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SALT LAKE CITY — Whether they take up fishing as a child or at an older age, novice anglers always have a common objective: they want to catch a fish—any fish. As most experienced fishermen know, however, the fish don’t always cooperate.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is predicting that 2014 will be a banner year for fishing.
"Statewide, this year should provide some of the best fishing we've ever seen in Utah," the DWR said in a news release.
Unfortunately, beginning anglers sometimes make the catching more challenging by making some crucial mistakes. Here are five common errors that keep new fishermen from hooking their finned quarry.
1. Using tackle that is too big. It is always assumed that catching big fish is better. As a result, many novice anglers buy outsized fishing gear assuming that doing so will lead to them catching bigger fish. Instead, using hooks that are too big or line that is too heavy practically eliminates the possibility of catching almost any fish. A lightweight spinning rod and reel, spooled with six-pound test line, is ideal for most fishing. In Utah, the more common fishes for beginners to pursue are panfish (such as bluegill, perch, or crappie) and stocked trout. These fish have small mouths and require light tackle. The gap of the hook should be smaller than the end of your little finger.
2. Failure to know the quarry. Catfish and carp usually feed near the bottom of a lake. Trout and bass can be found deep or shallow depending on water temperature and weather conditions. Crappie, perch and most other panfish like to stay close to submerged cover where they can hide from predatory fish that want to eat them. Grayling inhabit only cold, high mountain lakes and eat small aquatic insects. Knowing the habits and preferences of specific fish greatly increases the chances for success. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) posts an online fishing report that includes information about virtually every fishable body of water in the state.
3. Failure to understand the aquatic environment. In any lake or stream, 90 percent of the water is typically devoid of fish. Virtually all fish gravitate to structures. Structures can be sunken debris, flooded trees, underwater rocks or weed beds, currents, places with an inflow or outflow, areas of temperature variation, light or shadow, and more. Depending on what they need and want, fish will move from one type of structure to another. The ability to read the water enhances the probability of catching fish.
4. Choosing the wrong bait or lure. Worms are popular as bait because almost any fish will eat them. Small jigs will entice a wide range of fish—especially when tipped with soft plastic curly-tailed grubs or various Gulp minnows and worms. Newly stocked trout readily bite on Powerbait or salmon eggs. Small spinners and spoons will catch trout, white bass, perch, bass and more. Like hooks and other tackle, baits and lures must be sized properly for the fish. A bluegill or small trout will be easier to catch on a small piece of worm rather than with a whole nightcrawler.
5. Being afraid to ask for help. Most experienced anglers are happy to aid newcomers to the sport. If you see someone catching fish, ask for some tips, but be polite and don’t intrude on his or her spot. Visit one of the big outdoor stores and talk with the people in the fishing department. Tell them what you want to catch and where you want to go. Helping anglers be successful is part of their jobs. There are also online fishing forums where other anglers post reports. Most will gladly provide some guidance for eager novices. Good sites include the Utah forum on bigfishtackle.com and the fishing forums on utahwildlife.net.
For anglers ages 6 to 13 the DWR sponsors youth fishing clubs to help young anglers learn about the sport. A list of local clubs is available on the division web site. Adult volunteers are welcome and needed.
Please remember that fishing regulations vary from year to year and from one body of water to another. Fines for breaking the rules can be stiff and pleading ignorance because of inexperience is not likely to gain you any leniency. Printed copies of fishing regulations are available for free from any vendor that sells fishing licenses. Licenses and the 2014 Utah Fishing Guidebook are also available online.
Flint Stephens has a master's degree in communications from Brigham Young University. He is author of "Mormon Parenting Secrets: Time-Tested Methods for Raising Exceptional Children." His blog is mormonparentingsecrets.com.
