It is said that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. If you have ever gone fishing before, we’re sure you can testify to the veracity of this quote.
Millions of Americans certainly can. More than 52 million people went fishing in 2021, which represented a 4.5% increase from 2019. Most encouragingly, the number of children, Hispanics, and women fishing is increasing, highlighting that this is a pursuit open to everyone.
If you are planning a fishing trip this year, we applaud you for making a fine decision. In this blog post, we will highlight 5 great reasons for planning a fishing trip in 2023. This includes the fact that it is a way to spend quality time with friends and family, it is good for your health, it is a great way to travel to new places, and more.
We will also share practical tips and advice for planning a successful trip. This includes knowing your seasons, assembling the right gear, hiring a fishing guide, inviting friends, and more. Let’s get started with this fun guide to fishing trips.
Reasons to Plan a Fishing Trip
There really are unlimited good reasons to plan a fishing trip. Here, let’s take a look at 5.
1. Fun With Family and Friends
If you have never fished before, you may be forgiven for thinking that it is a solitary pursuit. While it can be, it’s also a pastime that is often shared with family and friends. Fishing can be an incredibly social event.
It’s a wonderful way to get in some quality bonding time, whether this is with family members or close friends. If your children have never fished before, it’s an opportunity to teach them how and share an activity that you enjoy. Truly, it’s an excellent way to become closer to family members and friends.
There are many special moments that occur while fishing. From the excitement of casting your line to the thrill of a first catch, as well as the beautiful scenery on display, fishing is something you will want to share with people you care about.
2. Fishing Is Relaxing
Modern life is incredibly busy. It seems that, between work and social demands, we are constantly on the move, being pulled in all directions. Without switching off, it’s easy to feel burned out.
If your life ever feels busy and chaotic, there is no better place in the world to travel to than the water with a fishing rod in your hand. Out on the water, your worries and stresses seem to magically fade away and all that is left is a sense of peace and enjoyment.
This is true whether you travel with friends/family members or go alone. Spending time in nature, away from bustling streets and noise, is a way to reset and lower your stress levels.
3. It’s Good for Your Health
Fishing is not just good at lowering your stress levels, it’s an incredibly healthy pursuit for many different reasons. For example, fishing serves to boost vitamin D through sunlight.
Vitamin D is essential to the body as it allows it to absorb important minerals such as calcium and phosphorous. This helps to strengthen the body’s immune system and fight disease. So, spending hours outdoors under the sun isn’t just pleasant—it’s also good for your health.
Fishing also improves your cardiovascular health. While it is not considered to be a high-intensity activity, it can still burn a few hundred calories per hour, depending on the type of fishing you are doing.
Fish, as a food, is also very healthy. Preparing a few filets for dinner after a day out on the water isn’t just a delicious way to end your day, it’s also very beneficial for your health. This is because many fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to decrease blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
Fishing, as an activity, is all about patience. Many of the skills you learn while fishing, including patience, can be put into practice when you are back to your day-to-day activities.
4. See a New Part of the World
Fishing and traveling go hand in hand. Whether you are planning a fishing trip somewhere in the United States or further afield, you will have no trouble finding an amazing place to travel to.
Where you travel on your fishing trip depends on a number of factors. For example, the number of people (and their ages) traveling on the trip, your group’s budget, the level of fishing experience your group has, the type of fish you wish to catch, and more.
The United States is blessed with an array of amazing fishing spots. For example, the Kenai River in Alaska is home to some of the very best fishing, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world. We recommend that you check out Kenai River Recon if you are planning a fishing trip in 2023.
5. It’s a Great Way to Celebrate
As with traveling, fishing and celebrations are a perfect mix. Whatever the occasion, a fishing trip is a wonderful way to celebrate. This is especially true for birthdays, graduations, and new jobs.
A fishing trip is the best way to commemorate the occasion and share it with friends and family members. Depending on your goals for the trip, fishing doesn’t even have to be the central part. Being out in nature, there is so much else to do, including hikes, swimming, and other water-based activities such as kayaking.
Safe to say, there are lots of great reasons to organize a fishing trip this year!
