When most people think of fishing they usually do not think of it being much fun, and until I was thirteen years old I would have agreed with that statement. Most children's ideas of fun do not include looking at one object for long periods of time waiting for something to happen. What's even worse is when something does happen but you miss your chance and have to wait even longer for more excitement. There are advantages to the hobby though, such as, the simplicity of fishing makes it easy to learn, it is very rewarding, and there are many different types of fishing to try.
Of course the art of fishing is complex, but the basics of the hobby are simple and easy to learn. At a young age, learning how to put bait on the hook and then cast your line to a good spot is the second most exciting part of fishing, next to actually catching a fish. The most boring part? Having to watch the bobber sit on top of the water watching to see it dip under the water and letting you know you have a bite. Although this might seem like a very boring process, it is easy to learn and become better at.
Spending hours out on the water and not catching a fish can get boring but it is worth the wait. Once you hook a fish, there is an exhilarating feeling of making sure the fish does not get off the hook. As you pull the fighting fish into shore you start to imagine how big the fish is and how you are going to unhook it (and at the same time hope you can unhook the fish easily). As the fish comes into view you lean over to pick it up by putting your thumb on the bottom of the fish's mouth. Once you do that, then you can examine the fish take is off the hook. After you finish this process, many people throw the fish into a basket they keep tied to their dock so they can count how many fish they count at the end of the day.
There are many different ways to fish. I started fishing when I was five years old and still learn different ways to fish. The three most common fishing techniques are using a bobber, reeling in a weighted rubber lizard, and reeling in a top water. A bobber is used for bluegill because they will take a bite at anything. A weighted rubber lizard is used for midday and evening fishing because it is easier for a fish to catch when it is not as hungry, and in the middle of the day a lizard under the water is easier to see. Top water fishing is when the lure sits on top of the water and as you reel in you skip the lure to make it look like a bug skipping across the water. It is used earlier in the morning because the fish are more willing to swim to the surface and catch the bait. In the morning a top water is easier to see because the sun is not directly on the lake so the fish can see ripples of water on the surface easier.
Fishing is always a hobby you can pick up, no matter where you live or how old you are. I live in the middle of corn fields in Illinois and find places to go fishing. Whether you learned when you were young or are picking up the hobby as an adult, you can always get better at it. There are also many places that you can learn more about fishing, such as how to tie a hook onto a line or what to do if the fish you caught did swallow your hook. If you ever want to give something new a try, fishing is a great hobby to get into.