A weekend spent camping and fishing can be a great way to spend your time, but only if you’re properly prepared. When you’re planning to spend a few days on the water, make sure you keep the following tips in mind to be sure that you don’t find yourself without a necessary item.
Do Your Research
Before you head out, do your research. Decide where you want to go, and make sure there’s a campground nearby. Make sure that you know what kind of fish you can catch there, when the best time to fish is, and if you plan on going on a boat that you can safely launch and retrieve your boat. Confirm the weather for the weekend. You’ll be better prepared if you know what you’re in for.
Have the Right Gear
Experienced fishermen know that the right rod and reel makes a difference and that certain bait and tackle works better with some kinds of fish than others. Make sure that you have the right gear for the kind of fish you’re looking to catch. If you’re not sure what that gear is, or you don’t know what fish you want to catch, ask around for suggestions. Your weekend will be far more successful.
Dress in Layers
You might find that you start your fishing day early in the morning when it’s still quite chilly, but finish it late in the afternoon or early evening when the temperatures have gone up. Rather than running back and forth to the campsite to change clothes constantly, dress in layers. Short sleeved t-shirts under longer-sleeved performance tees from somewhere like Over Under Clothing are a good start. You can add sweaters, hoodies or jackets as needed over that so that you can add and remove a layer as needed throughout the day. This is also helpful if you get caught in a sudden rain shower.
Don’t Forget Backup Food
You might be planning to eat your catch for at least one meal, and that’s a great goal to have. But you should also be prepared for the possibility of not catching anything at all, or not catching enough to round out a full meal. Make sure that you have a backup plan with some hot dogs or hamburgers in the cooler back at camp so no one has to go hungry.
Weekend fishing trips can be great for some solo or family time. By preparing ahead of time and knowing what you need, where you’ll be and what you’ll be taking, you’ll find it’s a more pleasant and relaxing experience.
