Frustration…

We all know that most of the time fishing is just a little too stress free. We go out, find the perfect spot right away, drop anchor, catch plenty of fish, and come home completely satisfied. We almost never get to experience lack of bait, tangled lines, snags, wind, or lost fish. Our kids never seem to cast over our lines or throw the anchor out before realizing that our best baitcasting rig is tangled in the anchor rope. Tackle seems always to work just the way it should and line almost never breaks. As a result, fishing does little to stimulate our inner need for frustration and stress, and we subconsciously prefer work, as is demonstrated by the fact that we spend 40 or more hours at work every week and only a few fishing. Fortunately, there are ways to increase the frustration reward our fishing can offer, and I’ve gone to the trouble of listing a few tried and trusted techniques below. The list is by no means exhaustive, and I’m sure that you all know a few good techniques of your own that you might add.

· When baitfishing, never buy new, specialized equipment to catch bluegills and such with. It’s a lot easier to use old, half-functional discarded rods and reels from your regular arsenal. Nothing like trying to cast a light bobber into the wind with ten-year-old 17lb test monofiliment that has been spooled on an old spinning reel for all of its ten years. A great reel suggestion is either one that refuses to be reeled in, or one without a bail wire, where you have to hook the line under the catch each time you wish to reel in at all.

· Keep a lot of extra stuff in your boat. You never know when you’ll need that gas lantern or full sized canvas tent. You may get to your spot a little slower, but at least you’re likely to trip on something at some point.

· Get all the use you can out of your line. This means leaving it on your reel until it all breaks off. This could take years, but it gets to be a quicker process the longer the line’s been in use. This is a great way to make sure you:

· Keep your hands occupied at all times. Tying on hooks and untangling line is a great way to accomplish this. We all know that fish bite better when you’re in the middle of something. So…by all means, light up that cigar, pour the coffee, balance your sandwich on the lid of your stinkbait container and put your rod at the opposite end of the boat. Heck, untangle your anchor rope if you absolutely have to, just get in the middle of a project!

· Hopefully you don’t have to resort to that last step, because there’s nothing like anchoring in the current with both anchors tangled up messes. Very nice way to kickstart your stress engine, especially if you fish above spillways or just above downed timber!

· Encourage your kids to say things like “Dad, I CAN’T untangle this myself” and “Daaaad…bait my hook for me again, and get these weeds off so I can cast by that tree!” Kids in general can insure that you get your requisite anger adrenaline for the day, but you have to encourage them to be dependent.

· Never anchor close to your target hole. It should be a perfect cast away, and upwind.

· Don’t bother with rodholders, you’ll probably notice a bite before your pole gets pulled in.

· Keep your net stowed safely under the canvas tent.

· Bring the wife, some liquid refreshments, and no “container”. Heck just bringing the wife…well, um never mind.

Like I say, you’re sure to know a few more, but this’ll get you started. Soon your fishing will be just as “exhilarating” as your job!

Happy Hunting!