around outside. Places like Batterson Park, if operational and maintained, would provide a safe haven for kids to just have fun without their parents needing to worry about who is on the corner.

My Input on Improvements for Batterson Park Pond

Not that anyone has asked, but I do have a little bit of a Batterson Park “Wishlist” based on a few decades now of fishing there.

1. Mow the Darned Lawn

This is a simple step but one that is critical. Look, while we all hope that the pandemic will subside with the new vaccine, no one knows for sure. We might have a situation where we need to socially distance for the foreseeable future, or may have new pandemics down the road that once again compel this. As great (and vital) as fixing the actual park area is, someone needs to mow the lawn regularly. It should never get long enough to prevent families from enjoying the wide open areas along the Farmington side. Otherwise, people will be forced to concentrate at the boat launch and near the beach. The grass along Batterson Park Road in Farmington needs to be accounted for.

2. Fix the Park Area

We can’t have burnt down buildings and basketball courts overgrown with weeds. I trust this is definitely in the works at least. If I might make a suggestion, however, it would be to try and increase some shore access for fishing over in this area. The waters right around the basketball court make for a pretty good fishing spot where you can catch bass and walleye. Unfortunately they’re very difficult to reach without a boat. Much as this will impact me (it’s one of my favorite spots!) I’d really like to see kids have the chance to be more successful and they need a few places they can cast.

3. Repair the Boat Launch at Batterson Park

The boat launch at Batterson is, how should I say, “not ideal.” As mentioned earlier, it somehow has managed gigantic potholes without allowing any power loading whatsoever. Address this to prevent property damage or injury. A number of very large submerged rocks on either side of the boat launch that makes it challenging to safely beach your boat to go retrieve your trailer. This is especially true in high winds (which Batterson Park is notorious for). While these rocksmight be creating a bit of a breakwater, they are a real hazard and some consideration should be made if they can be moved.

4. Consider a Dock or Fishing Pier

A dock or place to tie up the boat would be outstanding. I understand that docks are not cheap, but they do no cost anywhere near $7 million. Frankly, I would invest in a few. One that is meant to allow boats to tie to (perhaps with a no fishing from dock sign, or at least on the ramp side) and then 1-2 others towards the sides that were meant for fishing. While it would be an investment and would require yearly maintenance (in that someone needs to drag it in each winter), a few floating docks would make the lake so much more accessible for anglers, especially those who require mobility assistance.

If there was only money for one, I’d let the boats continue to beach and deal with it and put in the fishing pier for the kids. Docks provide shade and cover for fish and good fishing opportunities for the kiddos. It would be a great improvement at the boat launch, or even near the park itself.

4. Add a Walking Path Along the Farmington Side

The Farmington side of the park is by far the largest expanse of open space. Unfortunately, much of that space is a swamp. Because of the grading, it gets extremely muddy along the way and you need good boots to walk there. Consider either grading this differently so that water will drain instead of collecting. You might even create a walking path of sorts along this way. Right now, I think it would be extremely challenging to maneuver a wheelchair through the area for much of the year (even if someone mowed the grass).

5. Create More Shore Access for Fishing

Really, this park needs more shore access for fishing. I’d consider trimming bushes where it’s safe to do so and the environmental engineers indicate it won’t cause erosion issues. Years back a great job was done of opening up the norther, rip rap side. That’s a good start, but more can be done. Batterson Park Pond is so important because it provides a quite place to enjoy nature for those who may not necessarily have the money to afford a boat. Reasonable steps should be taken to increase their options, if possible and environmentally sound.

Batterson Park Pond has many shorelines where fishing is inaccessible.
This shoreline is all but impossible to fish from, limiting any chance to those fortunate enough to own a boat.

6. Consider More Parking on the Northern Side of Batterson Park

This one probably won’t go over too well with the lake house owners on the Farmington side of things, but I will point out that there are only 2 true parking spots on the entire northern side. This means most who want to access this enormous section of the park are going to need to hoof it quite a ways.

There’s a gated that allows presumably mower access to the northern section. I wonder if there’s any way to have a little road that goes down into the valley for more parking. For one thing, this would allow more people to access the part of the park they wish to easily. Secondly, Batterson Park Pond is 140 acres. The northern end is a hike with a kayak and if you wanted to spend your time there, it would likely be easier to carry it in from a closer launch site.

Thank You to House Speaker Matt Ritter!

I would be remiss if I didn’t say thanks to the man who is leading the charge to restore Batterson Park Pond, House Speaker Matt Ritter. I don’t know if he will ever see this but if he does, I’d just like to say thanks for taking the lead on this and doing something much-needed for the communities of Hartford, New Britain, and Farmington. I’ve spent many years shaking my head at the state this park has gone too and it’s refreshing to see leadership taking a new interest in the park. Thank you for your hard work, Sir! It is very much appreciated!

Thanks,

John Paxton

Dare I Dream of Another Crown Point Fishing Trip?

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!

A view of good fishing near Crown Point, NY.
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.
  • The forums at https://vtbassforums.proboards.com/ – a great site with members who actively fish the Ticonderoga area.
  • You also might book a trip with my personal favorite fishing guide at www.lakechamplainangler.com
  • 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.

Thanks,

John Paxton

The State of the Blog… Two Years In.

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:

  1. I’m hoping it helps grow my readership;
  2. 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.

Thanks for reading,

John Paxton

Going on a Fishing Date: Get Hooked on Love

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.

Do note that many of the better fishing spots are probably going to be a bit off the beaten trail. The mere fact that he proposes to go someplace a bit out there does not automatically make him an axe-wielding murderer. However, you do need to apply common sense and trust your gut. If you aren’t comfortable with exactly what he is proposing, you might suggest a different, more public fishing spot. Perhaps there’s a nice cafĂ© near it the two of you could visit afterwards? Pitch it to him like that.

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:

  1. Struggle through and learn it together.
  2. 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…

A romantic sunrise over Lake Champlain is the perfect start to any fishing date.
Lake Champlain, New York / Vermont

There will be gorgeous sunsets radiating every hue of pink, orange, and red reflecting off the water…

A romantic sunset over a pond makes the perfect ending to a fishing date.
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…

A photo of Lake Moomaw, Virginia.
Lake Moomaw, Virginia.

Finally, the view from a boat is a whole new perspective, and one few see.

Alaska is the ultimate fishing honeymoon destination.
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.

Have a great day for fishing,

John Paxton