How to Cut Food Bills by Fishing

Last year food prices in the US increased faster than they had in seventeen years, and the pace is faster this year. In the third world where many survive on less than a dollar a day, rising food prices have led to riots. If you're looking for a way to cut your own food bill and relax at the same time, consider fishing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fishing rod
• Hooks
• Bait
• License (depending on local laws)

1. Look into license laws. Fishing is regulated by the states. Laws vary tremendously. Here in California, licenses are required for both fresh and salt water unless you fish for recreation from a public pier. Don't forget that if you are vacationing in a different state you'll need a local license to fish there. Since you don't vote in that state, expect your fees to be substantially higher than what a resident would pay. Most children don't need a license, but the age at which they are required varies from 14-18.

2. Make sure that the species you target are in season. In Wisconsin, fishing season for most species doesn't begin until the first Saturday in May. In New Hampshire trout fishing season is good anywhere in the state from the fourth Saturday in April through Labor Day. California, just closed its coast to salmon fishing due to a sharp fall off in the population of the Sacramento River run.

3. Know the limits. States can impose quotas on both the number of fish you catch and the total weight of your haul in. These limits vary by fish and in some states by location. Long gone are the days when we can fish as much as we want whenever we care to do so. States are trying to conserve species viability with the controls they impose. The only way to navigate through the plethora of regulations is to check your state's fish and game department's website, or write the department for specifics. Most will provide a free brochure.

4. Decide where you'll fish. That will determine the tackle that you need. Although I've used one, I've never had much luck with drop lines. Expect to buy a rod and reel. There are two basic categories of tackle, fresh and salt water. Since salt water fish are bigger, you use heavier gear to bring them in. For deep sea fishing, the rods and reels can be massive industrial grade hunting instruments with pulleys at the tip. For coastal and inland waters they are merely rugged. Fresh water fishing gear is light weight and responsive so you can feel the nibbles of the much lighter fish.

5. Decide on your reel. There are three basic types, bait caster, spinning reel, and fly reel. Fly fishing is a specialized art. It's practitioners are as much interested in process as result. I don't suggest it as a way to begin, although you might evolve into a satisfied fly fisherman with practice and guidance. For beginners, a better choice is a bait caster or spinning reel. If you are simply going to be dropping a line off a boat or pier, the bait caster works fine. To get good reach for your cast from the surf or bank of a river, choose a spinning reel. There are two models, closed and open face. I prefer the open face, because even though line tangles are rarer in a spinning reel than in a bait caster, they do happen, and the open face allows easier access to untangle the spaghetti.

6. Choose the test of your line. Lines are rated in terms of the weight they can handle. Generally light line works best with a light catch. Heavier test lines have a larger diameter and cost more. The basic choices are between braided and mono filament line. Mono filament tends to disappear in the water. If you are fishing around rocks, make sure that you have a line with high abrasion qualities.

7. Decide on whether you want to use bait or a lure. With the exception of mackerel jigs, I've usually found that bait works better. Live bait is the best, frozen next. Your local newspaper should publish a fishing column with the kind of fish that are biting and the bait or lures used. In New England, I simply used blood worms for salt water and earthworms for fresh. On one backpacking trip to the high Sierra I kept hauling in trout with a commercial product called Power Bait.

8. Unless you're fly fishing, it's a good idea to tie a snap swivel at the end of your line with a non-slip knot, then rig your line with hook, weight and or float below. For the specifics go to Ehow's How to Rig a Fishing Rod

9. Finally, relax. Yes, you are fishing for food, but fishing can be a very meditative process. Few experiences provide the peace that can wash over you as you sit next to a secluded mountain lake with your line in the water, listening to the birds as the sun dapples the surface. Even a local pier can soothe your soul with the ebb and flow of the surf.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a local bait shop, or high end sporting goods store in your neighborhood and get to know the people behind the counter. It's hard to earn a living as a sports fisherman, so some of the best anglers work in these locations. Ask questions, and follow the suggestions.
• Pick up a book on fishing, especially one with a local emphasis
• If you've been fishing in salt water, be sure to hose down your gear afterwards to prevent corrosion.
• Fines for fishing without a license can be substantial, up to $600 in some places.

[sunrae138]

on 6/5/2008 Great information. I love fishing. Too bad the salmon numbers are low up here off the Oregon Coast. Maybe next year.