Tips for Planning a Successful Fishing Trip
As with every kind of event or activity, there is a planning stage. The better you plan your fishing trip, the more enjoyable it will be for everyone involved. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you plan a successful fishing trip.
Know Your Seasons
Depending on your fishing goals for this trip, it’s important to plan ahead. For example, if you have plans to catch specific fish, including rare fish, you will need to know where and even when to travel in order to do so.
Alaska is a wonderful fishing destination given that both popular fish and rare species can be found throughout the year. Some of the fish that are found in the Kenai River, for example, include Arctic Grayling, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, and Chum Salmon.
In Alaska, the salmon season begins in May, which is when you can catch King Salmon, a sought-after species of fish. It’s beneficial to partner with a fishing resort or hire a guide in advance to help you with the planning stage. This will ensure that you get the most out of your time out on the water.
Assemble the Right Gear
There are certain pieces of equipment that all fishermen need to carry with them, whether they are beginners or pros. These include rods and reels, fishing lines, hooks, bait, lures, bobbers, sinkers, swivels, and sunglasses.
If you are a pro, your equipment is likely to be more specialized than someone who is fishing for the very first time. If you are a novice, don’t worry too much about having the absolute top-of-the-line gear. As long as you have the basics, you are able to start learning the art of fishing.
Depending on the place you are traveling to, we also recommend that you bring sunscreen with you. Safety should always be a priority when you are fishing—that includes your skin health, too.
Get Your Clothing Choices Right
Again, your clothing choices will depend on where you and your group are traveling to. Still, there are a number of basic items that you should have with you. Not all of these may be applicable to your fishing trip, for example, if you are traveling to a tropical location or somewhere cold, such as Alaska.
These basic items include:
- Baselayer shirt (should be lightweight and breathable)
- Long or short-sleeved shirt
- Pants/shorts or both
- Suitable footwear (rubber boots are great for anglers, for example)
- Hats (including wide-brimmed hats)
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Fishing jacket
- Fishing vest
- Wader boots
- Raincoat
As you would when planning for a beach holiday, take some time to choose items that match the weather conditions you are traveling to. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared when it comes to a fishing trip. Account for the number of days you will be on your fishing trip and pack accordingly.
Invite Friends
How could we forget this? It’s important to choose friends for your trip who will be happy to go along with the kind of trip you are planning. For example, if you are organizing a trip that is purely focused on fishing, choose friends who enjoy full days of fishing.
If your friends aren’t as keen on fishing as you are, it’s important to tweak your trip so that they will also have fun activities to enjoy. In such a scenario, it’s beneficial to choose a location that has other activities for them to try while you are out on the water. Day trips to nearby towns or cities help to break up the trip and make it about more than just fishing.
Hire a Fishing Guide
Unless you know a fishing spot like the back of your hand, it’s highly recommended that you hire an experienced fishing guide for your trip. While it is a financial commitment, when the costs are spilt between an entire group, it’s generally considered a very worthwhile expense.
Your fishing guide will ensure that your fishing trip is memorable and successful. They have a deep knowledge of local waters, something that is hard to beat. They will know the best spots from which to fish.
A fishing guide always helps to maximize your time. It takes time to get up to speed with new waters, something which your fishing group may not have on its side. With a guide, you will be able to eliminate the time it takes to learn spots and get set up.
Make Food Plans
Depending on the amount of time you plan to spend fishing each day and your location, you may wish to pack good food at the start of each day. Before heading out, you should have food plans set out.
You should know whether you need to pack all of your food for the day or whether there are local places in which to eat. Even if your main meals are planned, it’s important to bring along some good quality snacks.
When you are spending a full day fishing, it’s nice to have a few tasty snacks to indulge in. The same goes with fluids; always ensure that your group has access to enough water over the course of a day’s fishing.
Why You Should Plan a Fishing Trip This Year
Herbert Hoover once said that “fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.” A fishing trip is a special occasion, whether you are traveling with friends, family members, or even on a solo journey.
The above information will help you to find the motivation to plan a fishing trip this year and help you make it memorable. Like this blog post on why you should plan a fishing trip this year? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.
